Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 148

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 148

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. Larkin is a Democrat in national poli- ties, and has been prominently before the pub- lic in support of his party. In Minnesota he was chairman of the board of supervisors during four or five terms, and was also member of the Minnesota legislature. He is fraternally con- nected with the Blue Lodge of Masons and the Eastern Star. Mr. Larkin has an enviable repu- tation in the community of Newberg, his ster- ling honesty, progressiveness, and all around worth having met with the deserved appreciation of his fellow-townsmen.

JAMES SIMPSON. Another one of the family names connected with the pioneer days of Oregon is that to which James Simpson is heir, a prominent citizen and farmer now living on a portion of the original donation claim upon which his father settled in 1847. The latter, William Simpson, was born on an old cotton plantation in North Carolina in 1794, his father being a member of a family long connected with the south. When ten years of age he went with his parents to another farm in Tennessee, and here grew to manhood, and in time married Mary Kimsey, settling on a farm of his own in the neighborhood. Outfitting with teams and wagons he took his wife to Howard county, and later to Johnson county, Mo., and in 1837 removed to Platt county, on the Platte purchase, where he took up government land and lived thereon until April, 1846. In Johnson county was born the son, James, December 23, 1833, the paternal farm being near Warrensburg, and in a very fertile tract of land. At one time there was a great deal of

1009

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dissatisfaction in the Platte Purchase, as there was throughout the whole middle western sec- tion, and William Simpson was one of the first to seriously consider the proposition of uprooting entirely and removing to the far west. Having decided to do so, he packed together such pos- sessions as would be required for housekeeping in the new country, and with two wagons, one with four, and the other with three yoke of oxen, he set forth with his wife and eight children for the hopeful country beyond the mountains. Behind him remained one child who was old enough to look out for himself, and one child lay in its grave in a little Missouri churchyard. Leaving home April 18, 1846, they arrived in Yamhill county, Ore., in September, and spent the first year in North Yamhill.

In the fall of 1847 Mr. Simpson located on the farm upon a portion of which his son James now lives in the Waldo Hills. Two and a half miles from Aumsville he took up six hundred and forty acres, upon which he built a rude log house 16x16 feet, and containing but one room. In these circumscribed quarters this large family lived contentedly and even happily. Fortunately game was plentiful, and the head of the family was a good shot, and in the creeks was an abund- ance of fish. Several of the children were old enough. to make themselves useful in clearing the land, and the good work grew apace until a semblance of civilization took the place of pri- meval stillness and inactivity. Mr. Simpson was a great church man, and he organized and helped to build the first Baptist Regular Church in this section of the country. He also had much to do with building and improving the schools, and in the making of roads. In 1858, the year in which he died, occurred also the death of his faithful wife, and thus even in death this well- mated and always helpful couple were not divided. Of the children, Ellen married James Anderson; Thomas K., deceased, came to Oregon in 1851; Benjamin lives in Portland; Harriet, deceased, was the wife of Larkin Price: Mary A., deceased, was the wife of William Macklin ; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of N. B. Wis- dom; David is a resident of Salem; Martha J., deceased, was the wife of N. Ford: James and W. B., who live in Salem.

To a boy of thirteen the journey across the plains was invariably a most interesting pro- ceeding, and James Simpson was no exception to the rule. He helped to drive the cattle and make himself generally useful, and after locating on the donation claim with his parents and brothers and sisters, found time during the winter season to attend the early subscription school held in a little log house in the neighborhood. At the age of nineteen he rented land and engaged independently in farming, and in 1853 married

Mary C. Havens,'who was born in Missouri, and came to Oregon in 1852. In 1854 Mr. Simp- son brought his young wife to the farm which is still their home, and which consists of two hun- dred and thirty acres, one hundred and fifty of which are part of the old donation claim. He is engaged in general farming, and upon his fertile meadows graze large numbers of fine stock. He is progressive and popular, and his farm pre- sents a scene of activity, thrift and neatness. He is a Democrat in political affiliation, but has never sought or desired official recognition. Ten children have been born into the family, of whom Gilbert died at the age of three years; Cassie is the widow of Hiram H. Hicks; Melissa Ann is deceased; Nancy J. is deceased; Rosa is at home; William; James; Frank; John E. is deceased; and Barnett, deceased.

PHILIP PHILE. For many years a familiar and interesting figure in the river life of Cor- vallis, Ore., Mr. Phile has won by his genial and whole-souled manner a host of friends among the people whom he has ferried across the Will- amette river. Not a native son of this state, nor yet of the nation, Mr. Phile has, however, grown strongly attached to the land of his adoption and in proportion as it has given him prosperity he has returned an earnest patriotism and hearty interest in public events, a characteristic of value in the citizens of a country.

The forefathers of Philip Phile have long been natives of the grand duchy of Baden, Ger- many, where they have engaged in the cultiva- tion of the soil, his father, Christopher Phile, passing his entire life in that location, his wife, Magdalene also giving to her children, of whom there were five sons and one daughter, an inheritance of the qualities of this section of Germany. Philip was the fourth child in the family, and was born August 31, 1825, in Baden- Baden, near Carlsruhe, and under his father's instruction was reared to the life of a farmer. His early education was received in the German schools. Upon attaining manhood he decided to try his fortunes in the great land of the western world of which he had heard so much, whose only drawback was the change of language and the loneliness which must necessarily follow the wanderer from home and friends. To alleviate this latter burden his sister, the one daughter of the family, took upon herself the hardships of the pioneer, and together the young people boarded the sailer, Havre, at the city of that name in France, and after the remarkably short voyage of twenty-one days they arrived in New York city, the trip having been made on the best clipper of the ocean.

Having an uncle by the name of Fred K. Zim-

1010

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

merman living near Wheeling, Ill., Mr. Phile at once sought the middle west, coming by the way of Chicago, and though there were opportunities in plenty in that city he did not care to make it his home, as at that time Chicago seemed to be somewhat precariously located in the mud and water about Lake Michigan, without any clear distinction as to where the lake ended and the land began. Hunting up his uncle he went to work on a farm in the vicinity of Wheeling, remaining there for five years, at the end of that time coming still farther west, a corruption of Horace Greeley's advice being "Go as far west as you can." With a party of ox-teams he left Illinois early in March over the old Oregon trail, crossing the Mississippi river at Rock Island and striking the Missouri river in almost a direct line west of that place, crossing the latter where the town of Council Bluffs is located. The trip was a long and tedious one, not differing greatly from the many others made in that early day. The party was never left without a guard, day or night, each man's duty being a half of the night. After an eight months journey the party arrived safely in the Will- amette valley, and Mr. Phile went at once to Linn county to Cushman's place, and in passing through Corvallis he was offered work at the ferry, but did not then accept. After spending the winter in King's valley hauling rails he returned to Corvallis and accepted the offer made him in November, going to work for Isaac Moore, the ferryman. Later Mr. Moore built a new boat, following the suggestions of Mr. Phile, who had in mind for a model a boat which plied upon the river Rhine. The boat was a great success, and Mr. Phile made himself of so much value, not only through his suggestions but by his steady, trustworthy work, that the ferry company, which had now become a firm of two under the firm name of Moore & St. Clair, employed him to conduct the ferry. Orig- inally a rope ferry was used in the conveyance of people at this point, the buoy ferry later taking the place of the more primitive affair, this also being at the suggestion of Mr. Phile. For twenty-one years Mr. Phile served in the capacity of ferryman for Corvallis, and the few moment's talk as the little boat swung out into the stream sent many a traveler on his way with a lighter heart, for a merry word and a genial smile were as truly a part of this man's life as the daily work which was given him to do. In storm and sunshine his boat plied upon the river, and he recalls many times when the tide was running high and peril was imminent, but no accident ever came to him to mar the enjoyment of the life which he followed. For ten years he bore the responsibility of conveying the overland mail across the river in the night,

the one from Portland coming in at eleven p. m., followed by the San Francisco mail at two a. m. In 1874 Mr. Phile retired from his duties, erecting a house in Corvallis, where he has since made his home.

February 10, 1875, Mr. Phile allied himself by marriage with a descendant of a German family, Mrs. Catherine (Rodemocher) Tideman, who had removed to Corvallis in 1863. She was born in Germany, on the estate of Hanover, her grandfather, John, and father, Biern, both being natives of the same place, where they engaged in farming. Her mother, Margaret Gossen, was also born in that locality, and was the daughter of a farmer. Of the eight children born to her father and mother six came to the United States and settled in Oregon, four of whom are now living, and are as follows: Lucy, now Mrs. Tideman of Portland; Annie, Mrs. Schlosser of Albany; Carsten, of Corvallis, now a retired farmer; and Catherine, now the wife of Mr. Phile of this review. In 1860 Mrs. Tideman commenced the journey toward Oregon, coming from New York city to Aspinwall, and after crossing the Isthmus of Panama she took pass- age on a steamer bound for San Francisco and from there to Portland, the remainder of the trip to Corvallis being made by stage. She was married in San Francisco in 1860 to Matthias Tideman, also a native of Hanover, and who had come to the Californian mines in 1850. In Linn county Mr. Tideman took up a claim located three miles east of Corvallis, where he engaged in farming. In 1871 Mr. and Mrs. Tideman took a pleasure trip back to their German home, returning in 1872, when Mr. Tideman died of smallpox in a hospital in New York city, the widow finishing the journey alone. The three children born of the union, Caroline, Mary and Henry, all died in youth.

Mr. Phile takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of his adopted town, and is always ready to assist in any worthy movement toward the development of its resources. Politically he has been a stanch Republican since the Civil war, and through this influence has served as council- man for one term. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

J. B. SHANKS. The Shanks family in Oregon is associated with successful agricul- tural enterprises, and with an earnest and hopeful ministry in the old school Baptist Church. J. B. Shanks, representing the second generation in the northwest, and the owner of a farm near Monitor, Marion county, was born on a farm in Carroll county, Ind., March II, 1839, and is the son of Abner and Anna (Lenon) Shanks, natives of Ohio, and the

1011

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

former born in Miami county, December 27, 1810.

Abner Shanks, the founder of the family in Oregon, moved with his parents from Ohio to Indiana as early as 1829, and there settled on a farm in a comparatively wild section of country. His father was a minister in the Baptist Church, and from him the son un- doubtedly inherited his ability as a preacher and humanitarian. About 1853 the family removed to Iowa, where Abner Shanks followed farming and preaching, and also for a time engaged in the general merchandise business. In 1865 he outfitted for the long journey across the plains, and during the passage encountered numerous difficulties with the Indians, although his family stood the trip with great courage, reaching their destination in Marion county in comparatively good health and spirits. For seven or eight years Mr. Shanks lived on a farm in the Waldo Hills, and then purchased a farm on Howell's Prairie, which continued to be his home until 1882. In the meantime he had continuously preached the gospel, and in this way accomplished much good, filling many hearts with hope and en- couragement. Eventually he took up his resi- dence in Turner, but after the death of his second wife, who was formerly Elizabeth ' Ewing, he lived with his children, his death occurring at Stayton, November 26, 1902, at the age of ninety-two years. He was a genial, kindly man, very public-spirited and liberal, and during his helpful earthly pilgrimage made many friends. Of the children born of his first marriage five are living: J. B., of University Park, Portland; N. J., of North Yakima county, Wash .; Henry, of Weston, Ore .; J. S., of Turner, Ore .; and Elizabeth, widow of J. M. Hosier, of Mt. Angel. Mr. Shanks' first wife died in Indiana, and of the second union there were born six children, of whom five are now living: Levi, of Portland ; Benjamin, of Palouse, Wash; Martha, wife of H. Anderson, of Stayton; Maggie, wife of M. Anderson, of Oregon City; and Anna, wife of F. Cook of Grant's Pass.

With a common school education at his command, and with the mental balance ac- quired in a Christian and very orderly home, J. B. Shanks started out to make his way in the world when twenty-two years of age, and after engaging in teaming for one year went to Montana and mined and prospected for a couple of years. In 1865 he met his people at Boise City and came with them to Marion county, where he resumed teaming up to the time of his marriage. His wife was formerly Sarah Lenon, a native of Indiana, who crossed the plains in the same train with her husband,

settling with her parents on a farm in Marion county. The young people went to house-keep- ing in the Waldo Hills for a couple of years, and then removed to Monitor, remaining in that town for twelve years. Mr. Shanks then purchased his present home of one hundred and twenty acres one and a fourth miles southeast of Monitor, three miles from a railroad and here he has since engaged in general farming and stock-raising. At present he has fifty acres under cultivation, and his buildings and general improvements are in accordance with scientific and intelligent farming. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shanks, of whom Luella is the wife of Charles McKee, of Mc- Kee, Ore .; Anna is the wife of F. M. Girard, of Monitor, Ore .; L. S., Jr., of Monitor; and Misses Mary and Maggie, of Portland. Three of the children died in infancy.

Mr. Shanks is one of the very prominent men of this community, and to an exceptional degree enjoys the confidence of his fellow townsmen. He has abundant opportunities to display his public spirit and broad-minded- ness, and has demonstrated in various ways his possession of those characteristics which go to make up the acknowledged man of affairs. No worthy movement toward the pro- motion of the public welfare is allowed to pass unnoticed by him. He has elways exhibited a desire to witness the highest possible im- provement in the moral, intellectual and spirit- ual condition of those surrounding him. It is to such men as Mr. Shanks that the state of Oregon owes a debt that it can never pay, for the high and unselfish spirit which has actuated all his actions in dealing with matters outside of his own domestic circles. He is entitled to rank with the most thoroughly representative men of the Willamette valley, and to occupy a position of prominence in a record of this character.

B. A. CATHEY, M. D. The world instinc- tively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has attained wealth by honorable business methods, acquired the highest reputation in his chosen calling by merit, and whose social prominence is not the less the result of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. We pay the highest tribute to the heroes who on battlefields win vic- tories and display a valor that is the admiration of the world. Why should the tribute be with- held from those who wage the bloodless battles of civil life, who are conquerors in the world of business? Greater than in almost any line of work is the responsibility which rests upon the physician. The issues of life and death are

1012

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in his hands. An incorrect prescription, an un- skilled operation may take from man that which he prizes above all else-life. The physician's power must be his own; not by purchase, by gift or by influence can he gain it. He must commence at the very beginning, learn the very rudiments of medicine and surgery, continually add to his knowledge by close study and earnest application and gain reputation by merit. If he would gain the highest prominence it must come as the result of superior skill, knowledge and ability, and these qualifications are possessed in an eminent degree by Dr. Cathey. He is known as one of the most eminent members of the pro- fession in the Willamette valley and his opinions are largely recognized as authority throughout this section of the state.

Dr. Cathey was born near Gresham, Multno- mah county, Ore., on the 17th of February, 1854, and is a son of W. G. and Thersa J. (Cornutt) Cathey. The father was a native of Johnson county, Mo., and the grandfather, Andrew Cathey, died in that state. W. G. Cathey was reared as a farmer boy and in the fall of 1853 he came to Oregon, making the overland trip with ox-teams. He settled near what is now Gresham in Powells valley and purchased a do- nation claim of three hundred and twenty acres of land, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He now resides on the old homestead, retaining possession of eighty acres of land. His farm is along the street car line from Portland. His wife, also a native of Missouri, is a daughter of Alfred Cornutt, who was born in Virginia, whence he emigrated west- ward, becoming a Missouri farmer. In 1853 he made the journey by ox-team to Oregon and here followed farming near Gresham for a period of ten years. He then removed to Douglas county where he purchased a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cathey, the doctor's father, is now living at the age of seventy years, but the mother passed away in 1888. In their family were eleven children, of whom six yet survive.

The doctor spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm. If the roll of suc- cessful and prominent business men were called to determine what were their early surroundings it would be found that a large majority had been reared amid rural scenes, gaining there strength for the duties of later life. The doctor attended the district schools and for a short time was a student in the Portland high school. He en- gaged in teaching for six months and then en- tered the Albany College, where he remained for a period of six months. He then accepted the position of principal of the North Brownsville school, where he served for four terms, after

which he again spent a year in Albany College. Thus he worked his way through, meeting the expenses of his course by teaching in the public schools and also by teaching vocal music. For one year he was the principal of the Halsey school and he afterward taught in Canyonville and in Riddles. He was principal of the Rose- burg school for three years and then returned to Canyonville as principal of the schools of that place. During four years of this time he was also engaged in reading medicine, for he had de- termined to engage in the practice of the profes- sion as a lifework. Soon after his return to Canyonville he had to dismiss his school on ac- count of an epidemic of diphtheria. Some dif- ficulty arising, the local physician had to leave the town and his patrons came to Dr. Cathey for medical assistance, knowing that he had for some time been studying. It was thus that he began practice and the doctor said that his early work in that direction was the hardest he had ever done in connection with his professional career. It was not his desire to engage in practice before he had completed his medical studies, but he finally assented to the wishes of the people of the community and was very successful in his work. He lost only three cases out of thirty and two of these had been treated by others before his serv- ices were called upon. The disease had reached its last stages when he attempted to render as- sistance, so that in reality he lost but one case out of twenty-eight. A year later another physi- cian located in the town and began practice. Dr. Cathey then proposed to discontinue his own labors in the profession, but those who had em- ployed him opposed this step and he therefore continued in practice at that place for four and a half years. He sold out his drug store in order to give his entire attention to the alleviation of human suffering, and his success indicated that nature certainly intended him for that line of activity.

In the fall of 1888 Dr. Cathey entered the med- ical department of Willamette University, which was then located in Portland, and was graduated in that institution in 1890 with the degree of M. D. He then located in Woodburn, where he practiced until 1899, when the medical college was transferred from Portland to Salem and in that school he was elected professor of physi- ology, filling the chair for four years, when he resigned in order to establish his home in Cor- vallis. Since coming to this city he has built 11p a very extensive practice, in fact, is regarded as one of the leading physicians in the valley. As a medical and also as a surgical practitioner he has been extremely successful and has the largest surgical practice in the city and county.

Dr. Cathey was married in Brownsville, Ore., to Miss Lucinda Elizabeth McFeron, who was

1013

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

born in Missouri, and their marriage has been blessed with five children: Cecil C., George A., Collins F., Alice Marie and Evelyn. The second son is now a student in the medical department of the Willamette University. The doctor be- came a Mason in Canyonville, became a charter member of the lodge at Woodburn and is now affiliated with Corvallis Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M. He is also connected with the Order of the Eastern Star and the Woodmen of the World. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a trustee. Profession- ally he is connected with the State Medical So- ciety and he is continually reading and studying in order to promote his skill and efficiency in the line of a profession which by many is regarded as the most important to which man can direct his energies. His knowledge is broad and com- prehensive, and not only has he a love of his calling because of his scientific interests, but also because of his broad humanitarian spirit. Dr. Cathey today stands among the most eminent members of the profession in the Willamette val- ley and is possessed of marked ability and com- prehensive professional learning.

MARTIN WOODCOCK. There is some- thing in the story of the life of the pioneer that is always of keenest interest. This is perhaps because it displays bravery such as is manifested by the soldier on the field of battle. It requires no little heroism and strength of purpose to meet the conditions which existed on a frontier region, and it is well that we preserve the his- tory of those who met those conditions and made their portion of the country habitable. rich in fruitage and pleasing to the eye. Martin Wood- cock was one of the distinguished early settlers of Oregon who became a prominent factor in the business life of Benton county. Wherever he went he commanded the respect and confi- dence of those with whom he was associated and his life history contains many elements which are worthy of emulation and should serve as a source of inspiration to others.

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 148

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