man of talent and ambition. No matter liow poor his circumstances, with
a proper amount of energy, determination and patience he can make of
himself a useful citizen and a leader among men. The subject of this sketch
is a fair example of this class of men. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee,
on the 9th day of March, 1832, where he resided during the early part of
his life, serving a regular apprenticeship at the tinner's trade and becoming
a thorough master of the same. He moved to Clarkesville, Tennessee, in
1852, and applied himself to securing an education. By strict economy and
close appliance to his trade, he managed to lay by sufficient means to enable
him to pursue a course of instruction in the Masonic Academy of that city.
He came to Cahfornia, in November, 1855, and engaged in the stove and tin
business at Crescent City, reading law meanwhile with Judge 8. P. Wright,
of that city. Came to Oregon in 1861 and settled at Jacksonville and con-
tinued the study of law under Hon. B. F. Do well, and was admitted to the
bar, in 1864, by the Supreme Court of this State. He settled in Eugene
City the following year, and in May, 1866, was married to Miss Emma A-
Hoffman, of Jacksonville. He has resided in Lane county since 1865, and
is highly esteemed as one of its most influential citizens. He is a staunch
Democrat and represented that county in the House of 1870 and was elected
State Senator at the last general election. He is a prominent Mason and a
member of the A. O. U. W. He has three children and enjoys home life
rather than the excitement of a public career.
t
HON. W. A. STARKWEATHER,
Who is now serving his second term as State Senator from Clackamas county, was born in Preston, Connecticut, February 16, 1822. He was raised on the farm, biit received the benefits of a very fair education, mostly de- rived from the common schools, aided by an occasional attendance at some select school. He prepared himself for teaching and followed this profession as a means of livelihood for a number of years. He left his native place in 1846 and went to Ohio and taught about two years in the schools of Red- ding and Lockland. He came to this coast in 1850, having crossed the plains. He remained but a few months in California and came to Oregon, in the fall of 1850 and was with Governor Moody and others in the survey- ing party that located the meridian line in 1851. He took up a donation- land claim near Scio in the following year, on which he remained until 1854,. when he removed to Clackamas county, where he has since resided. He spent several years on a farm, and in 1861 went into the United States Land Office at Oregon City. He was elected a member of the House and attended the session of 1854-5, and has been so often a member of that body since that date that the data is forgotton. He was elected State Senator in 1878 for the term of four years. He was married to Miss Eliza Gordon in 1853 In 1857 he was elected as a member of the State Constitutional Convention Mr. Starkweather is an uncompromising Republican and stands high in his party. As a legislator he is an indefatigable worker and watches with zeal- ous care the interests of his constituents and the entire State. Mr. Stark- weather is a fine-looking old gentleman, with flowing white beard, promi-
