A. M. Witham
April 25, 1908; Oregonian, p 6  (photo)
"Crossed the Plains to Oregon in 1844"
Corvallis, Or., April 24

   Hon. A. M. Witham, ex-State Senator and Oregon pioneer of 1844 and one of the most highly respected citizens of Benton County, died at his pioneer home, one mile and a half west of Corvallis, of heart failure, April 17, at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 29 days.

   He was born in Union County, Indiana, September 18, 1821.  He resided in his native state until 1844, and then, with his sister, wife and two children, started for Oregon.  At St. Joseph, Mo., he joined a large train of 70 wagons, and coming via the Southern route he arrived in the Autumn in Jackson County.  Without delay he then moved on to Benton County and settled on what is known as the S. K. Brown farm.  Later he moved to the McClain place, near Philomath, and in 1849 homesteaded 640 acres about two miles west of Corvallis, to which he had added by purchase until the original homestead comprised 1280 acres.

   In 1861 Mr. Witham was elected to represent Benton in the State Senate.  In 1874 he was elected to the Senate as joint Senator from Polk and Benton. In his public career, as well as in his private life, he was a man of exact justice and uncompromising integrity.  His conduct was exemplary and his whole life one to inspire the confidence and esteem of all who came in contact with it.  He married Drucilla Allen, who died in Corvallis 14 years ago.  He lost one of his children en route to Oregon.  The surviving members of the family are Oliver, Edward, Elvin, Henry and Charles, who all reside in Benton County, Oregon, and two daughters, Mrs. Ollie McIntosh, of Corvallis and Mary E. Bradley, of Portland, Or.  Alfred M. Witham was an old-time member of the Baptist Church and was a faithful supporter and attendant of that church.  He squared his life with the rule of honor and leaves the legacy of an untainted name to his children and his fourteen grandchildren who survive him.  He was prominent in the patriarch ranks of pioneers who founded and builded Oregon.
 
 
 
April 18, 1908; Oregonian, p 4
"A. M. Witham, Pioneer and Ex-state Senator"
Corvallis, Or., April 17

   A. M. Witham, Oregon pioneer of 1847, ex-State Senator from Benton and Polk Counties, and a highly esteemed citizen, died at his home near Corvallis at 8 o'clock this morning.  He was born in Indiana in September, 1822, and crossed the plains via the Southern route, arriving in Benton County by way of Jackson, in the Autumn of 1847.  Here he resided until his death, a period of more than 60 years.

   He was elected to the State Legislature as Representative from Benton in 1861,  was returned to the State Senate from Benton in 1866, and elected joint Senator for Benton and Polk in 1874, serving all these terms with great credit to his constituency.  An estate of 1280 acres of land near Corvallis is among his possessions.  His wife died several years ago.  Surviving children are Ed, Oliver, Henry, Elvin and Charles, all sons, and two daughters, Mrs. McIntosh, of Corvallis, and Mrs. Collins, of Portland.

   Mr. Witham drove to town in his buggy yesterday forenoon.  He returned home, was taken ill at 4 in the afternoon, and passed away at 8 this morning.