"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 478.  Grant County.

M. M. BRIERLEY

     To the prominent and capable gentleman whose name heads this paragraph we
are constrained to grant a representation in the history of Grant county, since
he is at the present time one of the potent factors in its population, and since
he has wrought here and in other places on the frontier for many years with a
display of the true pioneer spirit, and since his personal qualities of morality
and ability are excellent and he is highly esteemed by his fellows.
     Mr. Brierley was born in Lee county, Iowa on April 2, 1842, being the son
of Samuel and Sophia Brierley, and in 1853 the family came across the plains
with ox teams, and while en route they had two pitched battles with the Indians,
but in due time they made their way to California, settling in Amador county.
The mother died in Oakland and in 1859 the father and our subject came back
across the trail with a pack train, the son having the distinction of riding a
Spanish mule the entire distance from the Pacific coast to Missouri.  In 1875
our subject returned to California, locating in Stockton, where he engaged in
farming for a decade.  The year 1885 was when he came to Burns, engaging in
sheep raising and freighting for five years.  Following this period he removed
to Hamilton, where he continued in the same business until 1899, when he sold
out and removed to Monument.  Here he has served as justice of the peace for
eight years, and in 1895 he was appointed stock inspector for Grant county and
served for one year.
     In Buchanan county, Missouri, Mr. Brierley married Miss Barbara Goodman, a
native of Missouri, and to them have been born the following children:  Samuel,
in California; George D., of Canyon City; Lee Annie, wife of John Garrett, of
Pendleton; Thomas, of Ione; Bernice, wife of Frank Bowman, of Monument; Eliza,
wife of J. Boyce, of Grant county.
     On September 22, 1861, Mr. Brierley enlisted in the second battalion,
Missouri State Troops, and in February, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Fifth
Missouri Cavalry, and in that capacity he served until the close of the war,
participating in the battles of Lone Jack, Prairie Grove, the expedition on the
Red river, besides numerous other battles and skirmishes, making an enviable
record as a brave and faithful soldier, intrepid and courageous, and loyal to
the banner of freedom.  Mr. Brierley is a prominent member of the G.A.R., and he
organized the Post, No. 48, at Burns, for two years holding the position of
commander; he also organized the Blue Mountain Post, No. 72, at Hamilton, and
was commander there for two years.  Mr. Brierley is one of the well known and
esteemed citizens of this county and he has the entire confidence of his
fellows.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.