More Grant County, Oregon Biographies

Howard M. Basford One of the best and most successfully managed flourmills in this district is located at John Day. It is owned by the subject of our sketch, who has been a resident of Grant County since 1879. The mill has it capacity of fifty barrels, being equipped with a full roller process of the latest type. Although doing some custom work, Mr. Basford makes a specialty of the merchant trade making a leader of his family flour "The Best" and in the opinion of consumers it does not belie its name. Every sack is war­ranted extra quality, and full weight. He also manufactures corn meal, graham flour, farina and all kinds of mill feed.

Joseph D. Combs No citizen of Grant County stands higher in the estima­tion of his fellow men than Mr. Joseph D. Combs. Born in Fulton County, Ill., August 25, 1851, he carne to Linn Coun­ty, Oregon, when only a year old, and received his educa­tion there. At re age of nineteen, he came to Grant Coun­ty, and followed teaming and several other callings. In 1892 he was elected sheriff of the county on the republican ticket, and by his affability and close adherence to duty secured the good will and esteem of the public to an extent that caused him to be re-elected again in 1894. Since the expiration of the latter term he has been

engaged in the cattle business, making his tome in John Day. In 1875 he married Miss Sarah Carsner, of this county, and has two children.

D. L. Asbury      The well-known and popular editor of the Grant County News is one of those jovial, genial fellows that it does one good to meet. His first work was at Union, Oregon and later at Baker City. In connection with J. T. Donnelly he purchased the "News" and two years later bought out his partner's interest. Front time to time he has added to the equipment of its office, until to day it is the peer of any in this section of the State. The policy of his paper is of an independent character, and as he wields a facile pen and is well informed upon State and national affairs. His paper is sought after by the intelligent class of readers.      He is also all indefatigable news gatherer, and no ex­pense is spared to secure for the ''News” the first publication of a piece of news.

Isaac Gurker      People are always interested in men, especially in successful men. This is the case with "Ike" Guker, the discoverer of the celebrated "Great Northern" mine in Grant County. He is a miner of considerable experience, having gained it in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon. March 28th, 1800, he began in this county, and just six months later he discovered his present property, which bids fair to make him famous.

It is a placer property, although he has since located three permanent quartz ledges. His daily returns amount to $220,000 on an average.

H. L. Valade Henry L. Valade, proprietor of the City Hotel of Canyon City, has had a number of years of experience in his chosen calling, namely, with the Norton House, of Ellensburg, Washington, and the Rainier Grand and Arlington hotels of Seattle, since taking charge of his present property he has made a number of desirable improvements, having added a first-class bar, over which is dispensed high grade wines and liquors, making a specialty of case goods. His wife, formerly Mrs, Ella Rau, of this county, has personal charge of the culinary department which is sufficient guarantee of the service rendered their many guests.

Albert Hinsch      In journeying through life we occasionally run across some young man who in business circles has fairly dis­tanced competition, endowed with greater advantages per­haps, but still lacking some qualification possessed by himself. This qualification may be embraced in a single word ambition. The young man whose name heads this sketch is endowed with ambition, coupled with industry, integrity, and holiness sagacity. Locating at Canyon City in 1889, for a period of two years he followed watch making, which he had leaned in the old country. He then  be­gan merchandising in a small way, and by studying the wants of the people and by fair and liberal treatment of his customers has from time to time been compelled to add to his stock, until today he probably carries the largest in the county. The illustration of his store accompanying this article hardly does justice to it as he carries his general stock in two warehouses, one 20x40 and the other 35x30, besides using a large fireproof cellar.

Grant County