Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 481.
 
REUBEN ODEN

     who resides upon a farm of forty acres which is a part of the original
family homestead, was born in Douglas county, Oregon, September 22, 1867. He is
the son of William and Emeline (Brown) Oden, the former a native of Missouri,
while the latter was born in Arkansas. The parents were among the early settlers
of Oregon, crossing the great plains with ox teams in 1848 and settling in
Jackson county. The father bought three hundred and eight acres of land which he
improved and which at his death in 1883 passed to his sons, all of whom are
living. The mother makes her home with her son Reuben, the subject of this
sketch, whose devotion to her has been very marked, and their association has
always been of the most harmonious and closest character.
     Reuben Oden was reared and educated in Oregon and the attractions of other
states have never been able to lure him from the place of his nativity. He has
always given his attention to agricultural pursuits ÷as did his father before
him÷and has resided upon the old homestead throughout the entire period of his
life. This land is finely improved, the work all having been done by his own
hands. The fields show excellent cultivation and each year are yielding more
abundant returns.
     Mr. Oden is a democrat in his political faith but has never taken an active
part in the affairs of his party. His standing in the community is excellent and
among those admitted to the circle of his friendship he is held in the highest
esteem and his sterling qualities genuinely appreciated.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.