Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 1013.
 
THOMAS JEFFERSON OFFIELD

     is a well known business man of Klamath county where he has won splendid
success in the financial world. He was born on January 23, 1870, in Coos county,
Oregon. His father, John L. Offield, is a native of Indiana and came of English
extraction. His father, William Offield, the grandfather of our subject,
participated in the War of 1812. John L. Offield came across the plains in 1850
with ox teams and while en route, his mother died. He settled near Oregon City
and later was appointed assessor of Clackamas county. He moved to Coos county
after some time and to Klamath county in 1886. Three years later he journeyed to
Lane county and then went to Ellensburg, in Washington in 1900, where he died
the following year. He had married Amanda J. E. Vance, a native of Missouri. She
came to Oregon in 1850 and is now living in Ellensburg, Washington. The children
of the family are William H., of Tacoma; George W., of Merrill; Thomas J., our
subject; Lafayette V., Arthur L., Walter and Nellie, all in Ellensburg. Our
subject lived with his parents in the various places where they dwelt until
1886, when they came to Klamath county, then he began riding the range and in
1890, engaged with Geber brothers, wholesale butchers of Sacramento, on their
ranch. Five years later, he was appointed as foreman and had charge of their
business, shipping cattle, until the fall of 1903. In the winter of 1895, he
took a lay off which continued for six months, during which time he traveled all
over the states of California and Oregon, then resumed his work. On May 22,
1895, Mr. Offield married Miss Laura Maxim, who was drowned the following August
while in bathing. On May 19, 1899, Mr. Offield married Mrs. Elizabeth Dorris of
Yreka, California. She is a near relative of the late Senator West of Missouri.
In 1890, Mr. Offield purchased one hundred and seventy-four acres of land one
mile north of Merrill. He now has one hundred and fifty acres of this in fine
alfalfa and in 1903, he purchased one hundred and forty acres more which he
expects soon to seed to alfalfa. When he quit the Geber ranch, he engaged a the
hotel business at Merrill and now owns the two story, Riverside hotel which has
a fine bar in connection. He personally conducted the hotel until July, 1904,
then rented it to Thomas A. Balis, still retaining a half interest in the bar,
in addition to this, Mr. Offield has a mercantile establishment, which is under
the charge of his wife. He also owns several lots and buildings at the town of
Merrill and has a fine band of cattle on the range. His time is given largely to
tending to his real estate and stock interests, although he superintends his
other business matters.
     Mr. Offield has shown himself a thorough and talented business man and has
won a success which is very gratifying. He has the esteem and confidence of all
who know him and has shown generous and progressive spirit in the upbuilding of
the country.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.