History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 66

Author: David D. Fagan
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

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BENTON COUNTY.

CORVALLIS WATER WORKS .- The original water works in the city of Corvallis consisted of a large tank capable of containing fifteen thousand gallons placed on a tower fifty-five feet in height, the fluid being raised by steam and thereafter distributed through piping. In the spring of 1885, however, the Corvallis Water Company was organized with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars, the officers being Dr. George Farra, President; W. B. Chase, Secretary; O. R. Additon, Treasurer; William Pitman, Superintendent. This company prosecuted its work vigorously during the spring and summer, and now have a large amount of pipe down and the most improved pumping machinery, the entire plant being of the best kind. The reservoir which is located at Pitman's mill has a capacity of fifteen thousand gallons of water, the supply from which is ample for domestic and fire purposes and gives ample satisfaction.

KNIGHT'S FURNITURE FACTORY-Was started by J. A. Knight, the present pro- prietor, in the year 1860, in an old building which occupied the ground on which the factory now stands. It was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1870, and the present struc- ture erected, in which every assortment of furniture is manufactured, and connected with which is an undertaking establishment.

CORVALLIS BREWERY .- This establishment was built by the present proprietor, John Riley, in the spring of 1882, and is located on First street, on the bank of the Willamette river. The building is seventy feet in length and twenty eight in breadth, while the capacity of the brewery is one thousand five hundred barrels of beer per annum.

CIGAR FACTORY No. 43 .- This factory was started in 1884, by D. C. Rose, and manufactures cigars, in which there is employment for two men.

FRIENDLY'S SAW MILL .- This is an extensive establishment worked by steam located at the northern extremity of Second street in the city of Corvallis. It is the property of Max Friendly and turns out in the course of a year a large quantity of the finest lumber which is stored in a capacious yard on the opposite side of the thorough- fare, for which he finds a good market in the surrounding country.

BANKING HOUSE.

HAMILTON, JOB & Co .- This bank was first started in the month of February, 1878, under the firm name of W. B. Hamilton & Co., at the corner of Second and - street in the city of Corvallis and there conducted its business until the new and handsome building was occupied in 1880. This structure, which is located on Second street, the principal business thoroughfare of the town, has a frontage of twenty feet and a depth of eighty feet, and contains a splendid vault, six feet wide, nine feet long, and eight feet high, floored with chilled steel plates three-fourths of an inch in thick- ness, lined with iron plates of great strength, and protected without by brick walls one foot four inches in thickness, which is carried upwards forming two upper stories for the safe keeping of documents, the three rooms being each supplied with massive iron doors of the latest mechanism, manufactured by the Hall Safe and Lock Company. Within the vault of the bank is a large iron safe, from the works of Diebold, Norris & Co., of Canton, Ohio, in which there is a time lock and all the other latest con-

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trivances for security. In 1881, Zephin Job, was admitted a partner, who, with Wil- liam B. Hamilton, the founder of this, the first banking house in Benton county, form the firm of Hamilton, Job & Co.

WAREHOUSES.

WAREHOUSES OF T. J. BLAIR .- The first of these warehouses was built in the year 1863-64 by William and James Hamilton. The main building is sixty feet in length, and thirty in width, with an eighteen foot wall, a cellar, or sacking room, and a capacity of thirty thousand bushels in bulk. The smaller building is also sixty feet long, twenty-four feet broad, sixteen feet high, and a capacity of fifteen thousand sacks. The third is separated from these by about two hundred feet, and was built by Messrs. Avery and Davis in 1868. Its dimensions are twenty-two by seventy feet, and twenty feet in height, planked and cribbed, and has a capacity of thirty thousand bushels of grain in bulk. In addition, there is a sacking room with storage room for ten thousand sacks. These warehouses are situated on the bank of the Willamette river and possess every facility for shipment by steamer, the present proprietor being agent for a line of boats plying on the Willamette.

SAMUELS' WAREHOUSE .- This building is located at the depot of the Oregon and California Railroad, in the city of Corvallis, and is one of the most complete structures of the kind in the State. It was built in the year 1883; is two stories in height, and is seventy by forty feet in dimensions, with a storage capacity of about sixty thousand bushels of grain.

LIST OF MAYORS OF CORVALLIS.

1857

J. B. Congle

1858

J. B. Congle

1859

J. B. Congle

1860

J. B. Congle

1861

Abraham Sprenger

1862

E. Holgate

1863

B. F. Robinson

1844

B. R. Biddle

1865

Benj. Pilbean

1866

Benj. Pilbean

1867

J. F. Hamilton

1868

M. Jacobs

1869-70

No Record

1871

F. A. Chenoweth

1872.

Dr. J. B. Lee

1873

No Record

1874

N. R. Barber

1875

J. R. Bayley

1876

Dr. H. Vincent

1877

J. M. Osburn

1878

Wallis Baldwin

1879

M. Jacobs

1880

D. Carlisle

1881

J. R. Bryson

1882

F. A. Chenoweth

1883

T. E. Cauthorn

1884

M. Jacobs

1885

J. M. Osburn

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CHAPTER XLVIII.

WILLAMETTE, MONROE AND PHILOMATH PRECINCTS.

WILLAMETTE PRECINCT extends from the Willamette river on the east to the summit of the Coast Range on the west, a distance of twelve miles, and is, from north to south, six miles in width. At its southeastern corner the Long Tom now flows through into the Willamette. Muddy creek passes a little east of the central portion and joins Mary's river a little north of the precinct, while Beaver creek rises in the Coast Mountains and proceeding on an easterly course falls into Muddy creek. The margin of the Willamette is well marked out with a belt of cottonwood,, fir, ash and maple, there being also a narrow strip of timber, composed principally of ash and a thick undergrowth of hazel brush. Along Muddy and Beaver creeks, between the first named and the Willamette, is a level plain of prairie land, a small portion of which is yet in virgin state, but the greater part is dry and rich, and here are located some of the choicest farms in the country, devoted almost entirely to the cultivation of wheat. Time was when the wet lands were considered to be fit only for grazing purposes, but recently it has been practically demonstrated that they will produce black oats with remarkable profusion, and with a good system of drainage may be made suitable for wheat.

From the point where beaver creek emerges from the hills to its mouth there are a series of beaver dams, some of which have been cleared of their primeval undergrowth by Messrs. J. M. Currier and Peter Record, and have turned out marvel- ously prolific in their yield ef wheat, thus proving the sound judgment and intelli- gence of these gentlemen. Save along the banks of the Beaver, the lands to the west of Muddy creek consist chiefly of rolling prairie intersperced with timber. As a fact the greater portion of these foot-hills are what is known as red lands, remarkably well adapted to the production of "fall" wheat and oats, while all manner of fruit do well with the exception of peaches, and even these appear to thrive better in this than in any other locality in the county. In many places are large groves of fir timber, the growth of the past two or three decades, many of the trees of which make good rails. When it is deemed desirable to clear the soil just mentioned the trees and brush are usually slashed in winrows during the winter and spring, and in the fall is burned, after which grass seed being sowed among the ashes, it springs up readily and by the following spring yields abundant pasture. In a few years the stumps decay, leaving the ground ready for the plow. This method of inducing pasturage has been found lese costly than the usual mode of seeding the prairie lands.

To the west of the foot-hills is the Coast Range, whose commanding heights and deep canyons are clad with timber awaiting the penetrating axe of the woodman. There are several saw-mills in the precinct. That known as the Newhouse Mill is

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located at the head of Beaver creek in a grove of remarkably fine timber and is the property of Mr. Gleeson ; the establishment that stands on the site of the old Foster has been repaired by William P. Irwin, within the last two years; while such are the facilities of these works for producing cheap lumber that, although twelve or fourteen miles distant, a good market for it is found at Corvallis.

The main artery of communication to the south-the county road-passes through the precinct, while there is another road along the foot-hills, with a branch up Beaver creek, which, with several cross thoroughfares furnishes ample traveling accommoda- tion for its residents. There are four school houses, all in a flourishing condition, which are kept open during a great part of the year, and are respectively located as follows : Winkle's school house immediately south of the butte of that name; the Auxiliary to the west of Muddy creek, near the residence of Arch Johnson ; Beaver Creek, and one opposite the village of Peoria, in Linn county.

The Presbyterians have a neat church edifice known as the Oak Ridge church, on the foot-hill near the residence of A. B. More, while the Willamette Grange has a fine building and a prosperous organization near Muddy Creek, adjoining the lands of Robert Buchanan.

Residents are entirely dependent upon either Corvallis or Philomath for mail facil- ities ; and, lastly, it may be stated that there are still opportunities for taking up land in this precinct near the foot of the Coast Range, some of which is tolerably open and other portions covered with brushwood, but which, when cleared, make good farms. The price of land varies from ten to forty dollars per acre.

The first settlers in Willamette precinct we have come to the conclusion were the Foster family, who arrived in what is now Benton county in the fall of 1845, when Andrew Foster took up his donation claim, his son, John Foster locating his, that on which he now resides, in the spring of 1846. The next permanent settler in the precinct was, apparently, S. K. Brown, who took up the donation claim now owned by McCauley Porter in or about November, 1847. There came too in 1847 Robert D. O. Grimsly. In the fall of 1848, Mr. Winkle, father to Wiley Winkle, settled on the place now occupied by that gentleman ; while, in the same year William Porter, took up a claim near that of Mr. Foster. It is believed that in the last mentioned year. the tract of land now owned by George Houck was in the possession of David Williams, who sold it to a Mr. Flannery in the spring of 1853, and it subsequently passing into the hands of a Mr. Henderson, he in turn disposed of it to the present owner. In 1850, Jacob M. Currier took up the donation claim on which he at present resides. This gentleman arrived within the confines of the now Benton county late in the year 1846, but having moved about until the spring of 1849, he then proceeded to the Cali- fornia gold mines, and on his return in the following year became a permanent settler in the precinct now under consideration. In 1851, Richard Irwin, located in what is now known as Willamette precinct, on the estate on which he resides, he having been previously engaged in mercantile business both in Portland and Marysville (Corvallis). This gentleman was instrumental in having a post-office located, at a point where he had established a trading post and which he named Jennyopolis. In 1852 Louis Dennis located on a portion of the land now occupied by Mr. Porter, while, about the same time came Jesse Day, John Harrison and the Buchanan Brothers.

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To the Willamette precinct is the honor of having had the first flouring mill in Benton county, or indeed south of the Ricreal (La Creole) river. True it was but a primitive affair and stood on Beaver creek on a site near the residence of J. M. Cur- rier. It was known as the Hubbard mill and was erected prior to the year 1850.

Gleason's saw-mill, already mentioned is located some six or seven miles from the mouth of Beaver creek, and is run by steam, with a capacity of from eight to ten thousand feet of lumber per day ; while, two miles farther down the creek is the Irwin mill, operated by water power.

MONROE PRECINCT is situated in the southeast portion of Benton county and extends from north to south eight miles, and from the Willamette river on the east, west to the summit of the Coast Range, a distance of about eleven miles. Its actual boundaries are on the north by Willamette precinct, on the south by the county line, on the east by the Willamette river, and on the west by Alsea precinct.

Nearly parallel with the Willamette, into which it ultimately empties itself, the Long Tom flows for about three miles from south to north ; while, the South Fork of Muddy creek, which rises in the Coast Range, in the southwest corner of the precinct, after having a northeasterly course for three or four miles, is then joined by the North Fork, coming in from the northeast. From this point the parent stream glides through an open level plain, skirted by a narrow belt of ash and maple timber, and a thick undergrowth of the hazel and vine-maple. This stream, from the place where it leaves the mountains to its mouth is sluggish in its flow which is interrupted by several beaver dams, the land formed from which is the most prolific in the country.

That portion of the precinct between the Long Tom and the Willamette is a level plain with prairie and pine openings interspersed, the soil being a rich sandy loam, warm and dry, and nearly every inch of which is available for cultivation. Here have always been the best wheat fields in the county. Extending through this tract is a chain of narrow lakes supplied by springs, which are of much benefit for watering stock, etc.

The southern portion of that part of the precinct lying between the Long Tom and Muddy creek comprises a series of low oak-covered hills with pleasant vales between. Towards the north these eminences gradually slope off to the level of the plane that marks what is euphoneously termed the Muddy country. The land here does not contain sand like that to the east of Long Tom river, neither is it so dry, not- withstanding which, however, it is very productive, holding moisture well and consist- ing of a deep black loam, underneath which a substratum of clay. Along the two forks of the Muddy the land widens into beaver dams, from which rise low hills, more or less covered with oaks, that extend with an upward grade into the fir-clad mountains of the Coast Range where excellent timber exists in almost inexhaustible quantities.

The road leading south from Corvallis passes through Monroe and up the Long Tom; while, at the town of Monroe a highway branches off, crosses the Long Tom and leads to Eugene City, Lane county. At the northern boundary of the precinct another branch takes off and is known as the river road to Eugene. There is also a foot-hill road north and south, and a thoroughfare from Monroe to Alsea valley, and several cross roads besides.

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It has been agreed among several of the earliest residents of the county that in the winter of 1845-46 Thomas D. Reeves built and occupied a cabin, which was one of the very first to be inhabited. This was in Monroe precinct. In the following year we are given to understand that R. B. Hinton, John Lloyd and A. L. Humphrey, subsequently Counsellor for the district in the Territorial Legislature, and who came to Oregon with his brother-in-law, Jacob M. Currier, took up claims within its con- fines. In the year 1847 the famous Belknap Settlement was founded, the first occupant being Jesse H. Caton who, in the fall of 1846 took up the claim now in the possession of his relict, Mrs. Shedd, and in the following spring moved with thirty head of cattle and one horse thereto. Soon afterwards, in November, 1847, Jacob Hammer and his wife came to the section and were joint occupants of Mr. Caton's cabin with that gen- tleman. Mrs. Hammer, the pioneer lady of the precinct, performing the welcome duties of housekeeper. At the end of a year Mr. Hammer took up the donation claim on which he now resides, while to him is the credit of having brought the first bible into the neighborhood. The next settler, in the same year, 1847, was Ransom Belknap who took up his abode on the land on which he still resides, while about the same time L. D. Gilbert located where Samuel B. Cranston at present resides, and Orrin Belknap, also in the same locality. There came too at the same time Jeremiah Starr and his family who located near by. In the following year, 1848, the colony received further augmentation. Jesse and George Belknap took up their residence thus emphasizing the necessity for calling it the Belknap Settlement, while, at the same period Chapman Hawley, located the land now occupied by his sons L. H. and S. R. Hawley, and Jesse, son of Chapman, with David Hawley, on the property now in the possession of Arthur Hawley. In this year too arrived John W. Starr, who took up the donation claim on which his wife and one son reside, and Levi H. Starr, who also located in the section.

In the fall of the year 1850 a school was opened on the Gilbert place, in the Belknap settlement and first taught by Lemuel F. Starr. It received the name of " Ebenezer," and in it, soon after its completion, the first Annual Conference for Oregon of the Methodist Episcopal Church was held under the presidency of Bishop Simpson. In regard to the religious interests of this settlement it may be stated that as long ago as 1848, a small congregation of Methodists was organized by Rev. John Kennedy in the house of John Luce, while, in 1862, the Simpson Chapel, of the same denomination was constructed.

With reference to other settlers in the precinct, we have the names of Wesley Hinton, Aaron Richardson and Lemuel F. Starr, all in 1847, the last settling a mile and a half to the north of Monroe. In 1850 or 1851, there arrived James and Silas Belknap, and Stephen Howell, while in the latter year James E. Barclay, William Barclay and Mrs. Mary A. Coyle, took up their residence in the precinct. In 1852, we have the names of Noah A. Starr and James Martin, the latter of whom located in what is now sometimes called the Martin Settlement, its original occupants being Samuel H. Oliver and Joseph Lafferty. In 1852, James Hamilton located near Mr. Martin, on land now owned by that gentleman. In 1856 a school was started near Mr. Martin's, but it was not until 1880 that the present building was erected. Among the arrivals in Monroe precinct in 1853 were William Gird, George Coffin, William J.

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Kelly and Hon. H. B. Nichols ; in 1854, John B. Goodman and J. H. Goodman ; in 1857, Owen H. Starr; and in 1858, Cephas W. Starr and William C. Woodcock.

About the year 1850, L. D. Gilbert erected a saw-mill on Muddy creek, which being located in the valley and away from the principal timber region the means of obtaining logs were soon exhausted and the building torn down after a few years ser- vice. In the same, or perhaps the following year, Joseph White constructed a saw- mill on the Long Tom were now stands the town of Monroe, which manufactured a great deal of lumber for some years and supplied the whole of the surrounding country, but by the time the mill needed repairs the timber was exhausted and the fabric allowed to fall into decay. In the year 1857, another saw-mill venture was made, on the North Fork of Muddy creek, but the result was disastrous. Now, there is no saw- mill in the precinct, the community depending on those at the head of Alsea river for their supply. In the year 1857, the old Foster flour-mill erected on Beaver creek in 1854 was removed to the town of Monroe.

The first store in the precinct was opened in the year 1851 by Silas Belknap with a small stock of goods, on his old donation claim, in the neighborhood of the site where now stands the Simpson chapel. In 1854 he moved his wares into the now town of Monroe and there commenced business.

MONROE.

This, the chief town of what may be called the Long Tom district, was first started in the year 1853, on the donation claim of Joseph White, who took up the land, or bought it from Joseph Manning, it is not certain which, for the latter never proved his claim. It is a thriving little village, and being surrounded by a large scope of excel- lent agricultural land and wealthy settlements, makes it an important point. The ori- gin of the town was the building of a saw mill in 1853, on the site of the present grist mill, by Joseph ond David White, and around this much of the business of the district centered. In 1852 Silas Belknap and George Starr opened the first store in the place, in a building since pulled down, that stood on the ground now occupied by Dr. Wort- man's drug store, while at the same time other buildings were constructed.

Twenty years ago Monroe was a busy little place. The flour mill, which several years before had succeeded the original saw mill, contained somewhat rude machinery, and would only grind five bushels per hour, had passed into the hands of Thomas Reader, who by attention to business and the wants of the community, succeeded in improving it. Up to 1866 he had expended eight thousand dollars in extending the buildings and sup- plying new machinery, resulting in the production of forty-five bushels per hour, the grain and flour being cleaned by the newest and most approved appliances. Modern elevators and new suction fan were introduced, and Monroe flour at once took a prom- inent position among the other brands of the State. At this period too, there was a good saw mill in active operation, while two stores did a large and increasing business. Considerable money was also made in trading for Long Tom socks. Wool, owing to the increase of factories in Oregon, is finding a better market, and sock knitting is a thing of the past. Women are turning their attention to more congenial duties, and the comfort of home made socks are luxuries of yore. 58+

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Since these days the little town of Monroe has much improved, it now consisting of two general mercantile stores, one drug store, two saloons, two blacksmith shops, one shoemaker, one grist mill, two churches, two hotels, one livery stable, one wagon shop, and one tin shop. It population is about one hundred and fifty.

When R. B. Hinton arrived where the village now is, in the fall of 1847, he found living in the vicinity, Aaron Richardson on the place now occupied by his descendants; Nimrod O'Kelly, on land now owned by Major Bruce and Caspar Rickard; Thomas D. Reeves, then on property now partly in the possession of his heirs and James Ed- wards; John Lloyd, John Feister and John Luce near to Mr. Reeves, and shortly after Jesse Caton and the Belknap settlement.

MONROE LODGE NO. 49, F. AND A. M .- This Lodge received its charter June 22, 1870, with the following members: S. B. Cranston, Max Friendly, Jas. Campbell, Joseph Lafferty, John M. Wells, Thomson D. Hinton, Sr., William Owen; the first officers being: S. B. Cranston, W. M .; William Owen, S. W .; James Campbell, J. W .; John M. Wells, Sec .; J. M. Lafferty, J. D .; Thomas D. Hinton, Sr., Tyler. The present mem- bership now numbers twenty-eight, the lodge meeting on the first Saturday in each month in their own hall. The officers at present serving are: Benjamin M. Jolly, W. M .; William D. Barclay, S. W .; George M. Porter, J. W .; A. Looney, Sec .; Dr. Frank Wortman, Treas .; A. Lamb, Tyler.

MONROE FLOUR MILL .- This mill which is owned by Samuel Reader, was first started as a saw mill on its present site in 1853, and owned by White & Co. It was subsequently altered into a grist mill. The Corvallis Gazette, dated April 25, 1868, in noticing this enterprise says: "The flour mill of Thomas Reader is supplied with a granary capable of holding fifteen thousand bushels of grain, which is taken from the wagons by machinery, from which time there is no trouble to the miller. The wheat is ingeniously conveyed to the top of the mill and put through an improved suction fan and cleaner, and by the time it arrives at the hopper it is free from every impurity. There are three run of splendid burrs, which are capable of turning out two hundred and forty bushels of the best flour in twenty-four hours. The mill stands on a good foundation of solid rock, has splendid water power, and the establishment commands a large and good district of farming country."

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History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 66

Author: David D. Fagan Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: David D. Fagan
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages: