June 7, 1903, page 15; April 3, 1884, page 3. For information about various spellings of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, see Steel Points, by Will G. Steel, issue for March, 1917. The derivation of the name is Indian, but its meaning is in dispute. It is said to mean council place, and also good land. Postal authorities inform the compiler that Milwaukie post office was established February 1, 1850, with Lot Whitcomb first postmaster.
Minam, Wallowa County. Minam is the name of a community which is situated at the junction of the Wallowa and Minam rivers. The name of the town was taken from the Minam River. For the origin of the name Minam see under that entry. Minam post office was established June 25, 1890, with Elizabeth Richard first postmaster. The office was closed February 4, 1891, and was not reestablished until June, 1910. The opening of the railroad branch through to Joseph in 1908 was doubtless the reason for the revival of the Minam post office.
Minam River, Union and Wallowa counties. J. H. Horner of Enterprise told the compiler that the Indian name for the locality of this stream was E-mi-ne-mah, with the accent on the second syllable. This name described a valley or canyon where a certain sort of plant was abundant. This plant, which the compiler has been unable to identify, is said to have resembled a small sunflower, and the root, growing in loose rocks, was used for food. The suffix mah was the Indian word for valley or canyon. The form Minam River was used as early as 1864. There is a town named Minam on Wallowa River at the mouth of Minam River. Minam Lake, in southwestern Wallowa County, is remarkable because of the fact that it has an outlet at either end. Minam River flows from the south end, and Lostine River from the north.
Mineral, Baker County. So named because prospectors struck ore on the opposite side of Snake River, and named their prospect Mineral.
Mineral, Lane County. Mineral post office was in a mining area in the west part of township 23 south, range 1 east, a few miles west of Bohemia. It was named for the mineral prospects of the region. The office was established July 31, 1903, and was discontinued July 31, 1908. Ulysses C. LeRoy was the first postmaster.
Minerva, Lane County. When the post office at Minerva was petitioned for in the early nineties the name of Bays Landing was suggested to the department out of respect to James E. Bay, a local resident. The authorities suggested that a name of one word would be more convenient, and L. C. Akerly, who had framed the petition, decided to name the office Minerva, which was Mrs. Bay's first name.
Minor Gulch, Wallowa County. This gulch drains into Tope Creek in township 3 north, range 43 east. It was named for William Minor, who came into the Wallowa Valley in 1878 and ranged his stock near the gulch.
Minthorn, Umatilla County. This station east of Pendleton bears the name of a prominent family nearby.
Minto, Marion County. Minto, a locality on North Santiam River two miles east of Gates was named for John Minto. He was long interested in the development of the North Santiam Valley as a route for transportation. Minto post office was in service near this station from January 29, 1892, to April, 1904. Thomas S. Ball was the first postmaster.
Minto Mountain, Linn County. John Minto was for many years champion of the plan to develop transportation facilities up the North
