Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. p. 392. COLONEL PERCY WILLIS Colonel Percy Willis, who for many years was a notable figure in military circles of the country, rendering distinguished service in both the Spanish-American and World wars, is now on the retired list and has recently taken up his residence in Portland. He comes of a family noted for military prowess, his father, Leo Willis, being a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate army, serving under Lieutenant General N. B. Forrest, while his uncle, John T. Morgan, was a brigadier general in the Army of the Confederacy and after the close of hostilities was elected United States senator from Alabama, in which capacity he served continuously for thirty years, passing away while occupying that office. Colonel Willis is a native of Texas. He was born in Gonzales, February 15, 1865, and in early youth came to Oregon with his parents. His mother survives and is a resident of Portland. His sister, Leona, also makes her home in that city, her husband, E. B. Piper, being the editor of the Oregonian. A brother, Eugene, is well known as deputy sheriff of Multnomah county, and he likewise resides in Portland. Another brother, Horace A., is living at The Dalles, Oregon, where he is in the employ of the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company. During the World war he served as a member of the American Red Cross, going first to Rome, Italy, and later to Vladivostok, Russia. A sister, Caroline, is the wife of D. C. Bogart of Portland, a traveling salesman for Zan Brothers, a large manufacturing firm of this city. At an early age Colonel Willis entered Willamette University at Salem, one of the oldest educational institutions on the coast, and was graduated therefrom in 1885, winning the degrees of A. B. and A. M. He then took up the profession of teaching, becoming an instructor in the public schools of Salem, where he continued for three years prior, to which period he taught for a year in the county schools of Marion county. He then entered mercantile circles of Salem and continued therein until the outbreak of the Spanish-American war. He displayed sound judgment and keen sagacity in the conduct of his interests and his investments were most judiciously made. He recently erected a fine modern office building, known as the Willis block, thus contributing to the substantial upbuilding and improvement of the city. In the meantime Colonel Willis had identified himself with the Oregon National Guard, joining Company B, of the Second Infantry Regiment, at Salem, which was at that time commanded by Captain Samuel L. Lovell, who was also employed in the office of the secretary of state. His ability and loyalty won him rapid advancement and he was promoted from private to sergeant, then to first lieutenant, to captain, and at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he was commissioned a major in the Second Oregon Volunteer Infantry, by Governor William P. Lord. With this regiment he served throughout the war, being stationed at the Philippine Islands, and he also did duty during the subsequent insurrection on the islands, being recommended for a brevet lieutenant colonelcy of volunteers by Major General Henry W. Lawton of the United States volunteers, because of his meritorious service. After his regiment was mustered out Colonel Willis again volunteered for service in the Philippines and was commissioned a captain in the Forty-fifth Regiment, United States Volunteers, with which he served for nearly two years, doing most arduous work in hunting down the Philippine insurgents in southern Luzon. Following the muster out of the Forty-fifth Infantry, Captain Willis was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Artillery Corps of the regular army in the fall of 1901. The next year he attended the Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Virginia, for a short time and was promoted to captain of the Coast Artillery Corps. In 1906 he was graduated from the Coast Artillery School and in 1915 was commissioned a major in the Coast Artillery, Corps, serving for about a year on the Mexican border. He also did court martial duty in Alaska. He was present at the capture of Guam and the surrender of Manila and was with the first detachment of United States troops which visited Honolulu in 1898, following the annexation of the islands by the United States government. The troops received a great ovation from the residents, who turned out en masse to welcome them, the freedom of the city being extended the American soldiers and sailors. Colonel Willis rendered equally noteworthy service during the World war. At the opening of hostilities he was made commander of trains of the Sixth Division and superintended the organization, training and disciplining of that command, and much to his regret was not permitted to accompany his command to France, being transferred at the time of their embarkation to Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana, where he remained throughout the war, training and disciplining troops and forwarding them to points overseas. He was a strict disciplinarian and was most successful in training the men under his charge, who also found him kindly, considerate and helpful. He received the highest commendation from the mayor of New Orleans for the assistance which he rendered the citizens of that city throughout this most trying period and his highly efficient work in the training of recruits was a potent factor in the victorious conquests of the United States troops overseas. Colonel Willis has served at various posts in the United States, notably, Vancouver Barracks, Fort Casey and Fort Columbia, Washington; Fort Stevens, Oregon; Fort Banks, Fort Strong and Fort Andrews, Massachusetts; Key West Barracks, Florida; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Monroe, Virginia, and also at Fort Mills, in the Philippine Islands. Since 1920 he has been on the retired list, owing to physical disability incident to his service in the campaign against Germany and is now looking after his business interests, having recently taken up his residence in Portland. Colonel Willis was united in marriage to Miss Ida Purvine of Polk county, Oregon, a daughter of A. J. Purvine, a prominent pioneer of this state. Emma Purvine, a sister of Mrs. Willis, is the wife of E. T. Prescott of Salem, who is extensively engaged in the raising of prunes and fancy poultry. Another sister, Gertrude, is the wife of J. A. Remington, who is connected with the United States postal service. Two brothers, Albert and Monroe, are employed at the State Hospital for the Insane, at Salem, Oregon, and another brother, Fred, is engaged in farming near Zena, Polk county, Oregon. Mrs. Willis also has three half-brothers: Jordan, who is part owner and manager of the Eggert-Young Shoe Company of Portland, one of the best known boot and shoe houses in the northwest; Cyrus, a farmer at Dallas, Oregon; and Charles, who is engineer on a boat running out of Portland. Colonel Willis is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite Consistory and also belonging to the Knights Templar Commandery and the Mystic Shrine. He is a man of fine military bearing, whose record is one of unstained honor, commanding for him the admiration and regard of all. Merit won him his title, and honor is associated with his name wherever his deeds have been recorded. He stands as a high type of American manhood and chivalry and Oregon is proud to claim him as a citizen. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.