Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 217

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 217

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Mr. Cooley is now living with his nephew upon a part of the old home place near Cottage Grove, Lane county, and which consists of five hundred and fifty acres of land, all in one body. This farm is the result of energetic and purpose- ful work, Mr. Cooley's whole life having been devoted to the cultivation of the lands which Ore- gon held out as inducements to the early settlers. He has found the comforts of life in the homes of his relatives. In politics he is like his brother, also of this vicinity, and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, casting his ballot in the interests of the Democratic party, though he has never cared to be officially identified with the movements of the party.

LEWIS WENTZ. As an infant, Lewis Wentz came to the United States from Germany in 1837, his mother desiring to improve their prospects by location on more fertile if less his- toric soil. They settled on a farm near Mans- field, Richland county, Ohio, where Lewis de- veloped into a strong and capable lad, industri- ous withal and frugal, as had been his ancestors. At the age of fifteen he left his home and went to a farm near Cleveland, a year later entering the regular army, and serving until the close of the Civil war. As a private in the western service he was occupied principally in fighting bush- whackers in Missouri, and after the restoration of peace continued to live in Salem, Mo., for a couple of years.

From Missouri Mr. Wentz entered upon a frontier life in Nevada, where he mined and engaged in various occupations, none of which materially increased his finances. For a year he mined in the Black Hills, and then came to eastern Oregon, and mined with indifferent suc- cess for one season. Locating in Salem, he married in October, 1877, Mrs. Ann Johnston, widow of William Johnston, and daughter of Arnold Potter, the latter of whom was born in the state of New York, and became a very early settler of Illinois. In 1846 his daughter Ann started across the plains with her sister and brother-in-law, spending the first winter at Council Bluffs. Resuming their ox-team jour- ney the following spring, they got as far as Salt Lake City, from where Ann went to live with friends on Bear river, in 1850. Afterward she made her home with friends in Fort Hall, Idaho, and in 1850 married William Johnston, with whom and her baby she came to Oregon on horseback in 1851. From the fort to Salem was a long and wearisome journey, yet the little party arrived in fair condition, and took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres eight miles sottth of Salem, where Mr. Johnston

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prospered, and where his death occurred at an advanced age. Eleven children were born of this union, six sons and five daughters.

After his marriage Mr. Wentz moved to his wife's donation claim, and in 1893, tiring of farming, located in Salem for a couple of years. He then bought his present farm in Benton county, two and a half miles from Albany, where he is comfortably located, with every prospect of a continuation of his success as a practical and scientific farmer. He is fraternally identi- fied with the Masons, and with the G. A. R. Post of Salem. Mrs. Wentz is a member of the Dunkard Church, and during her entire life in the west has proven herself courageous in time of danger and deprivation, and a tower of strength to all dependent upon her sympathy and care.

WILLIAM PEACOCK. Success comes only to the industrious and persevering in the ma- jority of instances, and William Peacock, one of the representative agriculturists of Benton county, is thoroughly deserving of the prosperity which he is now enjoying. His experience in life has not been devoid of reverses, yet he has bravely stood the test, and with undaunted en- ergy has adhered to the course which he orig- inally planned. His birth occurred March 8, 1845, near Dundee, Scotland, and there it was that the first twenty-two years of his life were spent, attending school and assisting in the dut- ies of the home as his time and strength per- mitted. At this age he determined to begin a business career, and as an initiation in the new line of endeavor began working in a weaving factory in Scotland. Three years later, how- ever, we find him a passenger on a steamship bound for the shores of America, and, landing in Canada, he was variously employed for one year.

From Canada Mr. Peacock removed to Le- mont, Ill., where for six months he was em- ployed in the stone quarries which abound there, thence going to Warren county, in the same state, where for one year he was employed as a farm hand. Gradually working his way west, we next find him conducting a farm in Coffey county, Kans., which he had not purchased, how- ever, as he was not altogether pleased with the surroundings, and six years later he made settle- ment in Benton county, Ore., just across the river from Albany. During the winter and spring following his arrival in the west he engaged in chopping cord-wood, but subsequently bought a farm of seventy-two acres along the Willamette river, two miles from Albany, which he partially cleared, at the same time engaging in chopping cord-wood. After six years of arduous labor

his accumulations were swept away by the high water of the year 1882, practically everything being carried away. Nothing daunted, how- ever, that same year he came to the farm upon which he now resides, renting it for one year, thereafter purchasing it on time. The tract comprises twenty acres, twelve of which at the time of purchase were devoted to gardening vegetables, and the remainder being timber land, and he has continued this line of agriculture, meeting with good success in so doing. In all the country roundabout no finer or more com- modious residence is to be seen than that owned and occupied by Mr. Peacock and his family. The premises are further embellished by a fine hothouse, where are to be seen many choice specimens of rare plants. Mr. Peacock is a taxi- dermist of no inferior order, and has one hun- dred specimens of birds and animals which he has preserved by means of taxidermy.

It was in June, 1875, soon after coming to Oregon, that Mr. Peacock and Miss Mary E. Whetstone were united in marriage. Thirteen children were born to them, but two are de- ceased. Mrs. Mary E. Peacock died March 18, 1901, and August 21, 1901, Mr. Peacock was married to Mrs. Olive V. Hughes, the widow of Frank Hughes. By her first marriage Mrs. Pea- cock had two children. In no sense of the word can Mr. Peacock be called a politician, and aside from doing his duty at the polls in voting for the best man, regardless of party, takes no inter- est in politics. In the capacity of school director he has been of great assistance in bringing the educational standard of his vicinity up to a high plane of excellence.

FRANK L. ARMITAGE. To Frank L. Ar- mitage farming is a congenial and absorbing occupation, to be pursued earnestly and prac- tically, and with one's mental faculties alert for . improved methods. This singleness of purpose has accomplished great results on his farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres, for all who investigate must admit that progressiveness is apparent in every department of the farm's ac- tivity. A two-fold interest centers around this well appointed and prosperous home, for on it the present owner was born September 14, 1871, and has since passed his life here. He inherits reliable New England traits of character, and his father, George H. Armitage, was born in the state of New York January 25, 1824. The older man was reared on a farm in New York, and in 1848 took a steamer in New York city for the Isthmus of Panama, crossing which he re- embarked for San Francisco, intent on making his fortune in the mines. His dream was more or less rudely shaken, for he came to Lane

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county in 1849 and took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres four miles northeast of Eugene. Crude and with no improvements whatever, this possession called for vast exer- tion ere harvests could be gathered or a sem- blance of the home element realized, and to has- ten this happy consummation Mr. Armitage soon after married Sarah J. Stevens, who was born in Tennessee, and who crossed the. plains in 1847. Mr. Armitage increased in prosperity as the country around him grew and settlers fol- lowed his wise example, and at the time of his death February 12, 1893, at the age of sixty- eight years, lie owned a fine and valuable farm. His widow, who is the mother of ten children, lives with those who have located near the home farm, one of these, James A., living three miles east of Springfield. She also spends some time each year with her son, S. C., in Portland, and with her daughter, Mrs. Ella V. Henderson, of Colorado. Mr. Armitage was public-spirited in the extreme, was in favor of education and general advancement, and contributed generously towards churches and charitable organizations.

Like the rest of the children in his father's family, Frank L. Armitage was educated first in the public schools, and later had an opportun- ity of attending the University of Oregon. His life has been spent uninterruptedly among the surroundings of his boyhood days, every inch of ground being as familiar to him as the face of an old friend. He married Ada D. Calef, a native daughter of this vicinity, and has since taken an interest in church and social life, his wife and himself being considered one of the most congenial and hospitable young couples in their neighborhood. Mr. Armitage is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, but not- withstanding his very busy life manages to get a great deal of pleasure out of passing events. He is fraternally connected with the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias, and in political preferment is a Democrat.

JOHN TOMLINSON. Enterprising and successful, John Tomlinson ranks among the honored and well-to-do farmers of Benton county. Born near Pittsfield, Pike county, Il1., November 28, 1840, he was two years old when his parents moved their household possessions onto a farm in Ray county, Mo., where they re- mained until 1857, and then sold out and pre- pared to cross the plains. In the family party was the father and mother, five sons and two daughters, whose headquarters during four months were to be a great prairie schooner drawn by three yoke of oxen. The trip was made in the short space of four months, and the first stop was made at West Point, Calaveras county, Cal., where they remained for a few months.

Later the father took up land in the Calaveras valley, where both himself and wife died in 1858.

Seventeen years old when he crossed the plains, John Tomlinson was a strong and rugged youth, capable of looking out for himself in any emergency. In California he secured em- ployment as a farm hand for Alexander Hodges, his brother-in-law, and three years later, in 1862, married Almira Gingles, a native of Mer- cer county, Ill., and daughter of James Gingles. James Gingles was born in Columbia county, Pa., in 1819, and in Illinois married Sarah Miller, with whom he lived on a farm in Illinois until crossing the plains in 1850. In Benton county he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, and from a small beginning worked his way to a position of agricultural and polit- ical prominence in the county. A man of lead- ing characteristics, he was selected to represent his district in the legislature in 1864, 1868 and 1876, and for about twenty years was a member of the board of county commissioners of Benton county. His first vote was for a Republican candidate, and during his entire life he was loyal to the principles of his chosen party. His death, on October 16, 1878, removed one of the fore- most developers of this county, one who had taken an active interest in promoting the cause of education, and who assisted in erecting the first school in his neighborhood. He helped to organize the school system, and was one of the organizers of the Grange. From earliest man- hood he had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and each Sunday found him in his pew, regardless of inclement weather or personal ill feeling. The church invariably re- ceived substantial help at his hands, and it was said of him that he was a Christian every day of the week as well as on Sunday. The wife, who died February 17, 1853, bore him four children, of whom Andrew and Henry are de- ceased, while Mrs. Tomlinson is the second child and Sarah is the deceased wife of Charles Spencer.

During the year following his marriage John Tomlinson lived on a rented farm in Benton county, and the following year spent on a farm in Polk county, going then to Linn county where he remained about four years. Since lo- cating on his wife's donation claim, inherited from licr father. he has been very successful, and has maintained the excellent condition of a valu- able and productive property. Four sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson all of whom inherit the thrift and intelligence of their parents, and are a credit to their respective com- munities. James L. is a successful grocer of Al- bany: William S. is living at home: Fred is in Albany; and A. Clyde is living with his parents. Mr, Tomlinson is a member of the Baptist

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Church, with which ·his wife has been identified since fifteen years of age. Both are highly re- spected members of this community, and have many friends to enjoy their hospitality and ex- change with them the amenities of life.

HENRY MAXWELL. Prominent among the farmers who have helped to maintain the agricultural prestige of Lane county is Henry Maxwell, whose Scotch-Dutch ancestors have handed down to him the most desirable of their respective national traits, generally conceded to be conservatism, thrift and integrity. John Maxwell, the father of Henry, was born in Brook county, Va., in May, 1802, and died at the home of his son, Henry, January 18, 1890. His wife, Sarah J. (Hickey) Maxwell, was born in Winchester, Va., in 1813, and died at the home of her son, John, in 1885. The parents were married in Virginia, and as young and en- thusiastic people moved to a wilderness farm in Platt county, Mo., soon after taking up their residence on more desirable land in Holt county, in the same state. A cooper by trade, the elder Maxwell had worked at his trade for many years in the east, and continued it in Holt county, in connection with a large general farming enter- prise. Beginning with the great mining exodus across the plains in 1849, he thought much of the possibilities beyond the western mountains, and by 1852 had sold his land and perfected ar- rangements to cross the plains. He had two yoke of oxen, and traveled in a large party, reaching his destination in Albany at the end of six months. In the spring of 1853 he took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres seven. miles southwest of Harrisburg, where he lived four years, and then moved to the ferry on the Mill river east of Irving. For twelve years he was a well known ferryman at this point, living in the meantime on a farm purchased in the vicin- ity, and to the improvement of which he and his sons devoted their energies. Finally he sold this farm and went to live with his children, his death and that of his wife occurring as hereto- fore stated.

Born while his parents were living in Holt county, Mo., March 16, 1847, Henry Maxwell was five years old when he came to Oregon, and his education was principally received in the public schools of Coburg. He continued to live with his parents until 1867, and then bought his farm of three hundred and eleven acres, of which he still owns one hundred and twenty acres. His farm is well equipped with modern implements, and he carries on general farming and some stock-raising. He married in 1867, Marv Hill, who was born in Whiteside county, Ill., Decem- ber 15, 1852, a daughter of Jesse Hill, who

crossed the plains in 1864. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell, Sarah is the wife of Henry Bucklem, of Ashland, Ore .; Ida is the wife of Charles Gray, of Baker City; Elizabeth is the wife of William Pearsons, of Baker City ; Laura is the wife of Henry Godfrey, of Kern county, Cal .; Ada and Effie live in Baker City; and George is in business in Baker City. Mr. Maxwell is a Republican in politics, but has never entered the ranks of office-seekers. He is progressive and liberal, and in favor of all measures instituted for the improvement of his town and county. Solid and reliable, up- right in all his dealings, and holding the most agreeable relations with his neighbors in the vicinity, he occupies a popular and financially strong position, honored and respected by all.

MARTIN WINGARD. His place in life, that of the most useful of all laborers, an intelligent and progressive farmer, Martin Wingard now makes his home upon the farm which he ac- quired in 1863, near Lorane, Lane county. He was born October 27, 1825, in Stark county, Ohio, the son of Samuel Wingard, who was also a pioneer of Oregon. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, being born in that state in 1801, and on attaining manhood he became a farmer and married in Maryland Miss Mary Bechtel, a native of that state. They settled in Ohio at a very early date, acting the part of pioneers there until their removal in 1839 to Indiana, with the spirit of their own ancestors who first settled America following unconsciously the westward trend of civilization. In 1853 they made the six- months journey across the plains with ox-teams, arriving safely in Oregon, whither the subject of this review had preceded them. Their first winter was spent in Yamhill county. In 1854 they removed to Lane county and took up a donation claim located west of Eugene, remain- ing there for a few years, when they came to the present location of their son, Martin, and passed the remainder of their lives, the father living to be eighty and the mother to be ninety-five years old. Besides their oldest son, two daughters of their family are now living, Ellen, who is at home, and Catherine, the wife of P. F. Davis, located in the vicinity of Lorane. After coming to the west the father carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising, taking a moderate interest in political movements by holding several of the minor offices of the neighborhood.

In the vicinity of the home of his father, which was first in Ohio and later in Indiana, Martin Wingard received his education in the district schools and until he was twenty-six years old he remained under the parental roof. He then joined the westward movement and crossed the

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plains in 1851, a journey of seven months plac- ing him in Oregon, when he located in Yamhill county for about a year. The ensuing years, up to 1863, were spent in various locations, a por- tion of the time in California. In 1863 he came to Lane county and bought his farm of three hundred and twenty acres which has ever since remained his home, and to the cultivation and improvement of the broad acres he has given every intelligent and practical thought. He has now four hundred acres, upon which he carries on general farming and stock-raising. In politics he is a Democrat and is a member of the Grange.

A worthy event in the life of Mr. Wingard was his enlistment in 1855 as a member of Company A, under the command of Captain Harris, for service in the Rogue River war, faithfully con- tinuing for forty-six days, during which his principal engagement was at Table Rock. After serving in the defense of his adopted state he re- turned to his farm and has since devoted his energies to the upbuilding of the agricultural in- terests of the country.

HENRY MELTON. Many years of success- ful farming in Lane county have placed Henry Melton on a firm financial basis, and caused him to be reasonably satisfied with life in general. While many who have worked for more years than he are still struggling to acquire a compe- tence, he has left behind him cares connected with crops, stock and improvements, and is loan- ing money on good security to those who are temporarily embarrassed.

Knox county, Ill., the present center of educa- tional institutions, and agriculturally one of the garden spots of the middle west, has lent many native sons to the coast, notwithstanding its own inducements. The very early pioneer days of Knox county are inseparably associated with the Meltons, for when the wilderness was dotted by but a few straggling farm houses, and Indians outnumbered whites a hundred to one, the pa- rents, George W. and Mary Ann (Riley) Mel- ton, came from the east and settled on govern- ment farms with their respective families, their marriage being the first "pale-face" union in Knox county. Ten children were reared on the pioneer farm upon which this couple went to housekeeping, and their first child, a daughter, was the first white child born and reared in the county. A great deal of pioneer interest settled around the Melton home, for the parents were hospitable and kindly people, sharing their good fortune with their neighbors, and keeping their latch string out to whomsoever chanced to pass that way.

Henry Melton was born on the Knox county farm, June 8, 1839, and by reason of a practical

home training and average common school edu- cation was able to look out for himself at a com- paratively carly age. The Civil war found him assisting with the management of the home prop- erty, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany E, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in at Galesburg, Knox county. The regiment went first to Fort Henry, and from there to Fort Donelson, Tenn., where the soldiers were placed on guard duty. Besides the battle of Fort Donelson, he participated in many skir- mishes, and in all served about fourteen months, being honorably discharged in October, 1863, thereafter returning to his home and continuing his former occupation.

March 9, 1865, Mr. Melton married Ella M. Cole, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and continued to live in Knox county until coming to Oregon, in 1882. Miss Cole was a successful teacher for six years in Illinois. More fortunate than many, Mr. Melton had saved as well as made money, and therefore was able to start life in the west under very favorable auspices. Purchasing four hundred and sixty-nine acres of land two miles north of Creswell, his operations were of such an extent that he soon required more land, and bought one hundred and forty-four acres ad- joining the village on the south. At present three hundred acres are under the plow, and be- sides this farm he owns twelve acres adjoining Creswell, which constitutes his present home. The farm is rented out and given over to general farming and stock-raising, and is one of the most highly improved in the county.

Possessing personal characteristics which win esteem and stamp the bearer as influential and popular, Mr. Melton is one of the pillars of the community of Creswell, where he has a host of friends and well-wishers. He is no politician, notwithstanding his stanch allegiance to the Re- publican party. His first wife dying in Oregon, November 16, 1886, Mr. Melton, in 1893, made a journey back to Illinois, where he was married to Katherine Brainard, a native of Oneida county, N. Y., and a daughter of Jeptha and Sarah (Van Wagennen) Brainard, and was reared in Knox county, Ill., and taught for over twenty years in the public schools. No children have been born of either union, but a son has been adopted into the family, Edward L., at present a business man of Seattle, Wash.

JOHN ZINIKER. Those thrifty and reliable traits of character which are the heritage of the children of Switzerland find illustration in the life of John Ziniker, who was born in that coun- try, December 13, 1858, and was reared in one of the hill-side towns which have furnished themes for painters and poets for many genera-

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tions. One in a family of eight children, his father made his living as a butcher, and had the typical regard for education and advancement which have made of his country one of the most enlightened and practical in the world. His lim- ited resources necessitated the co-operation of his children as soon as they were old enough to assume responsibility, and thus it happened that John, one of the most promising of his sons, was allowed to join his uncle, Albert Ruegger, when he came to America, in 1873. The latter had just completed a two-years' service in the Ger- man army, had been present at the battle of Sedan, and contemplated his sojourn in the United States with the hopefulness of one who had led a strenuous life, and longed for more peaceful and kindly conditions.

Arriving in America, Mr. Ziniker accompanied his uncle's family to Trenton, Ohio, whence they went at the end of a year to Columbus, Neb., and farmed there for nine months. For about two years they afterward lived and farmed in Kansas, going then to Vancouver, Wash., and from there to Lane county, Ore., in 1879. Renting the place upon which he now lives, he aided his uncle in the purchase of it a few years later, and now, in partnership with his aunt, owns the entire farm of seventeen hundred acres. In 1884 Mr. Zini- ker married Vrena Siegerist, a native of Switzer- land, and nine children have been born of this union, the order of their birth being as follows: Rosa; Freda; Lillie, deceased; Laura; Emma; John ; Lena; Albert ; and Frank. Mr. Ziniker has about two hundred acres of land under culti- vation, but his principal source of income is Durham cattle, which are raised in large num- bers, as are also a variety of other kinds of stock. He is one of the substantial and popular men of this vicinity, is well read and takes a keen in- terest in general developments outside of his regular work. Like all who come from Switzer- land, where education is compulsory, he appre- ciates the value of mental training, and it is his intention to give his children the advantages re- quired if they are to adorn and dignify their respective stations in life. He is fraternally asso- ciated with the Woodmen of the World, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in polit- ical affiliation is a Republican.

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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 217

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