Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 143

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 143

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Gardner was the father of eight children, named in the order of their birth as follows: Mary L., widow of Dr. L. S. Skiff, of Salem, Ore .; Isaac W., living on the homestead ; Sarah, wife of James Berry, residing near Mill City, Ore .: Electa J., wife of J. I. Crabtree, of Stay- ton, Ore .; Abner D., of this review : Elizabeth E., deceased : Marilla, wife of James Gardner, of Baker City, Ore., and Etta, wife of Charles Mills, who resides in Fox Valley.

Abner D. Gardner was born in Fox Valley, Linn county, Ore., March 27, 1855. He was reared on the homestead, receiving every advan- tage in the educational line which the public schools of Scio afforded, in addition to private schools. When twenty-one years of age, he pur- chased a drug store at Stayton, in partnership with Dr. McCauley, and six months later bought the interest of his partner. It is not necessary to enlarge upon his success in this undertaking, for in a country where opportunities are so plentiful that they tempt men to try another than their own established business, success is reasonably sure to follow.

In 1891 Mr. Gardner purchased the Stayton

985

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

flouring mills, which are now operated under the firm name of Gardner Brothers. Upon his pur- chase of this industry he reconstructed the mill, putting in the most improved modern machinery, including that necessary for the roller process. The capacity of the mill is about eighty barrels per day. The location is very advantageous, being upon the Santiam river, which furnishes the motive power. In 1899 he disposed of his drug store in order that he might give his undi- vided attention to his milling interests, which have increased, year by year, as the territory he supplies becomes more thickly populated.

In 1878, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage with Minnie Schneider, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Albert and Mary (Mohr) Schneider, who were born in Switzerland and Germany, re- spectively. Mr. Schneider was one of the young- est soldiers in the Mexican war. Four children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner: Ethel E. and Veva A., graduates of Willamette University, and Norma and Abner Davis, Jr. Mr. Gardner has an interesting fam- ily, and is giving to his children every possible educational advantage, realizing that a good mental equipment will have a greater bearing upon their future lives than a liberal heritage of worldly goods. In 1901, Mr. Gardner embarked in the dairy business, and has eight hundred acres devoted to this industry.

That Mr. Gardner's good citizenship has not been unappreciated is evidenced by the fact that in 1876 he was appointed postmaster of Stayton, and for thirteen successive years served in this office, under both Democratic and Republican administrations. As a boy he received training that proved helpful to him in this work, his father having been postmaster at Fox Valley for several years. Though a stanch Democrat in his political convictions, he has never exhibited a narrow or offensive partisan spirit, but has shown himself to be, first of all, a splendid type of the American citizen. He has been a member of the town council for two terms, and has served for some time on the school board. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masons, being a member of Santiam Lodge No. 25, A. F. & A. M., in which he has been secretary for several years, as well as filling other positions; is also identified with Aumsville Lodge, A. O. U. W .; Degree of Honor No. 147. Stayton Camp No. 51. Woodman of the World, and is a charter member of Stayton Circle No. 142. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has officiated as class leader, and is now trustee and steward.

Mr. Gardner is in the highest sense a public- spirited citizen. He contributes freely of his time and his means toward the success of all movements which have for an end the improve-

ment of the moral, educational, social or indus- trial status of the community, and is recognized as a man of probity and a high sense of personal honor. It is to such men as he that the north- west owes much for its advancement, and the state of Oregon for the position which it has attained among the sisterhood of states in the American commonwealth. Those responsible for the compilation of this volume take pleasure in honoring the request of those who know Mr. Gardner best, that he be accorded a place of more than passing distinction in the memoirs of the men who have taken the lead in the march of progress in the Willamette valley.

PHILIP PETER GOULEY. Born in Mon- roe, Mich., September 21, 1845, Philip P. Gou- ley carries with him the characteristics which are the native gifts of the sons of the middle west, as well as those which are his by inherit- ance through his Canadian ancestry. His father, S. A. Gouley, was born in Canada, March 2, 1817, being reared to manhood in this country. Having learned the trades of carpenter and wagon-maker, he left his native country and, coming to the United States, settled in Monroe, Mich., where he remained until 1852, engaged in the prosecution of his combined business inter- ests. In his Michigan residence he met and married Marcelles Duval, a native of that state. being born near Monroe, in 1821, and in that city the young people first made their home. In 1852 Mr. Gouley took his first western trip, com- ing by horse teams across the plains to Califor- nia, leaving his family in the home in Michigan to await his return. But briefly interested in the mining prospects of California, he came to Oregon during the same winter, settling in Marion county, near Woodburn, where he remained until 1856, at that time returning to Michigan by water, when he was again united with his wife and children. In 1859 he brought his family across the plains in the same manner in which he had first made the trip. Coming directly to his property near Woodburn, which he had purchased, they continued to make it their home until 1886, then removing to Wood- burn for a short time. In 1896 they came to their present home in Gervais, where Mr. Gou- ley now leads a retired life, himself and wife being very popular in the society of that town. Of the five children born to them Philip P. Gou- ley, of this review, is the eldest; Fred is lo- cated in Salem: Ellen is the wife of Dennis Manning, living east of Parkersville; Minnie is the wife of Michael Murphy of Gervais; and Henry makes his home in Woodburn.

The education of P. P. Gouley was received in the common schools of both Michigan and

986

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Oregon, being fourteen years old at the time of his father's removal to the latter state. He con- tinued to make his home with his parents until his marriage, in 1872, with Miss Lydia Lerwill, who was born April 3, 1856, and reared on French Prairie, Marion county, Ore. Her par- ents were William and Sarah (Stanton) Ler- will, who crossed the plains in 1852 and settled at Parkersville. Mr. Lerwill was a miller, the first mill of Salem being under his management. Three children were born to them, as follows: Lydia, Mrs. Gouley; Emily, wife of D. W. Cross of Los Angeles, Cal .; and Walter, in Pardee, Cal. Neither of the parents are now living, the mother having died at the age of thirty-three years, and the father was killed at the age of sixty-six by the running away of the team which he was driving. Mr. Gouley and his wife commenced their married life on a part of her father's old donation claim, located nine miles north of Salem, on the Oregon City and Salem road. They have two hundred and twenty-seven acres of land, the majority of it being under cultivation, and here Mr. Gouley is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, also having a hop yard of forty-five acres, the latter pursuit yielding him a good income. In 1902 he raised forty-seven thousand pounds, and the year before over fifty thousand pounds of hops, this amount representing quite a sum of money. All the improvements upon the farm are the work of Mr. Gouley, the substantial dwelling house and good out buildings giving indisputable evidence of his success in his chosen work.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gouley two children were born. Homer, born December 21, 1874, is mar- ried and has one son, Lawrence Homer, farming near Brooks; Romeo, born August 9, 1885, is at home. Both of the sons were given business educations.

Personally Mr. Gouley is a man who has made himself useful in the community in which he lives, his attitude in regard to national and local affairs being always for the broadening influ- ences likely to carry the country or community to a higher plane of morality. He has never swerved in his allegiance to the Republican party, his maturer mind following the principles endorsed by his youth, and in the service of this party he has acted as school director for several years. Fraternally he is a member of the An- cient Order of United Workmen, being a char- ter member of Fraternity Lodge No. 9, but later he was transferred to Brooks Lodge No. 137.

CHARLES MILLER. The son of a pioneer, Charles Miller has not depended alone on the strength of his father's worth and ability, but has

built up for himself a position of prominence in the affairs of his adopted county and state, as well as a place of financial importance among the en- terprising men of the community. Principally through his own efforts Mr. Miller has acquired the title to a farm of five hundred acres of rich and productive land, his first purchase being made with the fruits of a trip to the gold mines of California in 1849. Since that time he has made his home upon this property, with the ex- ception of the years 1861-2, when he again visited the southern state. Every intelligent effort has been put forth in the making of a model farm and an ideal residence of the spot selected by his father on his first settlement in the west.

Back beyond the events of the last fifty years, when men were following the march of progress toward the setting sun, Isaac Miller, the father of Charles, sold his farm in Miami county, Ind., to which he had removed four years previously, from Montgomery county. The sale was made with the full intention of emigrating to the west, but he met with such opposition from his mother that, out of consideration for her affections, he changed his plans and remained in the state, pur- chasing a farm in Montgomery county, where he lived until her death two years later. In the fall of 1847 Isaac Miller and his brother, Chris- tian, went to Missouri, where they passed the winter, outfitting in the spring for the journey across the plains. Mr. Miller had three wagons with five yoke of oxen to each wagon, and his brother had two. The train of which they com- posed a part consisted of thirty wagons, over which Mr. Miller was appointed captain, and the journey from the Missouri river occupied four months and ten days. They were providentially spared the depredations of the savages, the only encounter being in Nebraska with the Pawnee Indians.

Upon arriving in Oregon Mr. Miller took up a donation claim, consisting of six hundred and forty acres located in Marion county, and after one year's residence he sold the property to his two sons, Charles, of this review, and his brother, Samttel. He then removed to Clackamas county, and later to Linn county, in the latter locating near Albany, and later buying land near Millers. He continued accumulating property embodied in the broad lands of the northwest until he owned twelve hundred acres, when he sold out and removed to Ashland. There his death occurred in 1878, at the age of seventy-two years. he having been born February 8, 1806. In the carly history of the country no one man contributed more toward the growth of the state than Isaac Miller. He was a member of the territorial legislature, and during the Indian war he held a commission as major by appointment of the governor of the state. He also served

987

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in the Rogue River war, 1855-6, during which service he was wounded. He also served during the troubles of that period on the Snake river. Mr. Miller was recognized as a power in his own neighborhood, helping to lay out roads, es- tablish schools and many other important move- ments calculated to establish a successful gov- ernment in the new land. He was the father of nine children, five sons and four daughters, his wife, who was born in Tennessee, in 1805, dying on the same day that marked his death. They were buried in the same grave at Ashland. They were both members of the Christian Church.

Charles Miller was one of the party who crossed the plains, having been born near Craw- fordsville, Montgomery county, Ind., February 23, 1830. His first move was made when he was ten years old, his parents then settling in Miami county, where they lived four years. His for- tunes continued to lie parallel with those of his father's family until he was nineteen years old, when he went with his brother Samuel to the territory of California. The trip was made on horseback, with packs containing their outfit and supplies, and on their arrival they went to work on the American river. The work of a summer found them satisfied, and they returned to Ore- gon with $1,500 each, and at once invested the money in the farm which their father was ready to sell. Trained as were the sons of other pio- neers, Mr. Miller was able to turn his hand to almost anything, and for some time he en- gaged in carpentering. As before mentioned, Mr. Miller now owns five hundred acres, which is finely improved, and upon which he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He has a large herd of full-blooded Jersey cattle, and as one industry of his own farm he has built a creamery, thus affording a livelihood for many laborers and a ready market for his milk.

In 1854 Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Vaughn, one of the number of heroic women who faced the perils of the plains and the privations of the wilderness with the courage of the old-time pioneers. She was a native of West Virginia, and just previous to the western venture she made her home with her parents in Platte county, Mo., where her father died in 1842. The family joined the. current of emigration in 1852, and coming through safely, they settled near Turner, Marion county, where Mrs. Vaughn lived with her son, William. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, of whom Louisa is the eldest; Lydia is the wife of J. B. Hoyt, of Jefferson ; Ada is now deceased; Charles is located on a part of the home place: Nancy J., now also deceased; Ida is the wife of Fred Looney, of this county; Emma makes her home with her parents, and the youngest child died in infancy.

As a member of the Democratic party Mr. Miller was elected to the state legislature in 1885, and in 1892 he ran for congress on the Populist ticket. He has served as justice of the peace for several years, and was chairman of the Populist State Central Committee during the campaign of 1894. Fraternally he . has been a Mason since 1864, being a member of Jefferson Lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M., and is a charter member of the Grange. Mr. Miller was one of the founders of Jefferson Institute, established half a century ago, and is the only survivor in the neighborhood who was actively identified with its upbuilding for many years. He served as president of the board of directors for several years, and was largely instrumental in the construction of the school building. His wife belongs to the Chris- tian Church, which is situated two miles north of Jefferson.

A little incident in the life of Mr. Miller in the early days of the territory is worthy of mention, as showing the dangers and trials which are necessarily a part of the lives of those who lay the foundation of a great commonwealth. With several companions, among them being George W. Hunt, Lewis Streidt and Samuel Hart, the latter a mountaineer, Mr. Miller camped in 1851 on the Rogue river, and during the night the Indians stole nineteen of the twenty horses which they had. On discovery of the loss Mr. Miller with one of the others, started out on the depart- ing trail in the hope of overtaking the Indians and securing the return of the animals. Though finally successful in the recovery of the horses they had much trouble and a long hunt, following the Indians seven days and nights on one trip and eight days on another before finding them, as, after going fifteen miles they had separated and driven the horses in different directions. In the meantime they had captured the two chiefs, putting their Indian families under guard, which operated in their favor and induced the return of the stolen property.

CLARENCE BUTT. As the standing of a community is best illustrated by the character and attainments of its legal exponents, Newberg is fortunate in being represented by Clarence Butt, a self-made man, and one of the most promising and brilliant of the younger generation of orators as well as lawyers. Born in Colum- bia county, Pa., May 27, 1871, Mr. Butt comes of reliable English ancestry, and from that source inherits not only professional, but business and social abilities. The family was first represented in America by the paternal great-grandfather, William, who came across the sea with his sons, Josephı and Zephaniah. Zephaniah hecame a college man and medical graduate, and after

988

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

settling in Ocala, Fla., managed to amass quite a fortune, being worth at the time of his death, $150,000. His son, Joseph, the paternal grand- father, was born in 1812, and in his young man- hood settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. For a time he ran on the canals of that section of the state, but in after years turned his attention to farming, an occupation engaged in almost up to the time of his death at the age of seventy-two years. Although but moderately successful finan- cially, he yet wielded an important influence in his community, especially from a political stand- point. He was an almost rabid Republican, and did not hesitate to show his colors in the Fishing Creek Confederacy.

Zephaniah A. Butt, the father of Clarence, was born in Pennsylvania, May 18, 1849, and at the present time is one of the leading Repub- licans and citizens of his community. He lives on the home farm in Yamhill county, and con- ducts lumbering in connection with farming, and is fairly successful in both occupations. Although in a strong Democratic community he courageously waves the Republican banner when- ever opportunity offers, and in this connection is one of the strongest supporters of the party in his county, and has many stanch friends among those who have known him for a lifetime. When comparatively young he married Clara Everhart, a native also of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Daniel Everhart, born in eastern Pennsylvania, and by occupation a lumberman and farmer. Mr. Everhart, who was a Democrat in politics, and fairly successful from a business standpoint, died in his native state at about the age of seventy years. Of the two sons and two daughters born to Zephaniah A. Butt and his wife, the popular lawyer of Newberg is the oldest ; William lives at Benton, Pa .; Mary is an educator in Pennsylvania; and Anna lives at her home in the Quaker state.

After completing his education in Pennsyl- vania, Clarence Butt attended the Bloomsburg State Normal, and then entered the law depart- ment of the Northern Indiana Law School. At the expiration of two years he graduated from the latter institution wih the degree of LL. D., and after being admitted to the Indiana bar removed to Hamilton, Mont., where a residence of three months convinced him of its undesira- bility as a field for practice. Fairview, Ore., was a future field for experiment, and in 1895 he came to Newberg, and has since engaged in a general practice of law. Since coming here Mr. Butt has entered enthusiastically into all Repub- lican matters, and has made an honored place for himself among the higher ranks of politicians. Possessing a ready command of language, and concise knowledge of all facts in connection with his party, his services have been in great demand

upon all important occasions. He was a dele- gate to the state congressional convention in 1896, and was chairman of the Republican county convention in 1898. The same year he was nominated and elected state representative, and re-elected again in 1900. During both terms he was on the railroad committee, and during the first term was on the committee to investigate state university affairs. During the second term also he was chairman of the banking and busi- ness committee, and a member of the special committee on the state land board. During his second term in the house Mr. Butt caused consid- erable excitement by his effort to reduce the rail- road fare in the state from four to three cents. Although the only one of the committee in favor of it, he submitted three minority reports, and succeeded in getting the minority reports adopted by the balance of the house, an act which led eventually to the desired reduction by the rail- roads themselves.

In Fairview, Ore., Mr. Butt was united in marriage with Inez Barrett, who was born in Elmwood, Peoria county, Ill., and whose father, George Barrett, was a farmer and stock-raiser in Illinois, where his death occurred. Mrs. Butt received her education in her native state and at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Val- paraiso, Ind., and after coming to Oregon a year before her husband, she engaged in educational work for a couple of years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Butt, Ralph and Dale who are living at home with their parents. Mr. Butt is fraternally associated with the Blue Lodge of Masons, with the Eastern Star, and the Artisans. In the Methodist Church, of which he is treasurer and trustee, he is active in pro- moting its charities and general work, and con- tributes generously towards its financial necessi- ties. Mr. Butt possesses a judicial mind and temperament, excellent business ability and judg- ment, and a capacity for hard work well devel- oped. A minute comprehension of the theory and practice of the law, supplemented by those admirable characteristics, faithfulness and energy, assure him not only a continuation but an increase of his present professional prominence.

CAPT. JULIUS HOWD. A large portion of the six hundred acres of land purchased by Capt. Julius Howd in 1869 was covered with dense timber, and necessitated arduous labors before the clearing and cultivation of the samc was completed. That three hundred acres are now available for general crops is in itself an index to the industry and enterprise of the suc- cessful owner. Many fine improvements increase the value of the property, the residence, barns, outhouses and implements being such as to facili-

989

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tate an extensive and remunerative farming and stock-raising enterprise. Located in the Waldo Hills, about eight miles east and three miles south of Salem, the land is adapted to the culture of grain and general produce. Captain Howd has also made a specialty, for many years, of high- grade sheep, many of those sent out from his place being registered.

For his start in life Captain Howd was not indebted to any especial mark of good fortune, for his parents were not prepared to lend him any material assistance toward a successful career. He was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., December 6, 1829, the son of Isaac C. Howd. At the age of six years he was taken by his parents to the vicinity of Carthage, Ill., and was there reared on a farm, eventually succeeding to the management thereof. In 1852, when twenty- three years of age, he started across the plains with an ox-train. After six months of varied adventure he reached Silverton, Ore., where he spent the first winter splitting rails. Afterward he worked on a farm for several months. In 1855 he went to California with a herd of cattle, assisting the owner in getting them safely over the mountains. Upon returning to Silverton the same fall he volunteered for service in the Cayuse Indian war, under Captain Bennett. During the six months of his service he engaged in the cam- paign in the eastern part of the state, participat- ing in the battle of the Yakima, and afterward taking part in the battle of Walla Walla, Wash.

Soon after the close of the war Captain Howd went to Salem, where he was employed in a livery barn for one year. He then returned to his old home in Illinois, by way of the Isthmus of Panama and the Mississippi river. A year later he came back to Oregon, and soon went to work upon a farm. Subsequently he rented a farm for four years. In the meantime he had saved some money through his frugality and thrift, and in time he purchased one hundred and thirty acres near the State Insane Asylum, nearly all of which was timbered. He cleared a consider- able portion of this property and resided upon it for six years, for the first four years keeping bachelor quarters. November 7, 1865, he mar- ried Mary Baker, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of W. Harrison Baker. Of this union there have been born five children, the eldest of whom, Eva, is the wife of Henry King, residing in the vicinity of Shaw, Ore .; Elizabeth is the wife of Andrew Smith, who resides at Cottage Grove, Ore .; William H. operates the home farmı; May is the wife of J. L. Patton of Cottage Grove, Ore .; and Maude is the wife of W. J. Haberly, who resides near Willard, Ore.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 143

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