Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 190

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 190

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Charles W. Patty, a local minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church in Indiana. Of the chil- dren born of this union two are living : Pearl C. and Paul. Mr. Moore is a Republican in political affiliation, and has been postmaster of Newberg for six years, and councilman for two terms. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. In religion he is a member of the Society of Friends.

HENRY J. MINTHORN, M. D. For twenty years Henry J. Minthorn has been a resident of Oregon and at the present time is berg. He was born in Ontario, Canada, April 26, 1846. His paternal grandfather, John Minthorn, was a native of New York and removed to Can- ada, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing and spent his remaining days. His son, The -- odore Minthorn, was born in Ontario, in 1816, and he, too, carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. In 1856 he came to the United States, locating in Cedar county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and engaged in farming, devoting his energies to the further cultivation and improvement of his property until his death, which occurred in 1865. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Wesley and was born in Ontario, Canada, her father being Henry Wes- ley, a native of Pennsylvania. He was also a farmer by occupation and removed from the Key- stone state to the Dominion, where he lived until called to the home beyond.

Dr. Minthorn of this review was the third child and eldest son in a family of two sons and five daughters. He obtained a common school education and then entered the Western College in Lynn county, Iowa, at the age of fifteen years. A year later he became a student in the Iowa State University, where he remained for a year, and when seventeen years of age he engaged in teaching school for one term, after which he again spent a year in the State University. In 1865, while still a student, he joined a company of college boys en- listing in the United States army as a member of Company D, Forty-fourth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry. The regiment was assigned to the de- partment of the Mississippi, with the Seventeenth Army Corps, under Gen. A. J. Smith and Colonel Henderson, and in November, 1865, Dr. Min- thorn received an honorable discharge.

When the country no longer needed his services he returned to Iowa and again spent a short period in the State University, after which he entered upon educational work. He spent the year 1866 as a teacher in Polk county, and in

InShelley

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1867 secured a position in the schools of Cedar county, Iowa, where he remained for two years, when in 1869 he went to Michigan, where he fol- lowed his chosen pursuit for a year. He was afterward a teacher in Tennessee for three years and then, having determined to prepare for the practice of medicine, he entered the Miami Medi- cal College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he re- mained for a year. In 1873 he became a student in the medical department of the Iowa State University, in which he was graduated on March 4, 1874, with the degree of M. D. After practic- ing for three years in Cedar county, Iowa, he entered the Jefferson Medical College at Phila- delphia, Pa., and the degree of M. D. was again conferred upon him at his graduation with the class of 1877. Through the two succeeding years he practiced with success in Cedar county, Iowa, and then entered the government service in the Indian department as agency physician of the Ponco agency, serving in that capacity for three years. In February, 1882, he was sent to Ore- gon to take charge of the Indian school at Forest Grove and in October, 1884, he was transferred to the Chilocco Indian School in Oklahoma ter- ritory, where he remained until September, 1885, acting as superintendent at that place. Again coming to Oregon, he located in Newberg, and took charge of the Friends Pacific Academy, which is now the Pacific College. For three years he was connected with that institution, serving as its superintendent, and in 1888 he re- moved to Salem, Ore., becoming an active factor in business affairs of that city as president of the Oregon Land Company and of the Salem Street Railway Company. After six years, however, he returned to Iowa in 1894, locating in Muscatine county, where he successfully engaged in the practice of medicine, served as county physician and also conducted the Muscatine Sanitarium. In 1896 Dr. Minthorn suffered an attack of lung fever and because of this he left Iowa and made his way to William Duncan's Mission, at Met- lakahtla, Alaska, where he continued for two years in the practice of his profession.

In 1898 Dr. Minthorn again came to Oregon and entered a farm on Prune Ridge near Scott's Mills. He there lived for a year, going thence to Hot Lake, Ore., where he remained for two years and in connection with B. S. Cook he purchased the hot springs, erected a new hotel and bath-house and conducted a sanitarium, where they are located. This venture proved a prosperous one, and the sanitarium was not only conducted with success during two years, but at the end of that time was sold at a good profit. In 1901 the doctor went to California and pur- sued a course of study in the medical department of the Southern California University. He had taken a course on the diseases of children in the

Post-Graduate Medical College in 1895, and in March, 1902, he came to Newberg, where he has since lived. After two months he went to New- port and built the Newport Beach ocean-water baths, returning then to Newberg and renting the office in which he is now located. He still, how- ever, owns the baths at Newport Beach, which is a fine summer resort.

Dr. Minthorn was married in Iowa to Miss Laura E. Miles. who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Benjamin Miles, native of North Carolina, who followed the occupation of farming and was superintendent of an Indian school in the Osage Agency of the Indian Territory. Subsequently he removed to Iowa, where he was superintendent of White's Institute for many years. In 1886 he came to Oregon, where he embarked in farming, while at the time of his death he was also pres- ident of the Newberg bank. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Minthorn has been blessed with two children : Gertrude, who is now a student in the junior class of the Newberg College ; and Mary, who is a member of the freshman class in the same institution. The family are members of the Friends Church, and the doctor is a stalwart Republican. He has served as postmaster at dif- ferent times and places, and also filled other local offices, and during President Cleveland's first administration he was appointed special agent for the allotment of lands to the Indians, acting in that capacity for four years, during which time he allotted the lands of the Warm Springs Agency, in Oregon.

Dr. Minthorn has a wide acquaintance through- out this state and possesses many excellent qual- ities of heart and mind which have commended for him the good will and confidence of those with whom he has been associated. He has been successful in his business affairs and his labors, too, have been of benefit to his fellow-men. He was especially loyal as a representative of the government in dealing with the Indians, and in every relation in which he has been found he has ever heen faithful and reliable.

HON. JAMES MONROE SHELLEY, of whose life we propose to give a few salient facts interesting alike to his many friends and neigh- bors in Eugene, Ore., his present residence, is a mill-owner in that section and at the present writing is a prominent member of the legislature of Oregon. He is a splendid example of what a man may do by his own efforts when he has the brain and energy to improve opportunities. Mr. Shelley was born near Fairfield, Iowa, May 22, 1843, is a son of Michael and Sena (Mays) Shelley and grandson of George D. Shelley.

George D. Shelley removed from Kentucky to Jefferson county, Iowa, and engaged in agri-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cultural pursuits. About 1852 he started to cross the plains with his family, but his health gave way and at the crossing of the Snake river he died from the effects of the hardships of the journey. His wife proceeded to the Willamette valley, and her death took place at Pleasant Hill, Ore.

Michael Shelley, the father of James M. Shel- ley, was a Kentuckian by birth, but accompanied his parents to Iowa, and with his father farmed in Jefferson county. In 1848, in company with his wife and six children, he crossed the great plains with ox-teams to the far west, the trip consuming six months. About the middle of Sep- tember, he arrived in Lane county, Ore., coming by the Barlow route. Having friends who had previously located at Pleasant Hill, the family pursued their course thither, and took up a do- nation claim, amounting to six hundred and forty acres. This claim was partly bottom land and partly hill land, and was surveyed by himself in a crude way by compass and sun.

Mr. Shelley built a rail house to shelter his family, and this was replaced a little later by a more substantial log house. The following year (1849), he and others were smitten with the "gold fever" and determined to go to California, but they became discouraged at Scottsburg and returned to their claims. In 1857 he went north to Monmouth, Polk county, and was so well pleased with that location that in 1861 he sold his farm in Lane county and bought a farm near Independence. This farm contained two hun- dred and thirty acres, and there Mr. Shelley fol- lowed farming until 1868. During that year he traded his farm for cattle in Yakima county, Wash., but this turned out to be a poor invest- ment, as the first winter was so severe that he lost nearly all. A few years later he returned to the Willamette valley. He almost reached the four-score years allotted to man. His de- mise took place in October, 1894, at the home of his eldest daughter, Mrs. Sitton, near Mc- Minnville, Ore. He was a modest, unassuming man and did much real good in his vicinity. He was for many years a member of the Christian Church, and assisted in organizing the first Christian Church at Pleasant Hill. He had previously lost his wife, she having died in 1861. This esteemed couple had a family of nine chil- dren, as follows: Mrs. Mary Sitton, of Yam- hill county ; Henry, who died in 1861 ; Ransom, who was accidentally killed in 1865 by the fall of a log from a house that was being built; J. M., the subject of this writing; Troy, who re- sides in Hood River valley and is engaged in horticulture; Roswell, a merchant at Hood river : Ellen E., now Mrs. John Summerville, of Edmonton, province of Alberta. Canada : R. L., who resides in Montesano, Wash,; and Mrs.

Walter Huston, residing near Harrisburg, Ore. Hon. J. M. Shelley was but five years old when his parents crossed the plains to the Pacific slope. He was reared in the Willamette valley, his primary education being received in district schools. Later he took an advanced course in the Christian College at Monmouth, which he attended until eighteen years of age. Leaving school, he assisted his father on the farm until he reached his majority, and then engaged in merchandising. His career in mercantile life commenced in 1864, when he clerked for a short time at Independence, Ore. The same year he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Com- pany A, First Regiment, Oregon Volunteer In- fantry, being mustered into service at Salem, December 19, of the same year. His regiment was sent to Vancouver over winter and was then sent back to Yamhill county. Mr. Shelley rose to the grade of orderly sergeant. In the fall of 1865, the regiment crossed the new Santiam road over the Cascades and established Camp Pope, Crook county. May 24 of the following year Mr. Shelley left on a furlough. Returning by way of The Dalles he rejoined his company and was mustered out of service at Ft. Yamhill June 30, 1866. Returning home he re-engaged in clerking for several years at Independence, and in 1871 embarked in business at Harrisburg, having purchased an interest in the general mer- chandise establishment of Smith, Brasfield & Co. In 1878 a branch store was established at Junction City with Mr. Shelley in charge, and he continued to be associated with that firm until 1879. In 1880 he was nominated and elected sheriff of Lane county, located at Eugene, and made an efficient public officer for that term. After a brief period again spent in clerking, in 1885, he accepted a position as traveling sales- man in Oregon and Washington for Portland firms, and continued in that line of work for several years. In May, 1897, he purchased an interest in the Eugene Mill & Elevator Company, and his interests are still identified with that mill, which has been changed to Williams & Shelley, each partner owning a half interest. The firm carries on a large and successful business. Their mill at Eugene has a capacity of fifty barrels per day and is run by water power. They have a large elevator in proximity to the mill and an- other at Coburg, and are among the most ex- tensive grain buyers in that section.

Mr. Shelley has been married twice. His first wedding took place in 1874, when he was united with Lydia A. Baxter, a Missourian by birth. Some years later, Mr. Shelley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died at Eu- gene in 1884, leaving two children. Mand E., now a trained nurse in Portland; and Walter J., a resident of Eugene. On January 26, 1898, he

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was joined in marriage with Mrs. Nancy (John- son) Applegate. A short review of Mrs. Shel- ley's life is given in the following sketch. Mr. Shelley has distinguished himself not only as an excellent business man, but as a public-spirited citizen, and for him nothing is more pleasant than the performance of some useful service for the community. He is blessed with exceptional talents and so takes a high place in society and politics. In his religious belief he is an influen- tial member of the Christian Church, which he joined more than forty years ago, and is a mem- ber of the board of deacons. Fraternally, he is allied with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Post No. 7, Grand Army of the Republic, having served in official capacities in each.

In 1902 Mr. Shelley was nominated on the Republican ticket and elected to the state legis- lature by a majority of six hundred and fifty votes. He was chosen chairman of the labor and industry committee, and was appointed a mem- ber of the ways and means committee. He has accomplished much good since his election, and has secured the passage of several important bills. He is the author of the Warehouse bill, which became a law after a hard fight, and secured the passage of a bill extending the Australian bal- lot law to cities of two thousand population, and has secured the passage of other bills equally im- portant. Mr. Shelley is a member of the State Pioneer Association and the State Historical So- ciety. He has placed himself in the first rank of the representative men of his section and his rec- ord as a public servant is above reproach.

MRS. NANCY J. SHELLEY. This estima- ble lady is the beloved wife of Hon. J. M. Shel- ley, of Eugene, Ore., and is one of the most cul- tured and refined ladies in that vicinity. Her maiden name was Nancy Johnson, the daughter of Melchi and Delila (Ware) Johnson, and granddaughter of Samuel and Sarah (Rowland) Johnson.

The Johnson family originally came from Kentucky, where Melchi Johnson was born in Warren county, April 17, 1807. In early man- hood he left his native state, and, journeying westward, settled for a time in Missouri, but later came to Oregon, where he settled perma- nently, in 1847. He crossed the plains by ox- team. He first went to McMinnsville in Yam- hill county, but soon afterward settled near Amity in the same county and followed agricul- tural pursuits there for an unbroken period of forty years. Late in life he removed to Yon- calla, Douglas county, where the last five years of his life were spent. His death took place July 14, 1875, at the age of sixty-eight years.

Mrs. Shelley's mother was a native of Ten-

nessee, and her birth took place in Maury county, March 10, 1820. On December 28, 1834, while still in her fifteenth year, she was united in mar- riage with Melchi Johnson. She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Goodman) Ware, her father being an extensive planter in Tennes- see. Mrs. Johnson survived her husband many years and reached the age of eighty years, and died in Douglas county, Ore., in 1900. Both she and her husband were members of the Chris- tian Church. Of the ten children born to them, nine grew to maturity. Two sons and three daughters are still living.

Mrs. Shelley was born near McMinnsville, Yamhill county, Ore., April 26, 1850, and is the next to the youngest daughter of her parents. She was reared in her native place and educated in Bethel College in Polk county. January 17, 1869, she was united in marriage with Capt. Albert Applegate, who is deceased. Seven chil- dren blessed their union. They are: Mercy, now Mrs. Dudley Holland, of Boise City, Idaho; Nellie, now Mrs. Arthur Pence, of Oakland, Ore .; J. Grant, engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad; Charles F., a stockman at Yoncalla ; Lulu B., Lucy I. and Albert D. reside with their mother in Eugene. Capt. Albert Applegate was born December 6, 1843, at the old mission at Salem, Ore., and was the son of Charles Apple- gate, whose sketch is also found in this history. Captain Applegate was reared in Douglas county, and for a number of years was engaged in stock-raising and farming in Yoncalla. He was well known throughout that section of the state and gained considerable prominence as a successful stockman. He enlisted in Company K, First Regiment Oregon Volunteers, infantry, and was commissioned first lieutenant of his company, serving valiantly until the close of the Civil war. He was esteemed as a good citizen and his death was deplored. He died at his home in Yoncalla, March 19. 1888.

Ten years after the death of Captain Apple- gate, his widow contracted a second matrimonial alliance, becoming the wife of Hon. J. M. Shel- ley, of Eugene, Ore. Mrs. Shelley is promi- nently identified with a number of social organi- zations, and the family unite in worshipping at the Christian Church. She is a member of the Lewis & Clark Ladies Club of Eugene and af- filiates with the Eastern Star: Women of Wood- craft ; Rebekahs and Native Daughters of Ore- gon. She is both a popular and useful member of society and has many amiable qualities of heart and mind.

WILLIAM A. TAYLOR. Upon the site of the present modern country home of William A. Taylor stood formerly the little log house of two rooms erected by his pioneer father, William

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Taylor, and in which he, the son, was born Jan- uary 5, 1854. In all directions may be seen evi- dences of the handiwork of this rugged fore- runner of civilization, who traversed the plains in 1845, fearlessly braving dangers before which the stoutest of hearts might well quail.

William Taylor was born in Virginia, but was reared on a farm in Franklin county, Mo., whither he was taken by his parents when two years of age. When a young man he married Mary A. Smith, daughter of James Smith, and forthwith went to farming on his own responsibility, two children being born to him in Missouri. In the spring of 1845 he prepared to cross the plains, having heard much of the opportunities awaiting the industrious in the direction of the western sea. On the journey he was accompanied by his wife and two children, his father-in-law, Mr. Smith, and the latter's family, and no particular incident is recorded as interfering with the peace or safety of the hopeful travelers. Mr. Smith brought quite a drove of cattle with him, and the trip was accomplished in six months. At once Mr. Taylor located on a farm now occupied by his son, and which at that time comprised six hun- dred and forty acres of rich timber land, seven miles east of Salem. With his own hands he hewed the logs for the little two-room cabin, and prepared to make those entrusted to his care as comfortable as possible. He was not a man to idly wait for success to come his way, but was rather filled with that vitality and good judgment which impel the best effort. In those days he was strong and wonderfully enthusiastic, and one of his chief pleasures was shouldering a gun and going forth in search of game, in which the dis- trict abounded. As time went by his own im- mediate interests were allied with those of the whole neighborhood, and he was a stanch advo- cate of good roads, good schools, and good poli- tics. Roads in particular he believed necessary to the furtherance of all improvements, and he himself took an active part in laying them out and keeping them in order. Although not an office-seeker, he took a keen interest in Republi- can affairs, but was by no means slavish in his devotion to any one party. In time his land yielded abundant harvests, and cattle grazed in large numbers upon his fertile meadows. He was one of the most thrifty and prosperous of the carly settlers, and all regarded him as a man to respect and follow. From 1845 until his death, March 1I, 1897, at the age of seventy- cight, he lived on the same farm, two years more than half a century being spent among the same surroundings. His first wife dying July 17, 1854, he afterward married Matilda Oswald, of which union there were born six children of whom Horace J. and Amos live at Macleay; Bertha is the wife of James Wood-

ruff of Portland; Josie is the wife of Robert Craig; Alta is the wife of Augustus Bond of The Dalles; and Elden is living with his mother. Of the first marriage were born the following children: Sarah, the deceased wife of Thomas Jefferson, of Singleton, Douglas county, Ore .; Mary A., widow of Thomas Baker of Oakland, Ore .; Margaret is the wife of J. Howard Mor- ton, of Douglas county, Ore .; Marion lives in Marion county, Ore .; Andrew J. lives in Mill City, Ore .: George died in 1877; and William A., the subject of this review.

His mother dying when he was six weeks old, William A. Taylor was reared by his older sis- ters, and later by his step-mother. On the farm which is now his home almost his entire life has been spent. December 19, 1875, he was married to Rosa Hughes, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of John and Hannalı Hughes, there- after continuing to live on the old farm, the management of which he undertook for a couple of years. Hoping to benefit by an entire change he removed to Umatilla county, Ore., and engaged in the sheep-raising business on Wil- low creek, living the while in a primitive log house of one room. The sheep business not proving very profitable, he sold his ranch and returned to the old homestead, soon after pur- chasing of his father the one hundred and sixty acres which has since been his home. Of the eight children which have gladdened this pros- perous western couple, Walter is a turnkey at the state penitentiary ; Ada is the wife of Oral Jer- man, a farmer of Howell's Prairie. The other members of the family are Virgil, Earl, Edith, Myrtle, Fay and Alfred.

Mr. Taylor is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and his property is as well equipped and improved as any in the county. He is practical and thrifty, having learned from his father the fundamental principles of success- ful agriculture. A Republican in politics, he takes an active interest in the welfare of his party, but aside from his service as a member of the school board, he has neither sought nor held political office. His interest in the cause of education, however, is very keen, and he has devoted no inconsiderable portion of his time to the promotion of that cause in his district. Remembering his own comparatively crude opportunities in this direction-his education having been obtained in the little schoolhouse which stood on the site of the present town of Macleay-he has earnestly striven to improve the educational opportunities of the present gen- eration. Those who know him best have learned to appreciate his breadth of mind and splendid judgment. His integrity, his unselfishness, and his sincere desire to promote all worthy causes have never been brought into question.

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JOHN SCHALLER. The blacksmith shop of John Schaller is one of the busiest centers of activity in the town of Willamina, and the genial and successful proprietor is one of its enterpris- ing and popular citizens. Mr. Schaller is one of the many sons of Switzerland who have trans- ferred their allegiance to this side of the water, and like his countrymen in their own picturesque land, possessed thrift, economy and enterprise. He was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, Au- gust 4, 1854, and until his sixteenth year lived with his parents, who were farmers and stock- raisers by occupation.

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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 190

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