Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 219

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 219

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The entire life of Theodore O. Martin has been spent in Oregon, where he grew to man- hood among the duties of farm life, and received his education in the district schools. Early

showing an aptitude for business, he opened a drug and grocery store in Creswell with a part- ner by the name of Thomas Belshaw, the firm name being Belshaw & Martin. This was suc- cessfully conducted for four years, at the close of which time he married and went to live on a part of the donation claim of his father, and after the death of his parents located in the old home, now carrying on general farming and stock-raising, being particularly interested in Cotswold sheep.

May 2, 1880, Margaret J. Veatch became Mr. Martin's wife. She was born in Lane county, Ore., October 29, 1859, the daughter of Sylvester E. Veatch, who was born March 27, 1831, in Enfield, White county, Ill. Mr. Veatch is a farmer by occupation. He remained in Illinois until 1853, when he started across the plains with ox-teams and traveling in company with S. B. Knox, a native of Kentucky. The first winter in the west was spent in Linn county. In the spring of 1854 he came to Lane county and took up a claim located on Mosby creek, four miles southeast of Cottage Grove, and mar- ried there Maria Elizabeth Knox, a native of Hancock county, Ill. They remained upon this claim until 1859, when they located near Cloverdale, and lived there about seven years, and then purchased Mr. Veatch's present prop- erty two miles west of Cottage Grove. Besides Mrs. T. O. Martin, who is the second child of the family, there are the following children : Isaac H. Veatch, of Creswell; Robert W., of Eugene ; Lucetta, the wife of J. I. Thomas, of Cottage Grove: Curtis Sylvester, on the home place ; and Dora B., the wife of John Martin, a brother of Theodore O. Martin. The mother died October 28, 1902, at the age of sixty-eight years, while the father still lives and engages in farming and stock-raising. Politically he is a Republican, and an active member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of one child, Maud M., who died at the age of seventeen years. Mr. Martin is a Prohibitionist in politics and holds membership and is an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

PIERSON M. McPHERSON was just a year old when his parents brought him to Port- land, and thirteen years old when he came to Lane county. In the meantime he has attained to prominence as an agriculturist and promoter of the well-being of his neighborhood, living a life devoted to his farm, his family and his many friends. In Moniteau county, Mo., where he was born, September 14, 1851, his parents, J. C. and Mary E. (Scott) McPherson, were well- known farmers, who, notwithstanding that they owned a large and paying farm, were on the

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lookout for a chance to improve their prospects. During the winter of 1851-2 they made prepar- ation to cross the plains in the early spring. They started out in April with two wagons, four yoke of oxen and three cows, the latter being pressed into service after leaving Fort Hall. Upon arriving in the Willamette valley they had three cows and four steers, the animals having fared well during the long and tiresome journey.

The McPherson family lived first on a three- hundred-and-twenty-acre claim near Silverton, Marion county, Ore., and in 1864 removed to near Springfield, Lane county, where the father bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, living thereon until his death, in 1886, at the age of sixty-five years. The wife, who survived him until 1902, dying at the age of seventy- one years, was the mother of thirteen children, eight of whom attained maturity. Both parents were members of the Christian Church, and Mr. McPherson contributed many hundreds of dollars towards its support. He served in the Yakima Indian war, and at all times during his life in the west promoted the cause of education and morality.

The youth of P. M. McPherson, the third child in his father's large family, was spent on the Lane county farm. July 4, 1871, he mar- ried Mary Spencer, thereafter living for a year on the James A. Ebbetts place. He then pur- chased ninety acres of his present farm, to which he has since added, and now owns two hundred and twenty acres, all in the valley, just outside of Springfield. In his meadows roam the finest of Jersey cattle, other stock also bringing in a substantial yearly income. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, of whom Chandos is deceased. Those living are : Seth, Walter, Vennie, Dorena, Lula, Adell and Wade. Mr. McPherson cast his first presidential vote for a Democratic president and has never had occasion to change his mind regarding party affiliations. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, and in religion he finds a home in the Christian Church. He is a thrifty and practical farmer, entering with zest into his chosen occupation, and getting the best possible results from his fertile and con- veniently located farm.

ENOCH P. COLEMAN. That stock-rais- ing is both a congenial and paying occupation to Enoch P. Coleman is not doubted by any who are privileged to know this genial and highly honored pioneer, whose personality, family and splendidly appointed farm appeal to the trust, confidence and admiration of the community in which he makes his home. Opportunity has never been allowed to slip by Mr. Coleman with-

out his taking a many-sided view of it, and decid- ing then and there whether it would pay him to embrace it. He has made some money in min- ing, more in the mercantile and freighting bus- iness, and still more in raising high-grade Dur- ham and Hereford cattle. At the present time he owns three thousand acres of land four miles north of Coburg, all of which is adapted to stock, being abundantly watered by snows from the mountains and by natural springs.

Nathan G. and Mary (Henry) Coleman were born in Pennsylvania, married there, and re- moved to Coles county, III., in 1841. Their son, Enoch P., was born on their farm near Inde- pendence, March 31, 1842, and was therefore eleven years old when the family removal to the coast took place, in the spring of 1853. The father outfitted with four wagons, requiring twenty yoke of oxen, also a spring-wagon with two yoke, the latter of which was driven all the way across the plains by Enoch P. Coleman. The family possessions also included sixty head of cattle, some of which were thoroughbred Durhams, and which arrived at the end of the journey in much better condition than was ex- pected of them. The father purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on the old Territorial road, sixteen miles southeast of En- gene, and there engaged in farming, grain and stock-raising. So extensive were his operations that more land was eventually required, and at the time of his death, at the age of seventy-eight years, he was the owner of nearly a thousand acres. His wife, who was born in 1800, died in 1894, and, notwithstanding her extreme age, enjoyed the best of health until a short time be- fore she died.

Enoch P. Coleman left the farm at the age of eighteen and became a clerk in a general mer- chandise store for a couple of years. In 1862 he started up the Columbia river with pack ani- mals to the Caribou mining district, and with four others engaged in packing goods to the mines, a distance of sixty miles. That this was a paying venture is easily surmised, for he re- ceived thirty cents a pound for packing, and during a week's time packed many hundreds of pounds. Living was high during those times, and the cooks for the miners must have exercised their wits to economize. Flour brought as high as $1.50 a pound, beans being sold at the same exorbitant rate. This dreary region was aban- doned by Mr. Coleman in 1862, his return being accomplished by way of the Frazer river, and from there by skiffs, in company with James McClaren. From Portland to Eugene was by stage route, and Mr. Coleman spent the winter in the latter town.

In the spring of 1863 Mr. Coleman went to The Dalles and worked for his brother and

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brother-in-law in their shop, and in the fall of 1864 returned to Eugene. In December of the same year he was united in marriage with Mary Walton, sister of Judge J. J. Walton, with whom he afterward engaged in a mercantile business for a couple of years. Disposing of his store interests, he engaged in stock-raising near Har- risburg, Linn county, for about ten years, and then came to his present farm, one of the finest and most valuable in Lane county. Five chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Coleman, of whom Frank is deceased; Nellie, born Feb- ruary 8, 1868, and died in 1899, was the wife of Sylvey Stewart, of Portland; Clara is the wife of j. R. Coleman, Jr .; George is engaged in business with his father; and Henry is living on the home ranch. In 1902 Mr. Coleman added to his responsibilities by purchasing a meat market in Coburg, in which his son is interested, and which promises to be a fruitful source of income. He spends his time looking after his market and farm, and is still a very busy and prominent factor in the community. Politically he is a stanch adherent of Democracy, and among other honors conferred upon him by his con- stituents may be mentioned that of state senator during 1882 to 1886, and that of member of the house during 1888. At the age of twenty-two, while living at Eugene, he identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has since acknowledged allegiance to this order.

Mr. Coleman possesses in marked degree the force, good judgment and public spirit of the typical northwestern promoter, and as such is honored and esteemed by a large following of friends and associates.

REV. WILLIAM ROBINSON. A pioneer of many years ago, and one who has long since passed away, was the Rev. William Robinson, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, January 20, 1789, the son of a strong and hardy pioneer of that then wilderness territory. When a young man he took up the ministry in the Methodist Church, and in his native state married Susannah Cannon, who was born in Kentucky, May 19, 1793. They lived in Ohio until 1832, when they removed to Indiana and remained there for a period of five years. Upon again changing their location they settled in Platte county, Mo., and made that their home until 1847, when they out- fitted for the long and dangerous journey across the plains, and with the spirit of their ancestors enrolled their names among those who were to assist in western civilization, though both hus- band and wife were then approaching the even- ing of their lives. The journey with ox-teams occupied six months, and they were mercifully

spared any serious trouble with the Indians, en- during with patience and fortitude the hardships and trials incident to their new lives.

Upon reaching Oregon Mr. Robinson took up a donation claim located on Salt creek, Polk county, and this remained their home for the period of two years. In addition to his minis- terial efforts he worked for the advancement of the country in the cultivation of the broad acres which gave homes to so large a number of peo- ple who came empty-handed, but eager to add their strength to the forward march. After two years Mr. Robinson removed to Oregon City, where he remained for a short time, when he re- turned to his claim. Soon afterward he became an inmate of the homes of his children, on ac- count of his advancing age. His death occurred August 1, 1864, and that of his wife September 30, 1870, the two having walked faithfully side by side for many years in the performance of duty. Of the ten children which blessed their union the three now living are Richard C., who is located in Pilot Rock, Umatilla county, Ore .; Surrenea J., widow of William J. J. Scott, whose sketch is found on another page of this work; and Matilda Haas, of Arizona.

HOLLAND McCOLLUM. Born on a farm bordering on Spencer creek, ten miles southwest of Eugene, April 15, 1852, Holland McCollum was educated in a little near-by school-house, and has never wandered far or for any length of time from the old donation claim which has since come into his personal possession. He now owns two hundred acres of the old place, and besides owns the thirty-two acres four miles west of Eugene, upon which he has made his home since 1898.

Of Scotch descent, Samuel McCollum, the father of Holland, was born in Kentucky, and followed farming and stock-raising during his entire active life. In his native state he married Zilpha Callahan, also a native of the Bourbon state, and who died on the old donation claim in 1897, at the age of eighty-four years. The parents lived in Kentucky until 1850, and then crossed the plains to Oregon with ox-teams, in a train composed of fifty wagons. Captain Bailey had charge of the home and fortune- seekers, and little of incident out of the ordinary marred a pleasant and speedy journey. Mr. McCollum took up six hundred and forty acres of the claim above mentioned, and here inaug- urated farming and stock-raising on a large scale, achieving success from year to year, and laying by a competence for those dependent on his care. His death occurred in 1888, at the age of seventy-eight years, and he left behind him a record of good deeds and more than aver-

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age financial success. Four sons and one daugh- ter were born into the family, Holland being the third of the children.

After the death of his father, Holland Mc- Collum became possessor of the old place, al- though he had long been independent, begin- ning to collect wages for his work from the time he was twenty-one years old. He married at The Dalles, in 1880, Mathilda Malle, who was born in France, and who is the mother of five chil- dren, Mary, William, Henry, John and Charles. The friend of education, Mr. McCollum has given his children every advantage within his power, and has so trained them in their every-day life, that morally, physically and mentally, they are a credit to their family and themselves. As a general farmer Mr. McCollum is practical and scientific, bringing to his aid modern innova- tions and advanced thought, and at all times feeling a genuine pride in the dignity and utility of his calling. He is a Democrat in political affiliation, and has been a school director for many years.

FREDERICK WILLIAM A. CRAIN. Iden- tified with a successful jewelry business at Junc- tion City since 1890, Frederick William A. Crain has many other claims upon the consideration of his fellow-townsmen, representing as he does the highest mental culture, the broadest humanity, and the most unswerving devotion to truth and justice. Born in Tompkins county, N. Y., No- vember 5, 1827, he was reared on a farm which abounded in memories of his patriot grandfather, Elijah, who was born in the seat of conservatism in Connecticut, and removed at a very early day to Tompkins county. This ancestor was a man of remarkably strong and active constitution, and notwithstanding the fact that he lived for seven years on tented field and within sound of the cannon's roar in the Revolutionary war, at- taining to the rank of corporal, he lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years. His son, Alvin, the father of Frederick William, was born in Tompkins county, and in his youth worked in a clock factory, later taking up his residence in Eric county, Pa., where he was variously engaged, principally as a shoe manufacturer. About 1841 he removed to Wisconsin, making his home in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1857, and there engaging in contracting and building, work for which he possessed special aptitude. He also aided his son in the management of a store, and in time removed to Brownsville, Minn., whence he came to Eugene, Ore., in 1878. He lived to be sev- enty-six years old. Interesting also is the ma- ternal ancestry of the popular Junction City mer- chant, his mother, Tamson Seaton, being a granddaughter of that Lord Seaton whose an-

cestral halls and proud lineage were once the pride of Scotland. William Seaton, the father of Mrs. Crain, was banished from his native Scotland because of his participation in its de- fense, and his property confiscated by the state. Seeking an asylum in more tolerant America, he retrieved his fortunes in Tompkins county, N. Y., and died a comparatively wealthy man.

The oldest of the four sons and three daughters born to his parents, Frederick W. A. Crain was educated primarily in the public schools of Penn- sylvania and Wisconsin, and at the age of seven- teen contracted an illness which incapacitated him for about three years. Recovering he appren- ticed to a jeweler at Baraboo, Wis., in 1848, and later, when his preceptor removed to Illinois, he accompanied him and finished his trade. Re- turning to Baraboo, he engaged in a jewelry business until 1855, and then changed his field of activity to Minneapolis, Minn., whence he re- moved to Brownsville, Minn., in 1862. In 1873 Mr. Crain came to Eugene and opened a jewelry store, continuing the same until removing to his present business and residence in Junction City. He has a complete and modern store, and the stock includes such commodities as would nat- urally be required in a cosmopolitan and thriving community. He has invested in real estate to the extent of owning his store, the adjoining property, and his residence property, and his at- titude towards the town of his adoption is that of a citizen who appreciates her possibilities, and rejoices at her prosperity and good fortune.

In Baraboo, Wis., Mr. Crain married Mary Melissa Lowell, who was born in Ohio, Sep- tember 23, 1839, and whose father, William, came early to the Buckeye state from his native state of New York. Mr. Lowell removed to Parma, Jackson county, Mich., about 1847, and there worked at the carpenter's trade, combining the same with farming for many years, his death occurring at his home near Eaton Rapids at the age of eighty-two years. Not having any chil- dren of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Crain have an adopted daughter, Annie, who makes her home with them, having been educated in the Uni- versity of Oregon and the Northwestern Uni- versity, Evanston, Ill. Five years she devoted to teaching in Seattle, Wash. Mr. Crain ha's found a large field of usefulness in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for over thirty years has been a local preacher, his genial and rational optimism and implicit faith in goodness and char- ity, endearing him to hundreds who have been privileged to hear his voice. As a journalist he has contributed to local and other periodicals, and his poetic productions have won him sincere admiration and approbation. One production, with its eloquent plea for freedom and kindness to birds, won a prize for nicety of diction, no-

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bility of sentiment, and correctness of construc- tion, and another, "God Bless our Oregon," is appended herewith. Mr. Crain has been a stanch Republican for many years, and although in no sense a politician, has served as treasurer of Eugene for six years. His name is engraved on the cornerstone of the University of Oregon, among those of other promoters of this now famous institution of learning, and is also placed in the cornerstone of the Villard section of the university. Far more than the average man, Mr. Crain has touched the rim of higher success in this world, has studied continuously, and filled the storehouse of his mind with treasure from a variety of sources. No one in the community bears a more honored name, nor does any more emphatically typify the high-minded, conserva- tive, and thoroughly reliable business man.

GOD BLESS OUR OREGON.

Oh for that spirit progressive, that brought our fathers o'er

The lofty mountain heights, where everlasting torrents pour,

To our lovely Oregon, lying nestled 'mongst the hills, With her verdure-coated valleys and laughing little rills.

Where majestic rivers roll over beds of golden sand, And plunging forward, rush to meet the mighty ocean grand.

With its laden fleets of commerce, come from every clime,

To barter for the wealth we take from forest and from mine.

For Nature, with a lavish hand, here spreads its kingly store

With valleys rich in primal wealth, and hills of golden ore.

These valleys of our Oregon are rich beyond compare, And wait to greet the toiler with more than lion's share.

While here our lordly mountains rear their crested heads on high,

And Nature lifts herself to kiss the star-emblazoned sky ;

Where every hillside stands begirt with stalwart timber's wealth,

And all our coasts are blessed with wondrous cheer of wealth.

Oh for a race progressive, that we may build us here, An empire grand from all the wealth, each freeman's heart to cheer !

God grant it be the very best on all this globe of ours, With busy cities growing, and homes all bright with flowers.

An empire where truc manliness may guard each lovely home,

And where the foul destroyer may never, never come; And where in other lands is found the beer-house and saloon,

May the church-house point its spire to Heaven-man's greatest boon.

And may the blighting curse of rum be banished from this land ;

And in its place the school-house and the college ever stand.

A goodly empire then we'll have, and our sons and daughters

Shall glean its golden wealth beside these crystal waters. And no drones here may then be found, a curse upon the soil,

Nor may we hear upon the street the oath or drunken broil.

But grant the Orient come forth the Occident to greet, With branch of palm within each hand, this triumph to complete.

ISAAC WILLIAM BOND. Prosperous, and on good terms with himself and the world at large, Isaac W. Bond is living a somewhat retired life on his farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres northwest of Eugene. His has been a busy existence, crowned with suc- cess because of his industry and good manage- ment, and because of strict adherence to the principles of honesty and consideration for all with whom he has had to do. Born in Shenan- doah county, Virginia, December 19, 1827, he is a son of Joseph and Mary (Eeshelman) Bond, natives of Virginia, and the former of English extraction. The parents were married in the old Dominion, and there six sons and five daugh- ters were born to them, Isaac W. being the fourth child. When he was nine years old, in 1836, the family undertook the long journey overland to Indiana, settling in Knox county, where the father died December 31, 1838, at the age of forty-eight years. After his death the family continued together for many years, or until Isaac W. and Allen Bond made arrange- ments to come to Oregon, in 1853.

Thousands of men now enjoying the ad- vantages of Oregon date their start in life from the time when they buckled on their courage and started forth on the plains between them and the Pacific ocean. Thus it was with Isaac and Allen Bond, who joined a party under Vin- cent McClure, consisting of five wagons, they themselves having three yoke of oxen and three yoke of cows. Making the start, March 21, 1853, they crossed the Wabash river and pro- ceeded with few discomforts until locating near the present farm of Mr. Bond, November 1, 1853. The latter was the happy possessor of one cow and one yoke of oxen at the end of his journey, and these served as a nucleus, around which he built up his present large farming in- dustry. Mr. McClure. his brother, and Allen and Isaac Bond camped around the section cor- ner, and afterward held these farms for them- selves, being well content with the richness of the land, and desirability of the location. Mr. Bond from the wild land improved his farm into

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the present fine property, built a modern home to supplant the one hastily constructed, and put up modern barns, outhouses and fences. His land has yielded well of general farm produce, and at all times he has had fine cattle on his place, deriving a considerable yearly income from their sale.

So absorbed has he been in his home and church life that Mr. Bond has never taken an active interest in political undertakings, al- though as the friend of education he has served on the school board for twenty years, and as the friend of good roads has been a member of the board of supervisors for three terms. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Hettie Mc- Clure, daughter of the captain of the train in which Mr. Bond came to the west, and who was born in Knox county, Ind., August 19, 1835. Mrs. Bond proved an earnest and sympathetic helpmate, and in the early days of struggle and adversity in the new country stimulated the flagging and ofttimes discouraged hearts of those by whom she was surrounded. Notwithstanding the hard work which she accomplished she reared ten children to be useful men and women, impressing all with the necessity of thrift, economy, industry and integrity. At the time of her death, April 14, 1901, she left the follow- ing children to mourn her loss: V. S .; Louise, the wife of Rufus Robinson, of Walton, Lane county ; Allen, living on a farm three miles from the home place; Emma, the wife of Will- iam Wheeler, of Pleasant Hill; Eliza Catherine. the wife of Halvor Wheeler, of Pleasant Hill; and Amanda, living at home; Robert B., living near his father. Joseph W., William L., Mary A., who was the wife of C. H. Withrow, are all deceased. Mr. Bond has always taken an active part in the Christian Church and was a deacon for many years.

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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 219

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