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.

An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, (1902), by Western Historical Publishing Co. of Chicago, page 458

ANDREW ANDERSON

Born December 1, 1830, in Sweden, he remained there until 1858, and then came to this land of the free. He followed a seafaring life and before 1864 he had served two years in the American navy. His skill and ability were to manifest that in this time he was one of the gunners and gained distinction in this responable position. On April 10, 1864, he landed in San Francisco and then went to The Dalles in a few months, where he remained until the spring of 1865, when he came to this region and engaged in mining. For three years he was occupied with this industry and then took his ranch where he lives, six miles northeast from Mount Vernon, on Beach creek. He went to raising cattle and sheep, and at this work he has since continued, while prosperity has smiled upon him. In political matters he is ever active, and he firmly holds to the principles of the grand old party that has piloted the nation safely through crises when other advocates have failed. He has always been a stanch Republican, and has the courage of his convictions. Mr. Anderson has never taken unto himself a wife, preferring the quieter joys of bachelorhood to the responsibilities and cares incident to connubial bliss.

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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY, OREGON
Published By: David D. Fagan
Portland, Oregon (1885)

BLAIR, Thomas J.--Was born in Bond county, Illinois 11 June 1830, but at the age of 6 years went with his parents to Lee county, Iowa, where he resided and engaged in farming until the spring of 1853. Mr. BLAIR and his wife now crossed the plains to Oregon, arriving in October of that year; but in March of 1854, he removed from Oregon City to Benton county, and first settled on the South Fork of Mary's river, on land now owned by Mr. SPEARS. While residing on this claim our subject found the country in the throes of a civil war, and like every patriotic citizen he determined to contribute towards the maintenance of the Union, therefore, in 1864 he enlisted in Company A., First Oregon Infantry and with that corps served nearly 2 years. Upon obtaining his discharge he disposed of his farm, removed to Yaquina Bay and there dwelt for 3 years, when, transferring his residence in 1878, to the city of Corvallis, he engaged in a warehouse and grain-storing business. In the spring of 1884, Mr. BLAIR was elected to the office of Treasurer of Benton county on the Republican ticket, and is still the able and efficient holder of the position. Married in Lee county, Iowa in 1851, Miss Lucinda J. MONTGOMERY, who died 30 June 1881, and had a family, viz: Martha N (now Mrs. F. H. SAWTELL), Nellie, and Clara.

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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, (1902) by Western Historical Publishing Co. of Chicago, page 249

BYRON T. POTTER

In executing a compilation of this character, serios criticism would be brought upon us did we failt o mention the leading business man and prominent citizen whose name initates this article and who has demonstrated in the arena of life's struggles his fitness for the distinction that he enjoys, proving himself a worthy descendant of the noted line of ancestry that precedes him, being a direct lineal descendant of the famous Potter family that broke away from the thralldom of the established church in England in 1600 and assisted to found would famous Quaker colonies in the United Staes, his mother also coming from one of the oldest families in the United States.

The birth of our subject occurred in Buffalo, New York, on July 26, 1854, his parents being Abram and Mary A. (Tucker) Potter, natives of the Empire state. In his native city he was educated, and when twenty years of age he went to Chicago and embarked upon his business career, his initial effort being in the commission industry. After two years in this business he repaired to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and took up insurance and handling sewing machines until 1881, when he came west as a member of the engineers' corps for the Oregon Short Line, continuing in that capacity until 1884. The following year he came to Union county and took up general merchandising in the Cornucopia mining district, where he was favored with very gratifying prosperity. In 1890 he came to Baker City, following the same business for seven years, when he was asked to accept the position of postmaster for Baker City, and in this capacity he has been serving since, with the display of ability and faithfulness that have won for him commendations from all the patrons of the office. He is considered a most conscieentious and efficient officer. He has acted as chairman of the Republican county central committee and is very prominent in his party, where his counsels are prized. He was deuputy sheriff in Union county from 1887 to 1889, and he always manifests a commendable interest in the affairs of the county, city and nation.

The marriage of Mr. Potter and Miss Eda L., daughter of James B. and Mary (Huion) Sission, took place in Iowa on January 1, 1886. Mr. Potter is a member of the Masonic lodge, the A.O.U.W., and the K. of P. He is a stockholder in the Baker City National Bank and has a fine residence on Sixth and Church streets, besides considerable other property.