Isham Laurance
May 26, 1910; Oregonian, p 9
"Pioneer Dies Wealthy"
Prairie City, Or., May 25

   Isham Laurance, one of Grant County's pioneers, died Monday.  He crossed the plains in 1857, coming to Oregon from California in 1864.  He was attracted to Grant County by the gold excitement.  He built the first quartz mill in the Quartzburg mining district.  He built more of the present business blocks of Prairie City than any other man.  He was a merchant here 25 years and a member of the Oddfellows' lodge 30 years.
   Mr. Laurance came to this country a poor man, his only possession being a saddle horse.  For a long time he worked to get a team of mules.  At the time of his death he was one of the wealthiest men in the John Day Valley.