Biography of W. H. Grabenhorst, 1922, State of Oregon
Surnames: Grabenhorst, Layer, Haight

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
W. David Samuelsen - January 2002
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History of Oregon, Vol. 2; The Pioneer Historical Publishing Company, pub.
1922, page 19

W. H. GRABENHORST.

William H. Grabenhnrst was born in Baltimore, Maryland, December 14, 1859, and
is the son of Henry C. and Margaret A. (Layer) Grabenhorst. The father of Mr.
Grabenhorst was born in the province of Brunswick, Germany, and emigrated to
the United States in 1847. He is still living at the advanced age of
ninety-two years, but the mother died on the 26th of May, 1921, at the age of
eighty-two years. She was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Grabenhorst was educated in the public schools of Baltimore, Maryland, and
was also a student three years at the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. His
introduction into business was as a member of the United States coast and
geodetic survey at Washington, D. C.

On the 22d day of September, 1881, he was married to Miss Eva Haight, of
Dutchess county, New York. In 1883, accompanied by his wife, he settled in
Webster county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. Eight children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Grabenhorst: Anna A., Lillian M., George H., William H., Charles
W., Eugene B., Nelle C. and Evelyn I., all of whom are now living except Anna
A.

In 1902 Mr. Grabenhorst and family moved to Marion county, Oregon, and
purchased what was known as the Frank C. Baker farm, four miles south of
Salem, consisting of three hundred and twenty-seven acres. He farmed this
tract of land for a number of years and was very successful in this line of
work. Thinking it was for the best interests of himself and family, he
subdivided this tract of land and sold the same in small tracts of five acres.
The amount he received from these sales justified his judgment in the matter.

In 1911 Mr. Grabenhorst moved from his farm to Salem, where he engaged in the
real estate and loan business. He is an enterprising business man. He has
subdivided over two thousand acres of land, which has greatly promoted the
development of the city of Salem and the country adjacent thereto. His success
in life has been due to his energy and attention to the business in which he
has been engaged. His pride In the development of the capital city of Oregon
has been one of the principal causes of adding so much to the growth and
prosperity of Salem.