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. 610.
 
WILLIAM P. WEST

     Has the distinction of being one of the first men to settle in central
Oregon, and there are, perhaps, not more than one or two now living in Gilliam
county who came here as early as he.  He is following farming and stock raising
on a nice ranch some nine miles west from Olex.  In 1863, over forty
years since, Mr. West located a homestead on the place where he now lives and
there took a timber culture claim.  To this he has added by purchase until he
owns eleven hundred and twenty acres of land.  He also has a nice holding of
cattle, horses and hogs.
     William P. West was born on the little island of Bonholm, Denmark, on
February 24, 1842.  His father, Nelson Pederson, was born in the same place and
married a maiden, who is also a native of that island.  After receiving his
early education in the place of his birth, our subject continued there until
eighteen years of age.  In the year 1859 he came to New York, and thence by rail
to St. Louis, where he took a trip to Ft. Leavenworth.  With twelve others, he
there purchased a mule outfit and started for Pike's Peak, but en route they
changed their mind and went to California.  Mr. West worked at mining in Sierra
county, California, until 1861, when he went to the South Fork of the
Clearwater, kin Idaho, and there he mined for two years.  In 1863 he came to the
place where he now lives and, as stated before, made location.  From that time
until the present he has been known as one of the progressive, substantial and
capable men of Gilliam county, and has earned well the success he is enjoying at
the present time.  for many years he lived in this country where there were
scarcely any comforts of civilization and withstood the attacks of the savages
and the hardships that fall to the lot of the pioneer, weathering them with a
spirit and fortitude that bespeaks the manner of man he is.  He is well known
all over the country, and as far as he is known is highly respected.
     On April 30, 1876, on Rock creek, Mr. West married Miss Mary L. Mulkey, who
was born in Josephine county, Oregon, on March 6, 1860.  Her parents, Thomas and
Hester (Armquist) Mulkey, were born in Illinois on April 6, 1825, and in
Missouri, on September 20, 1825, respectively.  The latter died on September 1,
1888, the former on August 27, 1892.  Mr. Mulkey was one of the oldest pioneers
in southern Oregon, well known all over that section.  He participated in the
Rogue River war, and was a leading and prominent man.  His father, Philip
Mulkey, was born in Illinois, on October 27, 1802, crossing the plains in 1852
and settling in Lane county, near where Eugene now stands.  His death occurred
in 1890.  For sixty-five years he was a preacher of the gospel in the Christian
denomination.  With his son he assisted to drive the first stake in the town of
Eugene, Oregon, and also transported the first goods from Portland to Eugene.
To Mr. and Mrs. West the following named children have been born:  John N. West,
on May 1, 1878, and now he has two children, Wilbur and Alvis; Mrs. Nettie C.
Cables, November 19, 1879, who has one child, Percy; Mrs. May Davis, on
September 11, 1881, who has one child, Linn; Alice, on January 25, 1883, who
died July 14, 1889; Clarence T., on August 1, 1884; Nellie B., on November 11,
1885; Miles A., on  December 11, 1887; William L., on January 16, 1890; Ruby F.,
on November 14, 1892; Custer, on May 5, 1894; Alma, on August 29, 1895; Dewy, on
February 20, 1898; Mary, on April 23, 1900; and Gladis, on July 17, 1902.
     Mr. West is a Democrat and takes a keen interest in political matters.  He
is a member of the Lutheran church.  He and his wife are excellent people and
have hosts of friends all through the country.  Mr. West has done his share in
building up the country and is certainly entitled to the fine competence which
his labor and skill wrought out in this section.
 
( a photo of William P. West is available in this book)


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2006 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.