NEWSOM, DAVID, was born Dec. 28, 1805, in Greenbrier county, Va. He was the youngest of twelve children, of William and Margaret Newsom, whose maiden name was Spicer. The father was of English and the mother of German parentage, but both born in Virginia. William Newsom died when his son David was seven years old. In his fourteenth year David was thrown upon his own resources, with four dollars in money, some clothes and a limited amount of education. He learned the tanner's trade in Gallipolis, Ohio, but never liked the business. He taught school two years in Meigs county, Ohio, and applied the proceeds in improving his own mind. He returned to Virginia, and was married July 12, 1827, in Monroe county, to Polly Houston. They had one child in Virginia, and in company with his father-in-law moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving Nov. 14, 1828. Mr. Newsom at one time owned and lived on what is now part of Oak Ridge Cemetery, but sold it at a large profit. He then entered land and made a farm near Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Newsom had nine children in Sangamon county, Ill., and in April, 1851, started overland for Oregon. One son was born on the road, and after a journey of six months arrived, Oct., 1851, at the Old Methodist Mission, founded in 1834, about ten miles northwest of the present city of Salem, Oregon. There he received a donation of 325 acres of land, upon which they made a farm, and where one child was born. Three of their children died young. Of the others--

JOHN W., born April 30, 1828, in Monroe county, Va., brought up in Sangamon county, Ill., was married Dec. 21, 1865, in Oregon, to Olive Greenwood. They have two living children, MINNIE M. and ROY, and live near Salem, Oregon.

ROBERT L., born Jan. 22, 1832, in Sangamon county, Illinois, was married in 1856, in Hardinsburg, Ky., to Annie Lightfoot. They have five living children, WILLIAM WAVERLY, ALFRED LANDER, PERCY LEE, LUELLA and IRENE. R. L. Newsom is a druggist, and lives in Cloverport, Kentucky.

SAMUEL J., born March 13, 1834, in Sangamon county, is a stock raiser. He is unmarried, and lives near Prineville, Wasco county, Oregon.

VIRGIL U., born Aug. 29, 1836, in Sangamon county, Illinois, is a stock raiser. He is unmarried, and lives near Salem, Oregon.

MARGARET J., born in Sangamon county, Ill., was married in Oregon, May 7, 1854, to Elisha Veazey, and died March 24, 1861, leaving four children, all died young but JAMES M., who lives with his father, near Gervais, Marion county, Oregon.

MARY E., born April 2, 1841, in Sangamon county, Ill., was married Dec. 23, 1857, in Oregon, to John W. Greenwood. They have four children, ALICE A., FANNIE, JOHN L. and WINNIE, and live near Salem, Marion county, Oregon.

ANN M., born Sept. 25, 1844, in Sangamon county, was married, Dec. 31, 1863, to J. P. Munkers, near Salem, Oregon. They have three living children, FRANK, LENA and IVY, and live near Heppner, Umatilla county, Oregon.

GEORGE H., born July 9, 1851, at Independence Rock, on the Sweetwater river, on the wagon road to Oregon. He was married Sept. 5, 1875, in Oregon, to Lauretta Williams. They are without family, and live at the homestead, ten miles northeast of Salem, Oregon.

HARVEY M., born April 18, 1854, in Marion county, Oregon, died there May 24, 1875.

David Newsom and wife are living in Marion county, Oregon, on the farm where they settled, Oct. 29, 1851. Mr. Newsom was always fond of literature, and is extensively known in western Oregon as an able writer on general topics. He was appointed by President Lincoln, Statistician for the Williamette valley, and served with honor until 1870, when he resigned in consequence of advancing years. He is engaged in farming and fruit growing. His address is Salem, Marion county, Ohio.