Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 150

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 150

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quently assisted his father in packing and freighting between Oregon and California, and helped build Fort Wagner, as previously men- tioned. Upon coming with the family to Eu- gene, in 1858, he attended the old Columbia college until the building was burned. Com- pleting his education at Union University, under Professor Cornelius, he was afterwards engaged with his father in various mining en- terprises, at the Salmon river mines, in 1862, making considerable money, but being unsuccess- ful at Boise Basin in the summer of 1863, and at the Oyhee mines in 1864. While at home, in the intervals of mining, he read law with Judge Riley E. Stratton, and after his admis- sion to the bar, in 1863, began the practice of his profession in Eugene, where he has since continued most successfully, sometimes being in partnership with others, and sometimes alone. In 1868 he was elected county judge and served four years. . In 1875 he was appointed to the office by Governor Grover and in 1876 was elected to the office for a term of four years. Judge Walton also served as deputy district at- torney four years, and has been United States commissioner since his first appointment, in 1884, by Judge Deady, having been reappointed by Judge Bellinger.

Taking a keen interest in educational matters, Judge Walton was one of the five men present at the meeting held in the old schoolhouse, in July, 1872, to consult in regard to plans for having a university located in Eugene, the others present being B. F. Dorris, the late John M. Thompson, the late John C. Arnold, and the late S. H. Spencer. The first thought of these gentlemen had simply been to have a higher grade school established here, but on Mr. Thompson's proposition to try and secure the university for this place, the meeting adjourned until some future time in order that more defi- nite action might be taken. Subsequently the Union University Association was organized for the purpose of securing the incorporation of a university, Judge Walton being elected one of the directors, and secretary of the board. Draft- ing a bill, he presented it to the state legislature, offering the grounds, and buildings worth $50,- 000, if the state would locate the university in Eugene. The bill passed, and the association was given until the fall of 1874 to secure a site, and complete the building. The first bill pro- vided that $30,000 should be raised by county taxes, the citizens of Eugene to contribute the remaining $20,000. Some of the taxpayers were dissatisfied and having threatened to enjoin the collection of the $30,000 the matter was pre- sented to the county court, where every objec- tion was heard, Judge Walton representing the interests of the Union University Association,

while J. M. Thompson, president of the associa- tion, was county judge. Fearing that the tax, if raised, would involve the county in a heavy debt, the order was revoked by the county com- missioners, and Judge Thompson resigned as president of the association, being succeeded by Judge Walton, T. G. Hendricks being elected secretary. After meeting many discourage- ments, the association, largely through the stren- uous efforts of its president, raised the entire $50,000 by subscription, and after the building was completed the deed was made out, and ac- cepted by the state. Although the brave pro- moters of the university had a hard struggle in its establishment and building, they now take great pride and pleasure in the result of their labors.

In April, 1873, the board of regents was organized with Judge Matthew P. Deady as president, and Judge Walton, who was one of the three regents elected by the Union Univer- sity Association, as secretary of the board, a position to which he has been continuously re- elected ever since. During the first thirteen years of the university's existence the judge served as both regent and secretary, but has since that time acted as secretary only.

Judge J. J. Walton was married, first, in Eugene, to Elizabeth Gale, who was born near Galesburg, Ill. She died in 1873, leaving three children, namely: Ada Osie, who was graduated from the University of Oregon, and is now living in Seattle, Wash .; Clara D. died in Eugene; and Hattie E., a trained nurse at the General Hospital in Seattle, Wash. The judge was married a second time in 1876, in Eugene, to Miss Emma Fisher, a native of Richmond, Ind., and a daughter of Robert Fisher, who spent his last years in Minnesota. The only child of Judge and Mrs. Walton, Pauline E. Walton, is attending the University of Oregon, being a member of the class of 1904. Judge Walton owns considerable property in Eugene, having erected the Walton block, which is 46x60 feet, two stories in height, and having a fine farm of four acres, lying on Mill street, between Eighth and Ninth streets. This he devotes to black walnuts and fruits of various kinds, having sixty different kinds of trees in his orchards.

Politically Judge Walton is a stanch Demo- crat, and has filled many public offices of trust and responsibility, including those of council- man and school director, at the present time being a member of the city school board. He was formerly a member of the county central committee, which he served as chair- man, and of the state central and congres- sional committees. Fraternally, he is promi- nently connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past noble grand of Eugene

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Lodge, with which he united in 1861; past grand master and past grand representative of the Grand Lodge of Oregon, which he repre- sented at the Sovereign Grand Lodge, in Bal- timore, in 1878 and in 1879; a member, and past chief patriarch, of the Encampment; and since 1864, has belonged to the Grand Encampment, which he represented at the meeting of the Sov- ereign Grand Lodge, which met in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1893, and in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1894. He is also a past master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, which he represented at the Grand Lodge twice. He is also a member of the State Historical Society. He takes a deep interest in religious affairs, and is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been one of the trustees for many years, for a long while serving as chairman of the board. For a number of years he was also superintendent of the Sunday school.

HUGH HERRON. In Hugh Herron the agricultural community around Bruce has a prac- tical and thorough farmer, and a substantial and helpful citizen. Like the majority of his country- men who have crossed the water, he has been pleased to look on the happy side of things in his adopted land, and in consequence has met with a warm reception in return, and realized gener- ous financial returns from labor invested. Born in County Down, Ireland, in September, 1839, he was reared on a small Irish farm from which little profit could be derived, the family main- tenance being principally dependent upon the trade occupation of the father, who was a weaver of fine linen. · The elder Herron mar- ried Mary Cleland, who also was born in Ire- land, and who, after the death of her husband in 1849, wisely concluded that the old country held little of prospect for her eight children. Accordingly, she secured passage for her family in a sailing vessel in 1850, locating in Mahoning county, Ohio, from where she later removed to Illnois. Here she lived to be sixty-five years old, an honored, well loved mother, who had the courage of her own convictions, and the strength of will and endurance to carry them to execution. Of her children, David is in Illnois; William is a farmer in Missouri; Sarah also is in Illinois; Jane is in Missouri; and Hugh, the youngest is in Oregon ..

Little is recalled by Hugh Herron of the trip across the ocean in the slow-moving sailer, for he was but eleven years of age at the time, and that was many years ago. Needless to say he had to start out to make his own living at as early an age as possible, and when fourteen began to work on the surrounding farms by the month.

In 1862 he started across the plains with a mule team, and on the way found little difficulty of any kind, the Indians by that time having become used to the homeseeking paleface. Arriving in Benton county he rented a farm for three or four years, and then purchased a place of two hun- dred and fifteen acres five miles northwest of Monroe, and which constitutes a portion of the old Harlow Bundy donation claim. Immediately preceding this purchase he had married, in 1867, Nicy Winn, a native of Tennessee who crossed the plains with her brothers in 1865.

To his first land Mr. Herron has added from time to time, and now owns eight hundred acres, half of which are under cultivation. He car- ries on general farming and stock-raising. and makes a specialty of Durham cattle. Everything around his farm indicates the careful and pains- taking agriculturist, the thrifty and resourceful husbandman. Residence, barns, outhouses, and implements are in accord with progressive ideas, and are intended to facilitate labor and add to the satisfaction of existence. In politics a Democrat, Mr. Herron is one of his party's most enthusiastic advocates, and his appreciation of the principles and issues of Democracy have met with generous response from his fellow townsmen. He has held various minor offices of a local nature, and has been commissioner of Benton county for some time. He is popular and influential, and his advice and practical assistance lend worth to any proposed public enterprise. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Herron : William E. is in Washington ; Elizabeth is deceased; Robert lives and farms near his father; Clayton is at home; Margaret is living at home: and Hattie is the wife of C. Bushnell of Washington. Mr. Herron is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. with which organization he has been associated since his young manhood.

LEE MOXOM TRAVIS. With thirty years behind him L. M. Travis has made for himself a record of will, courage and purposeful living that has written his name above the heads of many older men and set his feet firmly on the ladder of success. He is a rising young attor- ney, successful in his profession and in business enterprises, clear, logical and convincing in thought and expression, the developed resources of a native ability, having spent several years in preparation for the work which he has chosen for his vocation. That he will succeed in the years yet to come none who know him doubt. and it has been his fortune to become well known through his connection with various political movements wherein he has taken a very active part, being nominated in June, 1902,

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by the Democratic convention as candidate for state senator. Though defeated, he made a splendid showing, running much ahead of the remainder of the ticket, in a county which had always given a thousand Republican majority, lacking but two hundred and seventy votes of success. In the first congressional convention in 1903, in Albany, he placed A. E. Reames in nomination for member of congress, and he was afterward nominated by the party.

Not only a success himself, L. M. Travis has the example of his father before him to spur him to greater efforts to support the honor of a family which has certainly deserved the com- mendation of fellow-citizens. The family came originally from New York state, the father, Gould J. Travis, having been born in Pough- keepsie, while the grandfather, Alexander Tra- vis, was a farmer in Dutchess county. He was a patriot in the war of 1812. G. J. Travis was educated in a theological seminary of Roches- ter, N. Y., from which he was in time graduated, and became a minister in the Baptist Church. In pursuit of this vocation he traveled over many states, preaching in New York, Michigan, Iowa, the Dakotas, Nebraska, California, and finally in Oregon where his last days were passed. A patriot, true and earnest, as was his father, he served as chaplain, with the rank of captain, in the Forty-fourth New York Volun- teer Infantry, in the Civil war, after which he returned to his chosen lifework. He came to California in 1884, settling in San Diego, and four years later he came to Oregon, locating at Engene, where for three years he served as pastor of the Baptist Church. He then felt impelled to retire from the active life which had so long engrossed his attention, and thus lived until his death in 1893. He was a Republican in politics, and fraternally belonged to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and was a Knight Templar in the Masonic order. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. He married Ella Ford, who was born in Hornellsville, N. Y., the daughter of Lyman Ford, a farmer in that state. She is still living and now makes her home in Eugene, the mother of three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living.

The eldest of his father's children, L. M. Travis was born in Hornellsville, N. Y., June 20, 1874, and with his parents he removed to various states in his youth. His education was, however, in no wise neglected, for he kept up with his studies, attending both public and high schools. He was fourteen years old when he became a resident of Eugene, Lane county, and in 1890 he entered the preparatory department of the University of Oregon, becoming a fresh-

man in 1893. His graduation occurred in 1897, with the degree of B. A. He has acted as one of the representatives of his college in the famous oratorical contest of the schools of the state in 1896, and stood second in the state. He was also prominent in athletics, being manager of the football team in 1896, and manager of the track team in the following year.

In 1898 this son and grandson of patriots responded to the call of the nation and the name of L. H. Travis was enrolled as a member of Company C, Second Oregon Regiment, and later accepted the work laid out for the regiment, going to the Philippine islands. It was not his fortune, however, to serve in that distant land, for he was taken dangerously ill in Cavite with typhoid fever. When able he was granted a fur- lough and sent home on the hospital ship Rio Janeiro, and he was mustered ont but a few days before the mustering out of the entire regiment. The year previous to his enlistment he had begun the study of law in Eugene, and in 1899 he was admitted to the bar and at once began practice. In the fall of the same year he en- tered the department of law of the University of Michigan in the senior class and in 1900 was graduated with the degree of L.L. B. Again locating in Eugene he began a practice which he has since continned, being interrupted only for the political movements with which Mr. Travis is so heartily in sympathy.

Mr. Travis is a charter member of the Com- mercial Club, and fraternally he is a Mason, having been made a member in Eugene Lodge No. II, there acting as junior warden, and also belongs to Eugene Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. In addition to this he is a member of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, Order of Eagles, in which he is worthy president, and Woodmen of the World.

WILLIAM T. COCHRAN. Among the native-born citizens of Linn county notable for their ability and worth stands William T. Cochran, whose birth occurred on the farm which he now owns and occupies, May, 6, 1851. During his more than half century of life in this vicinity, he has won for himself an enviable reputation as an honest man and a good citizen, and as one who has contributed his full quota toward the advancement and development of one of the finest agricultural regions in this section of Oregon.

William Cochran, the father of William T., was born in Kentucky, November 20. 1813. Re- moving as a young man to Missouri, he mar- ried Polly Johnson, who was born September 6, 1813. In the spring of 1847, he left Missouri,

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starting across the plains with his wife and seven children, bringing his family and his household effects in two wagons drawn by ox- teams. Taking up a donation claim in Linn county, he cleared and improved a farm, on which he resided until his death, which oc- curred at the home of his daughter, Mahala F., wife of Thomas Turner, August 17, 190I. Two more children were born in their pioneer home, one being William T., as stated above, the other a daughter, Delilah, who died in childhood. One son, Nelson J., now residing in Brownsville, was born in Missouri. The first Mrs. Cochran's death occurred on the home farm April 12, 1854. For a second wife Mr. Cochran married Cynthia, widow of Rev. William Sperry, a pioneer minister of the Bap- tist Church and father of Rev. Carpus Sperry. After her deatlı he married Mrs. Kerns, who died a few years after her marriage. His last wife was the widow of Henry Warren, and is also deceased.

William Cochran's success in life may be estimated by a statement of the fact that one time he was the heaviest taxpayer in the county. He was one of the organizers of the Brownsville Woolen Mills, and for many years was the heaviest stockholder in the concern.

Reared on the home farm, William T. Coch- ran obtained his early knowledge of books in the district school, subsequently completing his education at the Oregon Agricultural Col- lege in Corvallis. After leaving college he car- ried on the home farm for a few years, but in 1878 and 1879 was engaged in the drug busi- ness at Brownsville. Coming into possession of the homestead, which is located about one and three-fourths miles from Brownsville, Mr. Cochran has nine hundred and thirteen acres of land all in one body, constituting one of the most valuable and attractive farms in the locality. He carries on general farming on an extensive scale, raising cattle and horses, and keeping a choice dairy of thirty cows. He deals in stock, buying and selling cattle, and among his horses is an imported stallion of the Clydesdale breed, and also one of trotting stock.

In 1881 Mr. Cochran married Lucy J. Phil- pott, daughter of William J. Philpott. She died June 25, 1888, leaving two children, namely: Ethel, who is studying music at Portland, Ore .; and W. Earl, living at home. On March 9, 1890, Mr. Cochran married a second time, Sarah Swank, daughter of James Swank, and of this marriage three children have been born, namely: Leroy T., Mabel F., and Frederick W. Fraternally Mr. Cochran belongs to Brownsville Lodge No. 36, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master, and of the

Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he is an active worker, and for a number of years has been superintendent of the Sunday School.

HON. EDWARD MARION CROISAN. The life history of the Hon. Edward Marion Croisan, now serving in the Oregon state senate from Salem, forms an interesting chapter in the annals of Oregon. His career has been closely inter- woven with the progress of the state during the past score of years, and at the present tinie he is recognized as one of the most thoroughly representative men of affairs in the Willamette valley, whose future preferment for high pub- lic honors lies practically within his own control.

Senator Croisan is a native son of Oregon, his birth having occurred upon the old homestead in Marion county, three miles southwest of Salem, March 27, 1855. His father, Henry Croisan, was born in Munich, Bavaria, but came of French ancestry, the name being originally Croissant, meaning " growing." There were three brothers of the name who, at the time of the Huguenot massacre in France, fled to Ger- many. At the time of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes representatives of the family again were compelled to flee for safety, making their way across the Franco-German frontier in their night clothing. These were the grandfather and grandmother of the father of Senator Croisan, all of whom settled in Bavaria, where they might enjoy their religious privileges unmolested.

Senator Croisan's grandfather came to the United States in 1839, landing at New Orleans. It had been his intention to locate somewhere in the west, but while coming up the Mississippi river he was taken ill with yellow fever and was buried along the banks of the " father of waters." Henry Croisan had remained in Germany in order to settle up some business, after the completion of which he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Not long after his arrival he took up his abode in Illinois, the family settling at Peru, that state, in 1839. Henry Croisan had acquired a good education in Munich. In Illinois he followed farming until 1846, when, attracted by the oppor- tunities of the west, he started across the plains, traveling in a wagon drawn by ox-teams. He secured his outfit at Independence, Mo., and joined Capt. Rice Dunbar, who commanded a wagon train. They came through the Applegate cut-off, suffering many trials and hardships, and were continually on the alert for fear of attacks by the Indians. At Tulare lake they had a battle with the Indians, three of the company being shot and two of the number afterward dying from the effects of their wounds. Starvation also stared them in the face, for their supply of pro-

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visions gave out, and it seemed as if they must meet death in this way. Upon this trip, however, Henry Croisan met his future wife, who was a member of Captain Dunbar's company, and they were married near Ogden in 1846. At the same time Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Savage, now of Sum- mit, Benton county, Ore., were also joined in wedlock. It will thus be seen that there were some pleasant occasions as well as hardships connected with the trip.

By the time the party reached Rogue river the supply of provisions had become exhausted, and in the month of December Henry Croisan and Jesse Boone were selected to make their way to Oregon City in order to purchase flour for the party. This was a trip attended by great danger, for the Indians of southern Oregon were at that time so hostile that death at their hands was to be feared at any time. Both the men slept with their horses' reins in their hands, knowing that the . approach of their savage enemies would startle the horses and thus awaken the men. They traveled almost night and day, and finally returned in safety, although, when on their way back with their load of flour, and but one day's journey from the camp upon Rogue river, they came upon a band of Indians who were seated upon the bluffs and blockading their way. Boone said, "They will kill us," and advised that the two turn back and pursue a different course. But Mr. Croisan replied, "We must put on a bold front and proceed; for if we turn back we will be killed anyhow." He therefore started in the lead with his gun lying across his arm ready for immediate action, but the Indians, see- ing that the men were apparently fearless, moved out of their way and did not molest them. After passing the Indians, darkness soon came upon them and they lost their way. They wandered around, believing that the camp must be very near, and late at night they heard the bells upon the animals of their own camp. With this sound as a guide they reached their desti- nation in safety, though thoroughly exhausted. They had obtained from Dr. Mclaughlin all the flour they needed, and were hailed with every manifestation of joy by the party for whose succor they had made this dangerous and memorable trip. Upon leaving the Rogue river, the party left their cooking utensils, wagons and other supplies which they thought they might possibly get along without. A few months later, in 1847, Mr. Croisan re- turned to the site of the camp with an ox-team, but all that he found there was a couple of wagons, the rest of the articles having been carried away. His friend and companion, Jesse Boone, with whom he made the trip for the flour, was a distant relation of Daniel

Boone, and afterwards established Boone's Ferry, on the Willamette river.

It would be impossible, in a work of this nature, to give a detailed account of the pio- neer experiences endured by the Croisans and others who lived in Oregon as early as 1846. Every day brought with it new and trying experiences, and slow progress was made toward the ultimate destination. While they were slowly and laboriously proceeding north- ward, Mr. Goff formed a small party of Polk county settlers and drove out some beef cattle for the relief of the company, which finally arrived in the Willamette valley in February, 1847.

Henry Croisan took up some land and engaged in farming near Buena Vista for a year, but in the spring of 1849 he started over- land for California, where for a time he was successfully engaged in placer mining in the Feather river district. Early in 1850 he re- turned to Oregon, and on March 2 of that year secured a donation claim three miles southwest of the site of Salem, where he established his home and reared his family. There he spent the remainder of his life, a full quarter cen- tury, passing away September 14, 1875, in the fifty-ninth year of his age.

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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 150

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