Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/16

 6 R. A. BOOTH County and Receiver of Public Moneys at the Roseburg Land Office. Helen Flint and C. S. Grubbe, later becoming assistants. Geo. W. Grubbe, pioneer merchant of Wilbur. Elizabeth Knott, later Mrs. Robt. Ladd, Portland. Sarah Watson, later Mrs. Dr. S. Hamilton, mother of Judge J. W. Hamilton. Miss Kahler, a sister of Judge Wesley Kahler, late of Jack- sonville. Sarah Tibbetts, sister of Mrs. Binger Hermann, of Rose- burg. Geo. and Nancy Stephenson, the latter now Mrs. John Party, of Roseburg. Lucy Rose, later Mrs. Rufus Mallory, Portland. Nelson and Frank Reed. Thomas Jenkins and Henry Jenkins: the latter became a member of the Oregon conference. It doubtless has not escaped the notice of the reader that the going of Mr. Wilbur to the Umpqua Country and the founding of the Umpqua Academy were simultaneous events, and it is a matter of no small concern whether in estimating the force and character of Wilbur, or the people to whom he had come, that in less than twelve months from the date of his appointment Umpqua Academy had a beginning. Perhaps nothing less should be expected from a field where the chief laborer for a time was to be the great stalwart who had turned his face westward from New York in the early strength of his manhood to find work, helpful work, work that would endure. A new dream was in his mind no, not a dream, but the vision of a statesman. Before him was a need and an opportunity. This both thrilled and emboldened him. He had proven already that he was a finisher of tasks. He now knew the bounds of his territory and the hearts of his people. Here as a minister he met every incumbent duty, whether in the home, by the church altar or at the new made grave. His name had become a household word. He had become coun- sellor and arbiter to the rancher and miner and inspiration to the young and hope to the mature. To all of these he preached the gospel of education. They heard it with willing minds