Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 401 JAMES W. ROOTS one of the most prominent farmers and horticulturists of Clackamas county, was born in Chatham, England, February 18, 1849. His parents were James and Sarah (Holeday) Roots, both of English descent. In 1853, they emigrated to New York, thence removing to Illinois, where they resided for a couple of years. In 1857, they went to Kansas, where they preempted land, passing through all the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life, besides experiencing the added trouble of conflicts with border ruffians, and Indians, and the ruffians mobbed him off his lands, because of his free-soil principles and his efforts to make Kansas a free State. By his courage and ability, however, he finally secured his land, to which they again returned. On the breaking out of the war, his sympathies were thoroughly aroused, and he offered his services to the Government, enlisting in the Thirteenth Kansas Regiment, in which he served bravely and efficiently for two years, or until he became disabled, and in consequence was honorably discharged. In 1865, he sold out his possessions in Kansas and removed to Missouri, where he aided in running the Bushwhackers out of the country. In 1869 he and his family crossed the plains to Oregon. They had three wagons and several mule teams, and were well armed with guns, revolvers and knives, being prepared to fight their way through, if necessary. His wife and four children comprised the family. On the way they fell in with other emigrants, making eighteen wagons in all. A part of them were attacked by Indians, with whom they had a sharp fight, and who got away with one of their men, from whom they never heard afterward. On arriving at Fort Kearny, they were retained there until other emigrants came up, as it was not considered safe for them to proceed. Their number was increased to forty-five wagons, and all who were not well armed, were supplied by the fort with Spencer rifles. They then pursued their journey, crossing swollen streams without bridges, sometimes using from five to ten spans of mules and horses to one wagon and floating the bed of the wagon up as high as the standards, getting the clothing and provisions wet. It took two days to cross South Platte and the same to cross North Platte, and they had to exercise every precaution against a sudden attack by the. Indians. At night when they went into camp, they would form a corral with their wagons, and their animals were pastured until dark and then driven within the inclosure. A guard was diligently kept until day light, when the stock were again driven out to pasture. They were obliged to feed their animals the best they could, as their own safety and final journey depended on their teams' strength. On the east edge of the Black Hills a fearful storm overtook them. The wind was something terrific, while the thunder re-echoed among the hills, until the earth fairly seemed to tremble; over all this the lightning came in blinding sheets, the intense light of which was succeeded by appalling darkness. Tents were blown down and covers torn from wagons by the wind, while the drenching rain completed the general devastation. The women were in the tent, while the men outside were trying to hold it down, to keep it from blowing away. On that fearful night a tiny emigrant entered on its worldly pilgrimage, adding its distress to that engendered by the destructive storm. The storm however passed away with the night, and the morning found all uninjured. Three children were born on this memorable journey to Oregon. Provision became very scarce in the latter part of the journey, and money, too. On arriving in the State, Mr. Roots and his family settled on land in Clackamas county, taking possession in the fall of 1869, and on which the father still resides in peace and plenty, in a good home, supplied with all the conveniences that money can provide. He has been thrice married, the present companion of his old age being a nice little lady, who was his first boy love in England, many years ago. He is now in his seventy-fourth year, and enjoys the good-will of all who know him, because of his true worth and genial character. His son, the subject of our sketch, spent the most of his time from twelve till twenty driving team, freighting west of the Mississippi river and experiencing a great many hardships in that capacity. He was in his twentieth year when he crossed the plains. He drove a team from Kansas, and on the journey, after providing for his team for the night, he has on some occasions taken a blanket, and lain down in the tall grass at a distance, being fearful of being attacked and killed by the Indians. When on the plains, he and a companion left the train at Sinkey creek, to go to the Silver City mines, to see what they could do there. When they arrived there, there was no work and no water to work the mines, and they pursued their way in Canyon City. Two days of this part of the journey was spent without food, the last of which was also devoid of water, there being nothing but sand and sage brush. His feet became a complete blister from walking in the hot sand, and their suffering was intense,and at other times, in the Blue mountains, they had to pick berries to eat to keep from starving. His companion died from the effects of this journey. This is only one of the many instances of hardship which the early pioneers endured, and which have made them richly deserving of all future prosperity. On arriving in Clackamas, he homesteaded 160 acres of land, located half a mile west of the present site of Clackamas Station. This land was then covered with a dense forest of huge fir trees, some of which were eight feet in diameter and 300 feet high. It was an herculean task to clean up the property and prepare it for farming purposes, and only those similarly situated can realize the toil and perseverance necessary to accomplish it. After the trees were trees were felled, they made a dense pile on the ground, which was burned, thus leaving the work but barely commenced; for great stumps remained, the roots of which extended like sinewy ropes, twenty feet and more in every direction, all of which had to be carefully removed before the ground could be utilized. All of this was industriously accomplished, and Mr. Roots has today, one of the finest farms in the county. A short time after he settled on the place, a terrific wind storm blew down much of the timber, strewing the roads and surrounding country with fallen trees. The following year a fire got into this fallen timber, which threatened to destroy everything they had. His family fled for refuge, and he and his neighbors fought the fire, finally succeeding in saving the house, but the fences and all other buildings were destroyed. Mr. Roots worked for fourteen years in the paper mill of the Clackamas Paper Company, part of the time occupying the position of foreman and millwright. This mill was two miles and a half from his home, which distance he walked, going at noon and returning at midnight, for five years, when he rode back and forth. He, at first raised only vegetables and hay on his farm, but as soon as possible, began the production of different kinds of fruit, in the cultivation of which he has been very successful, now having one of the finest fruit farms in the State. On commencing life on this place, he was $100 worse off than nothing, and now owns about a thousand acres of choice farming lands, about a hundred town lots, a large and comfortable residence, good barns for his grain and stock, and other buildings, all surrounded by trimly kept grounds, to which is added an orchard, second to none in the country. These are a wonderful tribute to the great thrift of the man, as well as to the productiveness of the soil. He was married May 20, 1871, to Miss Eliza Ann Hickey, who crossed the plains in the same train as himself, which goes to show that no journey is too long or laborious for Cupid to undertake. Miss Hickey's father, Hugh A. Hickey, was a highly esteemed pioneer, who died in 1888, leaving a faithful wife and family to mourn his loss. "The mother still survives. To this marriage have been born four children, three daughters and one son: Hattie S; Thomas A., Myrtle T., and Amy L., all born in Oregon, and reflecting credit on their native county and State. Mr. Roots is a prominent Republican in politics, taking a commendable interest in the affairs of his State and country. He is a respected member of the A. 0. U. W. Thus has intelligent and persistent effort been rewarded with prosperity, and what is more desirable, the good-will of all right-minded citizens. ******************* 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.