Exploring Mike's Family History in Oregon City

Chasing History: Exploring My Ancestral Roots - Blog Post #40

By Tonya McQuade

Well, once again, it has been far too long since I added a new post, but I'm finally sitting down to write - and this time, I've reached a milestone. It's post #40! And, surprise! This one is about Mike's family!

In June, we had the opportunity to travel through Oregon, and one of our stops was in Oregon City, where Mike has family ties. Specifically, his grandfather, Thomas Victor McQuade, was born there, and Thomas's mother, Ella, was born nearby. Her father, Aaron Jay Walker, spent much of his life in that area, and one of our stops was at the old Pioneer Cemetery in Salem to find Aaron's grave. (Mike has visited enough cemeteries with me to find my ancestors' graves, right? I figured it was his turn!) Here you can see Mike standing at his great-great grandfather's grave.

Aaron Jay Walker (1846 - 1914), Salem Pioneer Cemetery

Aaron Jay Walker was born to James Reuben Walker and Mary "Polly" Casey on 18 Mar 1846 in Bond County, Illinois. James (b. 1816 in Adair, KY) and Mary (b. 1813 in Warren, KY) were married 17 Oct 1832 in Montgomery, Illinois, and had a total of eight children - one girl and seven boys - with Aaron being the next to last. He did not get to know his father well since James died in 1847.

In 1841, Aaron’s father was granted 40 acres in Bond County; in 1850, his mother shows up as still living there in census records with the eight children. They were living next to two other Walker families - likely relatives. Aaron was still living in Bond at the time of the 1860 Census, along with his mother Mary, brother Cyrus, sister Sarah, and her husband and 4-month old daughter.

At the age of 19, Aaron entered military service on 9 Mar 1864, serving in the 3rd Illinois Cavalry Consolidated, Company E. He was mustered into service in Vandalia, Illinois, at Camp Butler. He listed his height as 5’ 9 ½”, his hair and complexion as “light,” and his eyes as “gray.” According to military records, he was discharged on 1 July 1865 at Fort Snelling in Minnesota following the end of the Civil War.

On 15 Apr 1868, Aaron married Anna “Annie” McKinney/McCann (b. 1847 in Illinois) in Fayette County, Illinois. Their first son, John, was born 3 Mar 1869. By 1870, census records show that Aaron was living with the Jones family in Eureka, Greenwood County, Kansas, working as a farm laborer; by 1880, he was living in Highland, Clackamas County, Oregon with his wife Anna “Annie” McKinney/McCann and three children: John (11, born in Illinois), Mary (8, born in Kansas), and Margaret (2, born in Oregon). That means, he arrived in Oregon sometime between 1872 and 1878. Once again, he was working as a farmer.

Daughter Ellen “Ella” Walker - Mike’s great grandmother - was born in Clarks, Clackamas County, Oregon on 27 Feb 1880. Ella’s mother Annie died in Oregon City in June 1882 (we couldn't figure out where she was buried), and on 7 Nov 1883, Aaron remarried in Oregon City to Mary Esther Ferguson (b. 1865 in Oregon City). Their first child was born in Eagle Creek, Clackamas County, in 1886, but by 1888, the family had moved to the Dalles, where the next two children were born.

One of the places we visited in Oregon City was the "End of the Trail Museum," which tells about the history of the Oregon Trail and the role Oregon City played as the first capital of the Oregon Territory. When you enter the museum, it looks like you are entering a giant stage coach. The museum exhibits present information about the many difficulties people faced on their journey along the trail, as well as the challenges pioneers faced creating a new life in this far western territory.

Entrance to the "End of the Trail Museum"

There are many stories about the earliest settlers, including Dr. John McLoughlin, who is considered the "Father of Oregon." He started out working for the Hudson Bay Company at nearby Fort Vancouver (which we also visited), but he eventually resigned that position, moved to Oregon City, built the house in 1846 that still stands there today as a national historic site, and became a U.S. Citizen. He helped many settlers when they first arrived to have the food, shelter, and other supplies they needed to survive. 

Memorial to Dr. John McLoughlin in Oregon City

The McLoughlin House is near Railroad Avenue, which is where Mike's great-grandparents - Michael Joseph McQuade and Ella (Walker) McQuade - lived when his grandfather Thomas was born. 

A view of Railroad Avenue today

By 1880, when Ella Walker was born, Oregon City has a population of about 1400. In 1899, Ella married Michael Joseph McQuade (b. June 1876 in Ireland). At the time of the 1900 census, they were living in a rented house on Railroad Avenue in Oregon City, Clackamas County, with their four-month old son Thomas Victor McQuade - Mike’s grandfather, born 14 Jan 1900.

Mike standing under the Railroad Avenue sign,

with the Oregon City Municipal Elevator in the background

According to that same Census record, Michael was working as a “woolen weaver,” likely at the mill just down the street along the Willamette River. He had immigrated to the United States in 1885 from Ireland after spending four years first in Quebec, Canada, where six-year old Michael arrived in 1881 with mother Mary and six siblings: Mary (11); Owen (10); Maggie (8); Ellen (4?); Thomas (3); and Charles (1).

View from the Municipal Elevator, looking out toward the Willamette River 

where various mills used to be located - including the Woolen Mill

Michael and Ella must have left Oregon City soon after, for daughter Alice was born 20 Sept 1902 somewhere in California. Son Michael Tyrone was born 22 Dec 1906 in Portland, Oregon, so they obviously returned to Oregon for a while. However, they soon left for good. By 1910, the family was living at 8 Palmer Street, San Francisco, with Michael working as a carpet layer. A 1915 San Francisco city directory shows the family living at 289 Randall Street, and according to census records, Ella was still living there in 1930. What's more, I recently discovered that the house is still there! Next time we are in San Francisco, Mike and I plan to stop by.

Built in 1910, the house still stands at 289 Randall, now valued at $2.2 million,

according to Redfin.com (I"m not sure which is the most recent photo of the house)

 

Michael died 4 Apr 1939 and is buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo County, California. Ella died 6 Mar 1963. Her obituary lists her as “beloved wife of the late Michael J. McQuade.” It also describes her as “loving mother of Thomas V. McQuade, Mrs. Alice Lambert and the late Tyrone M. McQuade, survived by eight grandchildren; a native of Oregon.” She, too, is buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma, where she and Michael share a headstone.

And wouldn't you know, even though that cemetery is only about 45 minutes away, Mike doesn't remember ever having visited it. I think perhaps all my family history research is sparking his curiosity a bit. The Colma cemetery is now on our list of future places to visit.