History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 79

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

USA > Oregon > Benton County > History of Benton County, Oregon > Part 79

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

again from the labors of the field, and at night, when the day's work was done, by pouring over the most primitive books, unaided by teacher or light, save such as was afforded by the historic pine-knot fire. At about the age of eighteen Mr. Mulkey, left home to attend a private school, where he performed manual labor to defray the expenses of his board and tuition. Here, although the terms were of short duration he mastered Murray's Grammar and Syke's Arithmetic, the analysis and solution of every example of which he wrote out in full, as is shown by papers still preserved as an heirloom by his descendants. At the close of his pupilage our subject was employed to teach in Nashville, Tennessee, where he successfully and successively taught for a period of about eight years, when proceeding to Randolph county, Alabama, he followed for a time the same vocation, and there espoused Miss Mary Dinsmore. Thence, Mr. Mulkey transferred his residence to Missouri, still engaging in the instruction of the young, in Chariton, Jackson and Cole counties, in the last of which he was elected to the position of County Judge, and filled the office with credit for several consecutive terms, Court being held in Jefferson City. From Cole county he went to the "Platte Purchase," settling in Buchanan county, near Bloomington, in or about, A. D. 1836. Here he engaged in clearing and improving a farm until the spring of 1844. In February, 1842, Mr. Mulkey lost his wife, by death, a misfortune that so unnerved him that he longed to get away from the place and its sorrowful associations. Under this state of mind the glowing pictures of western explorers and the enthusiasm of Fremont, Linn and Benton -- with the last of whom he maintained a personal friendship -- were more than sufficient to settle him into a determined resolution to emigrate to far off Oregon. In the spring of 1844, with a family of nine motherless children, he bade adieu to home and kindred and launched forth upon the long and hazardous journey before him. Spring, summer and autumn passed ; winter closed in and he had not yet reached the promised land where "rolled the Oregon," but was compelled, with nine other families, to go into winter quarters ten miles above the old Whitman Station on the Umatilla. In the succeeding spring the journey was continued and the North Yamhill reached. In the fall and winter of 1845, in company with Johnson Mulkey, the country now forming Benton county was pene- trated. Here, in or about December, 1845, our subject located his claim, cut and hauled logs for his cabin, and erected a " camp" or "shanty." This location is about two miles northwest from the present city of Corvallis. Returning, he wintered on the Yamhill and in March, 1846, moved his family to his claim in Benton county. On this farm he resided during the remainder of his life, engaging in general farming and stock-raising, he having brought across the plains a few head of excellent cattle and a small band of the finest horses he was able to procure in Virginia and Kentucky. Mr. Mulkey filled several impor- tant positions of public trust in Benton county, having served her in the first Legislature under the Territorial organization. He also took the census of Benton county in 1850, as the deputy of J. C. Avery, and performed the entire work on foot. He was a man of conservative thought ; of stern and inflexible integrity. His hospitality was generous and free, often beyond his means. In his intercourse with men he was more retiring than obtrusive; seeking and attracting as well as being attracted by the better class, among his friends he counted such men of distinction as Rev. A. F. Waller, Judge O. C. Pratt. General Lane, and Hon. M. P. Deady, who frequently were visitors at the old pioneers home. In religion Mr. Mulkey was liberal. Never having attached himself to any sect, yet he was a firm believer in the religion of Christ. In politics he was a Ife-long democrat of the Free soil, Jacksonian stamp-A hater of slavery he equally detested Abolitionism -- a lover of justice, he believed in the Reign of Law. He died April 25, 1855.

A. NEWTON -- This old and respected pioneer of Benton county was born in Hampton county, Massachusetts, August 8, 1806, and lived in the Eastern States until 1837, when he came west to the then Territory of Iowa, where he re- mained until 1848, when he continued his westward journey across the plains to Oregon, and came direct to Benton county and took up his donation claim where he now resides, where he has a large and valuable farm nicely located, and is surrounded in his declining days with all that goes to make up the complement of earthly comfort and enjoyment. Mr. Newton was married in Harding county, Kentucky, to Miss Rachael Garlinghouse, and by this union they had eight children, six of whom are living.

G. G. NEWTON-Born in Licking county, Ohio, November 7, 1839, and came to Oregon with his parents in 1848. In 1850 they located where our subject now lives, where he and his father owns 375 acres, four miles west of Corvallis. In 1884 he was elected County Commissioner. Married in Benton county October 26, 1862, Miss Susan Wood, daughter of Rev. Jesse Wood, who emigrated to Oregon from Iowa in 1852, and is now a respected resident of Philomath precinct.

HON. HENRY B. NICHOLS-Was born in Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, January 13, 1821, receiv- ing his education at the Wesleyan University, at Middletown in that State. In 1845 he proceeded to the Sandwich Islands, but six months thereafter returned to his native place, where he engaged in school teaching and followed that occupation for upwards of twenty years. In June, 1847, Mr, Nichols started westward, and for five years had charge of a seminary in Mus- catine county, Iowa. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, made his first location in Benton county, began teaching in the Belknap Settlement, was so occupied nine years, and took up the three hundred and twenty acre donation claim on which he now resides, but has increased his possessions from time to time until he now owns one thousand two hundred acres, situated four miles to the west of Monroe. Mr. Nichols was a member of the Constitutional Convention and a member of the last Territorial and three first sessions of the State Legislature; besides which he has been clerk to School District No. 26, for over thirty years. Mr. Nichols married in Iowa, but lost his wife in 1883. His family consists of three surviving children, viz: Alfred C., Richard J., and Carrie E.

J. M. NOLAN-Although a very recent arrival in Benton county, however, it is but few of our many readers but what is acquainted or have transacted business with the subject of this sketch, as it is not in Mr. Nolan's composition to run a business and not let his "light shine," as he does through the medium of printer's ink, aided by his own business qualifications. Mr. Nolan is a native of the "Green Isle beyond the sea," and was born in 1847, and emigrated to the United States in 1873, arrived in Oregon in 1877, and came to Corvallis, Benton county. in 1884, and opened his present large mercantile establish- ment, thereby adding one more to the list of enterprising men of Corvallis. Mr. Nolan was married at Vancouver, W. T., in 1881, to Miss Mary J. Callahan; by this union they have two children, Thomas J. and Mary K.

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JOHN OLSSON-Is a native of Sweden, born in Guttenberg, March 20, 1838. At the age of fourteen years he went to sea and for the following fifteen years followed a sea faring life. Finally arriving in San Francisco, he came with Cap- tain Winant to Yaquina Bay, to work at the oyster business, in 1864. January, 1866, he located 112 acres on the north side of the bay, where he now lives. In 1882 he had his estate divided, placing part as an addition to the city of Newport and the balance he gave the name and started the town of Fredericksburg, which is certainly one of ihe most desirable locations on the bay. Mr. Olsson is married and has one son-lawrence O.

JOHN M. OSBURN-This influential and wealthy resident of Benton county, and present Mayor of Corvallis, is a man whom nature fitted in her happy mood with a combination of qualities that could hardly fail to guide its possessor to suc- cess- qualities which especially fit him to deal with men. With manners suave, a disposition to accommodate, and generous promptings toward his fellows, he greets the stranger, the customer, or the friend, in that peculiar way which carries with it an impression of a kind wish implied, which seldom fails to leave a desire with the recipient to do him a favor if he can. It is a happy faculty, and it gives the possessor what he deserves, a friendship and respect among men that is bounded only by the extent of his acquaintance. Such are the qualities of the gentleman of whom we write. Mr. Osburn is a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and first saw the light of day September 1, 1828. He resided in his native state until 1852, when he started via Panama for the "Golden State," where he followed mining until March, 1854, when he returned to his Eastern home and embarked in the stock business. During the desperate battle of Gettysburg Mr. Osburn had a large drove of cattle a few miles to the rear of the Union forces, and which represented almost his entire wealth; he being unable to get his stock out, was compelled to await the conclusion of that desperate conflict, as the safety of his entire band depended on the victory of the Union arms, for had General Lee won the day, all his stock would have been captured. In March, 1864, Mr. Osburn, with his family, started via Panama for Oregon, arriving in Corvallis the following April, where he leased what is known as the Johnson Mulkey donation claim and engaged in the stock business. One year later Mr. Osburn purchased the farm consisting of 1004 acres, located three miles west of Corvallis, where he is extensively engaged in the stock business, in which he is ably seconded by his sons James L. and David A. Mr. Osburn has a pleasant home in Corvallis, where he resides, a view of which together with the view of his farin, appears in this work. He was united in marriage in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1850, to Miss Phoebe Jones, by which union they have four children, viz: Floras C., James ;L., David A., and Mary L., now Mrs. Jessie Houck.

HON. ALLEN PARKER-Was born in Ross county, Ohio, in the year 1828. He remained in his birth-place and attending school until 15 years of age. His parents moved to Iowa, where he lived on a farm until the spring of 1852, he then crossed the plains to Oregon, first settling in Linn county, where he afterwards became a prominent farmer, warehouse and mill owner. In 1872 Mr. Parker was elected Sheriff of Linn county, and Mayor of Albany in 1876; he was also elected in the latter year by the State Legislature, Lock Commissioner of the Willamette falls. In 1878 he came to Benton county and purchased his present large property at Oneatta, on Yaquina Bay, where he has since resided, mostly engaged in running his large sawmill at that place. In 1880 Mr. Parker was selected to represent Benton county in the State Legislature, and again in 1882 was returned to the House of Representatives. Mr. Parker, therefore, has had his share of political glory. He has left an untarnished name and has made a large number of staunch and admiring friends. In every office Mr. Parker has filled he has always used his best endeavors for the advancement of his county and for the benefit of the State at large. It is no flattery to say he filled them with credit, satisfaction to his constituents and honor to himself.

ASHBY PEARCE-Is the son of Philip Pearce, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in the latter part of the last century, and is a direct descendant of some of the first settlers in America. Our subject was born in Harrison county, Indiana, June 30, 1821 ; when fifteen years of age his parents moved to Knox county, Illinois, where he followed farming. March 29, 1847, he joined what was known as Nathaniel Brown's train, and came across the plains to Oregon, arriving at Oregon City in the fall of that year. In October, 1847, he came to Benton county and located on the land now owned by Caleb Davis, remaining there, however, but a short time, when he went to Linn county. In 1848, he enlisted and went north to fight the Indians in which he was engaged for six months. In 1849 he went to the gold mines of California for a short period, when he returned to Albany, Linn county, and for the next ten years followed clerking in different stores in the latter town. He then retired to his former donation claim seven miles south of Albany. In 1866 he purchased his present valuable farm located at the Albany Ferry in Benton county, consisting of five hundred and thirty acres. And at that time purchased the above ferry which he has since operated. A view of Mr. Pearce's home will be found in this History.

WILLIAM PEARSON-A former pioneer of Benton county, but now a wealthy farmer of Marion county, was born in Indiana, January 19, 1820. In the spring of 1852 he, with his family, left Union county, Indiana, with horse teams and came across the plains to Oregon, first locating at Oregon City. In the fall of 1853 he came to Benton county and took up the place now owned by Jasper Newton. He lived in this county, engaged in farming and milling, until 1871, when he moved to Waitsburg, Washington Territory, where he resided for ten years. He then came to Marion Station, Marion county, and purchased a valuable estate of eight hundred and fifty acres, where he is a well known dealer in Norman horses. Mr. Pearson was married in Indiana, to Miss Francis F. Webb, a native of that State and has four living children, viz: M. Cerilda (now Mrs. Henry H. Pearson), Mary A., wife of Rev. E. C. Wyatt, of Philomath; Otto H. B. and William O.

EDWIN C. PHELPS-Was born in Hebron, Grafton county, New Hampshire, September 20, 1843. In the spring of 1851 his parents, with their family, came to Cincinnati, where they purchased wagons and had them shipped from Hannibal, Missouri, where they outfitted, and with a team of eight wagons started across the plains to Oregon and settled in Linn county. Our subject, in 1861, was apprenticed to the printer's trade with the Hon. James H. Slater, at that time the proprietor of the Corvallis Union, a profession that Mr. Phelps has since followed at different places on the coast until 1874,

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when he took up his residence in Newport where he now resides. Married in Linn county to Miss Mary Ross, by which union they have seven children.

WILLIAM M. PITMAN-Was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, January 12, 1827, and at the age of thirteen years commenced an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, an occupation he afterwards followed, combined with farming, in his native State. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Pitman started to cross the plains to California, but on arrival at Salt Lake altered his course for Oregon and in May of that year took up his residence in Benton county. Having from that time resided in King's Valley, in 1871, he removed to Corvallis, worked at his trade until 1875, and built his sash and door factory. To this gentle- man is the honor of having sawed the first plank of lumber in Benton county-in 1851, in the mill of Hartless & Matzger. During the year 1868-69, Mr. Pitman held the office of Fire Commissioner in Corvallis.

JAMES S. POLHEMUS .- To the ability and engineering skill of the subject of this sketch does Yaquina Bay owe much of its present and future prospects. Although a young man he has taken a deep interest in the work on which he has been employed, and we doubt if the Government could have found a more capable man to take charge of the improvement of the Yaquina Bay, a detailed account of which appears in this work. Mr. Polhemus was born in Astoria, Queens county, New York, March 26, 1852. When sixteen years of age he was sent to the Lehigh University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1872 as a Civil Engineer. The following years until 1880, Mr. Polhemus was in the Government employ as engineer on some of the most important works in the Southern, Eastern and Middle states. In the above year he was selected Chief local engineer, to build the jetties at the mouth of Yaquina Bay, a work that he has since been engaged upon and in which he has been eminently successful. Mr. Polhemus was united in marriage in Portland, the fall of 1884, to Mary C. Daly.

NEWTON POOL-This early settler of Yaquina Bay, was a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, and born June 5, 1835, In 1856 he came across the plains to California, and in 1865 to Benton county, Oregon, and at that time located on Yaquina Bay, where he engaged in the oyster trade. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres located on Pool Slough; is married, and has one daughter. Since writing the above we have learned of the sad death of Mr. Pool.

ISAAC W. PORTER .- The subject of this sketch a view of whose residence appears in this history, is the son of William Porter, a pioneer of Benton county of the year 1848, was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, in 1847, and when one year old was brought across the plains to Oregon. His parents first located near the place now owned by Mr. Foster, but in 1883, our subject purchased the farm on which he resides, and known as Spring Hill, which is situated about three quarters of a mile north from Monroe, and comprises three hundred and fifty acres. Besides being engaged in general farming Mr. Porter is also concerned in a livery business in Monroe.

MCCAULEY PORTER-This pioneer of Benton county, a view of whose residence appears in this work, was born in Todd county, Kentucky, November 29, 1829, but when six years of age he was taken by his parents to live in Montgomery county, Illinois, and there remained eleven years, being brought up a farmer. In 1846 they removed to Linn county, Missourl, where, in the spring of 1848, in company with his brothers, William G. and John E., and their families, they started to cross the plains with ox teams to Oregon, our subject being chiefly engaged en route in driving sheep. At the end of five months he reached Foster's ranch, hired out for a short time and then followed his brothers to Benton county. In the spring of 1849 he proceeded to the California gold mines, where he remained three years, returning to Oregon in the fall of 1852, and the fol- lowing spring took up his present farm as a donation claim, to which he has since added until he now owns 1500 acres. Mr. Porter is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He married in Benton county, April 7, 1853, Miss Martha Winkle, a native of Alabama, who crossed the plains in 1848, in the same train with her future husband, by which union they have Sam- uel H., John F., Jessie, Isaac and Mark M. P.

LEVI N. PRICE-Was born in Boone county, Indiana, August 4, 1835. When 13 years of age his parents moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where they engaged in farming. In the spring of 1853 his parents, with a family of eleven children, crossed the plains to Oregon. After a short sojourn in Albany, Linn county, they moved to the Umpqua Valley, near the present site of Oakland, Douglas county, where our subject remained for four years. He then moved to Polk county, and in 1873 came to Benton county, locating in Corvallis. In 1875 he moved to the Belknap Settlement, and in 1879 came to Philomath and pur- chased his present homestead, a view of which appears in this work, where he has since lived. Mr. Price for the past five years has been the financial agent of the Philomath College, a position he now holds. Mr. Price was united in marriage in Douglas county, to Miss Elizabeth J. Applegate, and by this union they have two children; Sarah M. and William I.

WILLARD L. PRICE-Is one of the best known res dents of King's Valley, and a native of Oregon, born in Clackamas county, April 21, 1850, and is a son of Hon. Larkin Price, a pioneer to Oregon of 1845. He resided with his parents in his native county, and afterwards in Marion until 1871, devoting most of his time to teaching school. In the above . year he was united in marriage to Miss Sarepta Norton, a daughter of Lucius Norton, also a pioneer of 1845. He then took up his residence in King's Valley, where he now owns a valuable farm of 480 acres, in connection with which he runs a general merchandise store.

ALBERT R. PYGALL-The.present efficient Marshal of Corvallis, is a native of New York State, born in Roch- ester, July 23, 1851. In 1858 his parents moved to Fondu Lac, Wisconsin. In 1871 our subject went to Minnesota, where he lived until the spring of 1877, when he came to Oregon and direct to Corvallis, where he engaged and followed the dray busi- ness until 1879, when he was elected City Marshal, an office he has since held. The citizens of Corvallis are to be congratu- lated in securing the services of Mr. Pygall, for his well-known reputation as a public servant, coupled with qualifications that are necessary to the fulfillment of the duties of that office, are a sure guarantee of peace and order being maintained.

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GILBERT W. QUIVEY-The subject of this sketch was born in Meggs county, Ohio, July 8, 1840. When but an infant his parents moved to Dane county, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1853 he, with his father William Quivey, crossed the plains to Oregon and took up a donation claim ten miles south of Corvallis, where his father died in 1871. Our subject for five years was a school teacher in Benton county. In 1862 he went to Portland and learned the printer's trade and from 1864 to 1871 Mr. Quivey was a resident of Idaho. In the latter year he returned to Corvallis, and for the following six years pub- lished the Benton County Democrat. He then sold out and established the River Side, now the West Side, at Independence, which he ran for three years. He then returned to Corvallis and embarked in his present business as dealer in all kinds of agricultural machinery. In 1884 Mr. Quivey was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace for Corvallis, an office he at present fills to the entire satisfaction of the residents of that city.

A. M. RAINWATER-This early pioneer, was born in North Carolina, August 29, 1820. When quite young his parents moved to Tennessee, and later to Missouri, from whence, in 1847, with ox teams, he crossed the plains to Oregon and came direct to Benton county, at that time locating his present valuable farm of 200 acres, directly opposite Albany, where he is engaged in farming and fruit-raising.

THOMAS M. READ-The well known and prosperous farmer, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, is one of the very first settlers in Benton county. Mr. Read is a native of New Hampshire, and was born in the year of 1812. In October, 1834, he located in Ottawa, Illinois, where he remained but a short time, removing to Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1836, and followed different occupations in that State until the spring of 1845. He then crossed the plains and arrived in Ore- gon October 15 of the above year. In April, 1846, he first arrived in Benton county, and a short time thereafter located the place where he now resides, some five miles north of Corvallis, where he owns a large and valuable estate. Mr. Read is one of the substantial men of the county, and has made his money since he came here. He believes in improvements and the advancement of the community in which he lives, and is one of those who spend time and money freely in that direction. In Benton county, Oregon, November 10, 1846, Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Nancy White, a native of Ohio, and by this union they have a family of four sons and two daughters, viz: Therese, Perry, Clara, Columbia, Sumner and Charles.

COLUMBIA READ-Is the son of Thomas M. and Nancy (White) Read, who were among the earliest pioneers to Oregon. "Clum," as he is commonly called, was born on his father's donation claim, about seven miles north of Corvallis, in December, 1853, and remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority. At the age of twenty-one he started out to do for himself-with what success may be seen in the valuable farm he now possesses, consisting of 406 acres, located in one of the garden spots of the beautiful Willamette Valley, two miles south of Wells Station, on which he has built himself a fine residence, a view of which appears in this work. Although yet a young man he has through his energy and business ability secured a comfortable competency, and is a fit subject for other young men to imitate. Mr. Read was united in marriage in Benton county to Miss Matilda Dodele, and by this union they have one son- William.

SAMUEL READER-A resident of Monroe and proprietor of the Monroe grist mill, was born in Warwickshire, England, where he remained until 1870, when he emigrated to America. Coming direct to Benton county he purchased his present mill property which he now opperates.

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History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 79

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

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