Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 191

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 191

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Arriving on American shores in 1870, Mr. Schaller settled with his parents in Bluffton, Allen county, Ohio, and there lived for six years, as in the old country, engaging in farming. In 1876 he crossed the plains to Jackson county, Ore., where he began working at the blacksmith trade, and after completing his apprenticeship located in Howell Prairie, Marion county, for a year. He then lived for a couple of years in Salem, and for two years at the Grande Ronde Reservation, where he worked for the govern- ment. Mr. Schaller had by this time saved quite a little money, and with it started his present business in Willamina, a decision justified by his past and present success. Also he is engaged in making wagons, and for the past ten years has increased his revenue by handling farm imple- ments.

The family of Mr. Schaller consists of his wife, who was formerly Josephine Pool, and five children, Ernest, Charles, Frank, Roy and Grace. Mr. Schaller is a Democrat in politics, and a stanch supporter of his party. His fitness for office has been recognized by his fellow towns- men, who have elected him to the positions of road supervisor and school director.

PAUL FUNDMAN. The mercantile pres- tige of Willamina is being maintained in most creditable manner by the Paul Fundman Com- pany, purveyors to the town and county of gro- ceries, boots and shoes, hardware, flour and feed. This busy mercantile establishment is man- aged according to the most approved business methods, and the excellent quality of goods, tact and consideration on the part of the owner, and general air of progressiveness and obligingness, ensure to these worthy people a continuation of their present gratifying success.

Paul Fundman, head of the company bearing his name, and one of the best known men of this vicinity, is a native of Switzerland, and was born January 10, 1864. He continued to live in his native land until about eighteen years of age, emigrating to America in the fall of 1882, and

locating at Gervais, Ore., and remaining for one year. He was educated in the public schools of his native land, and at Engelburg College, being thus qualified beyond the average youth for the responsibilities of life. For four years in Oregon Mr. Fundman was identified with the Grande Ronde Indian School, and he thereafter lived on a ranch in Polk county for four years. For the following year he returned to the Indian school, and then engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Willamina in which he has since been engaged. For a number of years he was in part- nership with Mr. Kershaw, but the present firm name is already of long standing.

In 1893 Mr. Fundman married Eva Gentry, and one child has been born of this union, Pauline. Mr. Fundman is a Democrat in politics, and for some time was postmaster of Willamina. He is a broad minded and liberal gentleman, and has to the fullest extent the confidence of all who know him.

MATHEW ACHESON. As an example of what may be accomplished by perseverance and industry, regardless of early set-backs or want of opportunity, Mathew Acheson is entitled to spe- cial mention among the prosperous farmers and developers of Linn county. Educationally, mor- ally, and agriculturally, he takes foremost rank among the native sons of Muskingum county, Ohio, where he was born January 17, 1834, and where the early part of his life was passed. With his family he removed to the state of Iowa in 1856, and, his father dying within a year, he went, in 1857, to Monroe county, Iowa, where he engaged in educational work. There he was married, in 1860, to Lucinda Crawford, a native of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1864 he removed to Washington county, Iowa, and farmed for three or four years, and afterward engaged in mercantile business in Ainsworth, Iowa, contin- uing the same until 1872.

Leaving Ainsworth, Iowa, Mr. Acheson came to Oregon, and in Linn county purchased the right to one hundred and sixty acres of land three and a half miles northwest of Shedds, where he lives at the present time, and where he owns two hundred and twenty acres. From the standpoint of products raised he has one of the most diversified farms in the county, fifteen acres being under orchard, of which ten acres are prunes and the balance pears, apples and cherries. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and has most complete and modern facilities for the prosecution of his many departments. A large frame building, adequate barns and out- houses, good fences and the finest of agricultural implements, complete an equipment which al- most any farmer, however ambitious, might envy.

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A dryer of seventy bushels' capacity is taxed to its utmost during the busy season.

Aside from the formality of casting his vote Mr. Acheson has never identified himself with politics. He has always taken an active interest in educational work, and he is one of the fore- most promoters of the United Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an elder for inany years. George S. and Jennie B. (Acheson) Gaff, of Albany, the two oldest of the children in the Acheson home, were born in Iowa and accom- panied their parents across the plains. Bertha, Dawson, Wilbur B. and Mathew H. are all grad- uates of Albany College ; John L. is a graduate of Princeton University, N. J .; Irvin Ray is living with his father, and two children, who died, were born in Oregon. Mr. Acheson rep- resents the solid and substantial in work and citizenship, and the county has reason to be proud of his successful and meritorious career.

FRANK JAMES COAD That typical and substantial pioneer, Samuel Coad, has richly en- dowed this part of the state, not only from the standpoint of his own achievements, but because he has transmitted to his sons those fundamental characteristics everywhere regarded as upbuild- ing and reliable. Integrity is a human attribute which no one has ever questioned in those bear- ing the name of Coad, and Frank James Coad, owner and proprietor of a flourishing sash and door factory and planing mills at Dallas, pos- sesses to an unusual degree this desirable trait. He was born on his father's farm on the Peedee branch of the Luckiamute river, May 2, 1859, and was reared principally in Dallas, where his father conducted a drug store for many years, and where he is now living retired. Like his brother, C. G., another prominent citizen of Dal- las, and the present postmaster, he was educated in the public schools, and at La Creole Academy, after which he spent the winter of '78-9 in Prineville, Ore., in the drug business. Return- ing to Dallas, he worked at the carpenter's and builder's trade for a year, and thereafter engaged in the livery business with D. N. Burns, under the firm name of Burns & Coad, for eighteen months. After disposing of the livery he was employed for a year in the bridge department of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, at the time they had a lease on the old narrow gauge road.

In 1883 Mr. Coad went into partnership with D. J. Riley in purchasing the old sash and door factory of J. M. Campbell, which at that time was a very small shop built in the old style in the eastern part of the town, and having a six-horse water-power. This plant they improved and fitted with modern machinery, and were so

successful in their work that a new plant fol- lowed in 1885, located at the end of Mill street, and on an enlarged scale of one hundred and twenty-five horse-power. The plant has all mod- ern machinery, and is run by both water and steam power, sash, doors, mouldings, and various builders' materials being turned out in large quantities. In the meantime the partners en- gaged in building and contracting in Dallas and vicinity, until 1895, when each department had assumed such large proportions it was deemed advisable to dissolve partnership, Mr. Riley thereafter devoting himself to contracting, and Mr. Coad to the management of the milling in- terests.

In Dallas, in 1883, Mr. Coad married Jennie Lyons, who was born in Missouri, and who is the mother of one child, Hallie F. For his little family Mr. Coad has built one of the finest and most commodious residences in Dallas, where hospitality is dispensed unstintingly, and the ut- most good fellowship prevails. He has availed himself of other avenues of profit in the vicinity of the town, and has been especially successful as a raiser of Angora goats on a small ranch three miles north of Dallas. He has also been interested in prune culture. As a Republican he has taken an active interest in local affairs, and served one term as a member of the Dallas city council. Mr. Coad was one of the organizers of the Dallas volunteer fire department, as a charter member of the Terror Engine Company, of which he was foreman for several years. He selected the name " Terror " for the company. Mr. Coad is a member of the Board of Trade and the Chamber of Commerce, of the Polk County Mohair Association, the Native Sons of Oregon, and the Muscovites of Portland. Both himself and wife are identified with the Rebek- as, and he is a member and past noble grand of Friendship Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F .; En- campment No. 20, of which he is past chief patri- arch, and the Ancient Order of United Work- men.

JACKSON A. BILYEU. With the excep- tion of the first year of his existence, which was spent in Crawford county, Mo., where he was born February 12, 1851, Jackson A. Bilyeu has been a resident of Oregon throughout his entire life, having crossed the plains in 1852, his parents, George W .and Jane (Reed) Bilyeu, seeking then a new home in the wilderness of the northwest. The father and mother were natives respectively of Tennessee and Missouri, to which latter state the father had removed at an early date, becoming a farmer in Crawford county, where he remained until 1852. With the customary ox-teams the family started across

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the plains, coming by way of the Platte river, over the old Barlow route, and after a journey of six months and ten days the father brought his wife and children into the wide acres of Ore- gon. He first located ten miles east of Scio, taking up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres along the banks of the Thomas creek, and engaged at once in farming. Some time after he bought three hundred and twenty acres, and in that location he passed the thirty- five most active years of his life. At the close of that period he removed to Jordan valley, and became the owner of a grist mill there, which business he conducted for ten years. In 1890 he once more changed his residence, locating then in Scio, Linn county, where he died Feb- ruary 6, 1898, at the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Bilyeu, now eighty-two years old, makes her home with a daughter near Halsey.

Of the eight sons and seven daughters born to his parents Jackson A. Bilyen is the sixth child. He was trained to an industrious life upon the paternal farm, becoming versed in the different lines of agriculture followed by his father, and also receiving a mental training in the common school in the vicinity of his home. In 1875, when he was twenty-four years old, Mr. Bilyeu engaged in farming for himself, soon making a purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of land, located four miles southwest of Scio, upon which he remained until 1879. In the last-named year he came to Scio and entered into the business life of this city, engaging in the livery and hotel business for several years, after which, in 1883, he again became inter- ested in agricultural pursuits, and thereafter for several years, he bought and sold land, his business sagacity enabling him to do this with profit. He first purchased near Scio two hun- dred and fourteen acres, and after selling it, in 1895 bought a farm of three hundred and fifty acres five miles east of the city. This was disposed of in 1898, and he has since confined his operations to the city. He is now retired from the laborious duties of a farmer, but still finds much to occupy his time and attention, for, being popular with the Democratic party, of which he is an adherent, he is often called upon to serve in some official capacity. He is at present city marshal, and has also held the positions of deputy sheriff, for six years, con- stable several terms, councilman many times, and also acts as school director at the present time. In addition to loaning money he acts as president of the Scio Creamery Company, keep- ing well in touch with the commercial and indus- trial life of the city, owning property here to the extent of a brick business block and two residences.

Mr. Bilyeu was married in Linn county, to

Arena J. Terry, a native of that county, and the children born to them are six in number, and are as follows: C. C .; Maud, at home; Nellie, the wife of Lee Gunsaul, of Lebanon, Ore .; Pearl, deceased, wife of F. Z. Jones; Eva and Nita, both of whom are at home. Frater- nally Mr. Bilyeu affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Knights of Pythias, and religiously is a member of the Baptist Church.

JOHN LARKIN. Few farmers have ap- plied themselves to their chosen occupation more conscientiously than has John Larkin, to whom his fields and meadows and implements and stock afford an unending source of interest and study. Since coming to his present farm near Brownsville in 1887 he has duplicated the success experienced in other parts of the state, and in general farming and stock-raising has realized his expectations to an unusual degree. Mr. Larkin is a native son of Huntingdon county, Pa., and was born June 6, 1829. In 1832 his parents moved to Clark county, Ohio, and in 1843 went to Iowa, where the father bought land in Henry county. This farm and household were not unlike the average in the middle west, and, judging from the lives of the children who were trained there, industry and integrity were accounted virtues to be culti- vated and never lost.

John Larkin worked hard in his youth, accum- ulating useful experience while following the plow and harrow, and as occasion offered studi- ously applying himself at the district school. March 10, 1853, he married Abigail Ritchie, a native of Warren county, Ill., and in 1862 sought to better his prospects by removal to the west. In the meantime Mr. Larkin had prospered in farming, and not liking the idea of taking the long overland journey, he came by way of the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco, and from there to Portland on another steamer. Near Brownsville, Ore., he rented a farm for six years, saved his money, and managed to gain quite a financial start. With the proceeds of his farming he bought a farm near Albany, lived thereon four years, and after selling out bought a hundred and sixty acres six miles northeast of Brownsville. For ten years Mr. Larkin farmed and raised stock, was very successful, and after that enjoyed a pleasurable relaxation by travel- ing around the west. During six summers he drove with a team and wagon through Oregon and Washington, in this independent and uncon- ventional manner seeing far more of the points of interest than is possible to the palace car tourist. It was his lasting satisfaction to meet many delightful and interesting people, and to

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be received with the greatest courtesy by all with whom he had to do. These summers of travel stand forth in his mind with singular clearness and furnish the pleasantest recollec- tions of his life. Since living on his present farm he has taken an active interest in politics, having from early youth espoused the cause of the Re- publican party. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and in his every-day life lives up to its highest tenets. Mr. Larkin has the good will and confidence of his many neighbors and friends, and his life work is not so absorbing but that he is hospitably and char- itably inclined.

ZIM HINSHAW. On the banks of the Luckianute, in one of the finest locations in Falls City, Zim Hinshaw has erected a modern residence which would be a credit to any city in the state. Here he is enjoying a partial respite from a very strenuous life, although engaged in the real estate business, and in overlooking a variety of personal interests. A native son of Oregon, he was born on the old claim on Mill creek, Douglas precinct, March 28, 1851, and his entire life has been spent in this county. His father, Isaac, was born in the state of Ohio, removed therefrom to Indiana, and crossed the plains to Oregon in 1845. His journey was ac- complished with the time-honored ox-teams, and consumed the greater part of seven months. Locating in Kings valley he took up a donation claim, but sold the squatter's right and came to Mill creek, near Sheridan, where he took up a claim of six hundred and forty acres. In time he proved up on his land, cleared a considerable part, and died there in 1873, at the age of sixty- seven years. He was a man of great force of character, and some peculiarities, one of which was a decided reluctance to owe any man. He had a great memory, and was a well known poli- tician, although he never went further than a general support of Democracy, steadfastly de- clining to hold office. His father, Elias, was a farmer before him, and lived and died in the east. Isaac was twice married, and was the father of fifteen children, three being born of the first union. Of the twelve children in the last family, and born to Melissa (Buell) Hin- shaw, Zim is the oldest. Mrs. Hinshaw was born in Iowa, a daughter of Elias Buell, who crossed the plains in 1847, settling on Mill creek, Polk county. He was a millwright by trade, and ran a saw and grist mill on Mill creek for many years.

In his youth Zim Hinshaw had but scant op- portunity for acquiring an education, for the farm demanded the care of all of the children who were old enough to work on it. He lived

at home until 1883, and that summer bought a quarter interest in the mill, which he afterward conducted for seven years. Then he sold and bought a farm of ninety-five acres two miles north of the old mill, where he farmed for about six years. This venture proved a losing one, for he put much of his land in hops, and lost all that he had and five hundred dollars more. In 1896 he took a homestead on the Siletz river in Polk county, and farmed on the one hundred and sixty acres until February, 1902. He then sold his farm and came to Falls City, where he has since engaged in the real estate business. In the meantime he has invested heavily in town and country property, and among other desirable possessions owns the Falls City Hotel, which he rents ; and the Falls City Saw Mill site, with its forty-foot falls, and horse-power of three hun- dred and fifty-six. He also built a two-story building, in which is a barber shop on the lower floor and his own office on the upper, and he owns quite a number of town lots, and has built a jewelry store 16x30 feet, ground dimensions. His efforts in the state of his birth have there- fore been of the practical and substantial kind, and have resulted in large financial returns.

In Ballston, Polk county, Ore., Mr. Hinshaw married Mahala E. Syron, a native of the town, and daughter of Peter Syron. Mr. Syron is one of the pioneer blacksmiths of that town, and came to Oregon in 1852. Besides following his trade in Ballston he has overseen the manage- ment of a large farm near by, although his sev- enty-seven years entitle him to rest from active life at the present time. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hinshaw, of whom William is a stock and hay-raiser of Rock creek, Polk county; Mittie M. is the wife of A. G. Stewart, a stock-rancher of the vicinity of Gaston, Ore .; Peter was accidentally shot while out hunting, January 4, 1902, and his death re- sulted ; Alta is living at home; and Charles also is living with his parents. Mr. Hinshaw is in- dependent in politics, and is at present a member of the city council. He is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Falls City; Sheridan Lodge No. 64, A. F. & A. M .; and Knights of the Maccabees of Falls City. With his family, he is a member of the Baptist Church.

ROBERT VITUS. The city wayfarer, weary of the nervous strain incident to extensive bus- iness operations, and longing to step into an at- mosphere of rest and homely usefulness, would realize his desires through a visit to the farm owned by Robert Vitus and his brother August. These enterprising and highly successful men own an ideal stock and grain farm of one thous-

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S.M Douglas

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and acres three miles northeast of Springfield, which, for general appointments, for scientific and modern management and excellence, has few equals in this part of Oregon. The work of plowing and preparing for the seed six hun- dred acres of land can scarcely be appreciated by the average farmer, yet this is the amount devoted to small grains on the Vitus farm, the rest being used for a large stock-raising enter- prise. None but the finest of stock reach the markets from this farm, and here in their best development may be found registered Cotswold sheep, full-blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle and Poland-China hogs. One sheep alone yielded twenty-one pounds of wool. The brothers en- tertain the greatest liking for their chosen oc- cupation, and to them their fine animals offer a field of study of which they have never neglect- ed to avail themselves. Both are competent judges of fine stock, are men of high character and more than ordinary ability, and their asso- ciation with this county has been productive of a raised standard along agricultural and stock- raising lines.

Robert Vitus was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 19, 1861, and in his younger days had the advantages of the public schools of Springfield, I11., and Missouri. With his father and brother he came to Oregon in 1878, and the three carried on business until 1900, when a division was made of their large property, the brothers there- after continuing alone. May 5, 1898, Mr. Vitus was united in marriage with Mary Kimmel, daughter of Peter Kimmel. He and his wife died in Germany, their native land. Three children have been added to the family, Robert August, John and Arthur Wilhelm. In politics Mr. Vitus is a Republican, but he has no po- litical aspirations. The friend of education and advancement, his work and character command the honest admiration of all who know him, and the circle of his friends and well-wishers is a large one.

SAMUEL M. DOUGLAS. For proof of the statement that Samuel M. Douglas has one of the finest dairy farms in this part of the country one has only to seek out his farm, which lies along the Willamette river in Lane county, not far from Springfield and Eugene. He has spared neither time nor expense in placing his business on a substantial and reliable footing and his reward has come in the success which he has achieved and the reputation he has won as one of the progressive farmers of the Willamette valley. The milk for his dairy is furnished from Jersey cows, which until recently numbered one hundred, although he is reducing them con-

tinually. He also carries on general farming, and in 1893-94-95 engaged in the manufacture of cheese.

The birth of Mr. Douglas occurred in Henry county, Iowa, December 1, 1854. He was the son of Thomas Douglas, who was an own cousin of Stephen A. Douglas, while his mother, Lu- cinda Hanks, was an own cousin of Abraham Lincoln. When S. M. Douglas was ten years old his parents crossed the plains with ox-teams, and after a journey of five months they arrived safely in California. The father located in Marysville, where his son remained until he was nineteen years old, and then with his father engaged in ranching, continuing in this line of endeavor for seven years. While so engaged he began the work of shearing sheep, etc., and after twelve years of this life he bought his father's ranch in Humboldt county, making that his home for five years, when, in 1887, he came to Oregon and bought his present farm. He first bought seven hundred and eleven acres located two miles east of Springfield, and now has nine hundred and fifty-two acres along the Willam- ette river, six hundred and forty of which is valley land, and rich in the fine grass of this region. He purchased this farm from Stephen Edwards and J. Goodman with the intention of entering the dairy business, and his faith in the value of the location has been justified with the passing years.

Mr. Douglas was married in September, 1889, to Miss Florence Dale, of Humboldt county, Cal., and the representative of an old and dis- tinguished family. They have one daughter, Sadie, who is now twelve years old. The family home is in Eugene, at the corner of Fifth and Jefferson streets. In his political relations Mr. Douglas is an adherent of the principles of the Democratic party and held the office of school director several years.

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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 191

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