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

DAVIS DIVERS                             1862

     A tribute to Davis Divers by his old friend and neighbor, David A. Turner "I think it is due to the Pioneer's Association of Hood Rivers to leave on record a short history of one of the early settlers of this valley, Mr. Davis Divers, who bore an important part in the successful work that developed the East Side of the County. He came from Clackamas, Oregon, in the spring of 1862, with his wife, Parthena (nee) Mitchell, and four sons, John, James, Joel and William; settling in Hood River near the place called Summit. Three of the boys afterward took land near there. James was drowned in the Owyhee River of Eastern Oregon while on a trip driving cattle.
     Divers was an industrious man, a good neighbor and a member of the M.E. Church while a young man and until his death.
     After the boys had left him and his wife had died, he sold his place on Hood River and lived near the Odell school house. When he became so feeble he could not live alone, he made his home with the Neff brothers near his old home.
     He was buried in the Butte Cemetery beside his wife."
     In a conversation Mr. Turner said:
     "The first man to drive a wagon and yoke of oxen direct to Hood River Valley, was Davis Divers who settled in the Summit District on the ranch now owned by George T. Prather. I remember how astonished we all were when he drove down by way of Mosier. There were no roads, only the poorest kind of trails, and the feat was considered most remarkable."

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