Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 910.

JOHN BEAR is one of the most successful and enterprising men of this state and
has for many years past been identified with various extensive business
enterprises. He now lives retired in one of the most beautiful homes in
Marshfield, located on the identical spot where Captain Hamilton's log cabin was
originally built. He was born August 16, 1841, and is a son of Peter and Mary
(Sancros) Beaar. His parents were both natives of Finland and his father was
engaged as foreman for a large fishing concern and also operated a stage line
successfully. There were five children in their family, as follows: Frederick,
who died at the age of fifteen years; Charles, deceased, who left two daughters,
who reside in Finland; Peter, deceased, who is survived by five children,
Charles, Jennie, Cynthia, Ida and Henrietta; John, the subject of this review;
and Mary Louise, who has passed away.

John Bear was reared at home and educated in the public schools of Finland. He
started in life for himself at the age of seventeen years, becoming a sailor and
shipping under his uncle,. At the time he left home his uncle promised his
mother that he would bring back with him her boy John, but the fates willed
otherwise. His uncle died in Marseilles, France, and Mr. Bear has never returned
to his parental home in Finland. While at Marseilles he determined to leave his
uncle's ship and made a vigorous effort to obtain the personal effects of his
deceased relative but was not successful in doing so. He left the ship, however,
and succeeded in shipping on an American vessel as sailor. On that boat he
reached Baltimore and for many years afterward devoted his time to life as a
sailor on the deep seas, during which time he made a great many trips to the
West Indies. While following the sea he enlisted in the Union navy, in which he
served one year, but on account of being wounded while in the service he was
discharged and at once took service as a sailor on an American ship bound for
the West Indies. In 1862 he reached London, having sailed from Calcutta, India,
and from London he shipped to Australia and from there to San Francisco,
reaching that city in May, 1863, remaining here for two years.  He then removed
to Marshfield, arriving in that place on a burning ship that was also water
logged and wholly disabled.  On reaching Marshfield he decided a sailor's life
and establish his home in that part of Oregon. He found employment with the
Simpson Lumber Company and with that concern he remained for three years, after
which time he engaged in the lumber business for himself and secured a contract
from large match factory to furnish it with cedar. While meeting the terming of
his contract with the match factory his business grew rapidly and he soon
obtained a contract with the builders of the San Francisco Street Railway
Company to furnish ties for its roadbed, and this contract gives him the
distinction of being the man who furnished the first ties used in the
construction of the street railway system in San Francisco.  He continued in the
lumber business for four years. John Bear was also active along other lines of
endeavor. He has improved and stocked fifteen different ranches in this state,
all of which he has disposed of at handsome profits. For a time he was engaged
in the cafe and restaurant business and was later interested in a livery in
which line he continued for a period of eighteen years. He is the owner of forty
acres of valuable coal land and also a number of very fine business properties
in Marshfield, and is the owner of the residence in which lie lives.

Mr. Bear has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Mary Ann Walin, to
whom he was married in 1872. To them were born seven children, as follows: Emma,
who lives in  Marshfield; Gusta, who accidentally met her death eleven years ago
by drowning in the Columbia river; Cynthia, who married John Nagle, of North
Bend, Oregon; Edna, he wife of Dr. Harry Walter, of Marshfield; Albert, also of
Marshfield; Effie, deceased and Chester, of Marshfield. These children were all
educated in the public schools Of Marshfield. Their mother passed away in 188S.
In 1895 Mr. Bear married the widow of Fred Jensen a native of Denmark. Her
maiden name was Maggie Nelson, and she is a daughter of Nels and Christina
(Jensen) Chiristoferson, who were natives of Denmark.  They were the parents of
five children, as follows: Lars; Marie, the wife of Nels Christensen; Anna, who
married Peter Matson; Maggie, now Mrs. Bear; and Sine, the wife of Jens Hansen.
The three sisters and the brother of Mrs. Bear all reside in Denmark.

By her first marriage she is the mother of one son, Charles A. Jensen, of
Marshfield, who attended the public schools of the town, where he has made his
home and received a college education at San Jose, California.  He is married
and the father of two children, Fred J. and Phyllis Marie.

Mr. Bear affiliates with the democratic party. He has served in the office of
road supervisor for the past fifteen years and has also been a member of the
city council of	 Marshfield for nine years. He is a member of the Knights of
Pythias and of the Masonic order, and both he and his wife are members of the
Eastern Star. Mr. Bear is one of most useful and valued members of the community
in which he lives and is deeply interested in all, measures affecting the public
welfare. He is known throughout entire county as a reliable man and in every way
a desirable citizen.

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2006 by Becky Soules - DigIt -
Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery, (cbcemetery at att dot net).  Unless otherwise
stated, submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family
mentioned above.