Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 258. W. J. MULKEY Among those whose individual efforts have in large measure contributed to the agricultural prosperity of the Willamette Valley stands W. J. Mulkey, who for over eighty years has been a resident of Oregon, seventy-two years of this time having been spent in the section of the state where he now lives. Mr. Mulkey was born near Lexington, Missouri, on the 27th of June, 1846, and is a son of Luke and Ruth E. (Allison) Mulkey. The father was born in Kentucky, May 9, 1810, and died August 31, 1894, while his mother was born in Kentucky in 1816 and died about 1859. Luke Mulkey was taken by his parents to Missouri in young boyhood and in the schools of that state acquired his education. He engaged in farming there until 1847, when he started on the long journey across the plains, with ox teams and covered wagon, and on his arrival in Oregon took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres near Corvallis, in Benton county. Building a log house, he entered upon the improvement and cultivation of his land, a part of which he devoted to grain, and also gave considerable attention to raising cattle, sheep and horses. In 1857 he sold out there and, locating in Polk county, bought four hundred and twenty-four acres of raw land, one and a half miles north of Monmouth. Building a good house and other farm buildings, he operated that place until shortly before his death, when he retired. It is noteworthy that in the course of improving his original farm of six hundred and forty acres he enclosed the whole tract with a rail fence, splitting the rails from timber on his farm. Of the children born to him and his wife, three are living, namely: W. J., of this review; James H., who lives in Monmouth; and Mrs. Renna Bonney, who lives at Grants Pass, this state.One of Mr. Mulkey's brothers, Johnson Mulkey, came across the plains to Oregon in 1843 and spent the first winter at Oregon City. The following year he returned and brought his family to the northwest, as well as large herds of cattle, horses and sheep. Altogether, he made three round trips across the plains. He took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres in Benton county, on which he built a log house and proceeded to develop a good farm. He later erected a log school-house on his land, and hired James Stater as teacher, paying him at the rate of fifty dollars for each pupil. W. J. Mulkey secured his early education in the district school and had one year's work in McMinnville College, under Professor Johnson. In November, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, First Regiment Oregon Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged November 29, 1865. He served mostly in Utah, where his regiment was employed in keeping the Indians under subjection. On leaving the army, he returned to the home farm and assisted his father until his marriage, when he bought a part of his father's land, also inheriting a portion of it, and devoted himself to farming there until about 1885, when he went to eastern Oregon and for about six years was engaged in the stock business, raising cattle and sheep- He then returned to the Willamette Valley and established a grocery store at Monmouth, which he ran until 1901, when he sold out and has since been retired from active business pursuits. He owns a fine farm in Polk county and a business block in Monmouth and is very comfortably situated. On March 16, 1869, Mr. Mulkey was united in marriage to Miss Portia E. Butler, who was born at Eola, Polk county, Oregon, and is a daughter of J. B. V. and Elizabeth (Ingalls) Butler, the former born in Pulham, New Hampshire, in 1807, and the latter in Cincinnati, Ohio, while the maternal grandmother, Mary Ingalls, was born in Bangor, Maine. The Butler family came to this country from England about 1760 and some of its members were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Further mention of the Butler family is found in the sketch of J. B. V. Butler, elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Mulkey have eight children, as follows: Mella, who died in infancy; Chance C.; Mrs. Lorena Grace Lucas, who lives in Portland, this state; Mrs. Ada A. Butler, of Monmouth; Mrs. Ruth E. Gill, who lives in Washington; Mrs. Eva M. Booth, of Portland; Mrs. Elizabeth Zero Clark, deceased; and Inez, deceased Politically Mr. Mulkey has always given his support to the democratic party and has taken an active interest in public affairs. He represented Gilliam county in the state legislature, and also served two years as county assessor of that county and assessor in Polk county, two years. He is an ardent advocate of good schools and improved highways and has been an influential factor in the general advancement of the communities in which he has lived. He is a member of Lyon Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M., at Independence, and Independence Post, G. A. R., being one of the few surviving veterans of the Civil war in this section of the state. A man kindly and hospitable, of cordial and friendly manner and of unswerving integrity in all of life's relations, he has long been held in the highest respect and esteem by his fellowmen. Chance C. Mulkey was born in Polk county, this state, September 3, 1871, and received his educational training in the public schools and the State Normal School at Monmouth. He learned the baker's trade and for four years he and his wife cooked for the dormitory at the normal school. He then went to Lane county, this state, locating on a farm at Pleasant Hill, which he cultivated seven years, at the end of which time: he returned to Polk county and in 1900 established a bakery at Monmouth. This enterprise proved a successful venture but after nineteen years, because of poor health, he sold out and engaged in the grocery business, which still claims his attention. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries and has built up a large and steadily increasing patronage. He lives in a modern bungalow, which he erected adjoining his father's place. In 1892 Mr. Mulkey was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Frazer, who is a native of Polk county and is a daughter of Lucian and Amanda (Campbell) Frazer, of a prominent pioneer family of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Mulkey have three children. W. Jay, who was born in Bethel, Oregon, attended the University of Oregon two years and in 1917 enlisted in the United States Navy, serving until the close of the World war. He is married and has a daughter, Shirley J. Naomi Portia, who was born in Monmouth, graduated from the State Normal School at that place, later graduated in nursing from the Eugene Hospital and is now a professional nurse in Salem. Kenneth F., who was born in Salem, is now attending grammar school. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2016 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.