Pvt. California Newton Drew, (USA)

Civil War veteran, Company K, 6th Maine Infantry

CALIFORNIA N. DREW, PVT. CO. K. 6TH. ME. INFANTRY

http://genealogytrails.com/ore/tillamook/biography/biography_1.html

Drew, Calif

CALIF NEWTON DREW. A hero of the Civil war, and one of the respected residents of the city of Tillamook, Calif Newton Drew, who is now living retired from active pursuits, was one of the organizers of this, his adopted town, and has been active in promoting its industrial growth and prosperity. His experiences have been varied and interesting, and he has ever kept his eyes open to what is going on around him in the world, availing himself of all possible sources of information. A genuine Yankee, possessing the New England habits of thrift and industry, he has been quite successful in his undertakings. A son of George Drew, he was born December 25, 1845. Washington County, Me. His grandfather, Pelgrim Drew, born either in Rhode Island or New Jersey, served in the Revolutionary war, and the officer's sword that he wore while in the army now belongs to one of his descendants. He was a farmer, and a kinsman of Daniel Drew.

   A native of Rhode Island, George Drew learned the trade of a machinist in Boston, Mass., and afterwards lived in Maine, first in Machias, and at a later period in Whitneyville, where he was foreman in a round house. Retiring from the railway service, he turned his attention to farming, and died at an advanced age in Northfield, Me. He married Sarah Jane Linley, who was born in England, and died in Whitneyville, Me. Her father, John Lingley, a native born English man, was chief gardener for King George III at the time of the Revolutionary war, and when this king left the throne he gave to his head gardener one thousand acres of land lying on the St. Johns river, in New Brunswick. Removing with his family to New Brunswick, Mr. Lingley resided there until his death at the age of ninety-seven years.

   The oldest son, and second child, of the parental household, which consisted of five children, C. N. Drew obtained his early education in the common schools, and subsequently attended the East Machias and the East Washington academies. Abandoning his studies at the age of fifteen and one half years, he enlisted in Company K, Sixth Maine Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of the Third Brigade of the First Division of the Sixth Army Corps. With his regiment he participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, serving under Generals McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, Mead and Grant. He had a hard time while in the army. He was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, at the engagement at Williamsburg he received a buckshot wound in the right arm, and at Cold Harbor lost two of the fingers of the right hand and the use of the entire left arm. For a time Mr. Drew was general orderly for General Hancock, and did scouting duty, holding a major's commission. Resigning that position, he returned to the ranks, and served as a private until discharged, September 27, 1864, on account of physical disability.

   Being unable to perform manual labor when he first returned from the war, Mr. Drew attended school in Portland, Me., two years, and then went to Northfield, Me., where he assisted his father in the lumber business. In 1871, on account of ill health, he went to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in logging for a time, being mill inspector on the west branch of the Susquehanna River. Seeking the salubrious climate of the coast, he migrated in 1872 to San Francisco, Cal., where he worked in a box factory for a year. The following three years he spent in Gualala, Cal., and then, in 1876, settled at Point Arena, Mendocino County, Cal., where he was successfully engaged in the saddler business for nine years. In 1885 Mr. Drew came to Oregon, locating in Tillamook County. Buying one hundred and seventy acres of land lying about one and three-fourths miles west of the city of Tillamook, he lived there as a farmer for three years. He also took up a preemption claim, and in 1890 removed into the city, where he has since lived retired. When he first came here the residents were conservative, not caring to encourage immigration, and Mr. Drew was practically a pioneer of the place and the forerunner of a substantial tide of emigration. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and has ever been interested in public matters. He was one of the first boards of school directors of the city of Tillamook, and assisted in the distribution of the school tax, and has also served seven years as city recorder, being elected six years consecutively, and for many years was chief of the fire department.

   At Point Arena, Cal., November 29, 1883, Mr. Drew married May Jones, who was born in Trinity County, Cal., a daughter of David Jones, who was a sea faring man in his early life, serving as first mate of a vessel. Mr. Jones was born in Peekskill, N. Y., and is now living in California, whither he emigrated in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Drew have three children, namely: Wilber Howard, Frankie Malinda and Lelia Helen. Mr. Drew is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon Containing Original Sketches of many well known Citizens of the Past and Present Chapman Publishing Company; Chicago - 1904 Transcribed by Alona Planca