Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 193

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 193

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Removing with his parents to Bowling Green, Ohio, when about seven years old, Emile F. Pernot acquired the rudiments of his education in its public schools, remaining there until seven- teen years of age. Going then to Philadelphia in search of work, he subsequently studied bacteriology under Dr. Pearson, an eminent authority in that science. Returning home on a visit some time after, during the early develop- ment of the oil interests in Ohio, he was stricken with the oil fever, and, in company with his brother Charles, was one of the pioneers in de- veloping the oil resources of the Black Swamp, in Wood county, meeting with great success. Leasing and operating the first well sunk in that region, 600 barrels per day of oil was the out- put, and in the second well the daily output was 3,000 barrels.

On account of ill health, Mr. Pernot came to Oregon in 1889, locating in Corvallis as a photographer, and a member of the firm of Per- not Brothers, his brother Eugene being his partner. In 1890 Mr. Pernot was appointed photographer and engraver at the Oregon Agri- cultural College, and in 1896 was made professor of bacteriology, a position that he still holds. The office of state bacteriologist being created by the state legislature, Professor Pernot was ap- pointed to the position, for a term of four years, by Governor Geer, and he is also serving as bacteriologist at the experiment station of the college. The professor spent two years in Washington, D. C., in the bureau of animal in- dustry, department of agriculture. Particularly

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interested in his work, the professor prepares reports and issues bulletins, and is highly spoken of by John R. Mohler, chief of the pathological division, in his reports to headquarters.

Professor Pernot married, in Corvallis, Miss Edith Coote, daughter of Prof. George Coote, one of the faculty of the Oregon Agricultural College, and they have two children, namely : Aimee and Mabel. The professor is a Democrat in politics, has been a Knight of Pythias for several years, and is a member of the Episcopal Church, in which he is serving as junior warden.

SILAS L. SHEDD. Among the early edu- cators of Oregon is to be named S. L. Shedd, who for about ten years after his arrival in this state, taught in the public schools, adding to the income so acquired by also engaging in farming. That his years of perseverance and industry were not unavailing is evidenced by the fact that he is now numbered among the substantial financial people of this community, making one in a long list of men who came to the west empty- handed and amassed a fortune through a right and wise use of the multifold opportunities here presented. Mr. and Mrs. Shedd now make their home in Corvallis, the latter also being a very old settler, having lived in this one house since 1859.

The ancestors of S. L. Shedd were natives of New Hampshire, the grandfather, Silas, of Eng- lish descent, engaging in farming in that state, where his death occurred. The father, William Shedd, was born in New Hampshire, and was there reared to the same life which had occu- pied the years of his father. On attaining man- hood he married Abigail Wallace, a native of the same state, and a daughter of Jonas Wallace, who was also a farmer. In 1870 they removed to Oneida, Knox county, Ill., where the father died in 1875, while the mother passed away in 1894 in McLean county. The children born to them were nine in number, seven of whom are still living, being given in order of birth as follows: Mary Emmeline, now Mrs. Graves, of Evanston, Ill .; S. L., of this review ; William W., a farmer in Fairbury, Ill .; Herman, who was killed in the Civil war, being wounded in the bat- tle of Fairoaks as a member of the Second New Hampshire Regiment; Wallace, a farmer in Rensselaer, Ind .; Spaulding, also in that loca- tion ; Edwin N., a miner of Lewiston, Cal .: and John G., a member of the firm of Marshall Field & Co., of Chicago.

S. L. Shedd was born in Greenfield, N. H., September 12, 1832, and was reared in that state, receiving through the medium of the com- mon schools a good education which he began to practically utilize at the age of eighteen years,

engaging then as a teacher. In 1857 he came to Illinois and in connection with his work as a pedagogue he improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He left the middle west, com- ing by horse-team to Oregon in 1862, over the old Oregon trail, the journey occupying the months from April 30 to September 7. On ar- riving in Corvallis he at once sought employ- ment as a teacher, continuing for about ten years, and carrying on agricultural pursuits at the same time. His principal occupation now, however, is the handling of real estate and the loaning of money.

The marriage of Mr. Shedd occurred Novem- ber 12, 1865, in Corvallis, uniting him with Mrs. Precious (Starr) Caton, a native of Licking county, Ohio. She was the daughter of the Rev. J. W. Starr, who was born in Allegany county, Md., the son of James. Her father early removed to Licking county, Ohio, where he en- gaged in farming, in 1839 settling in Van Buren county, Iowa, and from there emigrating in 1848 to Oregon, bringing his wife, three daughters and four sons. He located near Bell- fountain, Benton county, where he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, upon which he remained until his death in his seventy-fifth year. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, giving much ma- terial aid in the establishment of a congregation at this place. Mr. Starr had been married twice, his second wife being Eliza A. Lucas, a native of Montgomery county, Md., and a daughter of Amos, who died in that state. Mrs. Starr died in Oregon at the age of eighty-three years. The children born of the first union of Mr. Starr are as follows: Nancy, now Mrs. Belknap, of Read- ing, Cal .; James M. died in Iowa; John W. came to Oregon in 1853 and resides in Junc- tion, Ore .; P. M. was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Brownsville, Linn county, Ore .; Moses F., a soldier in an Ohio regiment during the Civil war, was taken pris- oner at the battle of Fitchburg, sent to Ander- sonville prison stockade, and there endured the agonies of slow starvation until his death. Of the second union nine children were born, eight of whom are now living, the eldest being Prec- ious, now Mrs. Shedd; Matilda J., now de- ceased ; Sammel Emery, located in eastern Ore- gon ; Milton L., on the old homestead ; L. H., in Albany; Eliza, now Mrs. Burlingame, of Yamhill county; S. C., near the old home; A. P., on the old home; and Mary Emmeline, now Mrs. Thorp, also in the vicinity of her child- hood's home. Mrs. Shedd was reared in Iowa, receiving her education in a pioneer log school- house, and in 1848 she made the memorable trip across the plains by ox-teams and two wagons, starting April 12, over the old Barlow trail.

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They came by Ft. Hall and Laramie, landing in Oregon September 23 of the same year in which they started, being among the first immi- grants to reach Oregon after the Cayuse war. The first husband of Mrs. Shedd was J. H. Caton, a native of Missouri, and a representative of the Kentucky family by that name, who came to Oregon in 1843 in company with the Apple- gates, Whitman and Nesmith. He took up a donation claim near Bellfountain, and in 1859 he bought property in Corvallis, to which city he removed. He dicd in eastern Oregon in 1863 while there looking after his cattle interests. Mrs. Shedd and the two living children still own the three hundred and twenty acres em- bodied in the donation claim. Mrs. Shedd has had six children, four of whom attained ma- turity : Sabina D. and J. W. died in this city; Ida M. is Mrs. Fortson, of Sacramento, Cal .; and J. L. is on the old donation claim.

Mr. Shedd was made a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in 1871, in which he has served as past officer. He is also a mem- ber of the Rebekahs, and the Corvallis Grange, in which he is ex-master. His wife is a member of the Rebekahs and has acted as past officer, and also belongs to the Coffee Club, and to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Shedd is a Repub- lican politically. Several interesting trips have been made back east by Mr. and Mrs. Shedd, her first being in 1856 in company with Mr. Ca- ton, going via Panama and returning the same way the next year. In 1878 Mr. Shedd took the trip, visiting the scenes of his birth and child- hood, and in 1893 the two enjoyed the pleasure of considerable time spent at the World's Fair at Chicago.

WILLIAM A. BUCHANAN is now serving his fourth term as county treasurer of Benton county, a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his efficiency in the office, his prompt- ness in the discharge of his duties and his loyalty to the trust reposed in him. He is one of the na- tive sons of Benton county, his birth having oc- curred about ten miles south of Corvallis, on the 18th of October, 1858. He is a son of Robert L. Buchanan, who was born in England of Scotch descent. The paternal grandfather, Andrew, was a native of Scotland, and with his wife came to America from England with his son Robert L. He followed farming throughout almost his en- tire life, and died in Benton county, Ore. Robert L. Buchanan was reared as a farmer lad, but afterward learned the dry goods business. Com- ing to the United States he landed in New York City, where he was connected with the dry goods trade until after the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia, when, in 1849, he joined the argonauts

who went to the Pacific coast in search of the golden fleece. He was engaged in mining in Cal- ifornia until 1853, when he made an overland trip to Oregon, settling in Benton county, where he secured a claim which he afterward sold. He then purchased a farm, upon a part of which he still resides. In 1855 he returned to England, and was married in that country to Miss Jane Galbraith, a native of that land. She is still living with her husband in this county, and they are now numbered among the honored pioneer settlers. After his marriage he brought his bride, his parents, two brothers and two sisters to the new world. He continued to reside upon his farm, giving to it his care and attention, and in the work of improvement and progress he has been a leader and is now the owner of a valuable property. He belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal Church South and is accounted one of the prosperous and leading agriculturists of this sec- tion of Oregon. Unto him and his wife were born the following named: Mary, who is living in Benton county ; Mrs. Jane Currin, of Corval- lis; Mrs. Katie Veach, of Lane county, Ore .; William, of this review; Andrew, who is living in New York City, where he is engaged in the drug business; Robert, who died about thirteen years ago in Benton county ; John, of Benton county, and Arthur, who is living on the old homestead.

William A. Buchanan obtained his early edu- cation in the district schools and afterward spent two years as a student in the Agricultural Col- lege of Corvallis. He then went to work upon the home farm, where he remained for a year, after which he was married and engaged in farm- ing on his own account, six miles southwest of this city. He there carried on agricultural pur- suits for six years. After he had lived there for five years he lost his right arm by the bursting of a wood-saw. For a year longer he remained upon the farm, and then removed to Linn county, where he continued farming for two years, but he found that his efforts were much hampered by the loss of his right arm, and he determined to abandon agricultural pursuits. Therefore, on October 7, 1892, he took up his abode in Corval- lis, where for a few years he operated a small dairy. In 1894 he was nominated on the Demo- cratic ticket to fill the office of country treasurer, but was defeated by fifty-one votes. In July, 1894, he was appointed deputy county recorder and served in that position until 1896, when, in June, he was again nominated by the Democratic party for the position of county treasurer and was elected by a majority of eighteen. In July he entered upon the duties of the office, and, in 1808, he was renominated and elected by an in- creased majority of eighty. In 1900 he was again the party's candidate, and this time was given a

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H. R. Kincaid,

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majority of two hundred and eighty. At the fourth election, in 1902, he received a majority of two hundred and forty. His official service is most commendable, for he has ever been found methodical and accurate in the discharge of his duties, fully meeting the trust reposed in him in every particular. He is now also serving as school clerk of his district, having filled the office continuously since March, 1896, with the excep- tion of two years.

In Linn county, Ore., Mr. Buchanan was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Willbanks, who was born in Mississippi, a daughter of W. J. Willbanks, now a retired farmer residing in Corvallis. Mr. Buchanan is connected with the Woodmen of the World, and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he takes a very active part, doing all in his power to promote the cause of Christianity. He is now serving as one of the trustees of the church. Mr. Buchanan deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. After losing his right arm he had to learn to write with his left hand, and says it was the hardest thing which he ever tried to do, but he finally mastered the task to which he set himself, and now is a fine penman, using the Spencerian system. He is well liked and very popular and the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

JUDGE HARRISON RITTENHOUSE KINCAID. Prominent among the citizens of Eugene, Lane county, Judge H. R. Kincaid is named as a representative of all that is sub- stantial and progressive in the community, and is given the credit which belongs to one who has been named among the pioneers of a state. He is, and forty years has been, identified with the · Oregon State Journal, the oldest weekly news- paper in Oregon owned by one party, and in ad- dition to the duties which the management of this paper entails, has taken an active part in all public affairs, in connection with the advance- ment of his own prosperity aiding in that of the general community, and indeed making his in- fluence felt throughout the entire state. What he is, and what he has done, have become mat- ters which properly belong to the history of the early days, since through his own, and like efforts of others, has come the greatness of Ore- gon.

The Kincaid family is of Scotch-Irish ances- try, the first American representative locating in Virginia, where the grandfather, Francis, was born, and from which state he brought his fam- ily to Madison county, Ind. As a pioneer he be- came a farmer in that state. His son, Thomas Kincaid, the father of the Judge, was born in Greenbrier county, Va., and was seventeen years

old when he went with his father to Indiana. In addition to his training as a farmer he learned the trade of a blacksmith, the two forming his means of livelihood throughout his entire life. A beautiful talent which brightened his life and added pleasure to the lives of all with whom he came in contact, was his musical ability, the instrument which he learned to play being the violin. Being a progressive and active man he took great interest in the movements of the day, local and national, and while a resident of In- diana he became captain of a company of state militia. He also performed every duty which came to hint as a citizen, upholding the inter- ests of the Republican party, of which he was an adherent; a strong Abolitionist, his convic- tions lay with the principles which dictated the course of action followed by this party, and when the Whigs were merged with the Repub- licans he remained with them, and was a Repub- lican throughout his life. Inheriting the pioneer spirit which had distinguished his ancestors, he early anticipated becoming a part of some newer, western state, deciding first to locate in Texas. While en route to that state he met, in St. Louis, a friend who advised him rather to settle in Iowa, whereupon he located in Appanoose county, that state, and spent the winter, the rigors of which added to his previous desire to reside in Texas. In April, 1845, he set out once more for the south, but in Van Buren county he met so many who were returning that he became discouraged, and located instead in St. Francis, Ark., where he passed the winter. After a short sojourn in Memphis he returned to Madison county, Ind., and remained in his old home until 1853. In that year he brought his family across the plains and settled on a farm three miles southeast of Eugene, Lane county, Ore., thus becoming a pioneer of this western state. He made his home upon that farm until he became an inmate of his son's home, where he died in 1865, at the age of sixty- five years. He married Nancy Chodrick. a na- tive of Butler county, Ohio, and the daughter of Peter Chodrick, who settled in Indiana and made his home in that state for the remainder of his life. Mrs. Kincaid now makes her home in Eugene, at the age of eighty-seven years.

Of the seven children born to his parents. Judge Kincaid is the oldest, and one of two who are still living. He was born in Madison county, Ind., January 3, 1836, and was reared on his father's farm, his education being derived from an attendance at the district school in the vicinity of his home. He was but seventeen years old when he became a pioneer, as a mem- ber of his father's family crossing the plains with ox-teams, one of which he drove from In- diana to the Willamette valley. The trip was

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fraught with the usual trials and dangers. Leav- ing Indiana in February they crossed the Mis- sissippi river on the ice, from the city of Bur- lington journeying across Iowa to the Missouri river, which they crossed at a point nine miles below Omaha. Their journey was interrupted for a time, while they waited for the grass to grow to furnish provender for their stock, when they once more set out, taking the Barlow route for Oregon. Not a house occupied the present site of Omaha, nor did they see any on the way, the first signs of habitation being at Foster, twelve miles from Oregon City, where they arrived September 29, 1853, reaching Lane county October II. Judge Kincaid remained at home for about two years, during which time he assisted in the improvement and cultivation of his father's farm during the winters, while the summers found him employed by Isaac and Elias Briggs in digging a mill race at what is now Springfield. In 1855 he bought a pony and miner's outfit and set out for the Rogue river mines. In the placer mines on Althouse creek the Indians became troublesome, and, taking the miners unawares, killed several before the others saw the necessity of preparing for war- fare. They put up a fort in that location and for several weeks were compelled to live on the defensive. Seeing no further chance for mining, Judge Kincaid and his partner started for Cres- cent City, Cal., where they remained until spring, earning their livelihood by chopping cord-wood and splitting rails. In the spring of 1856 Judge Kincaid went on the steamer Goliah as a steer- age passenger to San Francisco, where he was engaged for a few weeks in erecting a plank fence in the city. He then went by steamer to Sacramento, walked from there to Folsom City, and was soon at work in the mines on the Amer- ican river, near Auburn, where he remained until the water dried up. Locating then in Marysville, he worked in the stables of an ex- press company, after which he found employ- ment with Matthew Sparks, upon his ranch on Bear river. Mr. Sparks afterward sold his property and Judge Kincaid went with him to Colusa county, and was there engaged in the making of rails for his employer. The follow- ing summer he engaged in freighting in the mountains. It was the same year that he de- cided to return to Oregon, and leaving his out- fit, valued at about $500, for which he never re- ceived any return, he went to San Francisco, and embarked for Portland. From the latter city he journeyed to Corvallis, and from there walked to Eugene, practically again at the be- ginning of his career.

The first work which Judge Kincaid did in Oregon was cutting logs, which he hauled to the mill-race, and had them sawed on shares,

using the lumber to build his house, he having purchased six acres of land in the southern part of Eugene before going to California. As an- other means of livelihood he also burned char- coal and sold it to the blacksmiths in Eugene. Having accumulated a small amount of money he decided to attend school for one winter. In Columbia College he was a member of a class which boasted many eminent men, among them being C. H. Miller, now Joaquin Miller; the late Judge Watson; John Miller, D. D. S, a brother of Joaquin Miller; Joseph D. Matlock ; Judge J. J. Walton and Jefferson Blevins. At that time B. J. Pengra was conducting the People's Press, and the year being 1860, when the entire Union was shaken with the questions which were then assailing it, much was written on the subject. The Herald, a Democratic paper, and strong for secession, published many articles written by President Ryan, of Columbia College, all appearing under the pen name of Vindex. After much persuasion on the part of friends, Judge Kincaid was induced to answer them through Mr. Pengra's paper, four articles appearing under the name of Anti-Vindex. Presi- dent Ryan ascribed the articles to Mr. Pengra, and in an assault attempted to kill him, after which he escaped to Virginia, and entered the Confederate army. The affair broke up Colum- bia College. This was the beginning of the newspaper career of Judge Kincaid, the next summer finding him on the staff of the People's Press, the leading Republican paper of the state. Pengra was nominated for presidential elector, and while engaged in campaigning left the judge to learn printing. The press work and nearly all of the writing was done by Judge Kincaid during the campaign of 1860. A short time afterward he gave up this work and for two summers was engaged in packing to Canon City, after which he again became identified with edi- torial work. For a short time he worked on the State Republican, the Union Crusader, and Copperhead Killer, the latter edited by A. C. Ed- munds, who wrote principally upon religious subjects, while the judge wrote upon political issues. A year later the judge and Joel Ware bought this paper, and changed the name to the Oregon State Journal. Beginning March 12, 1864, the two were associated for one year. when Mr. Ware sold out to Judge Kincaid, who has since successfully and ably managed the affairs of the paper, holding the tone to the highest possible standard.

Politically, no man has exercised more influ- ence than Judge Kincaid, for he has proven himself one of the strong and reliable men of his party, and as such has won the commenda- tion of leaders. He has always been a stanch Republican, and in 1896 joined the ranks of the

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Silver Republicans, in entire sympathy with whom he has since remained. When the Re- publican state convention met in Portland, April 7, 1870, all the nominations were made speedily and by acclamation-except that for state printer, for which Henry L. Pittock, of the Oregonian, Henry Denlinger, of the Oregon Statesman, and D. M. C. Gault were active candidates. The friends of Judge Kincaid, who was then a clerk in the United States Senate, three thousand miles away, and was not a candidate, used his name. Judge Kincaid was nominated on the fifth ballot, which stood as follows: Kincaid, 109; Denlinger, 76; Pettock, II. The nomination was then made unanimous and Judge Kincaid returned from Washington to conduct the cam- paign. In 1894 he was elected secretary of state on the Republican ticket, serving from January, 1895, to January, 1899. In 1898 the same posi- tion was virtually his, but he could not endorse the gold standard platform, and could not ac- cept the nomination on that basis; he cast his lot with the Silver Republican ticket, and was defeated, though he led the ticket. In 1900 he was nominated on the Citizens' ticket for county judge, and overcame a majority of five hundred votes, taking the oath of office in July, 1900, for a term of four years. For eleven years, from 1868 to 1879, Judge Kincaid was in Wash- ington, D. C., where he acted as a clerk in the United States Senate ; he was first in the finance room, later in the executive room, and then in the enrolling room, after which he was indexing clerk until 1879, when a change in the political situation at Washington made it more profitable for him to return to Eugene, again assuming charge of his paper, for which he had written letters and editorials throughout the entire time. This paper is an eight-page quarto, published weekly, and at different times he has been inter- ested in conducting a daily. In addition to the interests above mentioned, the judge has always taken a lively interest in the agricultural pur- suits of the country, devoting three hundred and twenty acres of the old donation claim to stock- raising. He is also interested in mining.

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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 193

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