Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1908-09-29
WAS PIONEER OF 1874
William Grant, an Old and Respected
Citizen, Passes Away at His
Home in Dallas.

William Grant, one Of Dallas old
and respected citizens, died Sunday
morning at 2 o'clock, aged 81 years.
Mr.. Grant had been suffering for a
long time from a form of paralysis
that gradually crept over his entire
body and finally resulting in death.
Mr.. Grant was son of Mr.. and Mrs.
David Grant, of Jackson county, Mis-
souri,. He vas born in that state July
10, 1S41, and crossed the plains to Ore
gon with his parents in 1874, when he
was barely three years old. Coming
to this state at so early an age he was
one Of the witnesses Of its entire
growth, from an uDsurveyed wilder
ness to government territory, from
territory to one Of the foremost
states of the United States and his
name is identified with much of the
earlier history Of Oregon.
His first education was acquired
under William Snyder, one of the pio-
neer teachers of Oregon and the
founder of one Of the first schools ever
established in Polk county. Later he
completed his education In the old La
Creole Academy, of which his father
was trustee and one Of the most
enthusiastic supporters.
Daring the years Of 1861 and 1862,
Mr.. Grant tried his fortunes in the
mines Of Florence, Idaho. Returning
to Oregon the latter part Of the second
year, he married Beatrice Aurelia
Robertson, the daughter of William
Robertson, who had come to Oregon
in 1852.
In l846 he was appointed deputy
county clerk of Polk county, but soon
resigned in order to enlist in the ranks
Of the Oregon volunteers for service
against the Indians. He remained in
the service until 1866, during which
time he was elevated to the rank of
lieutenant.
After leaving the military service
he kept hotel in Dallas for q short
time and then moved to Linn county,
where he resided for about ten years
working as a carpenter and building
contractor. About 1877, he returned
to Dallas where he continued his
trade until about ten years ago when
he retired from active work.
Mr.. Grant was member Of the
G. A. r., being past commander Of
the Dallas Post. Fraternally he be-
longed to the Order of Odd Fellows.
He was a member of the Christian
church, under the auspices OF which
his funeral was held yesterday after
noon. The remains were inferred in
the Odd Fellows cemetery.
Mr.. Grant is survived by his wife
and five children: U. s. Grant, a
prominent breeder of Angora goats in
Polk county; Glen o., who is one Of
the leading carpenters and contractors
OF this city; N. NJ, who is living on
the old home farm near Dallas /;
Beldon H., travelling salesman, of
Portland; and Viola Estelle Mrs.
@. H. Lane, Jr.), of Dallas.
Prominently man Of action, Mr..
Grants whole life in Dallas has been
potent for the progress and upbuild-
ing of the city and in his death, we
lose a man to whose influence many
of the present valuable institutions OF
this city can be directly traced. AS
the hearse bearing his mortal remains
passed through the streets Of the city
yesterday on its way to the final rest
ing place, those who knew Of his un-
ceasing labors for the welfare Of the
commonwealth, were constrained to
lift their hats in salute, as they would
for the passing bier Of some staunch
soldier, who, having fought good
fight" and finished his course" had
at length laid by his sword and shield
to enjoy a period Of slumber, the
rightful respite from the hardships Of
life's combat.