V. P. Fiske
Submitted by:  Lynn Mack
 
V. P. FISKE, who since 1914 has served as postmaster of Dallas, is a
representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Oregon.  He
has spent his entire life in Oregon and has witnessed much of its
growth and development, his memory forming a connecting link between
the primitive past and the progressive present.  He was born in
Roseburg, Douglas county, July 19, 1862, and is a son of Rufus and
Charlotte (GRUBBE) FISKE, the former a native of Massachusetts and the
latter of Missouri.  The father was a physician and in pioneer times
crossed the plains to Oregon, settling in Roseburg.  Subsequently he
returned to the east and served throughout the entire period of the
Civil war, doing hospital work at Washington, D. C.  At the close of
hostilities he again made his way to Oregon, taking up his residence
in Salem, where he continued to practice his profession throughout the
remainder of his life.  He was one of the pioneer physicians of the
northwest and in the performance of his professional duties endured
many dangers, privations and hardships.  His skill and ability soon
gained him prominence and he became widely known throughout the state,
where his services were much in demand, his practice covering a
territory of one hundred and fifty square miles, which at that time
was in a wild and undeveloped state, the roads being almost
impassable.  He never neglected a call to duty and was greatly loved
and respected by the early settlers of the state because of his heroic
and unselfish work in their behalf.  He became a member of the first
medical faculty of Willamette University and was recognized as an
eminent representative of his profession.  He passed away in 1876, but
the mother is yet living.
Their son V. P. FISKE, attended the public schools of his native state
and later pursued a course of study in Willamette University at Salem.
There he later learned the printer's trade, which he followed in
various parts of the state for some time, being for a period connected
with the Oregonian at Portland.  In 1882 he founded the Capital
Democrat at Salem, but conducted the paper only through the political
campaign.  In 1883 he arrived in Dallas and purchased the Itemizer, of
which he is still the owner, although he now leases the plant, which
he has equipped with all the latest presses and machinery, so that it
is one of the most modern in this part of the state.  In 1914 he was
appointed postmaster at Dallas, in which office he has since served,
proving faithful, prompt and efficient in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. FISKE has also invested in farm lands and is successfully
cultivating a fine prune orchard. His interests and activities are
thus varied in character and his life has been a busy and useful one,
characterized by energy, determination and industry.
 
In June 1884, Mr. FISKE was united in marriage to Miss Hester ROWELL
and they became the parents of five children, namely: Vivian, who died
in 1913; Ruby, who is the wife of Floyd MEYERS, a farmer residing in
Polk county; Buena, who is employed as a stenographer and resides at
home; Roxana, also at home; and Georgiana, who is a post office
employe.
 
In his political views Mr. FISKE is a stalwart democrat and for
several terms has served as a member of the city council.  Fraternally
he is identified with the Eastern Star, the Woodmen of the World, the
Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Artisans
and the Circle, in all of which he has served as presiding officer,
and is also connected with the Masons.  He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has served as financial
secretary for a number of years and is an earnest worker in its
behalf.  He is widely and favorably known in Polk county, where he has
resided for a period of thirty-seven years, and is recognized as a
representative business man and public-spirited citizen, loyal to the
best interests of the community.
 
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical
Publishing Company, 1922, Pages 351-352
 
 

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