Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 183

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 183

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Democrat in politics, he served as treasurer of Linn county for one term. With his wife, Nancy J. (Hall) Wallace, he attends the Baptist Church. Mrs. Wallace died near Albany in 1886 at the age of fifty-five years. The Hall family are of English ancestry, the members of which settled first in North Carolina, where Obadiah Hall, the father of Mrs. Wallace, was born. He was a planter in Tennessee, and died there at an advanced age, firm in the faith of the Bap- tist Church.

The impressions most vividly recalled by Dr. Wallace of his childhood in the south are those centered around the period of the Civil war, when his neighborhood was ravaged by the sol- diers, and life became hazardous. During that time the schools were suspended and his edu- cation was retarded. After the war he continued his studies at Jacksboro, Tenn., and afterward engaged in teaching for a couple of terms in a local academy. Following close upon his teach- ing he studied medicine with Dr. Charles D. . Russell of Jacksboro, and after a couple of years entered the medical department of the University of Tennessee, from which he was graduated with first honors in the class of 1880. His scholar- ship was distinguished by brilliancy and ex- ceptional merit, in recognition of which he re- ceived the Paul F. Eve and two other gold medals. With this creditable start in life the doctor engaged in practice in Anderson, Tenn., and four years later, in 1884, located in his pres- ent home in Albany, Ore. In order to keep pace with the progress in the profession as understood by the most advanced minds in the country he took a post-graduate course in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School, in 1890.

That Dr. Wallace has been successful beyond the average practitioner is evidenced by his large land holdings in city and county, and these in- vestments indicate also his faith in the future of his adopted state. He is the owner of the postoffice building in Albany, has built up resi- dence and business property, and owns a farm of four hundred and forty acres in Linn county. While living in Knoxville, Tenn., he was united in marriage with Alice Tullock, born in Camp- bell county, Tenn., and was educated at the Jacksboro Academy. One child has been born of this union, Russell, now attending the Al- bany College, in the class of 1904. Dr. Wal- lace is a member of the State Medical Society and from a professional standpoint has held many positions of trust in the community, including membership on the pension board, a position he held for ten or twelve years, when he resigned. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, and socially with the Alco Club. The doctor is possessed of strong personal char- acteristics, which render him extremely popular

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with all classes of people. Genial and optimistic, he is an ideal practitioner, understanding fully the saving grace of tact, humor, and consider- ation.

WILLIAM M. ALLEN. Living retired in Halsey is a man who has been connected in a most interesting and substantial manner with the early history of this section, and who used to ride over this prairie when scarcely a human liabitation indicated the presence of white men. While various avenues of activity have been in- vaded by him with equally good results, his life in the west has been devoted chiefly to buying and selling cattle and lands. He consequently possesses great familiarity with all parts of the county, and is an expert judge of stock. William M. Allen is a pioneer of 1852, and was twenty- two years of age when he crossed the plains with his parents. He was born in Madison, Ill., July 27, 1830, his father, Alfred, and his mother, Sarah (Jackson) Allen, being natives respective- ly of Kentucky and North Carolina. On the maternal side he comes from a family which has furnished a president of the United States, his mother, who lived between 1767 and 1845, being a cousin of General Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the country. From his native state Alfred Allen moved to Indiana, and from there to Illinois at an early day, where he married, and from where he set out on the westward journey in the spring of 1852. Locating in Mohawk, Lane county, Ore., he took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres, sold the same in 1858 and went to The Dalles, Washington county. In 1862 he located in Linn county, Ore., and bought four hundred acres of land on the Muddy river, just about the time they were build- ing the railroad through here. His was one of the first houses in the locality and he became one of the best known men hereabouts, evincing at all times a keen interest in the development of farming and other enterprises. His last years were spent in retirement, he and his wife travel- ing their well worn way in harmony and peace, and, as seemed consistent with their united lives, both died in 1875, the wife three days before her husband.

The fifth of the four sons and two daughters in his father's family, William M. was educated in the public schools of Illinois, and after coming west, took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Mohawk, Lane county, not far from his father's claim. In 1861 he bought land in Klickitat county, Wash., and the follow- ing year bought and took a drove of cattle to British Columbia, disposed of the same, and afterward came direct to Linn county. Pur- chasing a half section of land near Halsey, he

raised stock thereon until 1864, then sold it, and followed the occupation of buying and selling stock, driving herds to Washington and eastern Oregon, and supplying markets all over the state. For about ten years he has been retired from active life, having accumulated a compe- tency, a considerable portion of which he loans out. He also owns two ranches in Linn county, aggregating five hundred acres of land.

The marriage of Mr. Allen partook of the romance which has characterized his somewhat adventurous and roving life, for, owing to pa- rental opposition, he deliberately ran away with Emma Zulliforde, daughter of William Zulliforde, and sought the services of Justice of the Peace Paul Clover in the foothills of the Cascade moun- tains. Mr. Zulliforde lived for many years in Illi- nois, where his daughter was born, and from where he crossed the plains in 1852, locating on the ranch near Mohawk where his death oc- curred. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, of whom Arra, the oldest daughter, is the wife of Monroe Miller, a farmer of this vicinity ; Benjamin F., Jr., lives at Grant's Pass, Ore .; W. A. is on his father's farm; and Lena is at home.

Mr. Allen was the first commissioner of Crook county, Ore., elected by the people, and he has further promoted the interests of Republicanism in this section, serving both as school director and clerk, and as a member of the city council for many terms. He is a broad-minded and pro- gressive man, inspiring the greatest confidence in all with whom he has to do, and representing in the measure of his solid success the best type of northwestern manhood.

PETER K. JOHNSON was born in the cen- tral part of Norway, July 24, 1838, the descend- ant of a line of farmers, his father also follow- ing this occupation in conjunction with the car- penter's trade. After his education in the district schools was completed, the son took up the trade of his father, which he followed for several years in Norway. In 1864 he married Miss Sarah Anderson, also a native of that country, and there the young couple began their married life. After two years they decided to try their for- tunes in the faraway western land, of which they had heard so much, and accordingly set sail for the United States in 1866. Upon their arrival they went at once to Illinois. After two years they removed to Clinton Junction, Wis., just across the state line from their former residence, where they passed the ensuing five years, Mr. Johnson working at his trade in Chicago the principal part of the time.

In 1873 they ventured still farther west, com- ing with hopeful hearts to Oregon, where soon

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after his arrival Mr. Johnson purchased the farm upon which they now make their home. This farm is located one and a half miles south of Mount Angel. The first piece of land bought contained eighty-six acres, but with the profits of his industry and management he has been enabled to add to the original purchase until he now owns one hundred and twenty acres. Upon this farm Mr. Johnson himself has made all the improvements, including a modern house and good buildings of all kinds, which are the best in the neighborhood. He has also built a double- kiln hop house and storehouse, having twenty- two acres devoted to the cultivation of hops, from which was produced in 1902 twenty thous- and pounds. These he disposed of at a uniform price of twenty-six and a half cents per pound. Seventy acres of his farm are under cultivation. In addition to this he continued to work at his trade from the time of his arrival in Oregon to 1890, thus adding greatly to his income. A large family has blessed his marriage, the children be- ing as follows: John, of Portland; Andrew, de- ceased; Frank, of Portland; Edward, residing near Brooks; Anna, wife of C. Esson, of The Dalles; Albert, of Portland; Allen, at home ; and Sherman, who is attending Portland Dental College. Mr. Johnson has served on the school board and as road supervisor. He has always taken an active part in political matters, being a strong adherent of the policy advocated by the Republican party. Having the courage of his convictions, he has exercised no little influence in the affairs of his neighborhood.

The mother of Mr. Johnson having died in Norway in 1863, his father came seven years later to the land that held his son's family, set- tling first in Wisconsin, but later going to Min- nesota to pass the remainder of his days. There he died at the age of seventy-nine years.

THEOBALD KIRSCH. Like all other land in this vicinity the farm belonging to Theobald Kirsch was once a wilderness of unfurrowed fields and unfelled forests, where it now blossoms with harvests and gratifies the eye with the at- tractive, modern buildings that have been erected upon it. These changes are due to the indefatiga- ble energy and management of its thrifty owner, who, animated by proper pride as well as self- interest, has become noted throughout the neigh- borhood as one of the best farmers of which it boasts. The greatest credit is due Mr. Kirsch for the praiseworthy efforts that have brought him success, for he started in life with nothing to help him even to the first round of the ladder but his own manliness and determination to make something out of his life. That he has succeeded is established beyond a doubt, the broad acres

of his farm testifying to the affluence that has come to him in the evening of life.

Theobald Kirsch was born August 10, 1841, in Lorraine, in what was then French territory, but in 1871 passed to Germany, and came to the United States with his parents in 1855, settling in New York, where his father worked at general labor for a few years. At the end of this time enough money had been accumulated to warrant moving into the farming region of Sandusky county, Ohio, where they bought land upon which they lived until 1870. While in this loca- tion Theobald arrived at his twenty-first year, and following his inclinations he enlisted in Company H, Seventy-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered into ser- vice at Columbus in October, 1862, and went at once with the regiment to Memphis, where they did guard duty for some time. Later he was in the memorable siege of Vicksburg. In the bat- tle of Guntown he was taken prisoner, being sent to Andersonville, where he was confined until the close of the war. This was a period of ten months, after which he was sent to Jackson- ville, Fla., and from there to Annapolis, Md., thence to Camp Chase near Columbus, Ohio, where he was mustered out of service, having served two years and nine months. Returning to his home near Fremont, Ohio, he remained there for a short time, preceding his parents to Wisconsin by four years, their removal there being made in 1870. The old people later passed away in that state, the father at the age of eighty years, March 1, 1886, the mother dying' May 4, 1882, at seventy-two years of age. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are now living, Theobald being the only one in Oregon.

In 1888 Mr. Kirsch came to this county and bought one hundred and ninety-five aeres of land, which now forms a part of his home. To that purchase he has added until he now owns four hundred and thirty acres, two hundred and sev- enty-five acres of which are under cultivation. He has fifty-seven acres devoted to hops, from which was produced last year forty thousand pounds. He now rents this part of his farm. By his union in 1866 to Miss Tracy Von Hatten, born January 8, 1849, in Pittsburg, Pa., he became the father of eleven children. six of whom are now living. The second of the children, Rosa, is the only one who is not at home, she having become the wife of H. Butch, of British Columbia, where they have five children. The remaining children are as follows : Joseph, who is married and on the home place ; John. Henry. Frank and Frona, all unmarried ; Mary, deceased, was married to John Camp, and had a son ; Lena, deceased, was mar- ried to Martin Preuneg, and had two children; Annie, Annie (the second child bearing the

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name), and George, all died in early childhood. Politically Mr. Kirsch is a Democrat and served at one time as road supervisor. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

ALBERT G. PRILL, M. D. A physician of Scio, Linn county, Ore., whose future gives promise of an advancement to a high degree of excellence and success in his chosen profession, Dr. Albert G. Prill was born May 5, 1869, in Springville, N. Y., where his father, John Prill, a native of Germany, located many years ago and engaged in farming. Success is a na- tive element in the character of this family, for with nothing to encourage John Prill to believe in the successful future which was before him he began in a strange land and among strange surroundings, and became one of the noticeably successful men of that section of the state, now owning seven hundred and fifty acres of land. He makes his home in Springville, living retired at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was formerly Mary Tardell, also a native of the Fatherland, and who crossed the ocean with him, anxious to help in the labor for a home and com- petency. As she shared his labor she now enjoys the rest, being seventy-three years old.

Of their six children, three of whom are liv- ing, Albert G. Prill is the youngest. He was given a good education, after attending the com- mon schools completing in the high school of Springville, from which he was graduated in 1886. Intent on entering upon the profession he had chosen he became a student in the med- ical department of Buffalo University in 1887, and after an attendance of three years he was graduated with the degree of M. D. In the same year, 1890, he came to Oregon, and locating in Salem, engaged in a general practice of medi- cine. After nine months in that location he re- moved to Sodaville, Linn county, and remained successfully engaged there until 1896. At that date he came to Scio and has since remained in this location. Not content with the knowledge of medicine gained in his first years in the study, Dr. Prill has since devoted much time to re- search in his efforts to advance in the profes- sion. In 1898 he was graduated from the Na- tional Institute of Pharmacy, of Chicago, Ill., and took a three-months course in electro-thera- peutics in Lima, Ohio. In 1900 he attended the New York Clinical School of Medicine, tak- ing a course in surgery, and especially devoting his thought to the amelioration of the ills of womankind. His advance in his profession has been very noticeable, and is certainly appreciated by those among whom he labors.

Dr. Prill was married in Springville, N. Y., in 1889, to Anna C. Satterlee Bates, a native of

that state, and the two children born of the union are now deceased, one having died in infancy, and Ariel V. in early childhood. In his fraternal relations Dr. Prill is exceedingly active, be- ing a member of Scio Lodge No. 39, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Leonidas Lodge No. 36, Knights of Pythias; Dierdorff Lodge No. 54, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Stewart No. 51, Encampment; Knights of the Maccabees ; Modern Woodmen of America; Ancient Order of United Workmen; and Order of Pendo. He is active in all of these, having passed all the chairs with the exception of those of the Masons. He is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, and politically casts his vote with the Republican party. In the in- terests of the public he acts as health officer of the city. Dr. Prill owns considerable property in the city, in addition to the handsome little cottage and three acres of land about it. He purchased his office of Dr. E. O. Hyde.

One of the most engrossing interests' of Dr. Prill is that of ornithology, of which he is a profound student, and in his study he has col- lected many and interesting specimens, now own- ing one of the finest private collections of birds in the state. Never content with anything less than the best in whatever line his interests are directed, much is expected of such a man as Dr. Prill in the advancement of all worthy inter- prises, and through him, as a citizen, the future holds fulfillment for the promises of a strong, earnest and honest manhood.

EVALINE SHELTON. At present living retired in the town of Jordan, Mrs. Evaline Shel- ton has seen a great deal of pioneer life in the west, and has been in close touch with its agri- cultural development, as have been the wives of all the pioneers. Born in the vicinity of Nash- ville, Tenn., November 1, 1827, she is a daughter of Edward Jones, a native of South Carolina, who in early life removed to Tennessee. Later, Mr. Jones lived on farms in Illinois and Wis- consin, his last years being spent in Andrew county, Mo., where he died at the age of seventy- five years. He was a farmer by occupation, was fairly successful, and was devoted to the Dem- ocratic party.

On her father's farm in Andrew county, Mo., Mrs. Shelton met and married her husband, Will- iam Shelton, who was born in Virginia, August 15, 1820. Before locating in Andrew county, Mr. Shelton lived in Jackson county, Mo., and after his marriage went to housekeeping on his own farm, near that of the Sheltons. Believing that the west held superior opportunities for agri- culturists, he sold his farm in 1853, and out- fitted with ox-teams and prairie schooners, tak-

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ing with him several head of loose cattle. He was not the first of his family to seek the far west, as in 1847 his father, Herman Shelton, who was born in Virginia, settled on a section of land five miles east of Scio, where he died at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a Demo- crat in politics, and a member and active worker in the Baptist Church.

In the party of William Shelton was his mother-in-law, Mary (Louder) Jones, who, how- ever, less strong than her companions, succumbed to an attack of cholera and died in Tygh valley, eastern Oregon. The party proceeded after this sad happening much depressed in spirits, and finally arrived in Linn county, where Mr. Shel- ton took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres ten miles east of Scio. This he improved and lived upon, and made into a valuable and pro- ductive property, and here his death occurred July 4, 1902. Like his father he was a Demo- crat, and was a stanch supporter of the Baptist Church. His wife remained on the farm until October, 1902, and then removed to Scio, and later, October 1, 1903, to Jordan, having earned the right to rest for the remainder of her life. Of her eight children, three are living, these be- ing Lucilla, the wife of Henry Phillips, of Jor- dan, Ore .; Andrew J., a conductor on the Cor- vallis & Eastern Railroad ; and Mary, who is now Mrs. Pruitt, of Baker City, Ore.

Mention is due Lee Shelton, brother-in-law of Mrs. Shelton, who is farming in Linn county in a small way, and is a man of fine personal characteristics. He also was born in Missouri, and crossed the plains with his father in 1847, thereafter helping him in the improvement of his farm.

JACOB M. STARK, mayor of the city of Independence, is one of the most highly respected citizens of the place, as well as the proprietor of its only hotel. He is, to use the expressive western term, a "hustler," and while winning success in the hotel business he is also known as a speculator, whose winnings in this line have been of no small amount. He was born in Washington county, Ky., May 15, 1845. His father, Benjamin Stark, was also a native of the Bluegrass state, and in 1848 removed to Polk county, Ill., making his home near Golconda, where he followed farming and died in 1850. In his agricultural pursuits he achieved success. In politics he was a Whig. His death occurred from cholera, at the age of fifty-one years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Fannie Phelps, was born in Indianapolis, Ind., and also died of choléra in 1850, as did two sons and one daughter, there being at the time a terrible epidemic of that dread disease. In this family

there were eleven children, five boys and six girls, J. M. Stark being the tenth child, and he and one sister are the only surviving children. At the age of five years he was thrown upon his own resources. He received no educational privileges, but after drifting here and there for a time he finally, in 1855, found a home with William Claupet, of Jacksonville, Ill., who gave him his first instruction in work. When about sixteen years of age, in response to his country's call, on the 8th of August, 1861, he enlisted with Company A, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, and marched to the front. In 1862 he received an honorable discharge on account of illness and disability. He crossed the plains in the same year, going as far as the present boundaries of Idaho, but very soon returned to Montana. In the fall of 1863 he began freighting by teams from Salt Lake to Virginia City, Montana, con- tinuing until 1867, when he went to the vicinity of Springfield, Ill., and afterward joined a brother and sister who were at Pawnee, Ill. Here he connected himself with the Wabash Railroad Company in construction work, remain- ing with the company for eighteen years.

During his residence at Pawnee he conducted a general merchandise business and built the Pawnee Stub Railway, which runs from Pawnee due west, eleven miles to Albany, and is con- nected with the Chicago & Alton Railway. He sold his interest in the stub railway on March 13, 1890, to the original stockholders. Besides his many other interests he established a paper called the Pawnee Enterprise. In 1891 he suf- fered considerable loss by fire and decided to remove to Oregon. He located at Independence, purchased the Little Palace Hotel property of the Rev. J. R. N. Bell, and successfully engaged in the hotel business. In 1900 he bought a saw- mill business and sold it in December, 1902, to F. A. Douty, of Independence. In 1900 he also purchased the Cottage Hotel and made it his place of residence. Mr. Stark was married at Eagleville, Mo., to Miss Georgia A. Blanken- ship, who was born near Vandalia, Ill. Her father, Lewis Blankenship, was a native of Illi- nois, and a farmer by occupation. He removed to Missouri in 1883, and in 1893 located near Independence, Ore. His wife having passed away, he makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Stark. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stark were born seven children, four of whom are now liv- ing : Lola. a graduate of Mt. Angel College; Inez and John L., twins, and Aliene.

During the present year Mr. Stark bought the merchandise stock of F. A. Douty and moved the stock to Fall City, Polk county, where he conducts a large store. Mr. Stark is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is a

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stanch Republican, always interested in the wel- fare of his party. He was elected mayor in 1903. As chief executive of the city, Mr. Stark is winning the encomiums of all. He stands firm- ly on the side of law and order. His success in life has been achieved through his own efforts and well does he deserve to be classed among the most progressive and enterprising men of Oregon.

HENRY K. LUGGER. Talent, it has been said, can be mastered by man, while genius is the master of man. This is true to a certain extent, for it is the exception to find the man of genius a success in a business way, and a power in the industrial life of a community. It is this which distinguishes Mr. Lugger, the present superintendent of the Albany water- works, for his fine and accurate knowledge of all mechanism has called forth an admiration which has given him credit for more than ordi- nary ability. The position which he now holds was accepted in June, 1902, and even in this brief period of time he has won a position of prominence and esteem in the business life of the city, in keeping with the effort he has put forth toward the advancement of his work.

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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 183

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