Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 199

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 199

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1852 Mr. Shelton was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Thomas, who was born in Jackson county, Mo., November 18, 1832, and who, while still a child, removed with her parents to Texas. After their return in 1845 to her native state they made that their home until 1851, when they crossed the plains to Oregon. Her father took up a claim near Scio, and August 4, 1852, she became the wife of Harvey Shelton. They resided on their farm until 1884, when they became residents of the town of Scio, where her death occurred December 14, 1901, at the age of sixty-nine years. She also was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and had faithfully served as a Christian throughout her entire life. She was a pioneer of the character which constitutes the foundation for the great- ness of nations. She was the mother of nine children, seven of whom are now living, named in order of birth as follows: Mary C., the wife of Q. E. Crume, of Yamhill county; Riley, of this review; Henry L., of Scio; George L., of Ashland, Ore .; Melvin H., of Arlington, Ore .; Isabelle, the wife of Frank Yarbrough, of Ash- land; and Enoch C., of Scio.

The oldest son now living of this family is Riley Shelton, who was born five miles south- east of Scio, Linn county, upon his father's claim, February 4, 1858, and was there reared to man- hood, receiving his education from the best

1296

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sources in this part of the state, after completing the common schools, entering Albany College in 1878, where he remained two years. In 1881 he began to seek a livelihood on his own resources, engaging then as employing agent for the Farm- er's Warehouse Company, of Jefferson, Ma- rion county. Ore., and a year later returning to Scio, where he became connected in a mercan- tile establishment with J. C. Johnson, the lat- ter of whom now makes his home in Marion county. In 1885 Mr. Shelton retired from active life, and so remained until 1886, when he again became connected with the general merchandise business with H. A. Johnson, the brother of his former partner, and for two years the new firm enjoyed a successful era of custom, though Mr. Shelton had the misfortune to lose about $10,000 by furnishing goods to one of the sub-contractors who was engaged in building the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad. Following his withdrawal from the mercantile life in 1888 he engaged in the real estate business, which has since lucra- tively occupied his time. He now handles both city and country property.

The marriage of Mr. Shelton occurred in Scio in 1882, Miss Florence D. E. Montgomery becoming his wife. She was born in Oregon, the daughter of Alexander Montgomery, a na- tive of Illinois, his emigration to Oregon having been made in an early day, via the Isthmus of Panama. He first located in Jackson county, where he engaged in mining, and at a later date he became a merchant in Scio, and still later a stock-dealer and farmer in Linn county, in the last-named business being especially successful. He now makes his home near Shedds, Ore., still interested in farming. Of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shelton, Oborn Clyde died March 9, 1903, at the age of eighteen years, seven months and three days, and Audie Wave makes her home with her parents. In his political relations a Democrat, Mr. Shelton has served in many important positions in the interests of his party. He has acted as city recorder for two terms, mayor one term, school clerk for six years, and director for one term. As justice of the peace he has served three terms and as coun- cilman three terms, both of which positions he is now creditably occupying. He has also acted as notary public, and during Cleveland's admin- istration he held the position of postmaster from 1894. Broad-minded and public-spirited in every way, with keen intelligence and judgment to guide his actions, the official life of Riley Shel- ton has been a credit to the people who have given him their vote, for he has faithfully upheld their interests and the welfare of the city and community. Fraternally he affiliates with the Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Rebekahs, having passed the chairs therein, and is also

active as a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church, in which he officiates as trustee.

VERY REV. FATHER THOMAS, prior of Mount Angel, was born at St. Gall, Switzerland, September 18, 1865, and came to the United States in October, 1888. Having qualified in the classics at the Benedictine monasteries of Einsiedeln and Engleberg, Switzerland, he took up and finished philosophy and theology after coming to Mount Angel, and subsequently be- came a teacher of languages and classics in his Alma Mater. He was ordained to the brother- hood August 6, 1893, was made a director of the college, and later a director of the seminary and July 11, 1901, was elected prior.

The early history of the religious organization over which Father Thomas has been called to preside is mentioned at length in another part of this work, and in connection with the life of Rev. Adelheim Odermatt, the founder of Mount Angel. Since assuming his present responsibil- ity Father Thomas has added what is known as the New College, and which bids fair to be one of the most useful adjuncts to the church in Ore- gon. This addition to the Mount Angel priory is situated on Mount Angel Butte, a small moun- tain commanding a splendid view of the sur- rounding country. The building was started May 10, 1902, and is 210x70 feet, ground dimen- sions, with a central building five stories in height, and wings on either side of four stories each. The new college was opened September 15, 1903. The old college and monastery is built on the summit of the butte, and the winding path that leads up to it has fourteen stations, each continuing a picture of Christ during His crucifixion. The view at the top commands Mounts Hood, Jefferson and Adams, also the Cascade range and the state capitol at Salem, as well as the beautiful French Prairie, one of the most fertile agricultural sections of Oregon.

With the college is connected a printing estab- lishment which turns out three periodicals, of which the St. Joseph Blatt, a weekly German paper, has a circulation of eleven thousand copies ; the German monthly, called Armen Seelen Freund, has a circulation of nine thou- sand; and the English monthly, Mount Angel Magasine, has a circulation of six thousand. The New College is of dark gray stone, and is most imposing from an architectural standpoint. The membership of the college has increased from one hundred to one hundred and sixty-five dur- ing the present administration, and it is supposed that the new building will permit of an attend- ance of two hundred and forty. Its estimated cost is about $80,000. In connection with the

1297

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

college there is a separate building 120x60 feet, ground dimensions, which will be used for a gymnasium.

In 1903 a stone structure, a seminary wing, was added to the building, 88x50 feet dimensions, four stories and basement, containing a dining hall accommodating two hundred and seventy people and comfortable quarters for forty sem- inarians, besides a novitiate for candidates to the Benedictine Order, monastery library for ten thousand volumes, and private rooms for phil- osophers and theologians, and the chapel has been re-arranged, the present building used for the sanctuary, and an auditorium added. By the time this book is completed, Mount Angel will have taken on a new dignity, and will have ad- vanced from a priory to an abbey.

WILLIAM FAULL. As "great oaks from little acorns grow " so character comes up from the seed sown in the days of hardships and trials, which does not bend or daunt the brave heart, nor dim the eyes of hope. Upon such a char- acter fell the early burdens of William Faull, one of the most prominent men of Dallas, Ore. Growing into manhood without the guidance of a father, whose care he scarcely remembered to have ever had, he formed his own ideas of man- liness and success and his subsequent life has proven them unusually happy ones.

His father, Richard Faull, a native of Corn- wall, England, emigrated to America with his family in 1847, settling near Hazel Green, in Grant county, Wis., where he engaged in lead mining. But not experiencing from his work the desired returns, he decided to try his for- tunes in the mines of California. Sailing from New York in 1851, he reached Panama, and crossing the isthmus, took passage for San Fran- cisco, which city he was destined never to see, for he died on board the ship, leaving the loved ones back in the Wisconsin country alone. The mother, Elizabeth (Rodgers) Faull, also of Corn- wall, England, continued to live in that state for some time, with her six children about her. Later in life she removed to Lemars, Iowa, where she remained up to the time of her death in 1893.

William was the fourth of the six children, and was born September 19, 1847, near Benton, LaFayette county, Wis. His education was ob- tained in the district schools, under very great difficulties, as he was compelled to help in the support of the family at the age of ten years, receiving for his work ten and fifteen cents per day. As he advanced in years his wages in- creased proportionately, and at thirteen he was making $6 per month and later being the proud recipient of $15 for the same length of time. During the war, he received very good returns

for his work, as men were scarce. When twenty years old he took up his father's occupation, that of coal and lead mining, remaining at it for four years, when he removed to Plymouth county, Iowa, where he took up a homestead claim of eighty acres. After nine years of improving and farming this property, Mr. Faull followed the example of his father which had ended so disas- trously but which has been productive of such good results in his case. Coming west in 1880, he settled in Polk county, Ore., where he carried on farming for four years. At the close of this time, he bought the store of J. B. Chambers in Dallas, and with F. E. Chambers as a partner, he commenced his mercantile life. For one year the two remained together, then Mr. Chambers retired, H. B. Cosper taking his place. This partnership continued for another year, when Mr. Faull bought out the other's interest, taking entire control of the business. With only a small stock at the beginning, he has added to it until it has increased in value ten times over, having put up in 1892, a large, brick building, 34x112 feet, and two stories in height. The first floor is devoted to a hardware stock and house furnishings, the second, to farming imple- ments, being also a tin-shop. His business un- questionably leads the hardware interests in Polk county. In 1892 he also built a warehouse for agricultural implements, the building being 35x 65 feet.

In 1875 Mr. Faull was married in Wisconsin to Miss M. J. Kinney, born in Lake George, N. Y. Though very much interested in his business he has still found time to be active in politics, being a very strong Republican and a firm advo- cate of the tariff reform. Fraternally, he is a member of Jennings Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M., and Ainsworth Lodge No. 17, R. A. M.

BAZZEL W. COOPER. When fourteen years of age Bazzel WV. Cooper made the jour- ney into the west, the memory of which is indel- ibly impressed upon his mind, he being then old enough to appreciate the trials and dangers, and withal the pleasurable excitement, of such a trip. He was born in Indiana, October 3, 1833, and while still very young his parents removed to Illinois and located near Rushville, Schuyler county, where they made their home until 1847. In that year his father, Samuel Cooper, outfitted with four wagons with four yoke of oxen each, and with his family of six sons and two daughters, he started across the plains in the spring, and seven months later they arrived at The Dalles, Ore. From that city they came down the river on rafts to Oregon City, Clackamas county, in which county they spent their first winter in the west. In the spring of 1848 Mr.

1298

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Cooper came to Linn county and located a dona- tion claim one and one-half miles from the San- tiam river, three miles from Lebanon, consisting of six hundred and forty acres of land, upon which he erected for the shelter of his family, a hewed log house. In the spring of 1849 he went with pack horses to the gold fields of Cali- fornia, where he remained for a few months. The death of Mr. Cooper occurred in 1883, when he was seventy-seven years of age. He was a member of the Baptist Church.

At the age of eighteen years Bazzel W. Cooper decided upon independent action for himself, and going to California he combined the interests of mining and disposing of cattle which he drove from Oregon into the southern state. He con- tinned this latter occupation for two years, meet- ing with a success which is evidenced by the property which he now owns in Linn county. In 1855 he removed to the farm upon which he now lives, and which is located eleven miles south of Albany. He owns six hundred acres alto- gether, one hundred and seventy-nine acres being a part of his father's original claim, and that where he now lives is what he himself took up. He is now lucratively engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising.

The marriage of Mr. Cooper occurred in 1855, and united him with Miss Sarah Humphreys, and the four children who have blessed their union, James Franklin, Thomas B., Josephine. the wife of Richard Anderson, and Samuel C., are all located in the neighborhood of their father's farm. In his political affiliation Mr. Cooper adheres to the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and through this influence has served as county commissioner of Linn county for four years. Fraternally he has been a Mason for over twenty-five years and a member of the Lebanon Lodge, and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Albany.

REV. P. PLACIDUS, O. S. B. Not the least of the agencies that have assisted materially in the development of a new country has been the priesthood of all denominations, but especially those of the Catholic Church. Their names have always been written high in the annals of a new country, as they are among the first to offer themselves to a worthy cause, and there is every indication that their good work will go on, the brightest and best among their faith offered for a life of self-sacrifice.

One of the most finely educated men of the west, who has given his talents and energies to this cause, devoting his life to this service with the good cheer and courage which characterizes his every action, is Rev. P. Placidus, O. S. B., who was born in Saxony, Germany, June 8,

1868. He spent the years of his childhood in that country and in Switzerland, in the latter studying in the motherhouse of the Bene- dictine Fathers. In 1882 he came to the United States, going at once to Mt. Angel College, and and remained there for nine years, at the close of which he was ordained. The ensuing year he spent in Washington, completing his education in the Catholic University of America.

In 1893 Father Placidus was assigned to Mt. Angel College, and after eight years he took charge of the parish of Mt. Angel, which had been established in 1881 by Father Odermat, under Archbishop Seghers. At that time the parish was very small, and it was only the sub- lime faith that goes hand in hand with the work of such men that could predict a future for it like that which he has realized. There are now one hundred and sixty families belonging to the parish, and their liberality has lately been shown by the instalment in the church of a new altar, said to be the finest in the state. The church itself is a frame structure, well built and is pleas- antly located on College street, near the center of the city.

The duties of Father Placidus are numerous and arduous but he gives to the discharge of each that earnestness and faithfulness which have brought to him his merited success thus early in life. In the Mt. Angel College he is a teacher of physics, chemistry, and instrumental music, the latter duty being an exceedingly pleas- ant one, as his talent for music is exceptional, and he is never so happy as when an avenue is opened by which he can give it expression. He organized the Mt. Angel band, which has twenty instruments, and now serves as director, also taking an interest in the choral and dramatic societies. He is spiritual director of the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Society of St. Joseph, and it was chiefly through his efforts that the building of the latter was completed in 1901. Father Placidus has been instrumental in bring- ing about many improvements in this western city, and his efforts have been highly appreciated by fellow-citizens, his splendid personality bring- ing to his side many stanch friends and true adherents.

HERMAN W. BARR, doctor of optics, is well known as a leading optician and jeweler of Salem, as a man of good business ability, as a citizen of worth, and a gentleman who in social life commands good will and confidence. A num- ber of years ago he established his present busi- ness and has since heen a factor in this line of trade, so that to-day he is enjoying enviable pros- perity as the direct result of keen enterprise and discrimination in business affairs. A native of

-- -- - -.

1299

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

DeWitt, Clinton county, Iowa, he was born July 3, 1869, and comes of German ancestry. His father, John G. Barr, was born in the black for- ests of Baden, Germany, and in early life learned the trade of clock and watch-making and was en- gaged in the manufacture of the cuckoo and ' grandfather " clocks. Attracted by the oppor- tunities of the new world he came to the United States when seventeen years of age, first locat- ing in Wheeling, W. Va. He afterward removed to Wapakoneta, Ohio, where he established a jewelry store in 1853. Two years later he went to DeWitt, Iowa, where he was in business for thirty years and was the oldest jeweler of Clin- ton county. In 1885 he came to Salem, where he opened a jewelry store, and here he died Septem- ber 13, 1899, at the age of sixty-seven years. In his business career he ever sustained an unassail- able reputation because of the honorable policy which he inaugurated, and his perseverance and well-directed labor were the means of bringing to him a gratifying competence. He married Miss Louisa Margaret Stenger, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Sebastian Stenger, who was a miller by trade, and on coming from the fatherland to the new world took up his abode in Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. His daughter, Mrs. Barr, is still living at the age of sixty-seven years. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Barr were thirteen children, of whom ten, seven sons and three daughters, are yet liv- ing, and three of the sons are jewelers, having thus followed in the business footsteps of their father. The family record is as follows: M. Teresa Schoettle is practicing osteopathy in Salem and is represented on another page of this work; John H. is a jewelry manufacturer of Kansas City, Mo .; Mrs. Carrie F. Petzel is a resident of Salem; Theodore M. is a tinner and plumber of Salem; Herman W. is the subject of this review; George J. is connected with his brother Theodore in business; Frank J. is a grad- uate of the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Mo., and is now practicing in Salem ; Leo C. is connected with the Barr jewelry store of this city; Raymond is a priest of the Bene- dictine Order at Mount Angel; and Annie M. is also a graduated osteopathist and is engaged in practice in this city.

Herman W. Barr spent the first sixteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and pur- sued his education in St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, until the removal of the family to Oregon in 1885. Here he entered the public schools. In 1886 he became interested in the jewelry business and under the direction of his father became familiar with the trade in its various departments. In 1890 he went to Kan- sas City, Mo., and completed the trade under the direction of his brother and after about a year

he again joined his father in Salem. In 1893, however, he once more went to Kansas City, working at the jewelry business with his brother and later he was with his father until he went to Chicago, Ill., to pursue a course in the Chicago Ophthalmic College. He was graduated from that institution in 1898 with the degree of Doctor of Optics and later completed a course in the South Bend College of Optics. He has studied broadly and deeply in order to master the prin- ciples of the profession and he is to-day one of the most skilled opticians of the northwest. In 1899, upon his father's death, he became manager of the Barr Jewelry Store and since that time has largely increased the business, and in order to meet the growing demands of the trade has doubled the stock. The business is twofold what it was when he assumed control of the store and the optical business has increased five hundred per cent. This certainly speaks well for the man- agement, enterprise and progressive methods of Mr. Barr, who is a farsighted, wideawake busi- ness man, carrying forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes and brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by honorable effort.

In this city was celebrated the marriage of Herman W. Barr and Miss Winifred O. Fennell, who was born in Kansas and they have one child, John G. In social circles of this city they are widely and favorably known and the hospitality of their own home makes it a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Barr is connected with the Greater Salem Commercial Club and is serv- ing on some of its important committees. He is also a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. With a nature that could never content itself with mediocrity he has labored for advance in the line of his profession and with equal ardor he took up the work of managing the Barr store and conducting the business which was estab- lished by his father. The consensus of public opinion accords him a prominent place in the ranks of Salem's leading business men of marked ability and strong purpose.

HON. WILLIAM GALLOWAY. The Gal- loway family came from Scotland, the first of the name to cross the ocean having been the great- grandfather of William Galloway. Next in line of descent was William, a Virginian by birth, a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a planter by occupation. The father, Charles, was also born in the Old Dominion, and removed to Il1- inois, from there to Missouri, thence to Iowa county, Wis., where he worked in the lead mines and followed farming. He served in the Black Hawk war under Governor Dodge. In 1852, accompanied by his wife and eight children, he

1300

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

crossed the plains from Wisconsin, the journey with ox-teams consuming seven months. Dur- ing the course of this journey one child died on the plains and a brother-in-law, Capt. J. R. Wiley, died of cholera on the Platte river.

On making settlement in Yamhill county, Ore., Charles Galloway selected a donation claim near Amity, and on this farm he made his home and engaged in its improvement. Politically he was an old-time Democrat. His death occurred in Sep- tember of 1884, and during the same month his wife, Mary. also passed away. She was a native of Ireland, and daughter of Terrence Heeney, for years a resident of New York City, where he died. In the family of Charles Galloway there were eleven children, all but two of whom attained mature years. Three sons and three daughters are now living, William being the youngest of the sons. He was born near Dodge- ville, Wis., June 10, 1845, and accompanied the family to Oregon in 1852, after which he attended the public schools and Willamette University. In 1868 he was graduated from the latter insti- tution with the degree of B. S. Following his school course he taught in Yamhill county several years and then began the study of law, later en- gaging in farming. Since 1892 he has been in- terested in horticulture, owning an eighty-acre orchard near McMinnville.

The marriage of Mr. Galloway, in Yamhill county, united him with Emma Baker, of Revo- Intionary ancestry, who was born in Dodge county, Wis., December 28, 1851. After the death of her father, Varrants Baker, her mother and family accompanied her uncle, Thomas M. Bennett, across the plains to Oregon in 1865. She is an active member of the Order of Re- bekas and the Woman's Relief Corps, having been department president of the latter organi- zation in 1901-2, and was also a member of the National Executive Board. Their family consists of three children: Zilpha V., who has been for seven years a clerk in the Oregon City Land Of- fice ; Charles V., a graduate of the University of Oregon and at present the youngest member of the state legislature ; and Francis V., a freshman in the State University.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 199

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