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Gore-Ish
Notes The Gore and Ish families played a prominent part in early Medford and in the development of the Medford area long before Medford was thought of. For more information on the family, click here. And don't miss the page on the Gore Stockade.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 10, 1869, page 2  Emerson Elijah Gore and Mary Elizabeth Gilmore Gore, circa 1890, in a detail of the above photo. The younger people are unidentified. E. W. Starr, who has been employed out at Mrs. Ish's big farm for the past few weeks in repairing her granary, reports that this lady will commence her wheat harvest today. She has four hundred acres to cut and estimates the average yield at twenty-five bushels per acre. "All the Local News," Medford Mail, July 28, 1893, page 3 Rufus Cox, the rustler, threshed 2700 bushels of wheat for Mrs. Ish, near Medford, last Saturday. He reports that that lady will have about 9000 bushels. "Central Point Items," Medford Mail, August 25, 1893, page 2 There is being a whole lot of very swift threshing done in this locality this season. R. Cox comes to the front and announces, with becoming pride, that his machine rolled out 9000 bushels of grain for Mrs. Ish in just three and one-half days. There were 810 bushels and wheat and 900 bushels of barley. "All the Local News," Medford Mail, August 25, 1893, page 3 Died--Mrs. J. G. Gore [sic], at the farm residence three miles south of Medford, Tuesday of this week of dropsy of the heart. Funeral occurred Wednesday. A more extended notice will appear next week. "All the Local News," Medford Mail, October 20, 1893, page 3 In Memoriam.
The following sketch may be interesting to the pioneers of Southern Oregon:
In the recent death of Mrs. Mary E. Gore, the wife of Mr. E. E. Gore, of Phoenix, it is but just to record that the neighborhood has lost a noble friend, the church a wise and faithful worker, and the home a dearly beloved and trustworthy wife and mother. Mrs. Gore came from that sturdy, Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock, from the north of Ireland, many of whom emigrated to this country in an early day. She was a direct descendant of the family of the Gilmours and Gibsons, who hewed out their homes in the forests of Pennsylvania, and who have been so honorably identified with the religious, educational and noble enterprises of this country in those states where they have lived. Her father, Robert Gilmour, located in Mercer County, Pa., in 1798, and when he had prepared a good home, he was married in May 1804 to Miss Nancy Smith, of Indiana County, Pa., who was also a descendant of Scotch-Irish parentage. Mrs. Gore was the youngest in a family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, and was born Feb. 5, 1827. Her father died when she was but sixteen months old. In this Pennsylvania home she was reared and educated in the midst of a pious community and under the fostering care of the school and church. To the rural scenes and joyous experiences of her childhood home she delighted to refer. From early youth she was a lover of books and became a woman of more than ordinary ability and literary tastes. The one book, however, she prized above all others was the Bible. She was familiarly conversant with its doctrines and precepts, and loved to impart a knowledge of its precious truths to others. When nearly 18 years of age she was married to Lewis A. Rose, a man of whom she speaks of as being "eminently pious," and with whom she moved to Charleston, Iowa, where he died Sept. 20, 1846, leaving her with an infant son, who is now the present L. A. Rose, of Phoenix, Or. On Sept. 20, 1849 she was married to Mr. E. E. Gore, and with him crossed the plains, coming to this coast. They left Charleston, Iowa April 27, 1852, and arrived in the Rogue River Valley Sept. 27th of the same year. For a time their residence was in Jacksonville, Or., where Dec. 3, 1852, Walter S. Gore was born; he being the first white male child born in Jackson County. Mrs. Gore was the mother of ten children, five sons and five daughters, nine of whom are still living to mourn her death. She was a woman of strong and positive Christian character, and with a firm reliance upon Christ, she passed away Oct. 7, 1893. Her funeral was largely attended and took place Oct. 18th from the little church of Phoenix, of which she was a worthy member and where she loved to worship and teach in the Sabbath school. The services were of an appropriate character, and were conducted by the Rev. M. A. Williams, the aged pioneer Presbyterian minister of Southern Oregon, assisted by the present pastor of the church. The interment took place in the cemetery near the church. In heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved family and in the language of assured hope, we unite in saying, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." Medford Mail, October 27, 1893, page 3 Will Build a 6000-Bushel Granary. Contractor E. W. Starr this week closed a contract with Mrs. Ish whereby he is to build for her a granary, 24x30 feet in size, which, when completed, will hold 6000 bushels of grain. The building will consume 25,000 feet of lumber in its construction. Work on the building will be commenced about May 1st. "News of the City," Medford Mail, April 6, 1894, page 3 Mrs. S. E. Ish's health is completely restored. The lady has been in poor health for the past ten or twelve years, but is right now feeling better than at any time during all these years. Dr. Jones was the attending physician. "News of the City," Medford Mail, October 2, 1896, page 7 Last Friday forenoon fire broke out in the hay mow of one of the large barns on the Ish farm, and in a very short time the entire structure together with its contents were in ashes. The origin of the fire is a mystery, and no theory is advanced. The barn was 48x64 feet in size and was used for a horse stable and hay barn. There were about twenty tons of hay in the barn and four driving horses, but the horses were saved by Matt Ish rushing into the barn when the flames were waxing hot, loosening them and rushing them outside, and none too soon was he, as both himself and the last horse out were compelled to dash through the flames in making their exit. There was also some farm machinery in the building, and it was burned. The loss was about $900; insurance, $500. Other buildings stood within 120 feet of the structure that was burned, but there not being any wind these were saved. The Jacksonville fire company was sent for and arrived in time to afford protection to adjoining buildings. Mr. Gore, son-in-law of Mrs. Ish, informs us that the structure will be rebuilt this fall. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, July 27, 1900, page 7 Will Gore will soon commence work on his new barn, on the Ish farm. The building will be 24x64 feet in size with a 16-foot shed the full length of two sides and one end. This, while itself a very large barn, is the smallest on the place. One other is 120 feet long, another 84 feet long, and to each are added numerous sheds. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 31, 1900, page 7 Contractor L. F. Lozier will commence work next Monday on the construction work of Mrs. Ish's new barn, which replaces the one burned a few months ago. "Additional Local Items," Medford Mail, September 7, 1900, page 6 Chinaman Maun, cook at the Ish ranch, left Tuesday for his old home in the Flowery Kingdom. For thirty years he has held the position of cook and laundryman on the Ish farm. Maun was employed by Mr. Jacob Ish for ten years prior to his death, and since that time his widow, Mrs. S. E. Ish, and her son-in-law, Mr. Gore, have continued him in their service, making a term of twenty-six years of actual service on the one place and in the same family. His work was that of cooking, washing and caring for the chickens. He has been a most faithful servant, and during these years he has laid up a neat little sum of money, the amount of which no one knows. His pay has been $25 per month the year 'round. He expects to return to Oregon after a winter's visit in China. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, November 16, 1900, page 7 Some few weeks ago Mr. Coss, of the Coss Piano House, Medford, sold a Kimball concert grand piano to W. H. Gore--conditioned that if it was not satisfactory it was to be exchanged for any other style desired. It proved very unsatisfactory, and last week Mr. Coss took it back and gave Mr. Gore a Chickering parlor grand in its stead. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, December 21, 1900, page 7 Quite a number of the orchardists hereabouts have purchased gasoline engines with which to furnish power to operate their spraying pumps. The Olwell boys experimented with one last year and found it to be a great saving in labor and added proficiency to the service. The gentlemen who have made recent purchases are Messrs. Weeks & Orr., C. E. Stewart, Capt. G. Voorhies, J. A. Whitman, John Gore and Olwell Bros. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, February 15, 1901, page 7 J. L. Wilson:--"I notice you have had an item or two on the immense crops of alfalfa which are being grown around here. Those items were all good, but you ought to see the crop that Will Gore is harvesting, out on the Ish farm. It is the second crop and the shocks are so close together that it seems almost impossible to drive a team between. No, it has had no water--only what Nature gave it--and that wasn't much this year. There are thousands of acres in the valley that are not now growing much of anything which will be good alfalfa land when that Fish Lake ditch puts water on it." "City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 16, 1901, page 7 E. E. Gore, salesman for Warner & Wortman, is a genius as a window decorator. In one of the store windows of the above-named firm he recently manufactured, out of canned goods, a miniature representation of a battleship, and with rock salt spread about the ship a good representation of cashing ocean waves was made. In the other window with cakes of soap he made a miniature representation of the big double front of the Warner & Wortman grocery establishment. No ground is left for doubt that Ed is an artist. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 31, 1902, page 7 About April first Mrs. Gore will open a juvenile class in music into which young children who have not yet begun to take lessons, will be received. The elements of music are considered difficult for little folks, but they can be taught in classes, by using games and proper illustrative material, at an earlier age in a more interesting manner and with less expense than they can be taught alone. The aim will be to give such preparatory instructions in musical notation, natural use of the fingers, varieties of touch, car training and singing as shall lead to rapid advancement when regular lessons are begun. Terms, two dollars per term of twelve lessons. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, March 14, 1902, page 7 Orchardist J. G. Gore is packing about 300 boxes of yellow Newtown pippin apples this week. The apples will be shipped. It seems really too bad that a quality of fruit suitable for shipment could not be retained at home and retailed to home consumers. Apples are scarce at this time of the year and in consequence are a luxury and good prices could be realized. Unless Mr. Gore has sold his fruit to outside parties the Mail would offer a suggestion to some of our enterprising merchants that they buy the entire lot and give home people a chance to enjoy a really good apple. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, April 18, 1902, page 7 Death of M. R. Ish.
The
death of Matthew R. Ish, which occurred at the Ish farm, near
Jacksonville, on February 26th, adds another to the long roll of
pioneers of Oregon who have passed away.
Mr. Ish was a native of Loudon County, Virginia, and came to Southern Oregon in 1855, remaining here several years and then returning to Virginia to bring out several other members of his family. He was one of the three original owners of the famous Gold Hill mine, and his death leaves but one survivor of the trio, John X. Miller, of Trail Creek, this county. Mr. Ish was 72 years, 11 months and 8 days of age at the time of his death, which resulted from an illness of several months' duration. He was never married and leaves a brother, Richard Ish, of Vancouver, and a sister who resides in Virginia. Medford Mail, March 6, 1903, page 2
WILLIAM H. GORE. Since 1894
what is known as the Ish Ranch, two and a half miles west of Medford,
has been under the capable management of William H. Gore. This
statement alone suffices to place the property in the category of
perfectly conducted farms, for no broader minded or more progressive
tiller of the soil and student of scientific ranching has contributed
to the development of Jackson County. The owners of this farm are
recognized as the most extensive owners of land and stock, and growers
of alfalfa in this district, and at present two hundred and forty acres
are devoted to the cattle grass which has practically built up the
stock industry of the West and North. Through the efforts of Mr. Gore
the output of the farm has materially increased, the shipment of hogs
in 1902 far exceeding that of any other dealer in the county. This is
but one of the commodities which swell the yearly revenue of this
productive ranch, high grade cattle, sheep, grain, and general produce
taking on like proportions, excelling also in quality as well as
quantity. Needless to say, the house occupied by Mr. Gore and his
family is in keeping with the modern surroundings of the farm, is large
and well arranged, and furnished in accordance with refined tastes and
cultivated tendencies of the occupants.
As a native son of this great state Mr. Gore's career has been watched with growing interest by the generation of pioneers, of which class his father, Emerson E. Gore, was a typical representative. The son was born on the family estate three miles south of Medford, April 23, 1860, and was educated in the district schools, and graduated from the state University of Oregon, at Eugene. A pronounced appreciation of higher education was one of the pleasing tendencies noted in Mr. Gore's boyhood days, and in order to gratify his ambition in this direction it became necessary for him to help himself. It thus happened that he began to teach school at the age of nineteen, and, through the exercise of economy and prudence, he was able to defray his expenses at the university. In 1888 he went to Portland and found employment with Page & Son, fruit and commission merchants, and at the expiration of three years, or in 1891, he branched out into a similar business on his own responsibility. Three years later, in 1894, he returned to Medford and took charge of the ranch which has since been his care, and which is twelve hundred acres in extent. In the meantime he has made his influence felt in general affairs, has taken a firm stand for clean Republican politics, for government in the interests of the people, and for the best possible educational advantages. He is specially fitted for political preferment, having a broad grasp of existing conditions, and possessing marked executive ability. For many years he has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and has labored zealously for the enlargement of the church charities. November 5, 1890, Mr. Gore married Sophenia J. Ish, who was born on the farm where she still makes her home, and is a daughter of Jacob and J. Eleanor (Jones) Ish, who came to Oregon in 1860 and were the owners of the Ish place. Jacob Ish, father of Mrs. Gore, was born in Virginia and was reared in the heart of the southern Democracy. He was the owner of some slaves before the war and lost considerable property through the ravages of that memorable conflict. In 1860 he came to Oregon with his four brothers, William K., Horace L., Mathew R., and Richard L., all of whom are now deceased except Robert L., who resides in Jackson County. Mr. Ish resided for twenty-one years in Jackson County, where he became one of the largest land owners in southern Oregon. He was the founder of the Ish ranch, which is known far and wide, and for many years he furnished from his broad acres supplies for the government troops stationed at Fort Klamath, and for the stage stations between Grants Pass and Yreka, Cal. He married for his first wife Miss J. Eleanor Jones, who died July 29, 1877, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. W. H. Gore. He married, October 7, 1879, for his second wife, Miss Sarah Elizabeth Jones, a sister of the first wife, who survives him and makes her home on the ranch with her stepdaughter. Mr. Ish died March 4, 1881, at the age of fifty-nine years. Jacob I. and Mary E., the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gore, are living at home with their parents. Entirely inadequate is a resume of the life of Mr. Gore without due mention of his father, Emerson E., from whom he inherits many of his forceful and admirable characteristics. He was born in Halifax, Windham County, Vt., June 20, 1824, and is a son of Ebenezer and Polly (Haven) Gore, the parents also of five other children. Of these, Sabrey is the deceased wife of Eben Stancliff, of Phoenix, Ore.; Emory E. is the twin brother of Emerson; Elizabeth is deceased; Orrin is a resident of Oregon; and Lucy A. When Emerson E. was four years of age, in 1828, his parents moved to the western reserve in Ohio, and took up government land upon which they lived until 1840. They then located near Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa, where the father died in 1848, at the age of fifty-six years. Emerson E. made himself useful around the farm, becoming his father's right-hand man, and after his death assuming the management of the property. September 20, 1849, he married Mary E. Gilmore, thereafter continuing to live in Iowa until the spring of 1852. April 27, he started with his family and brother, Emory E., for the coast, equipped with four yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows, being on the road for five months and seven days. In the fall of 1852 he located a claim of three hundred and twenty acres just across the road from where he now lives, three miles south of Medford, and between Medford and Phoenix, where he lived until removing to his present home in 1854. For many years he joined forces with his brother Emory, and with him constructed a sawmill on Bear Creek which was successfully operated until 1860. Mr. Gore then bought out his brother, the latter returning to his home an the East, finally settling in Lawrence, Kans. Mr. Gore has made himself an essential part of the agricultural community of Jackson County, has participated in its all-around development, and has reared capable and resourceful sons to perpetuate his honored name. His oldest son was born at Jacksonville, Ore., December 3, 1852, was christened Walter S., and was the first white male child born in that vicinity. Mr. Gore possesses marked executive ability, and from time to time has been called upon to settle estates. He is well known in fraternal circles, not only as a member, but as an organizer, for he had to do with establishing the first Masonic Lodge at Phoenix. After the delivery of that charter he joined Warren Lodge No. 10, A.F.&A.M. He also is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and like his son has been a great worker in the same. Too much cannot be said of his temperate, evenly balanced and altogether successful life, and of the admirable characteristics which have brought him honor and many friends.. Portrait
and Biographical Record of Western Oregon, Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904, page 747
It is refreshing to pass the Gore orchard, south of Medford, these days, since the six-horsepower gasoline engine has been pumping the water from Bear Creek into the flume which crosses the orchard and brings the rejuvenating fluid to the heavily loaded fruit trees. It is an entire success and will double the value of the fruit from this fine orchard. Mr. Gore will have not less than six cars of as fine Bartlett pears as ever went into any market. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 3, 1906, page 5 Death of Mrs. S. E. Ish.
Mrs.
Sarah Elizabeth Ish, one of the pioneer women of Jackson County, and
one of the most highly respected of its citizens, died at her home near
Jacksonville Sunday, September 2, 1906. Mrs. Ish was born at Hillsboro,
Loudon County, Virginia, December 29, 1830, and was aged seventy-five
years, eight months and three days at the time of her death.
Mrs. Ish came to Jackson County in 1877, having been called thither by the serious illness of her sister, Mrs. Jacob Ish, who died before she reached Oregon. She assumed the duties of a mother to her sister's daughter, now Mrs. W. H. Gore, and in November, 1878, was married to Jacob Ish, with whom she lived happily until his death on March 4, 1881. She immediately assumed the management of the large estate left by her husband and has conducted it successfully ever since. Mrs. Ish was a woman of the highest character, combining in herself the attributes which go to make true womanhood, and her death will be regretted by a wide circle of friends. Mrs. Ish leaves no children of her own, and only one close relative, a brother, Wm. R. Jones, but her stepdaughter, Mrs. Gore, had always taken the place of a daughter to her. The funeral took place on Tuesday, services being held at the late residence by Rev. H. B. Yacoubi, of the M. E. Church, South, of which church Mrs. Ish had long been a member. The interment was made in Jacksonville Cemetery. Medford Mail, September 7, 1906, page 1 AN OLD LANDMARK GONE.
For
many years an old weather-beaten building has stood on the
Medford-Central Point road opposite the Merriman place that was one of
the first buildings erected in that part of the valley, but last week
it was torn down and removed.
It was in 1855 that Emery E. Gore, twin brother of E. E. Gore, now deceased, built the structure for the purpose of conducting a store therein. After its completion he left for the East to buy his stock of goods, but for various reasons remained there and did not return until a few years ago, when he returned here on a visit. Excerpt, Medford Mail, December 13, 1907, page 1 This may have been near Gore Avenue in north Medford. Musical Studio Opening
Mrs. E. E. Gore announces the opening of her new studios, corner of C
and Ninth streets, Monday, February 17, 1908. After completing the
four-year regular course in Piano, Voice, Harmony and Theory at Gates
College Conservatory of Music, Mrs. Gore took a postgraduate course of
one year, carrying on work in the pipe organ department under Professor
E. B. Geer of Oberlin College and studying voice under Miss Carrie
Dean, a pupil of Luigi Vannuccini of Milan, Italy.
Mrs. Gore brings to bear upon her work years of successful experience with pupils of all grades of advancement, and through a wide course of study, reading and association with musicians is in touch with progressive methods and the most up-to-date teaching material. Among the coast teachers with whom she has been privileged to study are Prof. Skinner, recently of Portland, now of Los Angeles, Madame Von Meyerink of San Francisco, and during a brief stay in Portland daily lessons with Mrs. Walter Reed, recognized as [illegible] authority on the voice. Medford Mail, February 14, 1908, page 1 W. H. Gore has received a new and up-to-date acetylene gas lighting plant, which will be installed at his ranch home west of this city. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail, June 18, 1909, page 8 W. H. Gore yesterday purchased a tract of land 170x175 feet in size from A. L. Marshall. The price paid was $2500. Mr. Gore expects to erect a fine home on the property to cost $7000 or $8000. This property is on Oakdale Avenue, which is one of the prettiest residence districts in the city. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail, June 25, 1909, page 2 ENGINE FOR FARM WORK.
W. H. Gore Receives Traction Machine to Pull Gang of Plows. A
30-horsepower gasoline traction engine is on a car at the depot here
consigned to W. H. Gore. It is intended for farm work, especially
plowing, being made more especially for that purpose. This machine is
capable of drawing from six to ten 12-inch plows, and it will be put to
work on Mr. Gore's big ranch, west of this city.
Medford Mail, October 15, 1909, page 8 WARNER, WORTMAN & GORE
As
a city whose inhabitants are up-to-date and progressive, Medford is
widely reputed as well as for its phenomenal growth, and the strong
demand for the best to be had in all lines of materials and supplies of
everyday use has made possible the conspicuous success of the big
double-front store owned and occupied by Warner, Wortman & Gore.
They are purveyors of pure foods--"everything to eat"--staple and fancy
groceries, fresh and cured meats. Theirs is a finely equipped and
admirably arranged store and is one of the pioneer establishments of
the city, Mr. E. N. Warner having been in the business here 14 years.
The consolidated stores under the present management of Messrs. E. N.
Warner, H. G. Wortman and E. E. Gore, Jr., has been running two years.
Mr. Wortman has been in business here 25 years, and Mr. Gore is a
native Oregonian; $30,000 is invested in the business, and there are
fourteen employees. The meat market has its own cold storage system and
offers the best in its line. Among the exclusive agencies they have the
Chase and Sanborn coffee, Burnett's extracts and Blue Ribbon flour.
They contemplate adding another story to their building in the spring.
Mr. Wortman was a member of the city council, and all the partners are
Masons and Commercial Clubbers and owners of city and ranch property.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 2, 1910, page 5 Word was received at Phoenix that Grandpa [Emerson E.] Gore, father of John Gore, was sinking very fast Wednesday evening. Mr. Gore is one of the old pioneers of the valley and a member of the Presbyterian Church at Phoenix. "Eden Precinct Items," Medford Mail Tribune, November 18, 1910, page 3 E. E. GORE PASSES TO BEYOND
PIONEER OF VALLEY DIES AT AGE OF EIGHTY-SEVEN Came to Valley in 1852, First Camping at Spot Which Is Now Old Central Point. E.
E. Gore, who to many friends in [the] Rogue Valley was known as "Father
Gore," and a pioneer of Southern Oregon, died at the old family
residence on the Ashland road at 3:30 o'clock Monday afternoon. The old
gentleman was eighty-seven years old. He celebrated his eighty-seventh
birthday anniversary June 17 of this year.
The pioneer leaves five sons, L. A. Rose of Phoenix, a stepson; W. S. Gore, J. G. Gore, W. H. Gore and E. E. Gore, jr. of Medford; also three daughters, Mrs. Jane Gray, Mrs. W. H. Jacks of Albany, and Mrs. H. G. Wortman of Medford. Funeral services will be conducted at the late residence at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and at the Presbyterian Church in Phoenix at 2 o'clock. The remains will be placed at rest in the Phoenix Cemetery. Sketch of Eventful Life.
Emerson E. Gore was born June 20,
1824, in Halifax, Vermont, and when a small boy moved with his father
to Ohio, and subsequently to Iowa, where he lived for many years. In
1849 he was married to Mrs. Mary E. Rose, who died in 1893.Mr. and Mrs. Gore crossed the plains in 1852 and took up their residence in Jacksonville, where their oldest son, Walter S. Gore, was born December 3, 1852, being the first white male born in Jackson County. In 1853 they settled on the Gore donation claim, two and one-half miles south, where they lived continuously. Mr. Gore was prominently identified with early industrial enterprises incidental to pioneer life in the valley. For fifty years he was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, having been converted in 1849. He passed away sustained and comforted by the full assurance of Christian faith. Mr. Gore and his family were five months on the journey from Iowa to Oregon, although they started to go to California later, changing their destination. The trip was made by ox team, and the train in which they traveled was one of the longest ever to cross the plains. One night on the Platte River, when the train had halted, the men of the party heard the cattle making a disturbance. Mr. Gore ran out to see what was the matter with the stock and stumbled over two Indians lying in the grass. The Indians scrambled to their feet and fled. When the train reached Goose Lake the Indians drove off all the stock. Mrs. Gore was ill. All the able-bodied men pursued the Indians and found them encamped. The redskins had killed two of the mules and were eating them. The white routed the thieves and burned the camp. But the Indians shot arrows into the cattle before they were defeated. The day the party arrived in this valley the battle of Table Rock was fought, the Indians being defeated with heavy loss. The train encamped near Central Point, near the old town on the creek. Here the captain of the train took up a farm. As all the land was claimed, Mr. Gore and his brother Emery started for Dry Creek, where they were told that they could find good land. On the way they met a friendly Indian and in talking with the red man told him they had not been in the fight. This saved their lives, for after leaving the Indian and seeing a covey of quail one of the brothers fired at the birds. At this Indians sprang up all about them and with bows drawn advanced. These were the remaining Indians that had been defeated that day. Just then the friendly Indian ran up and told his brothers that these two men had not been in the fight. The chief then told his warriors not to shoot and said to the men, "Klatawah" [Chinook jargon for "Go"], and the two brothers lost no time in moving away from the dead line. The Indians said that no white man should ever cross Dry Creek again. After settling in Jacksonville, Mr. Gore bought the John G. Gore orchard. Later a hotel was erected across the road and Mr. Gore bought the land and remodeled the hotel. This is the home where he died. He erected a sawmill on the creek and the lumber for the Methodist Church at Jacksonville [sic]. Mr. Gore and his brother Emery were twins, and so remarkable was the resemblance that mistakes were often made. Not only in facial features were they alike, but in voice and mannerisms. From childhood to extreme old age this resemblance continued. The children of Mr. Gore could not tell their uncle's voice from the father's. An incident which is related of this likeness of the two brothers occurred in 1905 when Emery Gore visited his brother. They were both in a Medford furniture store. Both were near a large mirror. E. E. Gore moved out of sight of Emery, who did not notice his movements. Emery turned to the glass, mistook it for his brother and said, "Isn't it time, Emerson, for us to go home?" Mr. Gore was an abstainer of liquor, and his convictions on this question were strong. Once a neighbor, early in the '80s, wished to buy apples of Mr. Gore. Mr. Gore at that time had five acres in fruit--one of the first orchards in the valley. The man offered a large price. Apples were worth only twenty cents a bushel. Mr. Gore became curious and asked the reason for the high offer. The neighbor replied that Mr. Gore's apples were much superior to others' and he wished to make them into liquor. Mr. Gore replied: "Before I would sell one apple for that purpose I would let them rot on the trees." He sold a few to others, but a large part did rot on the ground. The dead pioneer was a deeply religious man, and with this he had a great love for his country. A strong, yet gentle, man, a man with generous and noble disposition, has been gathered to his fathers. Medford Sun, November 22, 1910, page 1 JACKSON LOSES ANOTHER OF HER GRAND OLD MEN
With Passing of Emerson E. Gore One More Representative of that Staunch and Sturdy Stock that People Valley Is Lost to County.
In the passing over of Emerson E. Gore at the family residence, two and
one-half miles south of Medford, yesterday at 1:30 p.m., Jackson County
loses another of her oldest pioneers, a representative of that staunch
and sturdy stock that peopled the Rogue River Valley in the early '50s,
and whose self-denying labors, dauntless courage and far-seeing eye
laid the foundations for the subsequent industrial development of this
section of the Pacific Northwest.
Mr. Gore was born in Halifax, Vt., June 20, 1824, and was at the time of his death aged 86 years and 5 months. His youth and early manhood were spent in Ohio and Iowa, and in 1849 he was married to Mrs. Mary E. Rose, a young woman of rare intelligence and deep spiritual insight. Nine children were born of this union, two daughters and the loved wife having preceded Mr. Gore to the better land. Mr. and Mrs. Gore made the long journey across the plains with an ox team in 1852 and took up their residence in Jacksonville, Or., where their oldest son, Walter S., was born, December 3, 1852. In 1853 the family settled on the Gore donation claim, where the family has resided continuously ever since. Mr. Gore was converted in 1849 and has been an elder and faithful member of the Presbyterian Church for 50 years. The sands of a long and useful life have run out and, surrounded by the members of his family, he gently passed way into that sleep from which there is no earthly waking. A brief service will be conducted at the family residence at 12:30 on Wednesday and at 2 o'clock at the Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, the remains being laid to rest in the Phoenix Cemetery. Medford Mail Tribune, November 22, 1910, page 1 The William Gore ranch just west of Medford has been leased by J. W. Snyder, a dairyman who plans to operate extensively in that business on this large tract of land. The ranch comprises 400 acres and the rental price is $10,000 a year. Mr. Snyder has given much attention to the dairy business and is branching out in that industry. A herd of 600 to 800 cows will be kept on the ranch. Central Point Herald, March 20, 1913, page 3 Faulty Lights Cause Accident
The
failure of Prestolite on one car and no lights on another caused a
head-on collision on the Jacksonville road Thursday night between W. H.
Gore's car and a car driven by August Lawrentz. The force of the crash
knocked Mr. Lawrentz against the wheel, and he sustained severe
bruises. Mrs. Gore suffered considerably from the nervous shock, but
was resting easily last night. Both cars were injured, the Lawrentz car
being practically demolished. The Gore machine sustained a broken
radiator and windshield.--Sun
Jacksonville Post, November 8, 1913, page 2 August Lawrentz, 53, who was struck by an auto driven by W. H. Gore on the Jacksonville road Thursday night, died Monday morning at 5 o'clock. The dead man absolved all others of blame, he running without any lights. The funeral services will be held Wednesday. Lawrentz was a juror at the present term of court. Excerpt, "Injuries Prove Fatal," Jacksonville Post, November 15, 1913, page 1 GORE ARRESTED FOR NOT DIMMING AUTO HEADLIGHTS
"I
am innocent of the charge and it will have to be proven against me in
court before I will pay a fine," said W. H. Gore today in explaining
why he entered a plea of not guilty before Justice Taylor following his
arrest by county prosecutor Roberts' motorcycle cop on the Pacific
Highway because of not having his auto lights dimmed, in compliance
with the state law, as the cop claims.
The motorcycle cop had just arrested a Portland auto dealer on the same charge, and the two were standing by the car at the side of the road, engaged in a loud word wrangle when Mr. Gore and his son Jay came driving by. The cop ordered Jay, who was at the wheel, to stop, but Mr. Gore, who was in the rear seat, thinking that the motorcycle cop and the other man were returning from Hornbrook, ordered Jay to speed up. The cop then speeded after them on his motorcycle and rode beside their car, calling upon them to stop, without showing his badge or telling them that he was an officer. They also claim that he swore at them repeatedly and was otherwise abusive. Finally, when he showed his badge, they stopped the car and submitted to arrest. "The law says that the front lights shall be dimmed when the safety and convenience of the public demand," said Mr. Gore today, "and there was certainly no occasion for us to dim our lights that night, as there was no one on the highway ahead of us except these two, who were standing by the car at the side of the road and wrangling." Otto Schneider, the Portland auto dealer arrested that same night, pleaded guilty before Justice Taylor yesterday and was fined $5 and court costs. Medford Mail Tribune, August 28, 1917, page 4 BILL GORE BACK AT DESK AGAIN, WORK PRAISED
W.
H. Gore is still busy receiving congratulations on the success of his
indefatigable work before Congress against great odds for the passage
of the Oregon and California [railroad] land grant tax refund bill,
following the great reception tendered him at the depot Saturday on his
arrival home from Washington.
He was at his desk again at the Medford National Bank this forenoon, for the first time in months, but his efforts to attend to business were useless because of so many citizens dropping in to greet and congratulate him. In speaking of his Saturday reception, of which he had no inkling until he stepped from the train, was seized by the reception committee and saw the big crowd of 1500 to 2000 people assembled, Mr. Gore chidingly remarked this forenoon: "Why on earth didn't someone tip me off to what was going on? If I had known I could have prepared a speech for the occasion." The lobbyist par excellence evidently did not realize that his improvised speech from the depot truck could not have been improved upon. In his ignorance as to the coming reception, as the train was coming to a stop Saturday forenoon and the noise of the fire siren was heard in his coach, Mr. Gore turned to a couple in the seat opposite him and remarked: "I seem to be getting home again just in time for another big fire. Once before here a big fire was starting when my train was coming in at the depot." This noon at the Kiwanis Club luncheon Mr. Gore delivered an address on his experiences in behalf of the Stanfield bill at Washington. Medford Mail Tribune, July 26, 1926, page 2 J. Frank Wortman desires to express his hearty appreciation and gratitude to those neighbors and friends and all others, including the Medford fire department, for their efficacious work last Thursday in extinguishing the flames at his ranch, the old John Gore place on the Pacific Highway, and preventing the fire from spreading to the house, barn and other buildings. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 15, 1927, page 2 Family of Emerson E. Gore Arrived in Valley in 1852
Emerson
E. Gore and Mary Elizabeth Gore were among the pioneer families to
settle in the valley. They arrived here Sept. 27, 1852.
In the family group was Emory Gore, twin brother of Emerson, and two children, Lewis Albert Rose, six-year-old son of Mrs. Gore by a former marriage, and Annette Jane, two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gore. The Gores lived the first winter in Jacksonville, where the brothers built a small house and shop, putting in a lathe and making chairs and other things necessary in the newly settled community. It was there that Walter Gore was born Dec. 3, 1852. Built Near Phoenix In 1853 Emerson E. Gore built a cabin on his donation land claim two miles north of Phoenix on what is now Highway 99. Here he moved his family. Emory stayed in Jacksonville to run the shop that year. In 1854 or 1855 the brothers built a sawmill on Bear Creek at Emerson Gore's farm, which they operated until it was destroyed by the flood of 1862. The sawmill was used as a point of description in establishing boundary lines, which are recorded in the Jackson County Courthouse. M. A. Williams, known as "Father Williams," a Presbyterian missionary, wrote in his diary in 1857 of visiting Gore at his sawmill. Mr. and Mrs. Gore always were on friendly terms with the Indians who lived near them, Mrs. Gore often caring for their sick and Gore frequently playing his violin for them. At one time when the Indians were camping on the Gore farm there was much unrest, and all the settlers feared open violence. One day the Gore family saw a single file of Indians coming up the path to the Gore house, all carrying their weapons. They gathered around Gore, then squatted on their heels, and the chief made the motion of playing the violin. Gore played for them until he was exhausted, but he did not dare stop before the chief gave him permission. Finally the chief got up, grunted, and he and the Indians went peacefully back to their camp. Family of 10 Mr. and Mrs. Gore had a family of 10 children, five boys and five girls, of whom only the youngest, Edward Emerson, now lives. Mrs. Gore died in 1893 at the age of 66 and Gore in 1910 at the age of 86, both of them having worked many years for the Christian and cultural development of the Rogue Valley. The Gore family was active in establishing the Jacksonville and Phoenix Presbyterian churches. The Gore family was also active in the musical development of the valley. The sons of Mr. and Mrs. Gore had a quartet and furnished music for many occasions, and were active in all church music. William Gore directed many church choirs. Mr. and Mrs. Gore were determined that their children should have an education, and the family read a great deal together. Mrs. Gore would read a chapter of a book to the family while the family ate their noon meal, she eating after the family had gone back to their work. Medford Mail Tribune, June 20, 1954, page 6 Services Set Thursday for Hattie Gore,
Prominent in Medford for Many Years Memorial
services for Mrs. Hattie Warner Gore, 92, a leader in Medford's musical
life for more than 43 years, will be held in the First Presbyterian
Church at 2 p.m. Thursday, with Dr. D. Kirkland West officiating. Mrs.
Gore died Monday at a Portland hospital.
An Oregonian from her early childhood, Mrs. Gore was born in Grand Rapids, Wis., Oct. 31, 1873, and came with her parents to Albany, Ore. She attended the State Normal School at Drain and taught in the Albany public school. On Dec. 14, 1899, as Hattie Warner, she married Edward E. Gore, member of a Jackson County pioneer family. Mr. Gore preceded her in death. She became a piano teacher in Medford and continued this career for 43 years, contributing to music publications while teaching. She also wrote the concert reviews for the Mail Tribune over a period of 20 years. Mrs. Gore's graduate work included study at Metropolitan College of Music, New York; Sherwood School of Music, Chicago; Claremont College; University of California at Los Angeles, and the University of California at Berkeley. She served as a member of the Medford School Board for three terms during the early 1900s and was president of the Oregon Mothers Club, University of Oregon. She was past president of the Rogue River Valley College Women's Club and a member of Reames Chapter, O.E.S. Mrs. Gore, a member of the State Federation of Music Clubs, had one of the largest collections of music and concert programs in the country, showing the development and progress of music in America from 1882. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Samuel (Beulah) Mushen, Portland, Mrs. Harold B. (Rose) Cook, Redding, Calif., and Mrs. Dorothy Davis, Tacoma, Wash.; two grandsons, Robert L. Mushen and Alan E. Mushen, Portland; a sister, Miss Beulah Warner, and a brother, William J. Warner, both of Medford. Interment will be Siskiyou Memorial Park under direction of Perl Funeral Home. Those who wish may make donations to the Mu Phi Epsilon Portland Alumnae Achievement Fund in memory of Hattie Warner Gore. These may be sent in care of Mrs. Donald Coogan, 3829 N.E. 66th Ave., Portland. Medford Mail Tribune, August 10, 1966, page 1 Gore Brothers Were Early-Day Musicians
Among the musical entertainers of the valley at the turn of the century were the brothers Gore.
They formed a quartet that sang at valley churches and at special occasions such as Fourth of July celebrations and recitals of other musicians. The four were John, Walter, Will and Ed, the sons of Emerson Gore, who came to the valley in 1852 and raised 10 children. "When I was a little girl I stayed up and listened to them practice," says Liberta Lenox, daughter of John, a farmer who raised cattle on the home ranch. She says her father was the first orchardist in the valley to protect the crop by building fires. Walter was Medford's first school principal. He helped on the farm and had a store in Ashland. Will also served as Medford school principal. He became a banker and served in the Oregon Legislature. Ed was a partner in the grocery and meat firm Warner, Wortman & Gore. The home where the Gore brothers were raised stood where the Southern Oregon Nursery is now located. Mrs. Lenox says the quartet broke up after her father's hearing deteriorated to the point he felt he couldn't stay on pitch. Without radio, let alone television, music was a big part of the early entertainment, she notes. She said the Gore family had one of the first organs in the valley. Like many things brought to the West, the instrument was shipped around Cape Horn. Mrs. Lenox says her grandfather played the violin, which fascinated the Indians, who lived in a nearby village. In those days the white settlers were interlopers. Emerson Gore told his grandchildren he played at length to maintain rapport. The Indians insisted. The Gore property included part of Barneburg Hill. on which she used to play as a child, Mrs. Lenox says. She now lives in Rogue Valley Manor on the hill. Her apartment window overlooks what was once the family land. Her parents were interested in their children getting a knowledge of the better music, Mrs. Lenox says. "Anything that was musical, we'd try to go to." Mrs. Lenox remembers that many fine musicians came through Medford in the early part of the 20th century. Her memory is a little hazy when it comes to naming the various shows and entertainers. Still she remembers Madam Ernestine Schumann-Heink and orchestra conductor Walter Damrosch. "Medford always has been very cultural minded," she says. Mrs. Lenox, an alto, sang with the Medford Choral Society while still in high school, under the direction of Ella Andrews. Mrs. Andrews had some to Medford with her husband, George, and brother-in-law, Ed, who came to the Medford area after the Andrews Opera Company disbanded. "We always admired the Andrews brothers," says Mrs. Lenox. "They brought an awful lot of music here." She says she missed many of the operatic productions of the early 1920s, directed by the Andrews. She had been seriously injured in an auto accident and was wheelchair bound. Medford Mail Tribune, June 6, 1985, page 15 Last revised February 6, 2012
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