Biography of Andrew Dewar, 1902, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames: Dewar ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access and not to be removed separately without written permission. ************************************************************************ Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: W. David Samuelsen - November 2001 ************************************************************************ An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902 by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 340 Andrew Dewar Born in Perthshire, Scotland, on January 31, 1836, the subject of this review possesses his full share of the thrift and forcefulness of character which have made his race famous the world over, and which have made them such worthy citizens of the United States. Mr. Dewar received his education in excellent pubic schools of his native land, and remained there until 1872, when he resolved to enjoy the larger advantages to be had in the new world. Accordingly he set sail for America. During the first two years eh traveled considerably, seeking a suitable location, and when he finally came to a halt it was that he might try his fortunes in the rich mining region of which Sumpter, Oregon, is the center. He soon acquired an interest in various properties which have since became famous, among them the Ibex, which sold two years ago for sixty-five thousand dollars. This property was discovered and located in 1895 by our subject, with Joseph Michael, Edgar Main and James Fain as associates. Mr. Dewar was also interested in the Amazon mine, which was sold in 1898 to Mr. English for five thousand dollars. It is of interest to note that when Mr. Dewar came to Baker county Sumpter was merely a placer camp, and that the quartz mines which have made it famous have all been more recent discovery. There was only one house a few small shacks in the town when first seen by our subject, and at that time lumber had to be hauled from Auburn, where also all the Sumpter people got their mail. Other provisions had to be conveyed from Umatilla by pack train. Mr. Dewar has therefore enjoyed the opportunity of seeing the place develop from a primitive mining camp to a first class center, and he no doubt also enjoys the consciousness that he has been in a very considerable measure a contributor to this progress and development.