Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 156

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 156

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Andrew J., who is the second of the five children, there was Pendleton, now of Crook county ; Al- fred, living in this vicinity; John, a resident of Whatcom, Wash .; and Isaac C., deceased.

As a young man Andrew J. Blevins, who was born in Clay county, Ky., December 17, 1835, fol- lowed mining in California, British Columbia and Idaho, for several years. His educational oppor- tunities were comparatively limited, owing to the unsettled condition of the country. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Alvilda Miller, a native of Iowa, with whom he went to house- keeping in Linn county, and in 1863 settled on his present farm, a part of his father's donation claim, and has since uninterruptedly devoted him- self to its cultivation. His wife, who lived to be only twenty-eight years old, left him three chil- dren, of whom Edward A. lives near his father ; Mary is the wife of Asa Lewelling, of this county ; and George S. is on the old homestead. Like his father, Mr. Blevins has taken an active interest in politics ever since arriving at years of discretion, and he has been a member of the Grange for many years. Like his sire, also, he has made many friends as he pursued the even tenor of a useful life, and no name in the com- munity carries with it more of respect and good will on the part of his fellow agriculturists.

HON. ALFRED BLEVINS. As a farmer and cattle-raiser, Indian fighter, miner and state legislator, Hon. Alfred Blevins has filled an im- portant niche in the development of Oregon, and especially of Linn county. He is a member of a prominent pioneer family of this state, and his birth occurred in Rockcastle, Trigg county, Ky., October 24, 1837, a son of Isaac Blevins, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of his son, Andrew J. Blevins.

Educated in the district schools of his home township, Mr. Blevins early came to realize the limitations by which he was surrounded, and when twenty-one years of age left his home and came to California in search of a fortune in the mines. After a short time spent in mining and prospecting he came to the conclusion that he was not one of the elect, so turned his attention to mining and cattle-raising in Jackson county, Ore. His operations were necessarily retarded by the precarious condition of the country at that time, for the Indians were constantly harassing the white men and resenting the encroachment upon the land hitherto their sole possession. To sup- press the rising rebellion. Mr. Blevins enlisted in Company C. Second Oregon Mounted Volun- teers, and served for one hundred and three days. mostly on guard duty. He also served as guard for freighters between the Willamette valley and southern Oregon, but it must not be understood

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that he escaped active duty, for in the capacity of private he came to a full realization of the barbar- ous warfare of the supplanted red men.

Returning to his home ranch, Mr. Blevins took advantage of the Salmon river excitement in Idaho, and was so successful that he remained there about six years. In 1869 he returned to his old home place, and the following year, in i 870, was united in marriage with Lucina Maxie, who was born in Missouri, June 8, 1852, and with whom he went to housekeeping on a farm he purchased that fall and which is still their home, one and a half miles west of Tangent, the same being a part of the old James Cochran donation claim. The farm consists of two hundred and seventeen and a half acres, one hundred and sev- enty-five of which are under cultivation. The majority of the improvements are due to the en- terprise and progress of the present owner, who has a comfortable dwelling, good barns, out- houses and fences, and who is extensively engag- ing in general farming and the raising of fine stock, principally Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Blevins possesses pronounced business ability, and for fourteen years managed the Albany Farmers Company Elevator at Tangent. Other business projects have benefited by his far-sighted judg- ment, and, taken all in all, his active life has been diverse, interesting, and above all useful, and productive of general excellence. A Socialist in political affiliation, he has held many minor local offices, and has twice represented his dis- trict in the state legislature. He is a member of the Grange at Tangent, and is identified with Corinthian Lodge No. 17, A. F. &. A. M. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blevins, of whom Lillie died in infancy; Laura also died at the age of seventeen years; Wade H. lives in Douglas county, Ore .; Clara, Alfred, Georgia, Edna, Hattie and Glenn are at home. Mr. Blev- ins is one of the representative men of this coun- ty, and to an unusual extent enjoys the confidence and good will of his fellow agriculturists.

ALANSON BRIDGEFARMER. A worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Oregon, and one of the most highly esteemed residents of Linn county, Alanson Bridgefarmer, of Tangent, for the past thirty years has been prominently identified with the development and progress of this section of the state, and, as op- portunity has occurred, he has given his influ- ence to encourage the establishment of enterprises conducive to the public welfare. A son of the late David Bridgefarmer, he was born January 13, 1832, in Warren county, Ill., of German ancestry.

A native of North Carolina, David Bridge- farmer was born in 1796, and was reared to

man's estate on his father's farm. Shortly after his marriage he removed to Kentucky, going from there to Indiana, thence following the emi- grant's pathway to Illinois, where he resided a year. Again continuing his march towards the west, he moved with his family to Ben- ton county, Mo., where he lived and labored a number of years. In 1847 he and one of his neighbors, with their families, came to Oregon, crossing the plains with ox-teams, and being six months on the trip. They had no serious trouble on the way, but lost some of their stock, which was stolen by the Indians. After spending the first winter about nine miles south of Vancouver, David Bridgefarmer located in Yamhill county, in the spring of 1848, taking up a donation claim on the west side of Wapato lake, his land adjoining the present site of Gas- ton. Improving a productive ranch, he resided there until his death, at the age of sixty-eight years. A man of intelligence and ability, he became one of the leading citizens of his locality, and was active in the establishment of schools and churches, being one of the organizers of the first Methodist Episcopal Church formed in that vicinity. He married, in North Carolina, Nancy A. Hall, a native of that state. She came with him to Oregon, and died on the homestead, in Yamhill county. Of their twelve children, six are now living, namely : Christian, residing at The Dalles; Alanson, the subject of this sketch; Will- iam, of Bridgeport, Wash .; Francis M., of Wash- ington ; David McD., of Washington ; and Adam S., now a resident of Seattle.

After leaving the district school, Alanson Bridgefarmer assisted in the care of the home farm until twenty-two years of age, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the various branches of agriculture. Selecting farming for his occu- pation, he came then to Linn county, and took up a donation claim at the forks of the Santiam river. A few years later he bought his present farm a mile southeast of Tangent, where he has for over forty years been prosperously engaged in general farming and stock-raising. During his residence here he has diligently improved his property, continually adding to its value, his beautiful homestead, with its substantial and con- venient buildings, giving ample evidence of his skill as a practical farmer. He was formerly extensively engaged in the raising of fine horses, but of late years has paid less attention to that branch of industry. During the Rogue River In- dian war he enlisted, in 1855, under Capt. Jon- athan Keeney, who commanded Company C, and after serving on guard duty for one hundred and one davs, was mustered out of service.

October 6, 1872, Mr. Bridgefarmer married Susan A. Bond, a native of Iowa, and brought her as a bride to his present homestead of one

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hundred and fifty-five and one-half acres of land, and here they established their household. Mrs. Bridgefarmer died December 2, 1886, leaving five children, namely: Huldah I., wife of George Kuthe, of Jefferson ; David S., living in Wash- ington ; Anna M .; Ella F .; and William A. In politics Mr. Bridgefarmer is a strong Prohibition- ist. He belongs to Tangent Grange, of which he is a trustee, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Adam S. Bridgefarmer, youngest brother of Alanson, was born August 24, 1838, in Benton county, Mo .. Coming to Oregon with his parents when seven years of age, he received his educa- tion in the district schools. On August 15, 1856, he enlisted in Company B, Oregon Mountain Rangers, under Capt. Hiram Wilbur and First Lieut. W. H. H. Myers, and served in the Ya- kima Indian war one hundred and ten days, tak- ing an active part in several fierce skirmishes. He then remained at home until twenty-two years of age, working on the home farm, and also learned the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed, and is now a member of the Carpenter's Union. At the present time he makes his home in Seattle. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, and a member of the Salvation Army. While serving in the Yakima war he was at one time, with his comrades, surrounded by Indians, and for five days and nights was without food or water. He married Mary E. Holmes, a native of Missouri, and of their union four children were born, namely: Cora A., deceased ; Sarah M. E., resid- ing in Washington ; Minnie E. M., living in Iowa ; and Martha E., of Halsey, Ore.

SCOTT TAYLOR HOBART. A fine repre- sentative of the many enterprising and energetic men who are extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising in Marion county is S. T. Hobart, of Silverton, who has attained success in his in- dependent calling by wise foresight, excellent management, and sheer persistency in one line of effort. Coming of sturdy New England ances- try, he has inherited in a marked degree those sterling qualities of heart and mind that go to- ward the making of a good citizen, and through his influence many projects of benefit to the gen- cral public have been successfully inaugurated and established.

A native of Illinois, S. T. Hobart was born December 26, 1845, in Hancock county, a son of Anson and Jane (Lincoln) Hobart. His father was born and reared in Vermont, living among the green hills of that state until his removal, with his parents, to the state of New York, thence to the more fertile lands of Illinois. When young he learned the trade of a blacksmith. which he followed in Illinois until 1850, when he sought

the gold fields of California, crossing the plains to that far-off country with a team of horses. After working at his trade, instead of mining, on the Pacific coast for two years, he returned, via the water way, to Illinois, and, with his family, crossed the plains again, in 1853, going this time by ox-team. Going farther north than hefore, he located in Oregon, taking up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, about four miles southeast of Silverton. In 1857 he located on the farm now occupied by his son, Scott T .. about a mile east of Silverton, where he cleared a homestead, on which he was prosperously en- gaged in farming and stock-raising until his death, in February, 1890, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. He was married three times, his first wife, Carolina Towne, who died in Han- cock county, Ill., leaving one child, a daughter. Edna R., who is the widow of R. E. Libby, of Silverton. She now resides at Tualatin. Ore. While living in Illinois he married Jane Lincoln, a native of New York state. She started with him for their new home in Oregon, but was un- able to accomplish the journey, and died on the way, near La Grande, Ore. The four children born of their union were: George Washington. deceased ; Charles Wilbur, who resides near Sil- verton; Scott T., with whom this brief sketch is principally concerned, and Josiah W., residing near Silverton. The father subsequently mar- ried, for his third wife, Loraine M. Horrell, who died in 1869.

After leaving the district school, Scott T. Ho- bart pursued his studies for a year in the high school at Portland, Ore., after which he taught school with much success for a number of terms. Choosing agriculture as his lifework, he settled about a mile east of Silverton on the farm he now owns and occupies, which is known as the "Ho- bart place," and has here made many and sub- stantial improvements, including a neat and con- veniently arranged dwelling-house, and good barn and outbuildings. Of the two hundred and thirty acres of land contained in his farm, one hundred and five acres are in a good state of cul- tivation, and he carries on stock-raising on an extensive scale, besides general farming, meeting with signal success in both branches of agricul- ture. He devotes his time principally, however, to stock-raising.

Everywhere respected and esteemed for his sterling integrity and manly traits of character, Mr. Hobart holds a place of importance in the community in which he resides, and is often called to positions of responsibility, serving as administrator of estates, or as guardian of minors, in all cases faithfully performing the du- ties thus devolving upon him. For six years he has been an active member of the school board, serving when the new school building was erected

allen Bend

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in Silverton, and was also one of the trustees of the Methodist Church when the new edifice was built. Fraternally, he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters, and politically affiliates with the Republican party, for the past ten years representing his district at the Repub- lican county conventions.

Mr. Hobart was married in Silverton, Octo- ber 23, 1870, to Emeline Fletcher, who was born in Illinois, but came to Oregon with her parents, Benjamin F. and Eliza (Turner) Fletcher, when a child, crossing the plains in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Hobart have four children, namely : Arthur F .; Meda, wife of Helmuth A. Brandt, of Silver- ton ; Daisy A., and Edgar L.

SAMUEL LINCOLN BOND. As a mer- chant of Irving, Lane county, Samuel Lincoln Bond occupies a prominent and influential posi- tion in this section of the community. He is a native of this state, having been born on his father's donation claim one mile west of Irving, February 27, 1861, his father, Allen Bond, be- ing a pioneer of 1853. He was born in Shenan- doah county Va., December 5, 1833, and was taken to Indiana at the age of three years. There he married Rachel Robinson, and shortly after their marriage the young people crossed the plains with ox-teams. During the passage Mr. Bond met with the misfortune of losing his team, and was thus compelled to complete the trip with the assistance of his brother. He at once took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres upon his arrival in Lane coun- ty, Ore., and here he erected the first log cabin in the neighborhood, and remained an active citizen of this locality until 1898, when he re- moved to Irving and died here, October 22, 1902, his wife having passed away in 1901. He was a Republican in politics and always took an active part in the promotion of the principles which he so heartily endorsed. As a member of the state legislature he ably represented his party in 1876, and as a patriot he was a member of the home guard during the Indian troubles of the early days. His wife was a member of the Christian Church. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bond, of whom four sons and five daughters are now living.

S. Lincoln Bond was reared upon his father's farm and educated in Clear Lake, Lane county, and in Portland Business College, in the latter receiving a thorough course in business train- ing. On returning to the farm he engaged in agricultural pursuits and carried to the work the advantages of his business training, remain- ing so employed until the fall of 1882, when he came to Irving and entered upon a mercantile life in partnership with his father. This part-

nership was continued until the death of the lat- ter, and since then Mr. Bond has continued the work alone, having a complete line of merchan- dise such as usually found in a general store. He has also a lumber-yard, and deals as well in grain, hogs, etc. At the death of his father he was appointed one of the administrators of the estate and sole administrator of the firms of A. Bond & Son.

December 24, 1884, Mr. Bond was united in marriage with Miss Belle Bushnell, the daughter of G. E. Bushnell, and they have the following children : Livia, now attending the academy at Philomath, a young lady of excellent attainments, having just completed a four-years course in music; Franklin L., and Samuel C. Like his father, Mr. Bond has always been public-spir- ited, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the community, and as such he holds a position on the board of trustees of Philomath College, and in the United Brethren Church, of which he is a member, he is also trustee, having previous- ly served for three years as steward.

EMIL KOPPE. The woolen mills at Brownsville, of which Emil Koppe was manager and superintendent, as well as equal partner during a part of 1902 and 1903, do a large busi- ness in weaving blankets, flannels of all kinds, cloths and robes, and employs in its various de- partments fifty people. The mills are run by water-power, although many improvements are being inaugurated, and modern machinery will soon replace that which is worn, but which, nev- ertheless, has so far proved satisfactory. The trade of the mills extends all along the coast, and the commodities sent out have the reputation of being of excellent quality. Many years of prac- tical experience have fitted Mr. Koppe for any position in connection with the woolen industry. and he is probably as competent a judge of wool as any man engaged in the business in the west.

As his name implies, Mr. Koppe is of German descent, and was born in Saxony, southern Ger- many, February 16, 1860. His father, Karl, was born in the same part of the empire, and came to the United States in 1882, settling on a farm near Ashley, N. D. In 1892 he sold his land and came to Oregon, remaining, at the home of his son, Emil, until his death, in 1894, at the age of sixty-nine years. The wife, who was born in Altenburg, Germany, and was formerly Johanna Winter, died in her native land after rearing a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters. Emil, the fourth in the family, came to the United States in 1879, when nineteen years of age, and was employed in the weaving estab- lishment of Weil & Son, of Philadelphia, Pa .. four years. In 1884 he located in Brownsville,

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Ore., and engaged in weaving in the Brownsville Mills. In 1890, taking up his residence in Salem, he became foreman of a weaving department in the Thomas Kay Woolen Mills. Again coming to Brownsville, in 1902, he identified himself with the same concern as before, this time as superintendent and business manager.

While living in Philadelphia Mr. Koppe was united in marriage with Augusta Harzer, a native of Saxony, Germany, and she is the mother of eight children: Clara F., Paul. Lewis, Hattie, Otto, Nellie, Carl and Tilly. Mr. Koppe is a Republican in political affiliation, and is frater- nally connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. With his wife and children he is a member of the Lutheran Church. He has the substantial traits, rugged integrity, and adapta- bility of his countrymen, and his business ability is materially promoting the wellbeing of Browns- ville. In September, 1903, Mr. Koppe sold his interests in the woolen mills and retired from its management.

SAMPSON D. ADKINS. In a beautiful location, adjacent to the town of Scotts Mills, Marion county, stands a handsome modern resi- dence, the home of S. D. Adkins, the efficient postmaster of that town, who is now serving his second term in that capacity, having formerly been a successful merchant there.

A native of Morgan county, Ky., his birth dates back to April 18, 1846. He had the mis- fortune to lose both parents early in life, being only six years old when his father, a miller by trade, passed to his final rest. A few years after- ward his mother removed with the balance of the family to Grant county, Wis., and she died a few days after reaching their destination. After her death, young Adkins made his home with an uncle until the breaking out of the Civil war. Responding to his country's call for men, he enlisted February 9, 1862, as a private in Com- pany B, Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service at Lan- caster, Wis., while yet in his sixteenth year. He served three years and four months, and was off duty only three weeks, during which time he was ill in New York City. He was sent first to Alexandria, Va., and saw a great deal of active service. He participated in all the principal bat- tles of the army of the Potomac, besides a great many minor engagements, in all about fifty. The most prominent battles in which he took part were second Bull Run, first and second Fred- ericksburg, Antietam, The Wilderness, Gettys- burg and Petersburg. He was honorably dis- charged from service and was mustered out at Madison, Wis., July 19, 1865.

Returning from the war, Mr. Adkins took up

his abode with a sister in Iowa county, Wis., and about two years later went to Lyons county, Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits uninterruptedly until 1895, removing at that time to Scotts Mills, Ore., which has been his home ever since. Here he first engaged in mercantile business, but after a brief but prosperous career, his establishment was burned and the business was discontinued. In August, 1897, Mr. Adkins received his commission and became postmaster of Scotts Mills, and in 1901 was re-appointed to the same position, which he ably fills at the present writing.

In 1869, while a resident of Wisconsin, Mr. Adkins was united in marriage with Eliza J. Clark, a native of New York, born August 9, 1850. Fourteen children have been born to this union, as follows: S. Leonora, wife of W. F. Leeds, of Portland ; Carrie L., wife of G. S. Hull, of Scotts Mills; Braman C., of Pipestone, Minn .; Gertrude M., wife of John Haugh, of Portland; Nellie, wife of William Cable, also of Portland ; Guy D., of the same city; Olive, who is still at home; Arthur E., Samuel Eugene and Harry, who reside in Scotts Mills; and Margie, Bessie D. and Stella G., who also brighten the home with their presence. One son, Edwin S., died in Iowa, aged two years.

Mr. Adkins' home place contains twenty-two acres of land, adjoining the town, and he devotes a part of his time to fruit-raising. He has a fine orchard of about twenty acres, and raises many choice varieties of fruits, mostly prunes. His political views coincide with Republican doc- trines, and he takes a fitting interest in affairs in his locality. Fraternally, he is a member of Butte Lodge. No 126. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also of Silver Encampment. He has been delegate to county and state conven- tions, but never an aspirant for office.

HENRY B. SPRENGER. One of the most enthusiastic admirers of Clydesdale and driving horses and fine stock, generally, in Linn county is Henry B. Sprenger, a worthy representative of a fine old pioneer family of this state, and son of Nicholas Sprenger, mentioned at length in another part of this work. Born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 12, 1850, he was two years old when his father started with his wife and children for Oregon, and he was reared on the home farm, and educated in the public schools.

May 28, 1873, Mr. Sprenger married Izzie M. Powers, daughter of William Powers, one of the pioneers of this vicinity. The young people went to housekeeping on a part of the old dona- tion claim, where Mr. Sprenger has since en- gaged in stock-raising. He owns two hundred and ninety-two acres of land, two hundred and

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thirty-five of which are under cultivation. His enterprise and progressive spirit are apparent to all who are privileged to visit him in his pleasant home. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He owns property in Shedds, which is proof of his faith in the continued well- being of this favored part of the state.

In politics a Republican, Mr. Sprenger has come to the front as a representative man of more than ordinary usefulness, and his public spirit and absolute integrity have been apparent to those watching his administration of the of- fices intrusted to his care. At the present time he is serving as county commissioner, having been elected on the fusion ticket. He is promi- nent fraternally, and in Shedds Lodge No. 79, A. F. & A. M., has passed all of the chairs, as well as all of the chairs in the Grange, except that of treasurer. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sprenger, of whom Alida is the wife of Charles E. Powers, of Tangent ; Lenna V. is deceased; Sarah L. is the wife of Charles A. Pugh, of Shedds, and Frederick J. and Harry G. are living at home. Mr. Sprenger is one of the substantial and reliable men of his township, his life and success reflecting great credit upon a community which cherishes high standards of excellence.

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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 156

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