Pete French, Cattle Baron
Cattleman Pete French is still remembered in Lake and Harney Counties in south-central Oregon, long after his death. Perhaps because he once owned one of the largest cattle empires in the West. Or perhaps its because he was murdered in one of the most widely publicized cases in Oregon for the times. Or maybe its because his old round barn still stands at its original location in Frenchglen, Oregon.
Pete French was born John William French in Missouri on April 30, 1849. The following year, his father moved the family to Colusa County, California and started a small ranch. There wasn’t enough space for small ranchers due to the Spanish land grants, so the family moved north to the Sacramento Valley. His father started a successful sheep ranch. But the work was not challenging enough for French. He wandered south to Jacinto, where he met Dr. Hugh James Glenn. Glenn was a wealthy landowner, who made his fortune in livestock and wheat. French took a job with Glenn, breaking range horses.
French was a quick learner and within a few months was promoted to foreman. He got along well with the Mexican vaqueros, who respected him for learning their language. Sometime during this period, French adopted the name of Peter. At some point during this time, he also married the boss’s daughter, Ella.
Dr. Glenn had expanded just about as far as he could and began to look for new territory and new markets. He sent his son-in-law with a large herd to Oregon to scout good range land. French roamed around the territory and found vast grasslands, perfect for grazing cattle. His favorite spot was the Donner and Blitzen River valley, north of Steens Mountain. He quickly built shelters and corrals for his herd. He built line cabins and bunkhouses. It was a remote location--the nearest railhead was in Winnemucca, Nevada, about 225 miles to the south.
French formed the French-Glenn Livestock Company, in partnership with his father-in-law, and his ranch flourished. The cattle got fat and they brought high prices. He expanded his territory until it encompassed thousands of acres. In his peak years, some 200 men worked for him, all who obeyed him without question. His men worked long hard hours, but no more so than French did himself. He improved on the land, draining marshlands and digging canals. He had timber hauled 200 miles from the Blue Mountains to build his ranch. He also built homes for his men and their families. He opened a store for the families to buy the goods they needed. His door was always open to strangers.
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