WPA Interviews

McConnel, Mina M.

WPA Historical Records Survey, Benton Co., Oregon, Mark Phinney

INTERVIEWS -- M

Mrs. Mina M. McCONNEL 1939

Mrs. McCONNEL was interviewed at her home at 745 North Ninth Street, Corvallis, Oregon. The interview follows.

My father, Joseph YATES, came from Arkansas in 1852. He was only eighteen and paid his way by working for the captain of the train with which he came. When he got to Portland he slept the first night on the bank of the river and paid for his first breakfast by working on one of the river steamers. He walked all the way to Brownsville where he supposed a brother was living.

Mother's name was Martha Jane ROBNETT. She was the daughter of William ROBINETT who took a donation land claim at Crawfordsville in Linn County. So far as I know, he was not related to the Robnett who had a claim just west of Corvallis. Grandfather Robnett had a large family, twelve children I think. Mother drove an ox team much of the way across the plains. Indians frightened them sometimes but did no serious damage.

My parents were married in 1855 and settled on a farm about two miles east of Corvallis in Linn County. Their children were William E., Calvin W., Walter E., J. Fred and myself. Calvin and Walter were farmers. William and Fred were lawyers.

I went to the Orleans school in Linn County and Lilly M. GROVES was teacher. Miss GROVES is now living in Corvallis. Then I came to Corvallis, to the old college. I did not graduate but my brothers, William and Fred took degrees.

In 1910 1 was married to James H. McCONNEL who was in partnership with his brother on a farm hear Shedd, Oregon. We never had any children.

Although my husband did not have a college education he was a progressive farmer and always took advantage of all the experts at the Agricultural College had to offer. McCONNEL Brothers had the first pure bred Jersey herd in that part of the county. They also specialized in Shropshire sheep and Berkshire swine.

As a girl and a woman I used to attend the Oakville Church, the parent church of the United Presbyterian denomination. My parents said many of my relatives are buried there. My husband was a faithful supporter of the church. Whenever there was questions of some unusual contribution, he would say: `We do not belong to any lodges or clubs to take money. We can afford it and the church is worth all it may cost."'

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