User:Halvorsen brian/John Mock

John Mock was a businessman in the Willamette Valley, eventually settling in what is now known as University Park, Portland, Oregon. His home is on the United States National Register of Historic Places.

Early life
John Mock was born on October 3, 1838 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to Henry and Elizabeth Mock, natives of Germany. When John Mock was six, the Mock's moved to Platte County, Missouri. There was limited education for Mock at his new home where he spent most of his time working the farm. In 1852 the Mocks were on the move again, this time on the Oregon Trail. John Mock was in charge of driving the wagon. He finished with the same oxen he started with, which he sold when he reached The Dalles, Oregon. In October 1852, the Mocks, who had split up in the Cascades, finally reached their destination.

Life in Oregon
During the time the Mock family was looking for a place to settle permanently, they met a Dr. Caples near the present site of St. Johns, Portland, Oregon who invited the family to board during the winter. The Mocks eventually moved off Caples land and purchased seventeen acres in University Park, Portland, Oregon. With help from their neighbors, the Mocks built a log cabin which served as their home until 1874. The Mocks were self-sustained their first few years in Oregon with luscious gardens and the game from the wilderness. Gaston, p. 677–678