Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 2.djvu/11



Occupying a position of distinctive preferment as a representative of the Oregon bar, connected with the work of the courts both as a jurist and attorney, Hon. Rufus Mallory has also taken part in the work of framing the laws of the state and thus has left his impress deeply upon the history of Portland and of Oregon. A native of New York, he was born in Coventry, Chenango county, June lo, 1831. The ancestral history of the family in America traces back to Peter Mallory, who in 1643 braved the dangers of an ocean voyage at that day to become identified with the colonial interests of New Haven, Connecticut. Among his descendants was David Mallory, who was born in Connecticut, where he spent his entire life, and who during the period of the Revolutionary war joined a regiment of Connecticut troops to battle for the independence of the colonists. His service won recognition in the gift of a land warrant, which was afterward located by his grandson. Samuel Mallory, son of David Mallory, was born in Oxford, Connecticut, August 9, 1782, and in early life settled at Coventry, New York. Subsequently he became a resident of Allegany county, that state, and later of Steuben county. He followed farming throughout his entire life save for a brief period devoted to seafaring. He died at Greenwood, New York, August 19, 1854, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he had long been a devoted member. He married Lucretia Davis, who was a native of Oxford, Connecticut, and also passed away in Greenwood. Her father. Colonel John Davis, was born in New York and was of Welsh descent. He valiantly espoused the cause of the colonists in the Revolutionary war and his bravery and military skill won him promotion to the rank of colonel. He was likewise prominent in the community in which he lived and, in fact, was held in such honor among those with whom he was constantly associated that the anniversary of his birth is still celebrated at High Rock Grove, where he made his home. Unto Samuel and Lucretia Mallory were born nine children: Augustus, who made his home at Heppner, Oregon; Mrs. Maria Slocum, who was also a resident of Heppner; Mrs. Hallock and Mrs. Abigail Wallace, who also lived there; Homer H., of New York; and Rufus, of Portland; George, deceased; Lucius Belvidere; and Sarah, who died in Pennsvlvania.

In his boyhood days Rufus Mallory was a pupil in the district schools of Allegany and Steuben counties. New York, and afterward profited by instruction in Alfred University. At the age of sixteen he began teaching school and thereafter for some time divided his time between teaching and attending school. Taking up the study of law with a view of making its practice his life work, he has since eagerly availed himself of any opportunity that would promote his progress in that field, and in his practice has been of able and conscientious service to his clients and has long been recognized as a faithful minister in the temple of justice.