Editors Note: This story was written by Liza Schade, one of the best historians living in the NW, and her work is featured in various places. This is republished from a previous post. We welcome Liza to the Herald and appreciate her work more than she will ever know. Get to know the fabulous Mooberrys by reading below.
Our County Through Time: Lester & Margaret Mooberry
By Liza J. Schade; Historian
Lester Mooberry was born on Easter in 1887 in Illinois, the third and youngest son of George and Mary Mooberry. He points out in his autobiographical book called The Gray Nineties, that his father moved the family to Oregon in 1889 to escape the extremes of Midwest weather. George Mooberry bought a forty-acre farm at Fern Hill, a mile west of Cornelius, and they planted a prune orchard for a time (a crop which he struggled to sell, even in Portland). George Mooberry and their sons worked the farm and supplemented income with local labor.
Hard economic times in the 1890s eventually forced a foreclosure on Fern Hill, however, and they moved to the old Davis farm nearby, to help to run it with Henry Hendricks. This was a blessing in disguise for the Mooberry kids, who got to enjoy better hunting and fishing grounds. The children attended school at Cornelius and Gaston, and then Lester went to Oregon College of Education and the University of Oregon.
On October 13, 1905, at only eighteen years old, Lester began teaching in the one-room Witch Hazel schoolhouse for $35 per month. Amazingly, WCM has a handwritten account by Lester, in which he describes how he got the job, his first day with the children, what the schoolhouse was like, and stories about students, the weather, and events. He commented, “This was what I had been asking for, a dream realized, a hope fulfilled. Here is where I would fail or succeed as a teacher and I must not fail.” Lester went on to teach at Johnson, Farmington View, Iowa Hill, and Haywood. He left a principal position at Cornelius for a short time to work at a local bank, but returned to become principal of David Hill School, staying there until his retirement in 1955.
Lester was also a local historian; he wrote many histories that can be referenced by the public in the Washington County Museum (now 5 Oaks Museum) archive. The “Mooberry Papers” are really a treasure trove of information about Washington County. There are small journals filled with handwritten notes by Lester about all topics of local history, from schools to cemeteries to town sites and anything in between. There are typed speeches he gave at various events. He and Margaret also gave WCM about 100 historic photographs of local towns, people, and schools. Between 1959 and 1966, Lester also wrote articles for the Hillsboro Argus, all of which we have in the archive as well, with an included index.
In 1963, Mooberry Elementary School was named Lester and Margaret, who continued to teach local history at events and programs, as well as write about local history. They had their golden anniversary in 1971 and passed away within months of one another in 1977, Lester on Christmas Day. They are buried together at Cornelius Methodist Cemetery.
In 1969, while writing a history on Glencoe, Lester responded to a letter sent to him containing reminiscences about the McKay family. He wrote, “Writers often come to the museum to do research and it may be that someday some historian may discover the historic value of your material and give it the place it deserves.” It is such an honor to be that historian today.
Photos below are from the WCHO collection.
Margaret was my mother’s sister. They were always Aunt Margie and Uncle Lester to me.
One thing I noticed, there were eight children in the Mann family. The youngest child passed away when he was about four. His name was Bubby. By the pictures I’ve seen, he my have had Downs Syndrome.
I enjoyed the article very much. Thank you for posting it.
That is awesome! Martha, was your McGee side involved in the Orenco Nursery? Thanks for reading our paper and for responding!
Dirk
Mr Mooberry taught my Mom in 4th grade. She was held back. The family had just moved from a tiny farm area in Nebraska. And, she broke her arm on the Shute Park bleachers. Her love and respect for her teacher inspired her to teach. Later he was her principal for four years at David Hill.
Mrs. Mooberry was my beloved
first and second grade teacher at Peter Boscow.
Then I transferred to David Hill with Mr Mooberry as principal. They radiated love for all their students.
Yes stern when needed.
Lester Mooberry autographed his book, “The Grey Ninties,” to my dad. My Grandmother Eischen was mentioned in that book about how she walked 6 miles to Cornelius to sell her eggs.
Karl,
Beyond creating the Hillsboro Herald I am alsoe. the President of the Hillsboro Historical Society. We have a small museum starting and have space to keep such records. They would safe and appreciated in our most capable hands. Feel free to call me at 503-799-8383 just about anytime!
Thank you!
Dirk Knudsen