USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 66
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In 1895 occurred the marriage of Professor Brown and Miss Ella Hill, a native of Wilbur, Douglas county, and a daughter of W. G. Hill, who came from his native state of Missouri to the coast in 1848. He was one of a band of plucky pioneers who went to California before the finding of gold at Sutters Creek. The mother of Mrs. Brown was a daughter of Dr. Calvin C. Reed, a pioneer physician who established the first gristmill in Douglas county, near Winchester, and who held many positions of honor. Dr. Reed was descended from pre-Revolutionary ancestors. At the early age of fourteen Mrs. Brown became a teacher and has since devoted her talents to that profession. She has taught in every grade and while an instructor in the city schools of Roseburg she met and soon afterward became the wife of Professor Brown. Later, when Professor Brown was a teacher in the State Normal School, she was associated with him as critic teacher in that institution. In 1918 she was appointed rural super- visor and under her the rural schools have developed to an amazing extent. She originated the zone meeting for teachers, wherein a greater cooperation can be secured, and it is notable that even in the rainy season the attendance at those meetings is as high as seventy-five per cent. Mrs. Brown has introduced many innovations outside of mere book learning and her training of teachers and pupils of the rural schools has taken a wide range. She is an authority on turkey and chicken raising and her articles on these subjects are eagerly sought after by such institutions as the Agricultural College and the farm magazines. She is the author of a bulletin issued by the Oregon
MR. AND MRS. OMAR C. BROWN
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Agricultural College on turkey raising for the use of the boys' and girls' turkey clubs of the state.
Professor and Mrs. Brown own three hundred and twenty acres of well improved land. The property has been tiled and is well fenced, there being eight and one-half miles of Page wire fencing dividing it into convenient lots for field and pasture. The land is given over to general farming and fruit and stock raising. Although Professor Brown gives his allegiance to the republican party, he neither seeks nor desires political preferment and in Douglas county, where he is now serving as county superintendent of schools, he has been supported alike by all political parties. During his service in the legislature he fathered the bills to establish prison schools and improve roads and highways. Along the line of his profession he is a member of the Oregon County Superintendents' Association, of which organization he was first president, the Oregon State Teachers' Association and the National Education Association. At the present writing (1921) both he and his wife are members of investigating committees of the Oregon State Teachers' Association. The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which organization they are consistent and active mem- bers. Douglas county is very fortunate in having at the head of her school system two such capable teachers who love their work for its own sake and devote their lives to its promotion.
JOHN S. MORRIS.
For many years the life work of John S. Morris was connected with the develop- ment and growth of Linn county, of which he became a resident in 1855. Here he became a successful orchardist and for twenty years was identified with mercantile interests as proprietor of a well appointed drug store and as the years passed acquired a competence which placed him among the substantial residents of his neighborhood. In his death the county losť one of its oldest residents and most highly esteemed citi- zens and a man who was ever ready to give his aid and influence to improvements which he considered worth while. A native of Missouri, Mr. Morris was born July 19, 1841, and was a son of Daniel and Evelyn (Terry) Morris, both natives of Kentucky. The parents crossed the plains to Oregon about 1855, settling in Linn county, where the father took up land one and a half miles from the present site of Scio. This he cleared and developed, continuing its cultivation for many years. Following the death of his wife he discontinued his farming operations and removed to Scio, where he turned his attention to merchandising, establishing a grocery store, which he success- fully conducted until he was about seventy-eight years of age, when he retired from active business pursuits and took up his abode with his son, John S., with whom he continued to reside until his death at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
John S. Morris pursued his education in the public schools of Scio, having removed to this section with his parents during his childhood, and after completing his studies he went to Idaho, where for three or four years he worked in the mines. Returning to Oregon, he engaged in clerking for several years in Scio, and having become inter- ested in the drug business he took up the study of pharmacy and in the employ of D. P. Mason, a pioneer druggist of Alhany, he thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade. At length he acquired sufficient capital to engage in business on his own ac- count and opened a drug store at Scio, which he continued to conduct for about twenty years, his progressive business methods and reliable dealing winning for him a large patronage. Subsequently he was for a time employed in a creamery and then pur- chased land and engaged in orchardising, specializing in the growing of fine apples. He devoted about ten years to that business and his energy and enterprise won for him a substantial measure of success. Animated by the spirit of progress he was ever ready to try out new methods and thus not only acquired prosperity for himself but set an example for others well worthy of emulation. He afterward lived retired until his demise, being obliged to abandon his work as an orchardist, owing to ill health.
On the 23d of December, 1867, Mr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Queener, who was born in Gentry county, Missouri, March 26, 1849, a daughter of Andrew Jackson and Elizabeth (Whitten) Queener, natives of Tennessee. In an early day her parents removed westward to Missouri, in which state the father engaged in farming until 1865, when he crossed the plains to Oregon, settling in Linn county, and there for some time he operated rented land located about two miles from Scio. Sub-
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sequently he purchased land near Stayton, in Linn county, and this he continued to cultivate during the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1879 at the age of seventy-nine years, and the mother died in 1885, when eighty-four years of age. They were well known and highly respected residents of their community. To Mr. and Mrs. Morris were born ten children, namely: Addie, who married M. M. Peery and resides at Springfield, Oregon; Emma, the wife of Owen B. Cyrus of Scio; Frank, a resident of Portland, Oregon; Fred, who died in Alaska in 1884; May, the wife of Dr. Lowell M. Jones of Portland; Anna, who married Herman Eckhardt and resides in Scio; Ollie, the wife of P. H. McDonald, also of Scio; and Bessie, Dean and Rollie, who are yet at home.
In his political views Mr. Morris was a democrat and for several years he served as postmaster of Scio, discharging the duties of that office in a most prompt and capable manner. His fraternal connections were with the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religious faith he was a Presbyterian. He was an active worker in the Sunday school and for twelve years served as its superintendent, doing everything in his power to promote the work of the church and advance its influence. He passed away September 30, 1908, at the age of sixty-seven years, his death being most keenly felt by a large circle of friends and irreparably by his family, in whose welfare he took the keenest interest, putting forth every effort to promote their happiness and comfort. His record was at all times a most creditable one, for his entire career was actuated by progressiveness and dominated by a spirit of fair dealing. Throughout the period of his residence in Linn county, covering a half century, he took a most helpful and active part in the work of progress and improve- ment and he was a man of sterling worth who in every relation of life exemplified the highest standards of manhood and citizenship. Since her husband's death Mrs. Morris has built a fine modern home in Scio and she is a capable business woman, well able to take care of the financial end of her affairs. She has many friends in the county, all of whom speak highly of her because of the womanly qualities which she has ever displayed.
JOEL C. BOOTH, M. D.
Dr. Joel C. Booth, whose scientific skill and ready sympathy have endeared him to the hearts of his fellowmen and made him the loved family physician in many a household in Lebanon and throughout the surrounding country, was born in Newton, Iowa, July 22, 1872, a son of Jackson and Polly Ann (Hammer) Booth, natives of Ten- nessee. The father, who followed farming in his native state, went west to Iowa in 1850 and in Jasper county, that state, he took up land, which he developed and im- proved, continuing its cultivation for a period of fifty-three years. He then went to Oklahoma and for four years was a resident of that state. In 1906 he came to Oregon, settling in Linn county, where he resided until a short time previous to his death, which occurred in September, 1910, while he was making a trip to San Jose, California. He had long, survived the mother, who passed away in Iowa, August 29, 1874.
Joel C. Booth pursued his education in the public schools of Iowa, later becoming a student in Hazeldell Academy, at Newton, Iowa. Subsequently he entered the normal school at Newton, Iowa, and afterward pursued a three years' course in the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa. In 1896 he came to this state and entered the senior class of the University of Oregon, with which he was graduated in 1898. Filled with the spirit of patriotism, he enlisted in, April, 1898, as a member of the Second Oregon Volunteers and served throughout the entire period of the Spanish-American war. After receiving his discharge from the service he entered the College of Physi- cians & Surgeons at San Francisco, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900, at which time the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him. In 1905, seeking to advance still further in his profession, Dr. Booth completed six hundred hours of research work, in recognition of which the Master's degree was conferred upon him by the State University of Oregon. In 1900 he had opened an office in Lebanon and has since engaged in practice in this city, now enjoying an extensive practice, which indicates his high professional standing and the confidence reposed in his skill and effi- ciency. During the World war Dr. Booth enlisted for service and was called April 15, 1918. He was commissioned captain in the Medical Corps and was sent in turn to Fort Warden, Fort Flagler and Fort Casey, Washington, then to Astoria, and Fort
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Stevens, Oregon. At Fort Stevens he was assigned to the Twenty-seventh C. A. C. and sent to Camp Eustis, Virginia. He was mustered out of the service at Camp Lewis, Washington, January 2, 1919. Dr. Booth has at all times kept in close touch with the trend of modern professional thought and investigation through his wide reading and study and in his practice has ever held to the highest ethical standards. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles and his course has ever been directed along lines which command the respect and confidence of his fellowmen and his col- leagues and contemporaries in the profession.
E. A. FEARING, JR.
One of the enterprising, progressive business men of Portland is E. A. Fearing, Jr., who since 1915 has been proprietor of the City Garage. He is a son of E. A. and Anna M. (White) Fearing and after completing the work of the high school he pursued a course in the Portland Business College. In 1915 he established his present business in the Elks' Club building at No. 132 Twelfth street, where he occupies two floors fifty hy one hundred feet in dimensions, with a storage capacity of seventy-five cars. The City Garage is well and favorably known for the excellent service rendered its patrons and its business is enjoying a steady and healthful growth.
In his political views Mr. Fearing is a republican, interested in the welfare and success of the party. He is a member of the Portland Garage Men's Association and fraternally is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. He stands high in business circles of Portland and is a public- spirited citizen whose substantial qualities have gained for him the high regard and esteem of a large circle of friends.
FRED S. MOODY.
Fred S. Moody, proprietor of a garage at Harrisburg and also identified with farm- ing interests in the locality, was born in Clements, Kansas, April 2, 1882, of the mar- riage of C. N. and Cora L. (Munn) Moody, natives of Pennsylvania. About 1870 the father removed to the west, purchasing land in Kansas which he brought under a good state of cultivation. He continued to operate his ranch for many years and then turned his attention to merchandising, opening a hardware establishment at Clements, Kansas, which he conducted for some time and then resumed his farming operations. In 1902 he left the Sunflower state and came to Oregon, locating at Yoncalla, where he purchased a ranch which he continued to operate for awhile and then traded his land for a mercantile business. This he conducted until 1912 and then removed to Harrisburg, where he is now residing, having retired from active business life. The mother also survives.
Fred S. Moody was reared and educated in Clements, Kansas, and after complet- ing his studies he became associated with his father in merchandising and farming, this relationship existing until the latter's retirement. In 1912 they removed to Harris- hurg and purchased an interest in a mercantile establishment conducted by Shisler & Son, and under the firm style of Shisler & Moody they continued to operate until 1915 at which time the partnership was dissolved, and the firm became Moody & Moody, successfully conducting a general merchandise business until 1916, when they traded their store for a ranch. This he operated until 1918 and then sold, to engage in the garage business at Harrishurg, in which he has continued. He handles automobile accessories and also does a general repair business and is meeting with substantial success in his undertaking, having built up a good trade owing to the excellent service which he renders patrons. He also has ranch interests which he leases, this being likewise a profitable source of income. He is alert and energtic and his honorable methods and square dealing have won for him the confidence of all who have had business dealings with him.
On the 6th of January, 1908, Mr. Moody was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Born and they have become the parents of two children: Mildred C., who was born January 31, 1909; and Harold C., horn February 8, 1911.
In his political views Mr. Moody is independent, and fraternally he is identified
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with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His activity, close application and sound judgment have proven potent elements in his success and he is now proprietor of one of the progressive business enterprises of Harrisburg, where his many admirable traits of character have gained for him a large circle of friends.
EDWARD A. LYTLE.
Edward A. Lytle, now a resident of Alpine, Benton county, but formerly prominently Identified with business interests of Harrisburg, Linn county, as a live stock buyer and skipper and proprietor of a pool and billiard hall, is a native son of Oregon, his hirth having occurred in Crook county, October 2, 1882. He is a son of Andy and Sarah Lytle, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Pennyslvania. The father crossed the plains to Oregon in an early day, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of the state. He experienced all of the hardships and privations of those early days and participated in the Indian wars, becoming familiar with every phase of pioneer life. In Crook county he purchased land, which by arduous toil he developed and im- proved, and he also engaged in stock raising, continuing active along those lines throughout the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1895, when he was sixty-one years of age. The mother survives and now resides in Turner, Oregon. Her parents, Samuel and Mary Ramp were also numbered among the early settlers of Oregon, the father taking up land in Marion county. In the conduct of his business affairs he was very successful and became one of the substantial agriculturists of his community. He passed away when about ninety years of age and was survived by his widow, who also reached a very advanced age and was a woman of unusual mental and physical vigor, attending to the management of her extensive interests, which were valued at about three hundred thousand dollars, up to the time of her death.
Edward A. Lytle pursued his education in the public schools of Eugene, to which city his mother had gone in order to educate her children. After completing hls studies he rode the range for three years in eastern Oregon and then went to Marion county, where for four years he engaged in farming. From there he removed to Linn county and erecting a good store building in Shedd, he therein established a butchering business and also engaged in the manufacture of ice, conducting his interests at that point for a period of five years. While still a resident of Shedd he became connected with the business interests of Harrisburg, where he purchased a shop In which he installed an ice plant. On severing his business connections with Shedd he also dis- posed of his ice plant at Harrisburg and purchased a fine pool and billiard hall at the latter place, which he successfully conducted. He is engaged in buying and ship- ping all kinds of fine stock, his shipments being made to Portland. He is also a stock- holder in the Harrisburg Lumber Company and has farming interests at Turner, Oregon.
On the 15th of January, 1904, Mr. Lytle was united in marriage to Miss Edna B. Wimouth and they have become the parents of two children: Wister E. and Alpha B. In his political views Mr. Lytle is a republican and his wife is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. His fraternal connections are with the Masons, the Woodmen of the World and the Eastern Star. Mr. Lytle is a successful business man, diligent and determined in all he has undertaken, and his enterprise and perseverance have brought to him a most gratifying measure of success, placing him among the substantial business men of his community.
TRACY STAATS.
One of the progressive business enterprises of Dallas is the Craven Hardware Company, of which Tracy Staats is the secretary-treasurer. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his honorable methods, which have won for him the deserved and unbounded con- fidence of his fellowmen. Mr. Staats is a native of this state. He was born at Airlie, Polk county, February 11, 1874, and is a son of Henry D. and Mary E. (Zumwalt) Staats, also natives of this county. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Staats, came to Oregon in 1845, taking up a donation claim near the present site of Airlie, and this
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he cleared and developed, continuing active in its cultivation throughout the remainder of his life. Through his careful and judicious management of his farming interests he won a gratifying measure of success and became one of the substantial and prominent residents of his community, serving as postmaster and justice of the peace at Airlie and also as a member of the territorial legislature of Oregon. His son, Henry D. Staats, was reared and educated in Polk county and on attaining his majority engaged in agricultural pursuits, purchasing land near Lewisville, which for many years he con- tinued to cultivate, but at length took up his residence in Dallas, where he lived retired until his demise in May, 1919, at the age of sixty-nine years. The mother, who had come to this state with her parents in 1846, is also deceased.
Tracy Staats was reared in Polk county, attending the public schools of Lewisville and later pursuing a course of study in the normal school at Monmouth, after which he successfully engaged in teaching in Polk county for a period of seven years. He then became deputy county assessor, serving for four years, for two years was deputy sheriff, and for four years discharged the duties of county treasurer, making a most creditable record as a public official. In November, 1913, he purchased a half interest in the Craven Hardware Company and has since been thus connected, now serving as secretary-treasurer of the concern. They carry a large and attractive line of shelf and heavy hardware and also deal in farm implements, and their progressive methods, resonable prices and courteous treatment of patrons have won for them a large patron- age. Mr. Staats also has made profitable investments in farm lands in Polk county and in the control of his business interests he displays marked ability and energy.
In March, 1906, Mr. Staats was united in marriage to Miss Eloise S. Phillips and they have become the parents of four children, namely: Howard D., Phillip, Margaret and Mary E. He is a democrat in his political views and prominent in the councils of the party, now serving as a member of the county central committee. He has been called to a number of public offices of trust and responsibility, serving for several years on the city council and for two terms as mayor. He is much interested in the cause of education and for a number of years has been clerk of the school board, doing everything in his power to advance the standards of the schools. Mrs. Staats is. a member of the Evangelical church and her life is guided by its teachings. Fraternally Mr. Staats is identified with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He is a typical western man, wide-awake, alert and enter- prising, and his sound judgment and keen discernment have made him one of the forceful factors in business circles of Dallas. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles and he is loyal to all those interests which make for hon- orable manhood and progressive citizenship.
SIDNEY C. CATCHING.
One of the most modernly appointed and popular hostelries in the state is the Caples hotel, of which Sidney C. Catching is the owner and manager. A model hotel in its intricate operations is a mammoth undertaking when run successfully and no one can question the administrative ability of Mr. Catching, who operates his smoothly running enterprise without noise or confusion, utilizing the most modern and pro- gressive methods of inn-keeping. He is a native of this state and a representative of one of its honored pioneer families. He was born on a farm near Forest Grove, in Washington county, on the 28th of October, 1865, a son of John S. and Rhoda (Lev- erich) Catching, the latter of whom crossed the plains from Indiana to Oregon with her parents in 1852. She is still living and resides in Portland, but the father passed away in Douglas county, Oregon, in 1889. The paternal grandfather, William W. Catching, emigrated from Missouri to Oregon in 1845, at which time his son, John S. Catching, was but five years old, the family home being established on a farm in Washington county. They were numbered among the very early pioneer settlers of the state, who through their labors made possible that superior civilization which is now one of the characteristics of the commonwealth. Braving the dangers of the west, the perils from wild animals and the even more savage Indians, they devoted their lives to the redemption of the Pacific coast region, counting no sacrifice too great that was made for the benefit of their home locality. To Mr. and Mrs. John S. Catching were born six children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest.
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He has two sisters and two brothers residing in Portland and another brother liv- ing at Jervis, Marion county, Oregon.
Sidney S. Catching attended the district schools, after which he became a student at the Portland Business College, completing his course by graduation. On starting out in the world of commerce he took up the fire insurance business and was iden- tified with Eugene D. White for a period of fourteen years. In 1898 he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Merchants National Bank of Portland, winning pro- motion to the office of assistant cashier. He remained with that institution for seven- teen years and in 1915 went to Sherwood, Oregon, where for about a year he was en- gaged in business. He then disposed of his interests in that locality and returned to Portland, purchasing the Caples hotel, which he has since owned and operated. Of a genial, pleasing personality, nature seems to have intended him for his present calling and he has made the Caples hotel one of the most popular hostelries in the state, noted for its warm-hearted hospitality and homelike appearance. He possesses a shrewd and discriminating mind and a capacity for detail, combined with an economic knowledge of modern food values and a specialized grasp of the art of hotel- keeping which amounts almost to an inborn talent. The hotel is most modern in its equipment, its appointments are of the best, showing rare taste and refinement in the selection of the furnishings, and a homelike air of comfort pervades the place. The service here afforded is first-class in every particular, the cuisine being espe- cially popular with the traveling public. The hotel is situated in a quiet, exclusive neighborhood, yet conveniently located near the heart of the city, and its patronage is deservedly large.
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