Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 203

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 203

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Attaining maturity on the Kent county farm Levi P. Tallman had acquired a common school education and a thorough knowledge of farm- ing. The Civil war found him anxious and ready to enlist as a private on September 3. 1864, and he became a member of Battery D, First Michigan Light Artillery, under Lieutenant Pickett, and was sent to Tennessee to join the

command of General Van Cleave. He was not privileged to participate in many of the im- portant battles of the war owing to the lateness of the enlistment, but he was at Stone River, and afterward did garrison duty up to the time of his discharge, July 4, 1865, at Murfreesboro, Tenn. His service was marred by illness which necessitated detention in Hospital No. 2, for three months, after which he returned to Mich- igan, and remained there until October 20, 1866.

While in the service Mr. Tallman met many who had ambitions centering in the west, and the continuation of a farming existence in Michi- gan convinced him that he, too, might profit by the chances held out to ambitious and de- serving young men. Boarding a steamer at New York he came to the coast by the way of Panama and San Francisco, taking twenty-three days for the trip, and remaining in San Jose, Cal., for eleven years farming and fruit-raising. Coming to Portland and later to Eugene in the fall of 1877 he engaged in saw-milling for three years on Long Tom creek, just west of the town. In 1873 he married Mary J. Lake, who died February 26, 1880, leaving two children, of whom Lillian is a nurse in Oakland, Cal., and Lewis A. is in Dawson City, Alaska. In 1886 Mr. Tallman was united in marriage with Mary E. P. Phillips, a native of Tama county, Iowa. He lived at Hale's Station for six years, and in 1886 moved onto a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on the Siuslaw river, where he kept a stage house and public inn, and carried on quite extensive farming operations. He had three hundred and sixty acres of land, raised considerable stock, and prospered exceedingly in his combined occupa- tions. In the spring of 1903 he sold his interests to Eli Bangs, of Eugene, and bought his pres- ent farm of thirty acres two miles north of the town. He is engaged in small farming and fruit-raising, and is most pleasantly located, being surrounded with modern aids for the carrying on of his work, and occupying a com- fortable and hospitable home. Mr. Tallman subscribes himself to Democratic principles and issues, and many local offices have been honored bv his services, among them that of school director and school clerk. He has served for twenty-four years as postmaster in different parts of Lane county, "a position which argues both popularity and efficient service. Fratern- ally he is connected with the Lodge No. 139, I. O. O. F., at Mapleton, Orc.

DRURY R. HODGES. Prominent among those to whom Benton county owes her agricult- ural prosperity is Drury R. Hodges, a venerable and highly honored retired resident of Wells

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Station, and a pioneer of 1847. Mr. Hodges is one of the many natives of Shelby county, Ind., who have settled in Oregon, and his birth occured September 8, 1825. When nine years of age he removed with his parents to Allen county, Ohio, where he lived until 1839, and then moved to Platte county, Mo., settling on a farm of large dimensions.

In 1846 an escape from a rather monotonous farming life presented itself to Mr. Hodges, who was in that year engaged as a teamster to haul provisions in a freighting train to the soldiers in Mexico. He had many adventures while on this expedition, and an opportunity to study the people and sights of the southern and then tur- bulent adjoining country. Returning to the paternal farm in Missouri he remained there six months, and April 27, 1847, married Mahala B. Fickle, who was born in LaFayette county, Mo., in August, 1828, and with whom he took a rather unique wedding journey. The month after the wedding the young people carried out a long-thought-of project and crossed the plains with ox-teams, Monroe Hodges, the father of Drury, as well as three brothers and two sisters, accompanying them. Two hired men, two wagons with four ox-teams to each, and four cows, completed quite an imposing cavalcade, and the little party came across with few experi- ences of an unpleasant nature. They were the usual length of time on the way, arriving in Benton county in October, where Monroe Hodges took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, upon which they all settled. The son erected a little hewed-log house of one room, which in time had a more imposing suc- cessor, but which served as a starting place for quite extensive agricultural and stock-raising operations. About four hundred and fifty acres of the property was open land, a distinct advant- age over many of the farms of the early settlers, the greater part of which was heavily timbered. The father lived long to enjoy his prosperity, his death occurring at the age of eighty-eight years.

While living on the old donation claim Drury Hodges gained a competence, and made many fine improvements. Many years of devotion to the farm warranted his retirement from active life in 1892, and he has since lived in Wells, surrounded by many friends, and the good will of all who know him. Eleven children were born to him on the old claim, nine of whom are living: Catherine is the wife of Cam Vander- pool of Benton county; Mary E. is the widow of Robert Hughey ; Caroline is the wife of Amos Holman of The Dalles; Robert is living on the home farm; Georgie' is the wife of Ben Davis of Tacoma; Commodore P. is on the home farm; Jackson is a doctor of dental sur-

gery at Albany ; Marcus is on the home place ; and Florence is the wife of Sumner Reed of Tacoma. Mr. Hodges and his sons still own the entire donation claim which nets them a comfortable yearly income, besides providing employment for three of the sons. Mr. Hodges is an old time Jackson Democrat, but has never held other than minor offices, preferring to devote all of his time to his farm and home circle. For more than thirty years he has been a member of the Masons, and his religious home is with the Baptist Church. Honorable in all of his dealings, successful and optimistic, Mr. Hodges is an example of what may be accom- plished by perseverance and devotion to duty, by truth to friends, and kindness and consider- ation in his family.

JOHN WILES. It is an important public duty to honor and perpetuate as far as is pos- sible the memory of an eminent citizen, one who by his blameless and honorable life and successful career reflected credit not only upon the county in which he made his home, but upon the state. Through such memorials as this at hand, the character of his services are kept in. remembrance and the importance of those serv- ices acknowledged. His example in whatever field his work may have been done thus stands as an object lesson to those who come after him, and though dead he still speaks. Long after all recollection of his personality shall have faded from the minds of men, the less perishable record may tell the story of his life and com- mend his example for imitation. No man was ever more respected in Benton county or ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people than John Wiles, who was one of the pioneers of this portion of the state, having resided in Benton county for nearly fifty-five years at the time of his demise.

Mr. Wiles was born in Surrey county, N. C., on August 17, 1822, and there remained the first eight years of his life, after which he ac- companied his parents on their removal to Henry county, Ind. He was twenty years of age when the family removed to Missouri, set- tling in Andrew county. There his father died and he was forced upon his own resources. After a year or two he gave his share of the family inheritance to his mother and the other members of the family, while he started west in the hope of gaining a fortune in the country rich in promise, and yet whose resources were as then undeveloped. It was in the year 1847 that Mr. Wiles came to Oregon. He arranged with Frank Writsman to drive an ox-team, and in this way he made the long and arduous journey over the plains to the Sunset state. He was

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then in very limited financial circumstances and for several months after his arrival he continued to work for Mr. Writsman, receiving a salary of twelve dollars per month. Thus he gained his start, but his was a nature that could never con- tent itself with mediocrity or with a small meas- ure of success if greater prosperity could be ob- tained through energy and honorable effort. In the year 1848, following the discovery of gold in California, he was attracted to that state and spent the summer of that year in the mines, but returned to Benton county in the succeeding winter. When spring again came, however, he once more went to the gold regions, but in the autumn returned to Benton county, where he re- sided then continuously up to the time of his demise. The county was to be congratulated upon gaining a citizen of such worth and capa- bility. He took a deep interest in public meas- ures and withal he was practical in the aid which he rendered to general progress and im- provement.

In 1851 Mr. Wiles was married, and reso- lutely undertook the work of providing a home for his bride. They located upon a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres which was joined on the south by the donation claim of Joseph T. Hughart. From time to time he added to that property and he never sold an acre of land unless it was to square off a tract. With characteristic energy he began transform- ing the wild land into productive fields and also to engage in stock-raising, which business he carried on successfully up to the time of his death. He made a specialty of Shorthorn and Polled Angus cattle and owned some very fine specimens of stock. He made his start in life by what he accumulated in the mines. He met with a fair degree of success in his search for gold in California and upon his return he in- vested this in the best grades of cattle that could be secured at that time. To this little herd he added as his means would permit and as the years passed he became one of the most exten- sive and prosperous stock-dealers of his com- munity. He added to his land until his pos- sessions in that direction were very extensive. He made splendid improvements upon his farm by adding good buildings, modern equipments and for many years was recognized as one of the leading representatives of agricultural in- terests in his portion of the state. In the later years of his life he became a director in the First National Bank of Corvallis and he was a punctual attendant at all of the meetings of the board of directors and did all in his power to promote the success of that financial institution.

On June 8, 1851, Mr. Wiles was united in marriage to Miss Martha Ann Hughart, who then resided on Soap creek with her father,

Joseph Hughart, who was born in Kentucky, February 9, 1804, and removed from that state to Calloway county, Mo., in 1828. Mrs. Wiles was born in Calloway county, May 3, 1833, and in 1836 the family removed from the place of her nativity to Buchanan county, Mo., where she lived until 1845, when her parents with their family crossed the plains to Oregon, mak- ing the trip by ox-teams in the St. Clair com- pany commanded by Wayman St. Clair, the father of Mrs. J. R. Bryson. After reaching Oregon the Hughart family settled at Philo- math and while living there Mrs. Hughart died, leaving Mrs. Wiles, at the age of thirteen years. to care for a family of five children, one of whom was then an infant. Two years later her sister, Mrs. Greenberry Smith, died, leaving an infant child to the care of Mrs. Wiles, but she nobly took up the task which fell to her lot and made a home for the children of her father's family and also the child of her deceased sister up to the time of her marriage. When the fam- ily had crossed the plains they removed to the old homestead near Wells, Benton county, and there Mrs. Wiles resided continuously until 1885, when she became a resident of Corvallis. When she arrived in Benton county the entire district was almost an unbroken wilderness in- habited by the native Indians. The Hugharts and the family of J. C. Avery were among the few families then living in the Willamette val- ley. The heavy household duties which early devolved upon her largely deprived her of the opportunities for enjoying educational and social advantages, but she possessed naturally a broad mind and was a woman of rare qualifications, being possessed of keen business ideas and ex- ceptional financial ability. She and her sister, Mrs. Greenberry Smith, in their childhood days endured many hardships and trials incident to pioneer life and were not a few times exposed to the dangers of such an existence, but they proved themselves worthy to be classed among the honored pioneer women who have done no less than the husbands, brothers and fathers in laying the foundation for this great state. She had marked influence, and her life was one of exceptional usefulness, characterized by self- sacrifice from early girlhood until she passed to the home prepared for the righteous. She was ever unselfish and always regarded the wel- fare and happiness of those around her before she gave attention to her own wants. She found her greatest happiness in ministering to others and realized the truth that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wiles were born the fol- lowing children: Mary Josephine, now the wife of W. A. Wells of Corvallis: Mrs. Bridget Ann Brinkley, who died near Airlie, Polk county,

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Ore .; Eliza J., the wife of Thomas Kirkpatrick, of San Francisco; Walter T., who is represented on another page of this book; Edward F., a farmer and stockman of Wells, Ore .; Jessie Ellen, who died at the age of nine years; and Mrs. Lucy G. Yates, of Corvallis. For many years the mother of this family suffered from ill health, but she bore her suffernig uncom- plainingly and in her last days she was sur- rounded by her entire family, constituting her husband and five children, who did everything in their power to alleviate her suffering and pain. She realized, however, that the end was near, and had no dread of the future. Her entire life was an exemplification of Christian faith and she knew that a bet- ter home awaited her in the land beyond. She also requested that each of her chil- dren should meet her there, that the family chain should be unbroken, without the loss of a single link. Her life was indeed an eventful one for many experiences such as fall to the lot of few women, her cares and responsibilities in youth early developed her beyond her years and made her ever considerate of others. Her friends found her faithful, her family knew her as a de- voted and loving wife and mother and the church a faithful Christian. "Her children rise up and call her blessed," and all who knew her revere her memory. Mrs. Wiles passed away November 11, 1895, and Mr. Wiles survived for almost seven years. After his wife's death he spent much of his time in the home of his son Edward, at the homestead, while during his last illness and death he lived with his son, Walter, in Corvallis, making short visits in the homes of his other children from time to time.

B. F. Irvine, editor and proprietor of the Cor- vallis Times, paid him the following tribute: " Through youth and age, the life of John Wiles shines with many a virtue. He was all he pre- tended to be and more. He breathed evil against no man. His tongue uttered kind words, or no words at all. He was just even to the extent of giving more than was due to satisfy the other party to the bargain. He was sin- cere and steadfast in his devotion to truth, to friends, to the state and to God. Quietly, calm- ly and honorably le wended his way through that labyrinth of acts that constitute a lifework and with that nicety of justice and kindness that it is said, he never made a foe. With an ambition only to be good and useful to himself, his peo- ple and his state, and, wholly free from the shams, insincerities and deceits that often infect human nature, he rounded out a life of quiet beauty that delighted all who came in contact with it. It was a gentle, unostentatious, pcace- ful career. It was a career so full of quiet kind- liness that it inspires men with a desire to live

a life like it. And, if all men lived like he lived, what a place of gentleness, amiability and beauty this world would be!"

A further beautiful tribute to his memory was paid by W. A. Wells, whom he knew long and intimately, and who said :

" Such men as he was are, unfortunately, too scarce in this world of ours. Such men cannot be spared without exciting the deepest regrets and the saddest reflections. Our friend was one by whose deeds and services the world is made better for his having lived in it. He leaves a memory behind him that can be most fondly cherished. His life was one of usefulness, hon- esty, integrity and true morality. His aim was to discharge every duty that devolved upon him, to aid his fellowmen as far as circumstances would allow, and to do injury to none. His life was one of good motives and good deeds. His conduct was squared by the highest principles of right, of justice and of truth. He was a kind, indulgent husband, an affectionate, loving parent ; a warm, devoted friend, amiable in his intercourse with his fellowmen; respectful of the rights and feelings of others and attentive to all who had claims upon him. He hesitated not to do that which he considered was right and his duty to perform; he was honest and faithful to his trusts. He was a lover of his race, he emphatically led a good life. He has now passed from our sight, replete with honor, replete with manliness-bearing with him our fondest and kindest memories, our highest esteem and admir- ation. One who leads such a life as our friend has led, has no need to fear death, nor what may possibly follow after it. One who faithfully discharges his duty according to the sphere in life he occupies has no need to recoil at leaving this state of existence.

" If his notions have been governed by the principles of right and justice towards his fel- lowman, he neither fears to meet him in life nor part with him at the hour of death. He dreads no angry being, no vindictive personage, from whom to expect vengeance and wrath. He is perfectly willing to meet the consequence of a well spent life. Such was our departed friend, honest Jolin Wiles. Adieu, my honored friend."

FRANK L. CHAMBERS. That success in mercantile life is within the reach of every young man who earnestly strives to win it, is the be- lief of Frank L. Chambers, one of the best known and most prosperous merchants in the Willamette valley. While inherited tendencies, influence and friendly intercession have created an advantage for this upbuilder of Eugene, these aids were unable to continue him in his

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line of promotion had he not possessed the substantial merit, together with a character which counted no effort too great, nor sacrifice too dear in fulfilling his duties and obligations. A keen appreciation of truthfulness and integrity and a desire to establish credit, have undoubtedly fig- ured prominently in his calculations, and are so firmly rooted in his nature that no better guide for those who seek success is known in this com- munity.

Many years ago Manlove Chambers, the pa- ternal grandfather of Frank L., left his home in New England after a meritorious service in the war of 1812, and became a merchant in Logan county, Ohio, later continuing his chosen occupa- tion in Quincy, Ohio, where he died at an ad- vanced age. His son, James B., the father of Frank L., followed in his business footsteps, and after clerking in stores in Iowa and Missouri, re- turned to his native Logan county, Ohio, where he started a general merchandise business in Quincy. Afterward he removed to Sedalia and Mound City, Mo., engaging in a merchandise business in both towns, and living in the latter place until coming to Oregon, in 1884. His son, Frank L., was born in Oregon, Holt county, Mo., November 8, 1865, and was therefore nineteen years of age when the family fortunes were shifted to the west. He had received a practical common school education, and the year previous had graduated from the State Normal School at Strasburg, Mo. Beginning with his sixteenth vear he clerked in his father's store in Mound City, Mo., and after settling with the family in Dallas, Ore., he clerked for three years in the hardware store started by his father. In 1885 he had saved sufficient money to purchase an in- terest in the business, and the following year William Faulk bought out the elder Chambers, the son disposing of his share in the business to the new partner in 1887. Removing to Eugene in April, 1887, father and son started a hard- ware store on Willamette street, conducted the same together until August 1, 1890, when the son became sole owner of the enterprise, contin- uing to manage it alone until January 1, 1902, when his brother. Fred E., became his partner. J. B. Chambers lived in retirement in Eugene from 1890 until his death, in 1902, and is sur- vived by his wife formerly Martha Nies, who was born in Peoria, Ill., the daughter of Jonathan Nies, a merchant tailor, who followed his trade in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, and who died at Point Townsend, Wash., three years after coming west, in 1886. Mrs. Chambers has the satisfaction of knowing that her three sons have realized her expectations as far as the success of their lives is concerned, her youngest and old- est being prominent merchants, and her second son, Charles N., an attorney, employed by the

McCormick division of the International Har- vester Company of America, at Chicago, Ill.

In August, 1890, Frank L. Chambers located near his present store, and in 1896 built the large double store in which is conducted the largest business of the kind in the town, and the largest in the valley outside of Portland. His store has a frontage of fifty feet, a depth of three hun- dred and twenty feet to Olive street, with an L one hundred feet long. Thirty-two thousand feet of floor space is ample for a complete display of hardware of all kinds, and besides, there is a furniture department, requiring 50x80 feet. The stock includes all kinds of hardware, tools, nails, iron, steel, cutlery, builders' hardware, mechanics' tools, blacksmith supplies and agricultural im- plements, the latter including Bain wagons, bug- gies and carts, Oliver chilled and steel plows, harrows and cultivators, besides Deering har- vesters and Pitts threshers. The firm also carry the Crescent bicycles. Located opposite the Smeede Hotel, no better place could be found, or one more accessible to the general country and city trade. Necessarily this large store gives em- ployment to many people, among whom there is a feeling of co-operation and good fellowship reflecting credit upon the management, and ma- terially enlarging the business. That the interests of Mr. Chambers are by no means self-centered is evident to all who are familiar with his life. There is no public enterprise of merit but may be reasonably certain of his hearty approval and co-operation. He is known as one of the sub- stantial props of the banking system of Lane county, being a director of the First National bank of Eugene, and one of the organizers and a director of the First National Bank at Cottage Grove. He is a director in the Valley Improve- ment company, engaged in operating a ditch for irrigating from the Hood river, in Wasco county, Ore .; is part owner with T. G. Hendricks in the Mckenzie Water Power Company, which pro- poses to develop a five thousand horse-power for that town; and is a member of the firm of Midgley & Chambers, owners of the canal from the Willamette, which furnishes water power for Eugene. He is the president and one of the or- ganizers of the Eugene Theater Company, which organization is now building a $30,000 opera house.

In company with D. Bristow, president of the First National Bank of Cottage Grove, Mr. Chambers has perfected plans for the organization of a banking company to be known as the Cham- bers-Bristow Banking Company, which, on Jan- uary I, 1904, will inaugurate a private banking business in Eugene. This concern will occupy the building now occupied by the Lane County Bank.

A Republican in politics, it is not surprising

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that Mr. Chambers has had little time for official service. He is fraternally popular, and is identi- fied with Eugene Lodge No. II, A. F. and A. M .; the Royal Arch Masons, of this town; Ivanhoe Commandery No. 2; the Consistory No. I, of Portland ; and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. He is a charter member of the Commercial Club of Eu- gene, and is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. For fifteen years Mr. Chambers has been a member of the Oregon National Guard, and is now quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment. None of whom we have knowledge are more typical of the vital, moving, substantial and versatile spirit of the western slope than this successful merchant. Mr. Chambers was united in marriage, July 29, 1891, with Ida, daughter of Thomas G. Hendricks, who was born in Eu- gene, was graduated from the University of Oregon, and died, April 9, 1900, leaving a daughter, Mary.

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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 203

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