Campbell Livestock
My great-grandpa Patrick Campbell born in Ireland’s County Longford in 1883. In 1904 he immigrated to the US where he worked as a sheepherder in and around Hermiston Oregon.
For the first few years he worked in trade for sheep to pay back the debt to his employer Morrow County sheep rancher James Carty who had paid for his passage to America. His sheep operation continued to grow and prosper over the years, when run his own band of sheep which he continued to grow, eventually selling in 1917.
After 13 years his was now a wealthy man. His business had sold for $70,000 or nearly $1.7 Million in today’s dollars. He knew he wanted to purchase land and start a family. He’d find a wife in New York and land in Argentina…
So he travelled to New York City. In those times, tradition played a powerful role, and matchmakers like wove the threads of destiny for young Irish men and women.
It was through this custom and with the help of matchmaker Margaret Farley, that Kathryn met Patrick Campbell. Their courtship blossomed, leading to their wedding at St. Stephen’s Church on April 18th, 1918.
My great-grandmother Kathryn O’Brien was born in Ireland’s County Leitrim in 1890 and lost her mother at the tender age of eight. At 16, her world expanded as she bravely crossed the Atlantic moving to New York City with her Aunt Bridget, a woman of means and a loving heart.
With the time Kathryn had spent in New York City she felt that it would be far too difficult to visit family and friends had they moved to Argentina, so together they had decided to go back to Oregon where they settled in Lonerock.
In Lonerock they purchased the Andrew Neal Ranch and incorporated Campbell Livestock.
Where they built a life with their eight children. Patsy, John, Jimmy, Pete, Tom, Martha, Mac and Katie.
My great-grandma Kathryn passed away in 1949 and great grandpa Patrick passed away in 1963. The Campbell family endured many hard times as well as some good fortune on the ranch. In 1951 it was time to expand the ranch and they found this expansion in the Cimmiyotti Ranch in Kimberly Oregon.
Stay tuned for much more on my family’s ranching history, but don’t worry one second, this Publication is about much more than my family. You will find history and stories from many many ranchers as this platform continues to grow.
Do you have a family history in farming or ranching? If so comment below or send me an email I’d love to share it here.
Nate Campbell — Founder of The Ranching Life
