Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 175

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 175

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ERHARD WOLFARD. One of the most venerable and honored of the retired citizens of Silverton is E. Wolfard, formerly an extensive agriculturist of Marion county, and actively identified with its most substantial upbuilding. Mr. Wolfard was born in Alsace, December 22, 1818, and was just ten years of age when his parents came to the United States. His father followed the art of weaving for many years in France, but after coming to America engaged exclusively in farming. The family were sixty- four days on the water, the sailing vessel meeting with many storms and delaying calms. They settled in Stark county, Ohio, near Canton, and there lived between the years of 1828 and 1833. Their next home was in Scioto county, Ohio, where the mother died in 1835, and the father married a second time. He died at the age of sixty-eight years.

From the public schools E. Wolfard stepped into a carpenter's apprenticeship, and at the same time learned to be a blacksmith. These combined trades he followed for many years in Ohio, in which state, September 14, 1839, he married Aramatha Shope, a native of Ohio, and with whom he continued to live in Scioto county until 1853. He then outfitted and started across the plains with ox-teams, being six months on the way, and having a fairly pleasant journey. The Indians were not particularly troublesome, nor were the ranks of the little party disturbed by cholera or other serious illness. The family set- tled about five miles south of Silverton, where Mr. Wolfard bought a squatter's right, which he afterward proved up, and upon which he insti- tuted many fine improvements. On his farm he had a little blacksmith and wagon shop, which he conducted for many years with fair success until moving into Silverton in 1887. For a short time in this town, he engaged in a mercantile business with his son, John, and then bought the ten acres of land comprising his present home, just outside the corporation of Silverton. He erected on his land a modern and comfortable dwelling and other buildings, and is pleasantly located and apparently enjoying the evening of a useful and worthy life. He still owns three hundred and sixteen acres of his original claim, which nets him a handsome income each year.

In politics Mr. Wolfard is a Republican, and has served as a school director for many years. Since 1849 he has been identified with the Masons, having been initiated into the order in Western Sun Lodge No. 91, at Wheelersburg, Ohio, and is now a member of Silverton Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M. Twelve children have been born to himself and wife, of whom the fol- lowing are living: John M., who married Kate McCalpin, and is now a resident of Silverton ; Mary, living with her parents; Amelia, wife of R. W. Carey, of Salem, the parents of three chil- dren ; Geneva A., wife of Timothy D. Allen, re- siding in this vicinity; Charles D., who married Sarah Ann Small, the daughter of Isaac Small, of Turner, a pioneer of 1854, and with his family of nine children is living near Silverton; Eda, wife of John H. Riches, of Marion county. Mrs. Wolfard died July 13, 1866, aged forty-one years, five months and seven days. Mr. Wolfard has realized many of his expectations since com- ing to this country, and the land of his adoption has benefited by his public-spirit and worthy undertakings.

EDWARD BUXTON. As one of the keen, enterprising manufacturers of Corvallis, and a citizen of sterling worth and character, Mr. Buxton is well deserving of honorable mention in this biographical work. As junior member

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of the firm of Sheasgreen & Buxton, he is actively identified with one of the largest and best known manufacturing establishments of the kind in Benton county, and indirectly con- nected with the building interests of all parts of the country, the products of the Central Planing Mills and Box Factory, the plant of this firm, being shipped to all sections of the United States, although more especially used in Oregon and the near-by states.

A native of Washington county; Ore., Ed- ward Buxton was born July 28, 1850, in Forest Grove, a son of the late Henry Buxton. His Grandfather Buxton, who was born and reared in Yorkshire, England, was employed by the Hudson Bay Company to come to Manitoba with the first colony sent over, the ship in which he emigrated being frozen in Hudson Bay throughout the winter. Arriving in Man- itoba, he operated a grist mill near Winnipeg until 1841, when he came to Oregon, settling on Tualatin Plains, taking up land, which he improved. Later he began farming about a mile west of Forest Grove, still later locating in Forest Grove, where he resided until his death, at the age of seventy-six years.

Born in Manitoba, Canada, Henry Buxton lived there until twelve years old, when he came with his parents to Oregon, coming with ox carts as far as the Rocky Mountains, when the country became so rough that the oxen and few horses had to be packed with the goods and many of the party were forced to walk a part of the remaining journey. He as- sisted his father in clearing a homestead, and on reaching man's estate began farming on his own account, buying a right and having it recorded. Continuing in his chosen vocation, he met with both profit and pleasure in his work, carrying on general farming near Forest Grove throughout his life. He married Ro- sanna Wooley, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Jacob Wooley, who crossed the plains in 1845 with his family, and settled on a farm in Tualatin, Ore., where he spent his remaining days. Of the twelve children born of their union, Edward is the oldest child of the six boys and one girl now living. The father and mother both died in Forest Grove several years ago.

Reared on the home farm, Edward Buxton remained beneath the parental roof until sev- enteen years old, completing his early educa- tion at the Tualatin Academy. Having an aptitude for mechanical pursuits he learned the carpenter's trade in Forest Grove, and was there engaged as a carpenter and builder until 1878. The ensuing two years he was em- ployed in the planing mill owned by Adams & Jones, in McMinnville, going from there to

Portland, Ore., where he remained success- fully engaged as a contractor and builder for ten years. Returning to Forest Grove in 1890, he operated a planing mill there for five years, then located in Corvallis as a contractor and builder. In 1899 Mr. Buxton purchased the interest of James Gray in the Central Planing Mill and Box Factory, as mentioned in the sketch of F. P. Sheasgreen, on another page of this volume, becoming junior member of one of the most enterprising firms of Benton county, and has since carried on a thriving business.

Mr. Buxton married, while living in Forest Grove, Elizabeth Roderick, a native of Illinois, and into their household four children have been born, namely: George H., a machinist in the Portland Iron Works; Daisy A., wife of George O. Sloan, proprietor of the Forest Grove Hotel ; Harry E., a carpenter in Corval- lis ; and Minnie, a nurse in the Good Samaritan Hospital, at Portland, Ore. Politically Mr. Buxton is a firm believer in the Republican party, supporting it by all the means within his power, and while a resident of Forest Grove served as city recorder two terms. Fra- ternally he is a member of Holbrook Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. M., of Forest Grove; and of the Eastern Star Chapter, of Corvallis. He is also a member of the Native Sons of Ore- gon.

ROBERT O. LOGGAN, M. D. A very prominent man in medical circles and one who has well earned his position among his professional associates is Dr. Robert O. Log- gan, since 1889 a resident of Oregon, previous to that date being known in the Mississippi valley. His birth occurred in Polk county, Iowa, June 23, 1854, his father being Robert Loggan, of Scotch-Irish descent, a native of Ohio, born in that state October 25, 1820. In addition to the life of a farmer, to which he had been reared, the father devoted his time and attention as much as possible to minis- terial work, being a member of the United Brethren Church. When but twenty years of age he removed to Indiana and located twelve miles south of Terre Haute, where he engaged in farming and religious work. In 1853 he settled in Polk county, Iowa, eighteen miles northwest of Des Moines, on government land, and continued his double vocation, for many years being elder of the church in his locality. In 1886 he retired from the active cares of life, and after traveling through the country, occasionally preaching, for a couple of years, made his home in Philomath until his death, August 16, 1903. He was a Republican in

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his political principles and was always a strong abolitionist.

The wife who shared the early pioneer life of Mr. Loggan was in maidenhood Miss Kath- erine Pickard, born in Vigo county, Ind., the daughter of John A. Pickard, a native of Georgia. In 1817 he removed to Indiana and settled in Vigo county, where he successfully engaged in farming and carpenter work, and where he died in 1863, at the age of eighty- three years, having acquired quite a com- petency. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Loggan were nine in number, being four sons and five daughters, all of whom are living ex- cept two. Mrs. Loggan died July 29, 1903, nearly eighty-four years of age.

The fifth of his father's family was Robert O. Loggan, and until twenty-one years of age he remained at home, interspersing his duties with attendance at the public schools. Upon attaining his majority he entered Lane Uni- versity, located at Le Compton, Kans., and continued his studies from the fall of 1875 until 1881, when he graduated with the degree of B. S. In 1892 the same college conferred upon him the honorary degree of M. S. Upon leav- ing college he began teaching school with a view to studying medicine when financially able. In the fall of 1884 he entered the Ec- lectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1886. Set- tling in Cuba, Republic county, Kans., he soon built up a lucrative practice, remaining, how- ever, but three years before coming to Ore- gon, where his success has been but the out- growth of the energy and intelligence displayed throughout the entire business life of Dr. Log- gan. In addition to a general practice he has become largely interested in the political and social life of the city of Philomath. For three years he has served as mayor, and has been a member of the council for a like number of years ; he has served as school director for eight years, and is at present chairman of the school board,, and is also on the county central committee.

Dr. Loggan was married in Le Compton to Ellen M. Ferris, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of John Ferris, who was born on board the vessel on which his parents were crossing the Atlantic ocean. He was a farmer and spent the last twenty-five years of his life in Le Compton, dying there in 1901. He had served as justice of the peace for many years before his death. Of the union of Dr. and Mrs. Loggan has been born one child, Charles F., who still makes his home with his parents, and is now taking a business course in the college of this city. In his fraternal associations Dr. Loggan is identified with the Independent Or-

der of Odd Fellows; the Rebekahs ; and Wood- men of the World, having served as examining physician for the last order. In his profession Dr. Loggan has attained considerable success since coming to the west, having served from 1898 to 1901 on the board of pension examiners of this county, and at present he holds the po- sition of secretary of the State Eclectic Med- ical Association, and is a prominent member of the National Eclectic Medical Association.

CHARLES H. NEWTH, M. D. With that perseverance and dogged determination for which his countrymen are famed, Charles H. Newth has worked out a well directed destiny in the United States, and aside from prose- cnting a successful medical and surgical prac- tice in Philomath, has engaged in other occu- pations of merit in different parts of the coun- try. In his native county of Wiltshire, Eng- land, where he was born January 22, 1857, he received that practical early training accorded the average youth in the inland counties, and by substantial and correct living laid the foun- dation for the good health which has ever been an aid to his progress. His father, Alfred Bethel Newth, was born in Gloucestershire, western England, August 2, 1823, and from his native county removed to Wiltshire, where he farmed and prospered, and where his death occurred at the age of seventy-four years. He was the son of Charles Newth, also born in England, and like himself a farmer by occu- pation. Alfred Newth died about ten years after the death of his wife, formerly Mary Ann Adkins, who was born in Oxfordshire, another inland English county, May 6, 1827.

The second child and oldest son in the fam- ily of two sons and three daughters, Charles Newth was educated in the common schools of England, and in 1872, when fifteen years of age, his uneventful life was broadened by a rare opportunity. With some cousins he came to the United States, brimful of that enthusiasm and expectancy which finds its ma- ture expression in the successful careers of the noble adopted sons of the western slope. Like the majority, his was an humble begin- ning, for he secured employment in the meat market of his relatives at Harvard, Neb., thus saving a little money, and gaining a start in the new country. After a year he went to work on a farm in the vicinity of Lincoln, Neb., and in 1874 engaged as clerk for Dr. W. H. Dunning, of Waverly, Neb. This posi- tion gave him his real start in life, for while with the doctor he studied medicine, and in- tended to forthwith complete his course at some well known college. However, his plans

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were temporarily postponed owing to the ill- ness of his father, on account of which he returned to England, and while there clerked in a drug store at Horncastle, Lincolnshire, for a year.

Returning to America in 1878, Mr. Newth located in Rooks county, Kans., and home- steaded a claim near Stockton, which he turned to various uses. In time he opened a drug store and postoffice, and, after his native town in England, called the aggregation of interests Minety. His affairs in Kansas prospering, he traded some of his cattle for an eighth interest in the town site of Nicodemus, Graham county, Kans., and this property is still in his posses- sion. In 1886 he carried out his determination to complete his medical studies and entered the Ensworth Medical College at St. Joseph, Mo., from which he was duly graduated in 1889. Thereafter he engaged in practice in Nico- demus until 1891, in which year he migrated to the west, locating in Vernonia, Columbia county, Ore. In 1898 he abandoned a lucrative practice in the northern town and came to Philomath, which has since been his home, and where he has built up a large and re- munerative practice.

With him from Rooks county, Kans., Dr. Newth brought his wife, formerly Mabel A. Woodward, a native of Iowa, and who died in Philomath in 1902, at the age of forty-three years. Three children were born of this union, Charles W., Winnifred, and Fay. For his second wife Dr. Newth married, in October, 1902, Amanda Ruble, also born in Iowa. Dr. Newth is a Republican in political affiliation, and is at present a member of the city council and pension examiner. He is examining phy- sician for the Ancient Order United Work- men and the Modern Woodmen of America, and Degree of Honor. In religion he is asso- ciated with the liberal branch of the United Brethren Church. Skillful in diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Newth commands the confi- dence of the community of Philomath, his public-spirited interest in the general affairs of the town increasing his popularity, and adding to his prestige as one of the foremost citizens of the county.

JOSEPH DIMMICK. As a pioneer to the western state Joseph Dimmick was like many others, having attained a good age before he ventured into a new land and new conditions, among which he must hew out a pathway for himself and the children for whom he must also win a competence. He was born in Connecticut early in the nineteenth century, and when quite

young he accompanied his parents to the state of Ohio, where he remained for many years.

On attaining manhood Mr. Dimmick married Comfort Dean, a native of Virginia, and they lived in Ohio until 1828, when they removed to Illinois, and there remained for twenty-four years, in 1852 being tempted to change their location by the glowing narrations of the brilliant oppor- tunities to be found beyond the Rocky moun- tains. Breaking the ties and associations of many pleasant and profitable years they prepared for the journey across the plains, making the same by means of ox-teams. Beyond the events incident to a trip of this nature in the early days they met with no mishap and arrived safely at their destination, the state of Oregon, the broad, rich lands, rather than the wealth of gold, having attracted them from the comparative affluence of the middle west. Mr. Dimmick at once took up a donation claim, located fourteen miles south of Corvallis, and which William Porter now owns. He here engaged in general farming and re- mained until his death, both himself and wife living to be over fifty years old.

Of the children born to them Joseph and Ben- jamin are twins, the former now located in Oak- land, Cal., and the latter in Grant's Pass, Joseph- ine county, Ore .; John and Samuel are in Spo- kane, Wash .; Athie is now Mrs. Starr, of Cali- fornia ; Elizabeth is Mrs. Starr, of Benton county ; Mary is in eastern Oregon, and Lucinda is now Mrs. Campbell, of Grant's Pass.

THOMAS D. REEVES. One of the very earliest pioneers in Benton county, Ore., was Thomas D. Reeves, who took up what is claimed to be the first donation claim of land so taken in the county. It is located fifteen miles south- west of Corvallis, and two miles east of Bell- fountain, and consists of six hundred and forty acres. The property is variously occupied at the present date, a part of it having passed into the hands of other parties, James E. Edwards now owning the piece upon which Mr. Reeves first made his home.

Mr. Reeves was born in Ohio, March 6, 1814, his father being a tanner by trade, to which life the son was reared. He remained at home in Ohio until 1843, at that date preparing to take the long and hazardous journey across the plains. His outfit consisted of the usual articles neces- sary for the trip, the patient, trusty oxen being used to draw the wagons. It was fortunate that they met with no trouble from the Indians, for they were called upon to endure every sort and description of hardship and privation before the end of the journey was reached. After several months the party arrived in Oregon and Mr. Reeves first took up a donation claim on Tualatin

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plains, Washington county, leaving it shortly, however, to come into Benton county and take up the claim previously mentioned.

In 1846 Mr. Reeves married Nancy Lloyd, who crossed the plains in 1845, and settled in this vicinity, and on this property they continued to make their home up to the time of their deaths with the exception of four or five years, he living to be seventy-two and she to be thirty-three. Of the children born to them Eliza is now the wife of William Barclay, of this vicinity; Louisa is in Dayton, Wash .; and Anna is the wife of Edwin N. Starr. Mr. Reeves carried on general farming and stock-raising, and though interested in his work always found time to take an active part in the affairs of the community. He was al- ways interested in politics, being a stanch Demo- crat, and was also very philanthropical, giving freely of means which became his through the years of effort, giving to churches and schools and to anyone in need who called upon him for assistance. He was a justly popular man, an enviable place in the esteem of the people of this county being his, and his death was a loss felt by many.

SAMUEL R. CLAYPOOL. More than ordi- nary mention is due the family of which Samuel R. Claypool is a typical representative, for al- though this honored pioneer has lived in retire- ment since November, 1902, both himself and his father have materially impressed their business sagacity and sterling worth upon the develop- ment of Linn county. Those fearless men who faced unknown dangers and pressed forward in spite of Indian attacks, inclement weather and dire illness, with a singleness of purpose but dimly understood in these days of selfish ease, will ever receive the credit for planting the germs of modern civilization on the western slope. In 1846 the Claypool family were living near St. Joseph, Mo., whither they had removed from Hendricks county, Ind., where Samuel R. had been born August 28, 1836. The father, who reared a family of eleven children, was called David, after a remote ancestor, and his birth oc- curred in Virginia in 1797. His father, Reuben, born in the eastern part of the country, was of Irish descent, and died after establishing his family in Virginia. David Claypool left Virginia in 1818, and with his brother located in Hen- dricks county, Ind., and in 1841 David moved to Andrew county, Mo., on the farm near St. Joseph, bringing with him his wife, Nancy (Rooker) Claypool, who was horn in Tennessee, and died on the home place in Oregon in 1861, at the age of fifty-nine years. John Rooker, the maternal grandfather, was horn in London, England, and came to the United States long before the col-

onies revolted against English tyranny. During the Revolutionary war he served as a butcher in the commissary department, and his death oc- curred in Indiana at an advanced age. David Claypool was an ambitious man, and the pros- pects of life in the far west appealed to him with irresistible force. So firmly convinced was he of the wisdom of his decision that he sold his farm in Andrew county, and with his family and entire worldly possessions prepared to cross the plains in 1846. The present town of Mar- quam occupies his first donation claim in the state, but he failed to prove up on this property, and in January, 1848, he took up a claim at the forks of the Santiam river. Lonely and isolated from neighbors or signs of civilization, he cleared his land, but never fully realized its fertility or resourcefulness, for his death occurred in 1857, eleven years after his emigration, at the age of sixty-one years. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his general life fulfilled the definition of pioneer, as understood by those who experienced the years of trials and deprivation.

Ten years of age when he came to Oregon, Samuel R. Claypool had few educational advan- tages in the early days, principally for the rea- son that there were few schools in his neighbor- hood, and also because so large a family neces- sitated active effort on the part of all its mem- bers. Thus it happened that he worked early and late during harvest time, and even dur- ing the bleak winters arose early and looked after the stock, performing such tasks as made the life of pioneer boys at best hard and unsatisfactory. The gold fields of California offered a diversion in 1856, and after mining with moderate suc- cess at Yreka, Siskiyou county, for a couple of years, he returned to Oregon and settled on a farm near his father. After the death of the latter he purchased a portion of the old home- stead, but sold out in 1865 and removed to a farm five miles north of Lebanon. Here he owned three hundred and twenty acres, and for thirty-seven years, or until 1902, he tilled his land and raised varied crops, meeting with ready sales, and accumulating a competency. After disposing of his farm Mr. Claypool purchased his present home in Lebanon, consisting of fifteen acres, and just large enough to keep him from a monotonous leisure. The little home, with its trees, its flowers and genial air of comfort, is presided over by the wife of Mr. Claypool, whom he married at the forks of the Santiam river, and who was formerly America Crabtree of Mis- souri. Isaac Crabtree, the father of Mrs. Clay- pool, was born in the Old Dominion, and in 1853 started across the plains with his family, intending to settle in Oregon. Grim death over- came him on the western desert, and he was

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laid to rest in a grave bordering on Green river. Afterward his grief-stricken family pursued their lonely way, and carried out the plans of the father and husband, locating near Mount Angel, Marion county. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Claypool, Callie is the wife of Edison Young, a farmer of Linn coun- ty; Annie is living at home; Mary is the wife of Jolin Griggs of this vicinity; and Vida is the wife of James Munsey of this county.

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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 175

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