Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 181

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 181

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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Locke has been blessed with one son, Oliver Perle, aged six- teen years, who is still at home with his parents. Mr. Locke is a member of the First Baptist Church of Independence. In his politi- cal views he is a Democrat. He is a prominent member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, being past master of the Blue Lodge,

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a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, and Ore- gon Consistory No. I, of Portland Scottish Rite and Al Kader Temple N. M. S. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is noble grand, and belongs to the Woodmen of the World, and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is now acting as school director and is president of the city council. He has an elegant two-story, ten-room residence on Fifth street which is constructed in a modern and beautiful style of architecture. Mr. Locke is a popular and public spirited gentleman who has at heart the best interests of the community in which he lives, and the high regard of his friends and associates.

OLIF NELSON. Like many of the sons of other lands who have come to settle in the Will- amette valley Mr. Nelson was drawn to the far west by the hope of broader opportunities for advancement, and in this respect he has not been disappointed, but on the other hand success has attended his efforts and he is now enabled to live in retirement, enjoying to the fullest extent the competency which his years of steady application to business have made possible. As has been intimated, Mr. Nelson is of foreign birth, and was born in Dalarna, Sweden, July 27, 1829, a son of Henry and Ann Nelson, both of whom were also born in the same city. With his wife and five children, three daughters and two sons, the father emigrated to the United States in 1846, locating in Henry county, Ill., but he was not spared long to enjoy his new home, for his death followed shortly after his arrival.

At the time of the removal of the family to America Olif was a lad of eighteen years of age. It was well for him that while in his native land he made the most of the opportunities in an educational way, for on account of the death of his father it became necessary for him to turn his attention towards earning his own living, rather than seeking more extended book learning. He apprenticed himself to learn the harness-maker's trade in Lafayette, Ill., and later went to Chicago, Ill., where he found employment in a retail boot and shoe establish- ment on Ohio street, remaining there for ten years. Going to San Francisco in 1864 he con- tinued to follow the retail boot and shoe busi- ness for seven years, when he again changed his location, and with this came a change of voca- tion also. Going to Wahkiakum county, Wash., in 1871, he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land, to the cultivation and im- provement of which he at once bent all his energy. After residing there for twenty-two

years he decided to make another change of location, and the year 1893 marks his advent in Monmouth, Ore., where he hopes to spend the rest of his days. He bought a farm of ten acres one mile northeast of Independence, but three years later sold the tract and went to Chicago, Ill., to visit the scenes of his younger days, also traveling over the east and north, and among other states visited Wisconsin, Minne- sota, Iowa and Missouri. After one year of rest and travel he returned to his home in Mon- mouth, perfectly contented with his surround- ings, and with no wish that they might be otherwise.

While a resident of Chicago, Ill., Mr. Nelson and Miss Charlotte Larson were united in mar- riage in July, 1848. Mrs. Nelson was a native of Sweden and came to America with her parents, locating in Chicago, Il1., where her father, Andrew Larson, was engaged in the manufacture of soda. Both mother and father died in Chi- cago. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, George, who is interested in salmon fishing in Astoria, Ore., and Ella, a graduate of the state normal school, who is at home with her father, dutifully caring for his comfort in his declining years. Politically Mr. Nelson is independent, and fraternally is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

WILLIAM R. JONES was born near Gas- ton, Yamhill county, September 5, 1849. His family, therefore, antedates those of the gold- seekers of 1849, and was established here in 1847 by Fielding Jones, his father, who was born in the state of Kentucky. The elder Jones married, in Indiana, Elizabeth Freack, and of this union there have been born three children, two older than William R., Susan, deceased, and Mary, the wife of James Cooley, of Marion county, Ore. In 1847 Mr. Jones outfitted and with his wife and two children, crossed the plains, experienc- ing on the way many of the dangers and depri- vations of that early mode of travel, and finding in the new country very many discouragements before settling down to a successful agricultural life. With the advent of the son William, in 1849, the home became one of desolation and grief, for three days after his birth the devoted mother died, and the father was left alone with his chil- dren in the strange northern country. He went to California and engaged in placer mining with varied success. He later came back to Oregon and began farming, to which occupation he de- voted his later years, on property one mile south of Hubbard. He died July 30, 1903, aged eighty- six years.

The little motherless William was taken to the

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home of Andrew Schuck, in the neighborhood, and at the age of four years went to live with his father, who, in the meantime, had married again, this time to Martha Killin. At the age of fourteen he went to live with his brother-in-law, James Cooley, and in February, 1865, enlisted in Company B, First Oregon Volunteer Infantry, for a year's service. From Vancouver, Wash., he was sent to Camp Lyons, it being the mis- sion of his regiment to establish a fort at that place. During the service he saw a great deal of Indian warfare, and had many narrow es- capes, his adventures being confined principally to the battles of eastern Oregon. He was wounded July 9, 1865, in a battle on the forks of the Malheur. After his military experiences he returned to Marion county and worked in a saw-mill for about four months, and November 8, 1874, married Susan A. Cooley, daughter of Christopher C. Cooley, a native of Christian county, Ky., who was born August 6, 1809, and died November 14, 1885, and · his wife, who was born in Tennessee, March 20, 1811, and died August 21, 1880. The parents of Mr. Cooley moved from Kentucky to Howard county, Mo., in 1812, and there remained until taking up their residence in Clay county, of the same state, in 1824. He entered unimproved land in both counties of Missouri, and while improving it participated in the struggles with the Mormons and Indians, which characterized those early days. In 1845, with his wife and six children, he crossed the plains to Oregon in a party led by Joe Meeks, which party was the first to try the "Meeks' cut," which at first proved not much of a saving of time or energy. The little band was lost for some time, and only after extreme hardship and deprivation arrived at The Dalles. Here more trouble confronted them, and the wo- men and children were sent down the river in the canoes of the Indians, while the men went over the mountains with the cattle. Arriving in the Willamette valley in the fall of 1845, Mr. Cooley took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres on the French prairie, and there spent his remaining years. Of the eight chil- dren born to Mr. Cooley and wife, James H. was born in 1835, died in 1837; Robert F. lives near Woodburn on a portion of the old home place ; Martha L., born February 22, 1839, died Novem- ber 17, 1902, was the wife of F. S. Mattison, of Turner, Ore .; Helen M., born February 1, 1841, is the wife of Judge W. C. Hubbard; Mary I., born October 15, 1844, now deceased, was married to Andrew Melvin, of Woodburn; Andrew J., born February 20, 1848, is a resident of Portland ; Susan A., born July 13, 1851, is the wife of the subject of this article; Julia A., born July 20, 1853, and is the wife of John Uetz, of Ashland.

After his marriage Mr. Jones located on a farm on the French prairie, and after four years re- moved to Clackamas county, where he lived for six years. In 1898 he purchased the farm where he now lives, and which consists of ninety- seven acres, upon which he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Two children have been born to himself and wife, of whom Roy A., born September 4, 1875, is living in Marion county, is married and has one daughter, Lola May; and Clarence, born February 20, 1878, is living with his parents. Mr. Jones is a Repub- lican in politics, and has taken an active part in political affairs in his county. As a stanch advo- cate of education he has materially advanced the cause as a member of the school board, and he has also served acceptably as road supervisor. Fraternally he is a member of the Silverton Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Jones enjoys an enviable reputation in his neighborhood, his integrity, public-spiritedness and general worth appealing to the consideration and esteem of hosts of friends and well wishers.

DAVID JOHNSTON. Among the remaining pioneers representing the very early days of Oregon is David Johnston, who, though crippled and aged, has still not come to useless days.

The father of David Johnston, John, was also the son of a pioneer, his birth occurring in the western part of Tennessee before the eighteenth century had drawn to a close. He was raised to the life of a farmer, but on attaining manhood he decided to return to the eastern states to gain his livelihood, and acting upon that idea he set- tled in Orange county, N. C., where he spent the remaining years of his life. His death oc- curred there at the age of eighty-four years. He married Nancy Roach, a native of North Carolina, and she, too, departed this life at the age of eighty-four years, and in the same loca- tion as her husband. Of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, eight sons and five daughters, David Johnston was the third, his birth occurring in' Orange county, N. C., December 12, 1815. Following in the steps of his father, he became a farmer after his educa- tion in the common schools of North Carolina was completed, at twenty-one engaging in the work for himself in his native state, but in 1837 removing to the state of his father's birth, settling near Nashville, Tenn. In 1844 Mr. Johnston decided upon making another change, and gathering his worldly goods together he started for Oregon, driving the slow-plodding, patient oxen across the wide plains and many hills that lay between him and the promising coast country. The trip was a rare one for that

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time, having no horrors of famine or marauding Indians to mar the enjoyment of the scenery and the exhilarating mountain air. After six months of travel the party arrived in Polk coun- ty, Ore., and Mr. Johnston took advantage of the liberal offer of the government and settled upon a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres. The many years that have passed since that time have witnessed great changes, the wild land being successfully converted into a valuable and fruitful farm. Mr. Johnston has since sought a home in Independence, purchasing a residence five miles south of Independence, Ore., in which to pass the evening of his life, while the large farm is leased and managed by his grandson, Fred Hooper.

With Mr. Johnston on the trip across the con- tinent came his devoted wife, whom he married in Orange county, N. C. She was formerly Arrominto Thorp, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Johnston's death occurred in the western home. She was the mother of three children, of whom Richard is a sheep rancher at Colfax, Wash .; Angeline makes her home in Colfax, Wash., the widow of William Tetherow; and William is now deceased. Mr. Johnston was married again to Loretta Webb, who bore him one child: Anne, who married Frank Hooper. She died in Independence.

Mr. Johnston is a member of the Christian Church. Politically he follows his father's early training and casts his ballot with the Democratic party, his father having been a life-long Demo- crat.

MARTIN V. KOONTZ. Prominent among the captains of industry who have helped to place Linn county upon its present substantial footing is Martin V. Koontz, owner and manager of a paying general merchandise store in Halsey, es- tablished in 1876. During the intervening years no man in the town has taken a keener or more practical interest in its upbuilding, especially as regards municipal government, he having assist- ed in framing the ordinances, and in protecting them as treasurer of the town for twelve years.

The rise of Mr. Koontz from comparative pov- erty to his present position should furnish en- couragement to younger men who possess in any measure the characteristics and abilities which have been his stock in trade. Born in Gallia county, Ohio, May 29, 1837, he comes of an old Virginia family, established in Ohio by his paternal grandfather, Martin, a native of the Old Dominion state. The grandfather was a general contractor and bridge-builder in the very early days of Gallia county, and followed his occupation until the loss of a leg compelled retirement from active life. He removed to

Iowa in 1843, and to Oregon in 1852, finally locating in Vancouver, Wash., where he died in the spring of 1853, at the age of seventy years. His son, John, the father of Martin V., was born in Gallia county, and was trained for the medical profession, which he practiced for some years. His removal to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1841, placed him among the very first settlers of that region, and he practiced medicine and farmed there until his death in 1850 at the age of forty-one years. His wife, formerly Elizabeth Wood, was born in Virginia, and shortly after the death of her husband crossed the plains to Oregon, locating on a claim of one hundred and sixty aeres in Linn county. Her second husband was J. B. Stinson, who crossed the plains in the early days and died in Polk county. She was the mother of five children, three sons and two daughters. Her death oc- curred at the home of her daughter in Harris- burg.

The oldest in his father's family, Martin V. Koontz was obliged to leave school at the age of twelve, and devote himself entirely to farm work. At the age of fifteen he accompanied his mother across the plains. What might otherwise have been a pleasant journey was marred by the depredations of the Indians, who encircled their camp one night on the banks of the Platte river and took away six of their seven horses. For the rest of the way to Oregon Martin was obliged to walk, and it was a weary youth that finally reached his destination in Vancouver, Wash. He attended the Santiam Academy for a period of six months, finally qualifying as a teacher. For nine months he taught the little country school, and in 1858 removed to eastern Oregon and engaged in logging near The Dalles, for J. H. Mosier. In 1859 he took up farming, and in 1860 went to the mining district on the Frazer river, returning to his farm and remain- ing there until 1865. He then went to west Montana and engaged in a general merchandise business and trading with the Indians and trav- elers during 1867-8, freighting from Umatilla to Silver City, Idaho.

In 1869 Mr. Koontz came to Linn county, via San Francisco, locating in Halsey, where in 1871 he began as a clerk for Jacob Thompson, a general merchant. In 1876 he started his present mercantile business, and now carries a stock valued at $15,000. In addition, he buys and sells large quantities of grain, and for stor- ing the same pending its sale he has two large warehouses in the town. Mr. Koontz married in Halsey, Mary Conkwright, who was born in the state of Michigan, and is the mother of two children, Clyde H., in his father's store; and Edith, living with her parents. Mr. Koontz is energetic and progressive, and as a merchant,

That deals

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city treasurer, and politician, has won the con- fidence of the community for which he has pains- takingly labored for many years. Few advance- ments have been suggested or carried to a suc- cessful finish which have not received his hearty support, and in many instances he has taken the initiative, and inspired in others an enthusiasm equal to his own.

THOMAS SCOTT. Scott's Mills, named for their promoters, Robert Hall and Thomas Scott, are familiar to the residents of Marion county, and constitute a landmark of importance. Built by Robert H. Scott about 1866, the mills were jointly conducted by the brothers until 1892, when Thomas Scott became the sole owner, and has since had their entire management. The most modern machinery forms the equipment of the mills, the capacity of which is sixty barrels per day, the entire wheat crop of the district being used in the consumption. At one time the brothers were very extensively identified with lumbering, and for carrying on their busi- ness owned two thousand acres of timber land. Both became prominent in the general affairs of their neighborhood, and were accounted among the most substantial and reliable of its upbuild- ers.

Of sturdy Scotch ancestry, the brothers were natives of Bamff's Mills, Roxburyshire, Scot- land, Thomas Scott being born December 8, 1840. He was the son of John Scott, the re- mainder of whose family consisted of Robert H. Adam, a resident of Manitoba; John, located in upper Canada ; James, deceased, as a soldier in the English army for twenty-one years having served in the Crimean war and Indian mutiny ; Jane, a resident of Scotland; and Betsy, now Mrs. Marshall, also of Scotland. These children profited by educational opportunities as their cir- cumstances permitted. Thomas Scott was edu- cated in the public schools, and in his youth saw a great deal of milling in his native land. At the age of fifteen he started out to make his own living, serving an apprenticeship of three years in a grist mill, receiving in return for long hours and hard work about $30 for the first year. An unfortunate accident in the mills resulted in enforced inactivity for a year or so, but after recovering he went to work with renewed en- ergy, following his trade until coming to America in 1866. He at once became identified with the mills erected here by his brother, and which at the present time are among the modern and well equipped grist mills of the valley. Mr. Scott has a fine and paying business, and while cater- ing to an extensive and permanent trade has made hosts of friends, and laid by a competency for himself. He is a self-educated and self- made man, his success the result of his own

efforts, and in the pursuit of his labors he has won the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. In political affiliation he is a Democrat, and though never desirous of official recognition he has several times been elected to office, serving as postmaster for about eight years, justice of the peace, and is at present acting as notary public. In all matters of public enterprise he has been a prominent factor and liberal contribu- tor. Mr. Scott is alone in the enjoyment of his prosperity, for he has never married.

PHILIP M. KIRKLAND. One of the hon- ored pioneer families of Oregon has a capable and typical representative in Philip M. Kirkland, a progressive business man of Independence, engaged in managing his drug store, and in the extensive buying and selling of hops. His father, J. W. Kirkland, of whom extended men- tion is made elsewhere in this work, set his chil- dren an example of fortitude and industry which is not only appreciated but emulated. The son was born in Monroe county, Mo., May 6, 1854, the third in a family of four sons. He was ten years of age when he crossed the plains with his parents, and from 1864 to 1869 lived with the family in Helena, Mont. After removing to Ore- gon in 1869 he lived on the paternal farm, and in 1879 removed to eastern Oregon, where he engaged extensively in the stock and grain bus- iness, purchasing land from time to time till he became the owner of one thousand one hun- dred acres. He also was interested in a drug enterprise at Athena, Umatilla county, Ore., for four years.

Mr. Kirkland came to Independence and bought the brick building in which his drug store is now located, and, profiting by his former ex- perience, and utilizing his best knowledge as to the requirements along his line, fitted out as fine a store as may be found in Polk county, and which is the largest of its kind in the county. The great hop industry centering around Inde- pendence has furnished an opportunity for Mr. Kirkland, and he has entered heartily into the promotion of this important enterprise. Last year he handled about ten thousand bales of the product at an average price of twenty-five cents per pound.

In Independence Mr. Kirkland owns a modern cottage fitted with up-to-date conveniences. In 1882 he married Emma J. Turner, who was born in Illinois, and who died in Independence in 1901 at the age of forty-four years. Mrs. Kirkland was a daughter of Samuel Turner, a native of Maine, and who in early life removed to Illinois. From there he came to Montana, in 1869, and locating in eastern Oregon in 1878, where he en- gaged in farming, his death occurring in 1901,

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at the age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Kirkland left to the care of her husband one son, Frank M., who is living at home. Mr. Kirkland is a Dem- crat in politics, although he entertains very lib- eral ideas on political questions, believing in vot- ing for the man best qualified to serve the com- munity interests. He is fraternally connected with Lyon Lodge No. 29, Ancient, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of which he is past master, the Independence Chapter Royal Arch Masons and worthy patron of the order of the Eastern Star ; also the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Kirkland has the esteem of all who are associated with him in whatsoever capacity, and his many virtues are generally acknowledged.

ALBERT I. CRANDALL. One of the younger generation of successful business men of Lebanon is Albert I. Crandall, for several years identified with building interests there, and since 1900 the owner and manager of the Lebanon planing mill. He comes of a family well rep- resented in the business of that town, for his father, John N. Crandall, has been engaged in building and contracting there since 1891. John Crandall was born in Ohio, September 13, 1836, and when quite young removed to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he worked at his'trade of carpentering, and also managed his farm. In Iowa he married Charlotte Jane Brown, a native of Iowa. They resided on their farm until 1877, when they removed to Smith Center, Kans. This continued to be their home until 1891, the father in the meantime working at his trade with con- siderable success. He has succeeded well in Lebanon, and some of the finest work in his line in the town has been done by him. At present Mr. Crandall is sixty-six years old, while his wife is two years his junior. Their married life has been harmonious and happy, and their children have proved a credit to the practical training and wholesome occupations to which they were reared.

Albert I. Crandall was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, October 19, 1868, and was edu- cated in the public schools. As a small boy he learned a great deal about tools and woodwork. Working constantly with his father, he became a practical builder, and at the age of twenty- three, when he came to Oregon, settled down to active work at his trade. Working with his father and brother Lewis until 1900, he purchased the Lebanon planing mill, which is turning out large quantities of general building materials. April 12, 1899, Mr. Crandall married Nettie Amos, a native of Oregon, of which union there has been born a daughter, Hilda A.

A prominent figure in the politics of Lebanon, Mr. Crandall is stanchly supporting the Repub-

lican party, in the ranks of which he has held numerous offices. He is a member of the county central committee, and has served as deputy coun- ty recorder and assessor. The spirit of fair play and personal integrity which this rising young politician brings to the interests of his party, pre-supposes a continuation of his popular- ity. Add to this his standing as a business man, and his adopted town has cause to regard as fortunate the association of himself and family with the city of Lebanon.

MARION PALMER. The son of an early settler in Oregon, Marion Palmer was born April 1, 1855, upon his father's donation claim, known at that time as Lone Butte Hill, the land comprising it being that west of which the town of Mt. Angel now stands. The college of Mt. Angel stands near the spot where he first saw the light. His father, John Henry Palmer, was born November 2, 1818, in the state of Ken- tucky, but removed early with his parents to Lincoln county, Mo., and the years of his early manhood were principally spent in the latter state. After his school days were over he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he car- ried on in conjunction with his farming, re- maining at home with his parents until his mar- riage with Catherine Graves, a native of Vir- ginia. In 1853 he brought his family to Oregon, crossing the plains with ox-teams and being about six months on the journey. On reaching their destination, he bought a squatter's right to a donation claim located in Marion county, four and one-half miles north of Silverton, this being the scene of the birth of Marion Palmer of this review.

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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 181

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