History of Santa Barbara County, 1927
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O. P. Squier was a descendant of one of the early pioneers of Ohio, who emigrated to that country when it was wild and unsettled. He was born in Sandusky County in 1838, and is one of a family of eight children, only four of whom are living. His father was a merchant at Taylorville, Illinois, where he moved in 1844, and where the subject of this sketch received his education.
As soon as he heard of the firing on Fort Sumter in 1861, he was thrilled with patriotism and enlisted April 19th in the Illinois State Militia, and, under the next call of the President for more troops, was transferred to Company H, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, Colonel John M. Palmer in command, and Andrew Simpson as Captain of the company. Mr. Squier went out as Second Lieutenant, and for gallant and meritorious service at Shiloh was promoted to Captain of Company H, Captain Simpson having been wounded. In 1861 the regiment was in the campaign of the Missouri, under General Fremont, and in 1862 joined the forces under General Grant, and were at Forts Donelson and Henry, Shiloh, Corinth, Metamora, the siege of Vicksburg and many skirmishes. He was wounded at Jackson, Mississippi, by a cannon ball, July 6, 1863, and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in August, 1864. He returned home and served as enrolling officer, not being able to attend to more active duty.
Mr. Squier learned the trade of carpenter and builder at Taylorsville, Illinois, where he served two terms in the city government, and worked at his trade until 1875. In that year he came to California, coming direct to Santa Barbara. He began work at once and superintended the construction of many of the best residences in the upper part of the city. He bought block 234 on the west side of the city in 1884, and erected his present residence in 1886. In 1888 he was elected city Councilman from the second ward.
Mr. Squier was married at Taylorville, Illinois, January 17, 1865, to Miss Priscilla Keller, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children, all living in Santa Barbara. Mr. Squier is a member of the Masonic order and at Taylorville held the responsible position of Master and High Priest for a number of years; and was Master of the Santa Barbara Lodge No. 192 F. & A. M. for two years. He is also a Knight Templar.
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