Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 115

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 115

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At the age of thirteen years, being left an orphan, Samuel Ames began the battle of life on his own account, his only equipment being the meagre store of knowledge acquired in a few years' attendance at the district school. After working a short time in a tobacco store in Mans- field, Ohio, he entered a machine shop, and later served an apprenticeship as a carriage painter, a trade that he followed a few years. Going west in 1874, he spent a short time in Iowa, then proceeded to Colorado, where he was for a time engaged in silver mining. Coming to the Pacific coast in 1877, he located first in eastern Washington, then settled, the same year, in Silverton, Ore., where has since resided. Es- tablishing himself in business as a sash and door manufacturer, he operated the factory for several years most successfully, in partnership with his brother Louis, and still retains his in- terest, renting it for manufacturing purposes. In 1885 Mr. Ames purchased a half interest in the hardware business of John Hicks, with whom he is still associated, and later, in 1899, formed a partnership with his brother, Louis Ames, in the same line of business. In their new store, Messrs. Ames have a large supply of everything likely to be found in a first-class hardware es- tablishment, carrying a large and complete stock, and by their enterprise, energy, unfailing

courtesy and systematic business methods have won an extensive and lucrative patronage. Louis Ames is also a large landholder, owning three or four farms, and devotes a part of his land to the raising of hops, a crop which has proved quite remunerative in the past few years.

Mr. Ames married, in Silverton, Ore., Clo- rinda A. Davis, who was born in Silverton. January 14, 1858, a daughter of the late Leander and Mary F. Davis, prosperous members of the agricultural community of this locality. Three children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ames, namely: Lora May, born Jan- uary 10, 1883; Roscoe Davis, born May 3, 1887; and Norris Harold, born July 22, 1889. Polit- ically Mr. Ames is a stanch Republican, and socially he is a member of the Woodmen of the World.

MANLY MARTIN. The ancestry of Manly Martin is traced back to Germany, a de- scendant of which settled in Pennsylvania and engaged in farming. There Jacob Martin, his father, was born, March 20, 1812, and following the example of his father, he found occupation in tilling the soil, a part of his life being spent in Iowa, on the line between Iowa and Mis- souri. Desirous of obtaining a better place in the farming interests than Iowa offered, Mr. Martin crossed the plains to Oregon among the early pioneers of 1848, the journey being made with ox-teams and occupying six months of the year. Upon his arrival he took up a donation land claim of six hundred and forty acres, locat- ed in Benton county, twelve miles southwest of Corvallis. For twenty years he remained upon this farm, putting into its cultivation the strength and energy of his manhood, and bringing it to a state of fertility and consequent beauty. In 1868 he parted with the scenes of his early labor, trading the property for a farm in a better loca- tion. This was located near Independence, Polk county, and there was nothing lost in the ex- change. Mr. Martin died April 13, 1882. His wife was Miss Evaline Parks, born in Iowa. She was the mother of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, nine of whom are now living. Mrs. Martin died at the home of her son, Manly, in July, 1903, at the age of eighty-eight years.

Manly Martin was the eighth of the chil dren born to his father and mother, his birth occurring April 22, 1851, three years after their removal to Oregon. It was therefore his privi- lege to assist in the cultivation of the first farm owned by his father and later be of great service on the farm for which his father traded. In the winter seasons he profited by the advantages offered in the schools of Benton and Polk counties. Upon the death of his father he as-

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sumed control of the farm, conducting it for some time with good judgment and manage- ment, but after his marriage in 1885 with Miss Maggie Link he bought a farm near Eola, Polk county, and continued to live there until 1900. In this last-named year he returned to his child- hood's home, and purchasing one hundred and eighty acres of the estate, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. The children born of his marriage are five in number and are named as follows: Ralph, Clara, Iva, Roy and Frank, all of whom are at home with their pa- rents. Republican in his political affiliations, he has held the positions of road supervisor and school director.

JUDGE OLIVER P. GOODALL. One of the foremost agriculturists of Linn county, Judge Oliver P. Goodall is numbered among the enter- prising, progressive and skillful farmers who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and are carrying it on with pleasure and profit. In the many places in which the judge has resided, and the different industries in which he has been interested, he has ever been regarded as a man of integrity and honor, and is held in high esteem by the community in which he now resides, and to promote whose advancement and prosperity he is always ready to lend a helping hand.

Oliver P. Goodall was born August 1, 1828, in Jefferson City, Mo. Receiving excellent edu- cational advantages in his native place, he was subsequently sent to St. Louis to finish his studies, but while at school in that city, at the age of seventeen years, ran away to enlist as a soldier in the Mexican war. Joining Price's regiment, he served with that gallant con- mander in Kearney's division, throughout the conflict. Returning home, he was subsequently sent to a school in Luray, Va., where he con- tinued his studies nine months. He afterwards resided in his native city until 1852, when he came across the plains to Oregon, driving cattle all the way for Hiram Smith. Arriving at Har- risburg, Linn county, Mr. Goodall spent a few months in this locality, in the summer of 1853 locating a donation claim in Washington county, where he lived four years. Removing then to The Dalles, he was engaged in mercan- tile pursuits two years, and the following two years carried on a good business as general merchant in Middleton, Idaho. Settling then in the Grand Ronde valley, Union county, Ore., the judge was extensively engaged in stock-rais- ing for thirty-six consecutive years in that local- ity, becoming one of the most prominent and prosperous stock-raisers of eastern Oregon. Sell- ing out his property in Union county in 1899, he

came to Linn county to settle permanently. Purchasing four hundred and fifty-seven acres of land on the Callapooia river, about two and one-half miles east of Crawfordsville, he is con- tinuing his former occupation with characteristic energy and success.

In October, 1853, Judge Goodall married Louisa Bell, who bore him three children, namely: Brooks W., of North Dakota; John W., also living in North Dakota; and Ada, wife of John Brown, of Spokane, Wash. The judge married a second time, in 1864, Grace Gray, by whom he has had nine children, namely: Kitty C., Scott W., Mary, wife of Stephen C. Cun- ningham; George O., of LaGrange, Ore .; Lynn W., of LaGrange; Perry P., of LaGrange; Byron, of Brownsville, Ore .; Grace, in school at Brownsville; and Fanny, living at home. While a resident of Union county Judge Goodall was very prominent in public affairs, and filled many offices of trust and responsibility. For four years he was county assessor; for four years served as county judge, and was subse- quently for four years a member of the State Board of Equalization. In politics he is a Populist, uniformly casting his vote in favor of that party. The judge was one of the organizers of the local Grange, which he served as master a number of years, and is now an active member, and master, of Holley Grange, No. 325.

JAY E. WINEGAR. Born in St. Charles, Minn., January 29, 1879, Mr. Winegar's earlier years were passed similarly to those of all far- mer boys, giving his father the benefit of his services until he reached his twenty-first year. In the meantime, however, he had laid a good educational foundation by attending the public schools in the neighborhood of his home. He is a son of Meltire and Mary (Coulson) Wine- gar, the former a native of New York state and the latter a native of England. From New York the parents removed to the west, settling in St. Charles, Minn., in the vicinity of which the father carried on farming. The extreme west, however, held out more glowing prospects, and in 1895 the family wended their way across the country, with Oregon as their destination. Set- tling on a farm near MeMinnville, he at once set about to put his land in condition for culti- vation, and that he has not failed in his efforts is evidenced by the fine farm which he has today. Of the eight children born to the parents six are living.

As previously stated. J. E. Winegar remained at home with his parents until he had reached his majority. After having charge of his father's farm for several years, in October, 1901, he

Franklin Mocom

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

changed the scene of his labors as well as his occupation, and in Corvallis bought the livery and feed business of F. Elgin, which is now con- ducted as a feed stable. With the same energy which characterized all his undertakings he at once stocked his stables with a fine lot of su- perior animals and has successfully followed the livery business ever since. In addition to his feed stable on Third street he also con- ducts a livery and sales stable at the corner of Jefferson and Third streets, and here as well as in the first-mentioned stable he is meeting with the success which he merits for his good business qualities and perseverance. Recently Mr. Winegar has taken a partner in the person of Thomas Vidito, the firm name now being Winegar & Vidito.

In McMinnville, September, 1900, Mr. Wine- gar married Miss Hattie Hodge, a native of Kansas, and of this union one child has been born, to whom the parents have given the name of Clair. In fraternal matters Mr. Winegar takes an interest to the extent of allying himself with the Modern Woodmen of the World, and politically votes with the Republican party. The Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member, receives his support, and all measures set on foot tending to benefit his fellow-men receive his aid unstintingly.

FRANKLIN YOCOM. After many years of agricultural activity in Yamhill county, Franklin Yocom is now enjoying the fruits of his labor in retirement in Sheridan, where he is honored for his many fine traits of character, and for his gen- erally substantial accomplishment in the west. Born in Montgomery county, Ky., July 30, 1820, when seven years of age, he was taken by his parents to Illinois, where they entered six hun- dred and forty acres of land in Sangamon county. Here Franklin grew to manhood among the crude and pioneer conditions then existing in Illinois, and his . education was received in the little log subscription school-house in the vicinity of the paternal farm. The property was located near Springfield, and at the time that the elder Yocom allied his fortunes with that section, there was just one little store to prophesy the capital and flourishing city of to-day.

In 1842, Franklin Yocom was united in mar- riage with Nancy J. Darnell, and of the ten chil- dren born of this union, Allen is a farmer near Sheridan ; Evelyn is the wife of James H. Brown, of Yamhill county; Marilla J. is the wife of David Carter, of Washington county; Eliza is the wife of Allen Bradford, of California; Re- becca is deceased ; the others are : Tillie, Loretta, Harvey, Lonah, and an infant, deceased. Mrs. Yocom died June 29, 1897. With his family Mr.

Yocom prepared to emigrate to Oregon in 1851, and, equipped with three yoke of oxen, crossed the plains in six months. The party was exceed- ingly fortunate during their entire journey, and with the exception of having one ox stolen, suf- fered no inconvenience at the hands of the In- dians. The farm upon which Mr. Yocom lo- cated, and which is still in his possession, is in Polk county, just across the line from Yamhill county, and four miles west of Sheridan. Three hundred and twenty acres comprise this donation claim, and about half of it is bottom land, lying along the Yamhill river. At first the owner erected a little log cabin, 16x20 feet, ground di- mensions, and there lived with his family and improved his property until 1876. Somewhat weary of strenuous farming life, he then moved into Salem, where for fourteen years he engaged in the slab-wood business, made possible by the large number of mills in the neighborhood. He was very successful in this effort, following which he returned to his farm and lived there four years. From the farm he came to Sheridan, and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Yocom is a very large land owner, and besides his home ranch, increased to seven hundred acres, owns also two thousand in another body.

While carrying on general farming and stock- raising, Mr. Yocom has variously interested him- self in the affairs of his community, and has been especially active in promoting the interests of the Republican party. However, locally, he votes for the man best qualified to serve the interests of the people, regardless of party, and this breadth of thought has characterized his entire career in the west. For nearly sixty years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but is now identified with the Christian Sci- entists. He is one of the highly-esteemed pioneer residents of Yamhill county, and his moral, agri- cultural and general influence has been of the best.

WILLIAM L. WELLS. Identified with both the political and agricultural pursuits of his county, William L. Wells has won a place of 110 little consideration in the esteem of his fellow- citizens who have, in the past, favored him with their support for various offices for which the Republican party has nominated him. He is a native of Oregon, his father, George A. Wells, having emigrated in 1853 to the west, where he passed the remainder of his life.

George A. Wells was born in Pike county, Mo., January 14, 1830, the son of R. F. Wells, who was of English and Welsh descent, and when eighteen years old had followed his pa- rents into Pike county, Ill. There George mar- ried in 1850 Henrietta Turner, who was born in

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Virginia, December 4, 1831, and had come to Illinois with her parents. In 1853 the two pre- pared to cross the plains. With the customary ox-teams they made the journey in six months, and first settled in Benton county, where Mr. Wells took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Philomath, and there re- mained for four years. At the close of that period he sold out and removed to Marion county, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land near the present site of Hubbard, and he there continued until March 14, 1867, when he again disposed of his property and invested his money in a farm located one mile north of Buena Vista, Polk county. Here his death occurred April 25, 1891, his widow still surviving him, and now making her home with her daughter, Mary S. Bevens, who is located in the same vicinity. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wells are as follows: R. F., of San Francisco; Mary S., now the wife of W. P. Bevens, of Buena Vista; Sarah E., the wife of Alexander Collins, of Dallas; Margaret, now deceased; William L., of this review; C. P., of Independence; George A., of Buena Vista; Emma J., the wife of F. P. Ground, of Buena Vista, and John E., of Buena Vista.

The fifth of this family of children was Will- iam L. Wells, who was born January 6, 1859, upon his father's farm in Marion county, though his education was received principally in the public schools of Buena Vista. Upon the com- pletion of the school course he engaged in farm work with his father, remaining so employed until 1886, when he was elected county assessor upon the Republican ticket. After a two-years service he returned to the farm and continued there until 1890, and was then called to public office once more, for two terms serving as county sheriff. On again returning to private life he engaged in business in Dallas from 1894 to 1896, and in the last-named year was elected county judge, in which position he remained until 1900. He was then nominated joint representative for Polk and Lincoln counties on the Republican ticket, and was defeated by but forty votes. Re- turning to his farm he has since engaged in general farming and hop-raising, leasing one hundred and ninety-five acres for the former and twenty-two and a half for the cultivation of the latter, and meeting with gratifying success in the work. He owns a homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Lincoln county, Ore.

The marriage of Mr. Wells occurred Decem- her, 1887, and united him with Miss Sarah F. Murphy, who was born in Linn county, Ore., January 5, 1865, and was the daughter of Il. W. Murphy, a pioncer of 1852. Five children have been born of the union, who are as follows: Leroy G., Albert, Goldie R., Gladys and Lcon-

ard, all of whom are at home. Fraternally Mr. Wells is a very prominent man, being a member of the United Artisans of Dallas; past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; Ancient Order of United Workmen of Dallas; and the Native Sons of Oregon, holding membership in Nesmith Camp of Dallas. In religion he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal ' Church, of Buena Vista.

JAMES WINSTANLEY. There have been developed within the last few years in Oregon many industries and enterprises which have contributed in a large measure to the pros- perity of the state and of its citizens. Among the various businesses developed is that of hop- growing, and of this James Winstanley is ä prominent representative, being now the sec- retary of the Oregon Hop Growers' Associa- tion. He is a man of keen discernment, quick in recognizing opportunities and accurate in his judgment of the difficulties and the obsta- cles which are to be found in all lines of busi- ness. While laboring earnestly for his own financial advancement, his efforts have at the same time been of value to the state, and in his present position his labors are proving of marked benefit to Oregon in the development of one of her important industries.

Mr. Winstanley was born in Warrington, Lancashire, England, September 12, 1847, and is the second in order of birth in a family of six children, of whom three sons and a daugh- ter are now living. His father, Peter Winstan- ley, was born at Winstanley Hall in Lanca- shire, and became the owner of extensive ware- house interests in Warrington. In religious faith he was a Wesleyan Methodist, and he died at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, Hannah Walker, was born in Cheshire, Eng- land, a daughter of William Walker, who was engaged in the transportation business between Liverpool and Manchester. She, too, died in her native country.

James Winstanley, of this review, is the only representative of the family in America. He was reared in Warrington and pursued his edu- cation in the national schools of England until ten years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the stair-builder's trade in his native town, entering upon a seven-years' term of service. He followed that pursuit, and also the trade of pattern-making, and later he began conducting business on his own account, doing contracting and building, and being thus en- gaged until he came to the new world. Mr. Winstanley arrived in Oregon in 1888. Taking up his abode in Salem, he secured employment in a sash and door factory, where he remained

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

for a year. He afterward spent three years as a pattern-maker in Drake's foundry, but in the meantime he became interested in other lines of business. Upon his arrival in Oregon he had purchased a farm a mile and a half from Salem, comprising forty-four acres, which was covered with stumps. With characteristic en- ergy he began to clear and improve this tract, which he planted to fruit and hops. He now has a large prune orchard, having fourteen acres planted to fruit and ten acres in hops. He has made splendid improvements upon the property, including the erection of a comfort- able residence, substantial barns, a hop house and fruit and prune dryer. He uses the Allen dryer, having a capacity of two hundred and sixty-five bushels. After four years devoted to his trade he abandoned that pursuit in order to give his entire time and attention to horti- cultural interests and to the hop industry. In 1898 he assisted in organizing the Oregon Hop Growers' Association, was elected its secretary and manager and has since served in that ca- pacity. The object of this association is to encourage and promote the industry of hop- growing and to disseminate knowledge con- cerning the best methods of producing hops.

Mr. Winstanley was married in Warrington, England, to Eleanor Barlow, a native of Che- shire, that country. They have three children : John B., who is a graduate of the State Uni- versity, and is now a student in Capitol Busi- ness College ; Edith Eleanor, and James Henry. The parents attend the Baptist Church, and Mr. Winstanley gives his political support to the Republican party. He is a man of excel- lent business ability, and the enterprise and sound judgment which he has brought to bear upon the development of his fine farm has made it a valuable property, whereby he is classed among the substantial citizens of his community.

HENRY MILLER ROBERTS. The way- farer who chances to pass by the farm of Henry Miller Roberts, adjoining Harrisburg on the cast, is delighted with the prevailing order and thrift, and the many evidences of a prosperous farming enterprise. If fortunate enough to per- sonally know the man who has made this his home since 1881, and whose energy and good management are responsible for the well kept buildings, orderly fences, and modern labor-sav- ing devices, he has undoubtedly listened to many interesting accounts of hairbreadth escapes in the early days, and of divers encounters with the resentful red men of the plains. In fact the experiences of Mr. Roberts have been of a most thrilling nature, and when recounted in his

eloquent and enthusiastic manner, are not only diverting, but of historical moment.

To Harrison county, Ind., William Roberts removed from his native state of Kentucky, and in the comparative wilderness worked at his trade of turner in the winter time, devoting his stimmers to running flat-boats down the Ohio river. Here his son, Henry Miller Roberts, was born October 22, 1835, he being the third child in a family of six sons and three daughters. The mother, Mary Jane ( Miller) Roberts, was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Henry Mil- ler, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Indiana. The turner and boatman succeeded well in Indiana, but the family harmony was upset by his son Henry, who became discon- tented with the quiet life by which he was sur- rounded, and who unceremoniously took leave of the household at the age of fourteen. The youth made his way to McDonough county, Ill., where he found employment on the farm of his uncle, John K. Roberts, with whom he remained for two years before knowing the relation that existed between them. At the end of that time he returned home and was received with the greatest kindness, and in 1851 returned to Illi- nois with his parents, who were influenced by his glowing accounts of the state. His father later removed to Nebraska with his family, and near Brownsville engaged in cattle raising until starting across the plains in the spring of 1857. The journey extended from May until Septem- ber 17th, and at Angeles Camp, Cal., the elder Roberts engaged in stock-raising until 1869. He then removed to Sonoma county, of which he was one of the early settlers, and in 1864 took up his residence in Watsonville, then a small aggregation of houses. He was a pioneer of that locality. His shrewd mind anticipating the increase in land values, he bought up property and speculated with more than expected results. He possessed strong characteristics, and while inducing settlers to locate on his land, naturally formed a wide acquaintance, many of his pur chasers becoming his warmest friends. He was energetic and shrewd, while he adhered to prin- ciples of fairness and honesty. His death oc- curred at the age of eighty-eight, and he left behind him a name which is treasured and hon- ored by his children, and respected by all who were associated with him.

The spirit of adventure and rebellion at re- straining influences which caused Henry M. Roberts to desert his home as a boy, has fol- lowed him through life. It has led him into the dangers and excitement of the west, and re- sulted in his investigating the many typical in- dustries here represented. From his father's farm near Angel's Camp he went forth to earn his own living at whatever presented itself, and

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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 115

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