David Diggins
Sept. 8, 1912; Oregonian, p 7
"Pioneer of 1859 is Dead"
Joseph, Or., Sept. 7

   David Diggins, a pioneer of the Northwest, died Monday at his home in Joseph.  He was 79 years old and some time ago suffered a stroke of paralysis.  Burial was in Prairie Creek cemetery Tuesday.
   Mr. Diggins was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, and when 23 years of age moved to Illinois, where he worked on a farm for two years.  Then the love of the frontier impelled him to move and he started overland for Colorado in 1859.  Hearing of rich regions in the Northwest, while on the road, he continued to Washington, arriving at Walla Walla, September 11, 1859.
   The next year he went into the wilderness in search of gold, and spent two years in the district where Pierce City and Orofino are now situated.  Then he returned to his homestead near Walla Walla.  He sold his land there in 1877 and moved to Umatilla County, Oregon.
   Here Mr. Diggins prospered and was well-to-do when he sold out again and moved into the Wallowa country, then part of Union County.  He settled on a farm not far from Joseph, but recently had been living in this city.
   Mr. Diggins married twice.  His first wife was Miss Malvina Pennington, of the Willamette Valley.  Two sons were born, one of whom survives.  After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Isley, of Joseph, who survives.