Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 943. OLIVER P. COSHOW an Oregon pioneer of 1851, was born in Connersville, Indiana, July 4, 1831. His father, Robert Coshow,was born near Lexington, Kentucky, but emigrated to Ohio in childhood, and subsequently to Indiana, where he was married to Julia Perin, of that State, and pursued an agricultural life. O. P. Coshow remained with his parents until the spring of 1851, when he started for Oregon, securing his transportation by driving one of the teams of R. B. Cochran. The journey was fought with the usual incidents of emigrant travel, but as they were well equipped they met with no serious accident and reached the farm of William Cochran, in Linn county, after six months of travel. This gentleman had crossed the plains in 1847. After helping R. B. Cochran erect his cabin he started for the Rogue river mines, but sickness claimed him for its own and he returned to the Willamette valley without having made any "raise." In 1853 he located a claim one and one-half miles north of Brownsville and engaged in farming and raising of stock. In the Rogue river war of 1855 and 1856 he was a member of Captain Keeney's company, and during the three months' campaign passed through severe engagements, but without accident; in fact, but one man was killed in the whole 120 men. In 1858 he sold his farm and moved to the Harrisburg precinct, purchased 440 acres of land and farmed it and raised stock until 1868, when he rented his farm and removed to Brownsville to secure school privileges for his children. In the spring of 1869 he bought an interest in the business of J. M. Morgan, and continued it for five years and traded his share in it for stock in the Brownsville Woolen Mill, but operated the other business in the interests of that corporation. The company then erected the business block on Main street, for which our subject traded his mill stock in 1889, and then closed out the stock of the merchandise that he had been handling and retired from active business, except as engaged in the handling and sale of real estate and insurance. He still owns 320 acres near Harrisburg, and 650 acres in close proximity to the town of Brownsville. He is a member of blue lodge and chapter, F. & A. M., and though not active in politics is an urgent advocate of educational institutions for the best interests of the growing young city. He was married in 1858 to Sarah E. Cochran, daughter of William Cochran. They have had ten children, namely: William L., Sophronia A., wife of J. M. Howe, merchant in Eugene; Robert H., secretary of the Salem Woolen Mills; James N.,farmer and stock-raiser; Mary E. wife of J. Franzen, mechanical engineer; Oliver P., Jr., attorney at McMinnville; Sarah E.; Ida A. wife of George O. Stanan, druggist, of Albany; George H. and Kate E. Mrs. Coshow is still living, death having never entered their doors. The home has also been enlivened by eighteen grandchildren, who add joy and music to the household. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.