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In Pennsylvania, in the year 1830, the subject of this sketch was born, and seven years later he came with his parents to Ohio, where they remained until the time of their departure from earth's trials. When Samuel F. had reached the age of his majority, he inaugurated independent action for himself in the arena of life's struggles, and it was as early as 1852 that he turned from the home scenes of the Buckeye state and sought the west for the fortune that he believed awaited him here, and to take his part in opening up for the tread of the white man the pathless wastes of the comparatively unknown Pacific slope. He traveled down the Ohio by boat to St. Louis, thence on steamboat to the Missouri, and up that to Kansas City, where he outfitted, and the entire journey from there was made by means of the ox team, so popular at that time, coming from Kansas City to American valley in California. The first winter he spent in Marysville, and in the spring he hastened to the mines and there operated in the search for gold until 1857, and then he opened a wood yeard and a ranch in Colusa county, busying himself in these occupations until 1864. While in the mining regions, he and three others were the first white men to go into Butte creek valey, and there they built the first cabin and discovered gold; this was in 1853. In 1864 he took a pack horse and migrated to what is now Union county, and here he found the place that he owns at the present time, and which is known over the entire Pacific northwest. It is the famous hot lake of northeastern Oregon. It is situated a short distance southeast from Lagrande, and is today one of the most popular and efficacious healing waters of the entire county. Mr. Newhard discovered the healing properties of the waters when he first came to the county, and in company with Mr. Clark built improvements there, and since 1865 it has been in shape to give baths to all that would apply, and the many thousands that have been healed and benefitted in these salubrious waters are scattered over the entire county. In 1878, Mr. Clark passed from earth's activities to the realities of another world, and Mr. Newhard bought the deceased's interests, and is now sole owner and proprietor of the beautiful lake. Two years since, Mr. Newhard leased the property to skillful physicians, and he retired from the burdens of its care, and is now dwelling in Lagrande where he is spending the golden years of his active career in the quiet and comfort that he has justly earned. For fifteen years, Mr. Newhard held the postoffice at Hot Lake.
In 1882 Mr. Newhard married Mrs. Anna Lyman, nee Hough, who, by her former husband, had the following children: Albert, attending college; Elnora; William, deceased; Andrew V., deceased; John Leonard, deceased.
In 1883 Mr. Newhard volunteered to fight the Indians in the Feather river country; they were the Cachte tribe, and under the leadership of an old scout, Pete Larsen, the whites drove them out. Mr. Newhard also took part in quelling the uprising here in 1878 but was not favored in any field work, as the savages subsided. He is interested in California, having property there.
Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties
Copyright 1902
Page 382, 383
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Samuel F. Newhard was born in Pennsylvania in 1830. His parents emigrated to Ohio in 1837, where he received a common-school education and worked on his father's farm until 1852, when he crossed the plains to California, and in that sunny state engaged in mining and farming for twelve years. The superior attractions of Union county, however, drew him to its scenes, where he located the land upon which is situated the lake above-described, and is still proprietor of this remarkable water. He has erected a small invalids' hotel, with faculties for bathing and hygienic appurtenances.
Mr. Newhard is also engaged in stock-raising, and maintains a vineyard
and fruit farm in California.
History of Pacific Northwest -
Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Copyright 1889
Page 493, 494
JACOB NEWMAN. - In the person of the subject of this sketch we have one of the heaviest real estate holders and most progressive agriculturists of the county, and one that has well earned the name of pioneer, having wrought here for forty years. In all this extended time he has displayed stanch, manly characteristics, while his sagacity and untiring labors for the good of all and especially for the advancement of the principles of Christianity in the upbuilding and nourishing of the early church are well known to our citizens. Mr. Newman is the son of George and Barbara (Hammond) Newman, and was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, whence his parents removed to Ohio for about twelve years, and thence to Indiana for twelve years, and thence to Iowa and there passed the remaining days of their service on earth and went hence to their rewards. Our subject came from Iowa to this section in 1862. He soon homesteaded a quarter-section twenty-five miles from Baker City on the Powder river, and for seven years he gave his attention to cultivating the soil and raising stock. Then he sold out and removed to the Grande Ronde valley, settling one mile east from Old Town on a quarter-section of land. He followed general farming and raising stock steadily, handling his business with care and thrift and the result was that prosperity in unbounded measure attended him, and he was enabled to add to his realty holdings by purchase until he is the proprietor of a generous estate of two thousand acres in the vicinity of his home place and one hundred and sixty acres five miles east from Lagrande. He is one of the progressive and leading men of the county.
In 1850 Mr. Newman married Miss Ellen Lemon, a native of Indiana, and they became the parents of the following children: George, Samuel, Clark: and Mary, Abraham, Martha, deceased; and Jacob. In 1890 Mrs. Newman was called to lay down the burdens and cares of her faithful life and go to the rewards awaiting in the world beyond. Her remains lie buried in North Powder and her demise was a time of deep mourning to all who knew her.
In 1891 Mr. Newman took to wife Lida Brisban, who also died in 1894.<?p>
In 1898 the third marriage of Mr. Newman was solemnized, the lady of his choice at this time being Mrs. Julia Ann (Ide) Merritt, a native of New York and daughter of Jesse and Roxana (Nye) Ide, natives respectively of New York and Vermont.
Mr. Newman relates the following anecdote of himself: One day, during the Indian trouble, as he was driving across the country he beheld a body of Indians rapidly approaching, and fearing captivity and doubtless terrible torture he lashed his horses to their utmost speed to make the settlement as the band were endeavoring to cut off his retreat. He soon outran the pursuers and had the settlement aroused to meet the attack, when the band proved to be soldiers with some Indian captives. The sly smile that is frequently indulged in to this day is a quiet reminder of Mr. Newman's Indian chase.
For the last ten years Mr. Newman has been retired from the active management of the large estates of which he is a possessor. In church relations he is a non-resident member of the Free church of Tacoma, Washington.
Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties
Copyright 1902
Page 336, 337
In the fall of 1866, he located a farm near Summerville, Oregon, and resided there for two years. In 1868 he located upon his present place, three and a half miles east of Summerville, where he has five hundred and sixty acres of choice land in Wallowa county. During the Bannack war he enlisted in a volunteer company, and was elected captain. In 1878 he was appointed, by Governor Thayer, major of the Third Brigade of the Oregon militia. Mr. Norval was candidate three times for the state legislature, but, from the fact that Union county was persistently Democratic, he was defeated until June, 1888, when he was elected to the state senate for Union and Wallowa counties, a position that he has ably filled.
Mr. Norval was married in Union county in 1867 to Miss Catherine J.,
eldest daughter of Honorable Terry Tuttle, who is a native of Iowa. They
have two sons and one daughter.
History of Pacific Northwest -
Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Copyright 1889
Page 497