12. THOMAS LEANDER³ MOORHOUSE (THOMAS², JOSEPH¹) was born 28 Feb 1850 in Marion Co., Iowa, and died 01 Jun 1926 in Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR. He married SARAH ELLEN WILLIS 05 Sep 1876 in Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR, daughter of WILLIAM WILLIS. She was born 28 Oct 1856 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, and died 25 May 1935 in Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR.

Notes for THOMAS LEANDER MOORHOUSE:

THOMAS LEANDER MOORHOUSE - 1850-1926

Lee Moorhouse of Pendleton, Oregon, was a multifaceted and intriguing man. Born in Marion County, Iowa, he came with his family to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1861 on the Oregon Trail. He was a miner, surveyor, rancher, businessman, civic leader, Umatilla Indian Agent, real estate operator, insurance salesman, and Assistant Adjunct General of the Oregon State Militia (this is where he received the title Major, which he used for the rest of his life).

Major Moorhouse also liked to photograph. He was one of the many Americans who took up photography in the 1880s, after George Eastman made an easy-to-use film camera available. But unlike most amateur photographers, Major Moorhouse worked with gelatin dry glass plate negatives, large cameras, and a tripod, the equipment of professional photographers. Major Moorhouse was unlike other amateur photographers in another important regard – his photography quickly progressed beyond family portraits and quaint scenes. From the 1888 to the 1916 Major Moorhouse produced over 9,000 images, which document urban, rural, and Native American life in the Columbia Basin, and particularly Umatilla County, Oregon. So extensive and revealing are Moorhouse’s images that his collection is one of the preeminent social history collections for Oregon.

http://libweb.uoregon.edu/catdept/digcol/mh/bio.html

*********

http://gesswhoto.com/um-hermiston.html

MOOREHOUSE IN 1882

This is the name of a town laid out as a terminus of the Prospect Hill Railroad. It is to be the shipping point for products of Prospect Farm and this whole region when it is brought under cultivation. These upland plans, lying back from the Columbia about fifteen miles, have always been considered valueless by reason of the small quantity of rain. A number of gentlemen entertaining a different opinion on this point organized the Prospect Hill Co., in 1879, took up and fenced 4,160 acres of land, and began cultivating it in 1880. The large crop harvested in 1881 settled the question of fertility of soil, and demonstrated that thousands of acres formerly considered valueless for agriculture are exceedingly fine grain land. The members of this company are J.R. Foster, C.H. Lewis, T.A. Davis, H.W. Corbett, and J.H. Kunzie. The superintendent is T.L. Moorehouse, after who the town and post office are named. A residence, boarding house, stables, tool house, blacksmith shop, granaries and store house are now here, and upon completion of the road quite a town will no doubt spring up.

From "Historic Sketches of Walla Walla, Whitman, Columbia, and Garfield Counties, Washington Territory and Umatilla County, Oregon," by Frank T. Gilbert, Portland, Oregon 1882

**********

MOORHOUSE. - It was some years before the Inland Empire realized its own wealth. The hills were formerly accounted worthless. Mr. Moorhouse was among the first to dissipate that notion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/or/county/union1/1889vol2/volumeIIpage471-490.htm

480 HISTORY OF PACIFIC NORTHWEST - OREGON AND WASHINGTON.

The Prospect Hill farm, of four thousand acres, eighteen miles west of Pendleton, of which he was superintendent, during his incumbency of four years, produced two hundred and fifty thousand bushels of wheat.

The Moorhouses were from Iowa, Lee having been born there in 1850. They came to Oregon in 1861, locating in Umatilla county, near the present site of Pendleton, and when the country was so sparsely settled that no more than fifteen families could be found within a radius of twenty-five miles of that point. The father bought a squatt4er's right near Walla Walla; and Lee, at the tender age of fourteen, set off for a tour of the mines in Idaho and British Columbia. Despite his youth he met with fair success.

Returning home he attended school at Walla Walla for some years, and studied civil engineering under Horace Hurlburt on the Oregon & California Railroad. Coming to Pendleton, he was appointed county surveyor by a Democratic board of commissioners, although he was himself an ardent Republican. Four years passing away, he engaged in business with the pioneer merchant, Lot Livermore, and subsequently with John R. Foster at Umatilla. The Bannack outbreak of 1878 now required his services; and he received the appointment of assistant adjutant-general of the Oregon state militia, with the rank of major, holding that commission for four years.

In the meanwhile a company of Portland men - John R. Foster, H.W. Corbett, C.H. Lewis, T.A. Davis, J.H. Kunzie, Charles Hodge, and Lee Moorhouse - had formed a company of buying and running a large grain farm. The Prospect Hill farm, already mentioned, was bought and equipped, and was run at a total expense of one hundred thousand dollars, but with a large profit. Moorhouse was the superintendent until 1883, when he re-entered the merchandising business with Lot Livermore at Pendleton.

He has been a very active member of the Republican party, having been a regular delegate to the convention since he was twenty-two. He is now chairman of the county central committee, and a member of the state central committee. He was mayor in 1885, and was city treasurer up to the time he entered upon the duties of Indian agent upon the Umatilla Indian Reservation, to which he was appointed by President Harrison in 1889. He is an enthusiastic believer in the future development of Pendleton, believing that it will have ten thousand inhabitants in the near future.

In 1876 he was married to Miss Ella, the daughter of William Willis, a pioneer of 1852, and a wealthy farmer and prominent politician of Umatilla county. There are now four children in the family, - Lessie, Gussie, Mark and Lavelle. The career of Mr. Moorhouse, although highly flattering to himself and useful to his community, has not yet reached its perihelion.

**********

East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR, Friday Evening, June 4, 1926

Major Moorhouse Funderal Services Held on Thursday

Funeral services for the late Major Lee Moorhouse, pioneer of this city who died on Tuesday evening at his home, were held yesterday afternoon at the grounds of the Moorhouse home, 400 East, Water street, with Bishop W.P. Remington and Rev. Ralph V. Hinkle, of the Episcopal church, officating.

The services were attended by scores of friends and the floral tributes, which were numerous and very beauthiful, showed the esteem in which Major Moorhouse was held. Out-of-town people who were here for the funeral were A. L. Willis of Portland, a brother of Mrs. Moorhouse; Albert Schaefer of Walla Walla; mr. and Mrs. Lee Duncan and Miss Catherine Duncan, of Haines, Oregon; Reuben Haskell of Portland and Arthur S. Benson, of Selem, clerk of the state supreme court of which Major Moorhouse was a deputy for 25 years.

Music for the services was by the vested choir of the church, which sang "Lead Kindly Light" and "Abide With Me". Active pall bearers were J.V. Tallman, W.J. Clarke, Norborne Berkeley, H.P. Whitman, lger Fee and V. Stroble. Honorary pall bearers were Judge S.A. Lowell, Dr. F.W. Vincent, Colonel J. H. Raley, E. J. Sommerville, Charles Hamilton, E. J. Murphy, A.C. Koeppen, J.J. Taylor, R. Alexander, R. Raymond, W.H. Dale and Frank Frasier. John Lambirth and W.E. Brock acted as ushers.

Provided by: "Karen Davis" <kdavis@attitude.com>

***********

No citation but must have been in the newspaper of May 31, 1926

Major Moorhouse Dies After Illness

Umatilla county has lost one of its best known and beloved pioneers in the death of Major Lee Moorhouse, who passed away last evening a his home, after a four weeks' illness. His death was due to embolism.

Major Moorhouse was one of the outstanding citizens of this region and had been prominently identified with the history of Pendleton since he came here in 1861.

Born in Iowa in 1850, he crossed the plains in the Morgan train of pioneers, in one of those valiant groups which braved the perils of the untried West. In that train Mrs. T.B. Wells of this city and Major Moorhouse lived to see the growth of Oregon in the years that followed. There ae too, survivors of that train who live in the Willamette valey.

Settle, in the Pendleton Region

Major Moorhouse's father settled near the present site of Pendleton when the country was so sparsely settled that no more than 15 families could be found within a radius of 25 miles of that point. The father bought a squatter's right near Walla Walla and the boy Lee, at the age of 14 set off for a tour of the mines in Idaho and British Columbia. Despite his youth he met with fair success.

Later he attended school at Walla Walla, and studied civil enineering under Horace Hurlburt of the Oregon & California railroad. Coming to Pendleton he was appointed county surveyor by a democratic board of commissiners, although he himself was an ardent republican.

Marriage Occurred in 1876

In 1876 occurred his marriage to Miss Ella Willis, the daughter of William Willis, a pioneer of 1852 and a prominent farmer and politician of Umatilla county.

Following his work as county surveyor, Major Moorhouse engaged in business with a pioneer merchant, the late Lot Livermore, and subsequently was associated with John it. Foster at Umatilla. In 1878, with the Bannock outbreak, he received the appointment of assistant adjtant-general of the Oregon state militia, with the rank of Major, holding the commission for four years. He was secretary at that time to Governor Chadwick.

Superintendent of Prospect Hill Farm..............Pictures Used in Histories.......................Was Lover of the Beautiful............ (highlights of his career)

Besides his widow, he is survived by three daughters, Mrs. A.L. Schaefer of this city; Mrs. O.P. Morton of Los Angeles, and Mrs. John L. Parker of Los Angeles. Five granddaughters and a grandson survive also.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the grounds of the Moorhouse home, 400 East Water street. Bishop W.P. Remington and Rev. Ralph V. Hinkle of the Episcopal church will officiate. Active pall bearers will be J. V. Tallman, W.J. Clarke, Norborne Berkeley, H.P. Whitman, lger Fee and V. Stroble. Honorary pall bearers will be Judge S. A. Lowell, Lr. F.W. Vincent, Colonel J.H. Raley, E.J. Sommerville, Charles Hamilton, E.J. Murphy, A.C. Koeppen, H.J. Tayor, lt. Alexanbder, R. Raymond, W. H. Dale and Frank Frazier. John Lambirth and W.E. Brock will act as ushers.

Provided by: "Karen Davis" <kdavis@attitude.com>

**********

Death - Burial: "Yesterdays Roll Call", vol 1, Baker, Sherman and Umatilla Cos, Oregon 1970, pages 226 and 302; Olney Cemetery, Umatilla Co., OR

Pendleton City/Olney Cemetery is south of Pendleton off Hwy 395 to the right side of Tutwilla Road at SW 23rd. "Buried in this cemetery is Thomas Leander (Lee) Moorhouse, former superintendent of the Umatilla Indian Agency and well known photographer of Indian tribal life. He was born in Marion Co., Iowa 28 Feb 1850, the son of Thomas and Augusta (see Weston Cemetery). the family came to Oregon in 1861 and in 1876 Lee married Ella Willis, daughter of William Willis, pioneer of 1852. Lee was the father of three daughters, Mrs. A.L. Schaefer of Pendleton, Mrs. O.P. Morton of California and Mrs. John L. Parker of California. He died 2 June 1926.

Provided by: "Karen Davis" <kdavis@attitude.com>

**********

"Enumeration of the Inhabitants and Industrial Products of the County of Umatilla, State of Oregon, for the Year 1875".

Page 75 lists the following "legal voters":

C. Barrett

M. White

D.D. Moorehouse

J.O. Morehouse

T.L. Moorehouse

Provided by: "Karen Davis" <kdavis@attitude.com>

**********

1880 Census OR Umatilla Prospect ED 112 Pg 65A

Morehouse,Lee,head,30,m,IA,ENG,Baden,Super't of Portland farms

Ella,wife,23,m,IA,IL,OH

Lessie,daughter,3,OR

Augusta B.,daughter,1,OR

**********

R. L. Polk & Co., Directory: 1885 Inland Empire, Washington Territory Directory, Walla Walla City Directory.

Thomas Moorhouse; farmer; $2715 property value; Weston

***********

1900 Census OR Umatilla Pendleton ED 116 Pg 17B

Moorhouse,Lee,head,Feb1850,50,m23,IA,ENG,GER,Deputy Clerk,Supreme Court

Ella,wife,Oct 1856,43,m23,4,4,IA,IL,OH

Augusta B.,daughter,Oct 1878,21S,OR,School teacher

Mark,son,Dec 1881,18S,OR,Pressman,Own shop

Ava Labelle,daughter,Dec 1883,16S,OR

********

1910 Census OR Umatilla Pendleton 2 Wd ED 254 Pg 73B

Moorhouse,Lee,head,60,m1,34,IL,ENG,GER,Agent,Insurance

Ella,wife,54,m1,34,4,4,IA,CT,MA

Lessie,daughter,32S,OR,Teacher,public school

Moule,Augusta B.,daughter,31,D,OR,Teacher,Public school

Moule,Gertrude M.,granddaughter,8,OR,IL,OR

Basher,Edna,servant,17S,OR,TN,TN

*********

1920 Census OR Umatilla Pendleton ED 163 Pg 10B

Moorhouse,Lee,head,69,m,IA,ENG,GER,Clerk,Dept,State Supreme Ct.

Sarah E.,wife,63,m,IA,IL,OH

Keyne,William J,lodger,35S,IA,MD,IA,Saddle maker,Harness shop

More About THOMAS LEANDER MOORHOUSE:

Burial: Olney Cemetery, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR³²

Census 1: 1850, IA Marion Pg 279B(See Father)

Census 2: 1856, IA Clarke Osceola Pg 144(See Father)

Census 3: 1860, IA Clarke Ward Pg 27(See Father)

Census 4: 1870, OR Umatilla Walla Walla Pg 378(See Father)

Census 5: 1880, OR Umatilla Prospect ED 112 Pg 65A

Census 6: 1900, OR Umatilla Pendleton ED 116 Pg 17B

Census 7: 1910, OR Umatilla Pendleton 2 Wd ED 254 Pg 73B

Census 8: 1920, OR Umatilla Pendleton ED 163 Pg 10B

Emigration: 1861, IA by Horse Team 11 yrs old

Occupation 1: 1892, Merchant

Occupation 2: 1880, Sup. of Portland Farm

Picnic: 1892, Weston, Umatilla, OR

Residence: 1892, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR

Notes for SARAH ELLEN WILLIS:

Daily East Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, Saturday, May 25, 1935

Partial header reads ("Semi-Weekly Independent")

Mrs. Moorhouse Succumbs Today

Mrs. Lee Moorhouse, one of Pendleton's finest pioneer women died this morning at her home after being in ill health for several months.

Her passing in marked by the deepest sorrow for death has claimed one whose life was ever a beautiful example of the Christian faith. She was unstinting in kindness and sweetness of her generous nature and scores of friends loved and admired her for the gentlewoman that she was.

Mrs. Moorhouse was born in 1856 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and when she was a year old she went with her parents to New York. They sailed from there to San Francisco by way of the Isthmus of Panama; came to Portland by boat and thence to Halsem where they settled for a time. Afterwards they lived near Roseburg until 1861 when they went to the Notil Valley near Eugene. In the spring of 1864 they came to the the Owyheh mine region and a year later settled on Dry Creek, near Walla Walla.

In February, 1866 the family moved to a farm near Milton where Moorhouse's girlhood days were spent.; she attended school there and also at Walla Walla and La Grande, and completed her education at Whitman Seminary. Her marriage to the late Lee Moorhouse who became Indian agent here in 1888, was on September 5, 1856 on the same day as that of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Dorthy (Ella DeHaven) the latter the girlhood friend of Mrs. Moorhouse.

After her marriage Mrs. Moorhouse came to Pendleton to live, her husband being employed in Lot Livermore's store where he acted as assistant postmaster. In 1878 they went to Pendleton where Mr. Moorhouse became shipping clerk for the John H. Foster Co. succeeding John Beam. Mrs. Moorhouse had many interesting reminiscences of the Indian war and the excitement of the days of 1878 in Umatilla.

In 1859 when the Foster Company bought the Prospect ranch Northeast of Echo the Moorhouse's went there to reside, Mr. Moorhouse being manager and part owner. As associated with Mr. Foster in the enterprise were Mr. Moorhouse, J. H. Kunzie and Davis Corbet & Lewis or Portland.

Mrs. Moorhouse used to tell of how while on Prospect when her small children were ill with measles, a young lad employed on the ranch was such an aid in their care. The name of the lad was John Lambrith.

In 1863 the Moorhouse's returned to Pendleton to live and Mr. Moorhouse was a merchant until 1888 when he became Major Lee Moorhouse, superintendent of the Umatilla Indian Agency, a position he held for four years. After this he went into business for himself and died in 1926.

Mrs. Moorhouse was a life-time member of the Episcopal church and was prominent in the Church of the Redeemer. She was past president of the Parish Aid. Possessed of a keen and active mind and the facility of progressing with the times, she was interested in club work and for three years was first vice-president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs; was past president of the Current Literature Club; past president of the Pioneers club and member of the Woman's Club.

She is survived by two children, Mrs. J. M. Cornelison of Pendleton and Mrs. John L. Parker of Brawley, California; two brothers, Dr. Park Weed Willis, Seattle and A. L. Willie, Portland; five grandchildren, Miss Mary Schaefer, Miss Marion Moorhouse, Miss Patsy Morton, Lee Schaefer, Pendleton; Mrs. Herbert Soennekenm Los Angles, and Miss Baly Parker or Brawley, and two great-grandchildren, Suzanne and Gertrude Koapaeken.

The funeral will Monday 3 P. M. for the church of the Redeemer. Folsom's have charge. Rev. Ralph Hinkle will officiate.

Provided by: "Karen Davis" <kdavis@attitude.com>

============

1930 United States Federal Census > Oregon > Umatilla > Pendleton > District 58

Line 96 - 400 Water

Moorhouse, Sarah E. Head Own$5,000 FW 73 Wd IA IL OH None

Schaefer, Lee Grandson MW 12 S OR MO OR None

1 Servant

3 Lodgers

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Pendleton, Umatilla, Oregon; Roll: 1956; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 58; Image: 340.0.

===========================

More About SARAH ELLEN WILLIS:

Burial: 27 May 1935, Olney Cemetery, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR³³

Census 1: 1880, OR Umatilla Prospect ED 112 Pg 65A(See Husband)

Census 2: 1900, OR Umatilla Pendleton ED 116 Pg 17B(See Husband)

Census 3: 1910, OR Umatilla Pendleton 2 Wd ED 254 Pg 73B(See Husband)

Census 4: 1920, OR Umatilla Pendleton ED 163 Pg 10B(See Husband)

Census 5: 1930, OR Umatilla Pendleton ED 58 Pg 2B

Emigration: 1859, IA by Isthmus 3 yrs old

Occupation: 1892, housewife

Picnic: 1892, Weston, Umatilla, OR

Residence: 1892, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR

More About THOMAS MOORHOUSE and SARAH WILLIS:

Marriage: 05 Sep 1876, Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR

Children of THOMAS MOORHOUSE and SARAH WILLIS are:

33. i. CELESTINE LEONE⁴ MOORHOUSE, b. 19 Jun 1877, Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR; d. 21 Nov 1963, Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR.

34. ii. AUGUSTA B. MOORHOUSE, b. 29 Oct 1878, Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR; d. Bef. 1930.

35. iii. MARK MOORHOUSE, b. 08 Dec 1881, Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR; d. 29 Jul 1914, Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR.

36. iv. AVA LEVELLA MOORHOUSE, b. 31 Dec 1883, Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR; d. 25 Jan 1962, Los Angeles, California.