USA > Oregon > Douglas County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 80
USA > Oregon > Jackson County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 80
USA > Oregon > Josephine County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 80
USA > Oregon > Coos County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 80
USA > Oregon > Curry County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 80
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ISRAEL BOYDE NICHOLS .-- There are few men in Oregon to whom more credit is due for its development and settlement than the subject of this sketch who came to Oregon in its very infancy. Mr. Nichols was born in Muskingdum county, Ohio, near the town of McConnisville, September 22, 1824. His father being a salt manufacturer, Mr. Nichols' boy- hood was spent in his father's works, where he remained until nearly twenty-one years of age. In the fall of 1842 he located in the southern part of Iowa and engaged in farming one year, and then joined a train coming to Oregon with ox teams. On arriving on the Humboldt river the train separated-three of the wagons taking the California trail. With the latter company was Mr. Nichols. With but few mishaps they arrived at Johnson's ranch in October, 1847, and made his first home in the golden state at the Santa Clara mission. In the spring of 1848 he went to Santa Cruz county, where he remained until the gold discovery. Mr. Nichols was among the first to enter the mining district at Sutter's Fort, and for the following two years engaged in mining and keeping store at the different camps, until the spring of 1851, when he came with a 'pack train to Ore- gon. He at that time passed through the beautiful Cow creek valley, which he has since made his home. On his first arrival in the state Mr. N. engaged in the stock business, and in 1852 concluded to locate, and then took up a donation claim where he now resides, and still continues in the stock business. He has since added to his estate by purchase until now he has 1, 500 acres of land in the Cow creek valley, on which he has recently built himself a fine residence, a view of which appears in this work. During the Indian wars of 1853-6, Mr. Nichols took an active part, serving under Gen. Phil. Kearney and Gen. Lane. A detailed account of the many narrow escapes, trials and privations that Mr. Nichols passed through in those years would fill a good sized volume. Suffice it to say, there were few men in the Rogue river wars possessing more truc courage and daring, and who would sacrifice more for his fellow man than Mr. Nichols. After a residence of almost forty years on the Pacific coast -- thirty-three of which were spent where he now resides -- he has collected sufficient of this workl's goods to be able to take the comforts allowed an honest and well spent life, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all who know him. Mr. Nichols was united in marriage in 1852 to Miss Isabelle Riddle, a ni tive of Ohio. By this union they had a family of twelve children-eleven of whom are living. Their names are: Artenicia J., now Mrs. Owen Willis; Rhoda E., now Mrs. David Thompson; Lewis W., Henry II., Ahner E., Ulysses S., Israel B., Jr., Ben., Clara (now deceased), George E., Maximilian M. and Maria.
HON. JAMES W. F. OWENS, whose portrait appears in this history, is a true pioneer of the Pacific coast. Born in Platte county, Missouri, February 22, 1843, and is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Damron) Owens. When but an infant his parents started in June, 1843, with what is known as the second Oregon immigration to cross the then almost unknown and trackless plains, and with ox teams they pursued their weary journey, finally arriving in The Dalles in November of that year. They there secured canoes and came down the Columbia river to Astoria, and there his father concludel to locate, se- lecting a farm on Clatsop plains where he resided until the fall of 1853, when they came to Douglas county and locate I on the place now owned by Rev. J. R. N. Bell, a short distance from Roseburg. Here our subject attended school, anl at the age of fifteen years was placed in a high school at Dallas, Polk county. On his return from school, although yet a boy, he spent two years in the mines of Southern Oregon, and again returned to Roseburg and engaged in farming and stock maising, which
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the followed until 1877. In the latter year the "Grange Business Association of Roseburg" was organized and Mr. Owen was elected its manager-a position he still holds-and to whose able management is due the present success of that large or- ganization. In June, 1874, Douglas county honored Mr. Owens with a seat in the state senate, an office he filled with ability and to the utmost satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Owens belongs to that class which thinks that those who will, may win. As a business man he has the confidence of all who know him; as a citizen, the respect which his character and actions in life have entitled him; and what he possesses of this world's goods is the result of judicious labor prompted by his early surround- ings, and not the reward of chance for birth. Mr. Owens was married in Roseburg, August 7, 1864, to Miss Nannie L. Stevens, a native of Ohio. By this union they have one son, Lafayette, and two daughters, Esther and Effie. In conclusion we would say of Mr. Owens that the fortune which in the autumn of life surrounds him has been gathered by worthy hand, and properly rewards the life labors of a pioneer of his country. It is not infrequent that those who struggle less, and are fa- vored according to their efforts, are envious of those who succeed; but we can only say, success is generally the result, as in . this case, of intelligent and honorable endeavor to succeed. In his wanderings, seeking a favored spot for a life home, he has woven into his history some strange adventures and hair breadth escapes-when want of food, and the Indian scalping knife has lurked close upon his trail-but which to detail would require more space than is admissible in this work.
P. P. PALMER .- This well known gentleman and highly respected citizen, is a resident of Scottsburg, Douglas county. Mr. Palmer was born in Sussex county, Delaware, October 5, 1826, and resided on his father's farm until twenty years of age. He then went to Madison county and there found employment as a salesman in a store for two and one half years. He then started west, and on April 1, 1850, joined a train at St. Joseph, Missouri, to come to Oregon, arriving in l'ortland on the Ioth day of October of that year. Mr. Palmer then proceeded to Yreka, California, where he followed min- ing, but for a short time; returning to Yamhill county and in the fall of 1851 came to Douglas county and first located in Gar- den valley. In 1857 he moved to the place now owned by Levi Kent, and there resided for five years. In 1863 Mr. Palmer was appointed inspector of customs at Gardiner, and consequently transferred his residence to that place, where he remained in that capacity (for a time post master of Gardiner) until 1871, when he purchased and moved to his present property at Scotts- burg and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed successfully for ten or twelve years. He then closed out and in 1884 opened his present hotel at Scottsburg, the "Palmer House," a view of which appears in this work. If present indica- tions can be relied on, the Palmer House is sure to succeed, as with Mr. Palmer and his hospitable family the weary stranger always finds the comforts of a well conducted hotel. Mr. Palmer was united in marriage at Wilbur, Douglas county, March 6, 1856, to Miss Mary Slocum, a native of Kentucky, by which union they have had eleven children, all of whom are living except one, William E., who died December 25, 1883; Allie, now Mrs. Captain J. Hill; Albert, Elmer, Edith, Gussie, Annie, Mary, Elsie, Minnie and Pursey.
CAPT. JUDAH PARKER .- The subject of this sketch a well known and highly respected citizen of Coos county, and resident of Parkersburg, on the Coquille river, is a gentleman of whom a very respectable volume might be written could the facts of his changing and energetic life be fully given. Mr. Parker was born in Essex county, New Jersey, July 17, 1829, and there resided until his fifteenth year. His parents then removed to New York, locating in Seneca county; there our sub- ject assisted his father-the latter being a contracter and builder-for a period of six years. On reaching his majority Mr. Parker concluded to see some of the world and consequently shipped on board a whaling vessel bound for the Arctic ocean. After a cruise of eighteen months they arrived at the Sandwich Islands, where our subject shipped on board the bark Bayard and returned to America, following coasting until the fall of 1853, when he shipped on board the ship Parthenon and came around Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco in February, 1854. He not unlike all the early Californians immediately proceeded to the Gold fields, and for four years prosecuted his search for the precious metal, in Nevada county, meeting with moderate suc- cess. We next find Mr. Parker in the employ of the Pacific mail steamship company in the capacity of ship carpenter, and remained in their employ plying in that capacity between San Francisco and Panama until 1862. In the fall of that year Mr- Parker with the assistance of Mr. Wm. Ireland concluded to try to recover the immense treasure of the lost Golden Gate, which foundered off the coast of Mexico. Accordingly they fitted out the schooner Wm. Ireland. and sixty days later found them in the vicinity of the lost vessel-they being the fifth expedition that undertook to secure the Golden treasure. Through the admirable management and use of hydraulic pressure, a method discovered by Capt. Parker, they were enabled to secure $640,- 000 of the two millions lost, and returned to San Francisco. On two subsequent occasions Capt. Parker went in pursuit of the treasure ; the second time being the winter of 1863-4, on which occasion he succeeded in raising some $60,000. The third attempt was made in 1870, when he found the wreck to be buried in twenty feet of sand. He then returned to San Francisco and fitted out the steamer Mary Taylor, and again started in pursuit of the lost treasure -- this time to South America -- with the intention of raising an immense amount of money that had gone down with the wrecked Leo Cadia, a vessel that had foundered in the year 1802. In this undertaking, we may also mention, was Mr. G. W. Cooley, now a resident of Ellensburg, who had the misfortune of losing one of his eyes while performing the services of a diver. Capt Parker secured about five thousand Spanish dollars but on account of the long period in which they had lain in the salt water, were utterly worthless. He then returned to Calao with the intention of selling his vessel, but failing in this he returned to San Francisco, and in 1875 came to Coos county, first locating at Eastport, and about one year later moved to the present site of Parkersburg, and began the erection of a saw mill which he has since, and at the present time operates-a view and history of which will be found in this work. Mr. Parker was united in marriage in San Francisco, April 6, 1863, to Miss Ottile Frederick, a native of Germany; by this union they had four children, three of whom are living, viz: Ottile E., Georgianna and Warren.
JOSHUA PATTERSON was born in Eaton county, Michigan, December 2, 1857. His parents took him to Iowa when quite young, and from Belfountain they crossed the plains to Oregon in 1862, being five months and five days making the journey to Ashland. The family first settled on the Holton ranch, where they resided about one year, then took up a residence on a farm five miles north of Ashland, where the father lived up to the time of his death. The subject of this sketch went to California in the fall of 1872, and engaged in farming and running a threshing machine for about nine years. He there made
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the acquaintance and married Ella Jane Fewel on the ISth of September, 1881. They came to Oregon that fall Auf seted on the old homestead where he has since lived. His children are Myrtle, born July 4, 1882, and Henry Clay, lun Nov. 12, 1883.
C. T. PAYNE .-- Among the early settlers of Oregon is the subject of this sketch, and a view of his residence is one of the illustrations in this history. He was born in Keystville, Chariton county, Missouri, on the 15th of December, 1831. Here he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth McCollum, April 15, 1852; She was born in Chariton county, Missouri, October 21, 1834. They emigrated to Oregon with ox teams in 1852, via. overland route, and arrived in Linn county, where they settled August roth of that year. Here he maintained a permanent residence until coming to Jackson county in June 1668, and the following February settled on his present ranch. John, James M., David, Sarah E., Martha J., Minnie May, Stacy, Champ T., Taylor, Mandy Lee and Richard F. are the names of their children.
CYRUS H. PICKENS, -- (deceased.)-Mr. Pickens was born in Green county, North Carolina, November 8, 1801, and is a descendant of that branch of the family which is so well known in that state to-day. He emigrated to California in 1849, crossing the isthmus of Panama. In 1865 he came to Jackson county, and settled on the ranch now owned by his son, Elijah P. Pickens, and died there, aged seventy-seven years. He married Helen Moore, who was born in Landon county, Vir- ginia, July 6 1808. Elijah P. Pickens, son of the above, was born in Pleasants county, Virginia, August 3, 1841. In 1858 Mr. Pickens came to California, settling in Siskiyou county where he lived until 1878, then moved to Jackson county and set- tled on the farm of his father in Table Rock precinct-a view of which is found in this work. He married Elizabeth A. Everill, a native of England.
FRANCIS M. PLYMALE, born in Giles county, Va., March 17, 1833. He went to Knox county, Ill., about the year 1835. and there was educated and raised on a farm until the year 1852, when the family crossed the plains with ox teams, and settled in Jacksonville, where his father died. In March, 1853, Mr. Plymale settled on his present ranch six miles northeast from Jacksonville, where he has since lived. He married Jane E. Nickols, December 28, 1865. Anna, Norah, Cassie, Francis G., John S. and Medie are the names of his children.
WILLIAM J. PLYMALE, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Knox county, Illinois, February 9, 1837. In the year 1852 his parents emigrated to Oregon, arriving in November at Jacksonville, Jackson county. Here Mr. Plymale received his primary education, and finished a course at the Willamette University. lle first engaged in farming in this county, and followed this occupation about twenty-three years. He has resided in Jacksonville about ten years. 1Ie was twice elected county surveyor of Jackson county, and to the legislature in 1874. He married Josephine L. Martin, daughter of William J. Martin, formerly register of the land office at Roseburg. Has a family of nine children living.
JOHN W. PRICE .- This well known and substantial farmer of Oak creek valley, Douglas county, was born in Richland county, Ohio, near the town of Shelby, November IS, 1832. When nine years old his parents moved to Bellville. same county. Mr. Price resided on a farm with his parents until March, 1852, when he conluded to seek his fortune in the golden state. With three companions he left his home and went to Monroe, Michigan, where they purchased horses and a light wagon, and with this outfit they undertook to cross the plains to California. On arriving at Green river, Wyoming Territory, they were induced to change their route and consequently came to the "Webfoot" country, arriving in Oregon early in Septem- ber, 1852. Mr. Price immediately went to Yreka, California, where he found employment with a pack train - remaining in this situation some four years. He then located on the ranch now owned by James Short, seven miles east of Roseburg, and engaged in farming and stock raising for the period of seventeen years, meeting with abundant success. In 1878 he purchased his present homestead, then consisting of 700 acres, to which he has since added some 700 more; and now, after many years of patient toil has a finely stocked and well improved farm, consisting of 1,400 acres located on Oak creek, twelve miles north of Roseburg. In the summer of 1883 Mr. Price built one of the finest farm residences to be found in Southern Oregon-a view of which will be found in the body of this history. Mr. Price is, indeed, a true gentleman, with whom it is a pleasure to meet, and it would be a fortunate thing for Douglas county if it had more such men with the same energy, perseverance and integ. rity, as Mr. John W. Price. He was united in marriage on the place where he now resides November 1, 1857. to Miss Deliah Oden, a native of Missouri. By this union they have nine children, viz: James N., Charles .A., John E., Ida I .. , Asher L., Sarah E., William F., Samuel F. and Dora.
HON. PAINE PAGE PRIM was born in Wilson connty, Tennessee, in 1822. He followed the plow on his father's farm until well along in years, graduating in the law department of the Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee. He came to Oregon in 1851, the means of transportation being the primitive wagon of the day. Ile first settled in Linn county, but moved to Jackson county in 1852, where he was engaged as a miner, and afterwards commenced the practice of law at Jacksonville. His knowledge of the profession and keen perception of technicalitics soon attracted the attention of litigants. and he found himself possessed of a lucrative practice. The year 1857 marked two important epochs in his life, the first heing his marriage with Teresa MI. Stearns, which event was closely followed by his election as a member of the state constitutional convention. He continued the practice of law until the organization of the state government in 1859, when he was appointed supreme judge and ex-officio circuit judge of the first judicial district. This position was he'll until the act in 1878 was passed making a separate supreme court, when he was appointed one of the associate judges. He was nominated for the same position in ISSo, but, being defeated, again resumed the practice of his profession, and is now acknowledged as one of the mewing attorneys of the first judicial district. He was elected senator from Jackson county in 1882, and was the Democratic caucus nominee for United States senator, receiving thirty-three votes for that honorable position. Ile is a gentleman who has been prominently connected with the history of our state for many years and is held in high esteem by relative, an | friends.
JOHN G. RAST, the well known proprietor of the Roseburg brewery, is a native of Luzerne, Switzerland, born May 10, 1838. In the spring of 1854 with his parents and three sisters he sailed from Havre lor America, arriving in New Orleans in May of that year. They proceeded direct to St. Louis, where John was placed as an apprentice in a furniture son- ufactory, and he remained one year and then moved to Independence, Missouri, where he continued his trade. Two years later he, with his parents, moved to Davis county, Kansas, where they engaged in farming until May. 1859, when he me a 69
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The End craved the giaies pu Dragne. Coming Street : Douglas county, Mr. Rest made his home for the first three years with Mr. Charies Henderer. in Elk creek. In che fr.l of 1504 Mr. Rist came to Roseburg and purchased an interest in the Freeburg brewery with Mr. . Meal, in which he remained med IS-1. when in that year they suffered the loss of their brewery by fre. Mr. Rust then purchased Mr. Med's facerest in the property and rebuilt the brewery-the one he now oper- t'es A new ve his Sweling nijeming bis brewery property is among the d'ustrations of this history. Mr. Rast was married iz Rosetarg :. Miss Cura Jones in 1875. They have a family of four children. Regeniz, Samuel I. Annie M. ind Gertrale, THOMAS G. REAMS wis bech == Lichdelf. Kentacky. December 15, 1838. When he was about six years vid ins parases settled = Cartierde. Davis where they remained until 1532 and came to Oregon that year. With his father be was employed by the HuEsca's Bay Company Suring the winter, and in the spring they came to Jackson county. arriv- ing Fist before he commencement of the Indian war in 1833-ami settled near Phenix. Mr. Reams was farming and mining here until ridt. when he took ty his residente in Jacksonville and was appointed depaty sheriff, holding the office until 1868. That pert he was elected sherif -- serving one term. Ater engaging in the livery business one year he opened z mercantile house a: Phoenix. under the im mune of Reams & Sachs, which comumved four years. Then, in conjunction with his brother. bough: zur Messes. White & Martin & Jacksonville, and since that time the firm has been "Reams Bros." Mt. Reams has theen mayor of Jacksonville several terms, and i cumber cf times a member of the common council. He was appointed briga- Der-genera" of the first begynte of Oregon militia by Governor Thever Received the nomination for secretary of state on the Democratic sicker in r$-5. but was deferred by K. P. Earhart by IQ1 votes. He is a prominent citizen of Jacksonville, and is I pest rini amester : Mascus in Orege. His portrait appears in this work. Married Lucinda Williams, and has a family
GENERAL JOHN E. ROSS. - The select of this sketch was born in Madison county. Ohio, February 15, 18IS. HEis friher mivel :. Foantr's county, Indiana, when he was ten years id: thence to Cook county. Flinois, in 18;3. He mar- med. a tout the banginer & Metoder Robinson, of Chicago, who died after they had been married about eight months. In IS1" General Ross orme to Oregon, ami was capcrin of i company which crossed the plains. Col. Ross. Jo. Kline, and an Enginshmm, left the company it Grani Roode, with the intention of coming in through ahead of them. On the road begood Rock creek. they discovered where a riot had been minckel by the Indians. They orertock the emigrants after crossing John Duy aver. who proved to be the Warren gurty. They ami been rocced of all they possessed, the Indians not even sparing them their wearing apparel. Mr. Ross traded his clothes : the Indians for provisions for this destitute band, and remained wat them and its own main ardived d" coming to Oregon together. Gener" Ross landed a: The Dalles without a dollar, and went :: work de E bem :- which brough: Jowz emmigrants to the fil's -- at one dollar per day. About the first of Novem- ber. IS1". he went to Oregon Cay ami opened a butcher shop, which he ccofuted about one mouth Then the Cayese war boire out. ami be enlisted in the first volunteer company. with H. A. G. Lee, captain. Joseph Magoce, Erst lieutenant: and Mr. Russ. second Seutenant, and went to the mission scitron a: The Dalles, on the Columbia river. Lee and Magone were pro- mccel. En General Ross was commissioned cigcim of the company, holding this position during his term of service in that wir. He returned to Oregon City after the Cryuse war th Isch, and was engaged in running a threshing machine when the zes renched him of the discovery of gold in Calfenn. Leaving his machine standing in the field -- which he never saw after- waris-he went b: che mimes ou Ferther river. ami there engaged m mining and. the fall of ISag. when he returned to Oregon; went back : the mines in California, in the spring of 1550, and was one of the first discoverers of gold on Scott's river. In Isst he cime to Treści thence to Josephine creek, and was one of the first discoverers of geld on Canyon creek, in Josephine county. He recurmei to che WHemence valley in the winter of Is51 and purchased a band of cattle, drove them to the Rogue river valley in [amory. r$52, and igemed a butcher's shop at Jackscoville. In the i of 1ss2. General Ross raised & com- pany of thirty men and went to rescue immigrants who were stacked It Bloody Point on Tule like. They joined Ben. Winghe's company ar Clear lake, ami with them met a party of immigrants between Clear and Goose lakes, returning with them. On the roud they buried about fourteen of the immigrants, who had been killed by Indians. Ross and his company pani their :w2 expenses on this trip, and for pay they received the thanks of the Oregon legislature. In January. 1853. be murmel Elztherh Hogwood, this being the first marriage in Jacksonville: the ceremony was performed by a Methodist prencher by the name of Geber. He settled on his present farm in December, IS53. In August, 1553. an Indian war broke but, and he was colone in command of two bartalices of mounted volunteers. After operating a few days in conjunction with Colonel Alien. of the U. S. army, and having only a few skirmishes with the Indians General Lane anived and took com- mami After i hari-icughz battle on the headwaters of E-ins creek, in which engagement General Lane and Colonel Aiden were wounded. and Amsaung killei. the In dans made i renty with General Lane. Colonel Ross acted as interpreter, boch at the preummary arrangements for the treaty, and at the treaty itself, although J. W. Nesmith was the appointed interpreter Sy Generi. Line, amd's so reported by him. The Indians, however, did not know Nesmith, and were acquainted with General Boss. ind it was only through him that they would communicate what they had to say in relation to the treaty. In 1854 he wie cefered by the Governor :: organize i company and send them out to protect the immigrants on the southern route, which wzs fone. Cacciin Walker commanding. Ou the Sith of Fine of that year he was commissioned colonel of the gth regiment En Gov Jan W Da is. In the mall of 1595, a break-out of the Indians, not only in this county but in the northern part of the score is well. resulted in a general war. Colonel Ross being in command of the gch regiment, took the field, fought ser- erul serere bamt'es, ami was at length superseded in command by Col. J. K. Lamerick. A: a special election held December ES- ESSS, he was elected .: represent Jackson county in the territorial council, to fi'l a vacancy caused by removal of Dr. Cleve- Lamt ami at the general election in June, ISoo,to the legislative assembly. In 1866 -; when the California and Oregon Railroad Company was themef. Colonel Ross was elected "we of its directors, and the directors transferred the franchise :> Holladay. He was appointed brigader-genera of the first brigade of the Oregue militia by Gov. L. F. Grover. on Dec. 2. 19;2. The Text important muve was at the beginning of the Moroc war. when he was commissioned brigadier-general and took the field. comman'my as such throughout the war, and participated in the principal engagements. In IS,8 he represented Jackson
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