Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 147

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 147

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Of rugged English ancestry, Mr. Towle was born near Montreal, Canada, October 4, 1836, a son of William and Mary (Abbott) Towle. His father was a native of Lincolnshire, Eng- land, and his mother of Montpelier, Vt. While he was yet a youth his parents removed to County Oxford, Ontario, Canada, and there he was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. At the age of twenty years he went to Prescott, Wis., where he engaged with friends in the manufacture of brick; but not finding this occupation satisfactory, he returned to his former home in Canada, where he soon after- ward engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1875 he removed further west in Canada, locating near Lake Superior, where he resided

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until 1880. North Dakota became his next field of activity, and near Park river, Walsh county, in that state, he homesteaded a claim of six hundred and seventy-two acres. For the succeeding ten years he experienced vary- ing successes and failures as an extensive grain producer. In 1890, having become imbued with a desire to devote the rest of his life to a region of country where the climate and nat- ural advantages were more satisfactory, he decided to remove to Oregon, and since that year he has been continuously engaged in the scientific culture of prunes and other small fruits. He has made his farm one of the land- marks of Marion county, a place attractive to the eye, as well as a venture which has proven pleasing and profitable.

Mr. Towle was married in October, 1859, to Mary J. Service, a native of Ontario. They are the parents of the following children: Ida, wife of Richard Claxton, a well known fruit grower residing on a farm adjoining that of Mr. Towle; George E., cashier of the First National Bank of Park River, N. D .; Edward A., one of the foremost citizens and best- known ranchers of the vicinity of Park River, who has twice served as a member of the North Dakota legislature; and James E., a teacher, a graduate of the Monmouth Normal School, class of 1893, residing with his parents.

During the years of his residence in Marion county. Mr. Towle's fellow-citizens have come to regard him as a man of sterling worth-pro- gressive, enterprising, broad-minded in his view of affairs and a warm friend of the cause of education and of good roads. His attitude on all questions of local interest has been such as to win for him the regard and esteem of all.

W. W. WALKER. At the present day it means but a short, pleasant trip to pass from the extreme northeastern part of the United States to its opposite on the Pacific coast, with the thousands of miles marked by straight, true lines, over a peaceful, pastoral country, in elegant coaches, and ready service at every stopping place. But in the days gone by a journey from Maine to Oregon meant many months of danger from the depredations of the Indians who har- assed the trail of the emigrant train, and hard- ships and trials and troubles without number.

From Maine to Oregon William W. Walker has come, making the journey, however, in not a few months, but in many years, as his life has been full of the adventures incident to the history of a man who was thrown upon his own resour- ces in the early days of our country. Born in Washington county, Me., April 14, 1836, he was the son of John S. and Ellen (O'Neil) Walker,

natives respectively of Oldtown, Penobscot county, Me., and County Cork, Ireland. When a young man the father had joined a party of men going to Canada, near Quebec, there to work in a logging camp, in which employment he remained for some years. It was while thus engaged he met and married Ellen O'Neil. He then brought his family back to Washington county, where he engaged in the saw-mill busi- ness, continuing in this occupation up to the present time.

The early education of William W. Walker was necessarily rather limited, as school facili- ties were very meager, but he put in the years in the common schools of Maine, and after he left home at the age of nineteen years, he took up a work in which discipline is not the least requi- site for its success. He shipped from Millbridge, a city on the coast of Maine, in a square-rigged brig, under two masters, its trade being that of a coaster. For nine years he remained in this business, acting as mate after two years' service. Later, he was captain of the brig, the May Hand, on a voyage from New York to Africa, going as far south as the equator, a trip which was full of adventure and varied experience, as well as success financially. In 1858 he went to Cal- ifornia, locating in San Francisco, where he remained for two months, but with the restless spirit incited hy a sea-faring life, he was soon off again, having shipped for the Fraser river in British Columbia. For some time after that he was engaged in boating on the waters of Puget Sound, going to Portland in 1860, where he remained for one year steamboating on the Columbia river. With wide experience in the waters of the world he now sought a knowledge of the bowels of the earth, giving up the roving life of a seaman for the alluring prospects of a miner. At Pierce City, Idaho, he first took up this employment. working with notable perseverance until March, 1870, when he returned to Portland. In the varied positions in which he found himself in his adventurous life he had acquired a knowledge of some trades which proved to be exceedingly useful to him as a landsman, now putting into practice one of them, that of a carpenter, working for two years at this before he decided to change his residence. In 1872 he came to Yamhill county, inclined now to settle down for life and choosing the tilling of the soil as the most con- genial labor, being that at which he had first turned a hand, in the long-past days of his boy- hood in the old Pine Tree state. After a year and a half spent in employment under R. R. Thompson, he engaged in farming for himself, locating in 1876 on his present property, and now owns one hundred and thirty-three acres, fifty of which is in active cultivation, being utilized for general farming.

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Mr. Walker securely anchored himself to the land by his marriage with Miss Lucretia Per- kins, in 1873. She is a native of North Yam- hill, Ore., born in 1848. In their pleasant home there are five children now to make bright the quiet years that might otherwise become monoto- nous to the seaman whose life has been so filled with exciting changes-Jennie M., G. L., W. O., F. N., and John P .- F. N. being the only one who is not a member of the household, his em- ployment being in Washington. In his political convictions, Mr. Walker is a Democrat, serving as road supervisor and school director through the influence of this party. In his fraternal rela- tions he is identified with the Masons, being a member of Lodge No. 3 of La Fayette, and also of Lodge No. 29, I. O. O. F.

JESSE W. LOONEY. When only four years of age Jesse W. Looney became a resident of Oregon, having crossed the plains in company with his parents, who were seeking a home in the west, not so much for the wealth they fore- saw in the possibilities of the new land as to make a link in the chain which was to bind the great northwest to the middle and eastern states. A perusal of the history of the lives of these pioneers, setting forth the conditions and priva- tions which tried their souls, will clearly show the moral stamina which laid the groundwork for the statehood.

The father of Jesse W. Looney, also named Jesse, was a native of Knoxville, Tenn., having been born there in 1801, and reared to manhood on a plantation. When a young man he went to Alabama, and for several years thereafter he traveled about in the states of the middle west, spending some time in Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri, in the latter state feeling more strongly than ever before the current setting toward the western lands. Impelled through an intense hatred of the condition of slavery to seek a home in a different section of the country, he looked favorably upon the western movement, in 1843 going to St. Joseph, Mo., where he out- fitted for the trip. He bought four wagons and a large number of oxen, planning to have from three to five yoke for each wagon, twenty head of fine cows, five mares, and a great quantity of fruit seeds, intending to establish a model home beyond the wide prairies. The journey was safely made, the fall finding them at Whit- man's station, and in the spring of 1844 he came by water on the Hudson Bay boat to Oregon City, after which he settled three miles south of Salem. He there erected a small log cabin, but remained only a short time, when he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres at the foot of what is now known as Looney's

Butte, and upon this property his sons, N. H. and David now make their homes. This was principally prairie land located in the valley and was rich and productive.

The marriage of Mr. Looney occurred in Alabama, in 1827, and united with him Ruby Bond, a native of Knoxville, Ky., but who had removed to Alabama when she was but nine years old. Through their long years of pioneer life in Oregon she was in entire sympathy with her husband, giving him the help of a brave, tender woman in his battle in the wilderness. She, too, had been anxious to leave the south, and to bring their children, of whom there were six at the time of their removal to the west, to a free country. Until the railroad was built through his section of country these pioneers kept the overland stage station, where all pass- engers stopped for meals, and the coaches to change horses. During the early days of the community Mr. Looney gave much thought and effort to the upbuilding of the country, helping to lay out roads, organize schools, etc. He was a member of the first provisional government, and was instrumental in many progressive move- ments, taking an active interest in the welfare of his adopted state. He had also the distinction of being the first settler in the Santiam valley, the first schoolhouse of which being built upon his land. At his death, March 25, 1869, he owned over two thousand acres. His wife survived him many years, living to the age of ninety-two years, her death occurring May 7, 1901. She was the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom are now living, and are given in order of birth as follows: Susan, the wife of Fred Stivers, of Salem; John B., of Jefferson; Ellen, the wife of Abner Gaines, of Portland; Jesse W., of this review; Benjamin F., in the Looney settlement ; Pauline, of Jefferson; David and Norris H., who are located on a part of the home farm; Frankie, the wife of Wilbur Connell, of Salem ; and Ada, the wife of Augustus Fairbanks, of California.

Jesse W. Looney was born in Springfield, Mo., August 27, 1839, and the greater part of his life has been spent in the state of Oregon. He grew to manhood on the farm which his father had chosen for a home on his first settlement in the west, and on attaining manhood he farmed a part of his father's property for two years. At the close of that period he decided to change his location, and he then settled upon a farm in the neighborhood of Jefferson, where he remained until his retirement, in 1898, when he made his home in Jefferson, Marion county, where he now lives. He now owns four hundred and fifty acres embodied in two farms, upon which is car- ried on general farming and stock-raising.

The marriage of Jesse W. Looney occurred in

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1861, Miss Mary Gunsaulus, of Illinois, becoming his wife. She had emigrated to Oregon in 1853. Of three children born to them Fred is a farmer in Marion county; Frank is located in Jeffer- son ; and Walton is on the home farm. Though a Republican in politics Mr. Looney has never sought political preferment, as he has always inclined to the quiet, industrious life of a country gentleman. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Grange.

JOHN A. SHAW. Among the well known business men of Linn and Marion counties is John A. Shaw, general manager of the Curtis Lumber Mills at Lake City, and a prominent resident of Albany. Enterprising and capable, with a remarkable degree of push and energy, he has been especially active in advancing the lumber interests of this section of the state, and has likewise taken a noteworthy part in promot- ing the general prosperity of town and county. He was born December 2, 1849, on a farm near Lakeside, Oxford county, Ontario, Canada.

John A. Shaw obtained a practical education in the district schools of Lakeside, Ont., and worked on the old home farm until after attaining his majority. During winters of the following two years, from 1869 until 1871, he was employed in the lumber regions of Michigan, and was en- gaged in logging. Coming to Oregon in 1875, he carried on general farming near Salem for awhile. In 1878, with Thomas Sims, he purchased the Stayton saw-mill, and for five years was success- fully employed as a lumber manufacturer and dealer. Forming a partnership with W. H. Hobson & Company in 1883, Mr. Shaw embarked in the mercantile business in Stayton, Marion county, and for many years had an extensive and lucrative trade. Organizing the Santiam Lum- ber Company in 1887, he was made secretary and manager. Erecting the first and only saw-mill in Mill City, the company engaged in the manu- facture of lumber on an extensive scale, their plant having a capacity of 35,000 feet per day. In 1899 the company dissolved, selling the mill property to the Curtis Lumber Company, of which Mr. Shaw was made general manager, a position that he has since ably and satisfactorily filled, his wide experience in the lumber business particularly qualifying him for the office. The plant has since been enlarged, having now a capacity of 80,000 feet per day, and the two hundred employes are kept busy in supplying the coast markets with its products. Taking up his residence in Albany in 1896, Mr. Shaw is numbered among its most progressive citizens. After an absence of more than a quarter of a century, he, accompanied by his wife and son,

Angus, in June, 1901, visited his old home in Ontario, being away two months, the trip being in every way most enjoyable.

Mr. Shaw married, July 3, 1873, in Ontario, Canada, Elizabeth Quinn, who was born in Thamesford, Ontario. Four children blessed their union, namely : Robert S., who was educated in Albany College, the State Normal School at Monmouth, and a graduate of the Salem Busi- ness College, and is now a merchant in Mill City, Ore .; Angus Albert, who was graduated from Albany College, is engaged in mercantile pur- suits at Gates, Ore .; Daniel O., a student at Albany College, died in August, 1900, aged seventeen years; and James Royal is a student at Albany College. Politically Mr. Shaw is a firm Republican. Fraternally he was made a' Mason in Pearl Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Turner, and now belongs to Santiam Lodge, at Stayton : he joined the Scio Chapter, R. A. M. and is now a member of Bayley Chapter, R. A. M .; is a member of Temple Commandery No. 3, K. T .; and belongs to the Mill City Lodge, I. O. O. F. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the Presbyterian Church at Mill City.

WILLIAM C. KRUGER. Prior to entering upon a retired life in Newberg in 1902, William C. Kruger had an extended experience as an agriculturist and business man, and that he was successful in both departments of activity is shown by his present affluent and thoroughly comfortable circumstances. Mr. Kruger has erected a commodious house in a pleasant part of the town, and, because of ill health, is con- templating spending the coming winter in the milder climate of California. This esteemed and well known German-American was born in West- phalia, Germany, December 20, 1847, his father, Fred, being a native of the same part of the country.

The Kruger family came to America in 1868, locating on a farm in Manitowoc county, Wis., from where they removed to Iowa in 1876. The father purchased a large farm in Adair county, and farmed and raised stock almost up to the time of his death in 1900. His wife, Fredericka, was a native of the same part of Germany, and though dying at the comparatively early age of forty-six years, seven months and seven days, was the mother of ten children, five of whom attained maturity, three sons and two daughters, of whom William C. is the third.

Soon after coming to the United States in 1866, William C. Kruger found employment near Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, and in time saved sufficient money to purchase one hundred and twenty acres of land. This he improved to the best of his ability, and in 1877 came to Oregon,

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spending one year in Portland. Not entirely content with the prospects in the northwest he returned to Cherokee county, Iowa, but soon had a return of the western fever, and determined to again try his luck. in the great timber state. In 1887 he bought a hardware and implement business in Newberg, and from a comparatively small beginning increased his business from time to time, and finally gained the greater part of the patronage of his section. His health being undermined, he was advised to step out of busi- ness entirely, and in 1902 sold out to A. R. Moo- maw & Son, and in Newberg built his present residence on First street.

For his first wife Mr. Kruger married Lizzie Grauer, also a native of Germany, and whose father, Jacob, came to America in 1866, locating in Iowa, where his death occurred. Two children were born to them, Rosa and Leland. Mr. Kru- ger married for a second time Mrs. Ida May, daughter of Lewis Platt of Newberg. They have one child, Gladys. Mr. Kruger is a Republican in politics, and has twice been a member of the town council. Fraternally he is associated with the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Artisans. He is well known in Yamhill county, and in all his dealings has won the respect and confidence of the community at large.

FRANCIS A. MORRIS is one of the most energetic and capable real estate, insurance and loan men in Yamhill county. Equipped with a common school education, excellent home train- ing, and considerable mercantile experience, he came to Newberg about sixteen years ago, and has since been active in mercantile and real estate circles. Boone county, Ind., where Mr. Morris was born October 10, 1852, was the home of his father, William E., who became identified with the town of Thorntown, as a young man, and in time was one of the most prominent men in the community. He was born in North Carolina, where his father, Zachariah, was also born, the latter being a planter and land owner in his native state.

William E. Morris married Ella Binford, she being a native of Virginia, and whose par- ents were pioneers of Montgomery county, Ind. Soon after he removed to Bloomingdale, Park county, where he engaged in a general merchandise business, and also ran a grist-mill. These combined industries proved most profit- able and netted their owner at least a comfortable fortune. He has reached the age of seventy-five years and is still enjoying the respect and appre- ciation of his fellowmen. Five children were born to himself and wife, one son and four daughters, of whom Francis A. is the oldest ;

Mrs. Stanton Newlin, living near Bloomingdale, Ind .; Mrs. Fred M. Davis of Minneapolis, Minn .; Mrs. Edgar Palm, also of Minneapolis, Minn .; and Alice, who died at the age of fourteen years.

The first actual business experience of Mr. Morris was acquired as a clerk in a dry goods house in Indianapolis, Ind., with which he was connected in increasingly responsible capacities for about ten years, at the time of his resignation being assistant manager. After coming to New- berg he engaged in a general merchandise busi- ness for about twelve years in partnership with B. C. Miles, an outline of whose career may be found elsewhere in this work. Upon disposing of his store interests Mr. Morris embarked upon his present undertakings in real estate, loans and insurance, and much valuable town and country property has in the meantime passed through his hands. Nor have his abilities been confined entirely to mercantile and real estate concerns, for so public-spirited a man must needs fill many niches in a wide-awake community. For two years he was president of the Chehalem Valley Bank, and he has taken an active interest in promoting the erection of modern and substan- tial buildings. The firm of Morris & Mills was responsible for the first brick building in the old town of Newberg. As a Republican Mr. Morris has contributed his share towards filling import- ant offices, and aside from being councilman for many terms, he has served as mayor of the town for two terms. He is a welcome member of various fraternal organizations, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, in both of which he is extremely active.

At his old home in Indiana Mr. Morris was united in marriage with A. M. Maris, who was born in Park county, Ind., a daughter of Jon- athan Maris, a native of North Carolina. Mr. Maris was a farmer for many years in Indiana, of which state he was a very early pioneer. He came to Oregon to visit his daughter and son- in-law, and died here at an advanced age. Mr. Morris is a member of the Society of Friends. A peculiarity in connection with the family of Mr. Morris is that there has been established for many years a circular letter system, put into effect periodically, and by means of which inform- ation concerning every member is passed around with the greatest regularity, no stoppage being allowed for more than four days. This custom is a very old one, and is so interesting and admir- able that one wonders why it is not oftener utilized to preserve an interest in members of a given family.

JOHN S. LARKIN. With his family, John S. Larkin represents the highest type of western development. One of the honored and influen-

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tial citizens of Newberg, he has a meritorious record as a farmer and large landowner in Wis- consin, Minnesota and Oregon, in which states he has promoted in no small measure agricul- tural, educational, moral and general growth.

The fine and substantial traits of character which have made the canny Scotchman a wel- come settler in any country under the sun are inherited by Mr. Larkin from a long line of Scottish ancestors, first represented in America by his paternal grandfather, John Larkin, who was a sailor and died at a comparatively early age. John Larkin, son of the mariner, was born in Portsmouth, N. H., and when a young man engaged in the restaurant business in Boston, Mass. In 1846 he located among the pioneers of Wayne county, N. Y., where he bought ninety- six acres of land near Massadon, and lived there until his retirement in 1856 to a couple of acres of land at East Marshfield, Mass. The last years of his life were spent in Michigan, where he bought one hundred acres of land, and where he lived until his death at the age of seventy- five years. He had quite an interesting life, and was fairly successful as a farmer, his youth having been enlivened by service in the war of 1812, when, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted as a privateersman with his father. He married Lydia Quimby, who was born in Maine, and whose father, Dr. Samuel Quimby, was a prac- ' ticing physician during the greater part of his active life. Seven children were born of this union, two daughters and five sons, of whom John S. is the oldest living.

At the age of eighteen John S. Larkin began to clerk in a store at Liberty Square, Boston, Mass., and in 1855 removed to Wisconsin, set- tling on one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land in Adams county. He improved his land and raised general produce, and in 1863 lo- cated in Blue Earth county, Minn., and took up six hundred acres of land. This continued to be his home until 1887, when he came to Oregon and near Newberg purchased one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land. At first he engaged in general farming, but later planted an orchard of prunes, pears and apples, the products of which constituted his principal source of reve- nue.

In Blue Earth county, Minn, January 22, 1866, Mr. Larkin was united in marriage with Eliza Jarman, who was born in St. Clair county, Mich .. a daughter of a Michigan farmer who removed to Minnesota and then to Iowa, in which latter state his death occurred. Seven children were born of this union, of whom six are living: The children in the order of their birth are as fol- lows: Charles : Josephine, wife of N. C. Chris- tenson: John; Elizabeth, who died in Minneso- ta : George; Nellie, now Mrs. Hugh Nelson,

of Newberg; and Jennie, living at home. Mr. Larkin has reason to be proud of his bright and enterprising sons, who inherit his adaptability and business capacity. George Larkin, a prac- ticing and very successful, young dentist of this town, was educated in the commercial and com- mon schools of Minnesota and Oregon, and also spent three years at the Pacific College of New- berg, and three years at the North Pacific Den- tal College, at Portland, from which latter in- stitution he graduated with honors in May of 1902. Formerly a member of the Omega Dental Fraternity, he is now associated with the State Dental Society. Although but a short time out of college, he is making rapid strides towards the best that his profession holds, and he will undoubtedly rank among the best of his profes- sion ere many years have elapsed. John Larkin, 10 less ambitious and successful than his brother, has ability of a mercantile order, and owns a half interest in the largest mercantile establish- ment in Newberg, the firm of Porter & Larkin. The sons are both living with their parents, and both are unmarried.

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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 147

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