PIONEER DOCTOR PASSES

WILLIS W. OGLESBY OF COTTAGE GROVE DEAD.

Veteran Physician Long Recognized as Authority on Indian Lore of Willamette Valley

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore, Dec. 29 - (Special.) - Dr. Willis W. Oglesby, pioneer of 1853, Indian war veteran, pioneer miner, physician and an authority on pioneer lore of the Willamette valley, died Sunday night at his home in this city.

Mr. Oglesby was born in Columbus, Ill., May 3, 1837. He arrived near what is now Cottage Grove in the emigrant train of which his father was captain in 1853. During his entire life he was one of the active citizens of the community, with the exceptions of portions of his life spent elsewhere. He was well acquainted with the Indians found here, learned their legends and spent much of his life among them. He was one of the first among them. He was one of the first to develop property in the Bohemia mining district. He helped found the Presbyterian church here and contributed to the erection of the first house of worship for that denomination. When Cottage Grove was split into two factions he was elected mayor of the short - lived Lamati. Later he served as city health officer, which position he held at the time of death.

He was one of the pioneer physicians of the Weston country in eastern Oregon and was captain of the band of 55 volunteers who, at the famous battle of Willow Springs, held at bay for 12 hours a band of 1000 or more redskins.

For many years he was prominent in domocratic politics and was an elector when Bryan was first nominated.

Dr. Oglesby was married in 1861 in Benton county to Miss Sarah Jane Morrison, who died in 1869. He was married in 1872 to Miss Nancy M. Morrison, sister of the first wife, who survives. Mrs. J. P. (Anna O.) Graham of this city, daughter of the first marriage, is the only child. Mr. and Mrs. Graham were present at the end.

Published in The Oregonian, Dec 13, 1920.