Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 545.

WILLIAM I. WESTERFIELD

     is the proprietor of the Grass Valley Journal, a bright and newsy sheet of
Sherman county, the product of his skill and brain. He was born in Lafayette,
Oregon, on December 13, 1863, the son of Alexander B. and Rebecca A. (Chrisman)
Westerfield, who were married, in the east and came to Oregon in the forties.
The father died when our subject was six years of age and the mother died on
July 4, 1895. The father was a physician and surgeon in the Mexican War and
practiced many years in Yamhill county, Oregon. Our subject spent his life until
1898 in the county of his birth. He received his education in the Lafayette
public schools and when ten years of age entered the office of the old Lafayette
Courier. For five or six years he labored there and became master of every
portion of the printer's trade. Then he spent two years in a drug store. After
that, in company with his brother, Alexander B., he bought the Lafayette
Register and job office, which they operated for three or four years. At about
that time, the county seat was removed from Lafayette to McMinnville, and six
months previous to that Mr. Westerfield sold the Register. The plant was removed
later to McMinnville. Our subject then took up the printing and undertaking
business and conducted it, together with a store, for three and one-half years,
then he worked at various employments through the hard times, and in 1898 he
came to Grass Valley. For a few months he was in the employ of the Journal
Publishing Company, and then leased the Grass Valley Journal. In February, 1902,
he bought the newspaper and printing plant and since then has handled it in
person. He has made the Journal a very attractive and good paper, which is
highly prized throughout this part of the state. In addition to his printing
establishment, he owns a residence and two lots in Grass Valley, besides other
property.
     In 1890, at Lafayette, Oregon, Mr. Westerfield married Anna B. Gardiner,
who was born near Kalama, Washington. Her father, William A. Gardiner, was born
in Scotland and died in Portland, in 1902. He married Clara B. Martin, who died
at Portland, in 1898. Our subject has three brothers ; George, in Dayton ;
Alexander B., in McMinnville, Oregon ; Cornelius, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs.
Westerfield four children have been born, Floyd C., Elvena, and Veda and Vera,
twins.
     Mr. Westerfield is past grand of the I. O. O. F., and, present chief
patriarch of the Encampment. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W., and he and his
wife are members of the Degree of Honor. For five years Mr. Westerfield has been
city recorder and in this capacity has given excellent satisfaction. Personally,
he is a man well informed, retiring and with little ostentation, and the success
he has made of his paper indicates his ability.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.