Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 101.

JOHN J. DOOLEY

     One of Baker City's well known men and one who has had a typical western
career is John J. Dooley, formerly a sheep raiser in Baker county.  He was born
on the 14th of March, 1838, in Utica New York, where he passed the first sixteen
years of his life and received a common-school education.  He then removed to
Chicago, Illinois, and learned the machinist's trade and engaged as an engineer
on the Galena & Chicago Union railroad, now the Chicago & Northwestern railroad,
remaining in the service of that corporation for nine years.  In 1862 he crossed
the plains with ox and horse teams and settled in Auburn, Baker county, Oregon,
where he took up mining, an occupation which he followed for six years.  He was
then appointed collector of internal revenue for Idaho and during his incumbency
in that office resided in Idaho City for two years.  On the expiration of that
period he began his principal life work, building the toll road over the
mountains known as the Dooley toll road, and in the operation of this enterprise
he spent twenty years.  At the end of that time he removed to Baker City and in
the vicinity engaged in sheep raising, an occupation which he followed until
1906, when he retired from active business life.  He owns the comfortable home
which he occupies at No. 2043 Grove street.
     On the 25th of December, 1861, in Chicago, Mr. Dooley was married to Miss
Phoebe Knapp, a daughter of Asa and Philura Knapp, who were pioneers in
Illinois.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dooley were born the following children:  J. F.,
who is a resident of Baker City; Frank R., living in Corvallis, Oregon; Asa
Knapp, of La Grande; and Margaret.  The last named acquired her education in the
public schools and in St. Frances Academy and College of Baker City.  Passing
the civil service examination, she took the office of clerk in the Federal
building on the 15th of December, 1902, and since 1910 has acted as assistant to
the postmaster.  John J. Dooley and his wife celebrated their golden wedding
anniversary on the 25th of December, 1911.
     Mr. Dooley gives his political allegiance to the republican party and early
in his career, in the fall of 1862, served as deputy sheriff.  His life since
that time has been such as to thoroughly implant him in the confidence and
esteem of his large circle of acquaintances.  Fraternally he is identified with
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he has served as deputy grand
master for a number of years.  He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus
and a trustee of his lodge.  The business and official career of Mr. Dooley has
aided very materially in the development of the west, particularly his great
work of building the Dooley toll road across the mountains, which at that early
day was a task of unusual magnitude for a man of extremely limited means to
undertake and carry to a successful consummation.  He possesses the heroism of
the typical pioneer -- that worthy class of citizens to whom we are indebted for
the splendid western civilization and improvements which the great Pacific coast
country now enjoys.  The Dooley family in Baker city are prominent in fraternal,
social and business circles and are among the very best citizens of Baker
county.
 
 
Transcriber's Additional Notes:
"Oregon, End of the Trail"
Compiled by workers of the Writer's Program of the Work Projects Administration
in the State of Oregon
Binfords & Mort Publishers; Portland; 1940.  Page 285-6
 
"South of SALISBURY, 9.2 m.  (3,675 alt.,  4 pop.), a railroad station.  State 7
winds through the yellow jackpines of the WHITMAN NATIONAL FOREST to DOOLEY
MOUNTAIN SUMMIT, 17 m.  (5,392 alt.), which commands wide vistas of the Blue
Mountains.  The Dooley Mountain Toll Road, joins State 7 at 17.5 m.  (L).  It
was named for John Dooley, an emigrant who purchased the road from B. F. Koontz,
of Baker."

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.