History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

JOHN W. HINRICHS AND FAMILY                    D.M.C.                       1874

     John Hinrichs was born at Viesselburen, Holstein, Germany on Dec. 5, 1840. He grew to manhood and learned the cabinet makers trade in his native country. In 1860 he came to America, landing in New York, where he remained two years. In 1862 he crossed the plains to Arizona and there engaged in building and contracting. The government buildings at Phoenix were erected by Mr. Hinrichs. In 1863 he enlisted in the Union Army and served three years as quartermaster at Fort Crook and Biddle in California. At the close of the war he received his discharge and went to Paoli, Kansas, where he engaged in the furniture business, also in the undertaking business. At Paoli he met Miss Eliza Ellen Sims who became his wife. She was born in Indiana July 14, 1845.
     A son, Copley, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hinrichs while they lived at Paoli and a daughter, Lenora, while they were at Chetopa, three years later.
     In 1873 they moved to Oregon engaging in the furniture and undertaking business at Portland. They moved to Hood River, March 23, 1874, and homesteaded a tract of land just south of Indian Creek. Their house was built near Indian Creek in the Barrett District and their children were pupils in that school. Mrs. Hinrichs was a very energetic, wide awake woman and a warm supporter of the schools and contributed her share in every worthy undertaking of the neighborhood. Walter Hinrichs was born December 25, 1875, at their home in Hood River. During the early years of their residence, in addition to farming, Mr. Hinrichs marketed considerable cordwood, In 1882 they sold their home in the Barrett district and purchased one on the East Side. When the railroad was in process of construction he worked on many of the bridges and depots along the line of the O.W.R.N. The family made their home on the East side until about the year 1905 when they purchased a home in the Frankton district.
     Mr. Hinrichs was a member of the Lutheran Church, having become a member at the age of fourteen years and continuing in the faith throughout his life. Mr. Hinrichs was an industrious hard working man and acquired a competence. When the First National Bank was organized at Hood River he was elected vice-president and held that office at the time of his death, which occurred June 1915 at his home in Frankton.
     His wife and three children survive him. Walter lives at Geneva, Oregon. Mrs. C.M. Larsen (Lenora) at Scappoose, Oregon, and Copley at Hood River. Mr. Hinrichs was a member of the local post of the G.A.R. at this place and also of the Masons. Both these organizations conducted exercises at the grave. Rev. J.L. Hershner and Rev. Troy Shelley, friends of long years standing, assisted in the exercises at the funeral and testified to his worth and neighborliness.

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