Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 213

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 213

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FRANCIS MARION WILKINS. With a heritage of splendid characteristics and an in- spiring example and living precept in the career of his father, Francis Marion Wilkins could not well fail to make of his life a success. For a quarter of a century he has been one of the dominant forces in the commercial activity of the city of Eugene, and has exercised a potent influence in increasing the prestige and advanc- ing the material welfare of the city.

Mr. Wilkins was born near Marquam, Clacka- mas county, Ore., August 10, 1848, and is the eldest of the four surviving children born to Mitchell and Permelia Ann (Allen) Wilkins, who crossed the plains from Missouri to Oregon in 1847. Both his parents now reside in Eugene. (For early history of the family the reader is referred to the review of the life of Hon. Mit- chell Wilkins, which appears elsewhere in this volume.) In the fall of 1848 Francis M. Wil- kins was taken by his parents to the new home they were about to establish-a donation claim taken up by the father at a point about ten miles northeast of the site of the city of Eugene. There the lad grew to manhood and was reared to agriculture and stock-raising. On account of the remoteness of his home from schools, his earlier educational advantages were somewhat limited. The nearest school, conducted in a small log building, was located three miles from his home, and this he attended until he was qualified to enter the academy at Eugene. Still eager to equip himself for a business career, he continued his studies after the close of his school days in Eugene, entering the Portland Business College. Upon the completion of his two-years course in that institution, he at once embarked upon a business career in Eugene. In 1875 he became a clerk in a drug store, remaining there for two years in the study of pharmacy. In 1878 he established a drug business for himself, locating on the east side of Willamette street near Hotel Eugene (now the Smeede), and in

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1889 he purchased a lot and erected a brick building directly opposite. In the latter location he remained in business until 1899, when he sold out and retired from active life.

October 27, 1872, Mr. Wilkins was united in marriage to Miss Emma Goltra, a native of Linn county, Ore., and the daughter of Nelson Gol- tra, who was born in New Jersey and crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1853. He first settled at Lebanon, where, as contractor and builder, he erected the Santiam Academy in 1854. In the fall of that year he removed to Corvallis and there constructed and began the operation of a steam sawmill. In this enterprise he was en- gaged until 1858, when he was so injured by the explosion of a boiler that he died three weeks later. Mr. Goltra married Elizabeth Ellison, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Aaron Ellison. After the death of Mr. Ellison in Illinois his widow came to Oregon via Cape Horn, in 1857, and a few years later died in Douglas, Morrow county, Ore. . Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins, namely : Maude, a graduate of the University of Oregon, now the wife of Herbert Condon, of Seattle, secretary and clerk of the State Uni- versity of Washington; Frank, who is connected with the Equitable Life Insurance Company at Seattle, Wash .; Nina, a student in the Uni- versity of Oregon ; Lucia and Gladys.

In politics Mr. Wilkins is a Republican, and though he has never aspired to public office, he is at present serving in the city council from the Fourth ward. In his fraternal relations he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment connected there- with, in both of which he is a past officer, and with the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is serving on the official board. He is also a member of the Eugene Commercial Club. He was one of the organizers of the Native Sons of Oregon, and for many years served as presi- cent of Skinner's Cabin in that order. In addi- tion to the many business interests which have engrossed his attention, one of his most praise- worthy acts was the assistance he rendered in the organization of the Eugene Water Company and the construction of the first waterworks, of which he was a director for many years. In the line of his trade he has been for many years a member of the Oregon State Pharmacists' As- sociation, and was sent by that organization as a delegate to the meeting of the National Drug- gists' Association at San Francisco.

This brief review of the career of one of the best representatives of the native citizens of Ore- gon illustrates what may be accomplished by a young man of energy and determination in a state rich in such opportunities as give Oregon

her pre-eminence among the western common- wealths. Besides the natural conditions which have contributed to make his life a success, Mr. Wilkins possesses strong personal attributes which have been potential in molding his career. He is a man of integrity of directness of pur- pose, and scrupulous in the extreme in his deal- ings with others. It has been said of both father and son: "His word is as good as his bond." He entertains liberal and broad-minded views of affairs in general, has always exhibited an ad- mirable public spirit, and an inclination to assist in worthy enterprises aside from those in which he may have had a direct personal interest. He is one of the best types of sterling western man- hood and from any viewpoint is entitled to a permanent place in the historical literature of the Willamette valley.

ANTHONY L. RONEY. The little com- munity of Goshen, noted for its thrift and enterprise, and for the promising as well as already firmly established careers of its citi- zens, lays claim to no more upbuilding commer- cial agency in its midst than the general mer- chandise business of Roney Brothers, advan- tageously located in the town. Few residents greeted the coming of these popular merchants in 1891, and an abundant field was therefore open to them after purchasing their present store from J. W. Matlock. Enlarged from time to time, the store now presents an appearance of prosperity, being well patronized by residents in town and county who desire first-class arti- cles at moderate prices.

Anthony L. Roney, the senior member of the firm, and a man around whom centers a great deal of popular interest, was born in Auglaize county, Ohio, October 8, 1847, and comes of an old Pennsylvania family long represented in America. His father, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, was an expert woolen mill man. After his marriage he moved with his family to Ohio in 1834, lived in Auglaize county until 1872, and then moved to Davis county, Mo., which continued to be his home until 1878. Coming to Oregon during that year he bought a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres near Dexter, and there engaged in farming and stock- raising until his death at the age of seventy- eight years. He was survived by his wife who eventually removed to Eugene, and died at the age of eighty-three. Mr. Roney was a stanch Republican, and at times worked for the politi- cal advancement of his friends. His twelve children received practical common school edu- cations, and in their homes were taught the homely virtues of honesty and industry. Charles, the second son, and Henry are residents of In-

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dianapolis ; Thomas lives in Mississippi ; L. Nel- son resides in Eugene; Anthony L .; Charlotte, wife of Thomas Harris, resides in Missouri ; and Emily, wife of Rasmus Rasmusson, is a resident of Indianapolis, Ind.

Remaining on the home farm until his mar- riage in March, 1881, with Clara Hunsaker, Anthony L. Roney went to housekeeping on a farm near Dexter, and for eight years engaged in farming, stock and grain-raising, with con- siderable success. His next venture was the mercantile business in which he is now engaged, and in which he is in partnership with his brother, L. Nelson Roney. Like his father, Mr. Roney takes an active interest in Republican poli- tics, and for many years has been a member of the school board of Goshen. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees profit by his membership, and he has passed all of the chairs in the respective lodges. In connection with his store he has been post- master of Goshen for fourteen years, serving the interests of the government and his fellow- townsmen with satisfaction. Mr. Roney has a pleasant home for his small family, which con- sists of himself, wife and son, Raleigh C.

HON. JOHN KELLY. For many genera- tions the family to which John Kelly, deceased, belonged was identified extensively with woolen manufacturing in Dublin, Ireland, in which city he was born May 3, 1818. Following the ex- ample of his father, he learned every detail of the business, so that when he came alone to America at the age of nineteen years he had at his command a useful and paying trade. He first located in Canada, in time becoming man- ager of small woolen mills, located at Montreal and Quebec, and afterward filled a similar posi- tion in a small town in Vermont. For several years thereafter he followed a seafaring life, sailing in merchantships engaged in the Atlantic trade. Tiring of the sea, he settled in Water- ford, Racine county, Wis., where in partnership with George Hovey he established the Water- ford Woolen Mills.

In the early forties Mr. Kelly left Wisconsin and in Missouri responded to the call for volun- · teers to serve in the Mexican war. Enlisting in the Third Missouri Cavalry, he at once engaged in active service, developing especial shrewdness and trustworthiness as a scout. During a com- paratively short service he was called upon to perform many important missions; and though honorably discharged at Jefferson Barracks, he remained in the service, entering the Quarter- master's department. In this capacity he ac- companied a regiment of cavalry across the plains in 1849, acting as wagon-master, and ar-

riving in Oregon City in October of that year. In connection with this service he contracted to supply the regiment with beef until March, 1850.

Soon after his arrival in Oregon he entered into a partnership with three others, one of whom was Gen. Joseph Lane, purchased three hundred head of cattle, and drove them to the Rogue River valley. There General Lane, with the aid of part of the cattle and other persuasive means, succeeded in negotiating a treaty of peace with the Indians of that region, who for two years had been waging war against the white settlers. After the conclusion of the treaty Mr. Kelly and his partners continued their journey southward to Tehama county, Cal., mined with moderate success on Olney creek, and in the spring of 1851 drove the remaining cattle to a ranch in Scott valley. He soon sold his interest in the ranch, however, and returned to Oregon, taking up a donation claim near Roseburg. His previous experience in the cattle industry stood him in good stead. His property proved to be well adapted to extensive operations, and for about seventeen years he was engaged in stock- raising on a large scale. For a number of years he also conducted a cattle-driving business with Thomas Brown and Martin Angel, annually driving large herds of cattle to Scott's Bar.

In 1861 Mr. Kelly was appointed registrar of the United States land office at Roseburg, and though he nominally resigned from the office in 1866 he continued to perform the duties thereof through a deputy until the appointment of his successor in 1868.

In 1866 Mr. Kelly located in Springfield, Lane county, and became interested in a lumber and grist mill, at the same time conducting a large stock farm and a ferry across the Willamette river. From a comparatively small beginning he branched out into a large lumber contracting business with various railroad and other cor- porations, and soon became widely known as an extensive operator. Upon disposing of his lum- ber interests in 1869, he purchased a farm of four hundred acres adjoining Springfield. This property he devoted to stock-raising and general farming, and was thus engaged at the time of his appointment to the post of collector of customs in Portland in 1871. This office he filled with credit to himself and with satisfac- tion to the government during the second ad- ministration of President Grant and the first two years of the administration of President Hayes. Under President Arthur he was appointed one of three commissioners to accept one hundred miles of the track of the Northern Pacific rail- road, and in 1890 was appointed superintendent of the Federal census for Oregon.

Upon the completion of his service in the cus- toms, Mr. Kelly returned to his farm, which ha.1

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developed into one of the finest properties in Lane county, and remained there until his re- moval to Eugene in 1900. In the meantime ad- ditional farming lands came into his possession, giving him in all four hundred and forty acres near Springfield, nine hundred acres on Fall creek, and fourteen hundred acres in the Mo- hawk valley. Much of this land was disposed of before his death, on July 15, 1902, but he left a valuable property to his family.

In LaFayette, Ore., January 30, 1853, Mr. Kelly was united in marriage with Elizabeth Parker, a native of Rockford, Ind., and a daughter of Rev. Patterson C. Parker, a pioneer of 1852. (For further family history, see sketch of Rev. P. C. Parker, which appears elsewhere in this volume.) The following children were born of the union : Mary L., wife of Henry B. Miller, United States consul at Niu Chwang, China; Theresa M., wife of L. G. Jackson, of Eugene; John F., vice president of the Booth- Kelly Lumber Company, of Eugene; Marcella S., wife of Judge Tanner, of Portland, Ore .; Abraham L .; George H., superintendent of the Booth-Kelly Lumber Company; Elizabeth P. and Katharine S., residing with their mother at No. 141 West Sixth street, Eugene, Ore.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Kelly was identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Order of the Eastern Star. The death of Mr. Kelly, though he had attained the great age of eighty-four years, was a distinct loss to the citizenship of Lane county. Though re- tired from active participation in the affairs of the strenuous life of the day, his strong guiding hand had been but so recently felt that he natur- ally left a marked impress upon the trend of events. He was a man of remarkable strength of character, yet of a gracious and benevolent disposition, always desirous of accomplishing what he could for the betterment of mankind and particularly for the advancement of the highest and best interests of the home of his adoption. He left to his family a legacy of an honored name-a private, public and business record to which his descendants may refer with feelings of justifiable gratification and pride.

FRANK M. FRESH. The well-developed farm now owned by Robert Downing, in Marion county, is the birthplace of another well-known and successful citizen of this community, Frank M. Fresh, who was born July 28, 1861. John Fresh, the father of Frank Fresh, was born in the state of Kentucky, and was reared on the farm of his parents, receiving there a fair com- mon school education. In time he started out on an independent carcer, locating in Missouri, whence started so many from the fertile lands

beyond the Rocky mountains. At a very early day he joined a caravan bound for the north- west, and in time became one of the pioneers and upbuilders of Union county, later settling near Macleay, Marion county. Here he took up a large donation claim, improved it to a considerable ex- tent, and died in comparatively comfortable cir- cumstances in 1863. He married Margaret Stan- ton, and two children were born to him, of whom Benjamin is a farmer in Marion county.

His mother dying when he was two years old, Frank M. Fresh went with his brother Benja- min to live with his maternal grandmother Stan- ton, remaining on her farm until her death at the age of eighty-seven years. His grandmother treated him like a son, and was worthy of all consideration as one of the noble and pioneer women of this state. As a young man Mr. Fresh took possession of his present farm, upon which he has made many fine improvements, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

January 19, 1902, he was united in marriage with Helen Isenhart, a daughter of Lawrence Isenhart, and a native of Silverton, Ore. Her parents died when she was a child. From a desolated home she passed into the affectionate care of her uncle Stephen, with whom she re- mained until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Fresh are members of the Christian Church, and are young people of promising and reliable traits of character. In addition to his own farm of seventy acres Mr. Fresh farms the property for- merly owned by his grandmother, and thus his responsibility is a large one, which, however, he is thoroughly competent to handle. Mr. Fresh is a practical and thorough farmer, thrifty, eco- nomical, and possesses excellent business judg- ment.

FRED P. HURST. The electric lighting of the towns of Canby, Barlow, Hubbard, and Au- rora, is due to the enterprise of Fred P. Hurst, who, with his brother, John B., a practical elec- trician, started the Aurora plant in September, 1902. The modern electric machine was in- stalled at an expense of $5,000, and the water plant at an expense of $6,000. The dynamo has a sixty-five horse power, and the water plant a one hundred horse power. At present Mr. Hurst is extending his interests, and is planning to light the farming community around Aurora, and also the towns of Butteville and Gervais. In connection with the electric plant he main- tains a cereal mill and feed chopper, erected at an expense of $1,000. The water from Deer and Elk creeks furnishes sufficient power for all needs, and the enterprise has proved a paying and very successful one.

Mr. Hurst is a native son of Oregon, and was

Dry Frank

C.S. Frank

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born near Corvallis, August 21, 1870, the third oldest of five children born to John Daniel and Helen C. (Corlburg) Hurst, the former of whom was born in Rheinstadt, Germany, in 1834. The remaining children of the family are as fol- lows: William S., who is now engaged in the commission business in Hubbard; John B., who is married and lives in Aurora; Flora N. de- ceased; and Henry H., of Aurora. Fred P. Hurst was educated in the public schools of Salem and Aurora, and from a youth became familiar with the milling business, in which his father was for many years engaged. In time he became half owner of the mill, and at the time of his father's death, in 1899, assumed entire control. A devastating fire in September, 1901, reduced the mill to ashes, the loss, however, being partly covered by an insurance of $6,000. Thereafter he started the electric light plant, of which mention has already been made, erecting the same on the site of the old mill, and on a portion of the one-hundred and seventy-eight acres comprising his home. This property was bought by Mr. Hurst after his father's death, and he lives with his mother, who was born in Sweden, in June, 1837, and who came to the United States in 1860, locating in Fairfield, Iowa. In 1863, Mrs. Hurst came across the plains, as a member of the same train in which her husband traveled, and was married soon after reaching Oregon. She is at present sixty- six years of age.

In politics Mr. Hurst is independent, and he is fraternally popular, being a member of various organizations. He is identified with the Native Sons of Oregon, Hermes Lodge No. 56, K. P .; the Rathbone Sisters; Aurora Lodge No. 21, A. O. U. W., and Nesmuck Camp No. 26, W. O. W. In religion he is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hurst is ambitious and progressive, and his effort to improve the general condition of Aurora and its sister towns has met with deserved support and appreciation. He is one of the foremost of the younger. gen- eration of business men in this county, and his future participation in important enterprises is assured.

CLEMENT S. FRANK. Though general ef- forts of a public-spirited nature have character- ized the career of Clement Stoddard Frank, in Eugene, he will be longest remembered as the founder of the New York Racket Store, the first of its kind in the state, and also the first cash store in this town.

This enterprise, started by Mr. Frank in 1890, and managed by him uninterruptedly until sell- ing out his stock in January, 1903, marks a dis- tinct era of commercial development, and won for the owner and proprietor an enviable business

reputation. For the first nine months of its ex- istence the store was run under the firm name of Frank & Fisk, but upon the assumption of Mr. Fisk's responsibility by Perry Frank, the father of Clement S., the firm name was changed to P. Frank & Son. The present store, at 34, 36 and 38 East Ninth street, with its floor space covering 40XII0 feet, and its modern furnish- ings, best indicate the progress made during the past few years, being a decided improvement over the original quarters, which were limited to 23x80 feet floor space. The new store, erected in 1895, is still owned by Mr. Frank, but this by no means represents the extent of his town pos- sessions. Besides his own residence on East Ninth street, he has built and owns several resi- dences in different parts of the city, and he is considered one of the financially strong and sub- stantial business men of Lane county.

Mr. Frank was born in Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., November 8, 1847, and before coming to Eugene had acquired considerable ex- perience. His ancestors on both sides of the family furnished incentive to well doing, ranging from commercial ability and rugged honesty on the paternal side, to religious enthusiasm, self- sacrifice, and patriotism on the maternal side. Perry Frank, the father of C. S. Frank, was born in Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., September 23, 1825, was a son of John and Elizabeth (Devendorf) Frank, the former of whom was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., and the latter in Germany. Elizabeth Frank used to relate many interesting happenings of the very early days in New York to her grandchildren, who never tired of hearing how she and her twin sis- ter were captured by the Indians, and for four years held as prisoners, compelled to wander from place to place, and eat and dress as did the red men.

Her husband was a tanner, currier and shoe- maker, an occupation which he taught his son, Perry, and which he followed for his entire ac- tive life, first in Herkimer and afterwards at Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y.

Perry Frank owned a large farm in Chau- tauqua county, and this, combined with his tan- nery and shoe manufacturing, made him a very active man. In 1857 he removed to Henry county, Iowa, and after engaging in shoe manu- facturing for ten years he also engaged in the grain, grocery and drug business in New Lon- don. He was very successful in his large under- taking, and when he disposed of his business and came to Eugene in 1888, he brought with him sufficient means to live in comfort for the balance of his life. He is Republican in politics, and since 1836, when he was eleven years of age, has been a member of the Baptist Church. Through his marriage with Mary E. Stoddard,

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in Busti, N. Y., January 6, 1847, Mr. Frank be- came identified with a family of exceptionally fine history, and equally excellent personal char- acteristics. Mrs. Frank was born in Eden, Erie county, N. Y., November, 19, 1826, a daughter of Rev. Ira C. Stoddard, who was born in Brat- tleboro, Vt., in 1792, and great-granddaughter of Jonathan Stoddard, who was one of General Washington's body-guards in the Revolution war. Rev. I. C. Stoddard was one of the early teachers of New York state, and although an eloquent preacher and large-hearted humani- tarian, supported himself by his efforts as a farmer, refusing remuneration for his services as a minister of the gospel. He married Char- lotte Joy, also a native of Brattleboro, Vt., and who was born in 1795, a daughter of Elijah H. and Elizabeth (Chase) Joy, and on the maternal side was descended from one of four brothers, William, Elijah, Lewis and Levi, who came to America on the Mayflower, and settled in Massa- chusetts. Rev. Ira C. Stoddard and his wife spent their last years in Busti, N. Y., whither they had removed in 1836, the grandfather dying in 1878, and the grandmother in 1886.

Mrs. Frank's brother, Rev. Ira J. Stoddard, named for his father, was a missionary to India for twenty years, and is now living retired at Pella, Iowa. being eighty-three years old. He was for many years president of the Baptist Col- lege at Pella. Two of his brothers, Jacob and Hiram, served in the Civil war, Jacob serving in the Ninth Cavalry, Company F, New York, and Hiram, who was a member of the Seventeenth New York Volunteer Infantry, was captured and held in Libby prison for nine months.

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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 213

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