Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 3. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 828.
 
JOHN WESLEY WALDEN

     In the list of the leading citizens of La Grande is John Wesley Walden, who
is successfully serving in the official capacity of chief of police. He was born
July 25, 1858, in La Salle county, Illinois, the son of John W. and Hannah
(Elliott) Walden, the father a native of New York and the mother of Michigan.
The parents were married in Michigan in 1854 and the father was engaged in
farming in Lenawee county of that state until 1863, when he purchased horses and
started overland for California but was killed on the way by Indians. The mother
was left with two children: John, of this review; and one daughter, Phoebe, now
deceased. In 1865 the mother was again married, her second union being with
Eugene Knapp, and in 1872 they moved to Cloud county, Kansas.
     John W. Walden received his early education in the district schools. He was
fourteen years of age when he removed to Kansas and he resided in that state
until 1893, when he came to Union county, Oregon. For one year thereafter he was
engaged in the implement business and then for four years was employed in
railroad work. Subsequently he was elected constable at Union and later deputy
sheriff under Sheriff Derring, which office he filled for four years. Thereupon
he came to La Grande, entering the police department as patrolman, and one year
later was elected night chief, in which capacity he served for two years. He was
then made chief of police, which position he is now filling.
     In Kansas, in 1882, Mr. Walden was united in marriage with Miss Florence
Delp and they have become the parents of three children: Claud and Ralph, both
of whom are engaged in railroad work; and Ernest, who is in school. Mr. Walden
is a man of indomitable courage, sterling integrity and honesty of purpose, who
has never spared himself in any way when the safety of the community was at
stake. He has been in sheriff and police work for twenty-one years and has had
many interesting experiences with cattle and horse thieves and lawbreakers in
general and as a result of some of these he now carries four bullets in his
body. He has ever discharged his duties with marked ability and fairness and is
considered a most loyal and public-spirited citizen. In his political views Mr.
Walden is a republican, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.