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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.


     JOHN W. SAWYER landed in Seattle from San Francisco and Portland in 1878 with only five dollars in his possession.  He has now a clear title to 2,000 acres of choice agricultural land in Lincoln county, Washington, and 3,400 acres in Morrow county, Oregon.  His home is nine miles southeast of Davenport.  He has the very best of modern improvements, both in his house and out-of-doors.  His barn, granary, et cetera, are large and conveniently appointed, he has a windmill, which places water in his house, and a cistern that supplies his stock with water.  He has two farms near each other, and both are equally well improved.
     Born June 12, 1856, John W. Sawyer is a native of Wyoming county, Pennsylvania.  His father, who is now deceased, was John, and his mother Amy (Leipham) Sawyer, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the son of an English father; and the latter of Germany.  The mother now lives at Manchester, New Hampshire, and is seventy-seven years of age.
     John W. Sawyer grew to manhood on a farm, and in the spring of 1878 went to San Francisco.  From that city he went to Portland, Oregon, then to Puget Sound, where he followed lumbering.
     On September 16, 1879, he was married at Oak Harbor, Washington, to Julia Dixon, a native of Puget Sound.  She was the daughter of Thomas and Jane Dixon.
     During the autumn of 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer came to Spokane, where Mr. Sawyer followed bridge construction work in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company for a space and later bought a tract of railroad land south of Medical Lake.  Here he lived only a short time when he sold out, and came to Lincoln county in 1883.  He soon afterward located a homestead where he still lives.  He had many hardships and inconveniences to endure, and a hard struggle to earn money with which to make the necessary improvements on his land, but he was ever a hard-working and industrious man and now takes just pride in the success that has been attained by his efforts.
     In fraternity circles Mr. Sawyer is identified with the Royal Arch Chapter, the W. W., the Knights of Pythias and the A. O. U. W. societies.
     Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have reared a promising family of seven children.  Frederick J., the oldest, is married to Lottie Long, and lives near Moscow, Washington.  The next in age is Amy E., the wife of Fred Morse, also of the vicinity of Moscow.  The five remaining at home are, William, Effie M., Calvin, Clarence and Ernest L.
 

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