Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 107

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 107

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

M. W. Stewart

775

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

From the combined industries of farming and blacksmithing he derived a good income. With the hope of broadening his capabilities he re- moved to Oregon in 1871, locating at Pleasant Hill, Lane county, where he engaged at his trade, and soon began to take an active part in religious work, preparing himself by a close study of the Bible, and finally took permanent charge of pastorates throughout the country as a minister of the Christian Church. In Octo- ber, 1898, Mr. Mulkey was appointed pastor of the church at Bethel, Polk county, where in addition to pastorate work he engaged in gar- dening upon the six and a half acres of land which he had purchased.

In September, 1861, Mr. Mulkey was united in marriage with Miss Sarah F. Randolph, a native of Posey county, Ind., born July 12, 1846. Her father, James Randolph, died in 1854, in Williamson county, Ill. Her mother, Margaret (Williams) Randolph, also died in Williamson county, III., in 1856. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mulkey seven are now living. . They are as follows: B. F., ex-state senator from Polk county and now president of the state normal school at Ashland; Luella, now Mrs. Parks, of Pleasant Hill; P. J., principal of the schools at Arlington; J. E., of Palouse, Washı .; J. R., of Colfax, Wash .; Charles, of Ashland, Ore .; and Veda, still at home. As a Republican in politics Mr. Mulkey has always stood for the best interests of the county. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Springfield, Ore.

MATHIAS W. STEWART. Five hundred acres of the most desirable farming land in Polk county is owned and operated by Mathias W. Stewart, an enthusiastic appreciator of the many advantages of this great state, and one of the most enterprising and resourceful of the sons of New York to seek a home in the northwest. Mr. Stewart was born at Auburn, Cayuga county, N. Y., August 2, 1832, and from his father, David C., inherits the traits of perseverance and business ability which have encompassed his success. The father spent his entire life in New York state, where he was born in 1806, and died in 1856. Dur- ing the greater part of his active life he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he achieved great success, and accumulated quite a competence. He was prominently identified with county affairs, and was treasurer thereof for at least twelve years, during his term of service faithfully serving the best interests of Cayuga county. A Democrat in politics, he was a stanch supporter of his party, and filled

many positions of trust besides that of county treasurer. In religion he was a Presbyterian, as was also his wife, formerly Elizabeth Hoff- man, a native of New York state. Mrs. Stew- art died in New York in 1869, having borne him four children, three sons and one daughter. Catherine is deceased. The oldest son, Charles, sailed around the Horn in 1848, and after mining and prospecting returned to his home by way of Panama in 1852. The follow- ing year he again came west, returning to New York in 1856. During the Civil war he at- tained the rank of colonel in a New York regi- ment, while his brother, David, the youngest of the children, became a lieutenant during the same momentous struggle, and eventually died in New York.

While attending the academy at Auburn, N. Y., Mathias W. Stewart was a companion of the late Roscoe Conkling, who now sleeps in a graveyard at Utica, N. Y. He was also ac- quainted with that distinguished secretary of state under Lincoln, William H. Seward, who came from the same town, and with whom he played as a youth. After leaving the academy Mr. Stewart entered his father's store, remain- ing there until 1853. Becoming interested in mining, he then came west via Nicaragua, and for eight years tempted fortune with varying success and failure in the northern part of California. In 1861 he located in Salem, Mar- ion county, Ore., and in 1862 went to Idaho, engaging in various occupations until 1864. Returning to Salem, he engaged as clerk in the general merchandise store of R. M. Wade for five years, in 1868 removing to his present farm near Independence. A large portion of his land is under cultivation, and he has a fine rural residence, commodious barns, convenient outhouses, and all necessary agricultural implements. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, besides rais- ing some fruit, and his scientific and practical methods have resulted in gratifying returns.

In 1868, in Polk county, Mr. Stewart mar- ried Elizabeth Davis, who was born in Kane county, Ill., January 26, 1839, a daughter of James Davis, who was born in Kentucky May 5, 1805, and died January 28, 1848. Mr. Davis married in his young manhood Lavisa Law- rence, born in Kentucky July 6, 1808, and died April 1, 1879. She was the mother of two sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Stewart is second youngest. Mr. Davis started across the plains in 1847, but died on reaching St. Joseph, Mo., in January, 1848. The same year his wife and children came over the plains to Oregon. The mother took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres near Inde-

776

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pendence, and in 1850 married Joseph Car- mack, her death occurring on the old donation claim as before stated. Mr. Stewart is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and is fraternally associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Independence. He was one of the first stockholders in the Independence National Bank, and for several years was a director. Mr. Stewart is a man of sterling integrity and forceful personal characteristics, coupled with determination and good business judgment.

MATHIAS GAULET. Worthy of mention among the upbuilders of Marion county is Ma- thias Gaulet, at present living a retired life in Gervais, but formerly extensively engaged in farming, and in plying his trade as carpenter. Mr. Gaulet was born in the district of Three Rivers, Canada, July 15, 1827, and is the son of Peter and Madeline (Vannas) Gaulet, natives also of Canada, the former born in Quebec. As the name indicates, the remote ancestors came from France, and settled in Canada at a very early day. Peter Gaulet was a blacksmith by trade, and followed his chosen occupation for many years in Canada, and in 1848 engaged in the grocery business in Montreal, which he fol- lowed until his death in 1862, at the age of eighty- two years. His wife, who lived to be eighty years of age, died in 1863; she bore him eleven children, three of whom are living, of whom Mathias is the second child. Antoine, born in 1815, lives in Gervais, Marion county, and Vir- ginia, born in 1831, lives in Montreal, Canada.

Following upon his completion of the public school training in Canada, Mr. Gaulet learned the carpenter's trade, for which he showed very early aptitude. At the age of fourteen he started out to make his own way in the world, and in 1848 settled in Monroe, Mich., where he learned his trade, later returning to his old home in Can- ada. In 1851 he was again a resident of Monroe, and the following year he and his brother An- toine outfitted and crossed the plains with a horse team, being about six months on the way. For a short time he followed his trade in San Francisco, Cal., and then in May, 1852, came to Marion county, Ore., where he soon after bought a farm about three miles northwest of Gervais. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Nancy Baker, a native of Virginia, born in 1840, who with two sisters crossed the plains in 1843.

Until 1892 Mr. Gaulet lived on the farm, which he improved to the best of his ability, and made of it a fine home and paying venture. Realizing that his powers were waning as far as physical endurance was concerned, and believing himself entitled to a few years of relaxation from ardu- ous «luties, he located in a pleasant home in Ger-

vais in 1892, and lias since made that his perma- nent place of abode. Mr. Gaulet also owns other town property, and taken all in all, is the pos- sessor of a very fair competency.

In political affiliation Mr. Gaulet is a Demo- crat, and among the offices held by him with credit is that of treasurer of Gervais. He is a member of the Catholic Church, as are also the other members of his family. His wife died in 1880, leaving one son, George, born in 1858, who is engaged in mining in Alaska, is married and lives in British Columbia. Four children died in early childhood.

In 1891 Mr. Gaulet married Mrs. Philomena (Piett) Campbell, who had four children by her former husband. Mr. Gaulet is a man of strict integrity, and his many desirable personal characteristics entitle him to the esteem and con- sideration of all.

DAVID WRIGHT GRIERSON. To that honored pioneer, David W. Grierson, is due the distinction of having imported the first Clydes- dale horses into the state of Oregon. Although deceased in 1895, Mr. Grierson is recalled as one of the best farmers and most progressive men in Marion county, as indicated principally by the farm now occupied by his widow, which has few superiors from the standpoint of equipment and fine cultivation.

A native of Durfrieshire, Scotland, Mr. Grier- son was born February 28, 1833, and was reared 011 the farm owned and occupied by his father, who was a mason by trade, and quite a success- ful man. At the age of seventeen the son started out to make his own living, and, after landing in America made his way to the gold fields of California. That this was a congenial and suc- cessful occupation was proven by the fact that he remained at it for seventeen years in the Chero- kee mines. He then took a trip back to Scotland, and brought back with him some of the Clydes- dale horses for which that country is famous, and engaged in their sale in Salem, where he located in 1873. He was fortunate in this ven- ture, for the strong and beautiful animals won friends wherever they were sold, and their prac- tical worth was soon demonstrated to the satis- faction of all who appreciated the fine points of a horse.

In 1875 Mr. Grierson married at Salen, Mar- cella Hensley, who was born in Marion county, Ill., March 5, 1854. There were four children born to them: Thomas, who died in infancy; Florence B., the wife of Henry Frank, of Salem; they have one daughter, Helen A .; Mary M., living at home; Frank C., also living with his mother. Ten months after his marriage, Mr. Grierson left Salem and settled on a farm three

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

miles east of the town, for three years engaging in stock-raising. He afterward moved to Turner, where he lived for one year. At that time he bought the farm on the River road, four miles north of Salem, where two hundred acres of land occupied his time and attention for the bal- ance of his life. He built a modern home, fine outbuildings and barns, and was one of the most progressive and modern farmers in his locality. Since his death his widow and son continue his progressive farming methods, and are deriving a large income from the sale of Poland-China hogs and fine grade cattle. Mr. Grierson was politically associated with the Democratic party, and took an active interest in local undertakings, serving on the school board and as road super- visor. He was greatly interested in education, and though not especially favored in this di- rection in his youth, appreciated its benefits in all walks of life. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons. Mr. Grierson was noted for his honesty of purpose, his devotion to interests intrusted to his care, and for his broad and toler- ant views of life in general. He was a man of domestic tastes.

WALTER LINCOLN TOOZE. Remark- able business and executive ability, a high sense of honor and of the responsibilities of citizen- ship, as well as the ability to recognize and util- ize surrounding opportunities, has placed Walter Lincoln Tooze among the chief developing forces of Woodburn. A native of Pittsfield, Lorain county, Ohio, Mr. Tooze was born November 25, 1860, his parents, William and Mary H. (Parkmand) Tooze, being natives of England.

William Tooze came from Devonshire, Eng- land, in 1858, settling on a farm near Pittsfield, Ohio, whence he removed in 1863 to Bedford, Barry county, Mich., where he died in 1868, at the age of forty-five years. His father, John, was born in England, where he was reared, mar- ried, led an industrious life, and died at the age of eighty-eight years. Mary H. (Parkmand) Tooze died in Barry county, Mich., in 1865, at the age of thirty-six, leaving six children, all boys, who are living at the present time. Of these, Frank F. is a farmer near Wilsonville, Ore .; Henry is engaged in farming in Barry county, Mich .; Charles is an attorney of Wil- sonville, Ore .; David C. is a farmer of Bedford, Barry county, Mich .; Fred J., a graduate of Amherst College, is superintendent of schools of Quincy, Mich.

Left an orphan at the age of five years, Walter Lincoln Tooze was reared by an uncle, James Tooze, of Brownhelm, Ohio, who was a graduate of Oberlin College, and a man of great learning. Notwithstanding this educational advantage, he

had not a dollar when he landed in Newberg, Oregon, in 1877, and was dependent solely upon his grit and determination for carving out his future. Like most of the successful men of the west, he began self-support as a farm hand, from which he was graduated into the more con- genial work of educator, in Washington, Yam- hill, and Marion counties. Frugal and indus- trious, he managed to increase his finances to a considerable amount, and in 1884 went to Butte= ville, Marion county, where he contracted a mer- cantile partnership with his future father-in-law, Joshua Barnes. April 22, 1888, he was united in marriage with Sadie A. Barnes, who was born in St. James, Mo., January I. 1869, a daugh- ter of Joshua Barnes, also born in Missouri, and who came to Oregon in 1876. Mr. Barnes lo- cated at Oswego, where he was interested in the iron mines before embarking in the general mer- chandise business with Mr. Tooze. In 1895 he removed to Redding, Cal., where he is at pres- ent engaged in the restaurant business. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tooze, of whom Walter L. is a sophomore student at Mount Angel College, Ore .; Lilla Ethel, Lamar E. and Leslie O., the two latter twins, are at home.

In 1887 Mr. Tooze abandoned the mercantile business in Butteville, and for the following two years was a member of the firm of Tooze Brothers in Woodburn. The brothers bought out the general merchandise business of Mrs. J. B. Sconce, and at the end of a year Walter L. Tooze bought out his brother Charles T., thereafter continuing a wholesale produce and general merchandise business. So successful was he that he became known as the produce and merchant king of French Prairie, and much of the present prosperity of Woodburn is due to the solid foundation established by this intrepid pio- neer industry. It was estimated that he handled one hundred thousand bushels of grain and fifty thousand bushels of potatoes annually, and while his first year's sales amounted to $20,000, those of 1891 had advanced to $75,000. Having at- tained a competence and established an enviable position in the world of finance, Mr. Tooze sold out his mercantile interests March 1, 1893, and engaged in a general brokerage and real estate business.

July 1, 1897, Mr. Tooze was appointed post- master of Woodburn, it being at that time a fourth-class office, but was advanced to a third- class office April 1, 1901. He has taken an active interest in the local and state undertakings of the Republican party, and has held many po- sitions of trust and responsibility. He was a (lelegate-at-large from Oregon to the convention of the National Republican Club at Denver in 1894; chairman of the Marion county conven-

778

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tion in 1892 and 1898; chairman of the Repub- lican State Convention at Astoria in 1898; and has materially advanced the cause of several campaigns by virtue of his ability as an extem- poraneous speaker. Mr. Tooze has been mayor of Woodburn, also school director, and clerk. In the postoffice he is ably assisted by William P. Pennebaker, who has been in his employ for eight years, and in whom Mr. Tooze has un- bounded confidence. Mr. Tooze has added to the architectural appearance of the business portion of the town by erecting a modern and well equipped brick business block, and he also owns one of the prettiest homes in the city, where hos- pitality is lavishly dispensed. Mr. Tooze also owns fifty-five lots on the peninsula at Portland, which he purchased in 1893. Two farms near Woodburn contribute a substantial income from general farming enterprises and hop culture, in the latter of which he has been remarkably suc- cessful. Fraternally, he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Foresters of America, and the Woodcraft Circle. Mr. Tooze may well serve as an example for men who start out in life with no money, but who have unbounded confidence in ultimate success. Nearly all his undertakings have been rewarded by success, and the latent power of the man has entered into al- most every movement of importance which has marked the growth of the city for many years. He is a man of fine personal appearance, is af- fable and approachable, and has hosts of friends who testify to his many admirable character- istics.

SAMUEL ORR. One of the most progressive and enterprising men in Polk county is Samuel Orr, who is extensively engaged in farming and hop-growing on his well cultivated farm adjoin- ing Rickreall. His birth occurred in Tyrone county, Ireland, May 12, 1845. He is a son of Samuel Orr, who was also born in Tyrone county and died in Ireland at the age of eighty years. His mother was Jane (Shankleton) Orr, also a native of Erin. Samuel Orr, Sr., followed the occupation of farming throughout his entire life. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, of whom Samuel Orr is next to the youngest child and the only one in America.

Samuel Orr of this review received his early education in the common schools of his native land. At the age of twenty years he started out in life for himself, removing to New Zealand. There he engaged in farming and in contracting for farm work. He resided in New Zealand for ten years and then returned to his home on a visit. He determined to seek home and fortune in the land of the free, and accordingly, on No-

vember 9, 1865, he landed in Portland, Ore. He possessed no means except what he had acquired from his own labors. He came direct to Rick- reall and purchased his present farm, which con- sists of three hundred and forty acres, the most of which is now under a high state of cultiva- tion. When he took this place it was in poor con- dition, containing a great deal of wet land. He has made many improvements upon it, has drained it thoroughly, having put in nearly four miles of tiling. The present condition of the land is such that it is a source of pride to the owner, as it denotes his careful supervision and pro- gressive spirit. He has sixty-five acres in hops. The capacity of three kilns of hops is three hun- dred and twenty-five boxes per day, and next season his plant will have a capacity of five hun- dred kilns. In the hop season Mr. Orr employs nearly one hundred people. The capacity of the store-room is at present one hundred thousand pounds of hops. Next season the capacity of the store-room will be two hundred thousand pounds. Mr. Orr has thirty-five thousand pounds of last season's hops awaiting sale. His hop fields are laid out in an artistic way, evenly and beautifully, very pleasing to the eye of the beholder.

In 1874 Mr. Orr was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Gardner. They have six chil- dren : Charlotte, wife of J. B. Nesmith; Robert ; Lizzie, wife of Otis Weight; John W .; Fannie wife of F. Stimson, and Glenn E. Mr. Orr built an elegant residence on his property for his son- in-law, Mr. Weight.

In the new world Mr. Orr found the oppor- tunities for advancement which he desired, and in the great northwest his brightest expectations have been realized. Through his sound sagacity and keen discernment he has achieved success. He has grasped that "There is a tide in the af- fairs of man, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune," and by those who have watched with interest his business career, he is regarded as a self-made man.

WILLIAM MILEY. One of the most in- teresting personalities connected with general life in Aurora is William Miley, familiarly known as Captain Miley, a bachelor shoemaker, farmer, man of affairs and active politician. Mr. Miley is one of the old colony settlers, and came here in 1863, his father, an active worker in both Bethel, Mo., and Aurora, Ore., arriving in 1872

Captain Miley was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 1, 1844, and comes of German an- cestry, his father, John Fred Miley having been born in the Fatherland. He came to America as a boy with his parents, locating in Columbiana county, Ohio. His father being a stone mason, John Fred Miley learned the same trade, and in

B. Derst

781

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

time removed to Shelby county, Mo., where he worked at his trade from 1844 until coming to Oregon in 1872. He lived in the colony of Bethel, taking a keen interest in the management of its affairs, and was equally active in the sister colony at Aurora. After the dissolution of the colony he retired from active life, and died at the age of eighty years, less sixteen days. He had long been comparatively alone, for his wife, Mary (Link) Miley, a native of Germany, and who came to Ohio in 1855, died in Missouri at the age of forty-five years. She was the mother of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom William is the fourth son and fifth child.

In his youth William Miley had little oppor- tunity for acquiring an education, for at an early age he was set to working in the colony. At the age of eighteen he learned the shoemaker's trade, and thereafter made shoes for the colonists, and continued this occupation after transferring his allegiance to Aurora. For the last sixteen years he has done little in the shoemaking line, other interests having usurped his time and at- tention. When he crossed the plains, Captain Miley drove a four-yoke ox-team, and in the train there were forty wagons and one hundred and eighty people. The train experienced little diffi- culty with the Indians, nor were their ranks les- sened by cholera or other physical woes. They crossed the Missouri river May 5, 1863, and arrived at their destination in Aurora, October 4, 1863.

In due time Captain Miley bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he eventually sold, but upon which he conducted general farm- ing operations for many years. He has built a comfortable and pleasant residence in the town, and his household is increased by his niece and her husband, the former of whom is the house- keeper and presiding genius. Always a stanch Republican, Captain Miley was elected county commissioner in 1898, with a majority of two hundred and sixty-eight votes, and was re-elected in 1892, with the great majority of twelve hun- dred and seventy-eight. He has been a member of the city council for two terms, and was mar- shal of the town for one year. Captain Miley is a vivacious and interesting talker, and while expressing his views on politics and current events often approaches the borders of eloquence. He is extremely well informed, and taken all in all is a man of whom his community is justly proud.

BALTHASAR DÜRST. The career of Mr. Dürst, one of the large landowners and success- ful farmers of Yamhill county, should be an in- spiration to others who start out in the world

without money or influence, and who overcome adverse conditions by sheer force of will and de- termination to succeed. In thrifty and pictur- esque Switzerland Mr. Dürst was born October 25, 1846, and he is the youngest of the five chil- dren born to his parents, who were farmers. When only seven years of age he lost his mother by death, and he afterward continued to live with his father until the death of the latter in 1868. Free to follow his own inclinations and frame his own future, he found employment on farms of the surrounding agriculturists, and about that time acquired considerable business experience while employed as a clerk in a gro- cery store.

Upon immigrating to America in 1869 Mr. Dürst worked on a farm in Iowa for a couple of years, after which he tried his luck in the mines of Missouri for about six months, later making his way to a farm in Green county, Wis. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Annie Zweifel, who was born in Wisconsin, where her parents had a large farm. For three years the young people lived with the wife's family, and in 1878 came to San Francisco via train, and to Portland via boat. They first rented a farm near Dayton, Yamhill county, and the same fall bought a farm two and a half miles northeast of Belle- vue, which has since been their home. The im- provements are entirely due to Mr. Dürst's in- dustry and appreciation of their necessity, and his barns, residence and general equipments are the best known to the agricultural world. At present Mr. Dürst owns six hundred and sixty- three acres of fine, productive land, and is en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising, in the latter capacity making a specialty of Cotswold sheep.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 107

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