Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 218

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 218

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ELIAS F. CHAPMAN. In his efforts to gain a substantial financial standing Elias F. Chapman has not neglected the duties which have been his as a citizen, through his associ- ation with the Civil war writing his name high in the annals of our country. In his business affairs he has met with a gratifying success, as a lumber merchant and manufacturer gaining a prominent place in the industrial circles of

Eugene, Lane county, which has been his home since 1877.

The Chapman family came originally from Wales, the great grandfather coming from that country and settling in Connecticut, as a citi- zen of that state being numbered among the patriots of the Revolution. The grandfather, Joshua Chapman, was born there and in man- hood removed to Indiana, locating in Kosciusko county, where he followed his trade of wheel- wright. He was one of the early settlers in Iowa, locating near Des Moines in later years, his death occurring near Beatrice, Neb., aged ninety-three years. Like his father he fought for his country, his services being in the war of 1812. The father, Joshua B. Chapman, was a native of Connecticut, and became a wheel- wright in New York state, going from there to Indiana and removing in 1842 to Illinois, and February 1, 1843, to Iowa, where he settled near Des Moines, in the latter location combin- ing the work of his trade. with agricultural pur- suits. In 1876 he came to Eugene, Lane county, Ore., locating one and a half mile south of the city, where his death occurred. Politically he was a Republican and in religion affiliated with the Baptist Church. He married Naomi Connett, who was born in Kentucky, the daughter of Nicholas Connett, also of that state, but who spent the last years of his life in Ohio. The mother died in Oregon, having four living children, one having died in childhood, and the other in Oregon after reaching manhood.

The oldest of his father's family, Elias F. Chapman was born in Kosciusko county, Ind., February 1, 1842, the following year becoming a resident of Iowa, where he grew to manhood. Interspersed with his home duties was an at- tendance of the public schools at Carlisle. When of sufficient age he was apprenticed to learn the wagon and carriage maker's trade and contin- ued so employed for two years. He also worked with his father in the sawmill business, even in his youth giving evidence of his ability along these lines, being then entrusted with the man- agement of the hardwood lumber. At the breaking out of the Civil war he put beyond him his dreams of future success in his business and became a volunteer in Company B, Tenth Iowa Regiment, being mustered in at Iowa City, August 23, 1861. A half-brother, Ephraim Fisher, was also a member of that regiment, and was physically disabled during the war, now making his home in Iowa. Mr. Chapman was sent with his company to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where his first misfortune came in the shape of an attack of measles while in camp. The com- mand wintered at Bird's Point, after which they saw much service, being in the battles of New Madrid, Corinth, during which engagement the

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concussion of the discharge of a gun in the hands of a comrade burst his right ear drum; luka, the second battle of Corinth, Holly Springs, Mission Ridge, Champion Hill and Black River. After the winter spent at Mem- phis Mr. Chapman experienced the horrors of the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted forty-seven days, and after which, about July Io, he was a member of a band of eighty men who were guarding a train of wagons after surrender, when Gen. Joseph Johnston, with a cavalry brigade, swept down upon them and took them prisoners. They were at once started on the trip to Rich- mond, but Sherman having possession of the railroads they were paroled. Mr. Chapman was sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and six weeks later he was exchanged and sent back to active service. He veteranized at Huntsville, Ala., and took part in the battles at Decatur, Ala., and was then paroled and sent home on a thirty-day furlough, after which he returned to Kingston and participated in the Atlantic cam- paign, marching with Sherman to the sea, and engaging in the battles of Dallas, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Snake Creek, Ala., Jonesboro, and Savannah. After entering Savannah he continued north through the Carolinas with the advancing columns, passing through Columbia, S. C., where they had an engagement, then to Bentonville, etc., on the memorable journey. He was in the Grand Review at Washington and carried away with him the memory of the grati- tude and admiration of those who witnessed the magnificent spectacle and realized the mighty work accomplished by those grand columns of men.

After being mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., August 15, 1865, Mr. Chapman returned to Car- lisle, Iowa, and engaged as a hardware merchant of that city, and also conducted a wagon and carriage works. This was successfully contin- med until 1876, when he removed to Healdsburg, Cal., and engaged in the same employment. July 24, 1877, he came to Eugene. Opening a wagon and carriage works there, he remained so em- ployed for four years, but on account of failing health, disposed of his business interests and removed to San Jose, Cal. There he engaged in the planing-mill business and operated it suc- cessfully for two and a half years, when he returned to Eugene and took up a homestead thirteen miles east of the town, where he built a mill with a capacity of eight thousand feet per day, the motive power being steam. He also improved his farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, and continued to reside there fifteen years, when he located in Eugene, where he has since made his home. In 1902 he built a new planing-mill in Eugene, located on Willamette street which was opened for business April I,

of the same year, with his son Ellis K. as a partner. They have now a large and lucrative business, turning out all kinds of planing-mill work.

The marriage of Mr. Chapman occurred in Carlisle, Iowa, and united him with Miss Sarah Griffin, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Ind. They have one son, Ellis K., who is now in partnership with his father. In fraternal rela- tions Mr. Chapman is prominent, having been made a Mason in Hartford, Iowa. He became a charter member of the lodge at Carlisle, Ore., and is now a member of Eugene, Lodge No. II, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of Eugene chapter No. 10, R. A. M. He was made an Odd Fellow in Carlisle and acted as noble grand, and is now identified with the lodge at Eugene. As a member of J. W. Geary Post No. 7, G. A. R., he was commander for three terms, in two of which the post gained one hundred and one members, making it the largest post in the state. He also acted as senior aid and chief of staff under Commander Gates. He also holds the position of assistant inspector on the staff of the national commander. In politics he is a stanch and loyal Republican and has always been true to the principles advocated by that party. A work which has made Mr. Chapman's name one to be remembered is his organization of the Iowa Veteran Association in Oregon for the purpose of procuring evidence for soldiers' pensions, and the bringing together the old Iowa soldiers in Oregon. Since the organization he has served as secretary for three years.

HON. GABRIEL RUSSELL CHRISMAN the chief executive of the city of Eugene, repre- sents the broadest and best citizenship of Ore- gon. Inheriting sterling traits of character, and having the advantage in his youth of a superior home training, he has steadily forged to the front, overcoming obstacles, and supporting, on his way, the institutions which are the glory of the northwest. No name in Lane county carries with it greater weight, or is any nearer to the foundation upon which the municipal super- structure has been reared.

A native of Andrew county, Mo., Mr. Chris- man was born December 2, 1848, and is one of the eight children born to Hon. Campbell E. and Phoebe (Flannery) Chrisman, natives of Vir- ginia. The older Chrisman moved from Vir- ginia to Missouri about the year 1840, and in the latter state successfully conducted a large farm, becoming one of the prosperous and prom- inent men of his section. Desiring other sur- roundings in which to pass the remainder of his life, and being ambitious to increase his fortune, he disposed of his property in Missouri in 1851

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and started across the plains with his wife and seven children. His equipment was beyond the ordinary, and precluded the possibility of want or deprivation during the long journey, which was accomplished in comparative comfort. He had several teams of oxen and a band of loose cattle, the latter serving as the foundation for his great success in the northwest. Crossing the Cascade mountains by the Barlow 'route, the party arrived in Lane county in October, and spent the first winter near Coburg. As an ex- periment, Mr. Chrisman bought property near Cañonville in the spring of 1852, but this invest- ment proving unsatisfactory, and the death of his wife occurring there, he moved the following year to what is now Walker Station, and on the coast fork of the Willamette river took up a donation claim of a section of land. This proved to be the nucleus of large landed pos- sessions, for he demonstrated marked sagacity in business affairs. From time to time he pur- chased valuable properties, and at the height of his prosperity owned several farms. Hundreds of head of stock roamed over his meadows, and large quantities of grain were harvested an- nually. With the proceeds of his enterprise he started a private money loaning business, and finally retired to Cottage Grove, purchased a home in the pleasant part of the town, and spent the remainder of his life there in comfort. He died there June 21, 1885, at the age of seventy- five years. He was a man possessed of a large capacity for well-doing and strong traits of character. As a Republican he took an active interest in local and state undertakings, and served one term in the Oregon state senate, during two regular and one special session. During the Civil war his sympathies were strongly on the side of the Union; and he is said to have been the first man to put up a flag in Lane county after the war. He was of a sociable and genial nature, and found relaxation and pleasure in the Masonic lodge.

As soon as he was old enough, Gabriel R. Chrisman walked from his father's farm to the school on the south fork of the Willamette. His educational opportunities were bounded by his teacher's limitations. Realizing these, as the years passed, he applied himself to every pass- ing opportunity, learning from observation, books and contact with mankind. In time he became manager of the home farm, and at twenty-six years of age started out on his own responsibility, purchasing land in Lake county and engaging in stock-raising on a large scale. His brand-the letter C in a diamond, on the left flank-was one of the best known in that section of the country. Upon disposing of his farm and brand in 1883, he possessed over one thousand head of cattle.

Upon settling in Cottage Grove in 1883 Mr. Chrisman invested in town property, but the following year removed to his present home in Eugene. He is the possessor of one of the truly delightful homes of the city, located on the cor- ner of Tenth and Charnelton streets, and sur- rounded by beautifully laid-out grounds. He still retains an interest in farming and stock-raising, having a farm of two hundred and thirty acres located three and a half miles from Junc- tion City, and another farm of six hundred and forty acres near by.

Since early manhood Mr. Chrisman has espoused the cause of Republicanism, but for many years his political obligations began and ended with the casting of his ballot. He was elected mayor of Eugene in April, 1901, and so well did he conserve the best interests of his fellow-townsmen that he was again elected without opposition, in 1903. He has been dele- gate to many state and county conventions, and was at one time chairman of the Lane county Republican Central Committee. In 1886 he became one of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Eugene, and is at present a director and stock-holder. He was also one of the chief promoters of the Eugene Water Com- pany, serving first as superintendent and after- ward as president of the company. Fraternally - he is associated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World, and he is a charter member of the Eugene Com- mercial Club. In Cottage Grove, Ore., August 31, 1884, he was united in marriage with Mary B. Markley, who was born near Salem, Ore., a daughter of David Markley, a native of Vir- ginia. The latter was one of the early settlers of California, having come to that state with his parents when he was a boy. At a later period he moved to Oregon, and at the present time makes his home at Cottage Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman have one son, Chester Russell. Mr. Chrisman has ever evinced a deep and prac- tical interest in the welfare of the city of Eugene, and is recognized as one of her most progress- ive and public-spirited citizens.

BYRON A. WASHBURNE. The milling industry of Springfield, Lane county, is repre- sented by Byron A. Washburne, a native son of Oregon, having been born near Junction City, this county, March 2, 1865. He is the seventh child in a family of six sons and five daughters born to his father, C. W. Washburne, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, and his education was received in the common schools of his native state, being more or less limited by the many obstacles which were of a necessity a part of the early life in Oregon. His father

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being a mill-owner, Byron A. was trained to this life, and at the age of eighteen years he assumed charge of his father's mill at Rickre- all, Polk county, where lie continued with success for six years. In 1889 he returned to Junction City and remained for one year, after which he located in Springfield, since making this his home.

The mill which Mr. Washburne here pur- chased was immediately overhauled and is to- day a modern and up-to-date enterprise, and with water power the mill has a capacity of a hundred barrels per day. The flour, which he disposes of in local markets and ships to various local- ities, is known by the name of "Snow Ball," and the quality equals the purity of color which has won it this brand. Mr. Washburne also owns considerable property in different counties of the state, fifteen hundred acres altogether, in Lane, Gilliam, Lake and Klamath counties, a part of which is farming land, now rented, and the balance is timber. He has also bought a comfortable residence here, a two-story cottage, wherein he now makes his home.

Mr. Washburne was married in Rickreall, Polk county, to Mary Amanda Clark, who was born in Polk county, the daughter of W. E. Clark, a native of Missouri, who crossed the plains when a young man and became a pioneer of Polk county. For several years he was the only Republican in that county, and he was very active and prominent in political affairs. The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Washburne are: Helen, aged fourteen, and Claude, aged ten years. In fraternal orders Mr. Washburne is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Woodmen of the World; Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs, and was a delegate to the Grand Lodge in 1903; Ancient Free and Accept- ed Masons; and Native Sons of Oregon. Po- litically he is a Republican, and has always been active in the advancement of the principles endorsed by that party, serving here as a mem- ber of the city council. As vice president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, at Junction City, he is still connected with the financial interests of that city, wherein he made his home for some time.

JAMES A. EBBERT. For forty years James A. Ebbert has been taking the steps forward that have numbered him among the successful men of Lane county. Like many others he came empty- handed to the state of Oregon and is now a large land-owner in Whitman county, Wash., and upon his farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Lane county, Ore., he has been engaged since 1859 in hog-raising, the profits of which have

been greatly increased by his preparation of cured meat, in which form the public is offered his products ..

Mr. Ebbert was born near Uniontown, Pa., March 25, 1831, and lived there on a farm until twenty years of age, when he went to Van Buren county, Iowa, and spent the time intervening between that and his trip to the west. In the spring of 1852 he came across the plains with four yoke of oxen, and after eighty-four days reached his destination and became a resident of Oregon. In the fall of the same year he went to the Rogue River mines for a short period, and in November he located in Portland, remaining until August, 1853. He then came to Lane county and took up a donation claim of a hundred and sixty acres near Springfield, and after a five-years' residence there he sold the farm for $1,000, and in 1859 bought his present property, which is located three and a half miles northeast of the same city. Since that time he has been exten- sively engaged in the raising of hogs, devoting his energies entirely to this work, and meeting with substantial returns for the intelligent effort put forth. In 1880 he began investing his money in land in Whitman county, Wash., and now owns several thousand acres in that county and one ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in Latah county, Idaho.

On December 15, 1853, Mr. Ebbert was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Brattian, who died July 29, 1902, leaving no family. In his political relations Mr. Ebbert is a life-long Re- publican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 at the first presidential election in Oregon, and has voted for every Republican candidate for president since that time.

ALBERT RUEGGER. The name of Albert Ruegger is associated with one of the finest and largest stock farms in Lane county, although he himself passed to the great majority in 1901, leaving behind him the legacy of a good name and honorable life. An American by adoption and preference, he was born in Switzerland, Au- gust 10, 1842, and to the last recalled with evident yearning and tenderness the days of his youth among the mountains of his picturesque native land. The farm upon which he grew to manhood must have furnished marked contrast in his mind with the one upon which he conducted his latter- day enterprise, for, shut in by snow-clad moun- tains, there were no far reaches for the eye to scan, and but small patches for the cattle to graze on.

While still in Switzerland Mr. Ruegger mar- ried Rosina Ammann, who was born in Switzer- land. August 28, 1848. The young people con- tinued to live in the same canton, and during the

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Franco-Prussian war of 1870 Mr. Ruegger es- poused the cause of his sister country on the north, and fought in the German army against France, serving until the battle of Sedan, which resulted in the overthrow of the third Napoleon. The next year he came to the United States with his family, living for a time in Nebraska, and then in Kansas, moving from there to Mis- souri. In 1875 he journeyed further west to Vancouver, Wash., and two years later came to Lane county, Ore., where the balance of his life was spent. In partnership with his nephew, John Ziniker, he bought a farm of seventeen hun- dred and fifty acres, and Edward Ziniker bought fifty acres of this in 1898. For a resi- dence he built a large frame dwelling, and added barns, out-houses and general improvements, carrying on dairying, cheese-making, general farming and stock-raising. His farm became known as one of the best appointed ones in the county, and the stock which found its way to the markets from his farm was representative of the best that could be raised in Oregon. He took a keen interest in Republican politics, but being a quiet and unostentatious man, never desired or would accept office.

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Ruegger has continued to live on the home place, which she manages with the assistance of her children, of whom Edward, Rosa, Ida, Hilda, Ernest and Pauline live at home, the oldest daughter, Emma, being the wife of Edward Ziniker. This farm is unquestionably one of the best conducted and im- proved in this county, and the men who have ac- complished its development are deserving of the greatest credit, evincing, as they have, marked intelligence and thrift.

WILLIAM KNOTTS. None to a greater extent enjoys the confidence of his fellow-farm- ers around Corvallis than does William Knotts, representative of a very old family in Oregon, and who was born on the farm a portion of which he now owns, October 27, 1851. His father, William, was born in the east, and there married a Miss Barrett, who bore him one child, a daughter, Justina, now the wife of N. P. Newton, of Philomath. He married, for his second wife, Sylvia Wilsey, with whom he came to Oregon in 1847, crossing the plains with ox-teams, and circumventing every danger known to the early emigrants. The first winter in his adopted state he lived in Wash- ington county, but the following year went to Benton county, where he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres. More fortunate than most of the early settlers, his land was mostly open prairie, and he therefore put in his first crop much more readily than did

his neighbors in the timber. For the accommo- dation of his wife and children he erected a rude log house of one room which served all purposes of living, and had a fair start in the west at the time of his death in 1854, at the age of fifty-five years.

William Knotts was the third of the children in his father's family, and he was three years old when his sire died. Besides himself there was Margaret, who became the wife of Arthur Langell, and died in 1888; Sarah A., the wife of James Robinson, of the vicinity of Wrenn; Thomas, who died in 1866; and May, who died while a child. Because of the father's large property, and the good management which it sustained at the hands of his widow and older sons, the children were able to secure practical educations at the public schools and at Philo- math College. William remained on the main farm until twenty-six years of age, and then came to the portion of the claim which is still his home, and upon which he has made many improvements. It is located three and a half miles north of Corvallis, and has been devoted principally to stock-raising, Red Polled cattle being preferred. General farming also receives attention from the successful owner of this finely improved property, and in all ways he has dem- onstrated a broad-minded and liberal tendency, equipping his property with the latest of modern machinery and conducting his enterprises after the most approved plans. He is the owner of three hundred and seventy-four acres of the old donation claim, and besides has one one-hundred and a one hundred and twenty acre tract in the mountains.

December 23, 1898, Mr. Knotts was united in marriage with Carrie, daughter of Joseph Woods, and of this union there have been born two children, Lizzie and Ethel. To a consider- able extent Mr. Knotts has identified himself with Republican politics in his neighborhood, and his fitness for office was recognized in 1898, when he was elected commissioner of Benton county, serving four years. Mr. Knotts has a fine home, a fine family and an enviable reputa- tion as man and farmer, and as such is a distinct credit to the farming community around Cor- vallis.

THEODORE O. MARTIN. To the men whom the eastern states have given toward the upbuilding of the west can be traced those qual- ities which have impressed themselves upon the various communities, for rather than the man of adventurous disposition it has been he who felt his ability to cope with the difficulties which attend colonization who has given the impetus to the development of resources and added the

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great northwest to the coterie of states. Theo- dore O. Martin, born in Oregon May 31, 1856, upon the donation claim which he now occupies, is the son of such a man, the double claim to Oregon's welfare being his nativity and his in- heritance of the pioneer traits which numbered his father among the useful men of the north- west.

The father, Stephen O. Martin, was born March 6, 1821, in Union county, Ohio, and re- moved to Presque Isle, in Lake Erie, where his father, Charles Martin, had received a land grant from services in the war of 1812, from the results of which service he died, on the island. After the death of the elder man his widow re- moved to Laporte county, Ind., where she reared her family and remained throughout the rest of her life. She had six children, of whom Stephen O. was the second in order of birth. He made his home with his mother until his marriage, December 25, 1842, with Mary Cor- delia Parsons, her birth having occurred in Os- wego county, N. Y., March 10, 1824. The young people continued to live in Laporte county until 1844, when they removed to Lake county, Ind., and remained there until the spring of 1853, when they outfitted and crossed the plains with ox-teams, accomplishing a journey of six months devoid of trouble beyond the experiences incident to life on the plains in those early times. They arrived in Lane county, Ore., where the husband took up a donation claim of three hun- dred and twenty acres located one-half mile north of Creswell and twelve miles south of Eugene. This remained their home until their death, that of the father occurring at the age of seventy-three years, December 1, 1894, and the mother at seventy years of age, March 23, 1894, in their busy and useful life adding to the welfare of the coming state by improving and cultivating the land which had become their home, carrying on general farming and stock- raising, while the husband also made several trips to the mines, which were not devoid of profit. Always active in politics, Mr. Martin occupied the positions of justice of the peace and postmaster, as well as other minor offices which were within the gift of the people in his community, his integrity and high moral char- acter making him a man to be trusted. He was also active in the work of the Christian Church, of which he was a member, while his wife be- longed to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Be- sides Theodore O. Martin, of this review, there are two of the children living: Mrs. Marcia E. Johnson, of Creswell, and John H., who is lo- cated on a part of the home place.

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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 218

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