Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 830. SEBASTIAN BRUTSCHER Another one of the honored pioneers of Oregon, a prominent farmer and citizen of Yam Hill county, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 27, 1826, the son of German parents. Young Brutscher spent two years in one of the universities of his native country, and then came to the United States, landing in New York in August, 1847. He went to Indiana, and from there, in 1849, crossed the plains to Oregon. He came to this State with a company of Government Mounted Riflemen, he having a position in the Commissary Department. The object of the expedition was to chastise the Cayuse Indians, and was conducted by Colonel Loring. They crossed the Cascades and arrived sage in Oregon City, where Mr. Brutscher was discharged. He soon found employment here at $5 per day, working on a sawmill for James Moore. After this he came to the Chehalem valley in Yam Hill county and worked in a sawmill all winter, receiving the same wages. In 1850 Mr. Brutscher took a donation claim, the one on which he now resides, and about that time was married to Miss Mary Everest, a native of Kent, England. Her father, Richard Everest, also a native of England, came to Oregon in 1847. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Brutscher went to Yreka, California, where he engaged in mining and had fair success. Returning to his claim, he and his wife went to housekeeping in a little log cabin, 8 x 10 feet, with puncheon floors and a bedstead made of fir poles, fastened in the side of the house. Their cooking utensils consisted of a skillet, frying-pan, two iron pots and a teakettle, and cost $18. He worked hard to clear his land, and as the years rolled by prosperity attended his efforts. In 1857 he built a sawmill, which he operated thirteen years, at the same time conducting his farming operations. He paid for his mill, built a large residence, and continued to develop his farm, and by his intelligent industry was early recognized as one of the most substantial men of the vicinity. He passed safely through the panic and dull times of 1856 to '58. During the war he was elected and served four years as County Commissioner, and his efficient services helped to pilot Yam Hill county through those troublous days. In 1884 he was again elected County Commissioner, and was re-elected three times, thus having served ten years in that capacity. For twenty years he served as Clerk of the School Board in his district. Mr. and Mrs. Brutscher have had eleven children, nine daughters and two sons, of whom two died in infancy. Those living are as follows: Jane, Carrie, wife of Hamilton Hutchings; Emma, wife of John Kramien; Ida, wife of F. E. Hadley; Bertie, wife of Henry H. Hagey; Laura, George A., who is married and resides in Umatilla county; and Sebastian Abraham. Mr. Brutscher has been a Republican since the organization of the party, and under Grant's administration he was the first Postmaster of Newberg. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.