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JOSEPH P. RECTOR - Among those who have gained a remarkable success in Harney county
we are constrained to mention the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph,
and who has wrought such wisdom, energy and assiduity that he has gained one of
the finest holdings of the county and is numbered among leading stockmen of this
section. This is more to his credit when it is mentioned that he came to the county
with no means and has gained his entire property by his thrift and wise management
since his advent.
Joseph P. was born in Schenectady county, New York, on August 28, 1844, being the
son of Matthew H. and Ruth Rector. He grew up on a farm and gained his education
from the adjacent schools. In 1869 he came west as far as the railroad ran and then
took wagon transportation to the terminus of the Central Pacific and came to San
Francisco. He soon located in Humboldt county and for several years engaged in farming
and dairying. Then he transferred his residence to Palisades, Nevada, and engaged
in raising stock. In 1880 he came to Harney valley and worked for wages for a time
and then located his present place, fifteen miles northeast from Lawen and as many
miles southeast from Harney. He devoted his attention to raising stock, cattle and
horses, and he has been attended with fine success. He now has one thousand acres
of fine land, all fenced and well improved. He has a fine grove, excellent orchard
and devotes much of his land to raising hay. His industry and thrift account for
the success that he enjoys. His ranch is known all over the country as the Crow
Camp ranch. The reason for this is that in the early days a Mr. Rankin Crow, who
was herding stock for Todhunter & Devine, discovered the excellent springs located
at this point and also the abundance of good grass all about, which resulted from
the fertility of the soil and the generous supply of pure water free from alkali,
and he made it his headquarters for a long time. Then the soldiers from Camp Harney
to their stock to this place. Since that time it has been known as the Crow Camp
ranch and it one of the finest stock ranches in this portion of the state. Mr. Rector
manifested his excellent judgment in securing it and making it a permanent location.
Mr. Rector is esteemed by all and stands well throughout the county. He has always
kept within the realm of the celibate and chooses rather the quiet and comfort of
that life to the cares of connubiality.
Transcribed from Page 660 of Harney County Biographies from “An Illustrated History
of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties with a brief outline of the early history
of the State of Oregon”, Published 1902 by Western Historical Publishing Company
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