Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
SAMUEL C. MARS is proprietor
of nearly two sections of land in Lincoln county. One half section
lies about six miles northwest from Wilbur, while the balance is situated
in the southern portion of the county. Mr. Mars makes his home on
the farm near Wilbur and devotes his attention almost exclusively to general
farming, handling both places. They are both well supplied with buildings
and other improvements, having stock and machinery necessary to their operation.
Mr. Mars is one of the wealthy men of the county and has made his entire
holdings since coming here in 1886. He has spent almost all of his
life on the frontier, sometimes experiencing the most thrilling adventures,
and he was one of that sturdy class who threaded their way west in spite
of all hardships and adventures, bringing in the civilization on the frontier,
which we now enjoy.
Samuel C. Mars was born
in Boone county, Missouri, on June 5, 1848. His father, Eli Mars,
was born in Virginia and came with his parents to Kentucky, when a boy.
He settled in Missouri, when it was a territory and is now a wealthy farmer
there. He married Miss Elimy Cowen, a native of Missouri. Our
subject was educated in the schools of Boone county, then turned his attention
to farming for a short time in Missouri. In 1875, he came farther
west and wrought in contract work in various places. After that,
he hunted buffaloes on the state land in Texas, in which occupations he
was engaged for three years. He furnished various western markets
with meat and hides and did a thriving business. Mr. Mars has killed
as high as fifty-four buffaloes in one day. He has experienced many
thrilling adventures in this occupation and probably was as familiar with
the Rocky Mountain frontier as any man at that time. After leaving
Texas he went to Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon, hunting, prospecting
and exploring. He decided to get out timbers for the Oregon Short
Line in Idaho and was also occupied for three winters after coming to the
Big Bend country in getting out timber for the government buildings at
Fort Spokane. In 1886 he took a homestead where he now lives and
later added a timber culture claim. His other land has been acquired
by purchase. After the three winters spent in government service,
he has given his entire attention to general farming and to the improvement
of his place. He has a fine farm and has been prospered exceedingly
in his labors. Mr. Mars has also won the respect and esteem of the
people in the community and is one of the influential and prominent men.
He has one brother, Barton S., living near Hesseltine.
In 1901 Mr. Mars married
Miss Laura B., daughter of Thomas B. and Rebecca (Resh) Engle. The
father is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted when a boy and participated
in the march to the sea, with Sherman. The mother is a native of
Pennsylvania and comes from Dutch ancestry. Mrs. Mars was born in
Fuller county, Illinois, and went to Iowa when a child. After studying
in the common schools of Dupage county, Illinois, she took a state normal
school course and is a well educated lady. To this union two children
have been born, Albert Donald, deceased, and Annis Rebecca.