Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Stanfield, Robert Nelson December 3, 1832 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net July 28, 2006, 6:09 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons

Page 336, 337

ROBERT NELSON STANFIELD
	The active enterprising man, of whom this memorial is spoken, left 
behind the rich legacy of a record of untarnished business career successfully 
and wisely conducted, an unblemished reputation, and a noble character, while 
his life of energy, directed by keenness and foresight, could not but amass 
largely the goods of this world for his loved ones to enjoy, while he has gone 
to the more substantial rewards of a faithful Christian.
	He was born on his father’s farm in Sangamon county, Illinois, on 
December 3 , 1832, and there spent the earlier years of his life.  His 
education was very limited as regards that which was acquired from the common 
schools, both because of their primitiveness and on account of his father’s 
death when he was but a small child.  His entire attendance was limited to 
three months, but by industry and close application during spare moments he 
acquired learning fully equal to the high school course in many branches, 
while development of application and self-reliance, with good, practical 
business knowledge, he was far ahead of what could be gathered in any school.  
Later he received the commendation of being one of the best bookkeepers and 
keenest business man in this county.  Thus much for encouragement of those who 
are des-
pondent because they are not drilled in book lore.
	When but seventeen years of age he crossed the plains to California, 
landing in the Yreka district right in the midst of the excitement of “Forty-
nine.”  For several years he followed the occupation of placer miner, 
accumulating sufficient “dust” to purchase a fine herd of cattle.  He secured 
a farm near Yreka and embarked as a stockman, achieving good success until in 
inclement winter froze all of this stock and left him entirely without means.  
He then turned toward the north and landed in Umatilla county in 1860, where 
he commenced to freight.  He purchased a mule train later and freighted from 
Umatilla Landing to Boise and other points, maintaining his residence in 
Umatilla.  This occupied him until 1865, when in January of that year he was 
married to Miss Phoebe Atwood, a native of Dubuque, Iowa.  After this he sold 
his freight train and engaged in the livery and transfer business until the 
spring of 1883.  On November 20, 1871, his
wife died after having borne him three children: Jessie, now Mrs. Perry, of 
Pendleton; Sidney, now a farmer
and stock raiser of Crab Creek, Washington; Ralph B., a stock raiser on Butter 
creek.  In 1883 Mr. Stanfield moved to Pendleton and commenced to operate a 
warehouse and do a general transfer business, which he was obliged to abandon 
after one and a half years on account of his health.  He purchased a farm
on Butter creek and raised alfalfa and fattened cattle, continuing in this 
enterprise until the time of this death, April 15, 1896.  He was the first 
sheriff of this county after the county seat was moved to Pendleton.
	His second marriage occurred on May 6, 1873, when Miss Hattie 
Townsend, a native of Washington, became his wife.  To them were born the 
following children: Carrie A., wife of Asa Thompson, representative of Morrow 
and Umatilla counties; Robert N.; Daisy O,; Hugh L.; Chloe A.; Emery G.; Luch 
J.; Kate May.  All of these are at home.  The family are all members of the 
Episcopal church of Pendleton.  
	In 1878, when the Snake and Cayuse Indians were on the warpath, Mr. 
Stanfield did good service as one of the guardsmen of Umatilla.
	Mrs. Stanfield’s parents were pioneers of 1852.  Mr. Evander L. 
Townsend died in 1889 and his
wife, Alamanda E., died on March 14, 1901, aged seventy-one years.  They were 
natives respectively of Maine and Ohio.  Their marriage occurred in Portland.  
Mrs. Stanfield is still carrying on successfully their large farming and stock-
raising enterprises at the home place, where, with a good competence, and 
surrounded by her family, she is passing happily the golden years of her 
industrious life.


Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.

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