Gore Notes

The Infamous Black Bird Southern Oregon History, Revised

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.

THE GORE PLOW.--We have been permitted to examine the model of the gang plow, invented by [Emerson] E. Gore, of this county, and must express the opinion that this plow, for durability, easy manipulation and excellence of work, must supersede nearly every other gang in use. The plow is managed by four levers which depress or elevate the share at heel or point, or both, raise the gangs from the ground, or give them such a deflection as is necessary in plowing on "sideling" ground. The levers are of such power that they may easily be worked by a boy of twelve, and indeed any youth could manipulate this plow with facility. There are no complications, and nothing about it but could be mended by any smith in case of breakage. We are unable to present all the points of advantage of this splendid invention, but they will be at once apparent to agriculturists. Mr. Gore is assured that a patent is certain and has filed his caveat and sent forward the model. The credit of manufacturing this miniature plow is due to Mr. John Miller, and we venture say that there are few pieces of workmanship in the Patent Office that will excel it. If Mr. Gore procures a patent, of which there is no doubt, he has a fortune in store for him.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 10, 1869, page 2

William H. Gore

    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

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

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

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

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

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

Last revised March 16, 2010