USA > Oregon > Oregon, pictorial and biographical > Part 10
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William Addison Towe
ILLIAM ADDISON HOWE, who has resided in W Oregon and Yamhill county for almost three decades, is one of the leading and most prominent citizens of Carlton, owning and conducting the largest general mercantile establishment in the town. He is likewise the president of the Carlton State & Savings Bank and the chief executive officer of the Valley Real Estate Company, of Carlton and has extensive property holdings. His birth occurred in Longwood, Massachusetts, on the 10th of October, 1859, his parents being S. H. and Lucinda (Savage) Howe, both of English ancestry. They are now deceased, passing away in the old Bay state. The great- grandparents of our subject were natives of England and emigrated to America during the period of the Revolutionary war.
William Addison Howe obtained his education in the schools of his native state and is a graduate of Harvard University. In 1882 he removed to New York and was there engaged in business for one year. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Oregon and has remained a resident of Yamhill county continuously since. Purchas- ing a tract of land, he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits for eight years and then disposed of his property and erected the largest general mercantile store in Carlton, which he has since con- ducted with excellent success. He is also a prominent factor in finan- cial circles as the president of the Carlton State & Savings Bank, be- ing one of the incorporators of that institution in 1910. Prior to the organization of that bank he had established and conducted a private banking concern. Mr. Howe likewise incorporated and is now the president of the Valley Real Estate Company, of Carlton, Oregon, which has extensive holdings in Carlton and vicinity. He also owns two farms in Yamhill county, embracing three hundred and fifty acres each, both tracts being well improved and under a high state of cul- tivation. His landed holdings likewise include various pieces of city property at Dawson, Yukon territory. Two years ago he sold the large sawmill which he had incorporated and operated and which still has a daily capacity of three hundred thousand feet, its operations ex- tending over a radius of many miles. His connection with any un- dertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his
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William Addison Dowe
nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he is asso- ciated with. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and un- bounded confidence of his fellowmen.
In 1889 Mr. Howe was united in marriage to Miss A. H. Cunning- ham, a native of Milton, Massachusetts, in which state her parents passed away. She was one of a family of eleven children, nine of whom still survive. Our subject and his wife have three living chil- dren. Alice, who was born in 1890 and obtained her education in a private school of New York, is the wife of B. B. Wood, a landowner of Ontario, Canada. The latter is a son of Colonel C. E. S. Wood, of Portland. William L. C. Howe, whose natal year was 1891, is now attending Cornell University. Marian, born in 1898, is attending school at Portland, Oregon.
In politics Mr. Howe is a stanch republican, being convinced that the principles of that party are most conducive to good government. He has served for two terms as state senator and has also been honored with election to many other positions of public trust. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the United Artisans, while in more strictly social lines he is connected with the Arlington and University Clubs of Portland. He has made good use of his talents and opportunities and stands as a high type of American manhood.
John Reynolds
John Reynolds, M. D.
D R. JOHN REYNOLDS, a physician of Salem who in the long years of practice has demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with the intricate prob- lems which are met in the efforts to restore health and check the ravages of disease, has practiced contin- uously in Salem since 1874. He was born in Colum- biana county, Ohio, October 2, 1837, a son of Lloyd and Elizabeth (Glass) Reynolds, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father and mother removed to Washington county, Ohio, later in life and their deaths occurred in that locality. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom survive.
When John Reynolds was but three years of age his parents re- moved from Columbiana county, Ohio, to Washington county and it was in the later place that he was reared and educated. After receiv- ing the education which the common schools of Ohio offered he took up the study of medicine at the age of nineteen years under his father, who was a general practitioner. After having completed the medical course at Miami Medical College, he began practice at Beverly, Ohio, and remained there until 1874, when he came to Salem. He is one of the oldest practicing physicians in the city and has proven his skill and ability. From the outset of his professional career his labors have been attended with success viewed from both the professional and the financial standpoints. He has ever been most careful in the diag- nosis of his cases and seldom if ever has been at fault in anticipating the outcome of a disease. He has not specialized in any particular field but has continued in the general practice of medicine and has kept in touch with its advancement by giving careful attention to the re- search and investigation which have been undertaken by the members of the medical fraternity. Without at any time neglecting the duties of his vocation he has interested himself in agriculture to the extent of overseeing the forty-nine acre fruit farm which he owns one mile north of the city limits of Salem. He has brought this property under a high state of productivity and it is planted to prunes, pears and cherries. His real-estate investments also include several valuable pieces of property in Salem.
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John Reynolds, M. D.
In 1860 Dr. Reynolds was married to Miss S. A. Truesdell, a native of Washington county, Ohio, and a daughter of J. M. and Adelia Truesdell, both of whom were born in Ohio and are now de- ceased. To Dr. and Mrs. Reynolds five children have been born: Mary E., who is residing at home and is teaching in Willamette Uni- versity; Kate D., who is married to John Goltra, of Portland, Oregon; L. T., who is a fruit grower in Marion county; J. W., an attorney of Portland; and Harry B., deceased.
In politics Mr. Reynolds is a republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. His professional duties have brought him into close relations with many households and in all he commands the high regard and love of those to whom he has ministered. His life work has indeed been one of broad usefulness and in every relation he has lived up to the high ideals which he has set for himself.
Mr and Mrs. L C. Rogers
Lewis Cass Rogers
EWIS CASS ROGERS, whose death occurred Oc- L tober 5, 1901, was born in Yamhill county, Oregon, in March, 1850, a son of Barry and Lucetta Rogers. When he was but a child his parents died and he was reared by relatives until he was old enough to earn his own livelihood. He attended the public schools for a few years but engaged as a farm hand whenever he was not engaged with his text-books. He was thus employed until he was old enough to accept a position as sheep driver with various men who dealt in sheep in Oregon, California and Nevada. After working as such for several years he became independent, removing to the ranch upon which he resided at the time of his death and entering into the stock business. He devoted his attention principally to raising horses and cattle and in both of these lines he engaged extensively. When he started in the business he had but forty acres, but at the time of his death the farm comprised four hundred and eighty acres, all of which- had been brought under a high state of cultivation. The industry, energy and perseverance which he displayed in the conduct of his af- fairs were salient elements in the acquirement of a competency which made it possible for him to leave his family in comfortable circum- stances when he was called to his final rest after almost thirty years' connection with the agricultural interests of Umatilla county.
In 1872, one year before he purchased his ranch, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Caroline E. Sitton, of Yamhill county, whose birth occurred October 21, 1851, and who is a daughter of N. K. and Pris- cilla (Rogers) Sitton. The father's birth occurred in Missouri, Sep- tember 2, 1825, and the mother was born in Indiana, October 27, 1829. Mr. Sitton came to Oregon in 1843 and located on what afterward be- came his donation land claim, five miles north of McMinnville. He resided there until the time of his death on the 10th of July, 1902. The mother removed to Yamhill county with her parents in 1846. Her death occurred June 22, 1869. They were married in 1847 and to them five sons and four daughters were born. Two of the daugh- ters died in infancy and four of the sons and Mrs. Rogers are the only surviving members. By a subsequent marriage Mr. Sitton had three daughters and two sons. Mr. Sitton was popularly known throughout
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Lewis Cass Rogers
the county among his many friends and acquaintances by the endear- ing term of "Uncle Doc." For some time he was employed by the Hudson's Bay Company when he first came here. His simple modes of living well adapted him for the life in a pioneer country for it is said that if he had boiled wheat his meal was complete. He came from Missouri with Charles E. Fendall, a well educated man. For some time they lived together and later married two sisters. Mrs. Rogers attended the country schools until 1863, when she entered a convent in Salem. In 1866 and 1867 she was a student at the Baptist College of McMinnville and afterward was engaged in teaching for two terms. Since the death of her husband she has rented the greater part of the ranch, which is provided with two substantial dwellings for residence use. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers eight children were born. Edward, who makes his home in McMinnville; Harry, who is residing near Echo; Judd, who resides on Willow creek; Fields, who was born in 1882 and died in 1905; Dixie, the wife of Claude Oliver, of Buhl, Idaho; Lucille, who became the wife of Albert Gillette; Neva, who married Harold Bettinger, of Portland; and Doc, at home.
His long identification with the agricultural interests of Umatilla county had made Mr. Rogers well known among the citizens of the district in which he resided, and all with whom he had any relations entertained for him the highest regard and esteem. He had always been an independent and thoughtful observer and in the course of a long career had gained a great deal of knowledge which is not found in books. He was an interesting talker and genial host, and few men in this part of the state were better informed as to the early days nor could any man relate more vividly the story of pioneer times. Because of his extensive reading, which he constantly kept up, he was well in- formed upon various lines of thought and upon the issues of the day. Although Mrs. Rogers is over sixty years of age she still gives active supervision to her business interests, renting the ranch which is yet in her possession, and proving capable and successful in the conduct of her affairs.
. Mujer James. Bruce
Major James Bruce
AJOR JAMES BRUCE is an Oregon pioneer of M 1850 and a veteran of the Indian wars. He has every reason to be proud of the military record which he made in the effort to subdue the red men when they showed open hostility to the advancement of the white race, resenting the planting of the seeds of civilization in this section of the country. He is now living retired, de- riving his income from valuable property interests in the vicinity of Corvallis, Benton county. He was born November 3, 1827, in Har- rison county, Indiana, a son of John and Ellen (Lemon) Bruce. His father's mother was a sister of Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky pioneer and explorer. In 1839 John Bruce removed to Adams county, Illinois, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home. At his death he left a widow and seven children.
Major Bruce was a lad of twelve years at the time the family went to Adams county, where he remained until 1847, when, as a young man of twenty years, he joined a wagon train bound for Texas, spend- ing two years in that state. In 1849, however, he returned to Illinois and afterward engaged in boating on the Mississippi river until the spring of 1850, when he again joined a wagon train which was bound for Oregon. On the route, however, the plans were changed and after a trip of six months across the desert and over the mountains the party arrived at Hangtown, now Placerville, California. Major Bruce at once proceeded to the mines and met with fair success in his search for the precious metal. Mining activities occupied his attention until the fall of 1851, when he took up a ranch in Scott's valley, Siskiyou county, California. The following year, however, he sold that prop- erty and came to Oregon, at which time he established a general mer- cantile store in Jacksonville.
At the outbreak of the Indian war, in 1853, Major Bruce enlisted as a private and later was promoted from time to time for meritorious service to the rank of captain. By the close of the second Rogue river war, in 1856, he had been promoted to the rank of major and filled that position with distinction, for there were few who took a more active part or displayed greater bravery and fidelity in the Indian wars than Major Bruce, a fact which is indicated in the historical vol-
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Major James Bruce
ume of this work. He uncomplainingly bore the hardships and dan- gers of Indian campaigning, and following the close of hostilities and the removal of the Indians to the Siletz reservation he took a contract to plow and fence a part of that reservation. He afterward followed different occupations until 1862, when he began dealing in live stock and while carrying on that business, in 1864, he accomplished a feat that has seldom ever been attempted-that of driving a large number of hogs for a distance of over seven hundred miles or from the Ump- qua valley in Douglas county to Boise City, Idaho. The venture, how- ever, proved successful, for he sold most of his porkers at one dollar per pound. He then returned to Benton county and purchased a part of his present farm, which now contains seven hundred acres all in one body. This he rents, now living retired, and at the present time he is living in McMinnville. His property returns to him a very gratifying annual income and is the visible evidence of the excellent business abil- ity which he has displayed as the years have gone by.
In 1857 Major Bruce was married to Miss Margaret Kinney, of Benton county, who died in 1884. On the 2d of March, 1886, he wedded Elizabeth Mark, a daughter of Charles and Catherine (Mun- zer) Mark, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. They were married in Missouri and in that state the mother died, after which the father came to Oregon in 1875. He then engaged in farming in Yamhill county until he retired from business life and set- tled in McMinnville, where he passed away in 1889. Major and Mrs. Bruce became parents of one daughter, Sarah Catherine.
Major Bruce has not only made an excellent record in military and business circles but also as a political leader of prominence and in- fluence. In former years he took an active part in support of prin- ciples in which he believed and he represented Benton county in the state legislature at Salem from 1874 until 1876 and afterward was sent from Washington county to the general assembly. He says that he is a Thomas Jefferson democrat and an Abraham Lincoln repub- lican. In other words, he stands firmly for principles rather than for party and holds to the high standards of two of the nation's most dis- tinguished upbuilders. During all his life Major Bruce has been an ardent advocate of the cause of temperance and untiringly devoted his energies to this movement.
Major Bruce should receive great credit in live-stock circles of the state. He was appointed by Governor Grover to serve as judge on agricultural implements during six months at the National Cen- tennial exposition in 1876, and there purchased one of the finest Clydesdale stallions ever brought to Oregon. When returning from
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Major James Bruce
the exposition he also brought back with him a herd of high-grade Jersey cattle, which were the first that ever came into the Willamette valley. When attending the New Orleans fair, in 1884, he there pur- chased a carload of Aberdeen Angus cattle, which were the ground stock for a good many herds of that breed in Oregon and, in fact, he was the first man to introduce high-grade stock into this state.
He does not believe in creeds and dogmas but has ever attempted to follow the teachings of the Christ and thus his life has been a most honorable and upright one and his religious faith of the highest char- acter. Although he has now traveled far on life's journey, the pre- cious prize of keen mentality is still accorded him. He has always been a leader among men and in many characteristic and admirable ways has left the impress of his individuality upon public thought and feel- ing. His life has indeed been well spent and the record is a credit and honor to his adopted state, with the development of which he has been closely identified through sixty years.
Bradford Hunsaker
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Bradford Dunsaker
a child, a young man and a young woman. The young man was supposed to have died of cholera and Mr. Hunsaker and another man of the party were the only ones who would bury him because of the disease. They never had any fear of the red men, never stood guard over the stock or camp at night and when Indians would visit the camp for food it was always given them, peaceful relations being thus maintained. From Huntington the party proceeded up Burnt river and crossed over to Powder river valley, going thence to the Grande Ronde valley where the old town of La Grande stands. They next crossed the Blue Mountains to the Umatilla river and on over the old emigrant road, across the John Day and the Des Shutes rivers to The Dalles. At that point wagons, goods and the families were loaded on large scows which proceeded down the Columbia to the Cascades. It was necessary to portage over and then again board the scows which proceeded to Big Sandy. Mr. Hunsaker was one of the number who drove the stock from The Dalles down the trail to the Cascades where the stock was ferried over to the Washington side and then driven down to the Columbia river bottoms across from Big Sandy, at which point they were again ferried over to the Oregon side. From that point the party proceeded to Oregon City where they arrived Septem- ber 24. 1852. Bradford Hunsaker then went into Washington on the Washougal, where he engaged in the saw milling business. In 1855 he secured a donation land claim of three hundred and twenty acres in Clarke county, Washington, and resided thereon for about eighteen years, during which time he engaged in raising stock and in farming. After leaving there he removed to eastern Oregon and settled in Baker county where he has since lived, making farming and stock raising his principal business. While he is practically living retired now he has good holdings from which he derives a substantial annual income.
All of the phases of pioneer life are familiar to Mr. Hunsaker and he has gone through many of the experiences which are features in the development of any country. He served in the Indian war of 1855-6, becoming a member of Captain Strong's company with which he enlisted at Vancouver. He served for three months, being sta- tioned on guard duty at The Dalles, and he is now drawing a pension of eight dollars per month as a veteran of the Indian wars. The only office that he has ever held is that of road supervisor, serving for a number of years, beginning in 1860 in Clarke county, Washington. He has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never been an office seeker. When eighteen years of age he joined the Dunkards in Adams county, Illinois, and as there was no
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Bradford Dunsaker
church of that denomination near his home in the northwest he be- came identified with the Baptist church here.
In Clarke county, Washington, about fifteen miles east of Van- couver, Mr. Hunsaker was married to Maria Stice, the daughter of Peter Stice, who was a chairmaker of Vancouver and the first to take up the business in that place. Her brother, Peter J. Stice, served in the Indian war of 1855-6 under Colonel Shaw and ten or twelve years later was drowned in the Willamette river at Portland in an effort to rescue two ladies who had capsized their little boat. All three, however, were drowned. Mrs. Hunsaker had four sisters. Mrs. Wil- liam Moffet, Mrs. Robert Rocket and Mrs. G. W. Hart, are now deceased. The youngest was the wife of George Parker and her sec- ond husband was a show man who fell from a trapeze and was killed. Her third husband's name was Whitlock. Mrs. Whitlock became very fleshy, weighing seven hundred and twenty pounds and was in Barnum's museum for a time. She was also a snake charmer and handled rattlesnakes without any fear. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hun- saker were born six children, namely: Francis Marion, born Septem- ber 15, 1855; Hulda Catherine, born February 17, 1857; Malinda Jane, born July 12, 1860; Mary Lucinda, born December 2, 1862; William Sylvester, born May 11, 1865; and Anna Elizabeth, born June 27, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Hunsaker had twenty grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. They lived to celebrate their golden wedding and two years later Mrs. Hunsaker passed away, August 16, 1906, after having traveled life's journey together for fifty-two years, seven months and four days. For many years she had been a member of the Universalist church. Mr. Hunsaker is well known as an honored pioneer settler of both eastern and western Oregon. The active and useful life that he has led is now being crowned with a well earned rest. He has contributed much to the early develop- ment and progress of the communities in which he resided and those who have known him hold him in high regard. He can remember a time when the site of Portland was largely covered with a dense growth of pine trees and when only here and there had a family settlement been made in the Willamette valley, while eastern Oregon was an undeveloped wilderness. He has lived to see great changes and can tell most interesting tales of pioneer life on both the eastern and western slope of the Cascades.
Benjamin and Catherine Stanton
Benjamin Stanton
B ENJAMIN STANTON, deceased, was one of the pioneer settlers of Oregon, having come to this state in 1852. He was a native of Indiana, born August 11, 1833, the son of William and Anna Stanton. In 1852 the parents started to cross the plains with ox teams but the father died on the way of cholera. The mother with her family came on to Oregon, settling in Marion county, where she resided until her death, passing away in Salem.
Benjamin Stanton was reared in his father's home and was nine- teen years of age when he came with the family to Oregon. In 1853, in Marion county, he wedded Miss Catherine Clamson, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth Clamson, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The parents crossed the plains in 1852, settling in Polk county, Oregon, where they purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land and resided until their deaths, the father passing away in 1854 and the mother in 1886. In their family were seven children, three of whom are now living. After his marriage Mr. Stanton engaged with much success in the hotel business in Salem, where he remained for eleven years. Subsequently he removed to Union county, residing there fourteen years, and in 1878 came to Umatilla county. Here he took up a section of railroad land and im- proved and developed the same, living on it until his death, which occurred in 1887. Mrs. Stanton still owns this old homestead of six hundred and forty acres. To Mr. and Mrs. Stanton were born eleven children, six of whom are deceased. Those who are living are: Martha, the wife of A. F. Benson; Charles; Anna, now Mrs. Charles Watson; Benjamin; and Frank. Mrs. Stanton now owns and resides in a beau- tiful home in Helix, where she has many friends and acquaintances. She is a prominent and faithful member of the Baptist church and her interest in it has always been most helpful.
In politics Mr. Stanton was a republican and for one term he rep- resented Umatilla county in the state legislature. In his business career he made a most creditable record because his methods were straightforward and honorable and he enjoyed fully the confidence of the public. His death was deeply deplored by the many who knew him and entertained for him the warmest regard and respect.
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