Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 135

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 135

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Rhode Island, and eventually became a farmer of Columbia county, N. Y. His death occurred at Spencertown, in that county.

Dr. Benjamin Davenport, great-great-grand- son of the founder of the family and the father of the subject of this review, was born on a farm in Columbia county, N. Y., June 24, 1799. He was educated in the Pittsfield Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass., from which he was graduated either in 1824 or 1826. In 1831 he engaged in the practice of medicine in Lucerne county, Pa., removed to Union county, Ohio, in 1836, and ul- timately located in Champaign county, continu- ing his professional labors in both localities. In 1850 he went to Newark, Mo., and in the spring of 1851 outfitted for the journey across the plains. Arriving in Oregon in the fall of that year, he settled upon a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres in the Waldo Hills, Marion county, where his death occurred in February, 1857, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. He married Sarah R. Gott, a native of Columbia county, N. Y., where she was born in 1803. Her father, Story Gott, was born in New York state, and held a commission in a New York regiment during the Revolutionary war, in which he served with distinction. He was an extensive land-owner and cattle trader, amassing great wealth through this occupation. In keeping with a genial and hospitable nature, he spent his money lavishly, supplying his table from a well filled wine cellar and a larder which indicated his fastidious and epicurean tastes. He lived to an advanced age, his death occurring in Columbia county in 1842. He was possessed of an im- pressive personality, and he commanded great popular attention during the many years of his active life.

Four sons and one daughter were born to Dr. Benjamin Davenport and his wife, of whom Hon. Timothy Woodbridge Davenport is the eldest. The remaining members of the family were: John C., of Aberdeen, Wash .; Joseph W., de- ceased; Lucinda, wife of Judge Orange Jacobs, of Seattle; Benjamin Franklin, who resides on a part of the donation claim in the Waldo Hills.

Dr. Davenport took an active interest in pol- itics, and in his younger days was an ardent Abolitionist. During his residence in Ohio, his home was one of the stations of the famous "underground railway," and he assisted many slaves to freedom. Upon the organization of the Republican party in 1856 he identified himself with that body, and was one of five who attended the first meeting for its organization in Marion county. Of profound wisdom and excellent judgment, combined with unimpeachable integ- rity and a nobility of character which made him a conspicuous figure wherever he lived, he was also firm, quick to arrive at a decision, and gen-

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erally right beyond question. Through the pos- session of these marked characteristics, he left the stamp of his individuality upon the com- munity. He was also gifted as an artist and musician. It is not to be marvelled at that the many talents he possessed have been inherited by representatives of the family in later generations, with their broader opportunities for study and contact with the world in a more cosmopolitan age.

After completing his elementary studies in the public schools, the Hon. Timothy Wood- bridge Davenport was graduated from the acad- emy at Woodstock, Ohio, and attended a course of medical lectures at the Starling Medical In- stitute, at Columbus, Ohio. From the fall of 1846 until the spring of 1847 he was engaged as an instructor in Wilson's Academy at Woodstock, Ohio, after which he devoted another year to study in the Starling Medical Institute. In the fall of 1848 he returned to Ohio, and engaged in the practice of his profession at Woodstock. In 1850 he removed with his parents to Missouri, and in 1851 crossed the plains with the rest of the family, locating on a tract of three hundred and twenty acres adjoining that taken up by his father, which he had purchased. There he en- gaged in farming and surveying. It was not long before he became interested in the political undertakings of his neighborhood, and in 1864 was elected county surveyor, and was re-elected in 1866, filling the office for four years. In 1868 he was elected representative to the state legis- lature, was re-elected in 1870, and in 1882 was elected to the state senate. In 1895 Governor Lord appointed him state land agent, and he oc- cupied that office four years.

In Marion county, November 17, 1854, Mr. Davenport was united in marriage with Flora Geer, a native of Madison county, Ohio, and a daughter of Ralph C. Geer. She was a cousin of the Hon. T. T. Geer, formerly governor of Oregon. Mrs. Davenport was an unusually gifted woman, an artist of more than local re- nown, and possessed of rare histrionic ability. She died of smallpox November 20, 1870. She became the mother of four children, of whom Olive died at the age of four years; John died in infancy ; Orla is the wife of John D. Renshaw, a farmer and rancher on the Pend d'Oreille river, and Homer C., the cartoonist, is a resident of New York. (A more extended sketch of the latter appears elsewhere in this work.)

October 1, 1872, Mr. Davenport married Mrs. Elizabeth Wisner, a native of Hancock county, Ill., and a daughter of John W. Gilmour. Her father was born in Kentucky, September 13, 1813, and came to Oregon in 1851, locating on a ranch in Linn county. For several years he has resided for a portion of the time in Silverton,

but spends considerable of his time with his children. Five children were born of this mar- riage. Of these, Timothy Clyde is deceased ; Adda is a sculptor and musician; Alice is also a sculptor and musician, and assistant manager of the Barnard Concert Tour Bureau, of San Francisco, Cal .; Georgia is a well known and talented contralto soloist; and Mary Delle is a talented young musician.

Throughout his life Mr. Davenport has been a profound student, and it is doubtful if any man on the entire Pacific coast has better trained men- tal faculties or a more comprehensive knowl- edge. His erudition is recognized by scholars and educational institutions in the east, and he is frequently consulted on those subjects pertain- ing to the foundation of modern knowledge, es- pecially in regard to the law, mathematics and medicine, all of which sciences he has mastered. He has been a frequent contributor to leading periodicals published in the east, and has pre- pared monographs on subjects pertaining to med- ical science. A recent contribution which has evoked widespread comment was an article on " An Object Lesson in Paternalism," published in the March number of the Oregon Historical Quarterly.

Thus is recorded, in outline, those events in the life of Timothy Woodbridge Davenport which illustrate his identification with the world of let- ters, of science, and of politics. It is seldom that a man of such strong mentality and splendid equipments is to be found spending his life amid pastoral scenes; but the environments of Mr. Davenport have not adversely affected his useful- ness to the world, which, for many years, has benefited by his published writings and his cor- respondence with other brilliant leaders in the advanced thought of the day. The example he has set for his children has been a magnificent one, and they have been inspired to the utmost development of their inherent talents. An il- lustration of this faculty of Mr. Davenport is the following tribute to his gifted son, Homer Davenport, which was written by James Mon- tague :

"Homer Davenport, of all successful Ameri- cans, is the least puffed up by his achievements. He is entitled to no credit whatever, he says; it all belongs to his father. And out on the cartoonist's remarkable menagerie-farm, at Morris Plains, N. J., may be seen a quiet old gentleman, feeding the flocks or watching the many birds that enliven the landscape, who is not at all willing to shoulder the glory thus thrust upon him, hut asserts with equal positive- ness, that the boy has grown from a lank coun- try youth to a world-famous cartoonist, unaided by any parental word or hand. Yet, whatever may have been the influence of the older Daven-

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port upon the younger, there is just one man in floors and benches, Reuben Gant learned the rule all the world who thoroughly understands the of three, and incidentally was included in the mixture of high purpose and utter irresponsibil -. ity which make up the character of Homer Davenport, and that one man is his father. From babyhood to boyhood, on up through an un- promising youth to a remarkable manhood he has followed the career of this nature lover, and has noted, as if with a register, every step in his de- velopment. Fond, but unbiased, he has dis- covered how and why his son succeeded, and what he has written here will be worth while not only to such youth as aspire to fill four col- umns on the first page of the great dailies with masterpieces of satire that shall make one-half of the world laugh while the other half squirms, but to every boy who is honestly and solidly in- terested in making something of himself."

REUBEN GANT. A pioneer of pioneers is Reuben Gant, one of the jolliest of the daring venturers who left peaceful homes in the east and ventured across the trackless plains in 1845. It is doubtful if in the length and breath of this state there may be found one whose memory is so stored with incident, so interestingly reminis- cent of the days when law and order were as yet unestablished, and when all was new and at the disposal of whomsoever might arrive with his humble ox-teams and limited possessions. Dur- ing the intervening years Mr. Gant has taken his place enthusiastically and helpfully, all the while smoothing the way of his friends with his optimistic and genial views, with his jest and merry-making, and his encouragement which follows in the wake of all who make the best of their opportunities, however meager and diffi- cult.

May 16, 1818, Mr. Gant was born in Franklin county, Ind., in which state and county his pa- ternal grandfather, Tyrra, had settled upon re- moval from his native state of North Carolina. In Franklin county was reared Cador Gant, who was born in North Carolina, and came with his parents overland to Indiana. About 1820 he re- moved to Bartholomew county, Ind., bought a farm and improved it, and there died in 1844. He was a Democrat in politics, but was never active or an office-seeker. Through his marriage with Katherine Jones, also a native of North Carolina, he became connected with Revolution- ary stock, for Samuel Jones, the grandfather of Mrs. Gant, came from England long before the Revolution, and participated in the effort to es- tablish independence for the colonies. Tyrra Gant was the parent of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of whom Reuben is the second child.

In a little log school-house, with puncheon

discipline which figured conspicuously in the early school teachers' methods of imparting in- formation. With these pioneer conditions went also the fever and ague, prevalent in low lands, and superinduced by inefficient drainage. This distressing ailment afflicted Reuben to such an ex- tent, that in 1840 he removed to Missouri, and in the vicinity of Springfield hunted and trapped for a few years. The country thereabouts was wild and undeveloped, and the free spirit of the youth found great pleasure in thus exposing him- self to danger, and bringing down the game which abounded in that section. While out with his gun he was in a position to hear a great deal about the west, and having nothing to hold him in any one place, he determined to avail him- self of the opportunities as yet but imperfectly understood on the coast. April 17, 1845, he cracked his whip over the backs of well fed and . sleek oxen, and slowly started on a journey which in those days meant everything or nothing to the adventurer. His well loaded wagon was the first to cross the Cascade mountains into the Willamette valley, a feat accomplished at the ex- piration of about eight months, he arriving at his destination November 17, 1845. In July, 1846, he arrived in Oregon City, having come via the Mount Hood route. Locating in Yamhill county near Bellevue, he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, January 8, 1848, and his farm, with its innumerable reminders of struggle, privation, loneliness, and hard work, is still in his possession. He built a small log cabin, and made a home for himself and family. Thus he advanced step by step, interesting him- self in the progress of the neighbors who began to settle at rather remote distances, all the while keeping up his reputation as a whole-souled, hon- est and royally jolly companion, the casual meet- ing with whom put every one in a comfortable frame of mind.

It is a well known fact that many romances began and developed on the vast expanse of the plains, the long days, the slow-moving train, and the opportunities for social intercourse in the camp being ideal for the framing of united for- tunes. Reuben Gant drove the oxen of one Carmi Goodrich, who was born in the east, and who located on a claim near Dayton, Ore. Mr. Gant and Mr. Goodrich hecame very warm friends, and sat many a night talking over the camp fires. Incidentally the daughter of Mr. Goodrich, a bright-eyed girl called Nancy, be- came an earnest participant in these communings, and so impressed was Mr. Gant with her woman- ly and fine qualities of mind and heart, that the couple were married in Yamhill county. Mrs. Gant did not live long enough to rear her entire

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family, for she died when only thirty-eight years of age, leaving seven of her eight children to the care of her husband. These were John Wesley, who makes his home on the old farm; Martha is the wife of W. J. Sargeant, merchant and post- · master of Bellevue; Carmi, deceased; Ithigena, now the wife of George Sawyer of Idaho; Sarah Jane, the wife of Ben Mitchell of Washington ; Mary Ellen, the wife of John Hinkle of East Portland, and engaged in the real estate business ; Albert, deceased in infancy ; and Henry, living in Idaho. For a second wife Mr. Gant married Mrs. Elizabeth (Speedie) Finlayson, born in Perthshire, Scotland, and who came to the United States with her brother in 1884, locating in For- est Grove. The father of Mrs. Gant, Peter Speedie, was born in Scotland, was reared there, and married and died in his native land. In politics Mr. Gant is a Prohibitionist. He is a liberal-minded, humane, and very intelligent pioneer, brim full of good nature, and bearing malice towards none. He has lived retired in Philomath since 1892, for he found that good men were scarce to work his farm, and so rented his land to avoid all further responsibility. He is one of the familiar figures on the streets of the town, and he always has something genial and witty to say to any who stop to speak with him.

WILTON LEROY SIMERAL. March 22, 1896, Wilton Leroy Simeral was appointed stew- ard and head farmer of the Oregon State Reform School by Governor Lord, and with the exception of a nine-months leave of absence, he has since held this large responsibility. In the estimation of those who are privileged to witness the many improvements inaugurated by the present stew- ard, no better man could have been found for the position, his many years of association with va- rious lines of activity in the west having fitted him for most tactful and satisfactory dealings with trustees and others interested in state insti- tutions. There are six hundred acres in the school farm, all of which land is under his direct supervision, and the operation of which involves a large amount of calculation and good business judgment. He also has charge of the purchasing of the cattle and other stock.

The many claims to consideration acknowl- edged by all who know him, are by no means based solely upon his good work with the reform school, for Mr. Simeral has been a resident of Oregon since 1865. He was born near Maquo- keta, Jackson county, Iowa, March 9, 1855, the son of John H., a veterinary surgeon, and the grandson of another follower of the same calling. The father came of German ancestry, and was born in Indiana, where he was there reared to manhood, removing thence to Iowa. In 1864 he

outfitted with wagons, provisions and horse teams and crossed the plains, settling near Boise City, Idaho, soon after removing to Pendleton, Ore., then a small hamlet containing a hotel and black- smith shop. In September of 1865 he came to Marion county by team, locating near Salem for two years, and then moved upon leased land in the Waldo Hills. In 1871 he bought three hun- dred and twenty acres of timber land in Clacka- mas county, which he occupied for two years, when he sold that and bought one hundred and twenty acres near Silverton, where he lived until 1890. Some months later he died in Macleay, at the age of sixty-six years, the date of his death being December 21, 1891. He is survived by his wife, who was in maidenhood Elmira E. Crane, and who was born in New York, October 28, 1832. W. L. is the oldest of a family of five chil- dren, the second oldest of whom is A. Frank, a boot and shoe merchant at Silverton ; he married Elsie Riches, and they have six chidren : Vernie, Ada, Wayne. Frank, Manley and Elsie. Carrie is the wife of H. S. Hicks, of Silverton, their one daughter being Florence. Newell L. died in 1864, at the age of three and a half years; and Clarence John is a traveling inspector for the San Francisco machine firm of Baker & Hamilton; he married Ariadne Cornelius, and they have one son, Claire, and make their home in Salem.

At the age of twenty-one years, W. L. Simeral started out into the world to make his own way, and was married November 29, 1876, Emma Catherine Anderson becoming his wife. She was the daughter of John Franklin and Lucinda (Jarvis) Anderson, the father being a farmer on Howell Prairie, and justly famed for his neat, practical methods in the pursuit of his agricul- tural labors. He also served as county commis- sioner in Marion county. Of the other children of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson we mention the fol- lowing: Solomon F., a successful farmer in the Waldo Hills, married Amanda Stormer, by whom he has one son, Carl ; George S., engaged in farm- ing on his father's place, married Elizabeth Lim- beck, and they have one daughter, Ruth; Eliza- beth M. became the wife of Robert Florer, who is located near Des Moines, Iowa, their five chil- dren being as follows: Jennic, Margery, Max- well, Maurice and Dorothy. Carrie is the wife of Frank Bowers, the cartoonist, living in Indian- apolis, Ind. Both parents are still living, and make their home on Howell Prairie, the father being sixty-nine and the mother seventy-one years of age. For a year after his marriage Mr. Sime- ral rented the Hubbard farm, four miles from Salem, with his father, then removed to Howell Prairie, and with his father-in-law farmed one vear, and then moved three miles southeast of Turner and rented a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of W. C. Morris. After six years

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of successful management of this large property he felt justified in branching out into land owner- ship, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in the Waldo Hills, ten miles east of Salem. In 1899 he removed with his family to the Governor Geer farm, and now owns in all two hundred and five acres of land. An aid to Mr. Simeral in his farming and stock-raising enterprises has been his knowledge of veterinary surgery, learned from his father and grandfather, and which he has had occasion to use extensively since engag- ing in independent farming. He was appointed county stock inspector, serving for nine years, and was associated for some time as local inspec- tor with State Veterinary Surgeon James Whit- comb. This was carried on in connection with general farming, and was not abandoned until the appointment to his present position with the re- form school. For nine years he served as chief marshal of the Oregon State Fair.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Simeral has never aspired to office, though solicited many times by his friends. Fraternally, he is a member of Pearl Lodge No. 66, A. F. & A. M .; Macleay Lodge No. 50, A. O. U. W .; Degree of Honor No. 84; charter member of Salem Camp, M. W. A .; Capi- tal City Lodge No. 34, I. O. L., and member of the Macleay Grange. Four children have been born into the Simeral home: Leroy J., who was educated at the Oregon Agricultural College, married Linnie English, resides in Macleay, and is rural mail carrier ; Raymond W., a page in the state senate in 1894, when twelve years old, and is now operating the home farm; George F., who graduated from District No. 100, of the public schools, at the age of sixteen years; and Myrtle C., at home. The two older sons are members of Macleay Lodge No. 50, A. O. U. W., in which Raymond acts as recorder, and Mrs. Simeral is a member of the Degree of Honor and has passed all the chairs of the same. George is also a mem- ber of the Degree of Honor and holds the position of recorder. Mr. Simeral is capable and re- sourceful, and keeps abreast of the times on agri- culture and general business. He is upright and progressive, and in his relations with his subordi- nates maintains the first principles of considera- tion, tact and humanity.

HENRY T. BRISTOW. The birth of Henry T. Bristow occurred September 13, 1852, in Macon county, Mo., he being a son of Wesley O. and Sarah (Cherry) Bristow, natives respectively of Virginia and Illinois, the former born April 15, 1815. The father's family, who were of English descent moved from the Old Dominion when their son was a mere youth and settled in Illinois in the early days of that state's history. It was while re-

siding there that he met and married the future sharer of his joys and sorrows, Sarah Cherry. Some years after their marriage, in 1839, they removed to Missouri, which was their home thenceforth until their death, Mr. Bristow pass- ing away when seventy-two years of age, and his wife when comparatively a young woman, at the age of forty-one.

Of the twelve children who comprised the parental family, Henry T. Bristow was the eleventh in order of birth. His earliest knowl- edge of books was obtained in the district schools in the vicinity of his home in Macon county, Mo., and subsequently it was his good fortune to attend the state normal at Kirks- ville, Adair county, Mo. Upon graduating from the latter institution he began teaching school, and for the following ten years was engaged in this vocation, a portion of the time in Missouri and the remainder in Oregon. It was in 1874 that he became identified with this growing state in the west, settlement being made in Lane county. There in 1884 he was united in marriage with Joycy Laird, a native of that county, and there the young people made their home for five years, or until 1889, when they located in Polk county. His identi- fication with Benton county dates from the year 1890, when he purchased his present farm of five hundred and sixty acres, conveniently located one and one-half miles west

of Bellfountain. Many improvements have been made since the property came into Mr. Bristow's possession, and he now has one hundred acres planted to prunes, and fifty acres to apples and pears. In order to properly prepare the fruit for the market Mr. Bristow has erected a large modern drying house, equipped with all the latest improvements and devices that can be utilized in the business.

To the marriage of Henry T. and Joycy (Laird) Bristow four children were born, and all of them are at home with their parents, their names being as follows: Gretta E., Floyd O., Hazel D. and Dorothy R. Although Mr. Bris- tow has resided here but a comparatively short time, the improvements he has caused to be made and the regard in which he is held by his fellow-citizens might represent a much longer residence. In addition to his fine fruit ranch he also raises stock quite extensively, and from this branch alone realizes a good income.

Mr. Bristow and his family are identified with the Church of Christ, and are ever to be found on the side of all measures that have for their object the betterment of mankind. Fra- ternally he himself is identified with the Fra- ternal Union of America, and in politics is a stanch believer in the principles laid down by the Republican party.

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FRANK BUSKEY. The great fertility of Marion county has furnished a competence to Frank Buskey, owner of a farm of three hun- dred and eight acres, about two hundred of which are under cultivation. The watering facilities could hardly be excelled, and the im- provements are of the most modern kind known to agriculturists in the northwest. Stock-raising, general farming and hop-grow- ing represent the three distinct departments of activity on the farm, seventeen acres being under hops.

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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 135

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