Sweetland, Monroe, 1910-2006
Biography
Monroe Mark Sweetland was born in Salem, Oregon, in 1910. His family moved to Michigan in about 1915, and he spent the bulk of his childhood. He began his involvement with the Democratic Party when he was just 10 years old by clandestinely organizing a party meeting. He entered Wittenberg University in Ohio at age 16, then attended Cornell University and Syracuse Law School in New York. He met Lillie Megrath while attending Syracuse Law School and they were married in 1933. He returned to Oregon in 1935 and subsequently worked with the Commonwealth Federation, promoted progressive politics, and was instrumental in the rise of the Democratic Party to political power in the state. He also owned several newspapers in Oregon, including the Molalla Pioneer, the Newport News, and the Milwaukie Review. He represented Clackamas County in the Oregon House of Representatives 1953, and served in the Oregon Senate from 1955 to 1962. After leaving the Legislature, he moved to California and lobbied for the National Educaton Association. After retiring from politics, he began a business selling dried floral arrangements, called Western Wilderness Products. He returned to Oregon after his wife, Lillie, died in 1985, and he ran unsuccessfully for the Oregon Senate again in 1994. He died in 2006.
Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:
Oral history interview with Vern Cook
Oral history interview with Robert Vernon "Vern" Cook conducted by Clark Hansen from December 15, 1994- October 15, 1995, as part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series. Cook was an Oregon state representative and senator.
Oral history interview with Monroe and Lil Sweetland
Oral history interview with spouses Monroe Sweetland and Lil Sweetland conducted by Barbara Sweetland on August 17, 1976. Monroe Sweetland was an Oregon state representative and senator.
Oral history interview with Monroe Sweetland
Oral history interview with Monroe Sweetland conducted by an unidentified woman on March 11, 2000. Sweetland was an Oregon state representative and senator. In this interview, he speaks about his family and their life in the Island Station neighborhood of Milwaukie, Oregon.
Oral history interview with Monroe Sweetland
Oral history interview with Monroe Sweetland conducted by John Moltman on August 18, 2003. Sweetland was an Oregon state representative and senator.
Oral history interview with Monroe Sweetland
Oral history interview with Monroe Sweetland conducted by Rick Harmon from November 16, 1984, to October 26, 1987, as part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series. Sweetland was an Oregon state representative and senator.
Oral history interview with Monroe Sweetland
Oral history interview with Monroe Sweetland conducted by Andrew Bryans on March 16, 2002, as part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series. Sweetland was an Oregon state representative and senator.