Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders." Vol. 3. Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 454. THOMAS BENTON KILLIN To say that Thomas Benton Killin was an Oregon pioneer of 1845 is to indicate that he was a witness of almost the entire development of the state. Prior to that period Oregon's resources were little developed. Fur trading had been carried on with Astoria as the headquarters from the early part of the century but mile upon mile of the state was as yet an unexplored country and practically nothing had been done toward utilizing the opportunities offered in its rich mining districts, its extensive forests and in the alluvial soil. Mr. Killin, only six years of age at the time of his arrival, was reared amid an environment that tests the metal of men and proves their true worth, for, far removed from civilization, the individual must adapt himself to difficult surroundings and prove his adaptability by using the resources at his command. Mr. Killin was born in Springfield, Illinois, May 10, 1839. His father, John Killin, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1792, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Frances Ulam, was born in 1813. Removing westward, the father became superintendent of the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal, residing for a time at Springfield. He resumed his westward journey, when in 1842 he went to Iowa, where he purchased land and engaged in farming until the spring of 1845. From time to time from the few settlers who had penetrated the northwest, reports were received concerning the rich country that was awaiting the development of man to yield rich returns. Mr. Killin resolved to cross the plains to Oregon and try his fortune in the northwest. At that time his family numbered three children, Martha, Thomas Benton and G. Benton. The daughter afterward married and had four children but is now deceased. Thomas became the owner of a part of the home place. The party left Iowa in April and by slow stages proceeded across the plains and over the mountains, reaching their destination in October. While on the Platte river they were corralled by the Indians but secured their release by giving oxen to the red men. Leaving their teams at The Dalles, they made rafts and floated down the river to the Cascades. After passing the troublous stretch of water there encountered, they continued their journey by boat down the river and spent the winter on the Tualitin plains. From that point they went to Linn county, where Mr. Killin secured a donation claim and in the summer of 1846 raised a crop. Their nearest neighbor was twelve miles away and the family seemed indeed isolated and far from civilization. Subsequently they removed to a place near Gervais, in Marion county, and in March, 1847, they came to the donation claim in Clackamas county, upon which the two sons resided for many years. The father traded a yoke of oxen for six hundred and forty acres of choice land. It was entirely destitute of improvements and save for a little cabin but the labors of the family soon wrought a marked transformation in the place and in later years two fine farm residences were erected thereon. For twenty years John Killin made that property his home, carrying on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1867. He was a man of unassailable business integrity as well as indefatigable energy and enterprise. In antebellum days he gave his political support to the democratic party. He was acquainted with Abraham Lincoln while a resident of Springfield and after the organization of the republican party became one of its stanch advocates and was unfaltering in his loyalty to the Union cause during the Civil war. His widow long survived him, passing away December 15, 1909, at the age of ninety-four years. Thomas Benton Killin was the second in order of birth in his father's family and was a little lad of six years when the journey was made across the plains to Oregon. Throughout his life he remembered many incidents of the trip as well as of the period of early residence in this state. He was sent to the primitive schools of Clackamas county until sixteen years of age and then put aside his text-books to make his own way in the world. His life was one of untiring industry and intelligently directed effort. When the Civil war broke out between the north and the south, like his father, he entertained strong Union sentiments and on the 21st of April, 1863, enlisted as a member of Company G. First Oregon Cavalry. The troops were stationed for a year at Fort Vancouver and afterward among the Snake Indians, being engaged continuously on the frontier in a warfare that was even more difficult than that which was being waged upon the battlefields of the south, for there the foe were evenly matched and each had been trained in the same system of warfare, but in the northwest and along the frontier the whit soldiers must learn the wily and treacherous methods of the red men and must fight according to their custom, making an unexpected attack upon the enemy. Not far flung battle line did they form but under cover of bush or tree or rock, wherever a hiding place was afforded, they waited in silence for the enemy. In April, 1866, Mr. Killin was honorably discharged, having in the meantime been promoted to the rank of first sergeant. Returning to his home he purchased a quarter section of land from his father, constituting a portion of the donation claim, and on the 3d of December, 1867, he completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mila A. Adair, who was born in Illinois, January 8, 1849, a daughter of William R. Adair, who in 1852 came west with his family. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Killin began life on the farm, where they continued to reside until 1907, when they removed to Silverton, Oregon. In 1880 he built a fine frame residence there and from time to time made other substantial improvements, developing his place into one of the best farms of the county and scarcely surpassed in all the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Killin were born two children: May, now the wife of Wallace Durant, a resident of Woodburn, Oregon; and Benton, who is living in East Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Killin are members of the Congregational church. In politics he is a stanch republican, never swerving in his allegiance to the party and the cause it represented, yet he never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his individual business interests. However, he served as commissioner of Clackamas county for a number of years. He enjoys in large measure the respect and confidence of all who know him and the family, too, are prominent in this part of the state. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.