Life on the Ranch
Thomas Searcy built the home that his family of ten lived in. In addition to raising sheep, cattle and chickens, the Searcys had milk cows, a large garden, a fruit tree orchard, a cellar and a smoke house for preserving meat and vegetables. They stored dry grains and flour made from the wheat they grew. The ranch enabled the family to be self sufficient, only having to buy items like sugar, baking soda and spices.
Thomas and Lena Searcy with their two oldest children, Nina Olive and Phillip Thomas, in front of their home in 1898.
Portrait of Searcy children Morris Lee (seated) and Owen Lester in about 1909
The Searcy Family at the farm house back row: Chester, Owen, Philip, John front row: Lena, Thomas (holding Helen), Morris, Nina
Moro High School basketball players. Seral Searcy on far left, John Searcy on far right.
Several of the Searcy boys were athletes. They participated in baseball and basketball through their years at Moro High School.
Moro High School baseball team. Chester Searcy, far left. John Searcy, second from right.
The boys also fished and hunted rabbit and grouse. During migration season, ducks and geese would be hunted when they landed on the property's ponds.
Owen (left) and Chester (right) holding a string of fish.
Owen and Chester at the Sherman and Wasco County cornerstone.