Abram Ten Brook
Jan. 24, 1909; Oregonian, p 8  (photo)
"Sturdy Pioneer is Dead"

   Abram Ten Brook died at Merrill, Or., on Monday, January 4, at the age of 86, and was buried at Bonanza, this state.

   He was born in Indiana in 1822.  He crossed the plains to California in 1849, remaining there, working in the mines, about two years.  Then he went to Iowa.  A few days out from San Francisco the vessel he was on was wrecked and the passengers were cast ashore on a rough and rocky coast, where they endured hardship, but finally secured passage on another vessel.

   After reaching the Atlantic, and within four days of New York, the crew celebrated the Fourth of July, and, having too much "good cheer" aboard, by some means the vessel caught fire.  There was great excitement and all hands were called to help.  The vessel was deluged with water and finally began leaking. Pumps were run day and night.  All on board assisted.  For 17 days they worked for their lives and finally reached New York.

   In 1852 he again crossed the plains, this time for Oregon.  When nearing the journey's end the whole party came near being massacred at a place on the old emigrant trail leading into Southern Oregon, known as Bloody Point, where many were killed by the Indians.

   The road led round a rocky point, where there was no chance of turning and here the Indians would lie in wait and kill them as they came.

   By removing the teams and letting down the wagons with ropes before they came to the narrow road, they drove out on an open level, corralled their wagons and got ready for action.

   When the Indians found they were defeated they wanted a "pow wow," or peace talk.  The pioneers were finally permitted to pass.

   During the Indian war in Southern Oregon a fort was built on Mr. Ten Brooks' farm near Jacksonville and several families were stationed there until peace was restored.

   In 1858 he again went East and in 1860 piloted a train across the plains, making a third journey.

   He was one of the pioneer settlers of the Goose Lake country, and had the first house with floor, the first garden and the first orchard.

   He joined the Masonic Order in Missouri in 1848, and was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Jacksonville.  Many knew him for his charitable acts and he was highly respected as a citizen.  He is survived by Mrs. Ten Brook and the following children:  Abram R. Ten Brook, Merrill, Or.; John C. Ten Brook, Fort Stevens; William Ten Brook, Coos Bay, and Mrs. Nellie Miller, Pine Valley.