Sangamon County IL Archives Biographies.....Cardwell, Byron Perrin March 3, 1832 - November 26, 1903 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Daniel L Carpenter Box4ordGuy1@comcast.net November 12, 2008, 10:22 pm Author: The Morning Oregonian, Friday, November 27, 1903 BYRON P. CARDWELL DIES On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th, 1903 PROMINENT PIONEER AND COUNCILMAN PASSES AWAY Held Office as Deputy Collector Internal Revenue, Police Commissioner and Representative. Byron P. Cardwell, and Oregon pioneer of 1852, and one of Portland's most widely known citizens, died at his home at 395 Fourth Street, at 1:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon. In August he was stricken with heart trouble, which resulted in his death. Byron Perrin Cardwell was born in Springfield, Ill., March 3, 1832. He was the son of William Lee and Mary Ann Biddle Cardwell, both of Virginia. At the age of 20 he accompanied his parents to Oregon, driving his own ox-team across the plains, and arriving at Marysville, now known as Corvallis, on October 8, 1852. The family took up donation land claims on what is now called Cardwell Hill, and Byron Cardwell raised blooded horses and cattle in partnership with his uncle, the late Hamilton Campbell. With the late W.B. Carter he drove a large pack string of mules between Corvallis, Yreka, Cal., and Jacksonville, Or., for several years. In 1856 he was married to Miss Abbie M. Clarke. In 1858 he moved to Portland and formed a co-partnership with Joseph Butchel in the photograph business, which continued until he was appointed a Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue by President Lincoln about 1861. He remained in this position until removed by President Cleveland under the celebrated "offensive partisanship" order, after having served 21 years. During much of this time transportation facilities were nil, and he traveled over the state of Oregon from border to border on horseback, collecting taxes in gold dust and carrying it in saddle bags until some Wells-Fargo office was reached. He was a man of fine physique, a strong and daring rider, a splendid pistol shot, and reported to be absolutely devoid of fear. It was his boast that he never lost a cent of Government money, but he had many exciting adventures with highway-men, who thought Uncle Sam's money fair prey. Since 1895 he has devoted himself to private investments. He was a life-long Republican, and an earnest worker for the party's success. During Governor Moody's administration he was appointed Police Commissioner for Portland, and by successive re-elections by the people remained as such for nine years. In 1894 he was elected a member of the State Legislature. At the last election he was compelled by a committee of citizens to accept the seat in City Council for the Fifth Ward. His religion was the golden rule, and it is doubtful if he had a personal enemy on earth. He was a man of the strictest business integrity, and his "word was as good as his bond". He is survived by his wife and his son, Dr. Herbert W.; three brothers, Dr. James R. and Charles H. of this city and Richard H. Cardwell of San Francisco, and by two sisters, Mrs. Olena M. Murray and Mrs. Martha A. Dalton. The late Dr. William B. Cardwell and the late Mrs. George E. Cole were his brother and sister. A daughter, Alice, died in 1863. Additional Comments: Obituary transcribed by myself from original newspaper clipping found in the Cardwell-Clarke family Bible. Notes;Springfield Illinois is in Sangamon County. I have also submitted this to USgenWeb Oregon Archives, Multnomah & Benton Counties. According to the Metro Pioneer Cemetery records the following are buried in the Lone Fir Cemetery at Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Byron P. Cardwell Lot 56 Section 6 Grave 1N, Abbie M. (Clarke) Cardwell Lot 56 Section 6 Grave 3N, James Robert Cardwell, Lot 3 Section 1 Grave 1S, Richard Cardwell Lot 56 Section 6 Grave 1N, Alice Cardwell Lot 56 Section 6 Grave 2N, William L. Cardwell Lot 56 Section 6 Grave 1S, Marion Cardwell Lot 56 Section 6 Grave 3S, May E. Cole Lot 61 Section 6 Grave 1S, and George E. Cole Lot 61 Section 6 Grave 2S. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/sangamon/bios/cardwell64bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ilfiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb