Meek Wagon Train Traveler and Pioneer Rancher near Dayville
By Steve Lent, Crook County Historian
Eli Casey Officer was born on January 24, 1832, in Clay County, Missouri, to James and Evalin Cooley Officer. Named after his uncle, Elijah “Eli” Casey Cooley, Eli grew up in a large family that embraced the pioneering spirit. In 1845, when Eli was just 13, the Officer and Cooley families joined a wagon train headed west, traveling by ox team to the Oregon Territory. It was a momentous journey, during which Eli’s sister, Missouri, was born. His uncle, Eli Casey Cooley, kept a journal of their travels, preserving their experiences for posterity.
After arriving in Oregon, the family settled in the fertile Willamette Valley, where they established a farm. In 1852, Eli married Sarah Howard, but their life together was cut tragically short when Sarah passed away in 1861 at just 23 years old. That same year, Eli drove a flock of sheep to the John Day Valley, believed to be the first brought into the region. He became one of the early settlers of the valley and later worked with other pioneers to establish Grant County.
Eli operated a ranch in the John Day Valley for several years. In 1862, he married Martha Wood Munkers, but the marriage ended in divorce. Later, in 1879, he wed Mary Blaylock Steele, who sadly passed away within a year. In 1891, after selling his ranch, Eli married Mary Rice. Together, Eli and his wives had 14 children. His daughter Sarah married Billie Stewart and remained in Grant County, as did two of his sons, Albert and Floyd, who raised families of their own in the area.
After selling his ranch, Eli homesteaded near Dayville, where he spent his final years. Mary Rice passed away on January 4, 1896, and was buried in Hamilton, Oregon. Eli followed later that year, passing away on November 29, 1896. He was laid to rest in Dayville, Oregon, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and a deep connection to the land he helped settle.