Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 71

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 946

USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 71

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JAMES J. R. GIBSON. Among the farmers of Clackamas county whose memory goes back to the time when the present resourcefulness of the valley was hardly dreamed of, may be men- tioned James J. R. Gibson, one hundred acres of whose quarter section farm has been relieved of its primeval burden of timber, and is now de- voted to the raising of abundant harvests, and the grazing of herds of cattle. As are so many of his neighbors in the county, Mr. Gibson comes from Ohio, in which state he was born in Meigs county, April 8, 1826, a son of Harmon G. Gib- son, a salt manufacturer in the Buckeye state.

Various employments fell to the lot of Mr. Gibson in his youth, and first of all he naturally learned all about the making of salt. He also became an expert shoemaker while under the paternal direction, and his occupation was fur- ther diversified at his twenty-first year, when he started out on an independent career as an em- ploye at the iron works. For some years there- after he worked here, there and at several points in the state at steamboating, salt making, canaling and shoemaking, gaining in the meantime much valuable experience as regards men and events. About 1849 he started for the west, presumably with visions of golden fortunes, but succeeded only in getting as far as Iowa, where he stayed for about a year and then returned to Ohio, stop- ping in Illinois for a time. For the following six months he lived in Ohio. There he married and later went to Iowa, living in that state three years. He then returned to Ohio, where he remained for two years, when he again took up his residence in Iowa, making it his home until 1865. Afterward he removed to Nemaha county, Kans., which con- tinued to be his home for a year and a half.

Not satisfied with an portion of the middle west which had come under his observation, Mr. Gibson started for Oregon in 1867, with two yoke of oxen, and at the end of four months came out at Grande Ronde valley, eastern Oregon,

Nu & Howbut

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where he lived until 1868. That year he came to his present farm three miles southeast of Eagle Creek, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land entirely destitute of improvements. Of this land but eighty acres remains under heavy timber, and this stands a fair prospect of being more useful to man in the near future. The best and most modern improvements have been introduced on this model 'farm, and the owner, who is now practically retired, has under- stood and applied scientific methods.

The first marriage of Mr. Gibson was solem- nized in 1851, and was with Maria Ellis, who died in 1861. The second Mrs. Gibson, who died in January, 1903, was formerly Mrs. Emily Gar- rison, who, by her first marriage had three chil- dren, A. G. Garrison, Alice Garrison, and Phoebe Garrison. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have been born the following children: H. S .; Harry, de- ceased ; Harvey and Halley, twins; Richard B .; Mrs. Nora J. Reed, of Springwater ; and Mrs. Cora M. Udell. Mr. Gibson is a Republican of the old school and has served his party and friends as road supervisor and school director.

WILLIAM J. HOWLETT. Situated on an elevation that commands a view of the surround- ing country, three miles southeast of Eagle Creek, is the one hundred and sixty acre farm of William J. Howlett, known as one of the most enterprising and resourceful of the agriculturists of Clackamas county. He was born in Jennings county, Ind., March 8, 1830.

In his ancestral connections Mr. Howlett is descended from Revolutionary stock, for even so near a relative as his paternal grandfather, William Howlett, carried a musket upon the battlefields of Brandywine and Bunker Hill, and it is supposed wintered with Washington at Valley Forge. He was also present at the surrender of General Burgoyne. This promoter of Colonial independence was born, reared, and passed considerable of his life in Massachusetts, preferably in Boston, but eventually settled in Marietta county, Ohio, where his son, L. V. Nel- son Howlett, the father of William J., was born. At the time of his memorable journey towards the west, L. V. Nelson Howlett had just dis- posed of his farm in Jennings county, Ind., and was ambitious of participating in the great up- building of the coast. His expectations, how- ever, were doomed to disappointment, for in some way he contracted erysipelas on the way, and died near Huntington, in 1851. The dis- consolate family continued their way according to the plans of the father, and near Eagle Creek, Clackamas county, bought a homestead right to a quarter section of land. No sooner was a method of life established in the new sur-

roundings than William J. started out to earn his own living elsewhere, and in 1854 took up his present farm, upon which there were no improvements, and of which he has already cleared sixty acres. The most modern and ap- proved labor-saving machinery facilitates the carrying on of large general farming enterprises, and the convenient rural home above the neigh- bors on all sides, is one of the most desirable to be found in the county.

About 1854, just before taking up his present farm, Mr. Howlett went to California, much impressed with the stories he had heard of hid- den wealth. After working in the mines for a few months he decided in favor of the slower but surer livelihood to which the industrious and thrifty farmer is heir, and the same year re- turned to Clackamas county, purchased his farm, and September 20, 1854, was united in marriage with his wife and helpmate, Sabina Markwood, daughter of David M., who came to Oregon in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Howlett have been born four children: Viola A., wife of J. Wesley Douglass, of Eagle Creek; Mary Jane, wife of Joseph D. Douglass, of Wasco county, Ore., Louisa, wife of Albert Cook, of Damascus; and Lida A. Woodle, whose husband lives on a farm adjoining that of her father. Mr. Howlett has been variously occupied with public and political affairs of his county, has been justice of the peace for fourteen years, and school clerk and director for several years. Formerly as stanch a Democrat as he is at present a Republican, his services have redounded to the credit of both parties, although he is in no sense what might be termed a politician. Mr. Howlett is identified with Eagle Creek Grange No. 197, and in religion is a member of the Christian Adventist Church, in which he is serving as elder. He is one of the foremost farmers and citizens of his locality, and is esteemed both for his business enterprise and many desirable traits of character.

JOHN GLOVER. An agriculturist who im- pressed his general worth upon the community of Clackamas county, and whose many years of resi- dence here were characterized by public spirited efforts and business success, was John Glover, born in Missouri in 1836, and who died in this county October 6, 1884.

The coming of Mr. Glover to Oregon was hardly a matter of his own election, for his father, John P. Glover, an ambitious and fairly successful farmer back in Missouri, brought his family overland in 1852, settling upon a dona- tion claim of six hundred and forty acres in Clackamas county, upon which the remainder of his days were spent. After the death of the father there were four heirs to the property, and

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the son John, who was one of them, was fortu- nately able to buy off the other claimants, and was therefore the possessor of large landed es- tates. The trust was fully appreciated. and among the larger possibilities of his adopted state he found ample chance for the exercise of sound business judgment, which redounded to the credit of all with whom he came in contact. Through his efforts about forty acres of the heavily tim- bered land was cleared of its detriment to farm- ing enterprises, and the improvements known at that time were introduced unstintingly. This property is being worked by his sons and widow. and the standard insisted upon by the pioneer and former head of the family is being maintained to distinct advantage. Mr. Glover was enterprising and thrifty, and established an enviable reputa- tion as a man of sound business judgment.

Twice married, the first wife of Mr. Glover was formerly Parthenia Brigman, of which union there were born two children : Mrs. Olive O'Neil of Oregon, and Mrs. Flora Beck of California. The present Mrs. Glover was, in her girlhood, Lucy O'Neil, and was born in Ripley county, Ind., October 9, 1841. She was first married to L. E. Martin, with whom she came across the plains in 1860, with three yoke of oxen, and household belongings for beginning life in Ore- gon. After a residence here of four years the couple returned to the east, and after the death of her husband Mrs. Martin again took up her residence in Oregon. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, of whom Mrs. Bertha Gibson is living in Oregon City, Ore .; Mrs. M. M. Trullinger is a resident of Union Mills, Ore .; and Emily is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Glover were born five children, viz .: Della M .; John R., of Wardner, Idaho: Walter G .; Homer C .; and Matt C. In politics Mr. Glover was a stanch defender of Jeffersonian Democracy, and during nearly his entire active life was a member of the school board of his respective districts. Mrs. Glover is a member of the Baptist Church.

JUDGE GRANVILLE H. BABER was as- sociated with the upbuilding of Oregon for many years, and his death in 1898 removed one of the exceptionally resourceful and enterprising pioncers of the state. Of English ancestry, he was born in Virginia, February 14, 1817, his father, James, having been born in the Old Do- minion in 1783, his grandfather, William. a sol- (lier in the war of 1812, also being a native of Virginia.

James Baber married into the Chewing family of Virginia, his wife, Elizabeth, being a daugh- ter of Aclas Chewing, representative of one of the very early New England families. During the war of 1812 the Baber family was well repre-

sented, for James and his six brothers shouldered muskets in defense of the honor of the country. Of the four children born into this family all are deceased excepting one, Austin, the mother having died in 1856, while the father survived her several years. Granville Henderson was reared in Virginia, and received his preliminary education in the public schools of that state. In 1841 he started west, reaching Jefferson coun- ty, Iowa, where he located on the last purchase made from the Lone Indians. Two years later he married his first wife, Elizabeth J. Knox, whose two brothers, George and Ellis, live in southern California, and in 1845 he started over the plains with his wife and her family. Among the oxen which conveyed the travelers and their possessions was one more sagacious than the rest, who led the little band in safety over rivers and across prairies, bringing them in safety to the desired destination. Mr. Baber located on a claim in Linn county, six miles from Albany, and at the time the mud was knee deep, and the outlook very discouraging for the very first set- tlers of that section. Here he left his family while he went down into California on the Amer- ican river and mined for three months, return- ing thereafter to the cultivation of his farm. In 1851 he was elected judge of Linn county, serv- ing for two terms and soon afterward took a trip back east by way of Panama. Returning to the coast he located in Napa county, Cal., and after the death of his first wife in 1874, returned to his native state of Virginia for a year. The year 1875 found him again in Oregon, in which year he was united in marriage, October 28th, with Wilhelmina Krouse, (German-Krauss), of which union there were born two children, of whom Liverne Hayward was born 1876, and died in 1900, at which time she was a student in the senior year at the Pacific University; and Jose- phine, also educated at the Pacific University.

After a residence of thirty-seven years in Linn county Mr. Baber removed with his family to Forest Grove, that the children might have het- ter educational chances, and here his last days were spent. He was a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows in his youth, but he was gradually weaned away from this and other organizations when responsibilities began to wear down his energies. In his youth a Whig, he was later a Republican, and was the first judge of Linn county, serving thus for two terms. Notwithstanding his southern birth and training his breadth of mind and generally hu- mane instincts inspired him to affiliation with the Union, but he freely admitted the error into which his friends. and neighbors had fallen. Many changes came over Oregon during his resi- dence here; towns sprang up and forests were cleared, and the advance was made in Portland

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from a small house built on poles in 1845, to one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in the United States. Through all the changes he was a keen and intelligent observer, and no less persistent worker, for it was his good fortune to not only recognize the opportunities by which lie was surrounded, but to create many not no- ticed by others.

Mrs, Baber was born in Baden, Germany, a daughter of Philip Krouse, also a native of Ger- many, whose father lived and died in the Father- land. Philip Krouse married Caroline Kleinle, and in 1850 came to America in the sailing vessel Caroline, thirty-six days being consumed on the journey from Havre to New York. Mr. Krouse was a master stone mason, an expert in his line, and after locating in Lancaster, Ohio, followed his trade with great success up to the time of his death in 1861, at the age of forty-eight years. His wife, who died in 1875, was the mother of seven children, of whom Mrs. Baber and her sister, Mrs. Wyckoff, of Port Townsend, sur- vive. Two brothers were in the Civil war, Henry and Charles P., both boys serving in the Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Charles P. served until the end of the conflict, and had the experience of lying on the battle field for four days after being shot. Mrs. Baber came to Oregon in 1872, and her marriage occurred in Port Townsend, Wash., in 1875. She is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and is a woman of intelligence, force of character, and many admir- able personal characteristics.

GEORGE W. PROSSER. Intimately con- nected with the development of Clackamas county for many years has been the career of George W. Prosser, postmaster of Oswego most of the time since 1870, and both himself and father known as pioneers of the state. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, he was born June 25, 1847, a son of Henry and Mary (Hecock) Prosser, the latter of whom was born in the north of Ireland, and belonged to the tribe of Orangemen.

Henry Prosser was born near London, Eng- land, and was a painter by trade in his native land. As a young man he became identified with the more prolific opportunities of America, and in Cincinnati, Ohio, worked at his trade with fairly good results. After a short residence in Des Moines, Iowa, he lived for a time in Illinois, and became identified with Oregon in 1853, making the journey in the accustomed way across the plains, sixty wagons being in the company. The journey was replete with many incidents of a lamentable nature, and at Fort Hall the little band was greatly belated by sickness and gen- eral disaster, spending the winter of 1852 at that place. They were obliged to trade their horses

for native animals, and they started with two wagons and arrived with none. The wagon owned by Mr. Prosser came to grief at Burnt river, but they were able to save the horses owing to the high water. Mr. Prosser settled within eleven miles of East Portland, where Lents now stands, but soon after abandoned his donation claim and settled near Oswego in 1854. The land which he there took up proved to have valu- able iron mines, now known as the Oswego Iron Mines. This land was proved up by Mr. Prosser, who in 1869 sold half of it to Hawley Dodd & Co., of Portland, who afterward disposed of it to the Oregon Iron & Steel Company. In 1862 Mr. Prosser returned to the east and worked at his trade in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was moder- ately successful, and where he died at the age of sixty years. He married Mary Hecock, who was born in north of Ireland, as heretofore stated. She became the mother of two sons and one daughter, of whom William is deceased; and Esther, now Mrs. John F. Cook, lives in Mc- Minnville.

With a very limited education for a foundation George W. Prosser began to earn his own living at the age of fourteen, working at such labor as came his way in the rural districts around his home. In 1870 lie engaged in a general mer- chandise business in Oswego, Ore., and there- after was either in or out of the business as the town went up or down. Nevertheless, he man- aged to save considerable money, which has en- abled him to evince his faith in the future of his adopted locality by investing in land in town and county which nets him a handsome income in itself. He has been one of the most intelli- gent and appreciative spectators of the develop- ment of his district, and has himself contributed not a little towards the general well being of his fellow townsmen. For a time he was in the em- ploy of the Oregon Iron & Steel Company as foreman, and under contract built their railroad for them in 1880. To the sagacity of Mr. Pros- ser is credited the discovery of the iron mine on the paternal property in 1866, a fact which ma- terially increased the value of the land. A stanch Republican, Mr. Prosser has not only served his part as postmaster a majority of the time since 1870, but has represented his district in the as- sembly of 1880, serving one term. or two years. He is the second oldest pioneer in the town, and is perhaps the best informed of any resident re- garding all that has happened during the pro- gress of its various activities. The present wife of Mr. Prosser was formerly Susie E. Jefferson of Oregon. His first wife was Annie Tibbits : his second, Lucy E. Bullock, of which union there were three children, Mary, Mamie and Alice ; and his third wife was Dena Brownlee, born in Germany, and the mother of three children, Syl-

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ver E., Georgie, and Dana C. Mr. Prosser is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the United Artisans.

WILLIAM S. PAYN. Had it not been for the far sightedness of William S. Payn, the town bearing that name had never been added to the map of Clackamas county. The impression cre- ated by the present postmaster and merchant is that of a man capable of founding a town, and of investing its various interests with the needful enterprise, business judgment and progressive- ness. After an extended railroading career Mr. Payn came to the bush since supplanted by bus- tling activity, purchased nineteen acres of land, improved it, erected his residence and barns, and in time witnessed the arrival of others willing to share the fate of an embryo hamlet. He became interested in various avenues of improvement, and was especially active in promoting the sur- rounding roads, accounted in all civilized centers an index of the advancement of the people. For a number of years he has conducted a general merchandise store patronized by all of the sur- rounding country, and in connection therewith has attended to the affairs of Uncle Sam. The store, the man, and his environment, are integral parts of the community, and from this center has seemed to radiate for many years all of genuine value that has been accomplished for the general development of the locality.

Born in Tompkins county, N. Y., April 22, 1832, Mr. Payn is a son of A. S. and Delena (Coy) Payn, natives of New York state, and the latter born in Otsego county. A. S. Payn was a blacksmith by trade, and followed the same for many years in Erie and several counties in the state, his death occurring at the comparatively early age of forty-four years. William S. is the second oldest of the eight children born to his pa- rents, and his education was acquired in the pub- lie schools of the various counties in New York, to which his father removed. When twenty-two years of age he began braking on the Erie Railroad, and was soon promoted to fireman, and from that to engineer. For a few years he was foreman of the shops at Corry, Pa., for what is now the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Rail- road, and his association in that capacity was a very pleasant one, and resulted in his making many warm friends among his assistants in the shops. So firmly was he launched in the regard of those with whom he was connected that upon taking his departure, November 3. 1866, he was presented with an engraved watch, as a mark of esteem and good will.

In 1871 Mr. Payn removed to Neillsville, Wis., and there engaged in blacksmithing and wagon

manufacturing for thirteen years, working up a large and remunerative business. In 1885 he came to Oregon, at once became connected with his present home, and has so well succeeded that he cannot too emphatically express his appreci- ation of the opportunities by which the searcher for homes is rewarded in this wonderfully pro- ductive valley. Mr. Payn has derived great bene- fit socially and otherwise from his numerous fra- ternal associations, and has the distinction of be- ing next to the oldest member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen in the state, being one of the first members of the lodge, which he joined in 1869. Also he was a charter member of the lodge at Corry, Pa., the second lodge in the state ; and later became a charter member of Neillsville, Wis., lodge. He is identified with the Blue Lodge of Masons, and the Grange. Independent in politics, it has been the fate of Mr. Payn to find a best man in every party in existence.

In New York state Mr. Payn married Clarissa Huggins, a native of New York, and the mother of three children : Alice, wife of W. H. Council, road superivisor of district No. 1, Clackamas county ; David, an engineer on the Northern Pa- cific Railroad, with headquarters at Tacoma; and Sidney, deceased.

ROLLA C. HERRING. A farm in Clacka- mas county which bears the impress of careful management, absolute neatness and progression of a high order, is that of Rolla C. Herring, who. twenty-four years ago bought eighty acres of the old Dunbar donation claim, in the vicinity of Cur- rinsville. In 1888 Mr. Herring moved onto his place, to the cultivation of which he has since devoted his time, and of which he has forty-five acres cleared. In addition to all modern improve- ments, fine rural residence, convenient barns and outhouses, he has an orchard of four acres which probably has no superior in the county. This orchard is productive of the finest fruit on the coast, an industry which contributes considerably to the income of the fortunate owner. Nine head of cattle, and twenty-five hogs are among the live stock raised on the Herring farm, and grains form a staple article of sale.

A native of New York state, Mr. Herring was born in Monroe county, March 4, 1848, and his father. William, was both a baker and farmer. During the young manhood of the latter he ap- plied his trade with success in Rochester, N. Y .. but afterward settled on a farm in Livingston county. Here his son was educated in the public schools, and also learned to be a model farmer. When twenty-one years of age R. C. started out in the world to earn an independent livelihood. and in Iowa engaged as a fireman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for a couple of years.

G. 86. Webster

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In 1872 he came to Oregon and located at Spring- water, but later traveled all over the state, work- ing at different things. For a number of years he was employed at trucking in the city of Portland, and for a time also worked as fireman on the Southern Pacific Railroad. Following his rail- road experience he settled down on the farm he now owns, and where he has since made such a comfortable and satisfactory living. For this work Mr. Herring has a better education than falls to the lot of the average agriculturist, for he not only studied at the public schools of Gene- see, N. Y., but graduated at the Mosier Academy. A keen observer of men and events, his knowl- edge has been increasing with the passing of years, and he is at present one of the intelligent, well-posted, and very entertaining men of the county.

August 24, 1887, Mr. Herring married Belle Guttridge, of which union three children were born, of whom an infant and Lenora E. are de- ceased, while Wava Gladys is living with her parents. Mr. Herring is a Republican in national politics, but is nevertheless independent and very liberal as to local elections. Formerly he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 3, of Oregon City.

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Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 71

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 946

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 946