Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 200

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 200

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The Democratic party has had one of its stanch upholders in William Galloway, and he in turn has been honored hy it in being selected to occupy positions of trust and honor. In 1874 he was elected to the lower house of the legislature and four years later he was again elected to that posi- tion, where he served as chairman of the com- mittee on ways and means ; again in 1880 he was elected to the same office. During. all of these terms he was earnest in the support of all meas- ures for the benefit of the people and the de- velopment of the state, which it was his pride to see growing into one of the important common-

wealths of our nation. From 1890 to 1894 he served as judge of Yamhill county. At the ex- piration of the term he was the candidate on the Democratic ticket for the office of governor, his opponents being Lord, Republican ; and Pierce, Populist. Under President Cleveland, in Febru- ary of 1896, he was appointed receiver of the United States land office at Oregon City, in which he has served under three presidents. On his retire- ment from office, July 16, 1902, he turned his attention to the practice of law in Oregon City, although he still maintains his legal residence at McMinnville, Yamhill county. The district of which he had charge, as receiver, comprises the counties of Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Tillamook, Polk, Marion, Clackamas, Yamhill, Columbia, Clatsop and Multnomah. He has been admitted to practice in the state and federal courts. Mr. Galloway has ever taken an active part in agri- culture ; is a life member of the Oregon Horti- cultural Society being a director for many years, and serving as a member of the State Board of Agriculture from its organization until 1897, having served as president of the board for three terms. He is a life member of the Oregon His- torical Society and president of the Oregon Pio- neer Association. The subject of this sketch has ever taken a great interest in the welfare of our dependent soldiers ; took an active interest in the creating of the Soldiers' Home at Roseberg and served two terms as member of the board, re- luctantly declining reappointment owing to other official duties. He is an enthusiastic Odd Fellow and a member of the United Artisans.

HENRY L. HAGEY, a native son of Oregon, was born August 8, 1855, of eastern parents, his father, Levi Hagey, having come from Iowa in 1847, locating near Dundee, this state. Here he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres and quickly proved his right to be numbered among the men who were to give to Oregon her statehood, by hewing out a pathway through her dense forests and spreading out like an unrolled map, the broad meadows and fer- tile fields. On this farm he engaged exten- sively in the raising of poultry, having in his great barnyards the most valuable fowls, and finding in the city of Portland a ready market for his produce. Mr. Hagey is now living in McMinnville, being retired from the active cares of life. His wife, Elizabeth Hagey, who shared the trials and dangers and loneliness of his early life, was also of eastern birth, having come with him on that long, hard jour- ney across the plains, proving herself a loyal helpmeet and a brave pioneer. In their west- ern home she passed away, leaving husband

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and nine children, four sons and five daugh- ters, Henry L. being next to the youngest.

In the common schools of Oregon he re- ceived a limited education, attending but little, being prevented by the many difficulties at- tendant upon the educational efforts of the early settlers. He had been well and easily educated, however, in that which lay nearest at hand and he became, under his father's instruction, another of the successful farmers of Oregon. Through his own efforts he bought fifty-eight acres of land, following this purchase with a later one of sixty-five. In addition to this his father gave him fifty-eight acres, making a large farm which he has well improved and cultivated, carrying on at pres- ent general farming. Mr. Hagey married a daughter of Oregon, Miss Bertha A. Brutcher, her father being Sebastian Brutcher, a native of Germany who emigrated many years be- fore, settling on a farm in this state. Mrs. Hagey's death occurred in 1899.

Mr. Hagey interests himself in public af- fairs, being a Democrat as to his political in- clinations, and though not aspiring to political honors, still does his duty as a member of his community, serving at the present time as road supervisor. He is fraternally connected with the Woodmen of the World.

HYNSON SMYTH. Among those who have enriched the prospects of Oregon, and established a lien upon the gratitude of later comers to Lane county is Hynson Smyth, a resume of whose life must necessarily interest not only the well- to-do, but those who are traveling the up-hill and sometimes discouraging path of life. In the rather hard and exacting days of his youth it is doubtful if this honored pioneer saw so far ahead as his present prosperous condition, and there must be a world of satisfaction in the fact that his five hundred acres of prairie and eight hun- dred acres of mountain land are his because he has never been afraid to work, and never resorted to other than legitimate and upright methods of conducting his affairs.

Of southern ancestry, Mr. Smyth was born in Highland county, Ohio, December 26, 1827, his father, Thomas, having been born in Virginia in 1791, and his mother, Hannah (Comegys) in the same state in 1798. The parents were married in Virginia in 1815 and the following year moved to Highland county, Ohio, which continued to be their home until 1832. Their next home was in St. Charles county, Mo., where the father rented a farm, and passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1833, and his wife died forty-eight hours later. These old people were most happily mated, their married life proving an unusually

happy one, and it seemed eminently fitting that when one died the other should so soon follow. They were the parents of four daughters and three sons, Hynson being next to the youngest. George C., another son, came to Oregon in 1853, bringing with him his wife and family of six children, and settling on a claim in Lane county. While in the Stein mountains in 1878, himself and oldest son were killed by the Indians, leaving two disconsolate families to mourn the loss of a devoted father and promising son.

Six years old when his father died, Hynson went to live with an uncle until he was twelve years old. He then spent three years in the In- dian territory (now Kansas). In 1846 he went to Grant county. By this time he was a well de- veloped and rugged youth. He then went back to Missouri and in 1850 made the trip across the plains from Lincoln county, Mo., and met with no serious trouble with the Indians. In partner- ship with Alexander Stewart he bought a wagon and three yoke of oxen, and succeeded in accom- plishing the long distance in about six months. After spending the fall in Portland Mr. Smyth moved to Polk county and raised a large crop of grain, which he cut with a cradle and tramped out with horses. This primitive but nevertheless successful undertaking netted him quite a sum of money, and that fall he went to Missouri via the Isthmus of Panama, sailing from San Fran- cisco, and spending forty-eight days on the water before reaching Central America. By water he reached New Orleans after another long trip. and from there came on to Missouri, up the Mis- sissippi river. January 13, 1853 he was united in marriage with Martha Cranshaw. He then rented a farm for one year in Lincoln county and in the spring of 1854 again started across the plains, this time with a four-horse team. The team proving not as reliable as oxen, Mr. Smyth purchased two yoke of oxen, the stronger animals bearing the strain of continuous travel with more fortitude. Being perfectly familiar with the country, Mr. Smyth was not at a loss to know where to locate, so came at once to his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres, having added to that from time to time until he now owns thirteen hundred acres. Stock-raising and farming have been conducted on a large scale, Mr. Smyth giving preference to the latter depart- ment of farm activity. in which he has been unusually successful. His improvements are modern, his home, barns, outhouses and fences in good condition, and over all is an appearance of solidity and prosperity not surpassed by any who have lent their brain and heart and ability to the upbuilding of this section. Mr. Smyth is a Democrat in politics, and in religion is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. Of the eight chil- dren born into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Smyth,

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Susan A. is the wife of Milton Robinson; Mar- garet is the wife of H. B. Dunlap; George N., Nancy and Hannah are deceased; Thomas J. is at home ; William H., of Lake Creek; and Martha E. is deceased. All the children grew to years of maturity. Mr. Smyth is one of the very sub- stantial and reliable men of Lane county, and none more than he deserves the respect and con- fidence of a thriving and prosperous county.

BERNHARD GROTH. Among the families of Dundee, Ore., there is one that knows no rela- tives within a distance of many thousand miles, being emigrants from Germany, leaving all but their immediate loved ones in that faraway land. One of the finest homes and several of the most important industries of Dundee are now repre- sented by this family, and the uninterrupted good fortune that has attended them in their new life has made these years very happy ones.

Bernhard Groth was born September 21, 1855, in Hamburg, Germany, the son and grandson of two Fritz Groths, the grandfather being a sea- captain, who after many years spent in this life met his death by the wrecking of his ship on the Isle of St. Thomas. The second Fritz, his son, was also born in Hamburg, Germany, and lived there for the sixty-six years of his life, a tanner by trade, ending his years at the age of sixty- six years, a fairly rich man. His wife was Johanna, born in Hamburg, and living at the present time in that city. Five children were born to them, three sons and two daughters, the oldest being Bernhard.

Bernhard Groth received his education in the common schools of Germany and at a youthful age he was apprenticed to a machinist to learn that trade. For several years thereafter he worked for the government in the shipyards of Hamburg and Kiel, giving this up in 1882 to seek new employment in the United States. On ar- riving, he went at once with his family to Wis- consin, locating near Ashland, where he took up a homestead claim, putting upon it the necessary improvements. For ten years he held the posi- tion of engineer in a saw-mill, putting to profit the early years of preparation in the fatherland. In 1892, however, with ambition greater than his opportunity, he decided to try his fortunes among the limitless advantages of the west. On arriving in Oregon, Mr. Groth located at Dun- dee, investing in a small place of only three and a half acres, intending to strike out for better profit than those to be found in farming. Upon this land he erected several buildings, one to be used for prune-drying, another as a hardware store, and in conjunction with this he runs a smithy and tinning shop, and his home is an honor to Dundee. He takes a very prominent

part in the affairs of his adopted city, accepting at the hands of his Democratic brethren various offices, being at one time a member of the city council, and at present holding the position of city treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, and religiously he is a member of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Groth was married in Germany to Miss Sophia Bock, who was also a native of that coun- try, her father, Karl Bock, being a successful farmer who passed all the years of his life there. To Mr. and Mrs. Groth were born ten children, whose names in order of birth are as follows: Fritz, Karl, Bernhard, Reinhard, Paul, Claus, Martha, Mrs. A. Parrott of Dundee, Ella, Sophia and Hans.

WERNER BREYMAN. It was a heroic band of pioneers who came to Oregon when this state was yet a wilderness, and, establish- ing their homes in the wild region, undertook the task of making the plain productive, of de- veloping the rich mineral resources of the state, of utilizing its forests and establishing commercial and industrial enterprises. Among those who arrived and settled in Yamhill county, in 1850, was Werner Breyman, who was born and grew to young manhood in Bock- enem, Hanover, Germany. His father, Fritz Breyman, a lieutenant in the Hanoverian army, fought under Wellington and was wounded in the famous battle of Waterloo, receiving a medal in after years for his valorous services.

In 1846 Werner Breyman came to America with a sister and brother, who were the first of the name to cross the Atlantic. He took up his abode in Milwaukee, Wis., where he was employed as a clerk until 1850, when, attracted by the discovery of gold upon the Pacific coast, he started for this portion of the country, trav - eling with horse and mule teams, accompanied by five young men. Mr. Breyman went to St. Louis, there purchased provisions and pro- ceeded by boat to St. Joseph, Mo., where he remained for four weeks, awaiting the arrival of his comrades. On May 3, 1850, at that point they crossed the Missouri river, proceeded up the Platte river, and thence westward, intending to spend the winter in Oregon and proceed in the spring to California. At Fort Hall they de- cided to leave their wagons and pack what they could across the mountains, leaving the balance, in order to make better time; but instead of finding this course a help, it proved to be a hind- rance, for they ran out of provisions and were almost starved. They could get neither flour nor bacon at Fort Boise-in fact, could obtain nothing there save dried salmon skin, and on that they lived for two weeks. While en route

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they were twice attacked by the Indians, but managed to drive them away, and on October 6 they arrived in Oregon-and it was in March that Mr. Breyman left his Wisconsin home.

Locating at Lafayette he began working there for wages. In 1851 he established the Lafayette House, continning in the hotel busi- ness for a year. In 1852 he opened a general merchandise store in Lafayette, conducting it for ten years. He later became proprietor, also, of the first store in Amity, and his brother, Eugene, who came to Oregon in 1855, across the Isthmus, became his partner in 1856. The firm name of Breyman Brothers was as- sumed at Amity. In 1864 both stores were dis- posed of, and the brothers, under the firm style of Breyman Brothers, began business as gen- eral merchants in Salem. They built "The White Corner" building, and called their store the White Corner Store. In 1874 they added to the original building, and have since made other improvements. There now stands on the site a fine two-story structure, 42x90 feet, which is still owned by Breyman Brothers. They sold their stock, however, in 1881, and since that time Werner Breyman has been engaged in the loan and similar business. Many years ago, when much of the land of the state was in its wild condition, he purchased large tracts, improved it and engaged in farming and stock- raising. He made it valuable property, and is still the owner of eight hundred and thirty-five acres near Lafayette, Yamhill county. He also owns farms in Marion county, and he and his brother purchased and laid out the Rosedale addition to Salem, of seventy acres. They also own several other additions, including an addi- tion, Plainfield to Portland, Ore., and one known as Boise Addition to Portland, Ore. Their investments have been carefully and wisely made, and as the land has increased in value, owing to improvement and to the rapid development of the state, the brothers have realized from their property excellent financial returns.

Werner Breyman was married in Lafayette, Ore., to Miss Isabella Watt, a native of Mis- souri, and a daughter of John Watt, who came to Oregon in 1848 and located a donation claim, including the present site of Amity. His son, Joseph Watt, established the Salem Woolen mills. Mr. and Mrs. Breyman passed through the early hard times in Oregon and have reared a large family. Owing to the careful manage- ment of Mrs. Breyman in matters of the house- hold, and the enterprise of Mr. Breyman in the business world, their united efforts have re- sulted in the acquirement of a handsome prop- erty, numbering them among the substantial citizens of Salem. In 1896 they made a trip to

Europe, visiting many points of modern and historic interest there, and also paying a visit to his old home town. They went to Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France, the Netherlands and Great Britain, and after a six-months trip abroad, returned by way of London to Amer- ica. Of their children John and Carl died in childhood, and Othelia and Jennie are also de- ceased. The three surviving members of the family are Anna, the wife of Rudolph Prael, of Portland; Elva, the wife of William Brown, of Salem, and Ada, the wife of William Eldredge, who is in the commissary department of the United States army at Manila.

Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Breyman has been one of its strong advocates. For one term he served in the Salem city council, while for eight years he was county treasurer of Yamhill county, hav- ing been elected to that office without his so- licitation. He was made a Mason in Lafayette Lodge, A. F. & A .M., in 1853, and is now affil- iated with Salem Lodge No. 4. He also holds membership in the Oregon Pioneer Associa- tion, the Oregon Historical Society, and is the vice-president of the Illihee Club. His long residence and the character and extent of his business interests have made him widely known, while the essential elements of his character are such as to have won him the favor and friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.

JOHN B. DAVID is a contractor and sur- veyor whose labors in the northwest have re- sulted largely in the benefit and development of this portion of the country. There is no other agency so potent in opening up a region and advancing its industrial and commercial pros- perity as railroad building. Railroads have been the means of bringing to communities commodi- ties not produced there, and of placing the pro- ductions of the locality upon the markets of the world. This is the basis of all business activity and the railroad builders certainly are deserving of the recognition of the public for what they have accomplished.

Mr. David has been a resident of Oregon since 1867 and is a native of the Mississippi valley, his birth having occurred in Richland county, Ill., September 5. 1841. His father, Alexander F. David, was born in Center county, Pa., and be- came connected with general mercantile interests in that state. When a young man, however, he removed to Richland county, Ill., and in 1847 took up his abode in Winnebago, Oshkosh county, Wis. There he engaged in general mer- chandising, becoming an active factor in the busi- ness life of his community. He also rendered to

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his county valuable service in the position of sheriff, and when the country needed the aid of her loyal citizens he offered his services in 1862 and became captain of Company B, Third Wis- consin Cavalry, under Colonel Hobart. The regi- ment was assigned to the army of the Missouri and Mr. David proved a loyal officer, inspiring his men to deeds of valor by his own bravery. Following the war he came to the northwest, settling in Clark county, Wash., in 1867. He purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, ten miles west of Vancouver, and there carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He married Rebecca Galesbey, a native of Ken- tucky and a daughter of Aaron Galesbey, who was also born in Kentucky and owned a planta- tion about six miles from Frankfort. He died at the age of seventy-nine years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. David were born seven sons and two daugh- ters.

John B. David, the eldest of the family, began his education in the public schools and after- ward attended Lawrence University of Wiscon- sin. He. too, was numbered among the defend- ers of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, enlisting in Company E, Second Wis- consin Infantry, in which he became first duty sergeant. This regiment was assigned to the army of the Potomac and he participated in the first battle of Bull Run, in the bloody battle of Antietam and in the engagements at Freder- icksburg, Second Bull Run, Manassas, Gettys- burg, South Mountain, Gainesville, Blackburn Ford and others. He never missed a roll call until captured at Gettysburg. He was then taken to the Belle Island prison, was afterward two or three months in Andersonville, the whole period of his incarceration covering seventeen months and twenty days. Mr. David had not yet at- tained his majority when he joined the army, but for three years he valiantly aided his country, never failing in the performance of his duty, whether it led him to the lonely picket line or to the firing line. In April, 1864, at Madison, Wis., he was honorably discharged and then re- turned to his home.

After two years Mr. David came to Oregon, locating in Oregon City in 1867. Here he en- tered the employ of the government as a sur- veyor, and in the same year was engaged in the construction of the Portland railroad. He was also the builder of the Oregon Northern Rail- road from Pendleton to Huntington, Ore., and took the contract for the construction of the Palmer cut-off in Washington. He has also done much important work of a similar character, and he took and executed the contract for the build- ing of a dike for the United States government at the mouth of the Columbia river. Mr. David has a thorough understanding of the great sci-

entific principles which underlie such constructive work, and the labors executed by him and those whom he has employed have given excellent sat- isfaction, for he stands high as a representative of this great department of business. In 1880 he purchased three hundred and forty-seven acres of valuable land, of which one hundred and sixty acres are under cultivation and the remainder is devoted to pasturage or is covered with tim- ber. His farm is pleasantly and conveniently lo- cated two miles north of Spring Brook, Ore., and it is called "David's on the Mountain." It commands a wonderful panoramic view of the valley and the mountains, and is itself situated on the mountain side overlooking the beautiful Chehalem valley. As the roads wind around, making a gradual ascent, the eye looks upon the lovely scenery which cannot be surpassed for diversity, beauty and grandeur.

Mr. David was married in Oregon City to Miss Juliet Saffarrans, who was born there and is a daughter of Dr. Henry Saffarrans, a native of Kentucky, who removed with his parents to Howard county, Mo., and was there educated. He prepared for the practice of medicine, was graduated with the degree of M. D., and in 1844 came to Oregon. He located as Indian agent at The Dalles and was there at the time of the Whitman Massacre, but with his family he made his escape upon a flat-boat down the river to Portland and thence traveled to southern Ore- gon, but on account of the hostility of the In- dians in that portion of the state he returned to Oregon City, where he entered upon the prac- tice of medicine, which he followed with success in that place for ten or twelve years, at the end of which time his life's labors were closed in death. He was not only a skilled physician, but was also a prominent and influential man in his community, and wielded a wide influence in pub- lic affairs. The home of Mr. and Mrs. David has been blessed with five children: Laurena Mabel; Hallie V., the wife of Frank E. Hobson, a mining engineer of Sumpter, Ore .; Melvin Henry and Roy Lee, who are managing their father's farm, and which they have developed into a very fine place, and where they have re- cently opened up a good dairy business ; and Onie Isabella.

Mr. David belongs to Multnomah Lodge No. I. F. & A. M., at Oregon City, and is one of the leading representatives of the Republican party in this locality. He frequently serves as a dele- gate to county, state and national conventions, and was a delegate to the national Republican convention in Cincinnati when Rutherford B. Haves was nominated for the presidency. Mr. David is a man of fine physique, being six feet and two inches in height and well proportioned. He has a face denoting strong character and

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manly purpose, and during the thirty-six years of his residence in Oregon his labors have been directed towards securing the greatest good to the greatest number.

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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 200

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