Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 225

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 225

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their parents to the west. Thus it will be seen that the Cleaver and Farrow families constituted quite a little community of their own in Jersey county, and it seems but natural that all should have been animated by the common impulse to shift their fortunes to the far west. In the meantime a child had been born to Stephen F. Farrow and his wife. Mr. Farrow's equipment for the long journey across the plains in 1848 was small compared with that of his father-in- law. The latter had one wagon with four yoke of oxen, besides plenty of loose cattle with which to start business after reaching his destination. The family gathering left Illinois March 27, 1848, crossed the Mississippi river at Alton and the Missouri river at St. Joseph, proceeding through the Indian country via the old Oregon trail. On the Platte river in Nebraska territory, a daughter was born to Mrs. Farrow, and the little plains stranger was given the name of Vir- ginia. All went well with the entire party dur- ing the rest of the journey, and they arrived in the Willamette valley by way of the Barlow route in September, 1848, having been about six months on the way. Benjamin Cleaver bade adieu to the train in Marion county, taking up a claim now occupied by the site of Mount Angel, but he afterward moved to Lebanon, where he bought and operated a grist-mill for the remain- der of his active life. He lived to be eighty- eight years old, and died firm in the faith of the Christian Church, of which he had been a mem- ber for many years. The wife who helped him to his ample competence died in Marion county in 1866.

Stephen F. Farrow settled on a claim of six hundred and forty acres on Butte creek, Clacka- mas county, and made this his home for sixteen years. His first home was a one-room log house, but as his land was cleared, and harvests re- warded his arduous toil, his family profited by his good fortune, and were better housed and clothed. In 1867 the family moved to Linn county, purchasing a farm of three hundred and twenty acres near Saddle Butte, where Stephen Farrow died June 22, 1885, at the age of sixty- nine years. He was a Republican in politics, and was a member of the Baptist Church. His wife, who survives him and lives in Eugene, is, by a strange coincidence, the mother of eleven children, she herself being one of eleven. Alice and Virginia, the two older daughters, died at nine and fifteen years of age respectively ; Albert A. is a stockman in Lake county, Ore .; Laura is living in Eugene: Charles S. is the real estate dealer of Eugene; Emily was the widow of Or- ange Z. Morgan, an extensive stockman of east- ern Oregon, but is now Mrs. Nye, and resides in Eugene; William is a stockman in Lake

county ; Minnie is the wife of M. S. Hubble, of Eugene ; Lillie is the wife of D. B. Troutman, of Tallman, Ore .; Ralph is a resident of Portland ; and Jolin is a ranchman in Lake county.

The fourth child in his father's family, Charles S. Farrow was born on the farm skirting Butte creek, Clackamas county, October 27, 1854, and was reared to hard work on the farm. He ac- companied the family to Linn county, after the old farm was sold in 1867, and in both of these places attended the public schools as opportunity offered. After the death of his father the entire management of the farm fell upon his shoulders, and he engaged in farming and stock-raising, making great improvements on the property from year to year. About this time he married Iva M. Farwell, who was born near Shedds, Linn county, a daughter of Richard Farwell, a pioneer of 1852. Of this union there have been born four children, of whom Harry D. is at- tending the business college in Eugene; Glenn H. and Hazel are attending the high school, and Kenneth, and all reside at home. In 1886 Mr. Farrow moved to a farm on the upper Siuslaw in Lane county, and engaged in stock-raising until coming to Eugene in 1889.

For three seasons Mr. Farrow was employed as traveling salesman in the Willamette valley for the Plano Company of Chicago, and after- ward clerked for about five years. In 1900 he started the real estate business of C. S. Farrow, later incorporating under the firm name of C. S. Farrow & Company, his partner being H. F. Hollenbeck. The firm occupies an enviable place in the business world of Eugene, and though comparatively young in its activities, has already handled an enormous amount of town and country lands. Unquestionably it has one of the largest enterprises in Lane county, and has the option on all kinds of city, farm and timber lands throughout the county. It has pleasant offices at 506 Willamette street, and both men are genial and kindly in manner, at- tentive and considerate to purchasers, and thor- oughly conversant with every phase of their oc- cupation. Mr. Farrow is a charter member and director of the Eugene Real Estate Exchange. He is a prominent member of the Woodmen of the World and the Women of Woodcraft, and is one of the leaders in the Christian Church, of which he has been an official for twelve years, having been a member of the board of deacons for that period. Mr. Farrow is energetic and progressive, broad in his sympathies, and gen- erous in his judgment of all with whom he comes in contact. In his personal characteris- tics he represents the best type of this com- munity, and as such is honored and esteemed by a large circle of friends and business associates.

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JEFFERSON D. SPENCER is carrying on an extensive wood and hay business in Eugene, thus becoming a leading factor in the commer- cial life of the city. He will be set down when the history of this county is written as one of the chief developers of its agricultural resources. No tiller of the soil has applied greater intelli- gence and practical good sense to the conduct of large agricultural projects. Keeping well abreast of that army of workers around whom centers the strength of the entire country, he has uncom- plainingly struggled to the front, philosophically regarding the obstacles which confront the toil- ers of earth, and inspiring others with his own contagious good will and enthusiasm. His career may be taken as typical of the man who succeeds in what he sets out to do, and, having succeeded, is not only rich in this world's goods, but rich in amiable and helpful traits of character.

S. H. Spencer, the father of Jefferson D., was born in St. Charles county, Mo., and when a comparatively young man lost his first wife, who left him a son, John, who died in eastern Oregon. His second wife, Mahala Smith, was born in Missouri, and became the mother of eleven chil- dren, six of whom attained maturity and five are still living. Two of these children were born in the state of Missouri, and with these, and his wife, Mr. Spencer started across the plains in 1854, taking with him, as a nucleus for stock-raising in the west, a large band of cattle. A comparatively pleasant journey rewarded the courage of the travelers, and the father took up a claim on the Mohawk, which, however, proved most unsatisfactory. Later he removed to the claim of three hundred and twenty acres three miles northeast of Irving, which is still in the family, and where his death occurred in 1890. His cattle proved of practical worth to him in his new home, and he not only started a large stock business here, but drove a number of them to the mines during the excitement in California, receiving large prices for them, and thus getting quite a start toward competency. Daniel Taylor, his oldest son, died in Heppner in 1883; Mary is the wife of L. H. Wheeler and lives on the old place; Eliza and Jennie and J. D. live in Lane county; and S. S. is teller of the First National Bank in Eugene.

Following close upon his course at the Uni- versity of Oregon, J. D. Spencer went to Alsea Bay, on the coast, and built the store in which he conducted a general merchandise business four and a half years. Selling out after , experiencing fair success, he purchased a farm of four hundred and forty acres one mile west of Irving, all of which was improved land, and upon which he engaged in the grain and hay business on a large scale. Success followed him from year to year, his crops, with few ex-

ceptions, being uniformly excellent in quality and abundant in quantity. In October, 1902, Mr. Spencer purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres four miles east of Irving for $8,000, and soon after disposed of two hundred and thirty acres for $7,400, leaving for his own use ninety acres of finely improved land. With his large store of experience in dealing with hay, and a practical knowledge of the wood output of the state, he determined to retire from active farming and engage in a wholesale and retail hay and wood business in Eugene. Thus, in March following the purchase of his last farm, he bought four acres of land on Blair street, and in 1903 erected a barn 60x90 feet ground dimensions, and with forty-foot posts, the peak of the barn being fifty feet above the ground. With a capacity of four hundred cords of wood, and a hay capacity of three hundred and sixty tons, he contemplates doing a large and remu- nerative business.

Mr. Spencer has kept in touch with the prog- ress of the world in general while superintending his large country interests, and is one of the well informed and practical workers in a prolific field of activity. He has found time to partici- pate in church and social life, and actively to support the cause of Prohibition. He is a mem- ber of the United Brethren Church, and sup- ports the charities conducted by that worthy or- ganization. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Lodge. He is popular and successful, and has exerted a strong influence for morality and the practical and substantial in business life. He was married, in Portland, to Clara Bond, who was born in the vicinity of Irving, the daughter of Hon. Allen Bond, a pioneer of 1849. Mr. Bond was a farmer and merchant during his active life, was prominent in Re- publican politics in the west, and served in the state senate one term. His death occurred in 1902. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, Cecil Bond and Doris Rachael.

ROBERT D. HAWLEY. The name of Hawley is one that is well known in Lane county as it belongs to efficient and reliable men, who have done no little toward the making of a western state. One of these brothers, Robert D. Hawley, is located on a farm of three hun- dred and eighty acres a mile and a half north of Creswell, upon which he has placed all modern and up-to-date improvements in the way of a handsome dwelling, large barns and outbuild- ings, the whole constituting one of the finest places in this part of the county.

Mr. Hawley was born on his father's dona- tion claim, located on the Divide, March 8, 1859, and was there reared to manhood's duties and

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responsibilities. For a complete account of the life of his father, Ira Hawley, refer to the sketch of George M., which appears on another page of this work. Robert D. Hawley received his edu- cation through the medium of the district school at Creswell, and when of sufficient age he took up the trade of a carpenter and followed this for several years. Upon attaining his majority he left home and went to the Palouse country, in Idaho, engaging there in the prosecution of his trade for four years, when he returned to Lane county and took up his residence on the property which he now occupies, which is a part of the I. Allen donation claim. In addition to this prop- erty he also owns one hundred and twenty acres of timber land. With the exception of three years which he spent in Creswell following his trade he has since lived here, engaged in the busy activities which are a part of intelligent farming, devoting his time to general farming, stock-raising and dairying, the milk for his dairy being supplied by Jersey cattle. He has placed upon the farm the improvements which have enhanced its general appearance and marketable value, and has under cultivation two hundred acres of land. He also owns and operates a steam threshing outfit which represents quite an outlay of money, but by his management and in- dustry he has made it a paying investment.

The marriage of Mr. Hawley took place De- cember 17, 1885, and united him with Miss Mary H. Hillegas, a native of Missouri, who came to Oregon in 1882, and with her parents settled in Lane county. The four children which blessed their union are at home with their parents, being named in order of birth as follows: Hattie, Roberta, Tressa and Hazel. In fraternal orders Mr. Hawley is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He is a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A Republican in politics, he has always taken an active part in the movements of the party, having been sent as a delegate to all but two conventions since he made his home here. He has held various minor offices of the vicinity and was once a candidate for sheriff, and is a popular man in the estima- tion of the public.

SAMUEL T. McFALL. A resident of Eugene, Lane county, Samuel T. McFall is en- gaged in looking after his property, which con- sists of a residence in the city and five hundred and forty acres of land located six miles west, where his two sons are employed in a general farming and stock business, raising horses, cat- tle, hogs, etc. Mr. McFall has been a member of Eugene society only since December, 1898. but the sterling worth of his character has already won him many friends.

The second child of his father's family, S. T. McFall was born in Iroquois county, Ill., Febru- ary 14, 1836. His father, S. T. McFall, was born in Kentucky, the representative of an old Virginia family of Scotch descent. He became a farmer in Illinois and in 1843 removed to Ma- haska county, Iowa, where he bought four hun- dred acres of land at $1.25 per acre, and built a log house for the shelter of his family, while he engaged heartily in the improvement and cultiva- tion of his farm. His death occurred there at the age of eighty-three years. His wife was formerly Elizabeth Barbee, a native of Ross county, Ohio, and the daughter of Daniel Bar- bee, of Virginia. Daniel Barbee settled first in Ohio and later removed to Illinois, and thence to Mahaska county, Iowa. He was a patriot in the war of 1812. Mrs. McFall died in Iowa, the mother of seven children, four of whom are now living.

S. T. McFall was reared on his father's farm in Iowa and educated in a subscription school, remaining at home until 1859, when he started with ox-teams for Pike's Peak. From that point of interest he traveled throughout the state, vis- iting Central City, Black Hawk, Russell Gulch and other places, nine months being consumed in his prospecting, in which he was fairly success- ful. At the expiration of the time mentioned he returned to his home in Iowa, there remaining until August 18, 1862, when he became a volun- teer in Company H, Thirty-sixth Iowa Regi- ment, being mustered in at Ottumwa. After a time spent at Benton Barracks they were sent to Memphis, and from that time on participated in many engagements, among them being Helena, Ark., Little Rock, Prairie d'Anne, Little Mis- souri, Ark., Camden, and others. At Mark's Mills he participated in an engagement and was there wounded, a one-ounce minie ball passing through his left shoulder and lung, which event- ually caused him much suffering. At the same time he was taken prisoner two miles from the battlefield upon a farm, those wounded being left by the troops perforce. Twenty-five days later parole was secured for them by the Union army, and up to that time they had been without medi- cal attendance and robbed of almost all their clothing. Mr. McFall was taken to a liospital at Little Rock until he was able to return home on a furlough, when he again spent some time in the hospital at Keokuk, his wound remaining open for nine months, during which time his left collar bone was removed. He was mustered out August 12, 1865, his left arm entirely useless. With his war record ended Mr. McFall then en- gaged in farming, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land located twenty miles from Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he be- came an extensive stockman, having gone to this

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location from Mahaska county in 1880. He tilled the land and improved it in every possible way, and brought his farm to a high state of cul- tivation and consequent value by the erection of fine buildings, including a handsome residence and commodious barns. In 1891 he removed to Nebraska and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of prairie land, which he proceeded to improve and cultivate while engaging in the business of a stock shipper. This property was disposed of in 1898 and it was then that Mr. McFall came to the northwest and took up his residence in Eugene, Ore., becoming the owner of extensive farming lands and bringing into the work of cultivation the same practical ideas and methods which made his success in the Missis- sippi valley.

March 18, 1866, Mr. McFall was married in Mahaska county, Iowa, to Miss Isabelle Skid- more, who was born in Columbus, Ohio. She was the daughter of James Skidmore, a native of Franklin county, of that state, and an early set- tler in Iowa, where he engaged in farming for many years. His death occurred in Kansas, near Argonia. His father, George Skidmore, was born in Kentucky and 'settled in Ohio as a farmer. He served in the War of 1812 and held the commission of captain in the Black Hawk war. The mother of Mrs. McFall was before marriage Eunice Hendricks, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of James Hendricks, of Ken- tucky, and her death also occurred in Kansas. A family of nine children was born to her, five of whom are living, and the second child is Mrs. McFall, who was reared in her native state. To Mr. and Mrs. McFall have been born four chil- dren. One son died in infancy. Of those living the two sons, Norman and Joseph, are conduct- ing the farm, and Cora, the second child, is the wife of A. Herschel Smith, of Eugene. Mr. McFall is a stanch Republican in politics, and is always ready to lend his influence toward the advance of the principles which he considers best for the interests of the country. While in his homes in Iowa and Nebraska he served for many years as justice of the peace. He was made a Mason in Fremont, Iowa, for some time was identified with a lodge at Randolph, Neb., and now holds membership in Eugene Lodge No. 11. As a war veteran he belongs to J. W. Geary Post No. 7, of this city, and in religion is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

HON. J. B. HOPKINS. A career of excep- tional merit, and one from which many practical lessons may be drawn, is that of Hon. J. B. Hop- kins, formerly prominently identified with lum- bering and milling interests in Rice county, Minn., and since 1890 president and general

manager of the Eugene (Ore.) Lumber Com- pany. In the records of the Hopkins family in America the name of Joseph appears frequently, the first emigrant having responded to the bibli- cal nomenclature, as did also the paternal grand- father, and the father of Hon. J. B. Hopkins. The grandfather was a trader and farmer, resid- ing for many years in Connecticut, but who eventually became an early settler in Jefferson county, N. Y. His son, Joseph, was born in Bridgeport, Conn., was reared in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, N. Y., and there engaged as a farmer and educator, acquiring distinction in the latter capacity. He was one of the found- ers, promoters and teachers of the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, and was a man of public spirit and broad culture. His last years were spent in Minnesota, his wife, formerly Parmelia (Picket) Hopkins, daughter of Justus Picket, having died in St. Lawrence county, N. Y. Of the nine children born into the family, seven at- tained maturity, and six are living at the present time.

Educated in the public schools and at Gouver- neur Wesleyan Seminary, Hon. J. B. Hopkins subsequently took a course at the Albany (N. Y.) 'Law School, and in 1865 inaugurated a self- supporting career as an insurance agent in St. Joseph, Mo. Two years later, in 1867, he re- moved to Morristown, Rice county, Minn., where he bought a farm and engaged in lumbering and milling, gradually making his way to the front among the large lumber merchants of that tim- bered region. Nor were his exertions confined exclusively to lumbering. He also became prom- inent in politics, serving three terms in the state legislature. In November, 1888, Mr. Hopkins came to Oregon, spent a few months in Forest Grove, and then engaged in lumbering in Eugene. In 1890 he organized the Eugene Lumber Company, of which he has since been president, and which company built a mill of twenty-five thousand feet capacity at the north end of Mill street. This structure burned in 1900, its burning entailing a severe loss to the company, which, however, at once erected a mill of more modern construction, and with an increased capacity of five thousand. The motive power consists of one thirty-horse-power, and two forty-horse-power engines, the timber being secured from the company's tracts on the Wil- lamette river. This company ranks high as a promoter of the splendid timber possibilities of Lane county, and as a large employer of labor materially contributes to the maintenance of the industrial wellbeing in the city and county. The president is one of the practically qualified lum- bermen of which this region boasts, and added to this claim to consideration are personal char- acteristics of a high order, which not only inspire

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confidence and claim the respect of his subordi- nates, but retain the lasting regard and good will of a host of friends.

In St. Lawrence county, N. Y., Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage with Emma Lynd, a na- tive of Jefferson county, N. Y., and the mother of three children, of whom Dwight B. is inter- ested in his father's busines; Harold L., a grad- uate of the University of Oregon, of Oberlin Col- lege, and Yale University, is a clergyman in Chi- cago, Ill .; and Kate is the wife of Frank H. Porter, of Halsey, Ore. Mr. Hopkins is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Congregational church.

WILLIAM NEIS. The finest hop-yard in the Willamette valley is said to be that of Wil- liam Neis, which is located near Springfield, Lane county, and consists of twenty-five acres of finely cultivated land. During some seasons he has raised four hundred bales, the largest crop in the world for the acreage, being about three thousand pounds to the acre, the fine soil so well adapted to this plant, combined with the in- herited talent for this employment, uniting to bring about the best possible results.

Mr. Neis is not a native of this state, nor vet of the country wherein he has made his home for so many years, having been born in Oberland- stein, Hesse Nassau, the son of Joseph and the grandson of Phillip Neis, both natives of that location. Both followed the life of a horticul- turist and had extensive vineyards, their last days being spent in the location of their birth. The mother was in maidenhood Anna Marn Hensler, born near Ems, and of her six children four are now living, the two in America being Phillip Neis of Portland, and William, of this review. The latter's birth occurred May 24, 1836. He was reared in the beautiful city of Oberlandstein, where he attended the public schools, later finishing his education in a private school in Coblentz. When fifteen and a half years old he was apprenticed as a wholesale and retail merchant in Cologne, where he remained for three years, after which he spent a year in Coblentz in steamboating and the commission business. He then entered the army, becoming a soldier in the second regiment of grenadiers and serving at various intervals for six years. His regiment was called into active service in i859 in the war between Austria, Italy and France, and he served on the French frontier until peace was declared, when Emperor Franz Josef gave up Lombardy. He had then attained the distinction of a lieutenancy through his efficiency as a military man, and having a good education, necessary for the rank. At the close of this war Mr. Neis went to Paris and engaged in business

there, and from there located in Manchester, England, where he followed the shipping busi- ness. Through the death of his mother he was recalled to his native country, after which he went to London and remained until 1869. At that date he became connected with the Franco- American Mescasche, a newspaper of New York city, with which he remained until 1871, when he started toward the broader opportunities of the western states. Locating in Chicago he en- gaged in the wood and willow ware business, and was making a success of his new business when the great fire of 1871, which devastated that city left him at the beginning of his career. He remained but seven months after his loss, some time after this being spent in traveling about through the country, passing a short time in New Orleans, and again in Boulder county, Colo., prospecting. In 1878 he settled in Cali- fornia, and was employed by his brother, who was a hop merchant in San Francisco, where he remained until 1887. Carrying his interests north Mr. Neis then located in Oregon, purchas- ing forty acres of land in the vicinity of Spring- field, the larger part of which has since been de- voted to the cultivation of hops.

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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 225

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