"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. 649.
 
 SAVIL W. ILER

     During the many years of his association with Washington county, Savil W.
Iler filled a more than ordinary place in general affairs, and was particularly
active in maintaining the highest agricultural, educational and political
standards. This highly honored citizen was born in Rush county, Ind., November
24, 1823, and was one of the seven children born to his farmer parents. At the
age of twenty-one he entered upon an independent career, and upon arriving in
Illinois in 1844 worked at various occupations for three years. In 1847 he
secured a position as teamster in an emigrant train bound for the coast, and all
the way across drove a team of oxen, there being about three hundred people in
the train. Arriving in Oregon City he secured employment as a farm hand, and
with the breaking out of the Cayuse war, tendered his services in the
suppression of the Indians.   For six months he served under Captain Nesmith of
the Oregon Volunteers, and was with him until the end of the war.
     After the Indian war Mr. Iler went down into California with ox teams, and
after mining and prospecting for about a year was glad to return to more stable
methods of livelihood. November 10, 1850, he was united in marriage with
Caroline Lee, a native of Fulton county, III., and a daughter of Philemon and
Elizabeth J. Lee, who came across the plains from Iowa in 1847, settling on a
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, upon a portion of which the widow
of Mr. Iler now lives. After his marriage Mr. Iler lived in Clackamas county for
a couple of years, and then located near Gales Creek on a farm that was wild and
timbered, and a stranger to plow or harrow. Here he lived until 1852, and then
came to the farm upon which his widow now lives. He made many improvements on
his land, and was accounted one of the most progressive and successful of
farmers, being engaged in both general farming and stock-raising.
     A Republican in political affiliation, Mr. Iler entered actively into all
county political affairs, and filled many positions of trust and responsibility
within the gift of his fellow townsmen. He was postmaster of Gales Creek for
five years, and was on the school board for a great many years, serving also for
a few years as justice of the peace. He took a great interest in establishing
schools and encouraging scholarship, and though his own early opportunities were
comparatively limited, profited thereby, and endeavored to insure to the youth
of the present generation more fitting chances than came his own way. For many
years he was a welcome member of the Masonic fraternity. He lived to be
seventy-six years old, his death occurring October 10, 1899. Too much cannot be
said of the example left by so manly and upright a life, nor does any serve to
better illustrate the virtue of industry and correct living. Mr. and Mrs. Iler
were the parents of seven children, of whom five are living. The family
included: John, born September 27, 1854; Henry, deceased, born October 10, 1856;
Emma, deceased, born June 19, 1859; Elva, born October 5, 1864, wife of Harry
Westcott, of Forest Grove; Savil, born December 8, 1867; Myrtle, wife of
Nicholas C. Lilly, of Gales Creek, born July 12, 1871; and Carl, born April 28,
1877.


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