"An illustrated history of the state of Oregon : containing a history of Oregon from the earliest period of its discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Auspicious Future" By Rev H K Hines, D.D.

page 434-435

ANDREW J CRIGLER, of Umatilla county, Oregon, and one of the pioneers of the coast country, was born in Madison County, Virginia, on the Robeson River, near Criglersville, January 1, 1832. When two years old his father took him and the others of the family to Boone County, Kentucky. his father was Jonas Crigler, a native of Virginia; and his mother was Lucy V. (Finks) crigler, a native of the same Satate. The removal to Boone county, Kentucky, occurred in 1834, two years later the family going to Monroe County, Missouri, where the father bought land on the Salt river, near Florida, and lived there until his death in 1862, at hte age of sixty-three years, his wife passing away seven years after, at the age of sixty-one years. They were the parents of eight children: William, Jefferson, Henry, John, our subject, Franklin, Thomas and Mary.

Andrew J. Crigler received a common-school training, in a log house in Monroe county, Missouria, and lived with his parents until twenty years of age, being full of energy and work, which were shown in hard labor upon the farm. at the age named he engaged with a Dr. Glenn to assist in driving 500 head of cattle and a number of horses across the plains to California, this journey being from the Missouri to the Sacramento river, and occupying six months' time. he received no pay for the time taken for the journey, having to be content with the payment of his expenses by the doctor. The party was attacked several times by the Indians, but none of the men lost their lives. The cattle were not so fortunate, several of them having been picked off by the redskins.

Reaching the mines of California, our subject, being without money, hired out upon a wheat farm, until having accumulated some cash, he went to work at gold digging on the Murderers' bar, American river, being very fortunate, sometimes getting as much as $50 a day. After two years, having got together quite a sum of money, the longings for the old home were so strong that he took passage on a steamer and returned by way of the Isthmus. taking in his old birthplace for a little while, he then visited Missouri, and after a short stay there again crossed the plains in 1859, taking with him stock of his own, which he traded off after his arrival in California. On entering California he settled on a farm in Sutter county, five miles west of General Sutter's farm, beginning operations as a farmer with a yoke of cattle. here he remained eight years, then removed fifteen miles to Yuba City, and was still a resident of that city during the flood of 1861-'62. After this he again turned his face eastward, going by the way of the Isthmus. Reaching Missouri, he remained there for some time trading in cattle. Going to Texas, he bought a lot of cattle and mules, which he drove north and then, in company with Robert Anderson, an old friend, he went a third time to California, making his homeward journey as on the two previous occasions. he reached Missouri in 1865, and started in the mercantile business, locating a new town, Johnson City, in St Clair county, Missouri, fourteen miles west of Osceola, and east of Taberville. he then moved to monagan, where he was appointed Postmaster. Here he continued to live for five years, when the California fever again attacked him, so he sold out and went over the plains a fourth time; not, however, before taking a life partner, his choice being Miss Mary H., daughter of Joseph and martha Herndon, all natives of Kentucky, who removed to Missouri when Mrs. Crigler was quite young. The marriage took place in 1869, and the trans-continental trip in 1871, his wife accompanying him. They went to what was then Washington Territory, on the Cowlitz river, stopping for a short time at Olympia, -- just three weeks, -- and proceeded to Oregon, laying over at Oregon City. The one great cry then was "eastern Oregon"; so he made his way to Umatilla county, where he was engaged in raising sheep for seven years.

mr Crigler took up land in the latter place, near Athena, where he made him a farm. He now owns 320 acres of as fine land as there is in the country; also forty acres three miles north of Milton, in the best part of the Walla Walla valley, seven miles from Walla Walla city, which he has improved and set to fruit for his home, still operating his farm and keeping his ranch upon his farm near Athena. Here he raises the finest berries and fruit generally that can be found anywhere; als cherries and pears.

Mr. and Mrs. Crigler have had seven children born to them, viz.: French, a young man of twenty-two, having charge of his father's horses, 150 in all; Lula May, a sweet young woman, who died at the age of sixteen; Mattie, Josie, Della, Samuel and Lena all at home.

Mr Crigler is one of the very successful pioneers and miners of the coast. He is a member of Dolt Lodge, No. 80, A.F. & A. M., at Athena. Politically, he is independent, but was originally a Democrat. For some time past he has been a strong advocate of the People's party, and believes that the laboring class should manage the affairs of the nation, instead of a few capitalists.

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1860 Census CA Sutter Sutter Pg 809

Anderson,R.M.,30,M,Farmer,KY

Anderson,J.L.,28,M,Farmer,KY

Cregle,A.J.,27,Farm hand,VA

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1870 Census Missouri St Clair Monegaw Taberville Pg 412B ( 15 June 1870 John L Vicking)

Line 2

136 136 Creigler A. J. 36 MW Merchant 1500 6000 Virginia

-------, Mary 17 FW Keeping House Missouri

Vike Reuben 20 MB Works on Farm Missouri

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1875 Oregon State Census

Crigler, A J 12-31-1875 Census Umatilla Genealogical pg 008

Crigler, F 12-31-1875 Census Umatilla Genealogical pg 008

Crigler, L M 12-31-1875 Census Umatilla Genealogical pg 008

Crigler, M 12-31-1875 Census Umatilla Genealogical pg 008

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1880 Census Oregon Umatilla Weston Dist 111 Pg 48D (25-26 June 1880 J S White)

Line 4

134 135 Quigler Andrew J WM 41 Farmer Missouri Missouri Missouri

-------, Mary WF 39 Wife Missouri Missouri Missouri

-------, French WM 9 Son Missouri Missouri Missouri

-------, Julia M WF 7 Daughter Missouri Missouri Missouri

-------, Martha WF 4 Daughter Oregon Missouri Missouri

-------, Jessie WM 2 Son Oregon Missouri Missouri

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1900 Census Oregon Umatilla North Milton ED 114 Pg 123B(19 June 1900 Geo A Cowl)

Line 66

314 317 Creigler A J Head WM Jan 1832 68 M31 Virginia Unk Unk Fruit Farmer

-------, Mary H Wife WF Aug 1856 47 M3- (8 Children 8 alive) Missouri Virginia Virginia Housekeeper

-------, Mattie Daughter WF Oct 1875 24 S Oregon Virginia Missouri

-------, Josephine Daugther WF May 1878 22 S Oregon Virginia Missouri At School

-------, Della Daughter WF May 1882 18 S Oregon Virginia Missouri At School

-------, Samuel Son WM Aug 1886 13 S Oregon Virginia Missouri At School

-------, Lena Daughter WF Dec 1889 10 S Oregon

-------, Glenn Son WM Apr 1894 6 S Oregon Virginia Missouri

-------, Mildred Daughter WF Mar 1897 3 S Oregon Virginia Missouri

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1910 Census OR Umatilla Ferndale Pct Dist 267 Pg 246A

Line 2

268 275 Cright A. J. Head MW 78 M1 40 VA VA VA

-------, Mary Wife FW 57 M1 40 (10 Children 8 Alive) MO KY VA

-------, Mattie Daughter FW 34 S OR VA MO

-------, Mildred Daughter FW 13 S OR VA MO

-------, Bessie Granddaughter FW 13 S OR MO MO

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1920 Census Oregon Umatilla Pct 2 ED 146 Pg 3B(14 January 1920 John E Hodgen)

Line 51

54 65 65 Crigler Andrew J Head OF MW 86 M yes yes Virgina Virginia Virginia Farmer Fruit Farm

-------, Mary H Wife FW 67 M yes yes Missouri Kentucky Virginia

-------, Glenn J Son MW 25 S yes yes Oregon Virginia Missouri Fireman Steam RR

-------, Mildred M Daughter FW 22 S yes yes Oregon Virginia Missouri

Burial: 19 Dec 1920, Athena Cem, Umatilla, OR³

Census 1: 1850, MO Monroe Dist 59 Pg 126

Census 2: 1860, CA Sutter Sutter Pg 809

Census 3: 1870, MO St Clair Monegaw Taberville Pg 412B

Census 4: 1880, OR Umatilla Weston Dist 111 Pg 48D

Census 5: 1900, OR Umatilla North Milton ED 114 Pg 123B

Census 6: 1910, OR Umatilla Ferndale Pct Dist 267 Pg 246A

Census 7: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 2 ED 146 Pg 3B

Emigration: 1853, MO by Ox Team 21 yrs old

Occupation 1: 1900, fruit Farmer

Occupation 2: 1880, Clerk in Store

Picnic: 1892, Weston, Umatilla, OR

Pioneer Step: 1871, Step #40 paid by Ms. Mark McCoy⁴

Residence: 1892, Milton, Umatilla, OR

Milton Eagle, ca. August 1947

Grandma Crigler Celebrates 95th Birthday at Ferndale

Grandma A.J. Crigler of Ferndale, well known pioneer of this region, Wednesday celebrated her 95th birthday at her home across the highway from Ferndale School. Mrs. Crigler, remarkably active for her advanced age, held open house for members of her large family and her numerous friends.

Grandma Crigler was born August 27, 1852, in St. Clair, Johnson County, MO. She was married when 17 years of age to A.J. Crigler, and they came to Eastern Oregon in 1871. Their first stop was at Weston, and they then purchased a ranch about a mile and a half north of what is now Athena. This is a very fertile 320-acre wheat farm, and is still owned by Mrs. Crigler, and farmed by Joe and Granville Cannon.

At that time their post office was Weston, and Mrs. Crigler had a pony which she rode side saddle from the ranch for the mail. She said she went any time she pleased across the unfenced fields, often carrying the young baby on the horse in front of her.

They almost lost their first wheat crop, Mrs. Crigler relates, to the ground squirrels. They solved this problem by hauling water in barrels and drowning out the pests.

The country was really wild in those days, and the Crigler's nearest neighbors were the Tom Watts family about three miles distant, and the first woman caller Mrs. Crigler had, was Mrs. Watts. Included in the Watts family were two young boys, now Homer I. Watts, circuit judge and well known Athena attorney, and Marville Watts, with the Preston-Shaffer Company at Athena. The Criglers had a band of sheep that first year, too, Grandma says, and had no time after arriving here to lay in hay for them. So they took a drag and uncovered the bunch grass under the snow to keep the sheep through the first winter. These early years, she thinks were really hard work, but at

the same time lots of fun. This land, some of the best in the district, has appreciated considerably in value since the Criglers bought the 320 acres for $300. Land of this

type at present is going usually for upwards of $200 per acre now. The land yielded the best crop this year it has ever had, but has never had a wheat failure, Mrs. Crigler avers.

The Criglers purchased the present home about 40 years ago for a home, garden and fruit tract. The place has about 10 acres. A.J. Crigler passed away in 1920.

Grandma Crigler has a flock of 11 bantam chickens which she calls "kids'. All have names, and she daily sits in her rocking chair on the porch and feeds them. During the process they climb up in her lap and all over her to get the wheat or whatever she has. She is a little put out with them however. She had a set of buttons which she got from Mark McCoy's grandmother which are over 100 years old. They are of black jet with a gold figure. One of them turned up missing from her dress, and she figures one of the chickens decided they looked edible and pecked it off and swallowed it.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crigler, seven of whom are still living, five girls and two boys. They are: Martha Crigler, Ferndale; Sam Crigler, Ferndale; Glenn Crigler, Tekoa, WA; Mrs. Lena Groom, Milton; Mrs. Mildred McCoy, East Ferndale; and Mrs. Della Gronnert, Portland.

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Walla Walla Union Bulletin (Walla Walla, Washington) > 1948 > October > 23

Mrs. Crigler, Pioneer, Dies

Milton-Freewater -- Mrs A. J. (Mary) Crigler, 96, resident of the district since 1871, died Friday afternoon at Ferndale. She had broken her hip late in the summer and had been confined to her bed since.

She was born in St. Clair county, Missouri, August 27, 1852. She married Andrew J. Crigler when 17. The next year they came west: by wagon train to Sacramento, then by steamer to Portland, then overland to Athena where they lived until 1886 when the family came to the Milton-Freewater district. Crigler died in 1920.

Seven of eight children survive: five daughters -- Mrs Josephine Hickey and Miss Martha Crigler, Freewater; Mrs Lena Groom and Mrs Mildred McCoy, Milton; and Mrs Della Gronnert, Salem; two sons--Sam Crigler, Freewater, and Glen Crigler, Tekoa; nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

When Mr and Mrs Crigler first came to this area there were no trees on the stretch between Pendleton and Weston, no fences and only a few homestead shacks. July 4, 1878, during an Indian uprising Mrs. Crigler and her father, who was visiting from Missouri and her children went by wagon to Walla Walla until quiet had been restored. Bunch grass was cut for hay when they first came to the area.

Athena, originally known as Centerville, was built after the Criglers located in that country. Crigler first raised sheep, an ambition he had while still in Missouri, then he sold the sheep and raised horses, eventually turning to wheat. When they moved to Ferndale in 1886 they turned to raising fruit.

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1900 census shows both parents born in VA. Shows she had 8 children, 8 living.

Some information from Family Search, IGI.

A IGI reference shows father is Joseph Spotwood Herndon, mother is Martha Winifred Spillman.

Another IGI reference shows birth as June 24, 1854, father is Henry W. Herndon, and mother is Martha Ann Celia Piland.

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1930 Oregon Umatilla Prect 2 Dist 2 Pg 6B (7 April 1930 Edward Hodgen)

Line 79

48 48 Crigler Mary H Head yes FW 77 Wd no yes Missouri Kentucky Virgiinia None

-------, Mattie W Daughter FW 54 S No yes Oregon Virginia Missouri

-------, Samuel H son MW 44 S No Yes Oregon Virginia Missouri Laborer General Farm

McCoy Mildred H Daughter FW 33 M 29 No Yes Oregon Virginia Missouri

-------, Marcus R Son in law MW 33 M29 No Yes Oregon Oregon Oregon Farmer General Farm

-------, David R Grandson MW 2 1/12 S No -- Washington Oregon Oregon

-------, Donna J Granddaughter FW 3/12 S no Washington Oregon Oregon

Burial: Athena Cem, Umatilla, OR^5,6

Census 1: 1860, MO ST Clair Monegan Pg 1012

Census 2: 1870, MO St Clair Monegaw Taberville Pg 412B

Census 3: 1880, OR Umatilla Weston Dist 111 Pg 48D

Census 4: 1900, OR Umatilla North Milton ED 114 Pg 123B

Census 5: 1910, OR Umatilla Ferndale Pct Dist 267 Pg 246A(See Husband)

Census 6: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 2 ED 146 Pg 3B

Census 7: 1930, OR Umatilla Prect 2 Dist 2 Pg 6B

Occupation: 1880, Keeping house

[1892 Pioneers.FTW]

Marriage information from IGI, Family Search.

Marriage: 17 Oct 1869, Madison, Monroe, MO