Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 139

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 139

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there were born six children, of whom four are living: Mary, the wife of Charles P. Mc- Cormick; Josephine, wife of Thomas Kerr, of St. Paul; Alexander J., of Portland; and Eliza, wife of John Kerr, of Washington county, Ore. June 1, 1898, Mr. Van Wessenhove's first wife died, and February 5, 1901, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Ellen Ramsey. She was reared in Boston, a daughter of William and Mary ( McArthur ) Walsh. She is a niece of Archbishop Walsh of Ireland, and a sister of Rev. James Walsh, a priest now located in Queenstown, Ireland. She was united in mar- riage with Patrick Ferguson, and they became the parents of two children, George and Agnes. Her second marriage united her with Edward Ramsey, and they had one daughter, Henri- etta. All now reside at home. Mrs. Van Wessenhove has been a resident of Oregon eleven years.

The Van Wessenhove farm consists of four hundred and sixty-five acres, upon which is conducted general farming and stock- raising. An additional source of revenue is a hop yard of forty-seven acres, with which the owner has had great success. In politi- cal affiliation Mr. Van Wessenhove is a Re- publican, and fraternally he is associated with Hubbard Lodge No. 76, I. O. O. F., and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In re- ligion he is identified with the Roman Catho- lic Church. He is thrifty, enterprising, thor- oughly honorable and popular, and his worthy career has added materially to the upbuilding of the agricultural interests in Marion county.

SAMUEL CLINTON BROWNE, M. D. In the extent of its breadth and activity the life of Dr. Samuel Clinton Browne has exceeded by far that of the average medical and surgical prac- titioner. A resident of Scio since 1898, the doctor has won a large and appreciative practice in the town and surrounding country, devoting himself to general practice of medicine and sur- gery.

The family to which Dr. Browne belongs was established in Pennsylvania by his paternal grandfather, Hugh Browne, who came from Lon- donderry, Ireland, at an early day, and engaged in the manufacture of brick. He was success- ful in his chosen occupation, and at the time of his death at the age of sixty left those dependent on him in comfortable circumstances. A mili- tary strain runs through the family, remote an- cestors having been distinguished for their knowledge of warfare and their bravery on the field of battle. This patriotic tendency was ap- parent in at least three of the sons of the grand- father, two of whom, Edward and Hugh, served

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all through the Mexican war, while Andrew, the father of Dr. Browne, devoted nearly all of his active life to military service. This father was born near Lebanon, Pa., and married Sarah Clin- ton, and they had three children, two of whom died in early childhood, Samuel Clinton Browne being the only survivor.

Born on a farm bordering on the Susquehanna river, near Harrisburg, Pa., January 13, 1856, Dr. Browne went from the public schools to Palmyra Academy in 1874, and in 1875 began a two-years' course at the Lebanon Valley Col- lege at Annville, Pa. In 1877 he went to Dick- inson county, Kans., and engaged in teaching school for a couple of years, and from 1879 un- til 1883 combined teaching with studying med- icine under Dr. A. S. Gish, of Abilene, Kans. At the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, which he entered in 1884, and from which he was graduated in 1890, he took a special course in the eye and ear department, receiving a diploma for proficiency therein. In the mean- time, in 1887, he had taken his mother to Ore- gon for her health, and had been much impressed with the climate and apparent resources of the country. After graduating, he returned to Ore- gon, and opened his initial practice in Mill City, remaining there for two years. In 1894 he changed his location to Salem, in 1896 moved to Fall City, and from the latter town, to Scio, in 1898.

Through his marriage in Salem, Ore., with Ida R. Bunn, a native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Browne became identified with a family splendid- ly honored by the remarkable professional ser- vices of Mrs. Browne's father, Prof. James M. Bunn, M. D., who also was born in the Quaker state. Dr. Bunn was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa., and was a scholar of wide scientific research. The asso- ciate of many of the most learned men of the country, and the fellow of the most prominent and time-honored medical and scientific associa- tions in America and Europe, he received inter- national attention as one of the finest bacteriolo- gists which this country has produced. Few have accomplished so much in this particular line. He was the founder, and up to the time of his death, December 15, 1896, the president, of the National Bacteriological Society, and as such contributed many notable papers on the subject. For many years he made his home in Altoona, Pa., where his demise was brought about through neuralgia of the heart. Fifty years of profes- sional activity had made him a power in the Quaker state, and the loss sustained by the scien- tific world at large, cspecially that part devoted to the sudy of organisms, was greatly felt.

Dr. S. C. Browne is a member of the Oregon Eclectic Medical Association and the National

Eclectic Medical Association. Since coming to Oregon Dr. Browne has by no means confined himself to professional undertakings but has en- tered heartily into the promotion of the civic, social and military development of his respective localities. In 1893 he was appointed on the hos- pital staff of the Second Regiment Ohio National Guards and surgeon of Southern Veterans United States of America, of which he was captain of a cavalry company at Camp Sumpter and later at the dedication of the Soldiers' Home at Rose- burg, May 9-10, 1894. He was elected and com- missioned lieutenant-colonel and served one year as such. He is a military man in his bearing and character, being of particularly forceful na- ture and feels at home on tented field.

DAVID H. JOHNSTON. In the community of Scio David H. Johnston is regarded as an excellent business man, a wide-awake and pro- gressive citizen, and a loyal and high-minded friend. Many admirable characteristics have contributed to his success, not the least of which are common-sense indefatigable industry, and unswerving integrity. At present the bookkeeper and business manager of a planing mill which he bought for his sons in 1900, Mr. Johnston has been identified with agricultural and stock-rais- ing interests in Oregon ever since coming here in 1873, and it is from these reliable sources that his present ample fortune has been derived. The farm upon which he lived for twenty-seven years in Marion county, and which he still owns, is lo- cated near Stayton, and is five hundred and fifty acres in extent. Needless to say, every known aid to scientific farming has been introduced on this modern property, and during the residence of the family there, they were surrounded with all the comforts and many luxuries of life.

A native of Fifeshire, Scotland, Mr. Johnston was born November 8, 1838, and in his youth had the advantages of the public schools. His father, George Johnston, also a native of Scotland, was a linen manufacturer, and owned and operated a mill of three hundred looms at Wemyss. He was successful in his chosen occupation, and amassed a competence, making a name for him- self as one of the foremost and influential men in the community. His entire life was passed in Scotland, and his death occurred at the age of sixty-five, his wife, Jane (Sibbald) Johnston, also dying in her native land, after rearing a fam- ily of seven children. David Henry, being the oldest in the family, naturally became interested in his father's linen business, and as a youth began at the bottom and learned to be a practical linen weaver. In time he assumed partial respon- sibility in the management of the manufactory, and was thus employed until coming to America

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in 1873. With him to America came his wife, formerly Alice Christie, who died in Scio in 1900, at the age of sixty years, leaving two sons, George C. and Harry S., who are now in busi- ness with their father. Mr. Johnston is a Re- publican in politics and has taken a keen interest in local affairs, serving for several years as school director and road supervisor. Resource- ful and ambitious, Mr. Johnston has demon- strated the worth of conservative and cautious business methods, of a temperate and equable disposition, and tact and consideration. He has many friends in Scio, as well as in the locality where so many successful years of his life were passed.

NICHOLAS GOODING. Born in Prussia, January 18, 1832, Nicholas Gooding was a very early emigrant to the United States, having come with his parents to this country in 1844, his first home being in Vernon, Jennings county, Ind., where his father purchased a farm and be- came interested in the cultivation of the soil. Upon this farm the boyhood days of Nicholas Gooding were spent, his training being princi- pally along agricultural lines, though he received a substantial education in the common schools of the neighborhood.

Upon attaining manhood Mr. Gooding de- parted from his early training, and after a thor- ough apprenticeship with a blacksmith passed the twelve years following his seventeenth birth- day in that business, acquiring sufficient means to launch him well in farming which, after all, proved more congenial. After engaging in this work for twenty-eight years in the middle west, he concluded to test the opportunities of the lands of the Pacific coast. In 1889 he came to Oregon and invested the proceeds of his many years' work in the farm known as the Gratton farm, and which included seventy-five acres of land located southeast of his present farm. In that location he remained until 1895, engaged in general farming and hop-raising, having fifteen acres devoted to this plant. In the last-named year he made the purchase of the farm which he now owns, formerly known as the Clary place, consisting of one hundred and seventy-one acres, and located three-quarters of a mile from St. Paul, Marion county. At the present time he is interested in general farming and hop-raising. eightcen acres of the farm being utilized in hop- cultivation.

In 1860 Mr. Gooding was united in marriage with Mary Erbsland, daughter of Joseph and Tracy (Lang) Erbsland. To this union eleven children have been born, eight of whom are now living. They are as follows: George, at home; Lizzie, wife of John Glatt, of Jennings county,

Ind .; John and Charles, in Marion county ; Law- rence, located near St. Paul; Annie, wife of Fred Davidson, living on a farm south of St. Paul ; Joseph, a merchant of St. Paul; and Will- iam L., at home. Those deceased are Tracy, and Peter and Jacob, twins, who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Gooding is a Democrat, though he has never been a seeker after official life. In religion he is a devoted member of the Catholic Church. He has never shirked any responsi- bility which has been placed upon his shoulders, and has always accomplished all in his power toward the improvement of educational, moral and social conditions in Marion county. He is widely known as a good citizen in the highest sense of the word, being possessed of a disposi- tion to assist in the promotion of all worthy enter- prises.

JAMES M. HERRON. On the farm now occupied by James Martin, in Benton county, James M. Herron was born October 9, 1863, his parents, Robert and Mary W. (Neil) Herron, having moved there in 1861. Robert Herron was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1851, passing through Illinois, where his future wife was living with her parents. He came on to Oregon via the Isthmus of Panama, and in Oregon took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres five miles northeast of Mon- roe. Ten years later, in 1861, he returned to Illinois and married Miss Neil, with whom he returned to the west and settled on his donation claim, and where he lived to be fifty-five years old. He was a soldier in the Rogue river war, and was a worthy man and helpful citizen. His wife married for her second husband James Barclay, who was born in Missouri, and crossed the plains in 1851. He took up a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, the location being twelve miles from Corvallis, where he lived until his death in 1892. At present his widow is occu- pying this property, and is managing successfully a large general farming and stock-raising en- terprise.

James M. Herron was educated in the public schools, and remained on the home farm until twenty-seven years of age. He then purchased three hundred and eighty-five acres of the Aaron C. Richardson donation claim fourteen miles south of Corvallis on the old Territorial road. and for two years kept desolate bachelor quarters. Realizing that to best succeed in life he needed the assistance of a discerning and sympathetic wife, he married. March 21, 1894, Ella Montgomery, who was born in Linn county, Ore., but spent most of her maidenhood in Lane county, Ore., and with whom he went to housekeeping under a little more cheerful aus-

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pices. He has prospered exceedingly, has a variety of interests on his farm, and is equally successful in all of its departments. A substantial revenue is derived each year from Cotswold sheep and Jersey cows, and he has twenty acres under hops. He has been particularly success- ful with his hop culture, the last year netting him eighteen thousand pounds. Mr. Herron is a Democrat in politics, and among other offices has held that of road supervisor and school di- rector. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Herron is not only a successful and scientific agriculturist, but he exerts a broad influence in the community because of sterling personal characteristics. He is a power in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which he is a trustee, steward and Sunday school superintendent.

THOMPSON D. HINTON. Though not one of the very large land-owners of Benton county, Thompson D. Hinton is one of its most successful farmers, and most popular and influ- ential residents. His name is a well known one hereabouts, and was established in the west by his father, R. B. Hinton, a pioneer of 1846. The elder Hinton was a typical forerunner of civil- ization, and his career in the west, productive of such advancement in Benton county, has else- where received the extended mention due him. Two of his sons, Wesley and Thompson, are maintaining the prestige established by their father, and of these, Thompson was born in Franklin county, Mo., July 31, 1840, and was therefore six years of age when he accompanied the family across the plains. On the large dona- tion claim near Monroe, Mr. Hinton was reared to farming, and his education was acquired in the near-by district school, augmented by further study in the town schools. At the age of twenty- one he followed out a long-intended plan, and in the mines on the Salmon river sought to multi- ply his gains in short order. The fact that he remained but a year would suggest comparative failure of his expectations, and his return to farming indicates an appreciation of that peace- ful and sure means of livelihood. After a couple of years on the farm he again engaged in min- ing, this time on the John Day river, but after several months returned to the old claim settled by his father in the early days. February 12, 1865, Mr. Hinton married Margaret Barclay, a native of Missouri, and who crossed the plains with her people in 1850. For a year after the wedding the young people kept house on the old claim, and then moved to the J. E. Barclay place, remaining thereon for about three years. Mr. Hinton then bought the home where he now

lives, and which consists of ninety-three acres, in the vicinity of Bruce. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and has so wisely dis- posed of his property that his profits are large and enable his family to live in comfort.

At all times quiet and unostentatious, Mr. Hinton has never been associated with political matters in his neighborhood other than as a voter, nor does he allow outside interests of any kind to interfere with the even and very industri- ous tenor of his way. Nine children have been born into his family, and of these, Henry C. lives in Linn county; R. W. lives near his brother in Benton county; Amy E. is one of the industrious members of the household; George E. assists his father with the home farm; Fred also is one of his father's main-stays; Minnie C. is the wife of C. Sickles, of Linn county ; Ivan lives near his father; Wade is at home; and Eddie F. met a tragic death by drowning. Mr. Hinton is a member of the American Guild. He possesses the same regard for business in- tegrity which characterized the dealings of his honored sire, and as a father, husband and agri- culturist, reflects credit upon his prosperous home district.

WILLIAM D. BARCLAY. A prominent farmer of Benton county, Ore., is William D. Barclay, the son of William Barclay, deceased, the latter of whom was a pioneer to the west in 1850. The Barclay family came originally from Scotland, the emigrants to the United States being the parents of William Barclay, and their first settlement was made in North Carolina. They later became residents of Missouri, in the latter state making their home until their death. There William Barclay was born, in 1805, and reared to manhood, following for a livelihood surveying and school teaching, and there marry- ing Mary Ann Brown, a native of Tennessee. They continued to make their home in Missouri until 1850, when they were induced to join the pioneers of the Pacific slope. With the usual ox-teams they started upon their journey, reach- ing without incident the South Platte, where Mrs. Barclay died from the effects of the dread discase, cholera. There was nothing left but to continue the journey with saddened hearts, and on arriving in Oregon they first settled in Yam- hill county, where they spent the winter follow- ing the trip. In the spring of 1851 they came to Benton county, where Mr. Barclay took up a donation claim, located twelve and one-half miles south of Corvallis, on which he lived until his death. He was the father of seven children, of whom Robert S. is located in Alsea valley ; Mary E. is the widow of Andrew Rickard ; James is also in Alsea valley; Margaret is the

MRS. ELIZABETH ISOM.

Jefferson D. cseri

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wife of T. D. Hinton, of this vicinity; Winnie is the wife of William LeVaugh, of Linn county ; and William is the subject of this review. Mr. Barclay lived to be eighty-three years old, the many years which he spent in this com- munity being filled with the practice of good citi- zenship, winning thereby the esteem and confi- dence of all with whom he came in contact. He filled many minor offices, among them being that of justice of the peace. At his death he was a very wealthy man, his years of earnest effort toward the fulfillment of the many promises of Oregon's early opportunities bringing him rich returns.

William D. Barclay was born in Missouri, March 21, 1850, and in the same year was brought across the plains. He has therefore spent practically his entire life in this state. He grew to manhood on the paternal farm, engaging in the various duties which his home life afforded, attending the district school in pur- suit of an education. He remained at home until his marriage to Eliza Reeves. She was a native of Oregon, her parents having crossed the plains in 1844 and settled in Benton county. The young people went to housekeeping on the place where they now live, which was a part of the old home place. He has made the greater part of the improvements which have so much en- hanced the value of the property, having good barns, out-buildings, and a commodious dwell- ing. He now owns two hundred and eighty- seven acres, one hundred and thirty acres of which are under cultivation. He is engaged at present in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Barclay has been blessed by the birth of three children, of whom Ina is the wife of Edward Bryan, of Ontario, Ore .; Chauncey is located in the vicinity; and Iva is at home. Fraternally Mr. Barclay is a member of the Masonic order and Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat.

JEFFERSON D. ISOM. Beyond any con- sideration of money-making the farm of Jef- ferson D. Isom is a valued possession, for on this same land he was born July 4, 1861, an.1 here passed his childhood days, developed into manhood, and still lives, a successful and pop- ular member of a thriving community. His father, John Isom, was born in Grayson coun- ty, Va., October 7. 1827, and while still a youth removed to Jefferson City, Mo., where he ap- prenticed himself to a blacksmith. He mar- ried a widow by the name of Elizabeth (Smith) Duncan, and in 1853 crossed the

plains with ox-teams, accompanied by his wife, her brothers and her father, and numer- ous emigrants from his neighborhood. The journey was uneventful, and after six months they arrived in Linn county, where Mr. Isom took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres upon which he lived for a short time. He then purchased the present farm now occupied by his son and engaged in stock-raising until 1884, when he went to Albany and bought the Parker & Morris warehouse. This large struc- ture he converted into the Red Crown Flour- ing Mill, which he operated until 1895, and after that made his home with his son until his death March 14, 1903, at the age of seventy-six years. He was prominent as a Democrat, and took a keen interest in local affairs, serving among other capacities as county commission- er. The widow is still living, making her home with a daughter in Albany. She was born in 1824.

With his seven sisters and two brothers Jef- ferson Isom was reared on the Linn county farm, and all of the children received a prac- tical education in the public schools of the country and Albany. He was thrifty and in- dustrious as a youth, characteristics which are apparent to all who visit his well kept and highly developed property. In 1883 he mar- ried Mabel Woolen, who died after ten months of wedded life. For a second wife Mr. Isom married in 1885, Jane Arehart, who was born in Linn county, a daughter of George and Minerva (Matthews) Arehart, both now liv- ing in Junction City, Lowe county, Ore. Of this union there have been born three children, of whom Hugh and Jefferson are living, while one, Ira, is deceased. Mr. Isom at present owns six hundred acres of land, and makes a specialty of high-grade stock, Shorthorn cattle and Cotswold sheep, many of which are regis- tered. His farm is also devoted to a model dairy business, his butter and dairy products taking high rank in the local market. The farm is located fifteen miles southeast of Albany, and in its general aspect shows the many years of good management to which it has been sub- jected. Like his father, Mr. Isom favors the Democracy, but he has never taken an active interest in local party affairs, other than cast- ing his vote. He is fraternally a Knight of Pythias, and is a member of Dowdell Lodge No. 16, of Brownsville. Industrious and ca- pable, Mr. Isom maintains the most friendly relations with his neighbors and associates, and that he is honored and esteemed by all argues well for his personal integrity and gen- eral characteristics, for his entire life has been an open book to those, who, like himself, have lived many years in this community.

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COLUMBIA READ. Personal character- istics of a high order, a life of devotion to the responsibilities imposed upon him, as well as the fact that he is a native son and representative of one of the old pioneer families of the state, en- title Columbia Read to mention among the up- builders of this well favored nook of the world. Although a resident of Corvallis only since 1892, he was born on the old donation claim seven miles north of this town, December 29, 1852, a son of Thomas, and grandson of a soldier of the war of 1812, who died when a very young man. The family is of English descent .. He is now practically retired from active life, but still over- sees his productive farming property, and rejoices in the possession of some of the finest Shorthorn cattle and Cotswold sheep this side of the Rockies.

To all old settlers, and in fact to all who have kept pace with the progress of Oregon from a wilderness to its present prosperous condition. the name of Thomas M. Read is a familiar one. Because of brains and perseverance he emerged from poverty and obscurity to the possession of three thousand acres of land, and great in- fluence in his community. Born in New Hamp- shire he early settled in Iowa and engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi river, also turn- ing his attention to the manufacture of brick at Fort Madison. In 1845, while still a young and unmarried man, he crossed the plains with ox- teams to Oregon, and after a six months' trip located on a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres in Benton county. Having very lit- tle capital with which to start out, he had some difficulty in getting along at first, and used to resort to various devices for making a liveli- hood while his land was being cleared for crops. He used to go to Oregon City and assist in the manufacture of brick in order to get a little money ahead. During 1849-50 he tried his luck in the mines of California, but it would not seem that he materially improved his prospects by this venture. At different times between 1862 and 1868 he drove stock to the mines of Idaho, sold his cattle for big money, and always returned richer in hope and finances. It is not surprising that one of such resource and many-sidedness should prosper, or that he should add to his lands, and render them valuable through culti- vation. He made his money chiefly through grain-raising and stock manipulations, and at the time of his death in September, 1892, was one of the weli-to-do men of Benton county. For two years he was survived by his wife, whom he married in Benton county, and who was formerly Nancy White, a native of Iowa. Nancy White married for her first husband a Mr. Hawkins, with whom she started across the plains in 1845. He was not destined, however, to profit by his

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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 139

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