Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 119

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 119

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LUTHER WHITE. Not the least among the brave pioneers who left home and friends and with their few belongings undertook the

long, perilous journey across the western plains, were Luther White and his wife, who in 1847, left their home in Platt county, Mo., for new and untried fields. After the usual six- months journey they dismounted and unpacked their household goods, the first location being upon a donation claim eight miles south of Brownsville, Linn county, and comprising six hundred and forty acres. For many years, until 1872, this continued to be the home center, but at that time Mr. White retired from the active duties of farm life and took up his abode in Brownsville, and has found his time sufficiently occupied in looking after his property.

In referring to the personal history of Luther White we find that his birth occurred in Ohio, near the shores of Lake Erie, January 20, 1815. His father, John White, a native of Connecticut, had located in Ohio in an early day, but in 1815, shortly after the birth of his son, moved to Wabash county, Ill., settling at what was known in that day as Barney Fort, but is now called Friendsville, about eight miles north of Mount Carmel. The Indians in those days were anything but friendly, and in order to pro- tect themselves from their depredations the settlers were compelled to unite their efforts in the matter of safety, hence the founding of Bar- ney Fort. As a soldier in the Revolutionary war the father did his part in protecting and fight- ing for the cause of the colonists. His death occurred on his farm in Wabash county when in his sixty-ninth year. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Sarah Knapp, was born in Massachusetts, and she, too, died on the home farm in Illinois.

Of the seven children born to these worthy pioneer parents Luther was next to the eldest. His education had been sadly neglected, owing to the fact that his help was necessary in the management of the home farm, and his father's death occurring when he was eighteen years old, ended all thought of future education for the time-being. For one year he worked at any honorable employment that presented itself, and finally it was his good fortune to meet a Mr. Smith, who was engaged in surveying public lands. Mr. White was an apt pupil, and it was not long before he, too, could handle the com- pass and line. Subsequently he went to Louisi- ana with another surveying party, and for six monthis was engaged in this southern state. The lack of opportunity in his earlier days for gain- ing an education was made up for in his later life, and when he returned to Illinois he took a position as teacher in the house in which he had been reared, but which at that time had been devoted to school purposes. In 1833 he re- moved to Platt county, Mo., where for one year

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he taught school, but in the meantime having prepared himself for the ministry, he accepted a charge as pastor, having charge of a circuit in Grundy county, for one year in the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church.

In 1843 Mr. White resumed farming opera- tions, and it was about this time that he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Ann Mans- field, a native of Kentucky. Her death oc- curred in Brownsville, Ore., January 4, 1894, at the age of seventy years. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. White, but only two of the number are living. In order of birth they are as follows: Sarah Elizabeth, John H., Eliza Eleanor, Silas H., Mary Adeline, Samuel Thurston and Finis E., all of whom are de- ceased ; Rose B., who is at home with her father ; Martha and Marguerite, both deceased ; and Rob- ert, who resides on the old donation claim taken up by his parents in 1847, and which was their first home in the west. As a public official Mr. White served as a member of the state legis- lature for one term in 1852, and at one time filled the office of city recorder for two terms. In school matters he takes a keen interest, and as school director and clerk his services have been of great value to the community. He makes his church home in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in political affairs gives his influ- ence and vote to the candidates of the Prohibi- tion party, whose platform he believes best cal- culated for the ultimate highest good of the nation.

JAMES HILTIBRAND. As an able and successful farmer of Polk county, Ore., James Hiltibrand has followed in the footsteps of his father, who gave to the growth and upbuilding of the statehood of Oregon the strength of his manhood. The name has been well and worthily known in the northwest since 1845, the father, Paul Hiltibrand, coming at that early date to make one of the many pioneers who made the state.

Paul Hiltibrand was born in Ohio, June 7, 1822, the son of John, who was a native of Germany, and had come to the United States in 1798 with his father, Jacob, and settled in Pennsylvania. While serving in the war of 1812 he was wounded in the wrist by a gunshot in the battle of New Orleans. From his home in Ohio he later removed to Kentucky, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying November 7, 1867, having lived a worthy and useful life in the country of his adoption. When only six- teen years of age Paul Hiltibrand left home and, going to Missouri, he remained there until 1845, when he joined an emigrant train, under the command of Solomon Tetherow, and bound for

Oregon. The journey was made in seven months and sixteen days, counting the time from St. Joseph, Mo., to which city Mr. Hiltibrand had gone from his farm in Clay county to join the train, until their arrival in Polk county, Ore. With an interval of but three weeks' in- action Mr. Hiltibrand took up the land which is now owned by his children, six hundred and forty acres in all, and commenced the improve- ments which were necessary to make the farm what it is today. In time he added four hundred and sixty-six acres to his original farm, and then owned considerably over a thousand acres. He engaged for many years in stock-raising and general farming, and lived the remainder of his life upon this claim. He died September 29, 1895, in the home wherein he had spent so many worthy and useful years.

In the trip across the plains was the begin- ning of the romance which gave Mr. Hiltibrand his wife, for Captain Tetherow had his family with him, and his daughter, Evaline, was mar- ried in 1846 to her fellow-traveler. For a fuller account of the life of Captain Tetherow refer to the sketch of James P. Tetherow, which appears on another page of this work. The children which blessed the union of Paul Hilti- brand and Evaline Tetherow are as follows: Le- vina, who became the wife of Charles Cottell; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Marshall Scafford; James, of this review; and John W., of Suver. As members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Luckiamute, Mr. and Mrs. Hiltibrand added much to the moral life of the community, giving freely of time and means in the growth of the church. For many years Mr. Hiltibrand was elder and clerk in this church and his death was a loss felt by many. Fraternally he be- longed to the Grange.

James Hiltibrand was born in Polk county, Ore., November 12, 1850, being reared on the paternal farm, and alternating his home duties with an attendance at the district school in the vicinity of his home. When eighteen years old he left school and went to work on a neighbor- ing farm, and at twenty-one he began farming for himself, and has since continued in this occupation with entire credit for the judgment and energy which controls his actions. He now owns two hundred and eleven acres of land, a part of the original claim taken up by his father, and upon which he has put all the improve- ments, consisting of a house, well situated on a hillside, barn and other outbuildings, making a comfortable home. He carries on general farm- ing and stock-raising, being principally interested in goats and sheep.

In 1870 Mr. Hiltibrand married Lavina J. Fuqua, who was born in Jackson county, Mo., July 30, 1850. Her father, Richard J. Fuqua,

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crossed the plains in 1864, and died at Parker's Station in 1882, the farm in Polk county being now occupied by the son, William Fuqua. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hiltibrand are four in number, of whom John B. is in Inde- pendence, Ore .; Pauline is the wife of Frank Skinner, a drayman, of Independence; Ernest E. and Clarence G. make their home with their parents. Like his father in politics, Mr. Hilti- brand is a stanch Democrat, and through his in- Huence has served as road supervisor and school director, holding the latter position for five years. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange of Suver and Modern Woodmen of America.

ADELBERT YERGEN. On his father's farm, three miles east of Butteville, Marion county, Adelbert Yergen was born November 28, 1854, and, as his name indicates, is of Ger- man ancestry. His father, Augustus Yergen, was born in Meilheim, Germany, November 28, 1831, and at ten years of age came across the ocean in a sailing vessel, many weeks being spent upon the deep. With his parents he located in Belleville, Ill. At the time his father was very poor, having barely enough to bring his family to the United States. Nevertheless, the fertile soil and desirable conditions of Illinois enabled the elder Yergen to prosper in a modest way, and make a comfortable home in a fertile and resourceful state. However, he was doomed to meet with misfortune, for his wife died a few years after crossing the ocean, and he was left comparatively alone in the world. Augustus Yergen was married, March 28, 1852, to Eliza- beth Griffin, and a few days later crossed the plains with ox-teams, taking six months to ac- complish the journey. For two years Mr. Yer- gen lived in Washougal, Wash., and then came to Marion county, Ore., where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres three miles from Aurora. Here he prospered and reared his children, and here his death occurred May 24, 1902. Of his six children, Adelbert was the oldest, and next is George, who is living on the home place : Mary E., the wife of J. V. Swan, of Portland, Ore .: Frank, living on a farm near Aurora; Frederick, also near Aurora; and Henry, working the home place. The wife is still living on the old homestead, and though in her seventy-first year, still retains her interest in the farm and the doings of her children.

The education of Adelbert Yergen was ac- quired in the country schools and in those of Portland. His youth was uneventful. as is that of the average farm-reared boy. November 9. 1880, he was united in marriage with Ida J. Carter, who was born in Yamhill county, a daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Lee) Carter,

the latter of whom was a daughter of James Lee, who crossed the plains in 1852. Mr. Lee came from Springfield, Ill., and after a six- months trip located on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres near Gaston, Yamhill county, apon which his son now lives. Benjamin Carter was born February 22, 1826, in Hagerstown, Md., in a house located exactly on the boundary line between Maryland and Pennsylvania, and from the Keystone state enlisted in the Mexican war, serving for two years. He then went to Iowa, whither his family had in the meantime removed, and where he lived until 1852. Hc crossed the plains in that year with ox-teams and the usual outfit, locating near Hillsboro, Ore., where he worked at his trade of millwright. He was a practical mill builder and operator, and during his life in the west erected many mills in different parts of Oregon. After his mar- riage with Jane Lee, September 1, 1863, he bought what is known as Graham's Ferry across the Willamette, and operated it continuously until the year before his death, May 26, 1882. He was survived by his wife until July 21, 1886, and of his two children Mrs. Yergen is the oldest, Irvin Lee being a resident of Ta- coma, Wash. It is a noteworthy fact that Mrs. Yergen's parents and Mr. Yergen's father are buried in the Butteville cemetery, which will be the last resting place of all four parents.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Yergen came to Butteville and 'engaged in the butcher business for three years. He then went to Portland, and for another three years had a very large dairy- ing business. At times he milked sixty-five cows, and supplied a large trade in the city and suburbs. Returning to Butteville, he engaged in the butcher business for six years, and has since turned his attention to hop-growing on a farm two miles south of Aurora. He has twenty-six acres under this paying commodity, and is contemplating an extension of his present output. He has a pleasant rural home, and has two children, Leonard G. and Martin D. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Maccabees, while his family is represented in the Congregational Church by his wife and sons. His interest in educational matters is shown by the fact that he served for nine years continu- ously as school director in his district.

KERSEY C. ELDRIDGE. The creamery business, as understood and operated by Kersey C. Eldridge, of Independence, constitutes one of the most profitable sources of income in this part of the county. An expert in his line, Mr. Eldridge invests his enterprise with the vim and progressiveness of a genuine enthusiast, with the result that his commodities are sought

W. E. Finger

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in all marketable centers along the coast, and have a reputation for excellence unexcelled. He came to Oregon in 1897, and, having success- fully started and maintained a creamery plant in Newberg, came to Independence in 1899, his efforts here being attended with equal good fortune. To such an extent has the business increased that he has established a plant at Jef- ferson, Marion county, in connection with the one at Independence. He has a capacity of twenty-five thousand gallons of milk per day, and makes one thousand pounds of butter a day. The most modern machinery known to dairymen has been introduced in his plants, and he is con- templating even more extensive operations in the near future.

· A native of Lawrence, Kans., Mr. Eldridge was born March 4, 1863, and in his youth had the advantages of the public schools of Law- rence and New York city. His father, Edwin S. Eldridge, is a mining expert, and a constant traveler from one mining section to another, visiting from time to time such mining centers as Colorado, California and Mexico. He was born in Pittsfield, Mass., January 18, 1831, and located in Kansas City, Mo., about 1856. Dur- ing the Civil war he lived in Lawrence, Kans., and in 1879 took his family to New York City. Eventually, however, he returned to Kansas City, which has since been his headquarters, and the center of his extensive mining opera- tions. He is a well-known mining promoter, and his opinior is sought by those who desire to invest in this most precarious of ventures. His wife, formerly Augusta Spicer, was born in Yates county, N. Y., and died in Lawrence, Kans., in 1867, leaving a son and daughter, of whom Kersey C. is the youngest.

Previous to coming to Oregon Mr. Eldridge en- gaged, in 1880, in the dry goods business with J. H. Diggles, of New York, and in 1883 he returned to Lawrence, Kans., and traveled with his father in his mining business. In 1886 he was employed as traveling salesman by a large grocery firm, and in this capacity visited principally New Mexico. In 1891 he went to Utah, near Ogden, and engaged in the creamery business, and being successful he determined to try his fortune in Oregon. That this decision was a wise and far-sighted one has been repeatedly demon- strated, and unquestionably Mr. Eldridge con- gratulates himself upon his happy choice of a location, having established the creamery at Newberg in 1897, Independence in 1899, and at Jefferson in March, 1903.

He was married in Placerville, Cal., to Ruth A. King, daughter of Charles King. who was born in Vermont, and came to California in 1848-9. Four sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge: Neville, Kersey C., Jr .; Shalor

and Lawrence. Mr. Eldridge is by no means confined to the limits of his business, but has a public-spiritedness which concerns itself with social and other business interests of the town. He is fraternally connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, and the Ancient Order of United Work- men, in all of which lodges he is a welcome vis- itor. Politically he is arrayed on the side of Republicanism, although he has never sought or accepted official positions. He is a man of shrewd business ability and unquestioned integ- rity. At the present time Mr. Eldridge is erecting a plant at Portland for manufacture of butter and ice cream.

WILLIAM EDWARD FINZER. Among the many claims to distinction which make Adju- tant General Finzer, of Woodburn, one of the most popular and highly appreciated men of the state is a military career of a particularly stir- ring nature, excellent business ability, and com- mendable service as an executive. He was born in Shanesville, Ohio, September 25, 1867, and comes of ancestors long connected with the Re- public of Switzerland. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin, was born in Berne, Switzerland, and in his native land was a farmer and stock-raiser, an occupation which he continued after locating in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was one of the early settlers of that region, arriving in 1845, and he lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years. His son, Benjamin, the father of W. E. Finzer, came with him from Berne, where he was born May 5, 1835, and in his youth was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade in Shanesville. He came to Oregon in 1888 and located near Hub- bard, where he worked at his trade, made money, and advantageously invested in town property. He died in April, 1889. A Democrat in politics, he became prominent in the local affairs of his party, and served the community as constable and road supervisor, while in Ohio. He married Elizabeth Hostetter, a native of Ohio, who was born April 7. 1847, and died in February, 1890. Her father, Isaac, came from Pennsylvania and spent the rest of his life in Ohio, owning over a thousand acres, which was considered a very large farm.

The oldest of the five sons and four daughters born to his parents, General Finzer was educated in the public schools. In Shanesville and New Philadelphia he clerked in mercantile establish- ments. He came to Oregon in 1889, and in 1891 engaged in the grocery business in Woodburn. That he had considerable enterprise and ability is evidenced by the fact that at the end of three years lie owned the business and continued it in- dependently until 1897. In 1891 he was ap-

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pointed postmaster of the city, and filled the obli- gations of this office in connection with his suc- cessful store. The dry-goods business, in which he is now engaged, was started in 1897, and the following year he responded to the call for soldiers to participate in the Spanish-American war. As first lieutenant in Company M, Second Oregon Regiment, he served for one and a half years, and during that time he took part in the battles of Malabon, Polo, Marilao, Tay-Tay, Mo- rong and others of equal interest. He was hon- orably discharged from service in San Fran- cisco, in August, 1899. During his absence in the Philippines, General Finzer made a practical study of the people and conditions, and his de- scriptions and observations have proved of vital interest to the friends and associates who re- mained behind. He has been further connected with military affairs as captain of Company D, Fourth Regiment, O. N. G., and his experience on the field is apparent in the high state of efficiency to which he has brought the company. The appointment of Captain Finzer to his present position, that of adjutant general of the state of Oregon, is of recent occurrence, he having taken charge of the office September 1, 1903, in the discharge of the duties bringing to bear the attri- butes of the typical soldier, an endowment of courage, resourcefulness and coolness. His adopted town is justly proud of his soldierly bear- ing and gallant service.

After returning from the Philippines General Finzer engaged in the dry-goods business with E. A. Austin, and at present has a well equipped establishment which caters to a flourishing trade, by far the largest in the community. Before leav- ing for the war, General Finzer was elected mayor of Woodburn, but resigned to go to the front. He has served as school clerk and city treasurer, and in all his political associations has proven himself broad-minded, enterprising and thoroughly in accord with municipal well-being.

In Portland, Ore., in 1892, General Finzer was united in marriage with Louise Roberts, who was born in Canada, January 7, 1872, and whose father, Robert Roberts, was also born there and came to the United States in 1887. Mr. Roberts located in Butteville, Ore., and engaged in farm- ing, and his death occurred on the day that Pres- ident Mckinley was shot, at the age of seventy years. William Marvin Finzer, who was born July 23, 1900, is the only child of the general and his wife, and is a bright and interesting lad. General Finzer is well known fraternally, being a member of Woodburn Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M .; Woodburn Lodge, R. A. M .; Hermes Lodge No. 56, K. P., of Aurora; Woodburn Lodge No. 37, A. O. U. W., and French Prairie Camp No. 47, W. O. W., in the three orders last named having passed all the chairs.

MARSHALL SCRAFFORD. As a prom- inent and successful agriculturist of Suver, and as a pioneer, and the son of a pioneer of Polk county, Marshall Scrafford is well worthy of representation in this biographical volume. He was born in Delavan, Walworth county, Wis., June 5, 1845, a son of John J. Scrafford, com- ing of German ancestry. His paternal grand- father, Adam Scrafford, was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., and there spent the greater part of his life.

Born on the ancestral homestead, in Scho- harie county, N. Y., August 3, 1817, John J. Scrafford lived there until after his marriage, and then, in 1843, emigrated with his family to Wisconsin. Locating in Walworth county, he took up land near Delavan, and was there en- gaged in general farming for many years. Re- moving to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1861, he there continued his independent occupation for about five years, when he again followed the tide of emigration westward. Joining Captain Bean's company, he crossed the plains with horse-teams, there being thirty armed men in the train. Ar- riving in Benton county, Ore., in the fall of 1866, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on Soap creek, and there improved a farm, on which he resided until after the death of his wife. Removing then to Corvallis, he still makes his home in that city. He married, in New York state, Martha Richardson, who was born in Schoharie county, February 22, 1819, and died, in Benton county, Ore., Jan- uary 2, 1873. Her father, James Richardson, a farmer by occupation, was born in the Empire state, of Irish ancestry. He was a private in the war of 1812, and took part in the engagement at Sackett's Harbor. Seven children were born of the union of John J. and Martha (Richardson) Scrafford, four of whom are living, namely : James B., of Walla Walla, Wash .; Marshall, the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of Ira A. Miller, of Newport, Ore .; and E. A., wife of J. K. Morrison, of Monmouth, Ore.

Obtaining his first knowledge of books in the district schools of his native state, Marshall Scrafford subsequently attended a public school in Iowa, and for seven months was a student at Cornell College, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Leav- ing that institution, he enlisted, December 30, 1863, in Company D, Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, in the same company to which his brother, James B. Scrafford, belonged, being a sergeant. Joining his regiment at Murfrees- boro, Tenn., he spent the winter in camp at Nashville, and in the spring of 1864 joined Sherman in his memorable march to the sea. Arriving in Savannah, Ga., he started with his comrades through the Carolinas in pursuit of General Johnston, whom they captured at

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Raleigh, N. C. Being mustered out of service, at Louisville, Ky., July 8, 1865, with the rank of corporal, Mr. Scrafford proceeded with his regi- ment to Madison, Wis., and a short time later returned to the home of his parents. Entering the academy at Tipton, Iowa, he continued his studies there until the spring of 1866, when he came with his parents to Oregon. While on the way the company to which he belonged was frequently troubled by men who attempted to steal their horses and cattle, and on one occa- sion Mr. Scrafford distinguished himself by shooting one of three horse thieves that were disguised as Indians.

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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 119

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