Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 188

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 188

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William Wright, the father of James M., was born after his father's removal to South Caro- lina, and was eight years of age when the family fortunes were shifted to the Illinois prairie farm. In time he became a large land owner in Illinois and a man of prominence in the community. Although a farmer all his life, he was never too absorbed in personal affairs to take notice of the demands upon his time and ability from out- side sources, and he filled many positions of trust and responsibility. Always interested in poli- tics, he served for a couple of years as county judge, and was a great promoter of the anti- slavery movement. In fact, he was a warm per- sonal friend of the great emancipator, and to the end of his days it was a pleasure to recall that he had swung the ax in company with Abraham Lincoln, and participated in the making of the now historical rails. During the Black Hawk war he served in Lincoln's company and was otherwise in close touch with one of the great- est characters that America has ever known. He died on his Illinois farm at the age of eighty- two years, having been preceded several years by his wife, who was born in East Tennessee, a daughter of Tyra Harp, born in Tennessee, and an early settler on government land in DeWitt county. Of the six sons and four daugh- ters in this family, James M. is the second.

At the age of twenty-one, September 10, 1861, James M. Wright enlisted for the Civil war in Company L, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and at once began service under General Grant in the west- ern campaign. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Corinth, Hollow Springs and many others, and won the rank of corporal during the service. How narrowly he escaped death may be judged when it is known that two horses were shot under him, one at Shiloh, and one at Pittsburg Landing. He was discharged from the service at La Grange, Tenn., and forthwith returned to Illinois, where he was born, reared, and educated. His father having presented him with a farm, he lived thereon for several years,

and was also engaged in the real estate business in Champaign, Ill., for five years, with the firm of Mckinley & Co. This firm did a large busi- ness, and was one of the best known concerns in the county. Mr. Wright also gained further business experience as a general merchant near Danville, Ill., a venture no less successful than · were his real estate transactions.

In the meantime Mr. Wright had disposed of his farm in Illinois, and as he had long appre- ciated the superior advantages of the west, in 1888 he decided to practically avail himself of them. Locating in Newberg, he at once became interested in the real estate business, and since that time much valuable town and country prop- erty has passed through his hands. In 1890 Mr. Wright organized the Yamhill. Land Company, incorporated for $20,000, of which he was presi- dent and manager, and which started out under the most auspicious circumstances. Owing to the general depression of hard times this busi- ness went the way of many others of equally promising aspect, and closed up with a loss to the promoter of about $50,000.

Mr. Wright has erected a pleasant residence on the ouskirts of Newberg, where he lives with his wife, Elizabeth A. (Keever) Wright, who was born in Indiana, March 25, 1845, and whose father, John Keever, was born in Ohio. Mr. Keever emigrated to Indiana at an early day, and from there removed to DeWitt county, Ill., but finally died in Indiana. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, of whom Oliver C. lives in Sumpter, Ore .; John K. lives in La Grande; and Mervia is at home; Erva, Ira J., and William W. are deceased. Mr. Wright is a Republican in politics, and has been justice of the peace for twenty-five or thirty years. He is a member of the Friends Church.

WILLIAM C. COOLEY. Interested in both political and business enterprises, the present mayor of Brownsville, William C. Cooley, is a man of prominence, through the exercise of keen, business judgment and quick decision add- ing greatly to the financial prestige of the town. He has always been active in local political movements, and has been twice called upon to serve as mayor of the city of Brownsville by the Democratic party, having previously been a member of the city council for several terms, and a member of the county central committee, in addition to which he has been prominent in the business circles of the city.

The father of Mr. Cooley, George Cooley, was born near Richmond, Va., July, 1831, and at an early date came with his mother and the remainder of the family as far west as Missouri, where he engaged in farming near Lonejack,

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occasionally acting as clerk in a general mer- chandise establishment. In 1853 he crossed the plains and located near Cottage Grove, Lane county, Ore., taking up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, and the next year he came to Brownsville, leaving his mother and younger members of the family upon the farm, and engaged as a clerk in a general mer- chandise store in this city, his remuneration to be $200 for the first two years, or at the rate of $100 per year. He has since remained in Brownsville, with the exception of a year when he was incapacitated for work on account of a broken leg. On recovering he again sought work in the store, remaining for a short time, after which he sold goods on a commission basis, and later engaged with W. J. Linville, now of San Bernardino, Cal. Some time after Mr. Cooley became a partner in the business Mr. Lin- ville sold his interest to James H. Washburn, and for the ensuing twenty-one years Mr. Cooley remained in this connection, at the close of that time J. D. Irvine taking Mr. Washburn's place. In November, 1894, the entire financial interest became vested in the Cooley family, the father owning three-fourths and the son, William C., the remainder. The father also owns one hun- dred acres of land adjoining the city. He now makes his home in Brownsville, practically re- tired, still giving, however, a little time to his business interests. In his youth he married Harriet Blakely, a native of Tennessee, and daughter of James Blakeley, also of that state, and who gave up his farming and stock-raising interests in the middle west to cross the plains early in the '40s, and settle in Oregon, now mak- ing his home in Brownsville, at the age of nine- ty-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooley were born six children, two sons and four daughters, the oldest of whom is William Currin, who was born December 5, 1859, in Oregon.

In addition to his preliminary education, re- ceived in the common schools of Oregon, Wil- lianı C. Cooley attended the private subscription school of this city. Until 1885 Mr. Cooley re- mained upon the farm, working for his father, at that time being compelled to act as clerk in the store on account of his father again break- ing his leg, the same accident occurring four times. Since that time he has preferred a com- mercial life and has remained here, making an entire success of the venture, being now business manager of the establishment. The stock is valued at $9,000, this business being the largest of its kind in the city. In addition to his com- mercial interests Mr. Cooley owns thirty acres located near the city, twenty-six acres of which is devoted to the cultivation of hops. The cere- mony which united Mr. Cooley with Callie Saw- yer, of Tennessee, was performed in Browns-

ville, and of the marriage two children have been born, Arthur Carl, a graduate of the Albany Business College, being bookkeeper in a general merchandise establishment at Pendleton, Ore., and Etta Fay, at home with her parents, and is studying music. Fraternally Mr. Cooley is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World, and in religion belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Being always in- terested in educational movements, Mr. Cooley has served for some time as school clerk and director.

JOHN M. WATERS. More than passing in- terest is attached to the career of John M. Wa- ters, a pioneer who came to California in 1849, and from the precarious occupation of mining stepped into the more stable lines of activity rep- resented on the coast, becoming in time one of the most substantial and reliable of the up- builders of Linn county. Born on the banks of Lake Erie, in Ashtabula county, Ohio, Janu- ary 21, 1833, his ancestors were among the early settlers of Rochester, N. Y., and are credited with building the first flouring mill of that city. His parents, William and Rachel (Cox) Wa- ters, were born in Rochester, and some years after their marriage located on a farm bordering on the shores of Lake Erie, in Ashtabula county. In 1838 they removed to Indiana, settling on a farm in Warrick county, near Booneville. In 1847 they located on a farm sixteen iniles west of Burlington, Henry county, Iowa, and here the mother, who had reared a family of ten sons and one daughter, died, leaving many friends to mourn her loss.

The news of gold in the west penetrated the quiet agricultural region in which dwelt the Waters family in Iowa, and John M., then six- teen years old, gladly joined his brother and Edward Ford in formulating plans to cross the plains. They had one wagon and an ox team, and the train with which they started was composed of twenty-two wagons. All proved good travel- ers, and the distance between St. Joseph, Mo., and Sacramento, Cal., was covered in the short space of one hundred and five days. Probably no member of the party journeyed westward under more trying circumstances than did John Waters, for early in the journey he broke his leg, which must have received good treatment, for after the third day he was enabled to do his share of walking on improvised crutches. These three boon companions had many trying and many pleasant experiences in the early mining days, but success attended their efforts in a moderate degree, although the accident prevent- cd John M. Waters from doing any actual min- ing around Hangtown. All had a hand, how-

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ever, in discovering the big bar on the Cosmers river, which find afterward yielded thousands to its promoters. Although somewhat disabled John found driving a team between Sacramento and Hangtown comparatively easy work, and this he did for two months, returning then to the mines, where he built the first cabin at Mud Springs in the fall of 1849. Grief invaded this little primitive camp during the cold of the winter, for William Waters died, leaving his brother disconsolate among crude and dismal surroundings. Arousing his courage with the coming of spring, he bought a team of horses and went to the mines at Reddings diggings, where he engaged in teaming and eventually made his way to San Francisco.

Arriving in Portland via steamer in the win- ter of 1853, Mr. Waters came to Linn county and upon his donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres built his home and afterwards helped build the first house in the town of Har- risburg. During 1858 he conducted a farm in Josephine county, and then returned to Harris- burg, where he purchased an interest in an old mill with Jack Hall. For nineteen years this mill ground the greater part of the grain for the surrounding farmers, becoming the most prom- inent center of activity in that section of the county. Mr. Hall stepped out of the business in 1862, his brother-in-law, Asa A. McCullcy, purchasing his stock, and continuing the en- terprise as before. In 1877 Mr. Waters sold his interest in the mill and transferred his busi- ness ability to the Brownsville Flour Mill, in- creased the capacity by substituting a new proc- ess, and afterward disposed of the same to the Brownsville Woolen Mill. In 1890 Mr. Waters became interested in constructing a one-hun- dred-barrel mill in Seattle, Wash., but not hav- ing sufficient capital to run it, the company was obliged to close down. Since returning to Brownsville he has lived retired, having estab- lished an unexcelled reputation as a miller, and acquired a very comfortable competence.

In the days of his dawning prosperity near Harrisburg, Mr. Waters married Ellen Moore, of Tennessee, and 'seven children have been born of the union, three of whom are living: Mary Jane, the wife of Mr. Morelock, of Gold Hill, Ore .; Rachel Ann, now Mrs. Cartwright, of Boise City, Idaho; and John Hamilton, of Emmett, Idaho. Considerable prominence of a political nature has resulted from Mr. Waters' association with the Republican party, to which he has owned allegiance ever since the forma- tion of the party. He has been a member of the town council for many terms, was mayor one term, and served as county commissioner for four years, between 1892 and 1896. His service has been absolutely devoid of any effort

to advance personal interests at the expense of the community. He is well known and popular in fraternal circles, being identified with the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and Albany Commandery, Knights Templar, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. With his wife he worships at the Baptist Church, towards the support of which he is a liberal and always gracious contributor. Mr. Waters represents the best of the pioneer element of this community, his claims to recog- nition resting upon solid and substantial traits of character, and upon equally meritorious busi- ness success.

FRANCIS TILDEN KEYES. Like the links of an unbroken chain leading back across the years is the memory of one of the old settlers of Yamhill county, Ore., as with a continent be- tween, he remembers and speaks of those who lived in the time of his youth, and before. Back in New York state the people of his name were born, living their lives peacefully in the midst of the plentitude of the Empire state until a pioneer was born into the family in the person of the old settler of Yamhill county. The grand- father, Elijah Keyes, of Irish descent, was a merchant tailor by trade; his son, Marquis De Lafayette, was born in Bloomfield, N. Y., Feb- ruary 10, 1797. The principal part of his life was spent in the double business of tilling the soil and conducting a general merchandise store in Conesus, Livingston county. In 1860 he met reverses in his business, and during the remain- ing years of his life he made his home with his children. He died in Livingston county at the age of ninety years, leaving many to mourn the loss of a good and upright man. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he had served as deacon for many years.

His wife was Sarah Chappell, born in Massa- chusetts, the daughter of Edgecomb Chappell, also a native of that state. He was a farmer, and history records him as one of the many farmers of New England who left their plows in the furrow and used their horses to ride to the defense of the country they loved and served. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, doing his duty without thought of reward, save in the success of the cause for which he fought. He was interested in all that gave promise of ulti- mate good for his native land and it was his honor to be one of the founders of the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, giving largely to the sup- port of this institution. Mr. Chappell died in Lima, N. Y.

The union of Marquis De Lafayette Keyes and Sarah Chappell was blessed by the birth of ten children, six sons and four daughters, the

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sixth child and fifth son being Francis Tilden, born in Livingston county, N. Y., November 30, 1830. In the common schools of New York, Francis T. received a very fair education as learning was estimated in those early days, and at the age of sixteen he secured employment on a farm, where he worked for some years. With a spirit of restlessness certainly not inherited from his immediate ancestors he left New York, April 20, 1853, en route for California by way of Nicaragua, reaching San Francisco May 21 of the same year. In common with the greater part of the population of the west, he tried min- ing for about two months, succeeding but in- differently. After this period, leaving for Ore- gon, he located at Independence, Polk county, where he went to work as a farm hand. Two years later, in 1855, he went to Yamhill county, beginning the purchases of land that formed a part of his early planning for the home he ex- pected to make in the west. He bought first one hundred and sixty acres one mile north of Dun- dee, following this with another of the same amount, also twenty-seven and a half acres. Meeting with nothing but prosperity, it became an easy matter to add to his already broad acres, and at one time he owned nine hundred acres, the greater part of which, however, he soon con- verted into money. From 1855 he had been more or less engaged in milling, running the mill located near his home for eight years, being chief miller. After the misfortune of losing his mill by fire, he superintended the Chehalem mill near Newberg for two years, and since that time has been engaged in farming.

Mr. Keyes is a Republican in his political affiliations and during several years past has very often been the choice of the people for various offices that are at the disposal of his party, being constable and road supervisor at one time. He has always been interested in all school questions and duties, serving intelligently as school director in his community for some time. He was later appointed a judge of elec- tion, having served in that capacity for twelve years, and as clerk six years.

Mr. Keyes married Miss Mary Corzine, who died May II, 1887. She was a native of Little Rock, Ark., born July 24, 1841. Her father and mother had emigrated from Arkansas in 1843, settling in Salem, Ore., where the mother died in 1849. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Keyes were, in order of birth: Laura, now Mrs. J. D. Hardwick, of Salem. Ore .: George Lin- coln, who met with a sad fate, being burned to death ; Cornelia, now Mrs. Nicholas Wall, of Dundee, whose husband is a farmer ; Frank, liv- ing on the home place; Clara, who became Mrs. Edwards, and is now deceased; Grace, wife of

Joseph Etzwiler, who is engaged in farming near Newberg; May, wife of Elmer McCleery, engaged in farming near Salem. Mr. Keyes now makes his home with the son who is his name- sake.

JOSEPH H. TEMPLETON. The donation claim upon which William Templeton located in 1847 is now owned by his sons, of whom Joseph is one of the most ambitious and successful of men. He was born in Holt county, Mo., Febru- ary 17, 1842. William Templeton, his father, was born in Rockbridge county, Va., October 15, 1809, and at an early day moved with his parents to Henry county, Ind. Here he married Elizabeth M. Ramsey, of which union there were born thirteen children, eleven of whom came across the plains with their parents in 1847 from Holt county, Mo., where they then lived. Two wagons with four yoke of oxen each, a few cows, and plenty of provisions were gathered together for the expedition, the start being made in the early morning. The elder Templeton took up a section of land three miles east of Brownsville, and erected the little log cabin in which the family started housekeeping in the wilds of Oregon, their neighbors remote, and their immediate prospects not particularly encouraging. The father had some strong young sons to help him clear and cultivate his land. and soon there was in working order a little family community, harmoniously working against great odds for the right to enjoy some of the comforts of life in future. The year after his arrival the father tried mining in Cali- fornia for a short time, making his way there by pack horses over the mountains, and returning by steamer from San Francisco to Portland. He was not successful as a miner, and was glad to return to the slower but far more reliable occu- pation of tilling the soil. His death occurred on his home farm, January 19, 1882, and those left behind mourned a faithful husband, devoted father, and worthy man. His wife survived until May 8, 1898, she having been born Febru- ary 13, 1812. Botli of these people were prom- inent in their neighborhood, and exerted an in- fluence for good at home, in the church, and in a social way. Both were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church at Brownsville, and helped to organize it, giving generously of their time and means for its continued upbuilding. Mr. Templeton was a stanch Republican, and in the early days served as justice of the peace.

Five years of age when he came to Oregon, Joseph H. Templeton was reared and early taught to make himself useful around the home farm, for it was the policy of the parents to

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train the children to habits of thrift and indus- try, and no drones invaded the family circle. As a young man he met and became interested in a young neighbor, Emma Hudelson, and the re- sult of this association culminated in marriage, December 13, 1883. With his wife, Mr. Tem- pleton settled on one hundred and eighty-two acres of the paternal claim, and the industry and good management of the husband, and the help and sympathy of the wife have brought about more than expected good fortune. General farming and stock-raising are engaged in, and ever since 1876 a large hop-yard has been an adjunct to the farm. Mr. Templeton is greatly interested in the cause of education, and has ex- erted a progressive influence as a member of the school board for five years. He is also a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and, like his father, is active in its charities and general main- tenance. To Mr. and Mrs. Templeton were born two children: Leighton F .; and Ray- mond D. The wife of Mr. Templeton died October 2, 1892. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, a devoted wife and a kind and loving mother. She was buried in the McHargne Cemetery near Brownsville. She was born April 20, 1862, in Henry county, Ind., where she lived until a short time before her marriage.

GREENBURY SPLAWN. One of the finest stock farms along the Calapooia river in Linn county is that owned by Greenbury Splawn, who represents one of the early pioneer families of this state, and who was three years of age when he came here in 1850 from Holt county, Mo., where Mr. Splawn was born June 19, 1847. Moses Splawn and his wife, Ann (Riggs) Splawn, natives respectively of Missouri and Kentucky, were married in the former state, and for many years lived there on a farm in Holt county. Several children were born into their family, and the father finally determined to investigate the truth of the glowing reports which came to him from the west. Accordingly, he sold his farm, and with the money outfitted to cross the plains in the spring of 1850, pur- chasing two wagons, each having three yoke of oxen, and taking with him one cow to supply milk for the travelers. All went well at first, and the Indians were not very troublesome, but the dreaded cholera invaded the ranks of the party. The father and oldest son, John, the two mainstays of the wife and younger children, suc- cumbed to the disease, leaving the rest to com- plete the journey alone. Fortunately there was remaining one son about nineteen years of age, and he drove the oxen the rest of the way, and cared for his heart-broken mother and fatherless

brothers and sisters. Arriving in Linn county, Ore., the wife and son took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres near Holley on the Calipooia, which farm is still in the possession of the family, a portion being occupied by Greenbury Splawn. Here the mother lived to the good old age of eighty-six years, and during her many years in the west she doubtless viewed with pride her splendid property along the river bank, stocked with high-grade cattle, and with its productive soil yielding abundant harvests.

Reared as are the average farmer lads of the country, Greenbury Splawu was above all else industrious and conscientious, and was so well versed in general agriculture that he assumed the entire management of the farm upon attain- ing his majority. With the exception of two years spent in farming in Lane county, he has since made the old home his own abode, and has not only successfully operated the land left by his mother, but has added thereto, and now owns five hundred and fifteen acres. He is en- gaged in general stock-raising and farming, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. One hun- dred and twenty-five acres are under cultivation and the rest devoted to pasturage.

In establishing a reputation as one of the foremost farmers in his neighborhood, Mr. Splawn has had the assistance of a capable and sympathetic wife, whom he married March 28, 1869, and who was formerly Amanda E. Mat- lock. Seven children have come to gladden his home, the order of their birth being as follows: John T .; Nora; Effie and Etta, twins; Frank; Jesse M .; and Ida; all at home. Mr. Splawn is a Democrat in politics, but he has never striven for political preferment. He is progres- sive and public-spirited, and bears an enviable record for good farming and fair dealing.

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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 188

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