Harvey E Guthrie
Submitted by:  Lynn Mack
 
The attractiveness of Oregon as a place of residence is demonstrated
in the fact that so many of her native sons have been content to pass
their lives within her borders, finding here excellent business
opportunities, a mild and equable climate and scenic beauties
unsurpassed by any state in the Union.  To this class belongs Harvey
E. GUTHRIE, who has devoted his entire active life to agricultural
pursuits, in which he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity.  He
is a worthy representative of one of the old and honored pioneer
families of the state and was born four miles south of Dallas, in Polk
county, July 29, 1853, his parents being David M. and Mary Ellen
(DAVISSON) GUTHRIE, natives of Missouri, the former born in 1824.  The
father crossed the plains to Oregon in 1846, traveling by means of ox
teams and wagons, and settled in Polk county, where he took up a
donation claim four miles south of the present site of Dallas.  He
cleared and improved his claim and also purchased additional land, at
length becoming the owner of seventeen hundred acres.  He engaged
extensively in stock raising, handling pure bred Merino sheep, which
he imported from Australia, and he also was engaged in the growing of
hops, ably managing the various branches of his business, so that he
at length became the possessor of a substantial competence.  He was a
prominent and influential resident of his community and for many years
served as a member of the state fair board.  He at length retired from
active business pursuits and resided with his children until his
demise on the 29th of April, 1914, when he had reached the venerable
age of ninety years.  The mother passed away in October 1860.  He had
been twice married and of the first union three children were born,
all of whom survive.  By his second marriage he became the father of
ten children, of whom five are living.
 
Harvey E. GUTHRIE was reared in Polk county, attending the public
schools of Dallas and later becoming a student at La Creole Academy.
He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-three, when he
cultivated rented land for a period of two years, during which time
wheat sold for a dollar and nine cents per bushel.  In 1879 he was
able to purchase land and became the owner of three hundred and six
acres situated four miles south of Dallas.  This he cultivated and
improved for a period of sixteen years, converting it into a most
valuable property, and then sold, purchasing a tract of ninety acres
three and a half miles from Monmouth.  On this land he erected fine
buildings, set out large orchards of cherries and prunes, and for nine
years was active in its further cultivation and development.  He then
disposed of the property and purchased a six-acre tract at Monmouth,
of which two acres lie within the corporation limits, and this he has
made very attractive by the erection of a fine residence and
substantial outbuildings, everything about the place being indicative
of the progressive methods and careful supervision of the owner.  He
has worked diligently and persistently as the years have passed and
his industry has been on the basic element in his success.
 
On the 28th of May, 1876, Mr. GUTHRIE was united in marriage to Miss
Fannie Belle DAVIS, a daughter of John W. and Mary Jane (HENDERSON)
DAVIS, the former born in North Carolina in 1824 and the latter in
southern Missouri in 1830. In 1854, in company with J. H. Johns and
his wife, the father left his home in Kentucky with the intention of
going to Oregon, but on reaching Missouri decided to settle in that
state and there took up a homestead claim, subsequently purchasing
additional land.   He continued to engage in farming in Missouri until
1864, when he again set out for Oregon, traveling with four yoke of
oxen and one yoke of cows.  He was accompanied by his wife and their
family of seven children and on reaching this state settled in Yamhill
county, where for four years he continued to reside.  He then removed
to Washington county and filed on a homestead, but he failed to prove
up, and he then made his way to Polk county, where for several years
he operated rented land.  Later he purchased land near Independence
and cultivated it for a period of five years, or until 1877, when he
sold and went to southern Oregon, for a time engaging in stock
raising, but not finding that occupation a congenial one, he returned
to Polk county and resumed his farming operations, purchasing land and
also cultivating rented land.  He continued to improve and develop his
holdings in Polk county for many years, or until the death of his
wife, when he returned to Kentucky and for six years resided in the
Blue Grass state, but he could not resist the lure of the west and
once more started for Oregon.  However, death called him ere he
reached his destination and he passed away while en route, on the 20th
of March, 1890.  He had long survived his wife, whose demise occurred
on the 22d of April, 1878.  Their daughter, Mrs. Guthrie, was born in
Putnam county, Missouri, January 30, 1859, and by her marriage she
became the mother of four children, namely:  Dora Adele, who married
P. E. CHASE, a resident of Oakland, California; Hugh M., who makes his
home in Corvallis, Oregon; Mary V., who became the wife of F. H.
MULKEY and passed away on the 21st of November, 1916; and Edna M. who
married Mark RICKARD, an automobile dealer of Corvallis, and died
March 9, 1920.
 
In his political views Mr. GUTHRIE is a democrat and has served as a
member of the town council of Monmouth.  Fraternally he is identified
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the
World, having served as consul commander of the latter organization,
while his wife is connected with the Rebekahs.  She was reared in the
Methodist faith but she and Mr. GUTHRIE are now affiliated with the
Baptist church.  Energy, progressiveness and thrift are recognized the
world over as the foundation of material prosperity and these three
qualities are possessed by Mr. GUTHRIE.  He enjoys the esteem of many
friends and fully deserves the honor that is accorded the fortunate
individual who has fought and won in the great battle of life.
 
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical
Publishing Company, 1922, Pages 366-368
 
 
 

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