Parsons, Col. William and Shiach, W. S.  "An Illustrated History of Umatilla
County and of Morrow County." Spokane, WA: W. H. Lever, 1902. p. 336.
 
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, and 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 in development of application and
self-reliance, with good, and 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 the encouragement of those who are despondent 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 an
inclement winter froze all of his 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 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 his
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.; Lucy J.;
Kate May.  All 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 15, 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.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.