Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Every Wednesday, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.

Oregon Native Son and Historical Magazine; Native Son Publishing Co., Portland, OR; 1900-1901 page 49

RUSSELL E. SEWALL

Among the young men of the State of Oregon who have, within the past few years, entered the ranks of the legal profession, none have brighter indications of continued success than the above-named gentleman. While industry, energy and ambition are characteristic of him, they are so linked with pleasant word and courteous demeanor, that all who meet him at once become his friends. These qualities, combined with the advantages derived from an excellent education, unusual natural capacities, and high sense of honor, place him to the fore in the ranks of his profession.

Mr. Sewall was born in Portland, Oregon, September 26, 1870. He is a graduate of the High school of that city and of the Law Department of the State University of Oregon. His father, William R. Sewall, came to California in 1853, and to Oregon in 1862. His mother wa a Miss L. L. Elgin, to whom his fathe rwas married in 1869 in Salem.

In 1898 the Republican party was looking for a candidate who could fill the office of district attorney of the Fourth Judicial district with satisfaction to the taxpayers and public at large, and though there were many candidates for that responsible position, the office sought the man, the nomination going to Mr. Sewall. On the succeeding election he received one of the largest majorities cast for any one on the ticket. During the time of his incumbency of the trust which he holds, he has made an uneviable reputation as a capable and conscientious public servant, and at no time has he shown a disposition to neglect or diverge from honesty of purpose in the administration of his office. So well satisfied has the public been that he has been chosen a standard-bearer the second time by his party; the result is a foregone conclusion.

Mr. Sewall is an honored member of several fraternities among them being the Masonic, the Red Men and others. He was also a charter member of Abernethy's Cabin, No. 1, Native Sons of Oregon.

Mr. Sewall's wife was a Miss Maie E. Williams, of The Dalles, daughter of Griffith and Mary Williams, who were among the earlier pioneers to the state. One child, Russell Williams Sewall, now three and a half years old, has been to them.

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Oregon Historical Society Library
Portrait And Biographical Record Of Portland And Vicinity
Chapman Publishing, Page 572, March 17, 1905

James E. Marquam

Is one of the representative sons of Oregon, his birth having occurred in this state June 12, 1850, a half mile east of the town which bears the family name. His father, Alfred Marquam, was born in Kentucky and there engaged in the manufacture of chairs and also followed the painter’s trade. Attracted by the opportunities of he great northwest, he made his way with an ox-team across the plains to Oregon, in the year 1845, traveling by way of the Meeks cutoff. The journey was a difficult one, for there had been little travel prior to that time and it required no little courage to face the hardships and difficulties incident of a trip across the plains and through the mountains f[v]astnesses. He started in the spring and after several months spent upon the way reached his destination and secured a donation land claim of six hundred and forty acres. He built the first house and the first store in the town that now bears his name and was also the first postmaster here. He aided materially in the development and upbuilding of this portion of the state and the town of Marquam now stands as a monument to his work and to his memory. He was an advocate of the Republican party and had no little influence throughout Oregon not only in political circles, but as a representative of business interests and of the pioneer development of the state. He passed away at the age of sixty-two years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Olive W. Burbage, was also a native of Kentucky and likewise died in Oregon.

Reared under the parental roof James E. Marquam assisted his father during the period of this boyhood. He was the fifth in a family of eleven children and to the common schools system of the state he was indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed. At the age of eighteen years he rented his father’s land and began farming on his own account, which pursuit he followed upon the old homestead for ten years. During that period, with the capital he had gained through his labors he purchased one hundred and seven acres of land in the brush and with characteristic energy he began its development and cultivation. The most of his life, however, he has rented land and has thus carried on farm work which has brought him a fair return.

Mr. Marquam was united in marriage in the town of Marquam to Miss Mary Ross, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Thomas Ross, who was a carpenter and farmer. He made the journey with ox-teams across the plains to the northwest in the year 1850 and secured a government land claim in Clackamas county. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Marquam: James C.; Homer A.; William G., deceased; Thomas C., Jewell and Itress. James C. now conducts a general merchandise store at Marquam and is also serving as postmaster, having been appointed to the position August 8, 1900.

Mr. Marquam is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political views he is an earnest Republican, doing everything in his power to promote the success of the party, and for one term he served as road supervisor and for one term as school director. He is a representative of one of the oldest families of this portion of the state and as far as possible he has carried on the work of improvement and progress, which was instituted by his father in pioneer times.