Spores, Henry

From Lane Co Oregon

HENRY SPORES

is a representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of the Sunset state and is still the owner of five hundred acres of the original donation claim which was entered from the government by his father on coming to the Pacific coast. The greater part of his life has been passed in Oregon, for he was only about a year old when he came to the northwest. He was born in Illinois, February 6, 1846, and the following year the family made the long trip across the plains with a Flathead Indian as their guide, while the father, Jacob C. Spores, acted as captain of the wagon train with which they traveled. Amid pioneer conditions and surroundings Henry Spores was reared and his education was obtained in one of the old-time log schoolhouses of the frontier. When not busy with his textbooks he was assisting his father in the development of the donation land claim and continued at home until his marriage when he started out in life for himself. He built the house which he now occupies but still continued upon his father's ranch, devoting his energies to farming and stock-raising. He handled both cattle and horses and still raises stock. He has a well developed property, comprising five hundred acres of the original donation claim and one hundred and sixty acres adjoining which he purchased. He also owns land in other localities, for he has made judicious investment in real estate, from which he derives a good income.

In February, 1868, in Coburg, Mr. Spores was united in marriage to Philena Monroe, a daughter of William and Margaret (Mann) Monroe, who came to Oregon in 1865. Her father was prominent in political circles here and was filling the office of state senator at the time of his death in 1872. The mother survived him for many years, reaching the advanced age of one hundred and two years ere she was called to her final rest on the 19th of February, 1911. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Spores seven are living, Edgar, Jacob, Carson, Walter, Elmer, Melvin and Ethel. Of these Elmer is now in Alaska. Those who have passed away are: Mrs. Leona Howard, of Pendleton, Oregon, who died at the age of thirty-five years; and Harry and Bertha, both of whom were three years of age at the time of their demise.

Henry Spores votes with the republican party but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which he directs with substantial success.

[Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811 - 1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 370.]