"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a
compilation of this work....by a number of writers".  Chapman Publishing Co;
Chicago, 1903. p. 807.
 
JOHN SWITZLER

     No history of Oregon would be complete without the record of John Switzler,
who, through pioneer times, was an active and important factor in the work of
development and progress, and whose labors proved an excellent foundation upon
which to build the later development of the state. He was born in Berlin,
Germany, in 1776, and with his parents he emigrated to the United States in the
year 1788. His natal year was that in which the Declaration of Independence was
written, and it was only five years after the close of the Revolutionary war
that he became a resident of the new world, the family settling in Virginia.
They came originally from Switzerland, and there is probably not another family
of the same name in all the world, those who bear this cognomen being closely
related. John Switzler had obtained his education in Germany, and in early life
he embarked in merchandising. Removing westward to Missouri, he established a
business of that character, but through going security for others he brought on
failure in his own business. He then determined to seek a home in the far west,
and in 1845, with the members of his family, he made the overland journey to
Oregon, traveling for six months, during which time many hardships and trials
were endured by the party. Mr. Switzler came with the intention of locating a
donation claim, and on reaching his destination he secured six hundred and forty
acres of land where the ferry to Vancouver is now located. His first house was
of logs, but soon a better house was erected. He established a ferry in 1846 and
operated it for ten years, or until his death. It was known as Switzler ferry
and became an important factor in the transfer business at an early day ; in
fact, it was the first ferry operated on the Columbia river, and at his death
his son succeeded him in the business, conducting the ferry until they sold out
to Mr. Knott, who was the proprietor until the ferry was purchased by the
railroad company.
     In 1848, when the United States troops were sent to Oregon, there was a
great demand for the supplies for the army, and Mr. Switzler and General Wilson,
his son-in-law, supplied the wants of the troops, and through their sales became
well-to-do. They purchased all of the cattle that emigrants wanted to sell,
being prepared to take care of them, and thus, through the raising of stock,
they were enabled to supply the troops and other customers with fresh meats. Not
only with early business interests was Mr. Switzler actively connected, but also
with many other affairs of importance bearing upon the development and progress
of this community. His aid and cooperation were never sought in vain in behalf
of measures for the general good, and along many lines his efforts proved of a
most helpful character.
     Mr. Switzler was twice married. He first married Elizabeth Lee, and unto
them were born three children : Elizabeth, who became the wife of Mr. Mitchell
and went to Texas, where her death occurred; Greenville, who died in Missouri,
and Sarah, who became the wife of General Wilson and died in Oregon. Mrs.
Switzler passed away in Virginia and Mr. Switzler then took his children to
Missouri to be cared for by a relative there. In that state he was again
married, his second union being with Maria Robinson. By this marriage there were
six children: Joseph, a farmer, who died in Oregon in 1869, leaving six
children, of whom three were sons; Jehu, a stock dealer of Umatilla, who has one
daughter; William, a merchant, who died in Pendleton, Ore., leaving three
children, Edwin and two daughters; Cynthia C., who became the wife of W. Nye and
died in 1881 about a mile north of Vancouver, leaving seven children, two sons
and five daughters; John, a stockman living in Walla Walla, Wash., who has one
son and three daughters; Harriet, who is the wife of Adam Nye, of Pendleton, and
has two daughters and two sons. In 1850 the mother of these children passed away
and was buried on the old homestead farm. At the death of his daughter, Mrs.
Wilson, Mr. Switzler took her children to his own home and reared and educated
them, they becoming students in the early schools of Portland. He was appointed
executor of the estate of General and Mrs. Wilson, and at his death Jehu
Switzler was appointed to succeed him. John Switzler built a schoolhouse on his
land and hired a teacher to instruct his children and grandchildren. He was very
liberal in his donations to the public interests of general importance. Both he
and General Wilson, with whom he was associated in business, greatly assisted
the needy emigrants, and they always made it a point to find good homes for the
orphan girls who came to this coast. The Switzlers' household was a very
hospitable one, and in it there was exemplified the true pioneer spirit which
makes all welcome. Although pioneer conditions existed on every hand. Mr.
Switzler courageously faced the situation, overcame the hardships and
difficulties with which he was surrounded and made the most of his
opportunities.  His labors proved of benefit to his community as well as to
himself, and his name should be enduringly inscribed upon the pages of Oregon's
pioneer history.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.