"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 574.  Malheur County.

ROBERT W. WORSHAM

     This enterprising and representative citizen of Malheur county has the
distinction of being one of the early pioneers of Oregon, while also he was
among the very first in many mining regions where he endured the almost
overwhelming hardships there encountered and wrought with a strong hand and
courageous heart, doing well his part in the great development of the west.
Robert W. was born in Hopkinsville, Christian county, Kentucky, on April 30,
1839, being the son of Robert and Emeline (Elgin) Worsham.  He was reared on a
farm and in the winter months attended school.  In 1852 he came with his parents
across the plains and settlement was made in Clackamas county, near Oregon City.
The trip was without danger or special incident, except four of their number
died with the cholera, although the train was small, consisting of only eighteen
wagons.  The father had a large family and the first winter in Oregon City was a
time of trial.  Flour sold for thirty dollars per barrel and potatoes for five
dollars per bushel.  Of meat the had none except what game they killed.  The
father took a half section of land and settled down to make a home, and in 1859,
our subject went to the Similikameen mines and then on the Thompson river, in
British Columbia, whence he went to Fraser river and from there to the Canal
river in the Cariboo district.  He followed prospecting and mining and many is
the fight he had with the Indians and finally he was obliged to leave the region
on account of their hostilities.  In 1860 he bought a farm and settled down near
the home place and on April 11, 1861, occurred the happy event of the marriage
of Mr. Worsham and Miss Lucy E., daughter of Joseph T. and Hannah E. Wingfield,
of Oregon City.  In 1862 he went to the Florence mines in Idaho, and later to
the Oro Fino mines, being successful in both places.  Then he returned home and
spent a little time on the farm, after which he opened a butcher business in
Oregon City, remaining there until 1877, when he came to Malheur and bought a
stock farm of one hundred and sixty acres four miles southeast from Malheur post
office.  He has added as much more since and now has a well improved estate and
finely stocked, having also good house and barns and other building.  In 1878 it
is of note that Mr. Worsham was scout for the government in the Indian troubles
which then occurred.  He has followed stock-raising and farming and mining since
coming her and has some fine quartz properties at the present time.  Mr. Worsham
has been superintendent for the Eldorado mines for eight years.
     The following children have been born to him and his estimable wife:
Adelbert, deceased; Florence E., wife of John B. Woodcock; James T., married to
Effie E. Craig; Laura, deceased; David K., married to Sadie Bowman; Charles,
deceased; Claud R.; Walter N.  The married children all live in the vicinity of
Malheur.  Mr. Worsham has a good home in Malheur and he dwells there at the
present time.  He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and they are
devoted in the support of their faith.
     

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.