John Dillard was born in Missouri in 1813 and came to Oregon by ox team in 1850. In 1852, he settled on a donation land claim about II miles south of Roseburg. When the railroad was built through that part of the state, Dillard and his wife, Jane Dillard, on November 30, 1881, deeded property for the station that was established and named for them. He continued to live on his claim until his death in 1892. See Down's A History of the Silverton Country, pg. 132, note 19. Dillard post office was established June 16, 1884.