CENTRAL OREGON HISTORY: Pioneer rancher settles in the John Day Valley

Herman Oliver was born on January 28, 1885, in John Day, Oregon. His parents, Joseph and Mary Mueller Gregg Oliver, were among the earliest to settle in the John Day Valley. His father had come to the gold fields of Canyon City in 1866 but soon found that it was an ideal area for raising stock. He partnered with his wife’s family in the dairy business before branching out into raising sheep.

Herman’s parents had three sons and there were three children from his mother’s previous marriage. The sons were George, Herman and Frank. Herman grew up on the family ranch. He married Eliza Laurence on Feb. 21, 1906. Eliza was born on Jan. 14, 1888. Her family had come to settle in the John Day River Valley.

The three Oliver brothers partnered with their parents and operated the Oliver Ranch. After the death of their parents, the sons formed a new partnership and operated as the Oliver Brothers Ranch. George soon left the partnership, and Herman and Frank continued together until 1948, when they divided the ranch between the two families. Herman and Eliza continued to operate their portion of the ranch with their daughter and son-in-law, Sam Keerins. Frank turned over operations of his potion to his son, Joe, and family.

Herman and Eliza had two daughters, one of which died the day she was born. They later adopted two sons. They operated primarily as a sheep operation until 1930, when they converted to mostly cattle and horses. Herman was elected to the board of directors of the Grant County Bank and aided in promoting livestock financing in Grant County. He was elected as the president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association in 1928 and served through the Depression years. He also was appointed to the State Board of Higher Education and served on that board for several years. He additionally served on the State Highway Commission from 1939 to 1943. He was active in local social groups and organizations.

He wrote a book titled “Gold and Cattle Country” in 1961 that chronicled his life and ranching operations in Grant County. He passed away on Dec. 9, 1970. His wife Eliza lived on for a few years and passed away on Dec. 22, 1976. They are both buried in the Canyon City, Oregon, Cemetery.