Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 201

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 201

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).

WILLIAM HENRY DOWNING. That sat- isfaction which a man feels who can stand out- side his doorway and calmly survey a sweeping tract of land, knowing that its cultivation and disposition are entirely within his control, and that upon its good or bad management depends his subsequent welfare and that of his family, must often occur to William Henry Downing, who is managing two farms in Marion county, aggregating in all between eight and nine hun- dred acres. This fine property is located two and a half miles from Sublimity, and its fertile acres are devoted to general farming in the main, and to extensive stock-raising, Cotswold sheep bringing in the largest yearly revenue. That a great deal can be accomplished on so large an acreage is self-evident, and that Mr. Downing taxes to the utmost the possibilities of the land, getting the best possible results out of it, is acknowledged by all who are familiar with his shrewd business judgment and prac- tical farming methods.

As a barefooted boy Mr. Downing trudged around the farm upon which he now lives, and during the long winter evenings he used to sit around the fire in the near-by house, where he was born May 7, 1858. More fortunate than most of the youth of his neighborhood, he was not only able to complete his education in the public schools, but at the age of eighteen entered Willamette University, remaining for three years. At the age of twenty-one he purchased a farm of eighty acres adjoining the old homestead, and to this he added at a later period one hun- dred acres, in time bringing his property under a high state of cultivation. He built a fine home, had ample general improvements, mod- ern implements, and all things prized by the enterprising and progressive agriculturist, and remained on his farm until 1892. About this time he thought he would like a change of occu- pation, so moved into Salem and engaged in the real estate business for about four years. During the last two years of his residence there he conducted the Club livery stable, but dis- posed of it on returning to the home farm in 1897, thereafter assuming charge of the two properties.

January 20, 1881, Mr. Downing married Hen- rietta McKinney, of which union there were born two children, Ilene Bernice, deceased at the age of eighteen months, and Elmer, now a student at a private school in Salem. Mrs. Downing died February 20, 1884, and June 30, 1886, Mr.

Downing married Delia H. Bower. Two chil- dren were born of this union, Mabel Maud and George Preston. February 17, 1900, his second wife was taken from him by death, and March 11, 1903, he was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Newton, of Salem, and the daughter of Nathan Newton, now residing in Seattle, Wash.

Politically Mr. Downing is a Democrat, but aside from the formality of casting his vote he has never identified himself with local or other political undertakings, though he has always done his duty as a citizen by acting as school clerk for three years, previous to which he had served as school director for many years. Fraternally he is a welcome visitor at several lodges in which the county abounds, among them being Santiam Lodge No. 25, Ancient Free and Accept- ed Masons, of Stayton; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Salem; Woodmen of the World, of Salem, of which lodge he is a charter member; Modern Woodmen of America, at Salem; and the Grange at Macleay. In all of these lodges he has held high office. In religion he is a member of the Christian Church organ- ized October 18, 1900, in this locality, he being one of the organizers, and is clerk and treasurer of the society which worships in the Rock Point schoolhouse. As a loyal and patriotic citizen he served for three years in Company A, Second Regiment Oregon National Guard, located at Whiteaker, and was discharged as corporal. Pro- gressive and enterprising, Mr. Downing is a na- tive son of whom his country is justly proud. He is possessed of strict integrity, a genial and agreeable personality, and devotion to friends and interests at hand, and one can readily un- derstand his extreme popularity in the neighbor- hood.

F. M. LEWIS. A worthy representative of a pioneer family whose strong, earnest living has done much for the early growth and up- building of this western state is F. M. Lewis, who was born in Polk county, Ore., upon the location of his present home, this being a part of the old donation claim taken up by his father in 1846. The day upon which he first saw the light of life was February 5, 1847, and he was one of a family of twelve children, whose parents were David R. Lewis, born near Louisville, Franklin county, Ky., in 1813, and Mary (Red- den) Lewis, also a native of that state, born in 1812. For more information concerning this family refer to the sketch of David W. Lewis, the brother of Mr. Lewis of this review.

The early education of F. M. Lewis was received in a log schoolhouse, located upon the present site of the Methodist Episcopal Church

1308

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Lewisville, and when his school days were over he engaged in farming with his father. In 1859, when twelve years old, he went into a logging camp, working for his father in his sawmill, which was located in township 9, range 6 west. He continued at this work for six years, and at that time sold his interest and returned to agricultural pursuits, now owning . one hundred and seventy acres, eighty acres of which are under cultivation, this land being a part of the old donation claim, which he took upon the division of the land. He carries on general farming and the raising of goats and sheep, having registered Angora goats and Cots- wold sheep, and meeting with gratifying suc- cess in this occupation.

The marriage ceremony which united the for- tunes of F. M. Lewis and Flora McLeod, was performed in 1869. She is a native of Oregon, having been born May 13, 1850, near Forest Grove, Washington county, where her father, Donald McLeod, had taken up a donation land claim. He had come west in the interests of the Hudson Bay Company, and had been engaged on the Columbia river. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of one child, Orpha Icadean, who is now the wife of Henry Mattison, located near Independence. Both himself and wife are supporters of the Christian Church at Mon- mouth. Politically Mr. Lewis adheres to the principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party. He has served as school director for several years.

RICHARD J. GRANT is recalled as a man of more than ordinary ability and resourceful- ness, of great capacity for painstaking and in- defatigable industry. From a comparatively small beginning he started to farm and raise stock, and at the time of his death, April 24, 1891, he left an unincumbered estate of five hun- dred acres. A native of La Fayette county, Mo., he was born December 26, 1825, a son of Rich- ard Grant, who was born in Tennessee, and died in Daviess county, Mo., in 1857, at the age of sixty-five years. He had eleven chil- dren in his family, several of whom were born in Tennessee, and he took his family to La Fayette county, Mo., at a very early day.

In his youth Mr. Grant had the training at home and in the public schools of the average country- reared boy, and he married, May 17, 1846, Sarah J. Williams, who survives him, and is living on the home farm in Benton county, Ore. Miss Williams was born in Kentucky, December 2, 1826, where her father, John A. Williams, owned a large farm in Morgan county, and where he was born January 25, 1805. Mr. Will- iams died on a farm bordering on the Luckia-

mute river in Polk county, Ore., in 1885. His wife, formerly Nancy B. Jameson, was born in Montgomery county, Ky., March 5, 1806, and died December 5, 1860, on the Columbia slough in Multnomah county, Ore. Twelve children were born of this union, eight of whom were daughters, Mrs. Grant being the third child. The latter grew to womanhood on the farm in Daviess county, and there met her future hus- band, whose father's farm was ten miles distant from her home. After the marriage the young people lived with the parents of Mr. Grant, and in 1852 made preparation to cross the plains, making the start April 24, and arriving at The Dalles, October 23, of the same year. At first they had fourteen yoke of oxen, but the hard- ships of the overland trip caused all but two yoke to succumb. Three .light-hearted children had been added to the family in Daviess county, Mo., and were members of the home-seeking party, but Nancy Melvina, five months and ten days old, died on Snake river August 22, and was left in a little wayside grave.

In the fall that he arrived in the west Mr. Grant took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, the same comprising a portion of the property now occupied by his widow, and proceeded to improve and cultivate it. He took a prominent part in political and other affairs of his county, and was elected to the legislature from Polk county on the Democratic ticket in 1868, '70-'78, holding also nearly all the local offices of his township. He was a member of Mono Grange, of Lewisville, and was otherwise identified with social and business concerns in his county. Of his five hundred acres of land, his widow owns three hundred and twenty acres, while the balance is owned by his son, James. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grant. of whom Mary Ellen, born August 27, 1847, is the wife of T. O. Bevens, of this vicinity ; Nancy M., born March 12, 1849, died on the plains; David A., born January 16, 1851, is deceased, James M., born December 24, 1852, lives with his mother and manages the farm; and Gilbert M., born October 27, 1859, is deceased. To an exceptional degree Mr. Grant enjoyed the con- fidence of his associates in Polk county, and in all ways he contributed to the stability and well- being of the fertile region he had chosen as the scene of his life's work.

DAVID W. LEWIS. Prominent both as a representative of two sturdy pioneers of the early days and for his own success in the indus- trial and farming circles of Polk county, David W. Lewis occupies an enviable place in the esteem of the citizens of this section of the county. The name descended to him from a

1309

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pioneer father has been perpetuated in its use to designate the town of Lewisville, old settlers recalling the days when no town was known, and when the two Lewises, father and grand- father of David W., occupied the east and west sides of the main road passing through the place, each holding and planning to improve a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres.

The grandfather, John Lewis, was born in Virginia, and on attaining manhood he made his home in Kentucky, where David R., the father of David W. Lewis, was born. David R. there married Mary Redden, also a native of that state, and in 1845, both families outfitted for the trip across the plains, joining with their ox-teams the emigrant train, under the com- mand of Captain English. Six months of the year was taken up by the journey, and on reaching Oregon, the heads of both families took up claims after passing the first winter in Polk county. The claims were located on the road which now runs north and south through Lewisville, the grandfather on the west side and the father on the east. They at once moved their families on the respective claims and engaged in farming, and there the elder Mr. Lewis died in 1851, having been a resident of the west but six years. His son then bought the adjoining claim. In the early life upon his farm he sawed lumber in the hills, a part of which was brought to the present location of Lewisville and used in the erection of the first house in that town. His death occurred in 1895, in Salem, and his wife died in 1897, on the home place.' There were five hundred acres left of the original land owned by Mr. Lewis.

Of the twelve children born to his parents, four sons and eight daughters, David W. was the fifth, and was born in Franklin county, Mo., January 8, 1845, in the same year being taken from his home in the Mississippi valley to the new home which was to be made among the primitive surroundings of the Pacific slope. His early education was received in the little log schoolhouse near Lewisville, and when the course was completed he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a blacksmith. In the year 1866 he went to California and engaged in the prosecution of his trade in Bakerville, Salina county, but returned in 1868 to Polk county, and opened up the same business in Lewisville, where he continued successfully for ten years. At the close of that period he received from his father his present farm, to which he at once removed and prepared to engage once more in the work to which he had early been trained. He now owns two hundred and forty acres, one hundred of which is timberland. He carries on general farming and goat-raising, having from

seventy-five to one hundred and fifty head at all times.

The marriage of Mr. Lewis occurred in 1870, and united him with Susan Williams, who was born in Polk county, Ore., November 6, 1854. She was the daughter of J. J. Williams, a resi- dent of Dallas, having crossed the plains in 1846 and located near Airlie. They are now the parents of the following children: Ida, now the wife of L. R. Grant, of Lewisville; Nevada, the wife of D. A. Madison, of Dallas; Claude, at home; Josie, the wife of John Brinkley, of Boise City; James L., of Pendleton, Ore .; Percy, of Salem; Leota, at home. Politically Mr. Lewis is a Democrat. In religion he is a member of the Christian Church at Monmouth.

WILLIAM BARCLAY, the father of Mrs. Andrew Rickard, was born in Missouri in 1805, his parents having settled there at a very early day. As the name indicates, the ancestors were Scotch, and in fact the father and mother of William were both born in Scotland, locating first in North Carolina, after immigrating to the United States.

As a young man William Barclay followed surveying and school teaching, having profited by a common school education. He remained at home until his marriage to Mary Ann Brown, a native of Tennessee, and thereafter located on a farm, where he lived for several years. Of an ambitious nature, and not entirely satisfied with his surroundings, he sold his farm and made arrangements to settle in the far west, purchasing the necessary oxen and wagons. All went well until arriving at South Platte, Col., where Mrs. Barclay sickened and died of cholera, leaving seven children to the care of her sorrowing hus- band. Leaving the best friend they had in the world in a lonely wayside grave, the party pro- ceeded on their way, and without any further misfortune arrived at their destination in Yam- hill county. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Barclay came to Benton county and took up a donation claim of a half section twelve and a half miles south of Corvallis, where he farmed with consid- erable success until his death, at the age of eighty- three years. His original purchase by no means constituted his entire land holdings, for as his farming and stock-raising interests enlarged more land was required, and he left a large and well equipped estate to his heirs.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Barclay never worked for his own advancement, although he served as justice of the peace for several years, and also was a member of the school board. He was liberal in his tendencies, very progressive in his manner of thought, and possessed a world of tactful consideration for those with whom he

1310

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

had to deal. Naturally he was popular and in- fluential, and in his life work represented the best to be gotten out of farming. Of the chil- dren born to himself and wife, Robert S. is in Lincoln county; Mary E. is the widow of A. Rickard; James, a farmer in Alsea county ; Mar- garet, the wife of Thomas Hinton, of this vicin- ity; Winnie, the wife of William Levaugh, of Linn county ; and William, on the old homestead.

IRVING E. GLEASON. The year 1851 marked the advent of Irving E. Gleason in the state of Oregon, and here his life from that time forward has been spent, not idly or indifferently, however, but with the determination to win a foothold in this new western country. He was born in Ripley county, Ind., November 10, 1834, the son of Parson Gleason, who was born in Connecticut in 1799. The latter's parents were farmers by occupation and their son assisted them in the care of the home farm until reaching his twenty-first year, when he went to Indiana. It was in the latter state that he married Mrs. Bevins, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Smith, a native of Vermont. A few years later the grandparents also went to Indiana, whither their son had gone, but before long they again changed their location, going to Minnesota, and it was there they spent the remainder of their lives, both living to be over eighty years of age.

Parson Gleason remained a resident of Indi- ana until 1851, when he outfitted for the trip to Oregon. The journey lasted four months, and as compared with the majority of the expeditions made at that time was a very peaceful one, the Indians giving them no trouble whatever. It was near Needy, Clackamas county, that the travelers made settlement, Mr. Gleason taking up a donation claim upon which he and his wife spent four years, and the remainder of their lives was passed on another farm which they purchased in the same county. Mr. Gleason himself living to reach the advanced age of ninety years and six months, and his wife living to be eighty-five years of age. Throughout their lives they had followed general farming and dairying. Of their six children, three are de- ceased, and those living besides Irvin E. are Aaron B. and Amos S., both of whom are resi- cents of Hubbard, Ore.

At the time of the removal of the parents to Oregon, Irving E. Gleason was seventeen years of age, and in the meantime had acquired a good education in the district schools of Indiana. He remained at home with his parents until he enlisted in Company C, First Oregon Mounted Volunteers for service in the Yakima war in 1855, being mustered in at Portland. After a service of forty-two days, during which time he

participated in one severe fight with the Indians, at Yakima, he was mustered out near The Dalles, and, returning home, remained with his parents and helped them in carrying on the farm until his twenty-first year. At this age, however, he assumed entire charge of his father's donation claim, and a few years later, in 1859, was united in marriage with Miss Melissa Coy, a native of Missouri, who crossed the plains to California in 1850, coming to Oregon in 1851. The first two years of their married life the young people made their home on the old home place, but at that time they removed to Marion county, mak- ing that their home until 1865. After a res- idence of two years in Yamhill county they moved back to Marion county, remaining until 1887, when they went to Philomath, where for two years Mr. Gleason carried on a general store. Farming was more agreeable to his taste, how- ever, and upon retiring from mercantile life he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres eight and one-half miles from Philomath in a southerly direction, and not far from Fern, and here is to be seen one of the finest rural residences in the vicinity. Besides the two-story frame residence, the place is embellished with other good buildings, being up-to-date in every re- spect. Since his first purchase of one hundred and sixty acres in Benton county he has purchased other land from time to time, and now has four hundred and thirty acres of timber land. Mr. Gleason's son conducts a steam sawmill on his father's farm, doing considerable business in this department.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gleason, the three eldest of whom, Ira I., Mary A. and Marietta, are deceased, as is also Parson, who was next to the youngest, and who was named for his grandfather. Mary Ellen became the wife of John C. Perrin and resides in Bell- fountain ; Isora Eva is the wife of A. Mercer, and they reside in Monroe: Ulysses S. is at home. For six years Mr. Gleason served as justice of the peace in Clackamas and Marion counties. Politically he votes for the candidates of the Republican party, and in religious matters affiliates with the United Brethren Church. Mr. Gleason manifests a keen interest in the public welfare, and may be counted upon to take his part in every worthy enterprise promulgated in the neighborhood.

JESSE BROWN. Ten miles south of Cor- vallis is the farm of Jesse Brown, a model of agricultural neatness, and the former playground of that well known member of racing society, Pathmark, whose pedigree is of the best, and whose record is 2:1114. Other valuable and reputable thoroughbreds have reached maturity

1311

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

under the watchful eye of Mr. Brown, who appre- ciates the fine points of a horse as well as any- one in the business, and who also has a warm place in his heart for this best friend of man. Other than horses profit by the comfort and care to be found on the Brown farm, for the owner has a variety of stock, much of it registered and very valuable. General farming is engaged in on an extensive scale, and the majority of the two hundred and fifty acres comprising the farm are under cultivation. Fertile and conveniently lo- cated, this has been the home of the family since 1882, and the genial and successful manager and owner has in the meantime acquired an enviable reputation as farmer, stock-raiser and all-around substantial member of the community.

At a very early day G. W. Brown, the father of Jesse, moved from Bourbon county, Ky., where he was born April 28, 1817, to Pike county, Mo., where his parents settled on a farm upon which he grew to maturity, and where he was educated in the public schools. In time he married Marthia A. Todd, also a native of Bourbon county, and who was born in 1822. A number of children were born in Missouri, among them Jesse, the date of whose birth was December 7, 1843. The parents sold their farm in Pike county and pre- pared to cross the plains in 1850, outfitted with ox-teams and wagons, and with every care for the welfare of the homeseekers. However, they were destined to want for provisions and other- wise suffer the deprivations of the long jaunt, but the government came happily to the rescue, and supplied the necessities of life. They were seven months on the way, most of the family having to walk the entire way, which delay probably ac- counted for their unfortunate condition. Mr. Brown took up a donation claim twelve miles north of Corvallis, on Soap creek, where the father died at the age of seventy-six, the mother having preceded him at the age of forty- six. The following of their twelve children are living: Elizabeth, the widow of James Jones, of Polk county; C. J., of Benton county ; Jesse ; Walter, of Linn county; Frank and Joseph, of Polk county ; and Lee, of Wells station.

After a youth spent in hard work on the pa- ternal farm, Jesse Brown started out on his own responsibility, and located on a farm on Soap creek. To this new home went the wife whom he married January 25, 1866, when he was twenty-three years old, and who was formerly Effie E. Modie, born in Missouri, February 25, 1850. The young people lived on the creek farm for about three years, and then went to southern Oregon, where Mr. Brown engaged in stock- raising with but moderate success for about a year. In 1882 he came to his present farm, as heretofore stated, and has since made this his home, and the field of his successful and varied

operations. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown: Walter A., of Denver, Col .; Milton, of Texas; Frank, living on the home farm; Dolly, at home; Ella; Ida; Gertrude; and Adelia. Mr. Brown is a Democrat in politics, but has never devoted any time to hunting for office. He is a quiet, unostentatious man, fond of his home and loyal to his friends, and never wearies of improving the conditions among which his lot is cast.

JAMES ADDISON BUSHNELL. Prosper- ity has followed closely the operations of James A. Bushnell, the result of honest, patient and earnest effort toward the fulfillment of the prom- ise which is the heritage of all men born in this bountiful land, but comes only to those who seek it with an undivided attention. With the excep- tion of but a few months Mr. Bushnell has been a resident of Oregon since 1852. He located first near Junction City, where he remained for many years, when in 1875 he removed into the city and has since been a citizen of inestimable worth, taking an active part in many movements calculated to advance the best interests of the city. Among the more important movements with which he has been connected was the building of the Junction City Hotel, he being now the presi- dent of the company, whose property is valued at $28,000. He is serving as president of the Farm- ers and Merchants Bank, a private institution, with a capital of $50,000 and surplus of $3,000; he built the Junction City Water Works at a cost of $3,000, and now owns them; and also owns four hundred and fifty acres of farming land located along the river, this being now rented.

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 201

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