Jacob Deary was a local rancher who died in 1899 at the age of 53 from cancer of the bowels. Ill for several years, he underwent two surgeries to try to alleviate his suffering with the last one moving him from “a quiet slumber to an endless sleep.” Jacob was born in Illinois but moved with his family to the Oregon Territory. He left Oregon at the age of 19 the eldest orphaned son. Coming to the Silver City area, he served as a scout in the volunteer army hastily organized to fight in several skirmishes, including the South Pass battle. Jacob was a valued member of the Odd Fellows. He married Miss Mary Mahoney in 1883 and five children blessed their union.
