Walla Walla Valley
Biographies - S

Copyright 2001, 2002 - Janine M. Bork
This page part of Walla Walla AHGP



Isham E. SALING

SANDERS Biographies

Lewis SCHMUCK

SCHNEBLY Biographies

Ernst and Emil SCHOLL

SCOTT Biographies

John F. SEEBER

James P. SEITZ

VICTOR E. SIEBERT

John SINGLETON

D.W. SMALL

Rev. H.H. SPALDING

Mrs. John STAHL

William STANFIELD

George STARRETT

William STEPHENS

Daniel STEWART

STILES Biographies

 STINE Biographies

Robert F. STURDEVANT

Christian  STURM, Sr.

J.W. SWEAZY

Rev. Alexander Walter SWEENEY

M.W. SWEGLE.



ISHAM E. SALING. - The gentleman whose name appears above is the leading merchant in the thriving city of Weston, Oregon. He came to his position by that firm and steady application to business which is everywhere the guaranty of success.

     Mr. Saling is a native of Monroe county, Missouri, and was born in 1830. In 1852 he came to Oregon across the plains. At Salmon Falls on the Snake he exchanged his oxen for horses, packing in from that point to the Jacksonville mines, and remaining in that section until 1855. Coming to Yamhill county he engaged in farming until 1859, when he crossed with his stock into the Walla Walla country. The hard winter of 1863 starving to death many of his cattle, he decided to confine himself to farming. This occupation he followed  until 1874, being among the first to prove the fertility of the general upland soil.

     In that year he established himself at Weston in the merchandise business, and is now head of the largest business in the county. His other interests are also large. He owns a half interest in the brick hotel, three brick stores, and also the tract known as Saling's Addition, and a farm of two hundred and thirty acres nearby. With his two sons he has three hundred head of horses and cattle on a place near the Columbia in Washington; and he is also much occupied there with operations in farming.

     He was married in 1856 to Miss Melinda Morton of McMinnville. They have eight children. The eldest daughters are now married, and are conducting homes of their own. His sons are in business.

     The labors of Mr. Saling and his compeers have even yet but slightly lifted the curtain of the future of the valley of the Columbia and its boundless possibilities. From this starting point, however, for him his children, as well as for many others, has begun a new world.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
1889 Volume II
Page 544, 545


ERNST and EMIL SCHOLL are proprietors of the Columbia Brewery, at Pomeroy, Garfield county, W.T., under the name of Scholl Brothers. The brewery was built by them in 1878, and was one of the first institutions of the new town. The amount brewed increases each year, being for this season about 6,000 gallons. A view of this place is given on another page. Ernst was born in Hamburg, Germany, August 4, 1827. At the age of fifteen he left his native city and became a sailor, visiting in the next eight years the Mediterranean and European ports, and those of the West Indies and the Atlantic and Pacific ports of South America. He arrived in San Francisco from a voyage around the Horn in September, 1850. He went into the mines at Auburn ravine, and in 1851 to Nevada county. He mined in California until 1865, when he went to Canyon City, Oregon, and mined and worked in the brewery until 1870. He then went to Walla Walla and worked at Stahl's brewery till 1878, when he came to Pomeroy with his brother and built the Columbia Brewery.

     Emil was also born in Hamburg, March 6, 1838, and went to sea in 1852. As a mariner he visited the ports of America, West Indies, China, Australia, the Pacific coast, and others. In 1860 he sailed from Hamburg in the Forest Queen, of Boston, landing in San Francisco. He went into the mines of El Dorado county, then to Nevada and worked in the mines and mills at Gold Hill. In 1864 he went to Canyon City, Oregon, and mined till 1870. He went then to Montana and staid during the summer, coming to Walla Walla in the fall. After working two years in Stahl's brewery, he again went to Gold Hill, Nevada, and brewed six years for Mr. Shweis. In 1878 he came again to Washington tErritory, and with his brother built the Columbia Brewery, at Pomeroy.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 34, 35



JOHN F. SEEBER.- Among the now quiet farmers, business men and professional men whose outward appearance and conversation give no hint of stirring adventures and strange experiences, there is frequently one in whom investigation may find a witness to the most novel and thrilling scenes in our early history. Walla Walla, Washington, is somewhat unusually favored with those ancient spirits of the border, now
among the most solid and unsensational of her citizens.

     Among this number is John Seeber. His adventures amid the wild life of the mountains would fill a volume. Born in Fort Plain, New York, in
1837, and moving by successive stops from there to Ohio, and to Iowa, he found himself  in 1856 in Jim Lane's army in the Civil war of Kansas.
After a short experience in that premonitory gust to the tornado of the great war, he went on to Sal Lake in 1858 with a regiment of United States
infantry, acting the herder of a band of cattle. Thereafter, for several years, his life was spent in hunting, trapping and scouting among the
Indians, and in riding on the pony express. In those situations he met with frequent adventures, which in these "piping times of peace" seem
hardly possible. Laramie, Salt Lake, Henry's Fork, Brown's Hole, White River, Port Neuf, Deer Lodge, Jacko Reservation, Jefferson's Fork, Sun
River Agency, Prickly Pear River and other of the wild resorts frequented by trappers, hunters and Indians, became familiar places to the now
well-experienced mountaineer. In those places he was often raided and robbed by the Indians, and still bears many scars to attest his customary
brushes with the redskins. In consequence of this constant experience of Indian perfidy and violence, Mr. Seeber came to hate them, as he says, "like a rattlesnake." He is free to say, however, as to most of like experiences and observation, that many outrages were committed by Whites fully equal in atrocity to anything done by Indians.

     In September, 1862, Mr. Seeber came to Walla Walla, and on the first night of his stay met his usual experience of having the Indians steal his horses. Then he went to driving an ox-team to Wallula, at which latter place he spent the winter. After that he went to Florence to mine. He
started on foot, with his blankets on his back. The second day out from Lewiston he overtook a company of miners, with whom he struck a
league. Soon after entering the mountains, a violent snowstorm attacked them; and all their horses were starved to death. Notwithstanding this
backset, the resolute company dragged their things by hand on improvised sleds, at the rate of five miles a day, and finally reached their
destination.

     In the fall Mr. Seeber returned to Walla Walla and there made his home. He was marred to Mrs. Joy, a native of Kentucky, and by her had
eight children, four boys and four girls. In 1880 he met with the irreparable loss of his faithful and intelligent wife.

He now lives with his children in a beautiful place in the suburbs of Walla Walla, an honored and popular citizen. After his many years of wild mountaineering, the restraints and conventionalities of settled life seemed, as he says, at first irksome, but he is now one of the most contented of men.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
1889 Volume II
Page 550, 551


JAMES P. SEITZ

     James P. Seitz, who from the age of sixteen years has been a resident of Walla Walla county, is now actively engaged in farming, his land being situated on section 9, township 6 north, range 36 east. He is a progressive man, alert and energetic, and his well defined plans have been carried forward to successful completion. He was born in Missouri, April 13, 1870, and is a son of John P. and Lydia J. (Chambers) Seitz, whose family  numbered eight children, five of whom are yet living. The father was a native of Germany and when a young boy came to America, the family home being established in Illinois, and for a time they also lived in Indiana. Subsequently a removal was made to Missouri and there John P. Seitz met and married Miss Chambers, who was a native of Ohio and was of English descent. For twenty-five years he continued his residence in Missouri and in 1886 came to the northwest with Walla Walla county as his destination. After reaching this section of the country he invested in farm land, which his son James now owns. Here he continued to devote his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death in 1911. His wife had passed away in 1910. In early life Mr. Seitz had learned the trades of millwright and blacksmith, possessing much natural mechanical skill and ability. He was a soldier of the Civil war, responding to the call of his adopted country for aid to crush out the rebellion in the south, and upon the field of battle he proved his loyalty to his adopted land. He was also greatly interested in the cause of education and insisted that English should be more thoroughly taught in our schools even if it was necessary to exclude foreign languages.

     James P. Seitz spent the first fifteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then came with his parents to Washington. he supplemented his public school training by a high school education and also attended Whitman College. He thus became well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He was reared to farm work and has never sought to change his occupation, for he finds farming congenial and has made it profitable as a result of his indefatigable energy and close application. He first rented the old homestead and later he purchased the property, which is situated on sections 9 and 10, township 6 north, range 36 east. His farm comprises three hundred and twenty acres in the valley between the foothills and constitutes a desirable, beautiful and valuable property, for it has been highly improved. In fact it is one of the finest farms in this section of the state. Substantial buildings furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. Mr. Seitz has erected a large, modern, circular barn, for which he made the plans, and he did much of the work of construction himself. He even cut and sawed the timber and in this and other ways did much toward completing the structure. He has also erected other buildings upon his farm, including one containing the large engine which is the motive power for his machinery, drill forge, electric dynamo, etc. His residence is a s complete and modern as a city home and is a monument to the enterprise and progressive spirit of the owner. Everything about his place is kept in good repair and fences divide the farms into fields of convenient size, so that the work is carried on more advantageously. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of plowing, planting and harvesting, and in wheat production he displays the most progressive methods in handling the crop, which is a very large one, as the soil is excellently adapted for the production of that cereal. He is also successfully engaged in stock raising. he is a man of pronounced business ability in his chosen line of endeavor and is constantly seeking out new methods which will promote his interests and augment the productiveness and the general value of his farm.

     On the 8th of April, 1903, Mr. Seitz was united in marriage to Miss Adina Chambers, a native of Washington and a daughter of Joseph and Mollie (Bulen) Chambers, the former a native of Missouri, while the latter was born in Dayton, Washington. They had a family of two children, Mrs. Seitz and Richard Chambers, who is now a soldier in the United States army. To Mr. and Mrs. Seitz have been born seven children: Lydia V., Helen, John P., May, Ina, Ara and Earl.

     Mr. and Mrs. Seitz attend the Presbyterian church and are people of genuine worth, enjoying the confidence and goodwill of all with whom they have been associated. Mr. Seitz belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being in Lodge No. 121. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for the candidate whom he regards as best qualified for the office without considering party ties. He is actuated by a patriotic desire to stand for all that tends to promote the best interests of the community and of the commonwealth and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further various movements and measures for the public good.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 770, 775


VICTOR E. SIEBERT

     Victor E. Siebert is a member of the firm of Osterman & Siebert, known as Walla Walla's foremost architects, in which connection he has developed skill of the highest degree, and his patronage is indicative of the high order of his work. He is a native son of Walla Walla, born October 3, 1884, his parents being Chris and Minnie (Nahen) Siebert, the former a native of Berlin, Germany, while the latter was born in Red Bluff, California. The father was reared to manhood and pursued his education in his native country and served throughout the Franco-Prussian war. Following that conflict, in 1875, he came to the United States, making his way to Oconto, Wisconsin, but after a brief period there passed he removed westward to Washington, establishing his home in Asotin county, where he took up a homestead claim and lived for a few years. He later removed to Walla Walla count and purchased a farm six or eight miles east of the city of Walla Walla, on which he resided for some time. He next removed to the city, where he now makes his home. He is still active in farming in a small way but in a measure has put aside the arduous duties of life.

     Victor E. Siebert, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the Baker school of Walla Walla and when eighteen years of age he began the study of architecture in the office of Henry Osterman, with whom he thus remained for three years. he then went east to complete his education and entered the Boston Technical School in the fall of 1906. There he pursued a special course in architecture, attending the institution for four years. After completing his studies he entered into partnership with Peter F. McLaughlin and established business in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, under the firm style of McLaughlin & Siebert. This relationship existed for two and a half years, at the end of which time the partnership was dissolved and in the fall of 1912 Mr. Siebert returned to Walla Walla and entered into partnership relations with Mr. Osterman, his former preceptor. They are well known architects of this city, the firm of Osterman & Siebert occupying a very creditable and enviable position in professional circles. Many of the most important buildings of the northwest have been designed and erected by them and stand as monuments of their skill, their enterprise and business ability.

     In 1910 Mr. Siebert was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hoelzel, of Adams, Massachusetts, and they have become the parents of two children, Henry and Gretchen. Mr. Siebert is a consistent member of Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F.&A.M., and also belongs to Columbus Council of the Knights of Kadosh, No. 6, of Walla Walla, and to Oriental Consistory, No. 2. A&A.S.R. He is also connected with El Katif Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Spokane. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He belongs to the Walla Walla Commercial Club and is one of the city's representative men, his aid and influence being always given on the side of progress and advancement, reform and improvement. He and his wife are members of the Christian Science church and their genuine personal worth has gained for them a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. Thorough preliminary training has constituted the basis of Mr. Siebert's success in a professional way and fidelity to the highest standards of business has actuated him at every point in his career. The northwest is fortunate in having his services in connection with its important growth and development and Walla Walla is proud to number him among her citizens.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 241, 242


JOHN SINGLETON.

     John Singleton was one of the earliest of Walla Walla's pioneers, arriving here in 1857, and to the time of his death he was prominently, actively and helpfully associated with the work of development and progress in this section of the state. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1824, and was educated under private tutors. On the 22d of April, 1847, he was married in Queens county, Ireland, to Miss Frances Jane Gowan and two years later they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in New York, where he at once enlisted for service in the army. He was sent to Texas as quartermaster's clerk under Major Bilger and the command was stationed in the Alamo at San Antonio, Texas, his office being in the very room where Colonel Davy Crockett was killed. He remained in Texas in the service of the government for six years and was then honorably discharged, after which he returned to Washington, D.C. Subsequently he occupied a clerical position for six months in the old arsenal. He then went to Baltimore, Maryland. In 1856 Mr. Singleton again enlisted in the army for service on the Pacific coast, believing that the change of climate would benefit his failing health.  He made his way westward by way of the Isthumus of Panama and thence northward to Vancouver, Washington, where he was stationed for ten months. His company afterward took part in the war wit the Yakima Indians, having several sharp engagements with them in the Cascade mountains. His command was led by Captain winder and the Indians by Chief Camiachan. After subduing the red men Captain Winder's command built a fort and remained in the Cascades for about a year, but later was transferred to The Dalles, Oregon, and in the spring of 1857 arrived at Fort Walla Walla, where Mr. Singleton remained in the service until 1861, when he was honorably discharged, his term having expired. While he was still engaged in military duty here the Indians from several tribes joined in hostilities to prevent Captain Mullen opening a military road across the Rocky and Coeur d'Alene mountains to the Columbia river. Mr. singleton was in Colonel Steptoe's command, which met the allied tribes in the memorable engagement of Steptoe Butte, which was of several days' duration. The whites, being greatly outnumbered, suffered a disastrous defeat and were driven back to the Snake river in great disorder. In this engagement Mr. Singleton had a very narrow escape from death. He became separated from his comrades in the retreat and after wandering around nearly all night came upon a band of friendly Nez Perce Indians, who conducted him to the Clearwater river, ferried him across and directed him to the camp of his company, who had reported to his wife that he had died. Colonel Wright soon came up from The Dalles with a thousand men, and being thus reinforced, the troops began an active campaign against the Indians. In a short time the American army had scattered, captured or killed the entire tribe. Some were hanged in the mountains but the most noted leaders were brought to Walla Walla, where seven of them were hanged in the public square in the rear of the garrison. During his service in Fort Walla Walla, Mr. Singleton did most of the work of keeping the records of the post, in the performance of which duty he was compelled to use an old-fashioned quill pen.

     Mrs. Singleton had purchased a squatter's right from Captain Pierce, and on Mr. Singleton's discharge he retired to the homestead, which has been the place of residence of the family continuously since. It is said that the money which Captain Pierce obtained for his squatter's right enabled him to open the Orofino mining district, of which he was the first prospector.

     Mr. Singleton died at the old home on December 28, 1893, and there his widow and two daughters still reside. Mrs. Singleton is now in her ninetieth year but for some time past has been an invalid. To Mr. and Mrs. Singleton were born six children: Catherine, who is the widow of Thomas Tierney and resides in San Francisco; Frank E.; William H., who is deceased; Elizabeth and Eudora M., who are at home; and Esther Belle, who gave her hand in marriage to J.W. Brooks, a prominent attorney of Walla Walla.

     Not only as one of the Indian fighters of the northwest but also as one of the progressive farmers of Walla Walla county did John Singleton leave the impress of his individuality upon the history of southeastern Washington. His worth as a man and as a citizen was widely acknowledged by all who knew him. There was no phase of pioneer life in this section of the country with which he was not familiar and he rejoiced in all that was accomplished in the way of introducing the evidences of modern civilization. His labors wrought good results and his name should be inscribed high upon the roll of those who have reclaimed this great region, making it a habitable and safe place in which civilization may be still further advanced.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 91, 92



MRS. JOHN H. STAHL. - This lady is a native of Niederklein, Prussia, and came to San Francisco in 1858. In 1860 she was married to John
Stahl, and in 1862 came to Cañon City, Oregon. There Mr. Stahl engaged in the brewery business in 1863; but, upon the burning of the city and
the loss of their property, they removed to Walla Walla, Washington Territory. Indeed, Cañon City saw rough times in those days, having once
burned and twice washed away, and often invade by the Indians. still pursuing the same business in Walla Walla, they again met with a loss by
fire in the destruction of their dwelling-house in 1871. During his residence there, Mr. Stahl served as city councilman, and in 1880 enlarged his
business by building a new brewery, and purchasing six acres of ground for the site of his business and residence. He also owned a block for
which he paid eight thousand dollars, and erected upon it a building at the expense of six thousand dollars.

     In 1883 Mr. Stahl died after a long illness. Mrs. Stahl found that his business was under heavy incumberances, but, developing large capacity of her own, immediately began an active supervision of the work. She soon extricated them from debt, and within three years was receiving a handsome income. In addition to her city property, she owns a farm stocked with forty head of cattle and twenty-five horses. Mrs. Stahl is another illustration of the Western woman's capacity for independent business. Notwithstanding the loss of her husband and her eldest son, she has lived through her troubles and conducted a large business successfully.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
1889 Volume II
Page 577



WILLIAM STANFIELD, who lives on a farm six miles north east of Walla Walla, was born in Illinois, near the Wabash river, January 13, 1835. His father, James Stanfield, was a minister, lived on a farm, and was a native of Tennessee. He moved from Illinois, when William was about three years old, to Mahaska Co., Iowa, and in 1862 across the plains to Walla Walla, where he died in March, 1876. At twenty two years of age, William left home, and was married to Sarah De Witt, an Ohio lady, May 29, 1857. In 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Stanfield crossed the plains to Walla Walla, where he for a time engaged in day labor, and then became a teamster, in which capacity he visited nearly all the mountain mining camps, until 1868, when he settled on the 160 acres of land where his home now is, and has since increased the original amount to 280 acres, all of which is fenced and under cultivation. In addition to this, he has 40 acres of timber in the mountains. The early life of Mr. Stanfield was passed in the country, at a time when life was a constant struggle to sustain itself, and the advantages now within the reach of all American youths, such as an education and the hundreds of conveniences and opportunities for pleasure common to all, was an elysium, where he was permitted to stand at the gate, but could not enter. How little the youth of this generation appreciate the advantage they possess, over the one that saw their fathers enter upon the great plains of life's struggle. The names and dates of birth of Mr. and Mrs. Stanfield's children are as follows: - Emma R., June 24, 1858, married to Levi Malone in September, 1873; Charles H., April 6, 1860; Thomas J., September 10, 1862; Carrie M., July 24, 1865; Alice, November 24, 1867; Frank E., September 24, 1870; Edward, January 6, 1873; Dolly, November 8, 1876, died, August 6, 1878.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 35



GEORGE STARRETT lives on a farm two miles south of Walla Walla City in Washington Territory. His occupation is that of a seed grower and dealer, having made this business a specialty since he first arrived in the Territory, in 1870. His business is assuming large proportions, having commenced sales in 1872 that have doubled each year since. That success should crown his efforts is not strange, when it is taken into consideration that seeds, to be the germ of great production, must be acclimated; that is, seeds ripened in a certain class of soil and conditions of climate will produce most abundantly in a similar soil and climate, therefore, grass, garden, flour, tree, and hedge seeds raised at the base of the Blue mountains are better for the country east of the Cascade and west of the Rocky mountain ranges, than those imported from abroad. This fact becomes known each year more extensively and with the spread of this knowledge arises increased demand for his products. He has three small farms in the neighborhood that contain, all told, 152 acres of land; the object in having them separate being to prevent seeds getting mixed in growth. He lives on one of these farms, and a view of the homestead may be seen by reference to sketch of it in this work. All his land is fenced and under cultivation.

     Of his past we would say, in brief, that he is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was born October 15, 1832. At nineteen years of age, he left home and commenced railroading, eventually becoming a passenger conductor on the Philadelphia and Columbia road. At twenty-two years of age, he was placed in charge of the experimental department of the Philadelphia gass works, where he remained nine years. He then tried operations in the oil regions of Ohio and Virginia, from where he went to Philadelphia and entered into the mercantile business, and in 1870 came to this Territory for the purpose of opening the business that now engages his attention. In 1853 he was married to Miss Harriett H. Groff, who died Aug. 5, 1866, leaving two children, named William G., and Mary J. In 1870 the son came to the Pacific coast with his father, and the daughter is living now in Maryland. May 17, 1870, Mr. Starrett was married to Mrs. Leah L. Keylor, a widow lady and sister of Philip Ritz, in Philadelphia Penn. Mrs. Keylor had one child a son named Howard R. Keylor, who is now a physician in Bayview Asylum, Baltimore, Maryland.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 36



WILLIAM STEPHENS, now retired from active pursuits, was one of the first and leading business men of Walla Walla. His father, Stephen D. Stephens, was a native of New York, and William was born on Staten Island, October 24, 1812. He attended the common schools, and then began to learn the carpenter trade, but met with an accident that caused him to relinquish that intention and take a position in a store. At the age of twenty-five he went to des Moines county, Iowa, for his health, and three years later returned to New York for two years. He then spent two years more in Iowa, and in 1846 went to New Orleans. The following spring he ascended the Mississippi river and started across the plains from St. Joe, Mo. He reached Oregon in the fall, and settled in Linn county. In the fall of 1849 he went to California, and returned in the spring of 1850, bringing a cargo to Portland from the Sandwich Islands. He opened a store in Portland, but soon sold out because of ill health, and took up a land claim on Lewis river, W.T. In 1853 he went to the Umpqua valley, and farmed until 1859. In June of that year he came to the infant town of Walla Walla for his health, and took charge of a store for Dr. D.S. Baker. He built the log warehouse on Second street, between Main and Alder, now occupied by Chinamen. He paid several visits to the mines, furnishing outfits and supplies to a number of prospecting parties, and discovered some well known diggings in Montana in 1865. He afterwards was engaged in business with George McCully, Pain Bros. & Moore, and others. He sold his business a few years ago and invested his capital in the Walla Walla and Columbia River R.R. Company, and was one of the gentlemen who built that important factor in Walla Walla's prosperity. He was Treasurer of the road until he sold out to Dr. Baker. When the U.S. Land Office was established in Walla Walla in 1871, Mr. Stephens was appointed Register, which position he resigned four years later, to devote his time to the railroad. Mr. Stephens is now living in quiet enjoyment of the fruits of a long life of labor and usefulness, surrounded by friends who respect him for his integrity and honor him for his untiring efforts to promote the welfare of the country in which he is passing the declining years of his life.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 36



DANIEL STEWART: William Stewart was a native of Vermont, and Patience Denton, his wife, of Rhode Island. They belonged to the sect of Quakers and early settled in Ohio. Their son Daniel was born April 26, 1825, in Marion (now Morrow) county, but when five years of age moved to Warren county, near Lebanon. He attended the public schools there until seventeen years of age, when he went to Marshall county, Illinois, and engaged in farming with his brother. In the spring of 1845 he came to Oregon with General Palmer, and settled in Oregon City, having a land claim three miles from town. His first introduction to this valley was in 1848, when he served as a sergeant in Captain Maxon's company during the Cayuse war. In the fall of 1848 he went to California in the brig Honolulu, that vessel having brought news of the gold discovery, and returned in the spring. From 1851 to 1853 he lived in Portland. He then went East and drove out a band of 200 cattle. From that time until 1859 he lived on the North Umpqua, when he took stock to Wasco (now Umatilla) county. In 1861 he moved to Walla Walla county, two miles below the city. His cattle all died in 1861, and the following spring he went to the Boise mines. In 1865 he came back, a vacancy having been declared in his office and a Republican was likely to secure it. He prevented this, but did not take his seat that session. He then engaged in farming and stockraising on his farm. In 1870 the Democrats again elected him to the Council. In 1874 he was candidate for the same position on the ticket of the Granger and Anti-Monopoly party, but was defeated by E. Ping. In 1876 he was again elected by the Democrats to the Territorial Council. In 1877 he built a saw mill in Whitman county, but sold out that business and is now permanently residing in Walla Walla. He owns a farm of 800 acres on Dry creek.

     He was married in Monroe county, Mo., March 16, 1853, to Miss Margaret Fruit. His family consists of eight children: Kate (Mrs. E.H. Nixon), born January 16, 1854; Crassus, September 17, 1855; Charlemange B., October 20, 1856; Thales B., July 14, 1859; Irene B., (Mrs. Wm. H. Goodman), September 6, 1861; Ella, March 20, 1864; Ida, July 20, 1866; Robert Lee, June 26, 1868. During the session of 1876, Mr. Stewart introduced and carried through the Council a bill regulating freights and fares on all railroads in the Territory. It was lost in the House by a small majority. He is now strongly opposed to both political parties as at present organized, and is devoting his energies to building up a new party based on an opposition to monopolies, which he firmly believes to be the great issue of the present day.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 36



   HON. ROBERT F. STURDEVANT. - Mr. Sturdevant is known as the pioneer lawyer of Dayton, Washington, and is one of its most enterprising citizens. His birthplace was Warren county, Pennsylvania; and the date was November 18, 1841. About eighteen months after that important event in his history, his parents moved to Iowa, and settled in Lee county. There they remained until 1854, when they removed to Clark county, Wisconsin. There Robert attended school, and in 1860 began the study of law. He was engaged in professional study and practice till 1873, when, in company with his father and mother and wife, he came to Washington Territory. Their first home was at Olympia. The parents returned to Wisconsin the next year; and Mr. Sturdevant with his family removed to Dayton. There was no lawyer in the city at that time; and Sturdevant's was the first attorney's sign.

     In 1875 Columbia county chose the pioneer lawyer her probate judge, thus making him the pioneer at the bench as well as at the bar. In 1878
he was elected prosecuting attorney on the Republican ticket, for the first judicial district of the territory. He served in that office for two years.
He has also served as mayor of Dayton, and was a member of the constitutional convention of Washington Territory. Always ready to forward
the interests of Dayton, he has used his means largely in making improvements. What is known as the Sturdevant block will long stand as a
monument of his business spirit. he is also the owner of much other real estate in the city.

     In politics Judge Sturdevant is firmly Republican. he was married in 1866 at Neilville, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary J. Townsley. Eva M. and Edith D. are their two children. A beautiful residence at the west end of Dayton, and a tract of sixty acres adjoining, afford Mr. Sturdevant and his family all the comfort and good cheer of a happy home.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
1889 Volume II
Page 595


J.W. SWEAZY

     J.W. Sweazy, a farmer of Columbia county, living on section 34, township 10 north, range 37 east, was born in Wallula, Washington, on the 8th of May, 1884, a son of Frank and Allie J. (Barnes) Sweazy. the father was a native of Portugal, while the mother was born in Missouri. When a youth of fourteen the father came to the United States, having relatives living in Petaluma, California. To that point he made his way. His wife crossed the plains with her mother in 1880, her father having previously been killed while serving as a soldier in the Civil war. She and her mother located on a ranch near Waitsburg, Washington. About the same time Frank Sweazy made his way to Walla Walla county and soon afterward they were married. He then purchased the farm which is now the home of his son, the subject of this review, and thereon he resided for a number of years. Ultimately, however, he removed to Waitsburg, where he continued his residence for twenty years, or until the time of his death in 1914. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Waitsburg.

     J.W. Sweazy was educated in the public schools and also attended the Waitsburg Academy. In 1902, at the age of eighteen years, he became a wage earner, entering the employ of Corbett Brothers in the capacity of bookkeeper at their mill at Huntsville. A year later he resigned to accept a position with John Smith, a hardware merchant of Waitsburg, where he filled the position of bookkeeper for four years. On the expiration of that period he went to Walla Walla, where he held the office of deputy county auditor under J.N. McCaw, in which capacity he served for four years. In November, 1910, he was elected county auditor and so continued for two terms of two years each, making a most creditable record in that position by the promptness and systematic manner and general capability with which he discharged his duties. On the expiration of his second term he returned to the home farm, which he has since occupied and operated. It is a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, much of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and the fields are now bringing forth rich crops. They are divided into tracts of convenient size by well kept fences and there are valuable improvements upon the place, and the spirit of neatness and thrift which there prevails indicates the progressive methods of the owner.

     In 1909 Mr. Sweazy was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Ramseur, of Waitsburg, and they have many friends in the community where they live. Mrs. Sweazy is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Sweazy holds membership with Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A.M., and is a loyal exemplar of the teachings of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office as reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his thought, attention and purpose upon his farming interests, which are bringing to him substantial success.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 41, 42


M.W. SWEGLE.

     A successful career has been that of M.W. Swegle, who now follows farming on section 32, township 7 north, range 35 east, in Walla Walla county. He has lived in this county since 1888 and is concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development and improvement of a farm of five hundred and fourteen acres. This is a memorable locality in the history of the state for it is the site of the Whitman massacre - the identical spot on which the atrocities committed by the red men culminated in the murder of the noble Reverend Whitman and his family, those venerable pioneers, who were doing such inestimable work in claiming this region for the purposes of Christian civilization, laying the cornerstone of the foundation for the moral and materially visible development of the entire region.

     Mr. Swegle is a western man by birth, training and preference and exemplifies in his life the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the west, leading to its wonderful development. He was born in Salem, Oregon, June 28, 1861, a son of Charles and Lucinda (Robinson) Swegle. The father was a native of New Jersey, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio. They were married in Illinois, to which state they had removed with their respective parents, and in 1848 they crossed the plains with ox teams to Oregon, settling first in Clackamas county, although soon afterward they removed to Marion county, taking up their abode near Salem. There the father resided until 1880, when he came with his family to Walla Walla county, Washington, and purchased nine hundred acres of land, a part of which is included within the boundaries of the present home place of M.W. Swegle. In the residence where his son now resides the father passed away on the 7th of May, 1888, and in his death the community mourned the loss of an honored pioneer settler and most respected citizen - one who in every relation of life commanded the goodwill and confidence of those with whom he came in contact. His widow survived him for several years and passed away in November, 1895.

     M.W. Swegle was reared upon the old home farm and acquired a common school education. From the time he attained his majority he began farming on his own account and in 1888 he established his home in Walla Walla county. Soon afterward he purchased a section of land, some of which he has since sold, while a portion thereof he deeded to his wife. The present farm, held conjointly by Mr. Swegle and his wife's heirs, comprises five hundred and fourteen acres. This land he has brought to a very high state of cultivation, carrying on farm work along the most progressive lines. he is at all times practical in what he undertakes and the results are therefore substantial and most desirable. He has placed good improvements upon his farm and its neat and attractive appearance indicates his intelligently directed activity.

     On the 2d of July, 1890, Mr. Swegle was united in marriage to Miss Libby Brooks, also a native of Oregon, although at the time of her marriage she was living in Walla Walla county. She was a daughter of John Brooks, who came to this county from that of Yamhill in Oregon. He is still living and at the present time is a resident of Portland, Oregon, the beautiful city of roses. To Mr. and Mrs. Swegle were born eight children, seven of whom survive, namely: Floyd and Jesse, who are operating the home farm; May; Alice; Frank; Florence; and Irene. All the children are yet at home. The wife and mother passed away February 19, 1916, her death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret among her many friends. All who knew her sympathized and grieved with the family, to whose welfare and interest she was always most devoted.

     Mr. Swegle votes with the democratic party. he has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give his time to and concentrate his energies upon his own affairs, upon the interests of his home, upon his business and upon those things which help to further the welfare of the community. For thirty years he has been a resident of Walla Walla county and has witnessed many favorable changes during this period, having by his own labors in no small measure contributed to agricultural development.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 348, 349