History of Oregon, Vol. II, Part 71

Author: Carey, Charles Henry
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 780

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On the 1st of May, 1878. Mr. Weaver was married to Miss Mary Hilferty, a daugh- ter of Charles and Isabelle (Cunningham) Hilferty, who were natives of Ireland, where Mrs. Weaver was also born, being only about eighteen months old when her parents left the Emerald isle and came to the new world. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were born five children: Laura, who is now the widow of Russell M. Riner; May, deceased; Howard; John N .; and Rufus. The son John served as a soldier in the World war, being connected with the army for nineteen months and spending fourteen months of that period in France.

Mr. Weaver was a lifelong democrat, always giving stalwart support to the party. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having his membership in Council Bluffs, and he was likewise a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity. After his removal to the west his efforts and energies were largely concentrated upon his business affairs and he did with thoroughness everything that he undertook and discharged every duty with a sense of conscientious obligation. Men who knew him attested his sterling worth and the buildings which he erected stand as monuments to his reliability and honor as well as to his skill and efficiency as a builder.

HON. JOSEPH F. YATES.

Hon. Joseph F. Yates, senior member of the law firm of Yates & Lewis, prominent attorneys of Corvallis, is one of the native sons of Oregon, his birth having occurred in Linn county on the 3d of July, 1866. He is a son of Joseph and Martha J. (Robnett) Yates, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Missouri. The father was reared in Arkansas and pursued his education in the schools of that state. When

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eighteen years of age he crossed the plains with ox teams to Oregon, arriving in this state in 1851 and casting in his lot with the early pioneers. Settling in Linn county, he became the owner of a farm near Brownsville, which he engaged in cultivating for a period of twelve years, and then traded that property for his present farm near Corvallis. This is a well improved and valuable property and he was active in its opera- tion until 1900, after which he there lived retired for five years, or until 1905, when he moved to Corvallis. He is the last surviving member of a family of fifteen, and since his wife's death in March, 1918, he has resided with his children. He is a repub- lican in his political views and a stanch supporter of the principles and candidates of the party. Mr. Yates is familiar with every phase of pioneer life in the west and is a veteran of the Indian wars, serving as a lieutenant under Captain Keeney in the Rogue River campaign. His mind is stored with many interesting incidents of the early days and forms a connecting link between the primitive past with the hardships and privations of frontier life and the present with its progress and prosperity.

Joseph F. Yates was reared in Linn county and here attended school, subsequently becoming a student in the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis, from which he was graduated in 1885 with the A. B. degree. He then engaged in teaching for three years, devoting his leisure hours to the study of law, after which he entered the law office of J. K. Weatherford at Albany, Oregon, and later received the appointment of deputy county clerk. He continued the study of law for one year at Albany and then became an employe of the Benton County Bank at Corvallis. At that time he was the only employe of the bank, which was conducted by M. S. Woodcock, in whose library Mr. Yates was enabled to pursue his law studies during his unoccupied hours. Subsequently his employer organized the First National Bank, Mr. Yates taking stock therein which he still retains, and in this institution Mr. Yates was made cashier, in which capacity he served for two years. He then resigned in order to devote all his time to the study of his chosen profession and for one year was connected with the law office of Charles E. Wolverton at Albany. There he prepared for the supreme court examination, which he successfully passed, being admitted to the bar of Oregon in 1893. He opened an office in Albany and there practiced his profession for eight months, at the end of which time he removed to Corvallis and formed a partnership with Judge Bryson and W. E. Yates, his brother, an association which was maintained for about a year, when Judge Bryson passed away. Mr. Yates and his brother con- tinued in partnership for a period of ten years, when W. E. Yates went to Vancouver, Washington, and opened a law office, which he has since conducted in conjunction with his son under the firm name of Yates & Yates. Joseph F. Yates continued to prac- tice alone until 1915, when he became associated with Jay L. Lewis under the firm style of Yates & Lewis, a relationship that is still maintained. They have a valuable law library and their ability in their profession has won for them a large and repre- sentative clientage. Mr. Yates enjoys the distinction of representing the state of Oregon longer than any other person continuously. he having served as attorney for the State Land Board for more than a quarter of a century.

Mr. Yates is a man of high professional attainments and broad experience and his standing as a lawyer is indicated in the fact that he was called to fill the office of city attorney, serving two terms and resigning to become municipal judge of Corvallis, in which capacity he served three terms, and subsequently served a term as county judge for Benton county, making a most creditable record in those offices. While upon the bench his decisions indicated strong mentality, careful analysis, a thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judgment, his ability being based upon a finely balanced mind and splendid intellectual attainments.

Judge Yates is a man of diversified interests and is president of the Benton County Abstract Company. He has been vice president of the Benton County State Bank, of which he has been a stockholder since the time of its organization, and he is now serving on its board of directors. He also has valuable farming interests, owning a farm two and a half miles west of Corvallis and another adjoining the old home place. He is a man of keen business discernment and sound judgment whose plans are well formed and promptly executed.

In November, 1896, Judge Yates was united in marriage to Miss Lucy G. Wiles, a daughter of John and Martha (Huggert) Wiles, natives of Missouri. In 1849 her parents crossed the plains to Oregon, settling in Benton county, where the father took up a government claim and also purchased land. This he cleared and developed, continuing to reside upon his property throughout the remainder of his life. Judge and Mrs. Yates have no children of their own but have assisted three young men in

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securing good educational advantages, defraying their expenses at the Oregon Agricul- tural College.

In his political views the Judge is a republican and he is much interested in the welfare and progress of his community, serving for one term as mayor of Corvallis, his administration proving most beneficial to the interests of the city. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the United Artisans and the Masons, holding membership in the Shrine. Since the age of eighteen he has been a member of the Grange, and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. He is a loyal and patriotic citizen and during the World war he rendered important and valuable service to his country as a member of the legal advisory board. His sense of duty is keen, his ideals of life high, and association with Judge Yates means expansion and elevation. It seems that he en- tered upon a profession for which nature intended him, for in his chosen calling he has made steady progress and has carved his name high on the keystone of the legal arch of Oregon.

MRS. W. H. GRAY.

Side by side with the fathers, husbands and brothers who constituted the mighty army that conquered the west for civilization stood the women, who in spirit were as heroic, whose endurance was as great and whose zeal as untiring as that displayed by the men of the pioneer households. Many of them were reared in eastern homes of culture and refinement, tenderly nurtured and carefully educated. It seems that it would have required sterner stuff to meet the conditions here to be found, but one of the elements in Oregon's splendid citizenship of today is found in the gentle in- fluence and consecrated lives of those eastern bred women. History contains no more thrilling story than the records of their lives, and military records present no account of greater fearlessness in the face of danger than is contained in the life story of Mrs. W. H. Gray, who in 1838 came as a missionary to the Oregon country. Her Christian work was

"A labor loved and followed to the goal . . . A faith so sure of the divine intent It dignifies the deeds of daily life."

In her maidenhood Mrs. Gray bore the name of Mary Augusta Dix. She was of English lineage and came of the same ancestry as Dorothy A. Dix, the philanthropist. She was born at Ballston Spa, New York, January 2, 1810, and was one of a large family, there being seven daughters, who were reared in a Christian home amid refined asso- ciations. Her parents took an active interest in church work and it was no unusual thing to see them with their seven daughters seated in the church choir, the mother and daughters dressed in white. The first break in the happy home circle came in February, 1838, when W. H. Gray, of Utica, New York, sought the hand of Mary Dix in marriage. He had recently returned from the Oregon country, where he had gone in 1836 with Dr. Marcus Whitman and Rev. H. H. Spalding as secular agent of the missions they went to establish. She was to be not wife alone but colaborer in this mission field. Not long before the death of Mrs. Gray her daughter, Mrs. Kamm, said to her: "Mother, I have often wondered how, with your education and surround- ings, the refinements of life you were accustomed to and your personal habits, you could possibly have made up your mind to marry a man to whom you were a total stranger so short a time before and go with him on such a terrible journey thousands of miles from civilization into an unknown wilderness, exposed to countless dangers. Mother, how did you do it?" After a few moments' pause her mother replied with earnestness and solemnity: "Carrie, I dared not refuse. Ever since the day I gave myself to Jesus, it has been my daily prayer, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?'" When this question, 'Will you go to Oregon as one of a little band of missionaries to teach the poor Indians of their Saviour?' was so suddenly proposed to me, I felt that it was the call of the Lord in answer to my prayers and I could not do otherwise."

This was the motive that led Mrs. Gray to sever home ties and to go with her husband in the work of consecrated Christian service to the far west. By steamer and stage coach they traveled westward until they reached Independence, Missouri, where they were joined by the Rev. Cushing Eels, Rev. Alkanah Walker, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Smith and Mr. Rogers, who were also to become workers in the missionary field.

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They planned to make the journey on horseback-a difficult undertaking as well as an arduous one in that day when the streams and rivers in the west were unbridged and when little more than an obscure trail marked the way to the coast. The Indians were a constant menace and often surrounded their camp, standing around like great dogs and sometimes even following the party all day. They carried with them tents which served as shelter at night, while a buffalo robe and oilcloth blankets con- stituted their beds. At times their blankets would become heavy with rain and their clothing in the morning would be as damp as when they took it off the night before. When darkness came upon them they pitched their tents, spread the robes upon the ground within and then the piece of oilcloth. The saddles and loose baggage were arranged neatly about on the walls inside and rolled up blankets served for seats. In the center of the tent a table was spread for the evening meal. At night the cries and howling of wild animals could be heard. When day broke, about 3:30 in the morning, all were astir; the animals were turned out to feed, breakfast prepared and eaten, the dishes washed, the repacking done, morning prayers were said and they were ready for the journey of another day. They had traveled for one hundred and twenty-nine days after leaving Independence, Missouri, when on the 29th of August, 1838, they reached Whitman mission, where they were joyously greeted by Dr. and Mrs. Whitman and Rev. and Mrs. Spalding, who had been anxiously awaiting them. Mr. and Mrs. Gray became the assistants of Mr. and Mrs. Spalding, who were in charge of the mission at Lapwai. Mrs. Gray earnestly undertook the task of teaching the Indian women and children and soon was instructing a band of fifty or more natives whom she taught under a pine tree until a log schoolhouse could be built. It was a primitive structure with puncheon seats and earthen floor. There Mrs. Gray continued her labors until November, 1842. Her well trained voice proved a potent factor in her work. When she first joined in the singing at family prayers Rev. Mr. Spalding realized what a power her voice would be in his Sunday worship and requested her to take charge of that part of the service. The Indians, too, were visibly impressed by her singing and spoke of her as "Christ's sister," and told the tale of her music long afterward. No doubt the awakening powers of her voice, coupled with her rare sweetness of character, had much to do with bringing about the great revival among the Nez Perce Indians. Several hundred made confession of religion and the in- fluence was at least in a degree lasting, for years after Mr. Spalding left that field the Indians in many of the lodges continued to read the Bible, to sing hymns, to pray and return thanks at their meals.

In November, 1842, the Gray family came to the Willamette valley, Mr. Gray having severed his connection with the missions to accept the appointment of secular agent for the Oregon Institute. The journey to the coast was one of untold hardships, the parents, their son and two daughters floating down the Columbia to Celilo in a bateau belonging to the Hudson Bay Company. Believing that the trial would be safer than the turbulent waters of the Columbia near the Cascades, Mr. Gray arranged that he and his family should proceed on the backs of Indian ponies, but when they were deep in the mountains they encountered a severe snow storm which not only imperiled their lives but rendered further travel impossible. Some of their Indian guides were then sent to Fort Vancouver for help. At the Columbia the red men found a canoe in which they proceeded down the river and when Dr. Mclaughlin heard that a woman and little children were snowbound in the mountains he at once sent a boat manned by Hudson Bay Company men to their relief. Mrs. Gray's calm faith and belief that all would yet be well served to keep up the courage of the others and as the relief party were making their way up the Columbia, there came to them upon the wings of the wind the strains of a song that she was singing. Thus they directed their course to where the little party were imprisoned. They returned with the family to the river bank, where embarkation was made for Fort Vancouver.

From that time forward the work of Mr. and Mrs. Gray proved a strong force in advancing the religious development of Oregon and also the temperance and edu- cational work. Their home was the center from which radiated social and reform movements. In 1846 they assisted in forming on Clatsop plains the first Presbyterian church in the northwest. The strongest influences in life are often the most intangible and who can measure the work of this noble couple who were never contented with the second best but chose those things which are highest and holiest? Every movement or measure for the promotion of truth, justice and righteousness received their support and many such found their impetus in their home. In 1869 they returned on a visit to their old home in New York, going from Portland to San Francisco and thence Vol. II-36

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across the continent by rail, accomplishing in a few days a journey to which they had devoted months when they made their way on horseback to the Pacific coast thirty- two years before. It has been said of Mrs. Gray that her presence was gentle and dignified. Many there are who yet bear testimony to the nobility of her character. She possessed a pure spirit and a strong soul and was so pacific in her disposition that under the severest tests she remained calm and self-possessed. Her last words were a prayer that her husband, children and friends might join her in the Father's house not made with hands. She passed away at her country home, the Klalskanie farm, December 8, 1881, when nearly seventy-two years of age, survived hy her hus- band and seven of the nine children born to her. The high sensitiveness of her nature was tempered by a serenity that had its root in an unwavering faith. She never faltered when she helieved that the work before her was that which her Maker intended that she should do. Of a most quiet, refined nature, her life was a restraining power to the spirit of lawlessness which is too often an element in a new community where an organization of society and of government has not been effected. While her words carried weight and influence, the beauty of her own Christian life and spirit constituted a still stronger power for good.

CHARLES H. RALSTON.

Charles H. Ralston, now living retired at Lehanon, is one of the honored pioneers of Oregon, having spent his life within its borders, and is familiar with the entire history of its development and upbuilding, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. Mr. Ralston was born on the plains of Wyoming, while his parents were en route from Iowa to Oregon, on the 1st of June, 1847, and is a son of Jeremiah and Jemima (Ashpaugh) Ralston, the former born near Nashville, Tennessee, and the latter a native of Hamilton county, Ohio. The father had learned the trade of a carpenter in Cincinnati, to which city his parents had removed when he was eleven years of age. He later became a resident of Indiana and in 1837 went to Iowa, engaging in general merchandising in Burlington, that state, until 1847, when he started across the plains to Oregon with three wagons and twenty yoke of oxen, reaching his destination in September of that year after a long and hazardous trip. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Oregon and to the work of development and improvement he contributed in substantial measure. He took up a donation claim in Linn county and by tireless energy and undaunted perseverance gradually brought his land under a high state of cultivation. Ahout 1856 or 1857 he laid out the town of Lebanon and there opened a store, which was the first in the town and the county. This he conducted for about eight years and then turned his atten- tion to the supervision of his land and stock interests, continuing a resident of Lebanon throughout the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston were members of the Methodist church and were actively interested in its work, contributing liberally to its support. He met an accidental death in August, 1877, at the age of eighty years, while the mother passed away December 25, 1894, when seventy-seven years of age. They were numbered among the honored pioneers of the state and were widely known and held in the highest esteem by all who knew them. They had become the parents of nine children and two of their sons saw service in the Indian wars.

Charles H. Ralston was the youngest in the family that crossed the plains. He was reared and educated in Lebanon and after pursuing a course in the public schools attended Santiam Academy at Lebanon. After completing his studies he assisted his brothers in the conduct of a store at Oregon City for about three years and then operated his father's farm until 1876, when he once more entered mercantile circles, becoming identified with the conduct of a grocery store at Lebanon, thus continuing for several years. He next became interested in financial affairs, acting as cashier and manager of the Lehanon Bank until the financial panic of 1893 compelled it to close its doors. He then accepted the position of weigher and gauger in the customs house at Portland and served in that capacity for a period of thirteen years, since which time he has lived practically retired.

In 1870 Mr. Ralston was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Katherine Griggs, a daughter of A. B. and Sarah Jane (Morris) Griggs, who were born in the vicinity of Quincy, Illinois. In 1848 her parents came west to Oregon and settled in Linn county, six miles east of Lebanon, where the father took up a donation land claim, which he

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES H. RALSTON

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developed and improved, continuing its operation for a number of years. Subsequently he engaged in the feed business in Albany where he resided the remainder of his life, his death occurring in April, 1904. The mother had long preceded him to the Home beyond, her demise occurring in September, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston became the parents of four children: Maude, now the wife of Hugh Kirkpatrick, who is serving as postmaster of Lebanon and has also been identified with newspaper interests here; Charles H., Jr., at home; Jessie, who married Sigurd Landstrom, a prominent jeweler of Lebanon; and Frankie, who was the third in order of birth and is now deceased, her death occurring in September, 1885, when she was nine years of age.

Mr. Ralston gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has taken a prominent part in public affairs of his locality. He was one of the first councilmen of Lebanon, being appointed by the state legislature, and at various times has served in that capacity, while for two terms he was mayor of Lebanon, giving to the city a most business-like and progressive administration. Mrs. Ralston is a member of the Presby- terian church and to its teachings she steadfastly adheres. Mr. Ralston is a man of high personal standing, whose sterling worth of character is recognized by all with whom he has been associated. For seventy-four years he has been a resident of this state and great changes have occurred during this period. He remembers when the country was wild and undeveloped with only a few scattered dwellings to show that the seeds of civilization had been planted. The passing years have brought their influx of settlers and with interest Mr. Ralston has watched changing events and in considerable measure has contributed to the development of his community, his aid and influence being ever on the side of progress and improvement.

WARREN E. McCORD.

Warren E. McCord, a lumberman of Portland, passed away January 28, 1917. He was born in Allegany county, New York, July 16, 1847, and was a little lad of six years when in 1853 he accompanied his parents, Myron Hawley and Anna E. McCord, to Wolf River, Wisconsin. His father was a pioneer lumberman of that state and he also built the first steam sawmill in the state of New York.

Warren E. McCord attended the public schools of Wolf River to the age of fifteen years and then entered Lawrence University of Wisconsin. He then entered upon the study of medicine and on his way to Rush Medical College of Chicago, to receive his degree, he was married to Miss Ellen C. Wiley, at Janesville, Wisconsin, on the 1st of November, 1866. As the years passed they became the parents of four daughters and one son, but the son, Warren E., died in infancy. The daughters are: Mrs. Jesse R. Sharp of Portland; Mrs. G. C. Von Egloffstein of Portland; Mrs. Lyman Powell of Superior, Wisconsin; and Mrs. J. S. O'Gorman of Portland.

Throughout his entire life Mr. McCord was identified with the lumber business. When seventeen years of age he began lumbering on his own account and operated on the Wolf river until 1872, when he removed to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and be- came interested in timber investments located on the Chippewa river, in connection with Frederick Weyerhauser and Laird & Norton. Mr. McCord disposed of his busi- ness in Wisconsin in 1899 and went to Idaho, where he looked up large tracts of timber. In connection with Henry Turrish, Mr. Weyerhauser and the Kehl & Deary Company, he purchased practically all of the accessible white pine timber in that state and in 1903 disposed of his holdings to the Weyerhauser interests. Mr. McCord was connected with R. D. Marshall, L. C. Stanley and J. B. Kehl in the ownership and operation of the Electric Light, Water Works & Gas Company at Chippewa Falls for many years. He also organized and operated the Water Works and Light plant at Iron River, and extending his efforts into still other fields of business, he organized the First National Bank and built the first brick block there, and in connection with others, built the railroad to the city of Washburn on Lake Superior. He afterward located government lands until 1906 when he removed to Portland, and with Frank Boutan, R. D. Marshall, and L. T. Powell of Wisconsin, and Henry Hewitt of Tacoma, bought large tracts of timber in Washington, Oregon and California. In association with Mr. Frank Boutan, he bought a large tract of yellow fir near Oak Point, Washington, and organized the Wisconsin Logging & Timber Company which puts in fifty million feet of logs per year, selling the output in the Portland market.

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History of Oregon, Vol. II, Part 71

Author: Carey, Charles Henry Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company Number of Pages: 780

Author: Carey, Charles Henry
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 780