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. 1038.
 
WILLIAM HENRY McCLURE

     Klamath county has many vigorous and enterprising men but few of them have
been more active and progressive than the gentleman whose name appears at the
head of this sketch. He is a farmer and stockman in Poe valley, his estate being
near Bedfield postoffice and an epitomized, review of his career would be
interesting to the citizens of this county.
     W. H. McClure was born July 24, 1862, in Linn county, Missouri, the son of
James F. McClure, a native of Kentucky and born about 1842. The father came to
Linn county, Missouri when a child of six years and later served in the state
militia. He remained there until his death. His ancestors were of Irish
extraction and he married Sarah VanMeter, a native of Illinois, who died in
Missouri. Our subject has three sisters who married brothers, Mrs. Mattie E.
Foster, Mrs. Laura E. Foster, Mrs. Rhoda Foster, William H. grew up in Linn
county, Missouri and received a fair education and when eighteen years and five
months of age, on December 24, 1880, married Miss Irene Roberson, who was a
native of the same place as her husband. Her father, Ed Roberson, came from
Virginia, being one of the pioneers of Lincoln county and a highly esteemed
citizen. He married America Easley, a native of Virginia and they are both now
deceased. In 1881 our subject with his wife came via San Francisco to Portland,
experiencing three wrecks on the railroad and a severe storm at sea without any
loss of life. Being of an active and roving disposition, Mr. McClure always
desired to see the place Just ahead and he has traveled with his wife over
almost all the United States. They have visited every principal city and it is
with no small pride that he can remark that he has made plenty of money for all
their journeys. They have made two trips to the Atlantic coast, have been seven
times to the Mississippi valley and traveled nine times up and down the Pacific
coast. His wife has accompanied him on all these trips and he has followed
numerous occupations in various parts of this great Republic. Finally in 1887,
he selected a place in Klamath county and here he has resided every since. He
immediately gave his endeavors to stock raising and farming and also in the past
eleven years has been doing butchering, selling the meat over the country.  He
has slaughtered over two-thousand beeves besides other animals and has made a
good success in this enterprise. Such a life of activity as Mr. McClure. has led
has not been without much hardship and adversity yet he has overcome all and is
now well-to-do, owning two hundred and twenty acres of land well improved
besides other property. At this present writing, Mr. McClure and his wife are
enjoying a trip to the world's fair at St. Louis whence they expect to return to
their Klamath county home and for a time at least, retire from active labor,
renting the property. Five children have been born to this union, Georgia
Gertrude, the wife of Benjamin Johnson, James E., Virgile, Charles Amos,
Flossie. Mr. McClure landed here without capital but has made such a good
success that he is rated among the substantial and well-to-do men, with plenty
of means to enjoy the good things of life. He is a good and respected citizen
and has hosts of friends while he and his wife have always labored for the
upbuilding of the country and the advancement of its interests in such a manner
that they have accomplished a great deal, both for themselves and theirs.


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