A First Generation Oregonian, Samuel Oliver Burkhart was one of thirteen children born to Coriolanus Domarus "Crill" Burkhart and Caroline Lavinia (Goff) Burkhart who had come married on the 4th of July, 1850. Crill had come to Oregon in 1846 with a brother to determine whether it would be in his family's best interests to move, one last time, further West. Crill had returned with such glowing reports that his parents, brothers and sisters (except for Calvin Peter, who came in 1851) settled their affairs and came to the Oregon Territory, arriving Oct 16, 1847 at the future town of Albany in Linn County.
"Sam" was born on the family's donation land claim near Harrisburg, Linn County, Oregon, on May 22, 1878. He attended school and grew up with his parents and many siblings around him. Following school, he first married Nellie Maud Munkers (b.Mar 10, 1882 in Linn Co.), but they divorced in 1906. He then met Florence May {Mae} Voigt, also a native of Oregon, born in Portland, Oregon on Jun 9, 1886. The couple married on Oct 12, 1908 in Marion County and moved to the Salem area. Sam was a Carpenter and, by 1920, Florence was employed as a Clerk at the State Capitol building. They rented a home in Salem. By 1930, they had purchased a home of their own valued at $4,000. They also had a radio set. Sam was a Deputy Sheriff for Marion County, Oregon and Florence was now a clerk for the Secretary of State at the Capitol Building in Salem. Four years later, Sam died a week before Christmas, on Dec 17, 1934, at the age of 56 yrs. His remains were transported to Albany where he was interred at Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Linn Co., Oregon near his parents and eight of his siblings. Florence married again on September 2nd, 1943 in Tillamook County, Oregon to Cleveland Marion Fowler (1886-1961). Florence died in 1961. There were no children.
**All of the information regarding Samuel's marriages, spouses and dates has been provided by descendant Peter Kaminski. Florence May {Mae} [Voigt] Burkhart Fowler was his second great aunt. THANK YOU so very much, Pete, for this great information!!** {added May 25, 2017}.

Samuel's father and my maternal great, great grandfather, Leander Columbus Burkhart, were brothers.
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