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. 759.

JAMES M. FAUGHT

     has been a pioneer of the Pacific coast for a great many years and various
sections of the country bear evidence of his industry and thrift. He now resides
on the Burns stage road, ten miles out from Prineville, where he has a good
place and follows farming. He was born in Indiana, on November 4, 1834 the son
of William M. Faught, a native of Shelby county, Kentucky. The father came to
Indiana in early day and settled on a farm twenty miles west from Indianapolis.
In addition to handling his farm, he operated a flourmill, a sawmill and a
distillery and became very wealthy. In 1840, he lost his wealth by going
security for other parties. Following that, he disposed of what property he had
left and moved to Davis county, Iowa, and took up government land. In 1850, he
and our subject crossed the plains to California where they were engaged in
mining for three years, then they returned to Iowa with a pack train. The next
year the father brought his family to the west, accompanied by two brothers.
They located on land which they supposed belonged to the government but which
afterward proved to be a Spanish grant. Upon ascertaining that point, Mr.
Faught sold his improvements and the remainder of his life, lived with his
children. He had married Nancy Sears, a native of Virginia, the wedding
occurring in Indiana. Our subject was but ten years of age when the family moved
to Iowa but as there were practically no schools in that then wild country he
had very little opportunity to gain an education. As before stated, he
accompanied his father on a trip across the plains then journeyed with a pack
train back to the states and in 1854, came a second time to California. When
twenty-three years of age, he started for himself, having as his capital a
Spanish horse and a change of clothing. He began by renting land and during the
harvest seasons operated a threshing machine until he finally secured sufficient
money to purchase a farm in Mendocino county, California, in 1865. Twelve years
later, he sold that property for eight thousand dollars and moved to Trout
creek, Crook county, taking up the sheep business. He handled the first sheep in
that part of the country and in 1882, moved to Prineville, where he remained two
years, handling sheep.  Two years later, he purchased a ranch on Bear creek
which was the headquarters for the sheep business, until 1895. In that year he
sold all his stock and purchased the ranch where he now resides, which has been
his home since.
     In 1860, Mr. Faught married Mary F. Stuart. She was born on a tract of land
which was in dispute between Missouri and lowa and which afterward became a part
of the former state. With her parents, Abel and Elizabeth (Peal) Stuart, she
came across the plains to California in 1849. The father was born in New York
and was a veteran of the War of 1812, having participated in the battle of
Lundy's Lane. He was a well known forty-niner to California, and a prominent
man. The mother came from German ancestry. Following are the children born to
our subject and his wife: William, a cattle raiser in Wallowa county, Oregon;
Cora I.; Elmer J., a stock raiser on Bear creek; and Elam C. Mr. Faught enjoys a
good reputation and he and his wife have so conducted themselves that they have
won the admiration and esteem of all, have achieved a splendid success in
financial matters and are best known as progressive and first-class people.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.