-It is said that a quart of apple seeds brought across the plains in October of 1843 by Mrs. Looney started the first apple orchard in the Willamette Valley. Let’s give a little back history on Ruby Looney.
She was born in Kentucky March 18,1808. Ruby Bond married Jesse Walton Looney on March 16,1827. Together they had 13 children.
Jesse and Ruby Looney “made the perilous journey in the Applegate wagon train which set off from Missouri bound for the western Frontier.”- Graham Vink, Staff writer, the Statesman, 3-14-1976.
“The Looneys came to Oregon country in the first migration of 1843, but decided to spend the winter in the Whitman Mission area to protect the cattle. They took up the donation land claim here the following spring, and built a log cabin on the slopes of Looney Butte, Looney built a large log house later, which included two fireplaces, then erected the frame home for his declining years several years later”-Tom Wright, State editor, The Statesman, 10-3-1962.
We should note the strength of our pioneers that along her journey by wagon, she gave premature birth to twins who did not survive. She was given three days rest before the wagon train moved forward on its travels west. She lived to be 92 years, passing in Jefferson Oregon surrounded by family and friends.
