"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a
compilation of this work....by a number of writers".  Chapman Publishing Co;
Chicago, 1903. p. 442.
 
THOMAS R. FIELDS

     Although so long a time has elapsed since the death of Thomas R. Fields,
October 25, 1892, the cheery old river captain is recalled by those who chance
to pass his way as the embodiment of western energy and resourcefulness. No name
was better known in Clackamas county than his; no heart responded more readily
to the need of a friend, or to general benevolent demands. His optimistic,
generous and humane life was worthy of emulation, and was watched through its
progress by hosts of friends and well wishers.
     Captain Fields was born in Mason City, Ky., and was a son of Ambrose
Fields, who was also born in Kentucky, and who was a cooper by trade, an
occupation to which he devoted his entire active life. The latter emigrated to
Oregon with his family in 1852, and took up a donation claim of six hundred and
forty acres near Oregon City, upon which he died at the age of eighty-one years.
His son, Thomas, was educated in the public schools of Kentucky and Oregon, and
while quite young engaged as a cabin-boy on the old Hosier, a boat on the
Yamhill river. On his seasoned old river craft he worked his way up to the
position of captain, and during his twelve or fifteen years on the river was
captain of various other craft. As a navigator he was safe and sure, understood
every curve in river and every shoal, and exerted a fine command over the many
men who worked under him. After abandoning the river life he engaged in the
grocery business in Oregon City, and the fact that he was so well known among
all classes of people materially contributed to his success in this undertaking.
He became active in politics, and was keenly alert to all municipal affairs,
himself promoting the cause of education and good city government. Politically a
Democrat, he was liberal and broad-minded, and thought more of the man than of
the party which he represented.
     At Canemah, Ore., in 1867, Captain Fields was united in marriage with Clara
Strickler, who was born in Clariontown, Clarion county, Pa., July 18, 1843, a
daughter of George Strickler, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and who was a
contractor and builder by occupation. Mr. Strickler came across the plains to
Oregon in 1852, settling with his family in Portland, where he engaged in the
hotel business, and conducted a similar occupation after removing to Dayton,
Yamhill county. For twenty years he was the genial proprietor of the Dayton
hotel, and during that time was one of the most familiar figures in the
community, as well as one of the most prominent and influential. In 1865 he
transferred his interests to Canemah, Ore., where he engaged in the same
business, and where he died in 1898, at the age of seventy-three years. He
married Eliza N. Jacobs, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and who bore him
several children, three of whom attained maturity, and two of whom are living:
Maggie is now Mrs. E. S. Elliott, her husband being an engineer on the Southern
Pacific railroad. Mrs. Fields was educated in Dayton, Yamhill county, Ore., and
lived there up to the time of her marriage in 1867.

Transcriber's additional notes:
 
"History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea"
Author:  Fred Lockley
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.; 1928; Vol. 1, Page 163
 
     With steadily increasing business on the upper Willamette, nearly every
year witnessed the launching of one or more steamers, although nearly all of
them were small craft and either poorly constructed or poorly equipped. In 1859,
the Yamhill Steamboat Company, composed of J. D. Miller, E. B. Fellows, George
LaRoeque, Albert Epperly, John B. Piettete and Thomas R. Fields, purchased the
little steamer St. Claire which Green Davidson and John Davis had built at Rays
Landing. The St. Claire never amounted to much as a carrier, but won lasting
fame as the only steamboat that was successfully sent over the falls at Oregon
City. This feat was accomplished in 1861, with Capt. George W. Taylor in
command.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.