Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 3. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 976. LAWRENCE SWEEK Agriculture in one of its most important phases finds a worthy representative in Lawrence Sweek, who now has over three thousand acres of farm and pasture land in Grant county, Oregon, where he is running several thousand sheep and large herds of horses and mules. He was born February 26, 1858, in Portland, Oregon, and is a son of John and Maria (Beard) Sweek, both natives of Missouri. They were numbered among the earliest pioneers in the state, starting on the trip to the northwest by ox team three days after their marriage. They met with no trouble from the Indians although the caravans immediately behind them were molested during the entire journey. Mr. Sweek settled in the Willamette valley, where he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres ten miles from Portland and he cultivated the soil until his death. He passed through the severe winter of 1852-53 and lost practically everything he had when the season was over he was obliged to get his food from Oregon City, packing his flour and other meager provisions upon his back and journeying to his home on foot. He was a successful agriculturist and a prominent man in local affairs, holding various public offices and always ready to serve his community to the best of his ability. He died in 1892 at the age of sixty years. His wife is still living in the seventy-eighth year of her age and is residing on the old homestead near Portland. John Sweek and his wife were the parents of six children: Cyrus Minton, who is now a prominent attorney in Burns, Oregon; Alice, now Mrs. William Smith, of Portland; Lawrence, the subject of this sketch; Alex, a lawyer in Portland; Lillie, who is now Mrs. Harting; and Thad, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Portland. Lawrence Sweek was reared in his native state and was educated in its public schools. He finished his studies in Forest Grove, Oregon, and at the age of twenty started in farming for himself. He located first near his present ranch and was successful in the cultivation of the soil and stock-raising for some time. He later bought the property upon which he now resides three miles above Monument, where he is in active operation of three thousand acres of land. He has a portion of his land under irrigation and gives his persona attention to the raising of sheep, keeping seven thousand head in his pasture at all times. He also raises thoroughbred horses and makes a specialty of the breeding and care of mules. He carries on general farming along practical and progressive lines and has been successful in every branch of agriculture which he has undertaken. In February, 1878, Mr. Sweek was united in marriage to Miss Emily L. Harding, of Telmook, Oregon, a daughter of Benjamin Harding who was a pioneer settler in this state and who met his death at the hands of the Indians on Thorn creek when he was defending his horses against their depredations. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweek have been born eight children: Fleming, who is now engaged in ranching; Rex L.; Ona, who is now Mrs. Wilson; Belle, now Mrs. Neal; Blanche, who married Fred Putnam; Calvin, who is attending the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he is studying law; and Gladys and Ruth, who live at home. Mr. Sweek is a blue lodge Mason and prominent in the affairs of the Woodmen of the World. His wife affiliates with the Order of the Eastern Star. He has progressed with the advancement of agriculture and bases his undoubted success upon his efficient methods of work and his excellent general and specialized knowledge. He represents a class of farmers and ranchmen who are making the cultivation of the soil and the breeding of high grade stock among the most honorable occupations open to men. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.