Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 185

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 185

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The success of his father placed in the way of Chester G. Coad advantages not enjoyed by the average farm-reared youth, yet in the main

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he has been the architect of his own fortunes. After leaving the public schools of Dallas he entered La Creole Academy, which institution he left at the age of twenty to learn surveying under deputy United States surveyor W. P. Wright. He was engaged in this pursuit when elected county clerk on the Republican ticket in 1888. His service in the latter capacity was eminently satisfactory, and in 1890 he was re- elected by a large majority. Upon the comple- tion of his second term in 1892 he became cashier of the Dallas City Bank, and resigned in 1895 to assume the management of the Rickreall Mills, a position maintained until 1899. This position was also resigned because of his appointment to the position of assistant sergeant-of-arms in the United States senate, which he held during the sessions of 1899, 1900 and 190I.

March 4, 1901, Mr. Coad was appointed post- master of Dallas by President Mckinley, and took the oath of office April 1, 1901. He mar- ried in Dallas Jennie Rowell, who was born on the trip to Oregon in 1862, the daughter of C. G. Rowell, a retired citizen of Dallas. Four children have been born of this union, Claudia, Pauline, Genevieve, and Dorris. Mr. Coad is a member of the Native Sons of Oregon, and is fraternally connected with the Friendship Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand; the Encampment, of which he is past chief patriarch, and the Woodmen of the World. Affable in manner, of acknowledged business and political probity, Mr. Coad has won the esteem of all with whom he has had to do, and particu- larly of his numerous friends and associates in the thriving community of Dallas.

FRANK PATRICK SHEASGREEN. Stand- ing high among the wide-awake and progressive business men of Corvallis is Mr. Sheasgreen, who is actively identified with the manufactur- ing interests of the city as one of the proprietors of the Central Planing Mills and Box Factory. In his extensive operations, lumber of the best grade only is used, it being brought here from the Cascades by rail, and after passing through the mills or factory is shipped in large quanti- ties to all parts of the Union, including the north, south, east and west.

Mr. Sheasgreen was born April 11, 1854, at Newcastle, New Brunswick, being the youngest of a family of fourteen children, all of whom grew to years of maturity. His father, Ed- ward Sheasgreen, a native of Donegal, Ireland, learned the shoemaker's trade when a boy, but after his emigration to Newcastle was engaged in agricultural pursuits in that place until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Collier, was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland,

removing from there with her parents to New Brunswick prior to her marriage.

Brought up on the home farm, and receiving the advantages of a good public school educa- tion, Frank P. Sheasgreen remained with his parents until becoming of age. In 1875, deem- ing the prospects for improving his financial condition much better in the west, he went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he secured employ- ment with the Red River Lumber Company, in the mill managed by T. B. Walker, and while thus engaged learned the trade of a millwright. Four years later, continuing with the same com- pany, he assumed charge of a planing mill in Crookston, Minn., remaining there until 1889. Becoming then associated with the Michigan Lumber, Company, he came as shipping agent to Vancouver, with headquarters at Portland, Ore. After the fire in 1890, he located in Cor- vallis, entering the employ of Max Friendly, and after assisting him as a millwright in repair- ing his mill, he was made superintendent first of the planing mill, and later of the whole plant. After the failure of Mr. Friendly, he was em- ployed in Newberg, by the assignee, N. T. Peet, in looking after the interests there of his former . employer. Returning to Corvallis in 1892, Mr. Sheasgreen, in partnership with Neal Newhouse, purchased the old Hurd mill, and its site, rebuilt it, and for five years operated a planing mill and box factory. In 1897 James Gray, of Minnesota, purchased the interest of the junior partner of the Central Planing Mills, the following year the firm name being Sheas- green & Gray. Mr. Gray then disposed of his interest to Edward Buxton, the present junior member of the firm of Sheasgreen & Buxton, which has since carried on a profitable business in mill work of all kinds, including the manu- facture of doors, windows, mouldings, screens, tables, etc., their plant being one of the finest and best-equipped in this section of the country.

In Stillwater, Minn., in September, 1882, Mr. Sheasgreen married Miss Mary Buckley, who was born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, and of their union eight children have been born, namely : Harriet, employed in the Times office, at Corvallis; Lauretta; Walter, yard agent for the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad Company, at Blodgett; Mabel; Ernest; Adelaide; Burnetta; and Carmel. Mr. Sheasgreen takes an active interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the public, never shirking responsible duties, and giving generously both his time and his money toward the establishment of enterprise having for its object the betterment of the com- munity. For the past six years he has been con- nected with the city fire department, serving as foreman for one year, and as chief since 1899.

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Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is past master workman, and which he has represented at the grand lodge three different times; of the Ben- ton County Citizens' League; and of the Pacific Coast Association of Fire Chiefs. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and in religion is a Catholic, both he and his wife being members of St. Mary's Church.

GEN. FRANK REISNER. Personal char- acteristics of a high order, a thorough knowl- edge of a useful trade, patriotism, political sa- gacity, integrity and a clear understanding of the rights and prerogatives of citizenship, have conspired to make the career of Frank Reisner of paramount importance in the community of Eugene. Like that universally beloved hero, John Halifax, General Reisner knew all about the tanning business while his playmates still acknowledged allegiance to their teachers, for in Frankenhausen, where he was born June 24, 1839, his father, John Reisner, was a well known tanner for many years. The mother dying in her native land, the ambitious father brought his two sons and daughter to America in 1851, mak- ing the voyage in a sailing vessel and meeting with the extremes of calm and storm which usu- ally attended the long and tiresome journey be- tween Europe and American shores. Ten miles east of Indianapolis, Ind., the elder Reisner purchased a tannery, and conducted it with the success of former years up to the time of his death.

Educated in the public schools to a limited extent in both his native and adopted land, Frank Reisner served a regular tanner appren- ticeship when sixteen years of age, and at the end of the required three years worked at his trade in various places in Indiana. An unevent- ful existence was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war, and the demand for the services of all able-bodied men. Leaving his trade at Columbus, Ind., he enlisted April 21, 1861, in Company K, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and was mustered in for three years. At a later period he veteranized, having served in all four years and five months. Participating in the battles of Rich Mountain, W. Va., Win- chester, Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg, Fort Fisher and Wilmington, he was wounded at the first siege of Petersburg, June 15, 1864. by a shell piercing his right groin, and was temporarily confined to the hospital. Never- theless, he managed to keep with his regiment, of which he was orderly sergeant, and remained in Goldsburg until September. 1865. He was then ordered to Indianapolis, and was discharged from the service September 20, 1865.

After his war experience General Reisner worked at his trade in Indianapolis, and at the same time sought to make up for a somewhat defective education by attending night school at the Bryant & Stratton Business College. At a later period he built and managed a tannery at Taylorsville, Ind., and in 1869 removed to La Grange, Iowa, and engaged in farming and stock-raising for three years. Returning to Indianapolis, he worked at his trade for a couple of years, and in 1877 went to California with the expectation of making that state his perma- nent home. At the end of a year he returned to La Grange, disposed of his interests there, and came to Douglas county, Ore., in 1879. Success- ful as a stock-raiser, he remained on a farm until 1880, and then came to Engene, where he was employed by Haines & Company, tanners, for about five years. During this time he did all of the finishing for the firm, and would have re- mained longer had not rheumatism incapacitated him for that kind of work. In order to escape the dampness and general disagreeableness of the tannery, he started a grocery store on Will- amette street, conducting it for several years, and then sold out to become the bookkeeper and cashier for the Ax Billy department store, with which concern he remained for nine years.

From his first voting days General Reisner has considered it not only the privilege but the duty of every citizen to participate in the politi- cal undertakings of his neighborhood. In past years his special fitness has resulted in his elec- tion to local offices of importance. In 1892 he was elected county treasurer as the nominee of the Republican party, serving one term of two years. In 1902 he was elected city treasurer of Eugene, and re-elected in 1903. In July, 1902, he was appointed deputy county treasurer under George F. Craw, but the entire duty of the office has devolved upon his own shoulders, owing to the continued illness of his superior. In 1902 he was also elected clerk of school district No. 4. and thus at the present time his political responsibility is a large and varied one. Fraternally General Reisner enjoys a just popu- larity, and is associated with various orders in which the town and county abounds. At Tay- lorsville, Ind., he was past master of the Ma- sonic lodge, and is now a member of Eugene Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., and Eugene Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been formerly a member of the Danville (Ind.) lodge; and of the Knights of Pythias, coming here from the Indianapolis lodge. For the past three years he has been commander of J. W. Geary Post No. 7, G. A. R., and in 1897 was elected department commander of the Ore-

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gon Department, Grand Army of the Republic, with the rank of general. This important com- mand was sustained by Mr. Reisner with dignity and great satisfaction for one term, his personal popularity, wide knowledge of army affairs, and prominent connection with the Civil war en- titling him to the grateful appreciation of his brother veterans. In his capacity of commander, General Reisner tendered the services of the Grand Army of the Republic in the absence of the militia, at the breaking out of the Spanish- American war, and in return received a letter of approval from Governor Lord, and also letters from his comrades all over the state expressing their willingness to serve at a moment's notice. It was declared that within twenty-four hours almost the entire combined army of veterans could have been gotten together for service. Some of the comrades, in their enthusiasm to be of service, responded to the appeal with tele- graphic communication, one and all commending the tact and forethought of their genial and highly honored commander.

The marriage of General Reisner was cele- brated while he was home on a furlough, Jan- uary 15, 1864, at Columbus, Ind., and united him with Clementine McGill, who was born in Bar- tholomew county, Ind. Of this union there is one living child, Nellie, the wife of George Price, of Springfield, Ore. General Reisner is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is so- cially popular, and commands the universal es- teem of all who know him.

CHARLES C. HUFF. As one of the men who have risen in the world solely on his own merits, Charles C. Huff is entitled to the credit universally conceded men of this character. He has one of the really fine and valuable farmns in Benton county, located three miles southwest of Corvallis, and constituting a part of the old Bithers donation claim. His improvements are of the best, residence, barns, outhouses and implements conforming to modern and progres- sive ideas of agricultural science and rural home-making. General farming, stock-raising and dairying combine to furnish a congenial and profitable enterprise, Jersey cattle being raised in large numbers for their rich milk, and other stock contributing to a considerable stock business.

As early as 1830 the parents of Mr. Huff came from Germany and settled in Ohio, from where they removed to Marshall county, Ind., where he was born September 5, 1852. He was given a practical training on the home farm, and developed a strong constitution while performing the tasks which to his boyish mind seemed hard

and exacting. As opportunity offered he at- tended the public schools in the winter time, and gained considerable experience through the sale of the various commodities grown on the Indiana farm. After his marriage with Mary E. Larkin he farmed independently for a time, and in 1880 came to Oregon, soon after purchasing a farm in Polk county, which he improved and lived upon until 1892. Disposing of his farm he bought his present farm of one hundred and forty-one acres, which has since been his home, and where he achieved signal success. Four children have been born to himself and wife, of whom Lulu Grace is engaged in educational work at Brownsville; Lucian Claude is at home ; J. Floyd is at home; as is also Mabel F. Mr. Huff has taken a keen interest in local politics ever since his first voting days, and has ever ad- hered to the principles of the Democratic party. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. Well informed on current events, in touch with the progress made in his line of occupation in different centers of activity, Mr. Huff is one of the honored and influential mem- bers of the community around Corvallis, and to an enviable extent enjoys the good will and friendship of his fellow agriculturists.

UEL L. FRAZER. The pride which all thriving and growing communities feel in their capable and cultured young men extends in large measure to Uel L. Frazer, a prominent hardware merchant, of Independence. Aside from consid- erations of a personal nature, Mr. Frazer is en- titled to mention because of his association with one of the pioneer families of Yamhill and Polk counties, and because he is a native son of Ore- gon, having been born near Bethel, Polk county, February 18, 1871. His father, Lucien B. Frazer, was born at Versailles, Ky., and at twen- ty-one years of age, in 1852, crossed the plains with ox teams, locating with his brother, George, at Willamina, Yamhill county. Here he bought a large claim upon which he engaged in stock- raising, an occupation to which he devoted the greater part of his life. He finally sold his orig- inal claim and bought land on Salt Creek, Polk county, still later locating on a farm near Bethel, Polk county, where he secured a large tract and engaged in general farming and dealing in vari- ous kinds of fine stock. At the time of his death in 1900 he was sixty-seven years old, and was survived by his wife, formerly Elizabeth A. Campbell, a native of Iowa, and who is living in Independence. In the Campbells another pio- neer family is represented, for James A. Campbell came west in 1853, crossing the plains with ox- teams, and locating on a claim near Salt Creek, .

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where the balance of his life was spent in success- ful farming and stock-raising.

The eighth in a family of thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters, the successful hard- ware merchant of Independence was educated primarily in the public schools, afterward at- tending the State Normal, at Monmouth, from which he was graduated in 1892, with the degree of B. S. D. The same year he engaged in the hardware business in Monmouth, and in 1896 disposed of his business and engaged in school teaching in McCoy. In 1898 he removed to In- dependence and engaged as a clerk in a hard- ware store, and in 1901, with his partner, L. Rice, bought out the store of which he has since been manager. They carry a general line of hardware, and have a stock valued at about $10,- 000. Possessed of shrewd financial ability, and having a keen knowledge of human nature and its requirements, Mr. Frazer has also tact and consideration, traits which materially advance his interests.

In the fall of 1897 Mr. Frazer was united in marriage with Minnie M. Bunn, a native of the vicinity of North Yamhill, and daughter of John M. Bunn, born in the same section of the state. Mr. Bunn has materially contributed to the agricultural upbuilding of Yamhill county, where he owns a large property, and is successful as a general farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Frazer is popular socially as well as commercially, and is active as a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He is a Re- publican in politics, and active in local affairs, having at two different times been a delegate to conventions. He is enterprising, public-spirited and honorable, and as such commands the appre- ciation and encouragement of the community.

WILLIAM T. HOFFMAN. Carrying on an extensive business as one of the largest grain buyers and dealers in Polk county, is Mr. Hoff- man, of Monmouth, president of the Oregon Milling and Warehouse Company. A man of unlimited energy and ambition, he has been an important factor in developing the agricultural resources of this part of the state, attracting favorable attention to the quality and quantity of the grain here raised, and helping to place it in the most remunerative markets.

A son of the late Dr. Charles Hoffman, he was born July 26, 1869, at Grant, Grayson county, Va. He comes of German ancestry, his paternal grandfather having been an officer in the Prussian army. Charles Hoffman was born in Hanover, Germany, and there reared and edu- cated. At the age of seventeen years, while at- tending a German university, he was forced to leave the institution on account of a student

rebellion against the King of Prussia, and emi- grated at once to the United States. Having received the degree of M. D. at a German uni- versity, he served as surgeon in the Mexican war, afterward filling the same office in the Confeder- ate army. He traveled extensively throughout the Union, visiting most of the states, finally set- tling permanently in Grant, Va., where his death occurred, in 1897, at the age of seventy-six years. Dr. Hoffman married Sarah Grubb, who was born in Grant, Va., a daughter of William Grubb, a pioneer settler of Grayson county, and one of its most thriving farmers. Five children were born of their union, and of these one daughter has died, and three sons and one daughter sur- vive.

After receiving his diploma from the Grant High School, in his native town, William T. Hoffman entered Glasgow College, at Glasgow, Ky., and was graduated therefrom, in July, 1888, with the degree of B. S. The following spring he started in life on his own account, on March 20, 1889, beginning work in an Idaho mine. A year later he came to Oregon, settling at first in the southern part of the state, where he was employed in a saw-mill for two years. Removing to Monmouth in 1892, Mr. Hoffman attended the State Normal School for a year, when, in 1893, he was graduated with the degree of B. S. D. The ensuing two years he taught school in Amity, Ore., being successful as a teacher. In 1895, in company with E. B. Jamison, he engaged in business as a grain dealer at Airlie, commencing on a modest scale, but as busines increased the firm was merged into the Oregon Mill- ing and Warehouse Company, Mr. Hoff- man being made president, and Mr. Jami- son secretary and treasurer. Additional room being needed, a new warehouse was built at Monmouth in 1896, and put in charge of Mr. Hoffman, the flour mills at Independence being under the management of Mr. Jamison. This company has built up a most profitable manu- facturing and mercantile business, amounting to $100,000 per annum. Although Mr. Hoffman spent a large part of the years of 1900 and 1901 in Nome, Alaska, where he has an interest in the Holyoke mines, he has always retained his position with the company and has been an im- portant factor in advancing its interests.

On March 11, 1902, at Oregon City, Mr. Hoff- man married Miss M. E. Baker. Her father, the late Frank Baker, was born in Virginia, near Abingdon, and during the Civil war was a soldier in the Union Army. Subsequently moving west- ward, he located first in Missouri, living there until 1870, when he came to Oregon City, where he was successfully engaged in farming pursuits until his death. Mr. Hoffman is a warm advocate of the principles of the Republican party, which

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he supports by voice and vote, and is active in public affairs, at the present time being city re- corder. Fraternally he is a member of the Wood- men of the World.

JAMES REID SMITH. A thriving business man of Corvallis, and one of the leading hard- ware merchants, Mr. Smith is a fine representa- tive of the self-made men of Benton county, who have steadily and surely climbed the ladder of success, winning by their own efforts places of importance in financial, fraternal and political circles. Commencing in life with moderate means, he has labored with persistent industry, and by superior management, prudence and shrewd foresight has established a large and con- stantly increasing business, one of the finest in the city, where he is familiarly known and much esteemed.

A native of Ontario, Mr. Smith was born July 8, 1858, in Waterdown, Wentworth county, a son of William Smith. His father was born in Ireland, but emigrated to Waterdown, Ont., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Reid, was a native of the north of Ireland and a daughter of James Reid, who came from Ireland to America at an early day and located in Ontario, where he improved a farm, on which he spent his remaining days. Nine children were born of their union, six of whom grew to years of maturity, and five are now living, James Reid being the only one to settle in the United States.

After completing his studies at the district school, James R. Smith served an apprenticeship of three years at the tinsmith's trade in Water- down, going from there to Port Sarnia, after- wards crossing the river into Michigan and set- tling, in 1880, at Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he worked at his trade four years. Coming to Ore- gon in 1884, he spent a short time in Portland, then went to British Columbia. In the fall of that year he returned to Oregon and began work as a tinsmith in Albany. The following spring he located in Corvallis, embarking in the hard- ware business, at the same time continuing his trade, for two years. Selling out his stock in 1888, Mr. Smith was employed as a tinsmith for two years in Corvallis, and then in Fairhaven, Wash., for a year. In 1891, returning to Cor- vallis. he bought out J. D. Clark and again estab- lished himself in the mercantile business, becom- ing head of the firm of J. R. Smith & Co., a posi- tion that he has since occupied. This firm car- ries on an extensive plumbing and tinsmithing business, and has an excellent trade in stoves, tinware and agricultural implements of all kinds, including Plano binders, the Deer & Coulton

farming tools, Old Hickory wagons, and, in fact, everything necessary to stock a farm carried on with the latest and best improved machinery, his highest endeavor being to please his numerous patrons.

Mr. Smith married in Corvallis Miss Ollie Smith, who was born of pioneer parents in south- ern Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child, Grace Smith. Politically Mr. Smith supports the principles of the Republican party, being active in its ranks, and has been for a number of terms one of the county committee and of the county central committee. He was elected as council- man for a period of ten years, but resigned be- fore the expiration of the term. As street com- missioner he rendered the city valuable service, the sewer being put in operation while he was serving in that office. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Ancient Order United Workmen.

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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 185

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