History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon
HANS LAGE 1875
Mr. Hans Lage, one of the earliest settlers of Hood River
County, the son of Joachim Lage and Abel Weise Lage, was born in Holstein,
Germany, on March 18, 1847. His father who was six feet two inches in height,
was one of the body guard of the King of Denmark.
The first twenty years of Hans' life was spent in Germany
where he received a good education and learned well the ways of the farmer,
which occupation he has always followed, his entire life being one of integrity
and thrift.
In 1867 he came to the United States and settled in the
vicinity of Davenport, Iowa. He and his family, accompanied by his wife's
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Claus Hoek and family, came to this part of the country
in 1875 by way of San Francisco, coming from the latter place to Portland
by steamer, then up the Columbia River to White Salmon by boat, landing here
on the 11th day of November, 1875. They were headed for Camas Prairie but
stopped in the old log fort at White Salmon until something about the country
could be learned. Mr. Lage, with two companions, started for their goal on
foot but lost the trail and, after wandering for hours in the deep snow,
were discovered about 9 o'clock at night by a hunting dog belonging to Gilmore,
which led them to his cabin. There being a shortage of eatable at the cabin,
the next morning the hungry men butchered a calf and had a feast o Our party
then turned back for White Salmon, the snow being too deep to go farther.
A second and third trial was made to reach their Eldorado. The second time
the Prairie was one vast lake of water, and the third time, the lake was
bigger and the water deeper, so a trip was made through Hood River Valley
in February of 1876, where Mr. Lage found the present home place and bought
the homestead right from Milton Neal for $300.00. He was told before he moved
on the place that he had paid $300. too much for it.
In March, he moved his family from White Salmon to the
new home. The man who moved them said the ground was full of gold. After
many years of hard labor the above statement proved to be true.
Those who came in later years and found the Valley cleared
have no idea of the energy, strength and perseverance of these early settlers
who cleared the land by cutting the immense trees, which was no small job,
then getting out the roots with the grub hoe. In this way, most of Mr. Lage's
farm was cleared, he and his boys having spent many a day using the grub
hoe.
Many hardships were endured by these pioneer settlers.
There were no wagon roads, etc. Supplies had to be brought over the mountains
on mule back from The Dalles, or brought down the river by boat, deposited
on the sands, then carried on mule back to the home in the woods. In the
fall of '76 Hans went to The Dalles and bought a supply of goods for the
winter, which was landed on the beach, but before he secured them, a strong
wind came up and a rough river covered and washed them away. Money being
scarce, this was indeed a hardship.
Many wild animals roamed through the woods in the fail
of '77 and '78. Eighty four bears were killed in the Valley, two of them
near the home place.
The first public work was done on the wagon road from
The Dalles to Cascade Locks in 1876 and 1877. From 1880 to 1883, when the
railroad was being built, many of the homesteaders went to work on the railroad.
Mr. Lage, owning a team, was called on to work from fifteen to twenty farms
for his neighbors.
In September 1883, at the time of the celebration at
The Dalles of the driving of the golden spike signifying the completion of
the railroad, Hans Lage and the entire family made the trip over the mountains
to attend the celebration at which time the accompanying picture was taken.
The nearest school was at Lentz where the children had
to attend until 1882, when a log cabin schoolhouse was built at Pine Grove.
Mr. Lage was one of the directors of this district for twenty years, during
which time the school developed from the one room log cabin to the present
four room structure.
He held the position of road supervisor for fourteen
years, developing part of the roads from mere trails to macadam roads.
In 1870, at Davenport, Iowa, Hans Lage was united in
marriage to Miss Lena Hoek, a native of Germany, who came to this country
when but two years of age, with her parents. She proved to be a proficient
helper in every way to develop their mountain home and bring up their children
to be successful and useful men and women.
To this union ten children were borne six of whom are
still living; Henry F., Bernhardt, Eduard, Meta, wife of W.P. Scobee; Emma,
wife of J.H. Koberg; Laura, wife of Alex J. Henderson; William, Alfred, Charley
and Celia deceased.
The homestead has developed from a wilderness to one
of the wealthiest farms in Hood River Valley, consisting of large apple orchards
and diversified farming. This farm is a model of neatness and thrift and
a criterion to many of the farmers of the Valley.
Mrs. Lage died in August 1908.
Feeling that he has given his share of hard work to the
farm and community, he has turned the farm over to his sons, Bernhardt and
Eduard, and has settled down on the old home place to enjoy the fruits of
his labors.
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