"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. Page 613. Malheur County. JOHN PEDERSON Deceased. AS the old pioneers pass away the younger men rise to fill their places in the business world, but the former made a place and name for themselves in the history of the country that is quite proper to mention in this work, and thus we grant to the esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this paragraph, since he was one of the stanch supporters of our free institutions, was a real pioneer, a good and kind father and husband, and a noble man. John Pederson was born in Denmark, in August, 1828, there passing his early years until he shipped on the ocean and in that capacity sailed to all parts of the world, and at the age of maturity came with his parents to New York, thence to New Orleans and up the Mississippi, and across the plains to Utah, using ox teams in the latter journey. Eighteen hundred and fifty-eight was the date of landing there, and two years later he went to California, and on July 7, of that year, was married to Mrs. Adelia (Johnson) Riddles. Mrs. Pederson had crossed the plains in 1847 with her parents, coming from Iowa with ox teams. Our subject and his wife lived in Alpine county, California, on a farm until 1863, then came to Willow creek, and two years later to the present homeplace, four miles west from Vale. They took a quarter section as government land and improved it, builded irrigating ditches, erected house, barns, outbuildings and all the conveniences, and made a fine home. At the home place, on May 17, 1899, Mr. Pederson was called to leave his work, his home and his family, and pass the river of death. His demise was a time for mourning among all who knew him, for he was a good man. The children left are as follows: John O., married to Alice Gelleran; George and Nellie, twins, the latter the wife of J. Benning; Samuel; Lizzie, wife of S. Adams; Olive, wife of J. J. Davis; Alda; Ruby; Vesta May. Mrs. Pederson was born June 14, 1845, and her first husband was Richard Riddles, deceased, and by that marriage she has three children, as follows: Martha A., wife of James Crooks, of Seattle; Mary J., wife of E. Henderson, of Sherman county, Oregon; Celia, wife of James Henderson, of Yreka, California. Mrs. Pederson's sons, George and Samuel, are running the place, in company, and it is the family home. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.