Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 184

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 184

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The birth of Henry K. Lugger occurred in Westphalia, Germany, his father, Frederick, being also a native of that locality. The latter was a stonemason by trade. In 1860 he brought his family to America, on a sailing vessel, and located in New Orleans, La., where he engaged as a contractor and mason until his death. He married Sophia Mueller, also a native of West- phalia, and her death also occurred in New Orleans. Of the three sons and one daughter born to them all attained maturity, of whom three sons are now living. The youngest of this family, and the only one who located on the Pacific coast, was Henry K. Lugger. He was born April 30, 1858, and in New Orleans attended a private school until he was fourteen years old, when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a machinist. For three years he worked in ship and railroad shops in the city, after which he went to Galveston, Tex., where during the day he worked at his trade and at night attended school, his earnestness of purpose and deter- mination enabling him to make the sacrifice for the sake of future gain. Later he worked at the trade of carpenter in Galveston, after which, in 1881, he removed to Dennison, Ohio, and soon after to Delaware of the same state, where he engaged as a machinist, in the latter city remain- ing for seven years. In 1889 Mr. Lugger came to Oregon, locating in Yaquina Bay, as fore- man of the car department in the shops of the old Oregon Pacific, and later occupying the

same position for the Corvallis & Eastern Rail- road. It was from the position of general fore- man of the shops that Mr. Lugger resigned in 1899 to engage in the mercantile business in the same city, the firm being known as Lugger & Pruett. After eighteen months he removed to Baker City and bought an interest in the Blue Mountain Iron Works, this firm being Gilbert & Lugger. After a year's time he sold out to Mr. Gilbert, and coming to Albany he accepted his present position, in which he has charge of the water supply. In addition to this work, Mr. Lugger is also experienced as a draughtsman and does much of that work.

Mr. Lugger was married to Miss Anna Healy, a native of Delaware, Ohio, where the cere- mony was performed. Three daughters have been born to them, namely: Theresa, Catherine and Wilhelmina, the first named being a student of Albany College. In his fraternal relations Mr. Lugger is a member of the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, of Albany, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a Republican, believing that the principles of this party are best calculated to advance the prosperity of the country, but in local affairs he measures the man as well as the principles and casts his vote for the man whose administration is governed by patriotism and principle. While at Yaquina Bay Mr. Lugger served as president of the school board for several years, and took a very active part in the work necessary to secure good schools.

JACOB M. MILLER. Since May, 1875, Jacob M. Miller has identified his fortunes with Marion county, Ore .. That he has suc- ceeded as an agriculturist is evidenced by the fact that he is the owner of a finely improved farm of three hundred acres on the French Prairie, about two hundred acres of which are under cultivation. Although practically retired at the present time, Mr. Miller still maintains an interest in his farm, its buildings, implements, and crops, and he is the intelligent and mature adviser of his son, John H., to whom he has turned over the greater part of the responsibility.

At the age of fifteen years, Mr. Miller left Baden, Germany, where he was born February 24. 1832, and, accompanied by his parents, sailed for the distant shores of America. After thirty days upon the ocean the stanch craft cast anchor in New York harbor, the passengers departing inland in various directions, as inclination dic- tated. The Miller family settled on a farm near Utica, N. Y., and after remaining there for twelve years removed to Jo Daviess county, Ill., the father having in the meantime turned over his business to his sons. In Illinois Jacob

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M., and his brother John bought a farm of four hundred and twenty acres, a large farm for the middle west, and lived thereon together until the brother became sole possessor of the prop- erty in 1876, and Jacob M. came west in search of larger opportunities. Of his brother-in-law, Francis Feller, he purchased four hundred and twenty acres on French prairie, four miles from Butteville, in time disposing of all but the three hundred acres which he now owns.

September 23, 1864, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Elizabeth Feller, sister of Francis Feller, and of this union there have been born eight children: Mary is the wife of Charles Lemky, assessor of Marion county, and a resident of Salem; Carrie is the wife of William Scollard, a farmer and hop-raiser near Gervais; Lizzie is the wife of Andrew Walker, of Milwaukee, Ore .; Fred is helping to man-" age his father's farm; William is a hop-grower near Woodburn; John H. is managing the home farm; Edward is a resident of Portland; and Minnie is at home.

For many years Mr. Miller has been a stanch upholder of Democracy. He has filled the offices of school director and road supervisor. He is held in high esteem by those who have been associated with him for years, and he has the good will of a host of warm friends, who appre- ciate his many fine traits of character.

CAPT. JAMES BLAKELY. In the lives of the founders of the northwest we find peculiarly effective illustrations of those qualities which prepare the way for public prosperity and happi- ness. James Blakely is one of those who has bravely borne his part in the formation epoch of this country, and few there are who are more intelligently or interestingly reminiscent of the days which tried the fibre of men, and either made or ruined them with its parallel hope and discouragement. Out of this period Mr. Blakely has emerged strengthened and hopeful, the pos- sessor of a comfortable home earned by the sweat of his brow. An evening spent with this cheery, early settler would convince the most skeptical that the way of the pioneer is thorny, although often an adventurous and exciting one, and that he who wins success without money or influence must needs be the possessor of more than ordinary courage and sagacity.

This pioneer of 1846 was born in Knox county, Tenn., November 26, 1812, and in spite of the fact that ninety-one years have passed over his head, still has youthful sympathies, and a heart attuned to the joy and expectancy of life. The point of a joke is never lost in the meshes of his wary brain, nor are his exceedingly humorous accounts of the early days without

interest to his hearers. His service in the Indian wars of the west in 1856 rounds out the third generation of his family to shoulder arms in defense of this country, the first to thus bring honor upon the name being his paternal grand- father, Charles Blakely, who came to America from Ireland as a small boy, locating with his parents in the Old Dominion. The oppressed colonists found in him a ready defender, and he slept and fought in the tents and battlefields of the Revolutionary war. After the war the soldier removed to Tennessee, and died on his farm in Knox county at the age of four score years. His son, Joseph, was born on this old Tennessee farm, and, emulating the martial spirit of his sire, took part in the less famous and lengthy war of 1812. Aside from this his life was spent in Knox county, Tenn., until 1838, in which year he moved to a farm in Platte county, Mo., and engaged in farming and stock- raising. His death took place in Nodaway county, Mo., at the age of seventy-four. His wife, formerly Jensia Browning, was a native daughter of Knox county, Tenn., her father, James Browning, having been born in North Carolina. The maternal family was distinguished for the longevity of its members, and Mrs. Blakely exceeded her husband in the length of her useful life.

The third of the six sons and six daughters born to his parents, James Blakely worked hard on the home farm, and at irregular intervals attended the remotely located schoolhouse with its puncheon floors and greased paper windows. He grew up a bare-footed boy, but with splendid health, and a superabundance of spirits and vitality. His father profited by his services until he was twenty-two years old, and at that time he hired out to a nearby farmer, as the numerous children at home could easily perform all needed work on the home place. With the courage of the youthful and inexperienced he married early in life, his choice falling on a native daughter of Jefferson county, Tenn., and whose name was Sarah Dick. She was born November 24, 1815, and was three years the junior of her husband. Her death occurred June 14, 1888, at the age of seventy-four years. After his marriage, Mr. Blakely rented a piece of land near the home place, and in 1838 came overland with his father and the rest of the family to Missouri, taking up a government farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This did not prove particularly profit- able, so he soon sold out and leased a place for a couple of years.

To this quiet inland farm came news of awak- ing possibilities in the far west, and to Mr. Blakely this seemed the opportunity for which he had been looking so long. It did not take him long to purchase oxen and otherwise equip

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for the long journey, and even though emigra- tion to the west was as yet in its infancy he bravely set forth, armed and provisioned against any emergency that might arise. Arriving in this county after a comparatively peaceful and pleasant journey, he took up a donation claim upon a portion of which Brownsville is now located, and built a little one-room house in the wilderness. He soon observed the mercantile chances which would abound as the country should become better settled, and even the Indians in the neighborhood offered a trade by no means to be despised by an ambitious store- keeper. In this connection he was warmly assisted by his uncle, Hugh L. Brown, who, was one of the sincerest friends, and practically life-long helpmate, which have brightened the existence of Mr. Blakely. Out of extreme appreciation for the character and abilities of his friend, Mr. Blakely named Brownsville in his honor, and with him started up a general store, which became the headquarters for trade and sociability in the neighborhood. These early days contained material for a highly inter- esting book of narrative, and it is upon this adventurous epoch that Mr. Blakely draws most freely for the entertainment which his friends so much enjoy today. The Indian war coming on, he naturally took a part in the effort to insure protection to settlers and their possessions, and, enlisting in Company D, Second Oregon Regi- ment he served as captain in the Rogue river campaign, being mustered out at the end of three months, on July 4, 1856.

In connection with his farm Mr. Blakely took a prominent part in the early upbuilding of Brownsville, and later on aided by his mature judgment the more ambitious projects of the citizens. In partnership with another man he built the first flour mill in the town, and he was one of the chief promoters of the Woolen Mills of Brownsville, for many years being a stock owner therein. The greater part of his success has come from stock-raising, in which he has engaged nearly all his life, and from his farm innumerable heads of fine cattle, horses, and hogs have reached the markets. Generous to a fault, Mr. Blakely has retained but a small portion of his large property for his own use, the balance having either been sold or given to his children. In a comfortable and homelike little cottage he is watching the setting sun of a fine and honorable life, surrounded by the love of his children, and the good will of a host of friends. With him lives his grandson, James Blakely Cooley.

Mr. Blakely has subscribed to the principles of the Democratic party during his entire voting life, and after coming to the west took quite a

prominent part in local affairs. For two terms he was a member of the city council of Browns- ville, and for many years he served as school director and road supervisor. He is fraternally connected with the Masons. Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Blakely, Eleanor, the oldest child and daughter is the wife of Kennedy Montgomery, a stockman and rancher of Crook county, Ore .; Catherine, widow of Jeremiah Lewis; William, a farmer of Pendle- ton, Ore., and ex-sheriff of Pendleton county ; Harriet, the wife of G. C. Cooley, a merchant of Brownsville; Henry, a retired farmer of this place; Caroline, deceased ; Margaret, the widow of Mr. Smith, and a resident of Montana; James, a stock-raiser of the Willow valley; George, engaged in the drug business at The Dalles, and county judge of Wasco county ; Joseph, the chief of police of Pendleton, Ore .; Sarah, the wife of Henry McFarlin, a farmer near Brownsville; and a daughter deceased in infancy. Mr. Blakely has certainly been one of the thrifty and resourceful upbuilders of this county, but who, after all, can best tell his story in his own strangely interesting manner.

WILLIAM WATSON PERCIVAL. The son of a successful pioneer, William Watson Percival has forcibly demonstrated his ability to maintain the honorable name of the family in his relations to the development of Oregon, and has won a place for himself among her prominent citizens by his broad-mindedness and earnest activity in the promotion of all move- ments tending toward the advancement of national or local affairs. His father, William Percival, was born in England, but came to the United States at the age of six years with his parents, who settled in Ohio, but soon after removed to Sheridan county, Mo. This state was one which early responded to the splendid opportunities held out by the west, and William Percival caught the spirit of unrest that made so many wanderers in those days. In 1852 he crossed the plains with ox-teams, locating first in Yamhill county, Ore., where he passed the first winter. Later he came to Polk county and bought a donation claim of three hundred and ninety acres, near Monmouth. Upon this farm he lived until 1877, when he removed to Mon- mouth, there living retired until his death in 1892, at the age of eighty-two years. He left behind him the record of a worthy life, of strong deeds for the upbuilding of a new country, and an earnest, practical cultivation of the oppor- tunities that lay nearest to hand. In Missouri he married Miss Zelrilda Mulkey, a native of that state. She crossed the plains with her

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husband, her father, Johnson Mulkey, having removed here some years before. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Percival, Mrs. J. L. Riggs lives in Salem; M. F., in Mon- mouth; Mrs. M. M. Fryer, in Independence ; Mrs. E. L. Ford is deceased; William Watson, of this review, makes his home in Independence ; R. M., of Warner, Idaho; and Emma, who is now deceased.

William Watson Percival was born in Polk county, Ore., November 26, 1857. After his education in the common schools was completed he was given the added advantages of a course in the Christian College of Monmouth, which he faithfully improved. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in farming. In 1887 he became interested in live stock, shipping to all points of the state. From a modest beginning he has now grown to be one of the most extensive stockmen of this section of the country and bears the repu- tation of a stockbuyer who thoroughly under- stands his business and makes every move in the work count to his credit. He spares no pains or expense to make the best of his opportunities. In addition to his cattle interests, Mr. Percival owns considerable real estate, a farm of sixty- two acres, twenty-five of which are devoted to hop cultivation, being leased at present. His home in Independence is a handsome little cot- tage at the corner of Sixth and C streets.

On January 9, 1882, he married Miss Ida M. D'Lashmutt, who was a native of Yamhill county, Ore., and a daughter of E. L. D'Lashmutt. Of the three children born to them, Maude D. is now deceased, Pearl and Carl being still with their parents. Mr. Percival is a firm adherent of the principles of the Re- publican party, and with his strong personal- ity has exercised no little influence in the affairs of the community. He has twice served as a member of the city council, and has also been chairman of the county central committee as well as a member of the state central committee. Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

NICHOLAS SPRENGER. Among the sub- stantial and worthy pioneers of Linn county none more thoroughly realized the advantages which they found in the west than did Nicholas Sprenger, merchant, millwright, stock-raiser, and farmer, and one of the organizers of the first Masonic Lodge in Linn county. On the small farm in Germany where he was born November 8, 1802, Mr. Sprenger experienced that discon- tent with his surroundings which led him, as a boy of seventeen, to leave his family and friends and embark upon life in a county across the sea, of which he knew naught but by hearsay. In a

sailing vessel he reached New York, remained there a short time, and then made his way to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the merchan- dise business. In Philadelphia he met and mar- ried Maria Bird, and soon after removed to Mor- gan county, Ohio, where he learned the mill- wright's trade, and afterward applied himself to grist and woolen milling.

A large family of children came to gladden the Sprenger home in Ohio, and the milling and merchandising yielded a fair income; yet the same spirit of ambition which had rebelled at the limitations of the little German farm saw further than millwrighting in Ohio, and, in 1852, the father outfitted with ox-teams for crossing the plains. Many provisions were required for feed- ing so large a family for six months, and an ade- quate supply of clothing increased the load to be hauled by the plodding oxen. Few adventures out of the ordinary disturbed the tranquillity of the travelers, the Indians being fairly peaceful, and the weather all that could be desired. Nev- ertheless, the family pursued their way drearily, after burying one of the daughters, Abigail, who died of cholera. They arrived at Oregon City about October 24, 1852, where the mother and children spent the winter. The father, anxious to locate on a desirable claim, spent his winter looking for fertile land, and selected a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, mostly prairie lands, one and a half miles north of Shedds. Here he erected a hewed log house, which still stands, brought his family there with the first breath of spring, and settled down to conquer the obstacles which impeded the prog- ress of all the settlers.

In Oregon Mr. Sprenger devoted his entire time to farming, his useful trade being relegated to the past in the middle west. As time went on he prospered exceedingly, taking a prominent part in the affairs of his township, and exerting his influence for progress and good government. He was prominent in the Masonic order, and as long as he lived took an active interest in Co- rinthian Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Albany, of which he was one of the organizers. He also assisted in the organization of the pioneer Ma- sonic lodge at Oregon City. He was always prominent in church and Sunday-school work, and for many years was a class leader, expound- ing the scriptures with intelligence and enthu- siasm. He was equally interested in educational matters, and not only worked to increase the number of schools, but saw to it that an excellent standard of instruction was maintained. He was a Republican in politics, but never sought official recognition. Good old biblical names were given his three oldest sons, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, all of whom are deceased, as is also Charles. Nicholas B. lives in Albany, Ore .; Henry B. and

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Thomas live on the old homestead; Mary Ann is deceased; Maria is the wife of Capt. John W. Cochran, of Hubbard; Sarah is the widow of Major J. J. Fisher, of Oakland, Cal., a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Sprenger was a large- hearted and humane man, generous to those less fortunate than himself, and willing at all times to promote enterprises and plans calculated to im- prove the neighborhood in which he made his home. His death occurred on the homestead November 8, 1871. The death of his wife oc- curred at Hubbard in July, 1884.

STEWART MATEER. The city of Eugene is one of those prosperous and promising places which can afford to offer a hearty welcome to the stranger within her gates, confident that his mission will be of mutual benefit, and that close contact with her manifold money-making and social advantages will win him to the ranks of her most enthusiastic advocates and promoters. Stewart Mateer came here in February, 1901, with years of farming and mercantile experience behind him. He purchased a residence, and es- tablished himself as a partner with T. H. Gar- rett, in well equipped real estate offices at 584 Willamette street. Both Mr. Mateer and Mr. Garrett come from South Dakota, and are pri- marily representing lands in the northern middle state, having ample facilities for either buying or selling. In addition, they are dealing in Eu- gene and Willamette Valley property, farm, tim- ber, or residence, and they also represent sev- eral reliable fire insurance companies, including the Caledonia Insurance Company of Scotland.

Mr. Mateer comes of a family possessing large landed estates around Belfast, Ireland. Both his father, Thomas, and his grandfather, Alex- ander, were born in Belfast, and the grandfather especially was very well to do. Thomas Mateer married in Pittsburg, Pa., Sarah J. McMasters, a native of Belfast, and daughter of William Mc- Masters, who early came to America and bought a large tract of land at Reeds Landing, Wab- asha county, Minn. He was a shoemaker by trade, but retired from active life soon after coming to America. Thomas Mateer came to the United States as a young man, and for a time was proprietor of the Eagle Hotel at Pitts- burg, Pa. While there he became interested in the discovery of gold on the coast, and in 1849 came to California by way of Panama, and en- gaged in mining in the Sacramento Valley for three years. Returing to the east the same way in 1852, he located in Wabasha county, Minn., bought new land and improved it, and became a successful farmer. In 1883 he removed to South Dakota, and near Pierre, Sully county, stocked a large farm upon which he lived until

his retirement to Monroe, Jasper county, Iowa, his present home. He is eighty-three years of age. His wife died October 3, 1894.

In his younger days Stewart Mateer worked hard on the paternal farm where he was born January 8, 1864. In 1883 he accompanied the family from Wabasha county, Minn., to Sully county, South Dakota, where he in time became an independent land owner, and engaged in stock-raising on a large scale. He had the ad- vantages of the public schools of Minnesota, and in spite of irregularities and interruptions, man- aged to secure a practical business education. In 1898 he sold his farm and engaged in a mer- cantile business at Okobojo, Sully county, S. Dak., and at the same time served as postmaster under President Mckinley. Resigning from the postmastership in December, 1900, he made ar- rangements to represent the vast aggregate of available lands in South Dakota in the far west, and in February, 1901, established his business in Eugene, Ore., as the most likely center of ac- tivity. He has taken a keen interest in the or- ganization of the Eugene Real Estate Exchange, is a charter member thereof, was the first secre- tary, and is now serving as its treasurer. He is a stanch believer in Republican principles, and takes a hearty interest in local and state affairs. Various fraternal organizations profit by his membership, among them the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is consul, the Women of Woodcraft, and the Royal Neighbors. The wife of Mr. Ma- teer was formerly Alice Brownlee, and the mar- riage occurred in Okobojo, S. Dak. Miss Brown- lee was educated in Scotland, although she was born in Charleston, Ill. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mateer, Ruth Marian.

CHESTER G. COAD, postmaster of Dallas, also ex-county clerk and ex-banker, and one of the most prominent and influential members of pioneer families in Polk county, was born in this county, July 27, 1861, and is the second of the five children born to Samuel and Henrietta (Gilliam) Coad. The Gilliam family, numerous- ly represented in Oregon, and established here by that well remembered pioneer and soldier, General Cornelius Gilliam, whose tragic death threw a pall over military and civilian ranks in the state, is mentioned elsewhere in this work, while Samuel Coad, now retired in Dallas after many years of varied activity, and equal success as an agriculturist, druggist, builder, Indian fighter, and real estate dealer, is also given sepa- rate mention.

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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 184

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