southtillamookcounty.com
History
"Short History of the Little Nestucca River Valley and Its Early Pioneers" written about South Tillamook County, Oregon
The page below was written by Mrs. Hardy Rock (Alexandria LEY Rock) and published in 1949. NVMS students have retyped her history so that many may read it. Although some punctuation errors have been corrected the text remains as written by Mrs. Rock.
Note that Alexandria LEY Rock's "Short History of the Little Nestucca River Valley and Its Early Pioneers" has been republished in book form as of January 2007 and is now being offered for sale by the Tillamook County Historical Society!
(This page was typed by 6th grade student, Josh, during the spring of 2002 and edited by Dean Bones.)
John H. Rock, son of Pioneer Hardy Rock) is the only person of mature years and son of a homesteader, who has continuously lived on the farm where he was born.
Mrs. Maude Hellenbrand Kinman (daughter of homesteader Johnie Hellenbrand) had lived all her life on the farm where born, except for one year following marriage.
Clarence Dunn (son of Pioneer Rome Dunn) was absent from the homestead only a few years.
Lyle Craven (son of Pioneer John Craven) has lived all of his life on the farm where born except when in War Service and short periods when working elsewhere.
At this date, December, 1949, Lin Whiteman (son of Pioneer Cyrus Whiteman of Meda Section) is the oldest man living in Little Nestucca Country. He was a pioneer child, but has not lived here continually.
This is a complete list as nearly as can be ascertained of who have held services at Oretown:
| Jerome Franklin | Reuben Blalock |
| ? Jones | Vincent Turnice |
| Keathley Bailes | Charles Roosa |
| John Craven | Paul Lewis |
| Cherles Waymire | Charles Whitely |
| ? Ford | ? Everstt |
| ? Clark | Donald Byers |
| Charles Bixconer | George A. Cox |
Ed Fogg was a cheesemaker at Oretown in 1917. He had married Emma Ward, daughter of Ide Ward of Neskowin, and had two children. While at Oretown, he became a Christian and is, at present, conference Superintendent of Washington District of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. He began active ministry in 1928. His only son, Charles, is Pastor of the last Evangelical United Brethren Church in Eugene, Oregon.
Oretown Post Office was first opened in 1878.
James B. Upton had been a Notary in Oregon City, as well as a lawyer, and thinking he could use the Notarial Seal in the post office, he requested Senator Mitchell, a friend of the family, to name the office "Ore City". Senator Mitchell fearing confusion with Oregon City, suggested Ore Town. In the Postal Department in Washington, DC, it became Oretown. The office was located in the old Indian cabin belonging to James B. Upton on his homestead and the first Postmaster was Chris Christensen.
2nd Postmaster was A.W. Fletcher, in his home.
Continue to page 39 of "Short History of the Little Nestucca River Valley and Its Early Pioneers"!