Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 216

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 216

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The elder Callaway was a firm believer in education, although his own youth had been somewhat destitute of advantages in this direc- tion. His children all received better educa- tions than is accorded the average child reared on a farm, this being especially true of Carroll C., who was a studious lad, and made the most of the chances that came to him. From the public schools he passed to the training of the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis, and at the age of nineteen, in 1800, took charge of the home farm, upon which he has since lived. He married, December 18, 1898, Ida Wells, daughter of J. L. Wells, of Portland, and of this union there have been born two sons, John and William. Mr. Callaway is a Democrat in political affiliation. He is not an officeseeker, but is nevertheless interested in the local under- takings of his party. Fraternally he is associated

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with the Artisans. Everything around the farm of Mr. Callaway suggests the progressive and thrifty land-owner and agriculturist, the man in touch with general affairs in the world, and one who desires all that is best and most en- lightened in his home surroundings.

GEORGE BEAMIS. Beginning at the very bottom rung of the ladder in the state, George Beamis has advanced by slow and laborious stages to the large land ownership,. having in the meantime endured about as many setbacks as fell to the lot of the average early settler. From the vicinity of St. Joseph, Mich., where he was born December 18, 1834, he removed when seven years of age with his father's fam- ily to near Muscatine, Iowa, and there lived on a farm of moderate size and productiveness, increasing his strength and usefulness by frugal living and plenty of muscular exercise. Small leisure was his, and less schooling, for there were many in the family, and all were taught to per- form their share towards the general support.

To the Iowa farm came reports of gold and rich lands in the far west, and it was an unam- bitious youth who could let such a chance slip by him, especially when he saw little prospect of advancement in his immediate surroundings. Barefoot, and with his few worldly possessions tied in a bundle, he joined a west-bound ox- train at the Platte river. April 15, 1852, Job Long being one of the homeseekers with whom he formed a friendship during the long, six- months' journey. If Mr. Bemis had little when he started out he had even less upon arriving at his destination at Wells station, Benton county, Ore., and his diet of boiled wheat dur- ing the following winter would hardly inspire one with much hope for the future. Nothing daunted, he secured a position in the spring with Tom Reed, and after a couple of years began to work for others on the surrounding farms in Benton county, and was thus employed until 1862. Always fond of the horse, and having a peculiar influence over this dumb friend of man, he turned his attention to training horses for a livelihood, continuing in that work for several years. When the Rogue River war broke out in all its fury he was herding cattle in that country, and to subdue the Indians fought bravely with other herders in his vicinity. In November, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, First Oregon Infantry, as a private, was mus- tered in at Salem and sent to Vancouver, his entire service being spent there and on the Yamhill reservation. In July, 1866, he was dis- charged after many interesting and exciting ex- periences, and after gaining a keen insight into the ways of the wily and intrepid red man.

With his farm-hand work, his horse-training and herding, Mr. Beamis managed to get quite a start financially, and finally began renting land. In 1871 he put his earnings into a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which he improved, lived upon for five years, and finally sold at a fair profit. He then purchased the farm upon which Claus Anthony lives at the present time, which he also cleared and culti- vated, and sold after nine years had passed. His present farmi then came into his possession, which consists of three hundred and twenty acres, and which is located ten miles north of Corvallis, and five miles from Albany. He is engaged in general farming, stock and grain- raising, and is making a success of a property which is valued in proportion as it has been worked and improved. At one time he owned the two hundred and forty acres known as the Dan Rainwater place, and which he has since given to his son.

The first marriage of Mr. Beamis occurred in 1871, and was with May Williamson, who bore him one child, Arthur, who lives in Springfield. His second marriage was with Oni Harvey, and occurred July 20, 1884, the wife being a daugh- ter of David Harvey. Mr. Beamis is identified with the McPherson Post, G. A. R., of Albany, and is politically a believer in the principles and issues of the Republican party. An excellent farmer, honorable man, and genial friend and associate, he commands the regard and respect of his fellow-farmers in Benton county, all of whom wish him a continuation of the success which has been so fairly if dearly won.

THOMAS B. WILLIAMSON. Seekers after encouragement in an uphill struggle for existence should derive great satisfaction from a survey of the ways and means by which the Williamson family gained a footing in Benton county. Thomas B. Williamson, who is success- fully working a farm of one hundred and five acres not far from Albany, while in many re- spects a self-made man, and one who has over- come many obstacles, has never experienced the deprivations which came to his honored sire, Philip Williamson, who proved himself the per- sonification of endurance and perseverance.

Born in Tennessee, in 1837. Philip Williamson was a mere lad when his parents took him to Missouri, where he was reared on a farm, and in youth learned the shoemaker's trade. He married Mary Annie Holman, and while still living in Missouri several of their children were born, among them Thomas B., the date of whose birth was August 15, 1857. The first three years of the Civil war the father was a member of the state militia, and owing to the unsettled

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condition of the state he determined to seek more peaceful surroundings in the west. Disposing of his property and packing such things in a prairie schooner as would be required on the journey across the plains he started forth in April, 1864, with two wagons, having three yoke of oxen each. The crossing was unevent- ful, but, though apparently well supplied with provisions and general necessities, they found their larder diminish with great rapidity, and at the end of the trip had but one wagon and two yoke of oxen left, and but eleven dollars in money. The spirit of good fellowship which was proverbial among the early settlers was especially manifest towards the Will- iamson family, and they were supplied with pro- visions and clothes, and given quite a cheery welcome. Locating just across the river from Salem, on good hay land, Mr. Williamson moved after a year to the Hosford place, and looked after the stock of Mr. Hosford until the fall of 1868. He then came to Benton county and bought one hundred and sixty-three acres of land for $800. improved it, and lived thereon for two years. In 1870 he moved to the farm which is still the home of his widow, and which consists of three hundred and twenty acres of the old Carter donation claim. As his harvests increased and he found a ready market for grain and stock, more land was required to carry on his projects, and so ambitious was he that at one time he owned nine hundred acres of land. This was all rich valley land, and under his care and improving spirit became very valuable. In the early days he made the shoes for his wife and children, a not inconsiderable task, for there were ten children in all. Of these, John, the oldest son, lives in Albany, and is a policeman ; Martha is the wife of W. D. Prettyman, of Benton county ; Dan M. is a farmer of Na- poleon ; Jacob L. is deceased; Wiley A. is a stock-dealer of Albany; William G. is living with his mother; Emmett is a civil engineer ; and Emma is deceased. Mr. Williamson was a Republican in politics, but never actively inter- ested himself in local offices. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and it is said of him that he lived up to his religious beliefs, investing his business dealings and home life with that honor and sincerity of purpose which marks the consistent church member. At the time of his death in 1898 he was sixty-one years old. still a comparatively young man, for he possessed great vitality, and continued to in- terest himself in the things and people around him. His wife is seventy years of age.

When the family came to Oregon Thomas B. was a little fellow of seven, yet he distinctly recalls the camp life upon the plains, and the weary days of marching beside the tired oxen.

He helped to clear the old donation claim, and to make comfortable the large family of chil- dren, all of whom were taught to make them- selves useful around the farm. At twenty-one years of age lie bought of his father his present farm of one hundred and five acres, which he has modernized and equipped with needful ma- chinery and buildings. October 12, 1884, he was united in marriage with Maggie Dwyer, who died April 10, 1902, leaving three children : Clyde E., Elmer B. and Pearl F. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson attended the Evangelical Church, towards the support of which Mr. Williamson has generously contributed for many years. Like his father, he stands well in the community, his word and his business integrity having never been questioned.

SILAS M. YORAN. A representative of an old Dutch family, Silas M. Yoran is a worthy member of the society of Oregon, wherein the citizenship of men of veracity and integrity has been so highly appreciated, since it has meant the moral upbuilding of a new statehood. To the advancement of every worthy movement he has lent a ready and able hand. He is now a resident of Eugene, Lane county, where for a number of years he has engaged in the shoe business, previously having been connected with J. M. Hodson, on the Eugene Register, which was established and operated for six years by the two men.

Mr. Yoran was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., January 26, 1835, the son of Jacob and the grandson of Jacob Yoran, both owing their na- tivity to the same location. The elder man was a miller by occupation, engaging in his native county in that industry, and he there married Miss Snell, whose five brothers, as well as five members of the Yoran family, took an active part in the Revolution, four of the former being left dead on the field after the battle of Oris- kany. The second Jacob Yoran, the father of S. M. Yoran, succeeded to the mills and a farm of his father, located on East creek, Herkimer county, and there died at the age of seventy- six years. He married Mary Timmerman, also a native of that locality, and the daughter of John Timmerman, a farmer and a soldier of the Revolution. Both of these families trace their ancestry back to the first settlers of the state of New York, all being of Hoiland ancestry.

Of the nine children born to his parents, five of whom are now living, S. M. Yoran is the third, and the only one located upon the Pacific coast. He was reared in his native state and upon the paternal farm. interspersing home duties with an attendance at the public schools in the neighborhood of his home. When twenty

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years old he went to Iowa, this being 1855, the ensuing four years being passed in various lo- cations in the state, after which he settled at Sand Springs, Delaware county, Iowa, and en- gaged in a mercantile business. He later resided near Monticello, Jones county, where he bought a farm and until 1883 followed his early train- ing. While making his home in that county he served for five years as a member of the board of commissioners, and for two successive terms as a member of the state legislature. In the last-named year Mr. Yoran decided to change his location to the Pacific coast, and settled in Eugene, Lane county, Ore., where he engaged first in the warehouse business for two years, and afterward established, in partnership with J. M. Hodson, the Eugene Register. Three years after the sale of the paper he entered upon his present business, in 1893 taking up this work with his youngest son, Darwin E., who is still with him.

In Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1859, Miss Maria Markell, also a native of that locality, became the wife of Mr. Yoran, and the follow- ing children have been born to them: Elizabeth M., of Eugene: George O., of Eugene, who is colonel of the Fourth Regiment of the Oregon National Guard: William C., engaged in job printing : Darwin E., who is with his father in the shoe business ; and Louise C., of Eugene. In his political affiliations a Republican, Mr. Yoran has taken every interest in western prog- ress, both municipal and state. In 1896 he was on the Republican ticket as presidential elector, and was elected. In his fraternal relations Mr. Yoran is one of the most prominent Masons in the state, having been made a member in Monti- cello Lodge No. 173. He now belongs to Eu- gene Lodge No. 11, in which he is past master. He was made a Royal Arch Mason in Monti- cello and now holds membership with Eugene Chapter No. 10, in which he is past high priest. He was made a Knight Templar in Monticello Commandery No. 16, K. T., and was there past excellent commander, and is now past com- mander in Ivanhoe Commandery No. 2. In 1893 he was grand commander of the Grand Com- mandery of Oregon, and now belongs to the order of the High Priesthood. In June, 1903, he was elected grand master of the Grand Lodge of Oregon at the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge at Portland. Mr. Yoran's wife is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church.

ALDEN S. HULBURT. A very prominent and influential pioneer family of Oregon is repre- sented by Alden S. Hulburt, owner of a one-hun- dred and sixty-three-acre stock and dairy farm near Albany. This neighborhood is very familiar

to Mr. Hulburt, for practically his entire life has been passed within a radius of a few miles, his birth having occurred on his father's donation claim eight miles southwest of Albany, October 27, 1853.

More than passing mention is due J. F. Hul- burt, the father of Alden S., who came here a poor man, but endowed with more than ordi- nary judgment and perseverance. A millwright by trade, he spent the first years of his life in Canada, and with his people moved to Illinois when he had attained his majority. In Illinois he married Eliza Jane Hite, a native daughter of the state, and thereafter continued to farm until 1853. Having disposed of his Illinois in- terests he purchased the necessary equipment for crossing the plains, and arriving at his destin- ation in Oregon, located on the before-men- tioned claim eight miles southwest of Albany. The family lived for some time in a little log house, but after the land had been partially cleared and crops began to reward the hard toil of the head of the house, a modern structure supplanted the primitive quarters. From the first Mr. Hulburt took an active interest in all local events, was particularly active as a poli- tician, although he refused more than the minor offices of the township. His land proved fertile and profitable, and he had the judgment to wise- ly dispose of it at planting time. While engag- ing in general farming, he made a specialty of stock-raising, and besides devoted a good deal of time to buying and selling stock. He lived to be sixty-seven years old, leaving a large and valuable property to his heirs. Twelve chil- dren were born into his family, the order of their birth being as follows: Mark, living in Albany: Harlan, also of Albany; Austin and Alden, twins; Warren, a farmer near Albany ; Frank, a resident of Shedds; Harriett, living in Pendleton ; Lavina, deceased; Alice, of Pendle- ton; Florence, living near Albany ; Ida, a resident of Pendleton; and Wallace J., a farmer near Albany.

For two years after his marriage in 1878, with Emma Underhill, Alden S. Hulburt continued to live on his father's farm, and then farmed in Benton county for about four years. Next he purchased his present place of one hundred and sixty-three acres, where he has since carried on general farming and stock-raising. He has a model dairy on his farm, and makes a specialty of Jersey cattle. Thorough, practical and possess- ing shrewd business judgment, he makes his land count for all that it is worth, and has amassed quite a competence entirely through his own efforts. From time to time he has been before the public as an officeholder, but has always reluctantly accepted honors conferred by his fellow-townsmen. He has served accept-

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ably as a member of the school board for many years, and for a part of that time has been clerk of the board. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hulburt, of whom Lillie is the wife of A. Westcott, of Tangent; Lotta is the wife of W. Hense, of Washington; and Rollo, Lloyd and Alice A. are living at home. Mr. Hnl- burt has a fine farm, well fitted with barns and general improvements, and his many friends and well-wishers hope for a continuation of his substantial and well-earned prosperity.

CAPT. PLEASANT C. NOLAND. The loyalty and patriotism which Capt. Pleasant C. Noland has always shown in the time of his country's need are two of his most salient traits, and added to these he has lived a life of quiet, earnest, persevering work which has numbered him among the useful citizens of a pioneer day. When a mere lad he responded to the call for volunteers in the Mexican war and faithfully performed his duty in a company wherein he was the youngest in age, and also occupied that position in relation to the entire brigade. Since locating in Oregon he has acted the part of a patriot and a loyal citizen in the defense of his country and its incipient civilization, and deservedly won the title by which his fellow citizens now know him.

In Missouri, the middle western state that gave to the more remote west so many sturdy emi- grants, Capt. Pleasant C. Noland was born Sep- tember 29, 1830. His father was engaged at his trade of stonemason and also in farming in Jackson county, and was also active in politics, giving his support to the Democratic party, and winning for himself a prominent place in the affairs of his community. He engaged heartily in the Mormon war and was one of the treaty commissioners. Owing to a large family. Pleas- . ant C. Noland being the fourth in age among ten children, the father was unable to give his son many advantages, but undaunted by the obstacles which he must face he set about the accomplishment of the task himself and received considerable knowledge from an attendance of the district school. He remained at home until he was sixteen years old when he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, first in Captain Craig's company, but on account of his age, be- ing truthfully stated by himself, was rejected, and one week later was accepted by saying he was twenty-one years old, joining Stewart's company, at St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847. This company was detailed to guard duty on the frontier, where this lad served for eighteen months, as brave and uncomplaining as those many years his senior. The company was mus-

tered out at Ft. Leavenworth, and Mr. Noland, not then wearing his official title, returned to his home and spent the winter following attending the district school in the vicinity of his home. In May, 1849, from the spirit of adventure as well as the more sober reason of a thoughtful man, which he had become through his assumption of early responsibilities, young Noland started for the gold fields of California. He met with no serious trouble from the Indians, and after a journey of a little more than four months he reached his destination and immediately entered upon the life of a miner. He continued so occupied for two years and met with fair re- turns for his labor. In 1851 he returned to his home in Missouri, via the Isthmus of Panama, spending a like period in the more quiet and less uncertain pursuits of the middle west. In 1853 he again crossed the plains with ox-teams, taking with him his mother, Sarah M. Noland, his brothers and sisters, as he felt the west to hold much greater chances for advancement. While crossing the plains this family left the train of emigrants at Harney lake and were lost in the mountains, where they remained wander- ing about for forty-two days, and very nearly starved before finding their friends again. On arriving in Lane county, Ore., Mr. Noland took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres located one mile north of Creswell, bought the squatter's right and proved up on the land, and at once entered upon the improvement and cultivation of it. In the fall of 1854 Mr. No- land's mother died. In 1855 the son enlisted in Company B, Oregon Mounted Volunteers, and he was afterward elected second lieutenant for services in the Rogue River war. He served in this company a little more than five months, and took part in a number of skirmishes. In March. 1856, the company disbanded, and its re-organization was attempted and successfully completed by Captain Noland, who now secured this official title. The company, still bearing its old name, went back again into service and par- ticipated in the battle of Big Meadows and other minor engagements, remaining until July 4. 1856. At one time during a skirmish on Rogue river the captain and his men were in a tight place, being surrounded by Indians. Seeing a canoe, he succeeded in getting a load of his men across and landed among the red men and drove them back to the river through the brush, having succeeded in getting behind them through strategic movement. A day later they got among the red men again and the captain succeeded in capturing six squaws and one Indian, and from this man he secured a revolver which he kept for years. He was ably assisted by a brave boy, Benton Kent, who swam the river and se- cured a canoe, and in this manner the captain

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was able to duplicate his deed of the day previ- ous. None of his men was wounded in either skirmish. The reason for his crossing the river was that three wounded men of another com- pany were at the mercy of the Indians, one of the men being Clay Huston.

After his discharge Captain Noland returned home, and January 1, 1857, was united in mar- riage with Lenna Jane Stewart, a native of Polk county, Mo. They lived on the home place un- til her death, in 1873. They had two children, James E., ex-sheriff and ex-county surveyor, lives in Creswell, and George, an attorney, of Astoria. In 1879 Captain Noland married Mrs. Melissa R. Davidson, who was born in Fayette county, Ill., April 30, 1849, and was married in St. Louis, Mo., to Green C. Davidson, and with him came to Oregon in October, 1870. Mr. Davidson died in Salem, Ore., August 15, 1878, leaving two children, John C., a jeweler, of San Francisco, and Minnie, the wife of John P. Hay- den, of Walla Walla, Wash. Captain Noland and wife have one child, Neva, who is still at home with her parents. The home of this worthy couple then remained upon the farm until 1893, when they located in Creswell, and upon his farm of four hundred and eighty acres the cap- tain now carries on general farming and stock- raising, besides which property he also owns a neat dwelling, a brick building and several lots in the town. His wife is a member of the Bap- tist Church. Fraternally Captain Noland is a member of the Masonic order, and in political convictions he adheres to the Democratic party, having always been active in the advancement of the principles which he endorses.

JOHN COOLEY. Born January 30, 1837, Jonn Cooley became a pioneer of Oregon prima- rily through the courage and determination of his mother to find the best location for the future ad- vancement of her sons, as with her and his brothers and sisters he crossed the plains in 1853. He was born in Virginia, where his parents had always lived, his father there engaging in farm- ing until his death in 1843, when the mother brought her family as far west as Missouri and there located until coming to Oregon in 1853. In the district school in the vicinity of his home John Cooley received his education, and on at- taining manhood he engaged in farming and stock-raising, to which his early training had in- clined him. He is now employed in this latter business in partnership with his brother, Alex- ander, the two expending their intelligence and practical ideas in an extensive cattle business which has given them broad returns in the mat- ter of profit.

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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 216

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