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ing the common schools of the day, his ediicatioual advantages being ex- tremely limited. In contact with the world, liowever, and making himself familiar with the current literature of the day, he has stored his miml with much useful kiiowledge and grasps with readiness the importance oi leading or meritorious measures, and detects as reaiiily the underlying defects of a job. He is a practical miller and mill-wright, liaving learned that trade be- fore coming to this coast. He crossed the plains and arrived in Oregon City in 1854, where he worked for a few weeks at his trade and then went to Jackson\dlle and tried mining for awhile. He was appointed Deputy Sheriff in July, 1855, and in March, 1856, was appointed Clerk of the United States District Court by Hon. M. P. Deady, where he remained about two years and a half; he following various vocations until 1867, when he moved to Kerbyville and purchased the flouring mills, which he is still running. He served the people of his county four years as Coiinty Judge and was elected State Senator in 1880. He is of tall, commanding stature, and is one of the best-looking Senators on the floor. He is not given to debate, but votes intelligently and conscientiously. He Avas married in 1868 to Miss Mary Peninger, of Jacksonville, but is now a widower with two boys, his wife having died in 1874. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, but has never sought distinction. Politically speaking he is a Democrat, but not a strict partisan, as was evinced by his voting for Hon. J. ^. Mitchell for United States Senator in deference to what he considered was the choice of a majority of his constituents. His course was criticised some- what, but having decided what course to pursue, Mr. Sifers paid no atten- tion to their attacks and gained friends by his silence.
HON. WILLIAM R. BILYEU.
Among the Democratic members of the State Senate none are considered more stalwart than the subject of this sketch, who represents Linn county. He is the tallest Senator on the floor, of spare build, with chin whiskers and mustache, a broad forehead and glistening black eyes. He was born in Miller county, Missouri, in 1848, and received a common school education, his early life being spent on a farm. His parents moved to Oregon in 1862 and settled on a farm in Washington county, and from thence moving to Linn county in 1865. He there learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for several years. Becoming weary of the routine life of a me- chanic he resolved to study law, and in 1873 entered the office of Mallory & Shaw, of Salem, as a student and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He then returned to Linn county and commenced the practice of his profession and soon stepped into a lucrative practice, he being a hard worker and applying himself closely to business and carefully guarding the interests of his cli- ents. He is a member of the law firm of Powell it Bilyeu, of Albany. He was elected State Senator in 1878 and re-elected at the last general election. In legislative matters, as in law, he is an active worker and is an influential member. He is a ready debater and as such is conceded a leading rank by his Democratic colleagues. He is still unmarried and by the ladies is con-
