Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 220

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 220

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PETER JACKSON COX. The owner of a model little farm of thirty acres located two and a half miles west of Silverton, Marion county, is P. J. Cox, a native of this state, having been born on Howell Prairie, December 27, 1846, the son of Gideon S. Cox. The father was born in Indiana in 1804, the son of a farmer, and he grew up into this life, remaining on his father's farm until his marriage with Miss Su- sanna Coffenberry. The young people made their home in Missouri previous to settling in Oregon. They came across the plains hy ox- teams in 1846, taking the ustal time of six months for the trip, and experiencing no serious trouble with the Indians while on the way. Set- tling in Marion county Mr. Cox took up a dona- tion claim in Howell Prairie, trading it, how- ever, in a short time for that upon which P. J. Cox now lives, his first possessions passing into

the hands of Al Jerman. Most of the land was prairie, upon which he carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising, and with the thrifty habits of the middle west began at once to put improve- ments of all kinds upon his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Cox reared quite a large family, being named in order of birth, as follows: Marsilia, wife of Wilburn King, both deceased; John T., of Salem: Jane, wife of Samuel Penter, of Mac- leay : Jacob, deceased; Mary, deceased, wife of Stephen Jones ; Joseph, deceased ; Diana, wife of Wright Foshay ; Permillia, wife of Peter Bowen ; Elizabeth, wife of Joshna Bowen; Tabitha, de- ceased; Julia Ann, widow of the late James Jer- man, of this vicinity; George W .; Polk, de- ceased; P. J., of this review; Margeline, de- ceased, wife of Robert Welch, of Clackamas, Ore .; and William B., of Marshfield, Ore. The father took quite an active interest in all educa- tional and church movements, and the general esteem in which he was held caused his death to be generally regretted in the community. He died at the age of eighty-four, his wife living to be only sixty-five.

P. J. Cox received his education in the district school near his home, remaining with his parents until his marriage with Miss Christie Hadley, a native of Canada, daughter of Isaac and Chris- tiana (Harvey) Hadley, and who came to Ore- gon in 1875. The young people went to house- keeping on the place where they now live. With the passing of the years that brought the acci1- mulation of the fruits of his industry and man- agement Mr. Cox has improved the appearance of his home, putting up a modern house, and neat, attractive buildings for the protection of his stock and implements. His principal crop is hops, twenty acres of his farm being devoted to this cultivation. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox, all of whom are living: Lettie, of Salem; Nellie, wife of Harlan O. White, of Salem; Roy, and Ora, still at home with their parents. Politically Mr. Cox is a Republican and has served as school director for several years. Like his father he interests him- self in all church movements, being a member of the Christian Church, in which he officiates as elder.

OLNEY FRY. At the age of seventy- seven Olney Fry may view with satisfaction his well planned and well adjusted life, about two- thirds of which has been spent in the northwest, and in the pursuit of a competence for which he has worked hard and unceasingly. This honored pioneer was born in Cortland county. N. Y., December 10, 1825, and at the age of eleven moved with his parents to Knox county, Ill. In the then unsettled middle west he gained strength of body and mind while helping to

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develop a fertile farm, in the meantime irregu- larly attending the winter term of school held in a little log house in the neighborhood.

The father of Olney Fry was born in Rhode Island, as was also his wife, Salina (Bennett) Fry, and the young couple moved to New York at a very early day, settling on a farm in Cortland county. The Illinois farm was disposed of in 1849, and in the spring the whole family started across the plains with ox-teams, after many months of preparation for the momentous under- taking. They had three wagons and many ox- teams, besides loose cattle to furnish meat on the way and start life with in the far west. Upon arriving in Oregon the father bought a saw and grist mill near Howell Prairie, which, however, he sold in July, 1850, and took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres in Linn county. In the course of time he gave up farming and retired to Albany, where his death occurred in 1894, at the age of ninety-two years. Four of his sons fought bravely in the Indian war of 1855-56.

When his father sold his grist mill in 1850. Olney Fry went to Salem and began working at the carpenter's trade, having completed which he moved to his father's farm in Linn county and built himself a fine house. That this work is well done is attested by the fact that it is still standing, one of the oldest landmarks in that section. Noticing the dearth of good cattle among the settlers, Mr. Fry returned to the east by way of Panama in the fall of 1852, and after buying up one hundred and fifty head of young cattle started with them across the plains, accompanied by John Davenport. They had many adventures before reaching the end of their journey, but the cattle were in fairly good condi- tion, and few had fallen by the wayside. Again in Oregon, Mr. Fry bought his present farm and started to raise stock, an occupation which he has found both remunerative and congenial. In 1854 he married Mary Foster, and this union has proved a particularly harmonious one. For the greater part of the time since his marriage Mr. Fry has lived on his farm, although he has taken occasional trips to towns in the state, leaving his home in capable hands. He is a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church, and fra- ternally is connected with the Grange.

JOSEPH .WILLIAM MORGAN, who is actively identified with the agricultural prosperity of Linn county, is pleasantly located about four miles from Shedds, where he has a choice farm, well improved, with a good house, barns and outbuildings, and everything pertaining to a first-class estate. As an energetic, successful business man, and the descendant of an honored

pioneer of this part of the state, he is especially worthy of representation in this biographical work. He is among the older of the native-born citizens of the place, and now occupies the home- stead where his birth occurred, August 26, 1851.

His father, Miller Morgan, was born and brought up in Ohio, and in Burlington, Iowa, married Elizabeth Helmick, a native of Germany. In the spring of 1847 he started across the plains with one wagon, and three yoke of oxen. Reaching Oregon in the fall, he spent the winter with General McCarver then settled in Polk county, where he resided for one year. In 1849, with ox-teams, he proceeded to California, where he was employed in hauling freight from Sacra- mento to the mining districts for a few months. As cold weather came on, he traded his oxen for five mares, returned to Linn county, Ore., and spent that winter on Oak creek, near Albany. In the spring of 1850 he traded one of his horses for a squatter's right to six hundred and forty acres of land at Peterson's butte, (now known as the Gardiner farm) and in the fall of that year traded the land back to the original owner for two Indian ponies and took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres known as the Saddle Butte ranch, five hundred and fifty acres of it being valley land. On his land, which was six miles northwest of Brownsville, fourteen miles southeast of Albany, and four miles east of Shedds, he erected a log cabin in February, 1851, and at once began the improvement of a homestead. A man of indomitable resolution and perseverance, he met with good success in his untiring efforts, clearing an excellent farm whereon he resided until 1898. Removing then to Albany, he lived retired until his death, in March, 1901, aged seventy-five years. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, namely: James, residing in Lebanon, Ore .; Thomas Franklin and Orange Z., both deceased ; J. W., the special subject of this sketch; Clara C., wife of George B. McClellan Thompson of Shedds; Sarah I., wife of Ezra Randolph, of Oregon City ; and Lawrence O., of Shedds.

Born and reared on the parental homestead, J. W. Morgan acquired a practical education in the district schools, and under his father's training became well versed in the art and science of agriculture. For twenty or more years he lived near Shedds, but in the fall of 1902 assumed possession of the old home farm, where he has since resided. He owns three hundred acres of the paternal farm, being a portion of the donation claim which his father cleared, and is carrying on general farming and stock-raising with excellent results.

In 1876 Mr. Morgan married Ann Stimson, who was born in Iowa, daughter of Lewis and Jane (Wilson) Stimson, who located in Linn

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county in 1852, taking up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres on the Sand Ridge. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have two chil- dren, namely: Lottie E., who was educated at Albany College, and is now teaching school; and Elza F., living at home. Politically Mr. Morgan is a Democrat, and fraternally is a mem- ber of the Twenty-five Hundred Insurance Company of Albany.

C. C. HAZLETON. People who comprise the present community of Cottage Grove little realize their indebtedness to the men who came here in the early days, and by their far-reaching achievements, their well laid and later-developed plans on the fertile farm lands, started into per- manent activity an aggregation of varied inter- ests. Royal H. Hazleton, so well known in pio- neer days, so well remembered by those who lived and labored with him, belonged emphatically to the class mentioned, and none more than he typified the solid and forceful pioneer.

Born in New York in 1818, Mr. Hazleton was reared and educated there and removed to Mis- souri in 1837 with his parents. As a young man he married Martha Runnels, a native of Mis- souri, and with whom he lived peacefully on a farm until the whole country became agitated over rumors of gold on the coast. He had no faith in mining himself, but the exodus to the west suggested large opportunities in the way of general pioneer undertakings, and he joined a train bound for the other side of the Rocky Mountains in the spring of 1849. Arriving in California after a comparatively pleasant six- months journey, he remained for a time there, returned to Missouri and in 1852 outfitted to cross the plains again, this time for Oregon. He lived in Eugene for a year, in the meantime looking for a desirable place upon which to settle permanently. His choice fell upon a sec- tion of land four miles west of Cottage Grove, and he located on what soon became known as Hazleton's creek. The land being fertile, and admirable for situation, the pioneer settler soon had a semblance of activity upon it. A small house was erected, and soon afterward a barn, other needed improvements following in due or- der, and as the out-going produce permitted of additional expenditure. In his youth Mr. Hazle- ton had prepared for the future by learning the wagonmaker's and woodworker's trades, and he found abundant opportunity to use them, not only on his own, but upon the farms of the sur- rounding settlers. In order to utilize the timber which densely covered many acres of his prop- erty, he built a saw-mill. and later a grist-mill, also a wagonshop, in which repairing was con- ducted for several months in the year. Being

the first shops of their kind in the neighborhood, people came from far and near to have their wheat ground and their wagons repaired, a great deal of interest being soon centered around the mills and shop. From small beginnings towns have started on their successful way, and it is not surprising people began to settle near, for Mr. Hazleton realized the profit to be gotten out of land sold in town or small farm lots, and he thus became an earnest promoter of his sec- tion. The village grew apace, and was given the name of Slabtown, which it fortunately soon out- grew, and took on a more dignified character under its new name of Cottage Grove. Not con- tent to have merely started the town, Mr. Hazle- ton grew with it, in time conducted one of the first hotels of the village. In partnership with a man named Ward he built and owned Pass Creek Toll Road, which was among the first toll roads in Lane county, and which has the same upbuilding influence always to be attributed to good roads. These various enterprises netted him a large yearly income, some of which he in- vested in mining properties on the Salmon river. He was a successful man, and the fact that he left permanent reminders of himself in all parts of the county insures him a lasting place in its his- tory and progress. He never took an active in- terest in politics other than casting his vote for the Republican party. He was a devoted mem- ber of his church, and during the course of a year he gave away more than will ever be known in unostentatious charity. His death occurred in 1886 on the home place.

Of the twelve children born into his family, Thomas P. is in business in Waitsburg, Wash .; Francis M. is a business man of Santa Cruz, Cal. ; Harrison H. makes his home in Lake View, Ore .; John H. is in Baker City; J. M. lives in Pomeroy, Wash .; C. C. is a merchant of Cres- well; and A. L. is in Whatcom, Wash.

C. C. Hazleton, one of the younger sons of Roval Hazelton, and who inherits the substantial traits of his sire, was born on the donation claim upon which Cottage Grove sprang into existence, June 12, 1858. His father's apprecia- tion of a trade influenced him to thus fortify himself against future want, and he conducted a harness-shop for a short time in Cottage Grove, and later engaged in business in Oakland with his brother, J. M., giving up the same in order to identify himself with the Wells-Fargo Ex- press Company. His reliable and industrious traits were noted by his employers, who ad- vanced him in pay and responsibility, retaining him in their service for a long period of sixteen years. He was the first messenger between Umatilla and Pendleton, acted as agent at Hast- ings, Neb., San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas, and Albuquerque, N. M., thus enlarging

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his horizon by travel and contact with various people. In March, 1890, Mr. Hazleton returned from the south to Oregon and engaged in the general merchandise business in Creswell, con- tinuing the same with much success up to the present time. He has a store supplied with the necessities in demand in the town, and in addi- tion carries a large line of agricultural imple- ments and shelf hardware. He is genial and cordial in his relations with his patrons, and courtesy and consideration may be regarded as among the keynotes of his character. Like all successful merchants, he is public-spirited in the extreme, and gives his support to all measures instituted for the advancement of the general good.

The Hazleton home is one of the pleasant and hospitable ones in the town and is presided over by Mrs. Hazleton, who was formerly Dora C. Scott, a native daughter of Oregon, and the devoted mother of three interesting children, Danae, Hazel and Nieta. Like his father a Republican, Mr. Hazleton has never sought po- litical preferment, but in his interest in edu- cation has found both pleasure and profit in his capacity as school director. Essentially social in disposition, he is identified fraternally with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Wood- men of the World.

ANDREW J. ZUMWALT. Faithful to his early training, Andrew J. Zumwalt has followed throughout his entire life the work which he learned under the instruction of his father, earn- ing his livelihood in the pursuit of farming and at the same time dispensing the benefits of what- ever talents wherewith he has been blessed. He has never shirked any public or private duty, but has earnestly endeavored to make himself a worthy and useful citizen of the state to which he came in early manhood.

As one of a family of eleven children, Andrew J. Zumwalt was born in St. Charles county, Mo., September 2, 1832, and a part of the experiences of boyhood was an attendance at the little log school-house in the neighborhood of his home until he gained a fair education. In the spring of 1850, in company with his father, Solomon, his mother, Nancy, and the remainder of the chil- dren, he crossed the plains with two wagons and four yoke of oxen to each, eight head of loose stock and three horses. By fall they had reached Salt Lake City, Utah, and they there spent the winter, March 9, of the following year continu- ing the journey into Oregon, where, in Benton county, the father took up a donation claim, where he remained a year. In 1852 he came into Lane county, and located two miles west of Eu- gene, where he lived until 1872, when he moved

to a farm of four hundred and fifty acres, on the Mohawk, where he died in 1888, at the age of eighty-one years. Andrew J. Zumwalt also took up a donation claim in 1852, one of one hundred and sixty acres located two and a half miles west of Eugene, and this remained his home until 1859. In the last-named year he removed to Eugene and spent the ensuing two years there, when he purchased in the neighborhood of Irving a farm of a hundred and sixty acres upon which he lived until 1872. He then moved upon the farm which he now occupies and which consists of four hun- dred acres, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, being particularly interested in the latter business in Shorthorns. He also owns one hundred and twenty acres near Irving, fifty acres in the Mohawk valley, and one hundred and sixty acres at Oakesdale, Wash.

Mr. Zumwalt was first married in February, 1855, to Miss Margaret Walker, and seven chil- dren were born to them, namely: Albert M .; Samantha J. ; Mary A. ; John W. ; E. W .; Alfred, who is deceased; and one who died in infancy. The wife died November 7, 1873, and Mr. Zum- walt married in April, 1875, Miss Missouri Brown, and their four children are named in order of birth as follows: May, Louisa, Paul and Lynn. In politics Mr. Zumwalt has been prominent and took an active part in the advancement of the Republican principles which he heartily endorsed, but of late years has been independent. He has held various minor offices in his community, among them being constable and justice of the peace, and in 1880 he was chosen to represent his party in the state legisla- ture, where he acquitted himself ably and hon- orably. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Irving.

ZACHARIAH TAYLOR KINTZLEY. Sep- tember 15, 1890, was the date of the arrival of Z. T. Kintzley in the state of Oregon, and with the exception of one month which was passed at Arlington, eastern Oregon, has made his home in Springfield, Lane county, engaging generally in the business of painting and paperhanging. He was born in Clay county, Ind., October 16, 1847, the son of George, a native of Virginia. The latter, when a young man, went to Louis- ville, Ky., and engaged at work as a cabinet- maker, and later located in Indiana, where he found more lucrative employment in the flour- mill business. He first settled in Putnamville, Putnam county, where he remained until 1854. when he located in Story county, Iowa, there giv- ing up his milling interests to engage in farming on a two-hundred-acre farm. His death occurred

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there in 1885. He had lived to see the country change from the pioneer conditions which pre- vailed when he first became a resident of that state to the city of Ames, which is the home of the state agricultural college, now located on land adjoining that which formed his property.

The youngest of his father's children Z. T. Kintzley was reared in the state of Iowa, receiv- ing his education in the common schools. In 1863, during the Civil war. when only sixteen years old he enlisted in Company B, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, serving with the Seventh Corps in the western department of the Seventh Army Corps. He participated in many of the notable battles of that momentous struggle and was mustered out in Little Rock, Ark., March 23, 1866, and received his discharge at Davenport, Iowa. He then went back to his home, and shortly removed with his mother to Woodbury county, near Sioux City, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, after which, in 1881, he settled in Sloan City. He was there employed in the cattle business and so continued until his removal to the west nine years later, locating then in Springfield, where he now lives. Since becoming a resident here he has built a residence which he sold, afterward buying another, and at present he is engaged in putting up a two-story building which is to be used for mercantile enterprises.

The marriage of Mr. Kintzley took place in Iowa, Miss Mary C. Cain becoming his wife. She was born in Wisconsin and died here in 1900, at the age of fifty-two years. Their four children are as follows: Ida Frances, deceased ; Alice, now Mrs. Bert Doane, who lives with her father; Edna Viola, deceased; and George Milton, also at home. In his fraternal relations Mr. Kintzley belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, and is a member of Geary Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he is a Republican and in the interests of his party he has served for six years as a member of the city council and has also served as road supervisor for one term.

CHESTER SKEELS. For nearly thirty years Chester Skeels has watched, and had a part in, the growth and upbuilding of Benton county, Ore., to which locality he came from Ill- inois. He was born August 6, 1833, in Frank- lin county, Ohio, and there his earliest boyhood days were spent. When yet a small boy, how- ever, his parents removed to Delaware county, that state, later going to Union county.

After his marriage, which occurred in the latter county in 1855, and united him with Miss Margaret Brannan, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, Mr. Skeels moved back to Delaware county, there following the tinner's trade for a short

time. Not being satisfied with the latter occu- pation, however, he discontinued its prosecution and the same year went to Piatt county, Ill., and near Monticello, bought a tract of land which he improved and cultivated, making it his home for twenty years.

As has been previously intimated, the year 1875 marked the arrival of Mr. Skeels and his family in Oregon, and more particularly in Ben- ton county. His farm of seventy-two acres, lo- cated one mile from the city of Albany, while not a large acreage, is so utilized and managed as to produce results which might do credit to a tract of much larger size. Mr. Skeels makes a specialty of raising fruits and vegetables, and in the raising of potatoes is especially success- ful, his close proximity to market being a large factor in his success.

Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Skeels only five are living, as follows .: Harvey; Hulda, the wife of N. E. Anderson ; O. V., the wife of William Peacock; Alice, who became the wife of Frank Hughson; and Zua, now Mrs. William Yoder. In politics Mr. Skeels votes for the candidates of the Populist party, but has no inclination or desire to hold public office, as was proven when he refused the office of justice of the peace, to which his fellow-citizens had elected him.

WILLIAM S. LOCKE. Inseparably asso- ciated with the pioncer families who came to the coast before the incentive of gold lured men from quiet homes into uncertain speculations, is the one to which William S. Locke belongs, himself one of the prosperous farmers and stock- raisers near Corvallis. In the coming of this family to the west in 1847 was rehearsed again the struggles and privations and discourage- ments which tinge the early history of the plains with sadness, and make present-day travelers in luxurious palace cars gasp in astonishment at the magnitude of the sacrifice and endurance of the ox-train bands. The credit for crossing the plains at that early time can not be given to William S. Locke, for he was born in Sheridan county, Mo., August 30, 1840, and was there- fore but a little lad of seven years. His father. Abraham Locke, was the instigator of the trip, and the buoyant spirit which encouraged the weary and disheartened home-seekers.

Born in the state of Virginia, Abraham Nel- son Locke removed to Missouri with his parents when eighteen years of age, and there married Harriett Sinnett, who was born in Ohio. Mr. Locke's father was a very early settler of the Sunflower state, and improved several acres of land before his death. Abraham continued to live in Missouri until 1847, and then sold his

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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 220

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