Published as it appeared on Feb. 20, 1906, in the Corvallis Times, Page 2, Column 2.
ELIJAH SKIPTON
His High Qualities and Honorable Career — Written by Judge McFadden
Elijah Skipton died at his home near Philomath February 15, after a lingering illness of several months. Since 1865 he has been identified with the substantial affairs of Oregon, and particularly of Benton county, which he has served officially as one of its most successful assessors.
In early life he was thoroughly imbued with the lesson of self reliance and since the age of 17 years, he has depended on his own efforts and the results of his own industry.
He was born in Monroe county, Ohio, on the 17th day of November 1831. His education was that of the common school, acquired during the winter months of his early life. In his 20th year he removed to Iowa, and there remained nearly three years. In 1853, he crossed the plains in the old manner, in a six months’ journey. In 1856, returning to Iowa, he married Mary Marshall, and there remained six years. He is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter, all well known to the people of Benton county. His experience tact and keen observation early developed him into a broad manhood, and always enabled him to sustain himself under the most exacting conditions.
While he had passed his 74th birthday, he still retained the cheerfulness and warmth of heart of his younger days. He met death in the possession of his faculties — at peace with his fellowmen, and faced the inevitable in a calm spirit arranging even the details of his own funeral. He held no creed, but he had an active belief that the broadest, truest and most sublime of all faith was that which teaches us to give our best endeavors for this good of our fellowmen. To this practical living faith, he consecrated his life work, which is now ended. The silver threat of a useful life has been broken. The true philosophy of life is in the preparation to meet death with courage and composure which can only be accomplished by a life devoted to duty. Elijah Skipton’s power of discernment was great and he easily detected the dross from the pure metal. He disdained any act that was tainted with dishonor — was a man of pure purposes, and his way and manner in performing duty were as open and as clear as the blue dome of the heavens. He was honest, candid and air in all walks of life. In his whole career no breath of suspicion ever assailed his integrity or dimmed the brightness of his honor. As a husband, and father, he was loving, tender and faithful. In his death the community and state has sustained a loss of a worthy and honored citizen and useful man. It may be truthfully said of him,
“His was the conscience void of blame,
The upright heart, the spotless name;
To him did favoring Heaven bestow,
The peace which only good men know.
That joy of joys by few possessed,
The eternal sunshine of the blest.”
Published as it appeared on Feb. 22, 1906, in the Weekly Herald, Albany, Page 3, Column 4.
The funeral of the late Elijah Skipton, who died Wednesday morning of cancer of the stomach at his home near Philomath in Benton county, took place at 2 o’clock this afternoon from Plymouth church. The services were conducted by Rev. E.J. Thompson of Independence. The interment was in Newton cemetery.
Mr. Skipton was born in Monroe county, Ohio, November 17, 1831, and resided in that state until 1851, when he went to Iowa. He was thrown on his own resources at 17 years of age. In 1853 Mr. Skipton crossed the plains by ox team, being six months upon the journey. After six months in Oregon, he went to California where he stayed three years mining and prospecting. He then returned to Iowa, going from San Francisco around the Horn to New York City.
In 1856 he married Miss Jane Marshall of Belmont, O., and in 1865 with his family, returned to Oregon this time by mule and horse team. In this train were 100 wagons and Mr. Skipton was captain of the train. The train reached Oregon September 17, 1865, and Mr. Skipton located near Philomath, purchasing the donation land claim of James Chism, where he has ever since resided. Eight children were born to Mr. Skipton, four of whom survive. They are Mrs. Isabelle Horner, Corvallis; Rufus Skipton, Philomath; Frank Skipton, Albany; and Otis Skipton, Portland.