Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 530.
 
JOHN MEDLER

     one of the first commissioners of Sherman county, and a leading and
influential citizen, residing at Wasco, was born at Magdeburg, Germany, October
9, 1837. His parents were Henry and Doris (Sense) Medler, who are mentioned
elsewhere. The family came to the United States in August, 1847, and the father,
an expert jeweler, went to work for Frank & Pheiffer, manufacturing jewelers,
No. 39 Courtland street, New York city. He remained in their employment until
the spring of 1849. But he had come to this country with the intention of buying
a farm, and he, consequently, went to Cabell county, West Virginia and made the
purchase. Until 1852 the family continued to live there and then moved back to
New York in order to afford their children the advantages of schooling. Up to
that period our subject had enjoyed only three months at school, as the West
Virginia facilities were very poor. In New York he attended a graded school
which accommodated one thousand pupils. He remained there two years which
completed his education.
     Mr. John Medler and his brother, Bruno, then began to learn the jeweler's
trade, at which our subject worked two years. The health of the boys failed and
the physician declared that they must seek out of door employment. In 1865 they
removed to Missouri. Meantime the father died. In 1869 our subject returned to
assume charge of the family. His brother was engaged in saw milling. In 1881 he
sold the farm for his mother and then came to Oregon. In Sherman county he took
up a homestead and purchased more land. On his arrival he had very little money
left. He brought his wife and six children with him. February 1, 1882, during
the absence of Mr. Medler, his half-brother's house was destroyed by fire and
our subject's wife and two children were burned to death. Following this
terrible disaster Mr. Medler preempted land, built a fine, commodious house,
prospered financially and remained single until December 6, 1903, when he was
united in marriage to Mrs. Nancy Ornduff, a native of Ohio.
     The first marriage of our subject occurred in West Virginia, September 19,
1861, when he was united to Eliza J. Hull, a native of Cabell County, West
Virginia. Her parents were Martin and Nancy (Morgan) Hull, the father a native
of Virginia ; the mother of the same state. The Hull family has been a
distinguished one in American history, as planters, jurists and soldiers in the
Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. William Hull, born at Derby, Connecticut,
June 24, 1753, served as an American general through the Revolutionary war and
was governor of Michigan Territory from 1805 until 1814. He died at Newton,
Massachusetts, November 29, 1825. Isaac Hull, born at Derby, Connecticut, March
9, 1773, died at Philadelphia, February 13, 1843. He was an American commodore
and commanded the Constitution, which defeated and captured the Guerriere August
19, 1812. 
     Martin Hull was noted as an athlete, being endowed with great physical
powers. He was married three times and was the father of twenty-five children.
When quite young he could easily shoulder a three-bushel sack of wheat, with
feet standing in a half bushel measure. He served in the War of 1812. Our
subject has four children living ; Henry, living two and one-half miles
north-east of Wasco; Ernest A., a farmer and saloon keeper, at Wasco ; John G.,
now conducting our subject's two ranches ; Frank, who rents the "Cooper place"
on the John Day river. Emma Isadore, aged twenty, and her brother, Arthur M.,
aged six, two other children, were burned to death with their mother February 1,
1882.
     At present Mr. Medler owns two thousand and forty acres of land all devoted
to wheat. In 1891 he became president of the Farmers Cooperative Warehouse
Association, which enterprise he organized and continued president until he
disposed of his interest. He also engaged in banking business, but later sold
out. He was instrumental in the organization of the Wasco Union Lumber Company,
of which he was treasurer. For two years he was president of the organizers.
March 4, 1903, he purchased an interest in the Wasco Commercial Company and to
this he devotes his attention. He owns a handsome cottage home in town.
Politically he is in line with the Democratic party, and Governor Pennoyer
appointed him a county commissioner on the organization of Sherman county. We
also wish to mention that Mr. Medley has taken a very active and prominent part
in promoting the State Grange of Oregon, having spent much money and time in
this important enterprise. He has the distinction of being the overseer for this
order for the state of Oregon, and is considered one of the most thorough and
up-to-date parliamentarians in the state.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.