Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 226

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 226

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Since 1899 Mr. Neis has made his home in Eugene, through his fine education and culture contributing no little to the society of this city. He is a Democrat in politics and adheres to the principles embraced in the platform of that party.

FRANCIS BERRIAN DUNN. The feeling which attaches to the names of the pioneers of Oregon is one that will outlast time and the. crowding of events, for the younger generation realizes in part the unselfish manhood and the wide faith in the possibilities of the west which gave their own lives fulfillment among the pres- ent affluence and prosperity of one of the great- est commonwealths on the Pacific slope. In Eugene the name of Dunn is one remembered as that of a strong, forceful and earnest man, whose career affected no little the development of the city, and whose success contributed to that of others, as he was typical of the unselfish brother- hood of pioneers. Though long since passed away, a deep interest centers around the events of his life.

Mr. Dunn was born in Elizabeth, Ill., Decem- ber 24, 1830, the third son of Jonathan and Irene (Clark) Dunn. His father was a millwright by trade and followed that occupation throughout his life. Both he and his wife died near Law- rence, Kan. The son was reared in Athens, Ill., and received his education in the district schools, and when a mere lad become a cabin boy on the Mississippi river, where he learned some of the lessons which afterward proved valuable in his

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life as a pioneer of a country where conditions were trying and dangerous. Following where his ambitions led him, he crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1853, and upon his safe arrival in Oregon became a clerk in Albany, Linn county, where he remained for a short time. In the fall of the same year he located in Eugene, Lane county, and that city was the scene of his busi- ness activity until the termination of his success- ful career. He first engaged as clerk in the es- tablishment of Joseph Brumley, continuing there for one year, when he opened a merchandise business in Springfield. After an experience of three years he returned to Eugene and built a store and engaged in the general merchandise business, in the course of time building up a large and lucrative custom, through his practical meth- ods and unblemished integrity winning the con- fidence of the people with whom he had to deal. His establishment, which was devoted to the sale of dry goods, became the first in quality, quantity and style, and that it was a successful business venture was evidenced by the amount of prop- erty which he was able to accumulate. He be- came the owner of a number of fine farms, to the improvement and cultivation of which he spared no effort or outlay. In the city he left a re- minder of his business career in the erection of the F. B. Dunn Block, a credit to the commercial interests of Eugene. Besides his mercantile in- terests, Mr. Dunn devoted some time to hop and wool buying, in which operations he met with the usual success which had characterized his entire life.

In politics Mr. Dunn was a Republican and served ably and efficiently as mayor of the city for eight years, having the entire confidence of the citizens in his public administrations. Know- ing and appreciating his unusual business sagac- ity and judgment, many came to him for advice, which he freely gave, generously eager for the success of his friends and associates. In Ma- sonic circles he was a Knight Templar, and was prominent in the order. His death occurred July 20, 1892, and took from the city a stanch, earnest and helpful supporter, whose influence still lives and leads toward the advancement of western civilization.

By his marriage Mr. Dunn allied himself with a pioneer family of great prominence in Eugene, Miss Cecelia Christian hecoming his wife, De- cember 22, 1855. She was born in Mount Car- roll, Ill., and was the daughter of Daniel R. Christian. The Christian family were repre- sented in the state of Maryland, where, in Boons- boro, the father was born, the son of Daniel Christian, a patriot and officer in the War of 1812, and grandson of Daniel Christian, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Daniel R. Christian carly became a resident of the middle west, where

he was a pioneer farmer and builder in Mount Carroll, but eager to share in the greater hard- ships and larger rewards of a newer country, he brought his wife and six children across the plains in 1852, the journey being made with the slow-plodding oxen. Upon their safe arrival in Oregon the father took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, which has since become the Christian addition to the city of Eugene, extending from Eleventh street south. His death occurred at the age of seventy-three years, and the city lost one of its most enterpris- ing members, strong for the advancement of commercial and industrial interests, and strong in the moral life of the community, as he was an active member of the Methodist church. The wife who shared the dangers and toils of his pio- neer life was in maidenhood Catherine Etnyre, a native of Maryland, and the daughter of a shoe- maker, who became an early settler of Illinois. The mother also died in this location. She was the mother of the following children besides Mrs. Dunn: Samuel, located in Spokane, Wash .; Susan, widow of William Maxwell, of Spring- field; Sarah, widow of A. S. Patterson, of Eugene; Etha, of Eugene; John, who was born on the plains in 1852, now living in Eugene; and William, who died in Eugene.

Mrs. Dunn was but twelve years old when she came to Oregon, and was educated principally in the public schools of this state. Since her hus- band's death she has made her home in Eugene. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She is the mother of seven children, of whom Irene is the wife of C. S. Williams, of Eugene; Luella is the wife of George A. Dorris, of Springfield ; Laura is the wife of Col. George O. Yoran, of Eugene ; Frank E. is a merchant of Eugene ; Fred S. is a post-graduate of Harvard, having previously graduated from the University of Oregon and Harvard, and is now professor of Latin in the University of Oregon; Edna is the wife of Robert Diggles of Melones, Cal .; and Amy still makes her home with her mother.

WILLIAM H. ALEXANDER. Except as his work appeals by its substantial, practical, or artistic nature, one builder is hardly distin- guished from his brother worker in the same field. To be able to give general satisfaction in a given direction, is to hold in one's hand an assured success, no matter how keen the compe- tition, or how large or small the dimensions of one's ambition. The builder of ability under- stands the requirements of a discerning public, and, keeping well in advance of his time-honored calling, is rarely wanting in material upon which to exercise his skill. Eugene is not behind in being able to produce master craftsmen, men who

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have contributed to its fundamental growth by housing its people and industries, and estab- lishing the harmonious aggregate for which the city is famed. Of this class of men W. H. Al- exander is essentially a leader, having for the past eighteen years followed the best tenets of construction, making a specialty of artistic and conveniently arranged homes, but also putting up a number of public buildings, including the Risdon and Conser blocks. Among the resi- dences which attest the skill of Mr. Alexander, and materially add to the architectural appear- ance of the city, may be mentioned those of F. E. Dunn, S. B. Eakin, T. G. Hendricks, W. T. Caro, Mrs. Sarah H. Patterson and the Schwarzschilds home.

A native son of Oregon, Mr. Alexander was born on his father's donation claim near Shedds, July 30, 1857, and is the second of the three children born to Joseph R. and Elizabeth (Net- hall) Alexander, natives of Illinois and Scot- land respectively. Through his marriage in Illi- nois Joseph R. Alexander became identified with a Scottish family of illustrious lineage, for Eliza- beth (Percival) Nethall, the mother of Mrs. Joseph R. Alexander, was the daughter of a Scotch nobleman. Mr. Nethall was born and reared in England, and became a very early set- tler in Illinois. After his death, his wife mar- ried Joseph Hite, who came to Oregon in 1853. ·ettling on a farm in Linn county. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Alexander went by the name of her step-father, and was known as Miss Hite. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander crossed the plains in an ox-train in 1853, and took up a dona- tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres where Shedds Station has since been built. This land the husband improved and lived on for sev- cral years, but finally sold out and lived in Linn countv. engaging in teaming between The Dalles and Grande Ronde valley until his death in 1863. For a second husband Mrs. Alexander married Charles A. Davis, a carpenter and builder who located in Eugene in 1870. and is now liv- ing retired in that city. His wife died in 1883, leaving the three children before mentioned, of whom Sarah, the oldest, deceased, was the wife of Mr. Smith, and Nellie, the youngest, is the wife of T. B. Lucky of Eugene.

Until his thirteenth vear W. H. Alexander lived on the farm and attended the country schools and in 1879 accompanied his mother to Eugene, where he had the advantage of the schools of that city. From a hoy he worked with tools, and found diversion in making easily con- structed furniture for the house, and in doing odd jobs around the house for his mother. At the age of twenty he worked at the carpenter's trade under W. T. Campbell, an architect of Eugene, after a year being advanced to the position of

foreman, which he held for two years. In 1885 he began contracting and building in Eugene, and has since made this his home, uninterrupted- ly carrying on a large and remunerative busi- ness. He married, in Eugene, Belle Chapman, who was born in the east, and came to Oregon as a child. Mr. Alexander is popular socially as well as prominent in the business world, and is fraternally identified with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Uni- form Rank Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America. In political affiliation he is a Republican, but aside from the formality of casting his vote has never identified himself with party affairs. Mr. Alexander holds high place in the esteem of all who know him, and is regarded as one of the reliable and thoroughly substantial men of Eugene.

HON. JOHN HENRY McCLUNG. The position which the Hon. J. H. McClung now occupies in the city of Eugene is chiefly the re- sult of his own resourceful and optimistic na- ture. Since his entrance into the affairs of Ore- gon he has taken an active part in many of the enterprises which have especially marked the growth of this largest city in Lane county, where he now lives in retirement. He is a pio- neer of 1856, and through the many years which have passed since then he has directed his best energies to the cultivation of his own native tal- ents, which in their fulfillment have added greatly to the financial importance of the city and county which have been his home so long ..

Mr. McClung was born in Seneca county, Ohio, September 10, 1837, the son of James L. McClung, who was a native of Seneca county, N. Y. His grandfather, John McClung, was also a native of New York state, and there he died. James L. McClung became a contractor and builder and moved to Laporte county, Ind., where he engaged in the prosecution of his trade until his death, September 1I, 1850, at the age of forty-three years. His widow, formerly Cyn- thia L. Parsons, who was born near Oswego, N. Y., afterward married Bell Jennings, of Pennsylvania, and in the fall of 1856 they came by way of the Isthmus of Panama to Oregon, settling in Eugene, where Mr. Jennings engaged in the drug business. Some time before his death, which occurred in Eugene, he retired from active life. Mr. McClung's mother died at the age of seventy-five years. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her father, R. H. Parsons, a native of New York state, and an early settler of Ohio and Indiana, where he engaged in farming, crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1853 and settled three miles west of Eugene, and three years later located in

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that city, where he became a merchant and jus- tice of the peace, which positions he held until his death.

The only child of his father's family, John H. McClung spent the first eight years of his life in the state of his birth, and afterward located with his parents in Indiana, where he attended the district schools. In the summer of 1855 he went to Kansas with a government corps, in the process of surveying, carrying the chains for over six months, and the year following, when he was nineteen years old, he came to Oregon. He sailed from New York city on the steamer George Law to Aspinwall, and from that city started across the Isthmus of Panama by rail, in the course of the journey the train meeting with a terrible wreck, in which many lives were lost. Mr. McClung came through safely, how- ever, the car in which he was a passenger com- ing intact through the wreck. From the west- ern side he took passage on the Golden Age, and came via San Francisco and the Columbia river to Portland and thence to Corvallis and Junction City. From there he walked to the home of his grandfather Parsons. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land located six miles west of Eugene, and at once entered upon the improvement and cultivation of his farm, Upon the arrival of his stepfather, Mr. Jen- nings, a little later, the two assumed charge of four hundred and eighty acres, and farmed for some time. Until the summer of 1858 Mr. Mc- Clung remained so occupied, when he disposed of his agricultural interests and located in Eu- gene. In the winter following Mr. McClung at- tended school in Eugene, finishing his education and in February, 1859, he and an uncle, Thomas Belshaw, bought the only drug store then in the city, that conducted by Danforth & Breyman, and engaged in business on Willamette street, near the location of the First National Bank. This partnership continued until the spring of 1862, when they sold their combined interests to Mr. Jennings. Messrs. McClung and Belshaw then went to the Salmon river mines in Idaho, traveling by pack horses to their destination ; but the summer spent there was utterly without returns, and the following fall found them again in Eugene. Mr. McClung then purchased a half interest in the drug business, the firm name being Jennings & McClung, and this was continued until 1866, when Mr. Jennings was compelled, through failure of health, to locate once more upon a farm. The business was then sold, and Mr. McClung also bought a farm ad- joining that of his step-father, near Creswell, and conducted this farm until the fall of 1868, when he again returned to Eugene and became a copying clerk in the office of the surveyor general, remaining so occupied until the follow-

ing spring. In partnership with John W. Mel- drum he then obtained a contract to survey and sectionize the land about Trout creek, and later in the fall took other contracts near Prineville. In the fall of that year he returned to Eugene. In the spring of 1870 he took a contract to sur- vey on Squaw creek, and in 1871 he secured the same work with W. B. Pengra for Silver Lake, Lake county, this practically ending his work along these lines, with the exception of a little the next year along the Siuslaw and the Mc- Kenzie rivers.

In the fall of 1873 Mr. McClung built the residence which he now occupies, completing it in 1874. He has nearly every variety of tree and shrub which grows in Oregon, and in all particulars his home is an evidence of the cul- ture which distinguishes its owner, adding in no small degree to the general appearance of the city. In his political relations a stanch Repub- lican, he was elected by that party, in 1874, to the house of representatives in the state legisla- ture, and two years later was nominated for state senator, but was defeated by Governor Whiteaker, by sixty-eight votes. In June, 1876. the Grange association became very strong in this section and Mr. McClung was elected as superintendent. In this capacity he bought the stock and started a general merchandise store in Eugene, in which he continued for seven years, and at the expressed desire of the company to dispose of its business he and A. J. Johnson bought the stock and continued the business, the firm name being McClung & Johnson. This mercantile venture was successfully continued for eight years, and at the close of that period Mr. McClung became the sole owner of the business, changing its character to that of a dry goods and clothing establishment. In 1902 he closed out the stock and retired from the active cares which had so long engrossed his attention.

In 1901 Mr. McClung built on the corner of Willamette and Seventh streets a brick building, the dimensions of which were 70x80 feet, con- taining three stores, and with three entrances. This is known as the McClung Building. In the year following it was supplemented by an- other of like character upon the corner of Wil- lamette and Eighth streets, 55x114 feet in dimen- sions, containing two stores with two entrances on Willamette street, and a store in the rear. Mr. McChung has always been actively inter- ested in municipal government and general busi- ness affairs, serving for a period of ten vears as a member of the council and mayor for two vears. As school director for many years he has exerted no little influence in educational matters of the city, serving in that capacity when the Patterson and Geary schools were built, and as a member of the board at the pres-

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ent time is interested in the building of the new high school, which is being erected (1903) at a cost of $25,000. He is a stockholder in the Eugene Water Company, and serves in that cor- poration as a director and treasurer. In 1894 he was once more called upon to serve in the legislature, being elected senator from Lane county by a large plurality, and served in the sessions of 1895 and 1897. He was not a can- didate for re-election.

Miss Kate Henderson, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who crossed the plains with her parents, James H. D. and Mary E. (Fisher). Henderson, · in 1852, and settled in Yamhill county, became the wife of Mr. McClung in 1863, and has borne him the following children: Jessie Benton, a graduate of the University of Oregon, and now the wife of Prof. Charles Friedel; Margaret L., wife of Dr. J. R. Wetherbee, of Portland; and Ina D., a graduate of the University of Oregon, who makes her home with her parents. Frater- nally Mr. McClung was made a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Eugene, and is past noble grand. He also belongs to the Encampment and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a member of the Eugene Commercial Club and the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as chairman of the board of trustees.

In the work which Mr. McClung has accom- plished, no characteristic is more evident than faithfulness, returning always to that which promises him returns. This is particularly no- ticeable in his political life, his first vote, as a young man, being cast for Lincoln, and each successive vote following for what he deemed the advancement of the best principles of gov- ernment.

SYRUS V. BARR. Among the able and progressive farmers of Linn county, the records of whose lives fill an important place in this vol- ume, Syrus V. Barr, living near Sweet Home, occupies a position of prominence. He is a na- tive-born citizen, and the worthy descendant of a representative pioneer of this part of the county. Since the days of his boyhood he has witnessed many changes in this locality, and has contributed his full share toward the develop- ment and growing prosperity of his native town and county, being a generous supporter of all beneficial measures. He was born March 13, 1855, on a farm which adjoins his own. it being the homestead of his father, the late Jesse Barr.

A native of Tennessee, Jesse Barr was born October 18, 1818, near Nashville. When a young man he emigrated to Iowa, and in the spring of 1853, still following the tide of emi- gration westward bound, he crossed the plains, coming to Oregon with his family in a wagon

driven by four yoke of oxen, and driving a few cows. Spending the winter at Brownsville, he secured work in the spring of 1854 near Craw- fordsville, and while there in the employ of Mr. Finley assisted in building the first saw-mill and grist-mill erected in that locality. In the spring of 1855 he purchased Mr. Darby's right to his donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres of land, lying three miles north of Holley, and three miles west of Sweet Home. The only improvement on the place was a small log house built by Mr. Darby. Moving into the cabin with his family, he set to work with true pioneer grit to clear a farm. Toiling industriously and persistently, he made substantial improvements, and gradually enlarged his operations until he became one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of the neighborhood, continuing in his chosen occupation until his death, January 3, 1893. He was a member of the Christian Church, and of Sweet Home Grange, which he helped to organize. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. While living in Iowa he married Annie Kirk, who was born near Knox- ville, Tenn., in 1825. She survives him, and is now living on the old homestead. Of the eleven children born of their union, five sons and six daughters, nine are now living, and all are mar- ried.

Remaining on the home farm until attaining his majority, Syrus V. Barr received such edu- cational advantages as were afforded by the dis- trict schools, and was well trained to habits of industry and thrift by his parents. Beginning life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, he bought four hundred and thirty-six acres of land adjoining the parental farm, and has since carried on general farming with satisfactory pe- cuniary results. He makes a specialty of stock- raising, and has a fine lot of Shorthorn cattle, which he prefers to any other breed. The suc- cess with which he has met in his career has been wrought by persistent energy, well directed toil, and exceptional business ability on his part, and his estate, with its many improvements, is one of the best and most desirable pieces of property in the community.

In October, 1891, Mr. Barr married Miss Lulu Hamilton, daughter of Asher Hamilton, and into their household two children have been born, namely: Victor and Gertrude. Politically Mr. Barr is identified with the Democratic party, and fraternally he is a member of the Macca- becs, and of Holly Grange. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barr belong to the Christian Church.

WILLIAM J. J. SCOTT. Important among the men who have made their efforts productive of the substantial upbuilding of Oregon and the promotion of worthy and enterprising move-

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ments was William J. J. Scott, for many years well known in Lane county and various other sections, through the virtues which were his by inheritance as well as personal effort, for he came of an old colonial family who took part in the early struggles of the nation. With the death of Mr. Scott, in 1896, passed away a member of the brave and hardy band of pio- neers which is slowly becoming only a recollec- tion as time goes on and another generation takes up the work so nobly begun.

The parents of Mr. Scott were residents of Morgan county, Ill., where the father, Levi Scott, engaged in farming, and where this son was born October 15, 1824. He was left moth- erless at an early age, but with the self-reliance characteristic of the day he set out into the world to find a place for himself. He learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for some time in Illinois. Later he located in Iowa, remaining there until 1846, when he crossed the plains with ox-teams and settled in the valley which was afterward known by his name, near the Umpqua river, where he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres. He remained in that location until 1850, when he went to Oregon City to work. There he was married and returned to his claim, where the couple went to housekeeping. This home was a log cabin of one room, having a large fireplace upon which the cooking was done. They kept travelers, and Mrs. Dersham, a daughter, has the scales upon which the gold dust was weighed. in which they received pay for their ac- commodation. After a period of six years Mr. Scott came to Lane county and bought a farm two miles west of Creswell, and ten years later located in Eugene, where he engaged in the mer- cantile business in partnership with Frank Dunn, the firm name being Scott & Dunn. After a few years he again returned to his ranch, re- maining for two years, when he bought another farm in the vicinity and lived upon that a short time. Locating in Creswell for a brief period he bought the farm which is now occupied by his widow, located one-half mile west of Cres- well, which he began at once to improve and cultivate. The farm is supplied with a good dwelling-house, substantial barns and other out- buildings, and the land was utilized for stock- raising, his specialty being Shorthorn-Durham cattle. After giving a farm to each of his sons, he still had left about two thousand acres, and over three hundred is still in the possession of Mrs. Scott and managed by her, with the assist- ance of her son, Ripley. The balance was di- vided by Mrs. Scott among her ten children.

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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 226

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