Teague honored as I.V. Labor Day Parade Grand Marshal
From our weekly issue dated September 02, 2009
Harold Teague
I.V. Lions Club said that it is proud to present the grand marshal for the 37th annual parade: Harold Teague.
At the age of 89 he has lived the life of a true Oregon pioneer. Harold’s great-great-grandmother came to Oregon by wagon on the Applegate Trail. Harold was born in Arizona, and his family were fruit pickers, who followed the seasons.
They soon settled in Rogue River and Grants Pass. In the 1930s and ‘40s Harold would use a donkey and horse pack trains to haul supplies up to the fire lookout stations. After he traveled the world in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Harold settled in the wilderness of Southwestern Oregon.
He spent many a spring walking Illinois Valley back-country trails cleaning and cutting back limbs and picking up rocks from winter landslides. He is a well-known local historian and tells of his mule-skinning days with the U.S. Forest Service. He carries a photo of Monique, his favorite donkey, and himself.
The story goes that Monique saved him from a bear attack by stomping and raising a ruckus. Harold eventually used Monique and his wilderness experience to work with valley youngsters struggling with life issues by sharing and teaching in a wilderness/survival setting. People still remember the great almond roca candy Harold made each year. He was known by many as the “Candy Man.”
Harold also enjoyed many years growing a vegetable garden. He liked to experiment by growing different varieties of beans, and he tried his luck at giant pumpkins. He derived many years of happiness in the outdoors.
Said I.V. Lions Club, “It’s a pleasure to honor Harold for being part of what makes Oregon great — our pioneering spirit.”
Advertisement:
