Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 3. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 634. IRVIN E. CUTSFORTH Who for ten years has been engaged in the cultivation of his home farm, one-half mile north of Gervais was born in Michigan, February 6, 1862, his parents being Thomas and Sarah (Harrison) Cutsforth, both of whom were natives of England, the former having been born in Yorkshire in 1823 and the latter in Lincolnshire in 1833. The father came to the United States at the age of twenty-five years and went directly to Michigan, where some of his family had preceded him and where he at once rented land for cultivation. In addition to this he engaged in landscape gardening and accepted employment by the day until he purchased a farm and entered upon agricultural pursuits independently. In 1851 he was married to Sarah Harrison, the daughter of John Harrison. Mrs. Thomas Cutsforth had come to America a the age of fifteen years and had also gone directly to Michigan. For the first fifteen years after their marriage they resided upon the farm which Mr. Cutsforth had previously purchased, but at the end of that time they sold their property and removed to Wisconsin, settling near Poynette. For the ensuing twenty-five years the father engaged in buying farms for speculative purposes, selling them immediately after he had improved them. He carried this on until his retirement and removal to Poynette in 1890, where he resided for five years, and then after a three years' residence in New Auburn he came to Oregon to live retired on a small place he had purchased near Gervais. This was his home until a year before his death, on March 6, 1907. Mr. Cutsforth was a man whom any community would value because he was always interested in everything which pertained to the public good and was active in enforcing any measures which would tend to bring about an improved condition. Throughout his life he was engaged in speculating in land and so successful was he in this that he was financially able to give each of his children a good start in life. To Mr. and Mrs. Cutsforth nine children were born. Joseph, the eldest, who is a resident of Gervais, married Elizabeth McDonald and to them five children have been born. Thomas, who lives at Riddle, Oregon, married Gertrude Gevans and to them four children have been born. Frederick, the third son, is deceased. John H., who resides in Gervais, married Eva Warren and they are the parents of five children. Irvin E. Cutsforth is the subject of this sketch. Ellen, who is the wife of William McDonald, resides in Poynette, Wisconsin, and is the mother of three children. George H., resides in Riddle, Oregon. He married Nora Rodgers and to them three children have been born. Frank H., who is a resident of Gervais, married Eunice Hovey and has two children. Jarvis E., married Catherine Bohem and they are the parents of one child. They reside in Gervais. Irvin E. Cutsforth started to earn his own livelihood in Wisconsin at the age of twenty-one years, being employed by the month for the first two years and then purchasing a farm upon which he began working at once. About this time he was married and in 1901 removed to Oregon where the climatic conditions were more pleasing. In Wisconsin he had found the severe weather very trying and, furthermore, his barn had been destroyed by lightning, all this influencing him to remove to Oregon. Upon his arrival in this state he purchased on hundred and eighty-six acres of what is known as the E. Brown and T. L. Baker donation land claim. This land has all been brought under a high state of cultivation and is proving very profitable for grain and cattle-raising, besides being one of the most improved and best equipped farms in the district, among the recent improvements being the substantial and comfortable two-story house and two large, modern barns. Special attention has been given to the raising of thoroughbred Percheron horses, as well as to other fine breeds, and sheep. In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Cutsforth to Miss Irene Black, who was born in Poynette, Wisconsin, December 20, 1866. She is the daughter of James and Harriette (Lewsley) Black, both of whom were natives of England but took up their residence near Poynette, Wisconsin, their present home, after they had spent their first years in America on Long Island. The father was a mason by trade, but led the life of an agriculturist whenever circumstances permitted. To Mr. and Mrs. Black for children were born, namely: Emma, the wife of Lester Luther, who is a resident of Poynette, Wisconsin, and has four children; Amelia, who is the wife of Joel F. Keebough, of Poyette, Wisconsin, and has four children; Mary, the wife of C. A. Sawyer, who resides in Gervais, Oregon, and has seven children; and Irene, now Mrs. Irvin E. Cutsforth. After his marriage Mr. Cutsforth engaged in farming on his property of eighty acres near Poynette, which he devoted to corn and hog-raising, along which lines he has since met with marked success. To Mr. and Mrs. Cutsforth two children have been born. Reuben Jesse, the elder, was born January 15, 1890. He is residing at home and although he has shown some aptitude for machinery, he still assists his father with the management of the farm. He is the owner of a house and lot in Woodburn, Oregon. J. Ross, the younger, whose birth occurred on November 16, 1893, resides at home and takes a great interest in the farm work which he desires to make his life's occupation. Mr. Cutsforth is a republican but casts his vote for the man and principle concerned rather than for the party. He has never been an office seeker but has served as school director because of his great interest in furthering the welfare of his community, and fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In religious faith the family are Presbyterians and are close adherents to the faith of that denomination. By his own efforts and because of his great determination to act for the best interests of others as well as himself Mr. Cutsforth has become a strong and important citizen in the community of which he is a member. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.