Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 327.
 
WILLIAM M. VAN DUYN

     The name of Van Duyn is inseparably associated with the history of Coburg
and Lane county. The first of the family to reside in Oregon was Isaac Van Duyn,
who was born August 17, 1810, in Somerset county, New Jersey, and was a child of
five when his parents went to Ohio. His mother died in the Buckeye state and in
1827 the family journeyed to Indiana, where Isaac Van Duyn lived for thirteen
years. He was married March 27, 1832, to Sarah Miles, who was born September 5,
1815, in Kentucky, and in 1840 they went to Missouri. They resided in Mercer
county, that state, until 1851, when they started for Oregon, crossing the
plains and mountain passes in one of the old-time "prairie schooners" drawn by a
yoke of oxen. They settled on a donation claim in Lane county, securing a tract
of six hundred and forty acres, and Coburg now stands on a portion of the
property. Through untiring effort Isaac Van Duyn cleared the land and brought it
under the plow. He had the vigor, the courage and ability of the western pioneer
and aided in bringing to light the great agricultural resources of this region.
He remained on the homestead until his demise, December 14, 1895, and his wife
passed away in June, 1886. In their family were ten children: Mary Ann, Isaac,
Thomas, John, William M., Cornelius, Marion, Mrs. Ella Macy, Sarah Jane and
Rebecca. All are deceased except Mrs. Macy, who resides in Coburg, and
Cornelius, who lives in Okanagan, Washington.

     William M. Van Duyn was born in Missouri, November 14, 1843, and was a boy
of eight years when his parents migrated to the Pacific coast, locating at the
forks of the Santiam river, and in the spring of 1852 moved to Lane county. As a
young man William Van Duyn's cattle operations spread over eastern Oregon and
California. He also conducted a store in Coburg and for eighteen years, after
1884, was engaged in general merchandising. He engaged actively in ranching
until the time of his death, February 27, 1923, and prospered in all of his
undertakings.

     On June 12, 1880, Mr. Van Duyn was married to Miss Mary Withers, daughter
of J. E. P. and Margaret (Gillespie) Withers; Mrs. Van Duyn was called to her
final rest December 20, 1909. In their family were three children: a son who
died in infancy; Agnes Belle, the widow of Walter E. Stafford, of Eugene; and
Herbert L., of Coburg. William Van Duyn was identified with the West Point Lodge
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Neighbors of Woodcraft, while
his wife was connected with the Rebekahs and Women of Woodcraft.

     Herbert L. Van Duyn received his early instruction in Coburg and was
graduated from the high school at Eugene. He also completed a course in a
business college in the latter city and afterward conducted a store at Coburg.
When the business was sold he took charge of his father's ranch and, after the
latter's death, became joint owner of this valuable property with his sister,
Mrs. Stafford. He his one hundred head of high-grade Hereford and shorthorn
cattle and his herd is headed by registered sires. He is thoroughly conversant
with the details connected with the breeding and care of stock and his principal
crops are hay and grain. Mr. Van Duyn was married August 28, 1918, to Miss
Marjorie Foster, a native of South Dakota and a daughter of George E. and Bessie
R. (Russell) Foster, the latter born in Iowa. Mr. Foster is a native of Illinois
and occupies a place of prominence in real estate circles of Mitchell, South
Dakota. He rendered notable service to the Masonic order and has been honored
with the thirty-second degree. The other children in his family are Russell,
Irma and Kenneth. Mr. and Mrs. Van Duyn have become the parents of two sons:
William H., born September 28, 1920, and Kenneth F., born July 31, 1926. Mr. Van
Duyn is a member of Eugene Lodge, No. 357, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, and is also a Mason, belonging to Eugene Lodge, No. 11, F. & A. M. He is a
republican. He has aided in raising the standards of agriculture and stock
raising in Lane county and his public spirit has been demonstrated by actual
achievements for the general good.

     Agnes Belle Van Duyn, whose early schooling was received at Coburg, was
graduated from the University of Oregon in 1908. On December 22, 1910, she
became the wife of Walter Eugene Stafford, the son of J. N. and Sarah (Hardman)
Stafford of Mohawk, both of whom were pioneers of Oregon, crossing the plains in
1852 and 1850 respectively. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stafford lived in Eugene
and then Meadow View, where Mr. Stafford engaged in farming and was a successful
pioneer breeder of pure-bred sheep. Mr. Stafford was a prominent Mason and Elk
and resided in Meadow View until his death, February 26, 1922. Mr. and Mrs.
Stafford became the parents of one daughter, Virginia. Mrs. Stafford later moved
to Eugene, but still conducts the pure-bred sheep business which was so ably
established by her husband.

     
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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.