Nathan Koontz Sitton
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Nathan Koontz "Doc" Sitton and his second wife Mary Shelley Laughlin and some of their children:
Back row: Jennie Grace, Leslie Laughlin
Front row: Sena Shelley, Minnie Gertrude, Effie R. Laughlin
Nathan Koontz "Doc" Sitton September 2, 1826 - July 10, 1902
married (first) on April 22, 1847, Priscilla Ann Rogers December 29, 1829 - June 22, 1869
[Note: Priscilla's brother owned the farm that Linfield College was built on, and had a lot to do with it]
their children:
Charles Edward July 6, 1848 - April 19, 1890
Amanda Ellen July 23, 1850 - September 5, 1850
Caroline Eglentine October 21, 1851 - December 5, 1914
Ora Ann October 23, 1854 - April 4, 1881
Ella Wright February 16, 1858 - March 9, 1858
Hiram Wilbur August 11, 1859 - May 18, 1927
Noah Huber April 29, 1862 - February 9, 1941
Fred Dudley February 23, 1865 - August 4, 1915
Elbridge Duval September 23, 1867 - October 28, 1951
married (second) on January 31, 1871, Mary Melvina Shelley December 8, 1839 - July 1, 1904
[who married (first) Mr. Laughlin and had a boy and a girl: Leslie and Effie R.]
Nathan and Mary had the following children:
Frank Ward February 24, 1872 - September 10, 1959
Pratt Koontz February 7, 1875 - September 28, 1951
Minnie Gertrude June 26, 1877 - April 26, 1931
Jennie Grace February 20, 1882 - February 17, 1968
Sena Shelley April 7, 1884 - January 6, 1959
(Newspaper Obituary of Nathan K. Sitton)
AN HONORED PIONEER.
The Death of N. K. Sitton Occurred last Saturday - - A Large Funeral.
When one sits himself down to write of the life of a man like N. K. Sitton a feeling of unfitness comes over him from which there is no escape. Perhaps no other man lived in Oregon, surely not in Yamhill county, who had so many friends or was a friend to so many people as Uncle Doc. Sitton. In his youth he made the dangerous and strenuous journey to the Willamette valley from his native state, arriving in Oregon City on October 15, 1843.
Here he was taken into the family of a Mr. Gertman, where his temporary necessities were provided for and kindnesses were bestowed which he never forgot. For a year he worked in various places and in several capacities; now helping a newly married couple in erecting their first cabin; now building a sawmill; now going on trips for Dr. McLoughlin or others, turning his hand to whatever he could do to assist the scattered and lonely pioneers to make a home in the then far away west.
In the fall of 1844 he came to Yamhill county and "bached" with Charles Fendall on the latter's claim. Later Fendall, desiring to return to the states sold his claim to Sitton, who traded it for the donation land claim where he lived so many years.
Nathan Koontz Sitton was born September 2, 1825, and died July 10, 1902, having been a patient sufferer for a long time from partial paralysis. His birthplace was Fulton, Callaway county, Missouri. April 22, 1847, he married Miss Priscilla Rogers, a pioneer of 1846, and a sister of the late Wm. Rogers. This young bride and groom went to their home on horseback, taking their meager supply of household goods and utensils with them. To this union nine children were born, five of whom are living. They are Mrs. Caroline E. Rogers, H. W., N. H., F. D and E. D. Sitton. The loving wife and mother died June 22, 1869, and on January 31, 1871, Mr. Sitton married Mrs. Mary Laughlin, who had two children by her first husband, Leslie G. and Effie R., now Mrs. A. Braly. To this latter union there have been five children, viz: F. Ward, Pratt K., Minnie G., Jennie G. and Sena S.
In 1848 Mr. Sitton, like a good many others, went to California to test the truth of the reports that came from the discovery of gold there. He was very successful during his short stay, and returned about the holiday season with $1,200.
Mr. Sitton was not a member of any church, but was a believer in the Bible and Christianity, and his intimate friends have his testimony that he had a saving faith in the blessed Redeemer.
He was long a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics was a democrat, but never sought or held a political office.
The funeral was held at 1 p. m. on Saturday, at his late home northwest of this city, under the auspices of the Masonic order. The Rev. Josegh Hoberg made a short address, and the Rev. A. J. Hunsaker read the obituary. The interment was in the McBride cemetery. In all probability this was the largest funeral ever witnessed in Yamhill county, and this fact attests that he was held in the highest esteem, not only by the friends of pioneer times but by all those who coming after have had the pleasure of acquaintance with him. A good man has gone to his rest.
