Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 445.
 
WILLIAM G. PICKETT

     was born in Warren county, Tennessee, in 1835, a son of David Pickett, who
was a Virginian by birth. The latter removed with his parents to Tennessee in
his boyhood, and was there reared to manhood. He married Miss Mary Clark, a
native of that State. By occupation he was a wheelwright, and also followed
farming. In 1836 he removed with his family to Arkansas, where he passed the
remainder of his days. William G. lived under the parental roof until 1849, when
he embarked in mercantile trade with his uncle, George C. Pickett. In 1851, with
his brother James A., he went to Yell county, Arkansas, and engaged in
agricultural pursuits and the lumber business. In the spring of 1853 he started
across the plains to Oregon, the journey being successfully accomplished to the
Malheur river. Here a short route was attempted, which proved most disastrous.
Two days and three nights were passed on the alkali plains without water or
food, excepting emigrant beef without salt or pepper. Finally, after great
suffering and death to many of the company, a relief train was met at Big
Prairie, east of Eugene, November 16, 1853.
     The first winter was passed by our subject in cutting saw-logs for P. F.
Blair, and in the summer of 1854 he assisted Felix Scott in driving a band of
cattle to California. He followed mining on Carson creek for six months with
fair success, and returned to Oregon in January, 1855. Fort Colville was the
next scene of his occupation, but his mining operations there proved a failure.
With the breaking; out of the Rogue river Indian war, Mr. Pickett was appointed
"expressman" by General M. M. McCarver, and filled this important position four
months. He then came to Eugene and was appointed Assistant-Quartermaster by
General Drew. He served in this capacity until June, 1856, when he resigned and
carne to the neighborhood of Junction City. Here he opened a country store which
he conducted three years.
     Mr. Pickett was married in 1859, to Miss Mary S. Milliorn. The following
year he entered into partnership with T. A. Milliorn, and they conducted a
general packing business. In 1865 Mr. Pickett withdrew, and they returned to the
Willamette valley. He engaged in mercantile business at Buena Vista, Polk
county, and continued there until 1871, when he lost his stock by fire. He then
started a store at Prineville, Oregon, but eighteen months afterward sold out
and began a money loaning and brokerage business. He came back to Junction City
in 1886, accompanied by his family. For two seasons he had charge of the
warehouses, but sold out, and has since given his attention to the loaning of
money.
     Mr. and Mrs. Pickett are the parents of one child: Plate, wife of Lewis
White. Our subject is a member of Oasis Lodge, No. 41, I. O. O. F., and is
numbered among the representative citizens of Junction City.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.