The Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1911

DAVID DIGGINS, a retired agriculturist living in Joseph, Oregon, was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of January, 1833, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Fisher) Diggins, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania where they resided throughout their entire lives. David Diggins acquired his education in the pioneer log schoolhouse where the subjects taught were the usual branches of learning presented in the early days, and the knowledge he acquired was little more than that necessary to succeed in the ordinary walks of life. In 1856 he left his home and came west, locating first in Illinois where he worked for an uncle on a farm in Fulton County. In 1859 he crossed the plains in a wagon train, starting with four wagons with ox teams, but upon reaching the plains they were joined by others until their train was one of sixty wagons. They were frequently attacked by the Indians and they encounter some serious trouble on Snake River. Had their number been smaller the Indians would probably have overcome them, but because of their strength they were allowed to proceed and, after a six months’ journey, they reached Walla Walla, Washington. Mr Diggins resided in that vicinity until 1876 when he came to Oregon and located near Milton, in Umatilla County. Here he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land and later added one tract of two hundred and eighty, and three of one hundred and sixty acres each. He lived upon that property until 1884 when he turned his farm over to his son, Thomas L. Diggins. At that time he came to Wallowa County and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on prairie creek upon which he resided until 1898, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres east of Joseph. He removed to this property and later added three hundred and twenty acres. That was his home until 1901 when he retired from active life and settled in Joseph where he has since resided. He still owns the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres and also one hundred and twenty acres one-half mile east of Joseph which he purchased in 1907. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits on an extensive scale, and the success which has been his has been won because of his hard work and constant application. Early in life he determined to succeed, and this determination, together with his courage, has been responsible for no small part of his success. The comforts and luxuries he enjoys today are the due reward of the privations, hardships and labor which he encountered earlier in life.

Mr Diggins has been twice married; In 1873 he wedded Miss Anna Warefield, of Clearfield County Pennsylvania. To this union two children were born: Thomas L., who is a prominent ranchman of Umatilla County; and George, whose death occurred in 1901 when he was twenty-four years of age.

Politically Mr Diggins is a republican and has served for eight years as a member of the school board. Beginning his struggle with the world at a very early age, and profiting by his experiences, no matter how arduous or unpleasant, he may well be called a self-made man, and the ease which he now enjoys is due to his industry and ability.

Handwritten note:

David F Diggins passed away September 2, 1912. He now sleeps in the Prairie Creek Cemetery near Joseph, Oregon.

The resetting of David F Diggins white marble monument in 1981 was by David W Diggins and Maud M Diggins Harper, his grandchildren.

History and live of David F Diggins gathered and enter in this book by his granddaughter Maud M. Diggins Harper

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http://www.accessgenealogy.com/scripts/data/database.cgi?file=Data&report=SingleArticle&ArticleID=0026921

Diggins, David

Released 13 December 2004

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Obit.

Pioneer Is Dead - Was 79 Years Old

David Diggins, Who Crossed the Plains In 1859

David Diggins, a pioneer in the northwest, died on Monday at his home in Joseph. He was 79 years old and some time ago suffered a stroke of paralysis. The funeral was held on Tuesday and burial was in the Prairie creek cemetery, Rev. B. F. Miller officiating.

Mr. Diggins was born in Pennsylvania in 1833 and when 23 years old moved to Illinois, where he lived two years, farming in the new Prairie state. But the love of the frontier would not let him rest with life in the central states and he started for Colorado in 1859. Hearing reports of rich regions in the far northwest, he continued his journey to Washington, arriving at Walla Walla September 11, 1859.

The next year he went into the wilderness in search of gold to the district where Pierce City and Oro Fino are now situated. The camp prospered and Mrs. Diggins staid there for two years, when he returned to his homestead near Walla Walla. He sold his land there in 1877 and moved to Umatilla County, Oregon, where he again went into farming. He was very successful and was well to do when he sold out in 1894 and came to the Wallowa country settling on a farm some miles southeast of Joseph.

Mr. Diggins was married twice. The first wife was Miss Malvina Pennington. Two sons were born, of which one survives. Mrs. Diggins second wife was Mrs. Isley of Joseph, who survives him.

Enterprise Record Courier, Wallowa County, Oregon, Thursday Sept. 5, 1912

Contributed by Charlottte Carper

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http://www.usgennet.org/usa/or/county/wallowa/bios/biosd.htm

DAVID DIGGINS

DAVID DIGGINS. - Although the subject of this sketch has not resided in Wallowa county so long as some others, nevertheless, he is one of the earliest pioneers of this section, having braved the dangers and suffered the hardships and deprivations in the fifties to assist in opening this country for the advent of civilization's march. Mr. Diggins has lived the life of a typical frontiersman and pioneer, and to him and his companions is due the honor and distinction of discovering the leading placer mines of this northwest country, which in fact rivaled any on the Pacific coast, and during these long years of labor and toil, he has always demonstrated the fine qualities of manhood with which he is so richly endowed, and has steadily labored for the advancement of the county, and the good of all.

David Diggins was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, being the son of Samuel and Catherine (Fisher) Diggins, and there he remained until the age of twenty-three, then came to Illinois, then a new country, and gave his attention to farming for two years on the fertile face of the Prairie state. In 1859 he started for Denver, but was led by the glowing reports of the excellent region of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, to come hither, and he landed in Walla Walla on September 11, 1859. At that early day only two homes were in Walla Walla proper and he sought him a homestead in the vicinity and settled down until the following spring. Then his adventurous spirit led him to seek for gold, and in company with some companions, he went were Pierce City and Oro Fino are not situated, discovering gold there in the same year, 1860. Being assured that they had found fine diggings, they immediately returned to Walla Walla for supplies and then set out for the fields afresh, and soon was opened up the most famous camp of the country and it attracted men from all parts of the world. For eight months our subject gave his attention to searching for the hidden treasure, and then engaged in packing supplies to the miners, so quickly had crowds come to the spot. For two years he continued at that occupation and then returned to his homestead and gave himself to farming. This labor continued uninterruptedly until 1877, at which date he sold his possessions in Walla Walla county and repaired to Umatilla county, taking land and giving his attention there also to producing the fruits of the field. Prosperity attended him in that place as it had also formerly and he was numbered among the leading men of the county. In 1894 he sold out again and came to the famous Wallowa county, settling on a farm seven miles northeast from Joseph. He first owned one hundred and sixty acres, but to this he has added one-half section more, making his estate four hundred and eighty acres of good soil. In addition to this he also owns other property, among which is a house and lot in the town of Joseph, where he resides at the present time, from that point taking a general oversight of his property. During his long career in this country he has devoted himself to raising cattle, horses, and hogs, in addition to general farming and in all his efforts he has gained a gratifying success, and now in the golden time of life's years he is quietly enjoying the fruits of his labor and is secure in the esteem of his fellows and associates.

Mr. Diggins married Miss Malvina, daughter of John B and Elizabeth J. (Hembry) Pennington, and a native of the Willamette valley, in 1874, and she has joined her labors to his and together they have trod the path of life, sharing its triumphs and partaking of the sombre shades together also, and now in the days of the ripe years of life, they journey on together, looked up to and admired by all, justly deserving the commendation and esteem that they have earned in their years of faithful toil.

Mr. Pennington resides in California, but his wife is dead.

Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties

Page 610, 611

Copyright 1902

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Milton Eagle Vol.111 No.25 June 28, 1889 DAVID DIGGINS visited old home in Johnston, Pennsylvania.

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http://gesswhoto.com/um-sams-farm.html

Although Nathan Sams always had good relations with the Indians, during the time of the Bannock Indian wars of 1878, he and his other neighbors maintained a watch from a "Yellow Pine Tree" on Basket Mountain. This tree was located on the Dave Diggins place and was the tallest in the area. Later the children were told to hide in a cave their father had shown them along the creek bank if the Indians were to approach the house,. Fortunately that was never necessary. Jasper Sams told his grandchildren about watching the Indian boys race their horses across the hilltop near his home, and watching the women dig the Kouse plants in the spring.

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1880 Census OR Umatilla Milton ED 110 Pg 5B

Diggins,David,40,Farmer,PA,PA,PA

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1900 Census OR Wallowa Prairie Creek Pct Pg 171A (1 June 1900

Line 20

6 6 Diggins David Head WM Jan 1833 (most unreadable)

--------, Melvina A wife FW Jul 1853 (most unreadable)

Isley, John W Steps Son WM Aug 1879 21

--------, William

--------, Emily M

--------, Bertha M

--------, Granville L

It appears that the Isly's are born in Oregon and are STEP Children birth date and age are difficult to impossible to read.

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1910 Census OR Wallowa Joseph ED 295 Pg 278B (19 April 1910 William J Romp)

Line 64

62 62 Diggins David Head MW 77 M2 15 Pennsylvania PA PA Own Income

----------------, Melvina A Wife FW 61 M2 15 (13 children 11 Alive) Oregon TN Unk

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Date born 2: Wiseport, Carbon, PA See Notes

Burial: Prairie creek cemetery, Joseph,Wallaowa,OR³

Census 1: 1880, OR Umatilla Milton ED 110 Pg 5B

Census 2: 1900, OR Wallowa Prairie Creek Pct Pg 171A

Census 3: 1910, OR Wallowa Joseph ED 295 Pg 278B

Pioneer Step: 1859, Pioneer Step #6 Pd by Edith Kemp

Census: 1870, PA Clearfield Madeira Woodward Twp Pg 11 (see father)

Marriage: 02 Jan 1873, Clearfield, Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Name 2: Melvina ?

Date born 2: Abt. 1842, Oregon

Census 1: 1900, OR Wallowa Prairie Creek Pct Pg 171A(See Husband David Diggins)

Census 2: 1880, OR Umatilla Milton Pg 6C(See Husband James Isley)

Census 3: 1910, OR Wallowa Joseph ED 295 Pg 278B(See Husband David Diggins)

Diggins, David

Marriage: David Diggins married Melvina Isley on May 31, 1894 in Umatilla County, OR.

Gender: Male

Source Location: Record of this marriage may be found at the Family History Library under microfiche reference number(s) 6088045

Marriage: 31 May 1894, Umatilla, OR⁴