Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 132

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 132

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SMITH COX. On his father's donation claim, eight miles southeast of Albany, Smith Cox was born February 2, 1859, and was there reared to a practical agricultural life. Although his fam- ily was comparatively poor, and the children were obliged to work hard, he managed to se- cure a fair education in the district school, which he attended at irregular intervals, and mostly during the winter season. In 1888, at the age of twenty-nine, he left the home farm and moved upon his present elaim, which consists of one hundred and sixty aeres, all but twenty of which are under cultivation. Seventy aeres of this land is in the bottoms and is unusually fertile, well adapted to wheat and general grain-raising, of which the owner makes a specialty. Mr. Cox

owns one hundred and sixty acres of timber land in Douglas county.

Two years after starting out to farm on his own responsibility, Mr. Cox tired of keeping bachelor quarters, and married, March 5, 1890, Annie Archibald, a native daughter of Linn coun- ty, who is the mother of two interesting children, Roya and Edna. Mr. Cox is a Democrat in polit- ical affiliation, and though not an office seeker, has served both as school director and road su- pervisor. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Thrifty, and with great capacity for industry, Mr. Cox well deserves the reputation of being one of the worthy and successful farmers of Linn county.

EDWIN G. COX. As a general farmer and stock-raiser Edwin G. Cox reflects credit upon Linn county, Ore., where he was born on a large donation claim eight miles east of Albany, No- vember 22, 1852. For many years his father, Lewis Cox, was known as a successful farmer in Ohio, in which state he was born near Dayton, May 11, 1818, and from where he moved at the age of seventeen to Wabash county, Ind. About 1845 he took up his residence on a farm in Iowa, and there he married his first wife, a Miss Castor, who bore him one child, Cynthia, now Mrs. Thompson of Denver, Colo. His second wife, Elizabeth (Trites) Cox, was born in New Brunswick, and with her Mr. Cox crossed the plains in the spring of 1850, outfitted with one wagon, three yoke of oxen, and two cows. They were on the way some four months, meeting with few unpleasant experiences. Mr. Cox pur- chased the right of six hundred and forty acres of land of Lud Maxwell, which contained a log cabin and a sawmill. He was obliged to go in debt to the amount of $3,000 on his property, but so well did he succeed that by 1856 he had cancelled this indebtedness and had $3.000 clear profit. In the meantime he had thought always of returning to Iowa and spending his last days there, so he took his little hoard, all in gold, and made his way back to the scene of his earlier efforts. Like the majority who return after years to old and familiar surroundings, he experienced a keen sense of disappointment, and made up his mind that Oregon, after all, held far superior inducements. Thus it happened that the little fortune was re-invested in Oregon, to which state he returned by way of Cape Horn, being six months on the way. Locating on the farm which is now owned by his son, he remained there until his death, February 20, 1884, at the age of sixty- six. He attained considerable prominence in political circles, serving as county commissioner one term. Twelve children were born of his second marriage, four of whom died young.

MR. AND MRS. GODFREY DENTEL.

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Mary J., the oldest daughter, is the wife of Elias Maxwell of Linn county ; Anderson is deceased ; Edwin G. is the third; Smith lives near Albany ; Vallalio lives at Coos Bay; Ira is a farmer in Linn county; Lewis lives with his mother on the home farm; and Agnes is the wife of Alex- ander McNabb of Centralia, Wash.

The youth of Edwin G. Cox was not unlike that of other farm-reared boys in the northwest, and he had the average number of advantages and diversions. He was a diligent student at the public schools, and as a boy and man has been industrious and painstaking. He located on his present farm at the age of twenty-one, and has since made many fine improvements on his property. Of his four hundred and eighty acres of land, one hundred and sixty are under cultivation, and the greater part of his property is in the valley. He raises a high grade of stock, and the general produce of a farm increases his yearly income to a considerable extent. He is a Democrat in politics, and in religion is a mem- ber of the Christian church. In 1875 he mar- ried Clarissa Morgan, of which union there have been born seven children: Annie, wife of W. H. Schiller of The Dalles; Plessie died at the age of eighteen; Lewis G .; Clarence; Archie; and two deceased. Mr. Cox is popular and well liked, responding generously to all appeals for assistance in the community, and in his farming maintaining the high standard established in one of the most fertile and resourceful parts of the state.

GODFREY DENTEL was born in Saxony, Germany, December 17, 1844. He was brought by his parents to America in 1847, the family making their home in Monroe county, Mich., on a farm eight miles west of Monroe, where God- frey Dentel grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-two he located in Sangamon county, Ill., and began working on a farm near Springfield, that county. He continued working by the month for three years, and was then married to Miss Elizabeth Buirgy, December 23, 1869. Mrs. Dentel was a native of Clermont county, Ohio, and after her marriage she ably assisted her husband, performing the duties of the house- hold in an exemplary manner. They continued to reside in Sangamon county for about twelve years. In 1877 they removed to Portland, Ore., remaining there for a period of three months. The duration of their stay in Clackamas county covered a period of two years, at the end of which time they settled in Marion county, near Aurora, on their present farm, which comprises one hun- dred and sixty acres. When Mr. Dentel took up the work of improvement upon this place there had been nothing whatever done in that

direction, but with determined zeal he went to work, and placing his standard high, he has reached a degree of excellence in the cultivation and management of his property, which is not excelled by any, and is equaled by few. When he purchased this farm it contained no buildings, but Mr. Dentel has built a comfortable and com- modious residence and all necessary out-build- ings for the shelter of grain and stock, and the appearance of thrift and neatness is everywhere apparent. Mr. Dentel is an experienced hop- grower, having been engaged in that enterprise for the past eighteen years, and at present he has fourteen acres under hops. His attention has also been given to general agricultural pursuits, and as he is a man who never fails in anything he undertakes, his efforts have resulted in his becoming well-to-do and prosperous in a marked degree. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dentel have been born eight children, seven of whom are now liv- ing: Arbon, of Marion county ; Mattie, the wife of A. H. Giesy, a merchant of Aurora; Clara, the wife of Chris F. Siegler, a resident of Marion county ; Fred, also of Marion county ; Ruth, Liz- zie and William, who make their home with their parents.

It will easily be understook that a man who can ably conduct a large farm, thus advancing the agricultural interests of the community in which he lives, must necessarily be broad-minded and public-spirited, and it comes as a matter of course that Mr. Dentel should take a prominent part in promoting the general progress of his county. He has ever favored good schools and good roads, realizing that both are essential to the ulti- mate success of any section, and has served both as road supervisor and as school director. He favors the platform of the Republican party and votes accordingly, while his fraternal relations connect him with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious views are expressed by his membership in the Presbyterian Church.

The history of Mr. Dentel may be read with interest by those who have their own way to make in the world, and who start out in life wish- ing to gain, through the experience of others, the key-note to success. Reading between the lines of this record, it would appear that the causes of Mr. Dentel's success have been his un- tiring energy, his indomitable will, which has overcome all obstacles, and his inherent integrity, which is unquestionable.

EDWIN McGREW. Under the able admin- istration of Edwin McGrew the Pacific College at Newberg has undergone a transformation ex- tremely gratifying to interested spectators of ed- ucational advancement in Oregon. Although

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

young in years for so important a responsibility, Professor McGrew has long since passed the ex- perimental stage of his career, and possesses to an unusual degree that financial and executive ability which, combined with scholarly attain- ments, meets the requirements of latter-day edu- cational standards. The management of the col- lege, which is under the auspices of the Friends Church, was undertaken by Mr. McGrew in 1900, and at the time was deeply in debt. Due partially to funds solicited in the east by the pres- ident, who made a special trip for that purpose, the indebtedness has been completely wiped out, and the scholarship roll has been increased. The college is well equipped for scientific and other research, and the thoroughness of the training possible in its various departments precludes any reasonable possibility of its usefulness wan- ing or its present prestige being diminished as one of the important educational factors of Ore- gon.

A native of the vicinity of Marshalltown, Mar- shall county, Iowa, Mr. McGrew was born March 4. 1868, a son of David D. and Alpha (Pierson) MeGrew, natives of Ohio, and the latter a daugh- ter of John Pierson, of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Jacob B., was born in Pennsylvania, and from there removed at an early day to Ohio, where his death occurred several years after his retirement. Like his father, David D. MeGrew was a farmer during the greater part of his life, and his death occurrred in Marshall county, Iowa, at the age of sixty-five years. Of the three children born to David D. and Alpha ( Pier- so11) MeGrew, Edwin is the only son, and sec- ond child.

The education of Mr. McGrew was acquired in the public schools and at the Friends Academy at LeGrand, Iowa, from which latter institution he was duly graduated in 1887. In 1890 he graduated from the Capitol City Commercial Col- lege, and in 1895 from the Penn College at Oska- loosa, Iowa, with the degree of B. S., receiving from the same institution the degree of M. S. in 1898. Besides being a student at the college Mr.

MeGrew was also an educator, and in the capac- ity of principal was identified with the prepar- atory department from 1895 to 1897. In 1895 he was recorded as a minister in the Friends Church at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and though still oc- cupying this position does very little preaching at the present time. In the fall of 1897 Mr. Me- Grew assumed charge of the Friends Church at Earlham, Madison county, Iowa, and in 1900 tin- dertook his present responsibility as president of the Pacific College at Newberg.

In New Providence. Iowa, Mr. MeGrew was united in marriage with Edith Ware, a native of Indiana, a daughter of Talbot Ware. Talbot Ware is still a resident of Indiana, where he is

engaged in farming and the mercantile business and is also interested in building and contracting. To Mr. and Mrs. McGrew has been born one child, Marion Edwina.

JULIUS C. HODSON. The men's clothing house, owned and managed by Julius C. and C. A. Hodson, is one of the substantial and upbuilding business enterprises of Newberg. Julius C. Hod- son, one of the most prominent men of the town, was born in Spiceland, Henry county, Ind., No- vember II, 1860, and is a .son of Caleb Hodson, a native of North Carolina. The family was established in America by the paternal great- grandfather, Robert, who left his ancestral home in England to profit by the less trying conditions in the New England colonies. He eventually found his way to North Carolina, where was born his son, Jesse, the paternal grandfather of Julius C., the founder of the family in Henry county, Ind. As a young man Caleb Hod- son removed with his father to Indiana, where he in time bought a farm, and after the death of his father purchased the old homestead in the Hoosier state.

The sixth of the nine sons born to his father, Julius C. Hodson was educated at the public schools and at an academy, and, having qualified as an educator, was thus employed after his re- moval to Yamhill county in 1879. His mother purchasing property near Newberg, he made this farm his headquarters, and until 1891 was en- gaged in teaching in Washington and Yamhill counties, and in eastern Oregon. In 1891 he located in Newberg, and for nine years had charge as principal of the public schools of the town, in the meantime materially advancing the standard of education in the county. In 1897 he started the present clothing business with his brother, C. A. Hodson, and two years later re- linquished his educational work to assume entire control of the clothing business.

In Fountain City, Ind., Mr. Hodson was united in marriage with Lorena Townsend, a na- tive of Indiana, as was also her father, James Townsend. Mr. Townsend was a farmer for the greater part of his active life, owning farms in both Iowa and Indiana, but finally settled in Fountain City, Wayne county, Ind. Two chil- (Iren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hodson: Esther L. and James L., both of whom are living at home. Mr. Hodson is a welcome member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in politics, and for some time has been president of the Republican Club of New- berg. He was a candidate for county superin- tendent of schools in 1896, and has served on the city council. Mr. Hodson has given evidence of his faith in the continued prosperity of this

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section by investing in considerable town and country property. He is one of the most helpful citizens, and broad-minded cultured men who have invaded Yamhill county to the advantage of the large community.

LEWIS RITNER. Among the native sons of Polk county who have spent their entire lives upon farms where they were born in the pioneer days of the state, is Lewis Ritner, whose birth occurred November 2, 1857. He is a son of Sebastian and Sarah (Woodling) Ritner, and is the second of three children born of the sec- ond marriage of his mother. Mrs. Ritner was born in Northampton county, Pa., August 5, 1817, and before her marriage was Sarah Wood- ling, daughter of Peter and Mary (Houghner) Woodling, the former born in England, and a farmer during his entire active life. In her native state Miss Woodling married for her first husband, in 1833, John Ritner, who was born in Switzerland, and came to the United States at an early day, locating in Missouri, Platte county. He was a mechanic by trade, and combined that with farming during nearly all of his working life. Hearing favorable reports of the agricultural prospects in the far west, he sold his farm, and left to others his little busi- ness, outfitting in 1852 to cross the plains with ox-teams. He was not destined to reach the Mecca of his desires, for on the plains he suc- cumbed to illness, died, and was buried in a lonely wayside grave. His wife and four chil- dren finished the journey to the coast, and the mother took up a donation claim of two hundred and thirty acres, which is the present home of the family. In 1854 Mrs. Ritner married Sebas- tion Ritner, brother of her former husband, who was also born in Switzerland, the date of his birth being 1815.

Sebastian Ritner crossed the plains as early as 1845, but it is not on record that he experienced any particular adventures. He farmed for a time in Oregon, and in 1847 went to the mines of California, returning at the end of a year considerably richer than when he went. With his earnings he took up a donation claim of three hundred acres, and so successfully operated it that he was able to add to his possessions, and at the time of his death owned nine hundred acres. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, although in his youth he had worked as a mechanic, and had a wide range of knowledge bearing upon mechanical subjects. He was a thoroughly reliable man, upright and considerate in all of his dealings, and of more than ordinary business shrewdness. He dicd at his home near Pedee, September 10, 1887.

The children of the first marriage of Mrs. Rit-

ner who are now living are: Mary E., the wife of Lew Hannam, of Lewisville; Missouri Anna, the wife of Joe Edwards, of Pedee; Anna, the wife of Richard Dunn, of King's Valley; and Flora, the wife of John Waters, of McTimmons Valley. By the second marriage there were four children: John Ritner; Lewis; Sophrona, wife of James Grant ; and Frank Ritner, deceased.

Lewis Ritner spent an uneventful youth on his father's farm, and was so thoroughly trained in the science of farming that he took charge of the whole property at the age of eighteen years. This responsibility came to him because of the marriage of his brother and his removal to a farm of his own. In April, 1883, Mr. Ritner married Corinda, daughter of James Edelman, Mrs. Ritner being a native of Benton county, Ore. The father was born in the state of Penn- sylvania, and located on a farm in Benton county, where he died at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. Ritner is farming five hundred acres of his father's claim, and has large numbers of fine stock, including thoroughbred horses, red and roan Shires, Cotswold sheep, and dairy cat- tle. An additional source of revenue is a log- ging business in which he engages for a por- tion of each year. He also has sixteen acres under hops, and considerable fruit. He is very successful, and is regarded as one of the most scientific and practical farmers in the county. He is a Republican in politics, and with his wife is a member of the Evangelical Church of Pedee, in which he is a steward and active worker. Mr. Ritner has the sterling and reliable traits of char- acter which brought about his father's success, and which have brought him many stanch friends, as well as the esteem of the entire com- munity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ritner have been born three children : Ella, wife of Frank Sheythe ; Annie and Martin P. Ritner, at home.

CHARLES FRANCIS DE GUIRE (Da Guera, French spelling). Born September 12, 1846, among the quiet scenes of Fredericktown, Madison county, Mo., Mr. De Guire still recalls his first great journey in the world taken in 1854 over the wild, uncultivated lands that lay be- tween the Father of Waters and the peaceful waves of the Pacific ocean. It was not the first journey into the west, made by members of his family, as his father, Francis B., who was born March 30, 1818, in Ste. Genevieve county, Mo., had gone to California in 1849, having fallen a victim to the gold craze. Returning after about two years of prospecting and mining he again made the perilous journey, in company with his family, traveling by ox-team, and arriving safely at their destination with the usual experiences

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incident to the life on the plains by which they recall their long trip of six months.

After one winter spent in that state, another journey was taken, the family coming by horse- teams over the mountains to settle near St. Paul, Marion county, Ore. In this location Mr. De Guire again followed the occupation of his fore- fathers, engaging for three years in agriculture, and at the end of that time removed to a farm six miles southeast of Silverton. In his Missouri home he had married Eleanor St. Geme, a native of the same state, and after her death in 1862 he made his home with his son, C. F. The re- maining children that blessed the union were as follows: John, who makes his home with C. F .; Mary C., wife of D. R. Hubbard, of Marquam, Clackamas county, Ore .; Louisa, and Clotilda, of Salem; James L., deceased; and Henry, of southern California. Personally, the elder Mr. De Guire is energetic and lively, bearing his eighty-six years lightly, his unimpaired memory recalling days of his struggles in the west with genial satisfaction. He had given up a lucrative position in his home community, being then deal- ing in lead mining stock, and enjoying the popu- · larity and esteem of a successful man, to try his fortunes in the west, and through the trying years of his pioneer life he had been confident of the fruition he now enjoys. Another incen- tive to his removal to Oregon was the fact that his brother, J. B. De Guire, having made the journey in 1840 in the interests of the American Fur Company, had taken up a donation claim near Rays Landing, being one of the first settlers of Oregon. It was his distinction to come west in company with Captain Sublett. Fifteen years of his life were spent in the Rocky mountains, where he hunted and trapped, gaining a wide reputation as a furrier.

C. F. De Guire was reared in Oregon, where he attended the public schools when occasion of- fered, which was but little of the time, so that his wide knowledge and general information arc , due largely to his own efforts, made through the years in which he has been gaining his livelihood. At the age of fourteen he started out into the world to make his own way, going first into woolen mills where he learned weaving, in which business he continued for six years. On May 13, 1873, he married Miss Arlena Brown, a na- tive of Silverton, Ore., and the daughter of James Brown, who crossed the plains in 1846. After a year of married life in Salem, the young people moved to their present location, being a part of the Brown donation claim, of which there is left in the family about one hundred and fif- teen acres. Upon his farm Mr. De Guire has put almost all the improvements of which it boasts. and is now busily engaged in general farming and stock-raising. The death of his wife oc-

curred in October, 1885. In January, 1893, Mr. De Guire married a native of England, Miss Julia Brydge. He has four children, of whom Murton E., a son by his first wife, is a dentist in Silverton; the other three, Olfan, Alvis H. and Vada being born of the second union, and all at home.

Mr. De Guire is well known and a very popu- lar man in his community, having been in the jewelry business in Silverton for ten years, also dealing in city and farming property for several years. While in that city he served for some time as deputy postmaster, being politically in- dependent. He was delegate to the first Prohi- bition convention held at Salem. He has also seen military service, having enlisted December 9, 1864, in Company C, First Oregon Infantry, mustered in at Salem. The regiment was first sent to Vancouver, later to Ft. Stillicom, where they did garrison duty, and received his dis- charge in October, 1865. He was one of the or- ganizers and a charter member of Geo. H. Thomas Post G. A. R. of Silverton.

GEORGE CUSITER. To an appreciable ex- tent Silverton has profited by the shrewd busi- ness ability of George Cusiter, one of those rugged and honest Scotchmen whose thrift and industry have been the making of many a com- munity in the United States. The early life of George Cusiter was passed in the vicinity of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born August 18, 1860, and where he received a practical home training in a typical Scotch family. His father, George Cusiter, was born in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland, and spent the greater part of his boyhood and young manhood among these rather bleak and cheerless Scottish possessions. His ancestors had long tilled the soil of the unprofitable lands, and his grand- father and great-grandfather spent their entire lives where the mists hung heavy for the greater part of the year, and where the crops were back- ward and limited to few varieties. George Cusi- ter was an educator of prominence at Dalke, his education having been received at that school, and he was also a man of science, having made a particular study of coal gas. At frequent inter- vals he contributed articles on chemistry and science to the leading journals throughout the United Kingdom, and withal was a profound and conscientious student. His death occurred in 1874. He was survived by his wife, formerly Miss Mary Young, a native of Selkirk, Scotland, who is now sixty-six years of age.

The only son, and the oldest of the four chil- dren born to his parents, George Cusiter had the inspiration to study which his father's scholarly life furnished, and he had the advantage both of

Virginia De. White.

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a common school education, and of a course in the George Watson College at Edinburgh, from which he was duly graduated in 1876. The year of his graduation he embarked upon a business life as a clerk in the office department of a whole- sale grocery concern, and there laid the founda- tion for the practical life in which he has since engaged. The thoroughness required of em- ployes in all departments of activity in Scotland had its effect, as did the upright methods every- where recognized as a shining characteristic of Scottish national life.

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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 132

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