"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 606.  Malheur County.

SOLOMON L. SPANN

     The well known gentleman of whom we have now the privilege of speaking is
one of the substantial and intelligent farmers of Malheur county, having labored
here for many years in the upbuilding of the county, and he has ever manifested
himself one of the capable and loyal citizens, maintaining a high sense of honor
and manifesting unswerving integrity, while he is highly esteemed by his
fellows.  Solomon L. was born in Pittsfield, Illinois, on August 23, 1842, being
the son of Jordan and Mary Spann.  He was reared on a farm, received his
education from the common schools, held in a log cabin, and when the call came
for men, brave and true, to fight for the nation's honor and safety, he enlisted
in the Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry, Company C, in July, 1862.  He was in the
Thirteenth army corps, under Grant, and participated in the battles of
Hartville, Lebanon in Missouri, Fort Gibson, Champion Hills, Raymond, Jackson,
Black River, Edward Station, the siege of Vicksburg, Spanish Fort, Blakely,
Mobile, and many others, besides many skirmishes.  He did faithful service,
endured much hardship and deprivation, and in all of his hard fighting he was
never wounded nor taken prisoner.  On August 23, 1863, he was honorably
discharged and returned to his home.  There, on October 22, 1867, occurred the
happy event of the marriage of Mr. Spann and Miss Mary J. Moore, a native of
Rochester, New York.  In 1871 they removed to the vicinity of Indianapolis,
Indiana, and in 1876 they returned to Pike county.  Two years later they removed
to Lyon county, Kansas, and he worked in the coal mines until 1880.  In that
year he went with his family to Georgetown, Colorado, and in 1882 they came
thence to American Falls, Idaho.  All these trips were made with teams and
wagon.  In 1884 the journey westward was continued, and the family came to the
vicinity of their present home.  Stock raising occupied him for a time, and in
1892 settlement was made on the place where Mr. Spann and his family reside at
the present time.  This is an eighty-acre farm, four and one-half miles south
from Ontario.  The land is fertile, well tilled, and improved in a becoming
manner.  Mr. Spann raises much alfalfa hay, plenty of fruit, and does also a
dairying business.  The products of his dairy, as well as the fruits of the
farm, find ready market.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Spann one child was born, Laura E., who married James
Grant.  To that marriage one son, Edward S., was born on February 8, 1891.
Mrs. Grant died in 1891, and Mr. Grant followed in 1899, and the little boy now
lives with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Spann.  Mr. Spann is a past commander
of the A. P. Hovey Post, No. 21, of the G.A.R. in Ontario.
     

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.