Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 151

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 151

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Mr. Croisan's wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Hall, was born in Illinois. She is one of the brave pioneer women yet remaining to tell the tale of the early days in Oregon. Her father, Reason B. Hall, who was born in Kentucky, removed to Ilinois in early manhood and followed farming near Peru. In 1846 he started for Oregon as a member of the same party which included the Croisan family, and upon reaching the terri- tory settled upon a donation claim on the present site of Buena Vista. He laid out the town, and named it after the city of Buena Vista, Mexico, which he had visited while serving in the American army during the war with Mexico. In his new Oregon home he spent the remainder of his life, his death oc- curring in the town which he had founded. Mrs. Croisan, his daughter, who is now sev- enty-three years of age, is no less deserving of prominent and honorable mention in the annals of Oregon than is her husband, for the pioneer women bore fully as important a part in the early development of the country as did their husbands and fathers, although their work was of a more quiet nature.

Unto Henry and Mary (Hall) Croisan were born six children, namely: Mrs. Martha A. Wilson, who is now living near Peru, Ill .; George H., a farmer living upon a part of the old homestead; Mrs. Caroline Bushnell of

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Salem ; Edward M., the subject of this review; Henrietta, who died in childhood; and Clara E. Farmer of Salem.

Edward M. Croisan was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life upon the homestead of his father. The earlier days were a period of hardship, to a considerable extent, but as the country became more thickly populated and the work of progress and improvement was carried on, conditions gradually improved. He attended the public schools of Salem until well along toward manhood, when he took up the work upon the farm. Here he remained until twenty-eight years of age, carrying on the work in company with his brother until his entry into official life. In the summer of 1892 he established himself in business in Salem as a dealer in agricultural implements, and conducted the business successfully until May, 1900, when he sold his store to F. A. Wiggins in order to give his attention in a more undivided manner to the cultivation of hops, an industry which he is carrying on at the present time with success. His ranch in Marion county consists of three hundred and seven acres, on which he also carries on gen- eral farming and stock-raising to some extent. But he makes a specialty of the cultivation of hops, which in recent years has grown to be a very important and profitable industry in Oregon. In 1902 he erected the large Capital Stables in Salem, which he leases. He has built a fine residence on Church street, and is largely interested in real estate in Salem and vicinity, while his wife also has large landed interests in Polk and Marion counties. Mr. Croisan is likewise a representative of financial interests, being the vice president of and a director in the Capital National Bank. Fra- ternally he occupies a high place in Masonry. He is a member of Salem Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., of Multnomah Chapter No. 2, of De Molay Commandery No. 5, K. T., of Salem, and of Al Kader Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Portland. He is also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, and with Daniel Waldo Cabin, Native Sons of Oregon, of which he is financial secretary.

Mr. Croisan was married in Salem in 1886 to Miss Ella S. McNary, who was born at The Dalles and is a daughter of A. W. Mc- Nary, who came to Oregon in 1845. She was educated in the Sacred Heart Academy of Salem, from which she was graduated in 1882. She became the mother of one daughter, Helen S. Croisan. The greatest blow that ever befell the household was the loss of this daughter, who died at the age of sixteen months. Mrs. Croisan is a member of the

First Presbyterian Church of Salem, and is widely and favorably known in the social cir- cles of the capital city.

Senator Croisan's political record has been one which has not only reflected great credit upon him as a broad-minded and public-spir- ited citizen, placing him in a distinguished position among his fellow-men, but also one which has been so well considered in its every feature as to add honor and prestige to his constituency. For four years-from 1884 to 1888-he served as deputy sheriff of Marion county under John W. Minto. In 1888 he was nominated for the office of sheriff by the Republicans of the county and elected. Upon the expiration of his two-year term he was re- elected by a largely increased majority, and retired from office in July, 1892, with the entire confidence, good will and approval of the citizens of the county. He was chairman of the Republican county central committee in 1894, was a member of the state central committee in 1896 and of the executive com- mittee of the state committee in 1897. Gov- ernor Lord appointed him superintendent of the State Reform School in 1897, a position he filled with distinct credit until 1899. Further political honors were conferred upon him in 1902, when he was elected to represent his district in the Oregon state senate, his major- ity being about seven hundred votes.

Although reared in the faith of Democracy, Senator Croisan has been an advocate of Re- publican principles since attaining manhood, and is now recognized as one of the most po- tential leaders of his party in the state. He commands the respect and confidence of thoughtful men of both great political parties, the leaders of the opposition recognizing his loyalty, devotion to what he believes to be right, and his deep interest in the welfare of his community and the state at large. In mat- ters of business he possesses sound judgment, powers of keen discrimination, and unflagging enterprise-qualities which have enabled him to work his way upward until he is an influen- tial factor in business circles. He puts forth every effort in his power to advance the mater- ial upbuilding, the social and the intellectual progress of the state and its political status. Moreover, he is a man of such pleasing per- sonal qualities that the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his ac- quaintances. Not only because of his con- nection with one of the oldest and most highly honored pioneer families of Oregon, but also because of his personal worth and his efforts in behalf of the commonwealth, is he entitled to distinctive representation in this volume.

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THOMAS C. MACKEY, M. D. The life of Dr. Thomas C. Mackey has been characterized by a sturdy faithfulness to his duty, the good Scotch blood which is his by right of lineage giving him the courage to act in the face of disaster or temporary ruin, and it was this, coupled with a love for that section of the country wherein his people had become resi- dents, that made him take up arms for the cause of the south, in September 1861. Passing from the common schools to private tutor, and thence to the University of Virginia, he studied classics until 1861, when his studies were cheerfully put aside at the call of duty. He served in the Con- federate Hospital service until he was mustered out at Greensboro, N. C., April 14, 1865. He had previously studied medicine under a pre- ceptor, and had attended lectures at Philadelphia and the University of Virginia, and he was given the degree of M. D. in 1864.

The first of the name of Mackey to come from their home in Scotland was John, the grandfather, who came to the United States in 1814. In his native country he was a linen manufacturer in Perth, the business which he then established continuing to the present day. On settling on this side of the water he first engaged in farming, and during the latter part of his life he became extensively connected with the tobacco interests of the state of Virginia. He met with extremely gratifying results in his work, some of the largest warehouses in Rich- mond belonging to him. His death occurred at the age of sixty-nine years, upon his plantation in Albemarle county. His son, Cyrus, the father of Dr. Mackey, was born in Virginia, and like his father first interested himself in agriculture, con- bining it with the business of stock-raising on the large plantation which he owned, and dealing in fine stock. For twenty years of his life he was connected with government positions, being postoffice inspector. He died on his plantation when seventy-two years old, after a very suc- cessful career. His property was directly in the path of the many Virginia campaigns, and he suf- fered heavily. The wife of Mr. Mackey was in maidenhood Elizabetlı Caldwell, a native of Vir- ginia, and the daughter of Richard Caldwell, who came from Scotland at an early day, and located upon a plantation in Virginia, where his death occurred at an advanced age. Mrs. Mackey died in 1848, when thirty-nine years old. She was the mother of two sons and one daughter, the only one of whom is now living being Thomas C., who was born in Albemarle county, May 14, 1842, the youngest of his father's family.

Upon the return of Dr. Mackey from the days and nights of hospital service he began the practice of medicine in his own neighborhood,

continuing there until 1872, when he decided to change his location to the western states, be- lieving there would be a better and broader opportunity there than in the war-ruined section, and he therefore became a resident of California, locating in 1872 in Healdsburg, where he engaged in general practice until 1875, after which he removed to the northwest, and has since made this section his home. In the last-named year he took charge of the Marine Hospital at Coos bay, and after a creditable maintenance of this position for five years he was transferred to Ft. Umpqua, receiving the appointment of state health officer from Governor Fair. This posi- tion he held for twelve years, and at the close of this period of faithful service he removed to Albany, Linn county, and engaged in general practice for one year, but not satisfied with the location he then became a resident of Harris- burg, where he has since resided, enjoying the same success in his work here that has charac- terized his faithful and persevering efforts throughout his entire professional career. He is now the only resident physician of Harrisburg, a position which has been his for nearly a decade. Also successful in the accumulation of property, Dr. Mackey is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of timberland located in Linn county.

The marriage of Mr. Mackey united him with Ada May Sacry, a native of California, and one daughter, Edna, now adds to the happiness of the home. In his fraternal relations Dr. Mackey occupies several prominent positions, being a master Mason; in the Ancient Order of United Workmen having served for fifteen months as grandmaster; and in the Artisans he holds the degree of honor. In religion he is a member of the First Baptist Church, and poli- tically is a Democrat, through the influence of this party being given the appointment of post- master at Gardner, Ore., under Cleveland's first administration and held the office for six years.

LEWIS P. SWAN. The flouring mill of Lewis P. Swan at Champoeg is a credit to the little town of which it is an integral part, and its output of sixty barrels of flour a day finds a ready market in Woodburn and other towns. Mr. Swan is a practical miller of many years experience, his first memories in connection therewith dating back into his childhood, and to his native land of Sweden, where he was born July 8. 1845. In the neighborhood of his Swed- ish home his father owned and operated a mill for many years, this being his life's chief occu- pation. Naturally the son followed in his foot- steps, and from his sire learned the business, becoming in time an expert in his line.

W. F. Smith

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Equipped with the knowledge of a paying trade, Mr. Swan emigrated to America in 1869, and for a few months worked in Chicago. He then removed to Lansing, Iowa, and two years later to La Crosse, Wis., where he engaged in flour manufacturing for about eighteen years. Going to Vernon county, Wis., for sixteen years he operated a mill at Coom Valley, becoming prominent in the affairs of his neighborhood, and identifying himself with all efforts at improving his adopted locality. Desiring a change of sur- roundings, he disposed of his mill about 1889, and, coming to Oregon, bought a mill near Cham- poeg on Mill Creek. In 1890 the mill was washed away by the swollen stream, and the same year was replaced by the present mill, which is equipped with modern roller machinery, and is netting its owner a handsome income. Under- standing as he does every detail of modern and scientific milling, Mr. Swan is destined to take an important part in the milling enterprises of this county, and will doubtless in time greatly increase his capacity. He is possessed of shrewd business ability and strict integrity, and during his residence here has won the confidence of the business and social world.

In 1875 Mr. Swan was united in marriage with Sina Neprud, of which union there have been born five children: Augustus, Annie, Amanda, Lawrence and Eva. From a political standpoint Mr. Swan is not a party man, but believes rather in voting for the candidate best qualified to serve the public welfare. He is fraternally connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees, and in reli- gion is a member of the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM F. SMITH. As an agriculturist William F. Smith has assisted in the develop- ment of the resources of Lane county. At the time of the emigration he was old enough to appreciate the difficulties and dangers which lay in the path of western progress undertaken by those hardy men of the middle west, princi- pally, though all states and nations have con- tributed a large quota of intellect and practical ideas to which the commonwealth owes her growth.

The father of Mr. Smith, John, was born in Kentucky, in 1815, and there married Martha Looney, born in 1817, and by this marriage he had five children, namely: William F., of this review, who was born in Missouri, October 25, 1835; Jesse H., whose sketch appears else- where in this work; Alfred R., located near Coburg; E. Looney, whose sketch also appears elsewhere in this work; and John C. died in 1844. After the death of his first wife the father married her sister, Nancy, and they had

one child, Margaret J., now deceased. The family were living in the state of Missouri at that time and in the spring of 1849 they crossed the plains with two wagons, six yoke of oxen and one horse. Upon arriving in Oregon they located near Jefferson, Marion county, where they spent the first winter. In 1850 they put in a crop in Marion county and in the fall of the year they removed to Lane county, where they took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres five miles southeast of Springfield, along the Willamette river, their first shelter being a round-log house of one room. The elder man did not live to see the fruit of the heroism of the early pioneers, as his death oc- curred April 4, 1859.

Soon after coming to Oregon William F. Smith went to live with Jolin H. Bellinger, who was located near Jefferson, and he remained with him until the death of his father, when he went back to the old home place and has never left it since. In 1874 he married Mrs. Mary S. Powers, the widow of Thaddeus, and the daughter of C. J. Hills. She was born near Pleasant Hill, Lane county, Ore., April 3, 1852, her father being a native of Syracuse, N. Y., who located first in Wisconsin and in 1847 crossed the plains to this state and became a resident of Lane county, in the vicinity of Jas- per station. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith of whom Lena is the wife of James Taliafero, located on a part of this farm; Loretta and Charles B. are at home and Pearl is deceased. Mr. Smith now owns three hundred and seventeen acres of his father's do- nation claim and a ranch of two hundred and fifteen acres. He is engaged in carrying on general farming and stock-raising. In politics a Republican, he has served in various minor offices in the interests of his party, for eleven years acting as school director and for fourteen as school clerk, delegate to the county conven- tion once, and was road supervisor for two terms. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was one of the organizers of the Lane County Pioneer Society.

JOHN L. JOHNSON. A resident of Oregon for more than a half century, John L. Johnson has contributed no small share to the prosperity which is now apparent on every hand in this great and growing state. That the life history of this worthy pioneer will be of interest to our readers we have no doubt, for the residents of Marion county are not unmindful of or ungrate- ful to those who have laid the foundation of success here, through their untiring and well directed efforts.

Tazewell county, Ill., is the birthplace of Mr.

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Johnson, the date of his birth being November 15, 1830. His father, Neill Johnson, was a native of North Carolina, born September 7, 1802. When a child his parents removed to Kentucky, where they resided until he was a young man, when they removed to Illinois, making that state their home. In the latter state Neill Johnson was married, in 1828, to Esther Roelofson, a native of Kentucky, and for twenty years, or until 1848, they remained in Illinois. Mr. Johnson had taken up the work of the ministry in early manhood, and the privi- lege of preaching the gospel was to him a sacred mission. In 1848 he brought his family to Henry county, Iowa, residing there until 1851, at which time they removed to Oregon, crossing the plains with ox-teams, the journey consuming six months. Although they lost some stock through the depredations of the Indians, their lives were not endangered, and they met with no serious encounters.

Arriving in Marion county Mr. Johnson pur- chased a squatter's claim about one mile south- east of Woodburn, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres of land, which is now owned by P. L. Kennedy. The Johnson family resided upon this place for about twelve years, when they removed to east Oregon. Mr. Johnson fol- lowed the ministry all his life, and was a man of the deepest Christian spirit and principles, whom nothing could shake from his firm faith in the immortality of the soul and the divine teachings of Christianity. He became prominent in the upbuilding, morally and spiritually, of eastern Oregon. As an indication of his high standing among the people, he was elected pro- bate judge of Baker county, the first who ever sat upon the probate bench in that county. The family remained in eastern Oregon until 1865, when they removed to McMinnville, Yamhill county, where the father passed away at the age of eighty-seven, and the mother at the age of sixty-six years. Twelve children were born unto them, those surviving being as follows : Mary A., the wife of B. F. Hall, of Woodburn ; Sarah, the wife of P. J. Jack, of Gresham, Ore; Anderson F., a resident of Multnomah county, Ore .; Joel H., of Portland; and J. L., of this review. The father of this family led a life of usefulness to others. As pastor of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church his efforts were untir- ing in behalf of the spiritual welfare of his flock. He established the first nursery in Ore- gon, and was a Republican in his political affili- ations. He was an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln.

J. L. Johnson spent the days of his boyhood and youth at home, receiving his education in the district schools. Upon reaching maturity he was married to Viletta Kennedy, who was

born in Pike county, Ill., in 1842, and in 1853 came with her parents to Oregon. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson took up their home on part of an old donation claim, where they resided for three years. At the end of that time they settled in Grande Ronde valley, making their home in this fertile region for three years, when they returned to Marion county, and lived in several places before finally settling on their present place of abode two miles east of Woodburn. Mr. Johnson's farm of fifty acres is well cultivated, and is one of the best improved farms of the neighborhood, owing all its improve- ments to Mr. Johnson, who has made a specialty of agriculture and well knows how to conduct a farm in all its details. He has a fine five-acre orchard planted in winter apples of the best grade and quality to be produced. In politics Mr. Johnson is a Republican, like his father. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as elder tor over sixty years. By their marriage Mr. Johnson and his wife became the parents of but one child, Iona, now deceased. They have two adopted children, Olive, now the wife of D. J. Wilcox, of Palouse, Wash., and Florence, at home.

Mr. Johnson has ever been known as a man who takes a deep and abiding interest in the wel- fare of his community, and he has never missed an opportunity to advance the interests of the state in matters of education and moral and tem- poral growth. He has served as justice of the peace in Lane county, also as school clerk and director and road supervisor. As a young man he enlisted in 1856 in Company K, Washington Territory Mounted Volunteers under the com- mand of Captain Goff, serving under Governor Stevens. He served for six months, being mus- tered in at Portland, and was first sent to The Dalles. He encountered no serious engagements, and on being mustered out returned to his home, where he resumed the peaceful vocation of his youth, agriculture.

It is easy to read the character of the man, through a long life spent in usefulness and in doing what he has considered to be right and just. It may seem a small thing to say of a man, " He has always done his duty," but when we remember that the path of duty is not always the easiest one to tread, that there are tempta- tions on every hand to draw a man from the straight and narrow way, we must admire and honor those who have never faltered or turned back but have kept persevering through all diffi- culties. Such a man is J. L. Johnson, and his name does credit to this record.

JOSEPH J. RYAN. In that undulating country known as Norfolk, England, washed by the North Sea, and containing an abundance

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of game which renders it the huntsman's para- dise, Joseph J. Ryan was born March 9, 1851, and was reared on a farm for many years in the possession of his English ancestors. On this staid English farm, with the slight chances for advancement it offered, owing to the peculiar land laws prevailing in the country, the youth dreamed of broader opportunities beyond the borders of English supremacy. Accordingly, he welcomed with delight the opportunity which came when he was sixteen to engage as a seaman on a merchant vessel plying between Liverpool and London. Eventually he found his way on board vessels engaged in trade with the Orient, and in this capacity visited the ports of India and China, even coming as far as Vancouver, Wash. Four years he followed the uncertain yet fascinating life upon the deep, and in 1871 determined to henceforth identify his fortunes with the land. The same year he found his way to Oregon, and in Butteville engaged in a gen- eral mercantile business from 1872 to 1876. In 1876 he settled upon a Marion county farm, and after occupying it until 1883 returned to the store, at the same time keeping the farm of two hundred and eighty-two acres in his possession.

For twenty-seven years Mr. Ryan has been identified with mercantile affairs in Butteville, and to say that he is the arbiter in this line in the town is no exaggeration. Besides conducting his store he returns occasionally to his farm, where he finds relaxation from business worries, and which nets him a handsome income. Gen- eral farming and stock-raising have been engaged in extensively, and formerly twenty acres were devoted to hops, although at present there are but ten acres.

December 24, 1876, Mr. Ryan was united in marriage with Mary Feller, daughter of Peter Feller, one of the foremost pioneers of Marion county. Mr. Feller was born March 6, 1822, in Lorraine, then a French province, now belong- ing to Germany, and came to the United States in 1847, landing after a twenty-six-days voy- age in New Orleans, from which town he went up the Mississippi river to Galena, Ill. The following year he married a sailing companion, Annie Notum, also born in Lorraine, and of this union there were born two children in the state of Illinois. Mr. Feller came to Oregon alone in 1853, his object being to select a home for his family more in keeping with his ambitions in the new world. In 1857 he returned and brought his wife and children to join him on a farm in Marion county, where he spent the remainder of his life, firm in the assurance of profound esteem on the part of all with whom he was associated in the west. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ryan: William, Josie, James and Lizzie. Mr. Ryan is a Democrat in

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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 151

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