Surnames: Raffety, Hoover, Miller, Wirtz, Smith, Logan Source: An illustrated history of the state of Oregon: containing a history of Oregon from the earliest period of its discovery to the present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future; illustrations and full-page portraits of some of its eminent men and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and prominent citizens of to-day / by H.K. Hines. Hines, H. K. (Harvey Kimball), 1828-1902. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893. p. 1210-1211 SAMUEL B. RAFFETY, one of Oregon's most honored pioneers, came to the State in 1852. He was a native of Kentucky, and was born on the 15th of March, 1815. His father was also a Kentuckian, and the family were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, who for several generations have resided in America. On the maternal side the descent was from Wales, his mother being a Butler. He married, in Illinois, Miss Mary HOOVER, a native of Indiana, and of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction. Her father, Mr. Felix HOOVER, was noted for being one of the tallest men in the State of Illinois, measuring six feet eight inches. Mr. and Mrs. RAFFETY were blessed with five children before they started out on the 10th of May, 1852, for the great West. They went by team, and crossed the Missouri river on their way. Their outfit consisted of two wagons and fourteen yoke of oxen, some cows and a Canada mare. Fifty-eight other wagons formed the company that set out to brave the dangers of that trip. Mr. RAFFETY was chosen their captain. At the Bear river the company divided, a part going to California. Where they crossed the Snake river his mother died, and was buried nine miles this side of the river. Her death occurred at nine o'clock, and before eleven the next day eleven others were dead and buried. Soon after this Mr. RAFFETY came on with his own wagons, and arrived at the Dalles on the 15th day of August. They came down the Columbia river on a flat-boat. The stock was driven down the trail at the lower Cascades, where they took another flat-boat. They were towed down the river by a little steamer. When they landed at the mouth of the Sandy Mr. RAFFETY took up a grant claim of 320 acres of land in Washington county, on which they built a log cabin and began their pioneer life. On that property he has since resided, and has made it a valuable place. Here, in his seventy-seventh year, possessed of all his faculties, resides the honored pioneer with the wife who has been his faithful partner in his joys and sorrows for fifty years. The children who crossed the plains were: Charles H., Rial M., Dav, Sarah Elizabeth and Emma B. The latter met with an accident and died in her eleventh year. In Oregon there were added to this family, Samuel J., Jacob C. and Louisa. The eldest daughter became the wife of W. P. MILLER, and the second daughter married Albert WIRTZ. They reside at the old farm. The sons were educated at Forest Grove, and Charles H. and Dav graduated from the medical department of the Willamette University, the former in 1869 and the latter in 1880. In 1869 Charles and Dav came to East Portland and started in the drug business and engaged in the practice of their profession. The other brother has joined him, and Dav and Rial manages the drug-store, while Dr. C. H. RAFFETY and Dav continue their practice. Their drug business is the oldest continuous business in their line on the east side. Dr. Charles H. RAFFETY married Miss Amanda SMITH, the daughter of Captain John SMITH. Dr. Dav RAFFETY married Miss Fanny LOGAN, daughter of Mr. A. H. LOGAN, a relative of the lamented patriot, statesman and soldier, John A. LOGAN. The children are Harry L. and Imogene. These brothers have been successful physicians and business men, and have invested, years ago, in city property in East Portland, which has grown to be very valuable. ************************************************************************* Contributor: DAS, Volunteer 0001015 Contribution date: May 13, 2003 *************************************************************************