Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 100

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1622

USA > Oregon > Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 100

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chose Jennie N. Mills, a native of Kansas, and they have one child, Mary Beatrice, who is at home.

Mr. Glover owns four lots in the village of Whiteson in addition to his valuable farming property comprising five hundred and seventy- seven acres of rich and arable land. He is now living a retired life, his investments yielding him a good income. From a very humble finan- cial position he has steadily worked his way upward and may well be termed a self-made man. His life history proves how potent in- dustry, enterprise and careful management are in the acquirement of success. His political support is given to the Democracy.

JAMES MONROE CROWLEY, M. D. The medical and surgical practice of Dr. James Monroe Crowley was inaugurated in Monmouth in 1891. The doctor has many claims upon the consideration of the community, among them being the fact that he is a native son, and representative of an influential pioneer family. He was born at what is now Crowley Station, four miles north of Dixie, May 27, 1859, his life beginning under conditions directly the reverse of those of the remote forefathers, one of whom settled in the extreme east long before the Revo- lution, and participated with the colonies in the effort to shake off English rule. The paternal grandfather, John Crowley, was born in Ten- nessee, September 27, 1810, and married Nancy Jane Curtis, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Elijah Curtis, member of an old Tennessee family. Of this union were born three children, among whom was Solomon Kimsey Crowley, the founder of the family in Oregon in 1852. The latter came west in 1864, locating first in Polk county, and later in Benton county, his death occurring at the home of his son at the age of sixty-eight years.

Solomon Kimsey Crowley was born in Ray county, northwestern Missouri, November I, 1833, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Until his nineteenth year he lived in his native state, spending a somewhat unsatisfactory youth, and looking always for chances to better his condi- tion. His mother had died when he was a child, and his father, when approached, at first re- fused to sanction his emigration to the west. Eventually he was persuaded, and the youth, having a chance to drive a team across, started out, encountering on the way many difficulties. The year 1852 was prolific of disaster on the plains, cholera and smallpox vieing with cach other in destructiveness. The smallpox was es- pecially virulent, and the way of the train in which young Crowley traveled was often blocked by travelers burying their dead. Strong men

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were bowed beneath the terrible sorrow of losing all that they held dear in life, and mothers were left with large families of children, or else ut- terly alone in the world. The party crossed the Missouri river May 10, and reached The Dalles August 16th, having stopped nine days on the way to nurse a sick child, and always rested from their labors on the Sabbath, that the ani- mals might have time to recuperate. Reaching the Snake river, the cholera broke out, and the camp was thrown into a panic because of the death of three people within the short space of five hours. Solomon Crowley, however, suf- fered from none of the vicissitudes which over- came the others, but was able to eat three square meals a day, and had never a touch of cholera, smallpox or mountain fever. He finally met with a man engaged in packing to the mines of California, and accompanied him thither, where he increased his little hoard to the extent of about $1,000. Mr. Crowley reached Oregon in 1852, and bought land in Fulkerson Gap, four miles north of Dixie, and where Crowley Station is now located. From time to time large tracts of land passed through his hands, and he finally became the possessor of a thousand acres. He here lived and prospered, and in 1876 retired from active life, his home at the present time being in Oak Grove. Mr. Crowley is a fine type of the early pioneer, and is a broad-minded and liberal man, and has accumulated an exten- sive and valuable property. In 1876 he took his entire family to the Sandwich Islands, returning in August of the same year, after having a most delightful and instructive trip.

His wife was Hannah Rebecca Fulkerson, whose father, Judge J. M. Fulkerson, was born in Missouri. and crossed the plains in the early '40s, settling in Oregon. He finally removed to the Fulkerson Gap, named in his honor, where he died in 1881, at the age of eighty-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Crowley were born nine chil- dren, four sons and five daughters, of whom the doctor of Monmouth is the second child; Mary V. is Mrs. W. Faulk of Oak Grove; J. F. lives in Seattle; Nancy Jane is the wife of Milton Taylor of Crowley Station; S. H. lives near Crowley Station; and Ada B., Effie L. and Ora P. are living at home. Mr. Crowley is a Demo- crat in politics, and with his wife is a member of the Baptist church, of which he has been a deacon for many years.

In the fall of 1875 Dr. Crowley entered Mc- Minnville College, which he attended for one year. He then turned his attention to farming, but having had from earliest youth an admira- tion for and leaning towards medical science, he began to study in 1884 under Dr. Lee of In- dependence, in 1888 entering the Missouri Medi- cal College at St. Louis, from which he was

graduated in 1891. The same year he came to Monmouth, and, in order to keep abreast of the times in his chosen profession, took a post-grad- uate course at the Chicago Policlinic in 1898.

While living at Oak Grove, Ore., the doctor was united in marriage with Emma King, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Andrew King, who was born in the east and came to Oregon in 1880. Mr. King located at Crowley Station, of which he was postmaster and station agent up to the time of his death in 1893, at the age of seventy-two years. Seven children have been born to Dr. Crowley and his wife, the order of their birth being as follows: Es- tella Katura, a student at the Monmouth Normal school; Azilla Emma, a student also at the Nor- mal; Graves F., also a student at the Nor- mal; Douglas S., Wendell T., Norman G., and James I. Dr. Crowley is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Baptist church. He is popular and enterprising, and his kindness of heart, skill as a physician and surgeon, and his many humanitarian and charitable acts are well known throughout that locality.

SAMUEL M. DANIEL. In the estimation of all who know him Samuel M. Daniel is a typical captain of industry of the western slope, his mercantile business in Monmouth contribut- ing in no small measure to the financial sound- ness of the town. No more familiar or wel- come figure is seen on the streets of this thriv- ing community, nor does any one represent in greater degree the whole-souled interest which, also, is suggestive of the west. A native son of Oregon, he was born near Scio, Linn county, May 14. 1865, and in his younger days laid the foundation for his present sound physique while rising early and laboring long on the paternal farm.

Francis M. Daniel, the father of Samuel M., was born in Crittenden, Ky., March 10, 1826, and as a young man removed to Missouri, whence started so many thousands of emigrants for the coast in the early days. In 1852 he joined a train bound for the other side of the plains, and upon arriving at his destination in this state, located on a farm near Dallas, after three years removing to Scio, Linn county. In time he disposed of his land and located in the town, where he engaged in the general mer- chandise business during 1864-5, under the firm name of Daniel & Curl. Eventually he retired from active business, and made his home on a farm near Scio, where he remained until his death, which occurred March 3, 1901. John T., the grandfather, came from farming stock, and lived on a farm in Kentucky for the greater part of his life and lived to the remarkable age

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of one hundred and two years. Mary Elizabeth Daniel, the mother of Samuel M., was born in Missouri, and was a daughter of Willis Gaines, born in the east and an early resident of Mis- souri. Mr. Gaines crossed the plains in 1852, his equipment being the old-time ox-teams, and upon arriving in Oregon located on a donation claim eight miles southeast of Scio. Here he cleared his land and prospered as the years went by, accumulating quite a competence for those dependent upon his care. He lived to be more than seventy years old, and during his most active years was prominent in town affairs.

Besides Samuel M., there were five other chil- dren in his father's family, only two of whom are living, one being a daughter. Samuel M. is the oldest of the children, and was educated in the district schools, entering the Christian College at Monmouth in 1881, and graduating therefrom in 1885, with the degree of B. S. Be- ginning with 1888 he engaged in the mercantile business in Scio, which he continued until April, 1899, when he transferred his interests to Mon- mouth, which has since been his home. He car- ries a mercantile stock valued at $14,000, and besides owns stock in the Monmouth Improve- ment Company. An additional source of reve- nue is a farm of two hundred and thirteen acres half a mile east of Scio, a portion of which is improved, and which serves as relaxation from business to the fortunate owner. Other property in the family is a forty-five acre farm four miles west of Monmouth, belonging to Mrs. Daniel. In Eugene, Ore., Mr. Daniel was united in mar- riage with Verona F. Peek, a native of Junc- tion, Ore., and daughter of Henry Peek, who was killed in the mines when she was an in- fant. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel: Norma E., Luella E., Lorena, Clarence, and Edward Gail. In politics Mr. Daniel is a Prohibitionist, and he has served as councilman four or five terms.

JOHN DICKINSON. Though not long a resident of Oregon Mr. Dickinson has already made for himself a prominent place in the af- fairs of the city in which he now makes his home. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Scarborough) Dickinson, were both natives of Lincolnshire, England, who with their four sons and one daughter emigrated to the United States in 1841, locating in Jackson county, Iowa, where the father took up government land to the amount of four hundred and eighty acres, upon which he engaged in farming. Politically he adhered to the principles advocated by the Re- publican party. His death occurred upon his farm in 1879, at the age of seventy-three years,

his wife afterward dying in Bridgewater, S. Dak.

The fourth of the family of children was John Dickinson, born in Lincolnshire, England, March 16, 1838, and coming with the family to America when but three years of age. His early education was principally received at home from the busy father and mother, with the as- sistance of his brothers and sister; at the age of twenty-six years engaging in the work to which his early training had inclined him, for six years remaining in Jackson county, Iowa, tilling the soil. Later he found remunerative employment in conducting a grist-mill on Beaver creek of the same county, and for sixteen years he continued in this business. In 1881 he re- moved to South Dakota, where he took a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres near Marion, two years later disposing of his mill in Iowa. For three years, 1877-79, Mr. Dick- inson managed the grain elevator for the Inter- state Elevator Company of Winona, Minn. In 1901 he moved his family to Oregon, where he bought three hundred and twenty-seven acres located six miles southwest of Independence, Polk county, upon which he is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He has since purchased property near the city, comprising four acres of well cultivated ground, with a beautiful residence and fine surroundings. Here he now makes his home.

The first marriage of Mr. Dickinson united him with Miss Elizabeth Chafer, a native of England, who died in Sabula, Iowa. Six chil- dren were born of this union, who are as fol- lows: Mary, living in Iowa; Harvey; Percy, and Don, of Oregon; Aloie and Elizabeth, de- ceased. His second marriage also occurred in Sabula, Iowa, Miss Minnie Cleveland, also of England, becoming his wife. Two sons and three daughters blessed this union, all of whom are still at home, and are named in order of birth as follows : George, Henry, Gertrude, Belle and Queen. Mr. Dickinson is identified with the Masons, being a member of the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter and Eastern Star. Politically he is a Populist and has often been called upon to serve in public offices. In McCook county, S. Dak., he was county com- missioner for a term of three years, and has also served as school director and road supervisor.

LYMAN DAMON. To have lived so well, so successfully, and so agreeably as to have one's name spoken with terms of warmest commenda- tion and even affection by hosts of friends and associates, is an achievement of Lyman Damon, one of the pioneer upbuilders of Polk county, and at present the owner of a little fruit and

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hop ranch of twenty-five acres across the river from Independence, in Marion county. Mr. Damon comes of farming ancestry, and he him- self was reared on a farm in McHenry county, Ill., where he was born February 20, 1849. His paternal grandfather, Hosier, was probably born in the state of Ohio, and at an early day located in the then wilderness of Illinois, where he farmed and prospered, living to a good old age. His son, George W., the father of Lyman, was born in Grundy county, Ohio, and with his parents moved to Illinois when very young. After his marriage he located on a farm in McHenry county, near Marengo, and in 1860 took up his abode in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he became the owner of five hundred acres of land. For sixteen years he was a factor in the devel- opment of Winneshiek county, and, after dis- posing of his land at a profit in 1876, he located two miles south of Monmouth, Ore., where he engaged in farming upon three hundred acres of land until his demise in 1884 at the age of sixty-five years, his death being caused by an accident while harrowing in his fields. Through his marriage with Charlotte Levens, a native of Pennsylvania, and who died in Oregon in 1886, at the age of sixty-three years, seven children were born, five sons and two daughters, Lyman being the third.

Of an eminently ambitious nature, the youth- ful Lyman began to realize his limitations on the Iowa farm, and looked around for a broader field. With a friend, Edward Snell, he preceded his parents to Oregon in 1873, locating for a year in Salem, Marion county, where he engaged for a year in farming and trucking. Beginning with 1874 he held the position of superintendent of the Malheur Indian Reservation, and so suc- cessful was he that his salary was raised from $20 per month to $100 per month in less than a year. After serving in this capacity for three years, during three different administrations, he came to Monmouth in 1877, and bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres of his father. Here he lived and improved his property until disposing of it in 1890, after which he located in Independence, and engaged in the truck and dray business for a year. He then purchased a farm of forty acres one mile south of Inde- pendence, cleared the land of timber and planted hops, finally devoting sixteen acres to this hardy growth. This farm continued in his possession until 1902, when he sold out and bought his present little property across the river from In- dependence in Marion county.

In Salem, Ore., Mr. Damon married Nellie Mitchell, a native daughter of Scotland, and whose father, William, came to America about 1870. Mr. Mitchell located on a farm near Dayton, Ore., soon after emigrating from his

native land, and here died at an advanced age. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Damon, of whom Jessie is the wife of Oliver Locke, clerk in a dry goods store in Salem; Grace is a telegraph operator at Salem; Samuel is a student in the freshman class at Corvallis, Ore .; and Nellie is at home. Mr. Damon is a Republican in political affiliation, and for one term served as school director of Monmouth. Fraternally he is variously connected with the lodges in which the town and county abound, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Rebekahs; the United Work- men, in which he has taken the degree of honor ; and the Knights of Maccabees. Aside from his position as an agriculturist and general business man Mr. Damon has been identified with certain upbuilding agencies of a pioneer nature in this county, notably in the early days when farmers were struggling with the problem of rendering their grain marketable. At this crisis he pur- chased a threshing machine, which soon attained popularity, and was very useful in facilitating the handling of the enormous grain crops for the following fifteen years.

JAMES A. GRIGSBY. One of the many worthy citizens and capable and progressive agriculturists of Polk county is Mr. Grigsby, proprietor of a highly improved and attractive farming estate two miles north of Independence. A farmer by choice, he has acquired skill by experience in the various branches of this in- portant industry, and is meeting with deserved success in his extensive operations. A son of the late Benjamin F. Grigsby, he was born in Meigs county, Tenn., December 23, 1848, of Irish ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Grigsby, was a native of Virginia, but became a pioneer settler of Tennessee. Benjamin F. Grigsby was born in Tennessee in the early part of the nineteenth century, his birth occurring in 1816. He has been a life-long resident of his native state, and during his active carreer was engaged in general farming, but is now living retired in Meigs county. He married first Re- becca King, who was born in Bradley county, Tenn. She died in 1849, leaving three children, of whom James A. is the youngest. The father married for his second wife, Polly A. Owen, and they have nine children.

After finishing his studies in the district school James A. Grigsby attended Athens College, in Athens, Tenn., for a time. At the age of twenty- one years be began the battle of life on his own account, becoming a farmer in his native state. Emigrating in 1875 to Oregon, he located first in Polk county, near Independence, and was there prosperously engaged in agricultural pur-

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suits for fifteen or more years. Purchasing his present farm in 1891, Mr. Grigsby has since suc- cessfully pursued his pleasant and profitable occupation here, making improvements of an excellent character, and rendering the estate one of the most productive and desirable pieces of property in the neighborhood. In addition to managing his own farm, he also has control of the Hurshburg farm of four hundred acres. He devotes his attention to general agriculture, making a specialty, however, of stock-raising, rearing Cotswold sheep.

Mr. Grigsby married, in 1871, Miss Mary J. Jordan, a native of Meigs county, Tenn., and a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Grigsby) Jordan. Six children have been born of their union, four of whom are living, as follows : Adra B., wife of Albert Dockster; Robert C .; Savannah T .; and Martha Jane. Politically Mr. Grigsby is identified with the Republican party, and fraternally he is a member of Inde- pendence Lodge No. 29, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons.

HENRY FLICKINGER. For an example of the prosperous farmer of the northwest one need go no further than Henry Flickinger, whose many years of good management have resulted in substantial gains, and enabled him to live in retirement with his daughter and son-in-law. This honored pioneer of 1850 comes of an old- time family of Lancaster county, Pa., where he was born on a farm, January 27, 1830, his father, Henry, having been born there in 1801. The paternal grandfather, another Henry, was born near Reading, Pa., and was of German descent. The younger Henry was a tanner by trade, and through his marriage with Annie Schnader, a native daughter of Lancaster county, and also of German ancestry, he reared a family of sixteen children, four daughters and twelve sons, of whom Henry is fourth, and the third in the fam- ily to bear the name. In 1855 the father moved from Pennsylvania to Stephenson county, Ill., where he bought a farm and remained for many years, locating in the town of Freeport, Ill., two years before his death, in 1874. His wife sur- vived him until 1893, attaining the age of eighty- five years. She was born in 1808.

His father removing from Lancaster to Center county, Pa., Henry Flickinger attended the dis- trict schools as opportunity offered, and at an early age learned the tanner's trade of his sire. He was a strong and industrious lad, and am- bitious withal, for when twenty years old he left home and started out to battle with the world independent of either money or influence. The little which he had earned on the home farm was expended for a ticket from New York to San

Francisco via Panama, and the trip thither had all of the charm and novelty usual to one who had seen little of the world. Arriving in San Francisco May 8, 1850, he went at once to the mines of Eldorado county, Cal., and met with better success than falls to the majority who stake their all on the prospects of mining. In the fall of 1851 he came by pack-horses over the mountains from Yreka to Salem, Ore., reaching the latter town October 18. Observing the ab- sence of fresh meat in the mines, he thought that to take cattle down there would be a paying in- vestment. Having purchased his cattle, he re- turned to California, and was so successful in disposing of them that he continued in the bus- iness for three or four years.

In 1856 Mr. Flickinger married Martha N. Pyburn, a native of Jackson county, Mo., and daughter of Edwin Pyburn, who crossed the plains in 1852. With his wife, Mr. Flickinger located on his present farm of two hundred and nine acres, where he engaged in general farm- ing, stock and grain-raising, and succeeded be- yond the average farmer. Some time ago he handed the management of the firm over to his son-in-law, H. Maxfield, who married his third child, Lilie. Of the other four children, Caro- line is the widow of Lyman Maxfield, of Cor- vallis, Ore .; Annie is the wife of Frank Brown, of Airlie, Polk county ; and Elizabeth is the wife of James Dalton, of Burns, Harney county, and the eldest, Alfred, resides near Suver. Mrs. Flickinger died at the family home on December 24, 1873, at the age of thirty-three years. Mr. Flickinger cast his first presidential vote for a Republican candidate, and has since given that party his stanch support. Although in no sense an office-seeker, he has served as school director and road supervisor, and worked for the ad- vancement of his friends. The Flickinger family was well represented in the Civil war, for Oliver, Charles and William, brothers of Henry, served all through the contest, and as a result of wounds received Oliver died in Linn county, Ore., in 1898. Mr. Flickinger has the respect and good will of the community, towards the development of which he has earnestly striven, and in his character, attainments and general substantiality is worthy of emulation by younger generations.

MARTIN PARIS FRUIT. Although com- paratively speaking the livery business of M. P. Fruit is a recent venture in Corvallis, having been started in 1900, the size of the patronage ac- corded it, and the many-sided excellence of its equipment and management would suggest an enterprise of many years' standing. The Brick Stables are the result of the consolidation of the

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Egglin stables, bought by Mr. Fruit, and the stables of Mr. McMahan, at present the partner and half-owner of the livery business, and they arc maintaining one of the finest livery establish- inents to be found anywhere in the country.

A native son of the Golden West, Mr. Fruit was born at Hellsboro, Sonoma county, Cal., February 13, 1862, and is of German-Scotch descent. His father, Peter, was born in Indiana, where he lived on a farm, and from where he came to California in the historic year of '49. After experimenting in the mines of California for a time he settled down to horticulture near the Red Bluff, and he was the first in his vicinity to set out peaches, apricots and small fruits. He had a fine orchard, which he eventually disposed of, and engaged in the wholesale fruit business in Hellsboro. In 1867 he removed to Oregon, and for some time engaged in the stock business at Brownsville, at present making his home on a farm three miles from Crawfordsville, where he is living, at the age of seventy-seven years. Dur- ing the Rogue river war he acted in the capacity of guard at the fort. His wife, formerly Martha Teeters, was born in Scotland, a daughter of Henry Teeters, who settled in Oregon City in 1849. Mr. Teeters was a stock man in this state, an occupation which he continued after removing to California, and settling at Red Bluff. His death was a tragic one, and resulted from falling from a horse. He is survived by his wife, who is the mother of eleven children, six of whom are living.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 100

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1622

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1622