HON. SAMUEL CASE. – Prominent among the men who have made Oregon famous as a rendezvous for enterprise, talent and industry, may be mentioned the gentleman whose name is the title of this brief biography. Mr. Case was born in Lubec, Washington county, Maine, May 31, 1831. He acquired his education at East Maine Conference College, of Bucksport.
In 1853 he took the fever to come West, and started for California, coming by way of Nicaragua route. After his arrival he followed teaching and mining for four years, when he returned to his Eastern home on a visit, from whence he returned to the Golden State in 1858.
In 1861, the regular troops having been called East on account of the Rebellion, the Pacific states had to organize volunteer forces for their protection against Indian depredations; and, thinking of the welfare of his fellow men, he abandoned his own interests and enlisted in Company D, Fourth Infantry, California Volunteers, and was ready to proceed at once to the call of duty. The company to which he belonged, and of which he was orderly sergeant, was ordered to Oregon, where he followed its wanderings until November, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge. For four years thereafter he was employed as superintendent of farming on the Alsea Indian Reservation.
In 1866 he removed to Yaquina Bay, and located the claim upon which the town of Newport now stands. In this place he owns, besides the elegant Tourists’ Hotel, other large interests. Mr. Case was one of three peace commissioners appointed by the general government to treat with the hostile Modoc Indians in 1873; but, fearing to trust the Indians as proposed by the authorities, he resigned. His judgement in the premises was sound; for the treacherous Modocs afterwards attacked, under flag of truce, the commissioners as re-organized, killing one and wounding another, and also murdering General Canby.
Mr. Case is happily married; and his home is surrounded with all the modern comforts of life.