Biography of Lewis J. Sisley, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames listed: Sisley, Culver, Near, Lane, Coleman, O'Blenis.

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Transcribed by: W. David Samuelsen

An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 
1902 by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. 

Page 243

Lewis J. SISLEY

Mr. Sisley was born near Meadville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on December 
5, 1828, the son of Lewis and Catherine Sisley. He resided on a farm in his 
native state until about fifteen years old, attending school off and on as he 
had opportunity, then moved to Cedar county, Iowa, where he passed the remaining
years of his minority. As soon as he became twenty-one, however, he set out 
across the plains with ox-teams to the west, spending five months on the journey,
and several times experiencing troubles with the Indians. At one time the train 
lost all their stock, but fortunately the animals were afterward recovered.

Arriving at last, after an eventful and danger-fraught journey, he settled in 
Jackson county, Oregon, and engaged in farming and mining. He was there for 
twelve years, at the end of which extended period he came to Baker county, 
locating first on Burnt river, and in 1872 removed to Snake river. In 1885 he 
moved to a place one mile southeast of Express, where he has ever since lived. 
He now has a fine, well improved farm, supplied with good buildings and 
equipment, and he is spending the evening of his life in peace and abundance. 
Furthermore he enjoys the pleasant consciousness that he is secure in the esteem
of all who knew him in early days and of those who have made his acquaintance 
since.

It is of interest to note that our subject set out, at Weatherby, in 1865, the 
first orchard ever planted in this county.

As might be supposed who came to the county as early as did Mr. Sisley could 
hardly escape having some trouble with Indians, and we find on inquiry that such
happy fortune was not his, for twice he participated in severe battles with them.

On Christmas day, 1856, in Phoenix, Jackson county, Oregon, Mr. Sisley married 
Martha Ann Culver, and to them the following children were born: Frank, deceased;
Donna, residing in Jackson county; Lotta, wife of Loomis Near; Eugene, a resident
of Burnt River; Ettie, wife of W. C. Lane, of Boise valley, Idaho; and Mattie, 
wife of James Coleman, of Jackson county.

Mr. Sisley's first wife died in 1868, and in February, 1872, he married Lottie 
O'Blenis, by whom he has one son, Archie, at home. In 1864 Mr. Sisley built the 
road down Burnt river to Weatherby, thus opening the country for settlement.
--End--