Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 2. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 26. HUGH E. DENHAM is a member of the firm of Palmer & Denham, proprietors of a harness-making business in Baker. He was born in Columbus City, Iowa, March 29, 1857. His father, William Denham, was a native of Ohio, born in 1832, and in his boyhood days he went with his parents to Iowa and in that state was married in 1855 to Miss Esther Jeffries, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1833. She too had become a resident of Iowa when her parents established a home in that state. Both Mr. and Mrs. Denham remained residents of Columbus City until called to their final rest, both passing away when about forty years of age. He was a tailor by trade, but in Iowa followed the transfer business. In their family were seven children, three of whom passed early childhood: Hugh E.; Mrs. May Wilson, now deceased; and Mary Elsie, who died at the age of fourteen years. Hugh E. Denham resided at the place of his birth until 1877 when he went to Superior, Nuckolls county, Nebraska. He had previously served an apprenticeship at the harness-making and saddlery trade which he followed in that state. In September, 1880, he came to Baker where he lived for four years and then went back to Colorado where he spent the succeeding two years. At the expiration of that time he again came to Oregon, settling in La Grande in 1889. Seven years passed and he then took up his abode in Baker where he has since lived. He has been a harness maker throughout his entire life and was in the employ of others until 1888 when he started in business for himself. In that year he entered into partnership with Robert Palmer, with whom he has since been connected under the firm style of Palmer & Denham. They own their shop which is located at No. 1706 Main street, a one-story building twenty by eighty feet, occupied entirely by them in their harness-making business. They are both excellent workmen and they also furnish employment to two men. This business, however, is but one venture of their activities. They own ranch lands together, comprising about five hundred and sixty acres under cultivation with other large tracts used for pasturage, and they are making s specialty of Percheron horses, in which connection they have become widely known, being foremost in this business in Baker county and in fact throughout eastern Oregon. On the 18th of June, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Denham and Miss Maggie Gooding, who was born in Canada, March 30, 1865, but was reared in the United States. In 1881 she came to Oregon with her parents, Francis and Margaret (Russell) Gooding, the former a native of England, the latter of Scotland. They were married in Canada and spent their last days in Baker. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denham have been born six children: May M., a native of Colorado; William F.; Ray A.; who is married and resides in Baker; Ethel, who died at the age of nine years; and Earl and Lloyd. The last five were born in this state. Mr. Denham is very prominent in fraternal relations. He belongs to both the subordinate lodge and encampment of the independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Maccabees. On starting out in life for himself Mr. Denham early recognized that diligence is the only sure foundation upon which to build success. He made his services of value to his employers and eventually was able to save from his earnings sufficient capital with which to engage in business on his own account. From that point forward his progress has been continuous, the steps in his advancement being easily discernible. Wise use of time and opportunities and honorable dealings have been the salient features of his success. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2015 by Dale Givens, odg -at- hiwaay.net. More information can be found at: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bakerco&id=I11986