Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 364.
 
JAMES H. RALEY

     One of the most prominent men of Umatilla county is Colonel James H. Raley,
who is now practicing law in Pendleton, where he has built up an extensive and
lucrative clientage. He has been a leader in the political circles of his state
and county for an extended period, having been a member of the state senate for
eight years, besides holding other public offices of importance and trust.
     Colonel James H. Raley was born in Nebraska City when Nebraska was a
territory January 20, 1855, a son of Jonathan and Rachael Raley. He resided with
his parents in Nebraska until the spring of 1862, when the family removed west
to Oregon, crossing the plains with ox teams and arriving at The Dalles in
October of the same year. The following winter was spent in Portland and in the
spring of 1864 the family again removed, this time to Umatilla county, locating
just one mile south of the present site of Pendleton. Here Colonel James H.
Raley received his education in the common schools of the county and in due time
entered the State University of Oregon. His boyhood pursuits had been chiefly
stock raising and assisting his father with the farm work, in addition to his
school work. In early manhood he was elected county surveyor of Umatilla county,
which position he filled so successfully that he was reelected for a second
term. His success in the political world seemed to be assured from the start,
and he has since that time held many offices of importance and trust. Colonel
Raley was one of the first councilmen of Pendleton and he was later elected to
the mayoralty. For eight years he was a member of the state senate and during
that time was the author of the irrigation law of the state which bears his
name, and also author of the bill creating the eastern Oregon State Normal
school. He has been one of the regents of this institution since its founding.
During his service in the legislature Colonel Raley was conceded to be one of
the most able members of the senate and the legislature between the years 1888
and 1896. He had the complete support of the counties which he represented and
their appreciation of his services was made manifest in his continued election
to public offices. In 1895 he was admitted to the bar, and is now one of the
foremost lawyers in the state of Oregon. Few lawyers have made a more lasting
impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and
for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a
community.
     In 1879 occurred the marriage of Colonel Raley to Miss Minnie A. Pruett. To
their union four children have been born, three girls and a boy. The son, Roy
Raley, is one of Pendleton's leading attorneys, is president of the Commercial
Club and is a member of other clubs and associations of importance.
     The political allegiance of Colonel Raley has always been given to the
democratic party and his fraternal affiliations are with the Masons. Colonel
Raley has a beautiful home in Pendleton and also a hunting lodge in the Blue
mountains. Here game is plentiful and he enjoys the pursuit of both large and
small game. The fishing in this vicinity is also very good, mountain trout being
caught in large numbers. There is no better sportsman than Colonel Raley. He is
familiar with every phase of woodcraft and is a true lover of nature and the
great out-of-doors.
     Colonel Raley has been particularly interested in the subject of irrigation
and he is just as big a booster for other improvements which he deems necessary
to the development of his county and state. He is now actively connected with a
profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity
of any section or community and one which has- long been considered as
conserving public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining
individual rights.
 
 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.