They said that he walked all the way from Missouri to Oregon at the age of 14 and was very skinny and gained almost double weight in one year. He weighed 75 Lbs. when they arrived in Oregon and 185 Lbs. when he was 18. He became a circuit riding preacher for the Methodist South Church. He rode the circuit for 33 years. He preached at Brownsville, Harrisburg, Wesley Chapel and various schoolhouses. In 1864 his church founded the Corvallis College.The Michael family bible ,owned by Geo, Fruitt, Brownsville, Oregon says that he was married to Marena Smith, Oct. 24, 1853 in Linn Co, Oregon.He entered the ministry in 1868-Albany Democrat article, 4 Nov. 1923 by Everett Earle Stanard page 3-8 " The Michael Family " article. Story of the life by Marena Smith.
Land DLC 1551 RB Linn Co O. ( AKA Reverend)
From the Sunday Democrat of Albany, Oregon. Elijah to the California Gold mines at the age of 18. He worked in the mines and did fairly well but eventually was robbed by one of his pardners of all his money. The scoundrel took all the money that the three had accumulated, and going away, left the two badly in debt. They owed James Washburn considerable and worked the bill out. On Oct. 20, 1853 Elijah Michael was married to Marena Ann Smith. He lived happily with her for 49 years. He got 220 acres of his father's donation land claim with the understanding that he was to see that they were well cared for in their old age. This promise he faithfully kept. Land was worth about 3 dollars an acre at the tim.e Elijah signed a note for a friend who moved away and did not pay the debt. The Michael land was sold for the debt but he was able to redeem it through a man who had loaned him money in the past. He then was getting a good start in the world when in 1868 fe felt himself called to preach the gospel. In answer to the call he entered the ministry of the M.E. Church, South. In spreading the gospil he was from this time foreward devoted and preached for a period of 33 years. He was circuit rider and presiding elder in various parts of the Willamette Valleuy and Southern Oregon. He was elected delegate to the general conference in Baltimore in 1888 and he attended it. Rev. Michael passed away at Spokane Washington Oct 1902. Arrived in Oregon 18 Sept, 1847 Designated Land Claim No. 1551 dated 1 March1854Linn Co. Oregon ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1870 Census Brownsville Town- postoffice B.B.86 Michael, Elijah G 37 M Ind Farmer Marina A 31 F Ill Keeps house JARED E. 15 M Ore WORKS ON FARM Mary E. 13 f Ore. School Melissa J. 12 f Ore School Martha E. 10 f Ore school William 6 M Ore John F 4 Male Ore Robert C.M. 2 Male Ore Ira A.Male. 8/12 f Ore
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From official Oregon paper:
Elijah G. Michael lives in Linn Co. Born 1833 Indiana arrived in Oregon 18 Sept 1847 secured DLC 1 Narch 1854 Married Marena Ann Oct 1853 Linn Co. Oregon.