An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company,
Spokane, WA. 1905, pages 412-413.

JACOB OBRIST has labored long and well in Wasco county and the result is that he
has a fine farm about ten miles south from The Dalles on Fairview, formerly
known as Dutch Flat. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 9,
1833, the son of John and Annie (Clawges) Obrist, natives of Switzerland and
Philadelphia, respectively. The father came to the United States in 1818 and
settled in Philadelphia. He died in Brooklyn, Illinois in 1879. The mother's
ancestors were German and lived in Pennsylvania for several generations. Her
parents were Daniel and Anna M. Clawges and were born August 11, 1760 and
September 16, 1864, respectively. Daniel Clawges was the first sheriff of
Philadelphia county after the Revolutionary War. Our subject was brought by his
parents to northern Illinois when he was three years of age and remained on the
farm with his father until twenty-one. Then he worked out and later rented land.
After this, we find him in St. Louis county. Missouri, where he farmed rented
land for ten years. Then he removed to Henry county in the same state and in
1883, came to Oregon and took the place where he now lives, as a homestead. He
was one of the first actual settlers here. Two others, Nelson and Chittendon,
had taken claims before Mr. Obrist. The land was all covered with heavy timber
and brush and Mr. Obrist had no small task to open it up. However, he has one
hundred acres all cleared and raises wheat, hay, potatoes and so forth and has a
fine nine acre orchard.      On April 4, 1861, at St. Louis, Missouri, Mr.
Obrist married Miss Ellen Kirkman, who was born in New Orleans, on July 20,
1841. Her parents were George and Mary (McBride) Kirkman. The father is a native
of Wheeling, West Virginia and his parents of Scotland, while the mother was
born in Pennsylvania. Her father, Alexander M., was a patriot in the
Revolutionary War. Mr. Obrist has the following named brothers and sisters, Mrs.
Mary A. Weygh, Mrs. Harriett Williams, Amanda, Marguerite, Charles and John,
deceased. Mrs. Obrist has one sister, Mrs. Anna Smith, living, and three sisters
and one brother deceased, Elizabeth, Mary, Caroline, and Alexander. To Mr. and
Mrs. Obrist the following children have been born, William G., Frances A., Harry
F., John E. and Charles, and two deceased, Mary E. and Jacob.      

Mr. and Mrs. Obrist are members of the United Brethren church and he has been
school director for many years. He assisted very materially in erecting the
first school house here and has always labored for the advancement of
educational interest. He is a Democrat but not active. Mrs. Obrist is a lady who
has shown marked virtues and although a great sufferer from rheumatism, is a
patient and kind Christian woman.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.