Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 229

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 229

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many hundred dollars in making the improve- ments, and it is safe to say that when the people of Oregon and surrounding states fully realize what a benefit is to be derived from the waters of the springs, they will make it one of the most celebrated health resorts in the Pacific northwest. By the positive cures which have been effected it has been proved beyond any doubt that the use of the waters will cure ninety per cent of such diseases as stomach and kidney troubles and blood troubles of all kinds. Several leading phy- sicians have said it was the greatest blood purifier known to the profession. The springs are within easy reach, as from Cottage Grove to the hotel is only twelve miles, the road running along the river bank most of the distance, and is in fine condition, so that the stage ride is one that can be greatly enjoyed.

Levi Geer was born in Carroll county, Ill., May 6, 1856, and is the son of Samuel Geer, now one of the prominent men of Lane county. Sam- 11el Geer was born in 1817, and on attaining man- hood followed the vocation of a farmer. He married Nancy Hill in Illinois. In 1864 they started across the plains by horse and mule teams, during the six-months journey experienc- ing several serious encounters with the Indians, at one time having some of their mules stolen by the savages. Upon their arrival in Oregon the father came direct to Lane county, and there pur- chased three hundred and twenty acres located twelve miles south of Cottage Grove, where they lived until 1881. They then located in Idaho, where the father followed farming and stock- raising until 1899, when he returned to Lane county. He is now making his home with his son, Levi Geer, his wife having died in Idaho in 1897. Soon after settling in Lane county for the first time, Samuel Geer erected a grist-mill upon the present site of London, the motive power be- ing water, which turned the machinery by an overshot wheel thirty-two feet in diameter. About 1870 he became interested in the construc- tion of a grist-mill at Cottage Grove, and later built one in Cornwall, Idaho. The greater part of his life in the west has been devoted to this work. He is now eighty-six years old, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.

The greater part of the life of Levi Geer has been passed in Oregon, for he was 'but eight years old when he crossed the plains with his parents. He received his education in the dis- trict school and remained at home with his par- ents until he married. About 1880 he moved to Idaho, where he lived about ten years. Return- ing to Lane county, he bought the old home place at London, and has since increased the number of acres to nine hundred and fifty, upon which he is engaged in general farming and stock-rais-

ing. Like his father, he also engaged in milling, his business now being known as the London Timber & Milling Company, in the promotion of which he was one of the principals. He engaged in the mercantile business in London in 1892, in partnership with John Sutherland, the firm name being Sutherland & Geer, a substantial building for the business being erected by Mr. Geer.

The first marriage of Mr. Geer united him with Miss Elizabeth Rodgers, a native of Lane county, Ore., and the one child born to them, Clara May, is now the wife of G. L. Moxley, lo- cated in the vicinity of London. After the death "of his first wife he married Rosa Maude Powell, also a native of Oregon, and their two children are Joseph and Robert, both of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Geer is independent in his views, giving his vote to the man whom he con- siders best qualified for the position. He is a member of the Grange and the Christian Church.

ALEXANDER H. POWELL. That farm- ing in Oregon may be pursued with financial sat- isfaction by those who have the combined gifts of industry and thrift, has been demonstrated in the career of Alexander H. Powell, one of the prominent agriculturists living near Cottage Grove, and owner of a four hundred and sixty acre farm. Ever since 1878 Mr. Powell has been a familiar figure in this neighborhood, his work in the field around his home, his team and wagon upon the public highway, and his well known and kindly face lighted with interest and animation in his pew in the Christian Church, have become a part of the life in a community noted for its progress, enlightenment and suc- cessful enterprises. By no means self-centered, Mr. Powell has taken an active interest in educa- tional work, has promoted good roads and social diversions, and besides filling a number of local political offices, has given his support for many years to the Grange.

From Mason county, Ill., where he was born on his father's farm, December 8, 1834. Mr. Powell came to Oregon in 1851 as a young man just beginning to realize the possibilities of life, and here, as in Illinois, he lived on a farm, de- veloping strength of mind and body in the har- vest field. As was the case with most boys of his age, he welcomed the diversions that circum- stances offered, even the Yakima war, to which the settlers were driven because of their inability to keep stock or dwell in peace in the unsettled country. In 1856 he enlisted in Company D, un- der Captain Suttler, and during his three months of service he had a chance to study the methods of the red men, as compared with those of the enlightened whites.

Returning to Linn county Mr. Powell bought

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a farm in partnership with his brother, James Henry Powell, and in 1864 married Mary Ann McKnight, who was born in Iowa and crossed the plains in 1860. Not entirely satisfied with his farm, Mr. Powell disposed of it in 1878 and bought his present farm, eight miles south of Cottage Grove; comprising a part of the old Wil- son donation claim. The improvements are all due to his enterprise and progressiveness, his dwelling, barns and outhouses being both com- fortable and modern. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell, of whom Sarah M., the oldest daughter, is the wife of Lincoln Taylor and lives in Cottage Grove; Alfred occu- pies a part of the home place ; Clarinda B. mar- ried Henry Taylor and lives in Washington; Winona F. became the wife of Alexander Small, and lives in the vicinity of London, and Lester W. is a telegraph operator on the Southern Pacific at Turner. Mr. Powell is one of the sub- stantial men of Lane county, and his moderate and painstaking life may well serve as an ex- ample in this age of progress to the rising gener- ation that are to carry out the lifework of the pioneer settlers.

EUGENE P. WAITE. Following close upon a milling experience of many years, Eugene P. Waite purchased his present farm of one hun- dred and fifty-six acres in Marclı, 1901, and has already established himself among the progres- sive and successful tillers of the soil and raisers of stock in Lane county. Born in Vernon county, Wis., December 17, 1852, he comes of an old Green Mountain state family, his father having been born in Windham county, Vt., December 8, 1827. His mother, Olive (Parker) Waite, was a native of the same place, and born Oc- tober 13, 1827. Married in Vermont, the par- ents removed to Vernon county, Wis., in 1852. where the father farmed and logged for many years, establishing a name for himself as a competent farmer and business man. With his family he came to Lane county in 1889, took up his abode at Acme, in the Siuslaw valley, and turned his attention to milling and logging, the large possibilities of which he has since demon- strated to his entire satisfaction. Aside from Eugene, who is the oldest of the children, there is Mary, the wife of C. C. Cushman, of Acme : Arabel, the wife of H. J. Webb, of Santa Rosa. Cal. ; and Anderson, living in Lowell, Mass.

Educated in the public schools of Monroe county, Wis., Eugene Waite was reared to farm- ing and logging, and in 1878 married Addie Bor- ing, who was born in Monroe county, Wis., Au- gust 16, 1859. Three children have been born of this union, of whom Mary is the wife of George Chamberlain, of Talent, Ore., while War-

ner and Wayne are living with their parents. Mr. Waite was thirty-seven years of age when he came to Eugene, and he was well equipped with business experience, possessing also great faith in the future of his adopted locality, the inter- ests of which he at once espoused. From his twenty-fifth year he began to mill on his own responsibility, and finally became identified with the old Siuslaw Milling Company, which failed in 1899. Thereafter he continued in the mill until 1901, and then purchased his present home, to the improvement of which he intends devoting his future. Mr. Waite is not officially inclined, although he is a stanch supporter of the Repub- lican party. The friend of education, he has served several years as a member of the school board, a part of that time as school clerk. Mr. Waite has the confidence of the community in which he lives, and where he is esteemed for his business sagacity, his good name, and his loyalty to friends and interests.

JAMES A. McLEOD. At present one of the business men of Acme, and interested in the de- velopment of his thriving little town, James A. McLeod has spent many years in logging and farming in the northwest, and has familiarized himself with its multitudinous resources. Deriv- ing from a remotely traced Scottish ancestry the substantial' traits of the land of health, plain living, and high thinking, he was born in Vaughn township, York county, eleven miles from To- ronto, Canada, February 21, 1850, and was there educated in the common schools and reared on a farm. His father, James McLeod, the one who founded the family in Canada, was born in Elgin, Morayshire, one hundred and eighteen miles from Edinburgh, on the Lossie, Scotland, March 2, 1809, and came to America at an early day. He married Sarah Fisher, a native daughter of Canada, and who was born in 1818. The parents died in Canada, March 2, 1901, and 1890 respect- ively, after rearing a family of seven children, of whom James A. is the fifth.

Leaving his Canadian home in 1871, James A. McLeod went to Bay City, Mich., and en- gaged in logging for about three years, and, hav- ing become familiar with the occupation, trans- ferred his opportunities to the Pacific coast in 1875, locating on Puget Sound in Washington for a couple of years. In 1877 he went to the logging camps along the Umpqua, and in 1879 came to the Siuslaw river and took up a donation claim of one hundred and fifty-three acres five miles east of Acme. Having few improvements at the time, he set to work to till and clear his land, and made of it a valuable and paying prop- erty. In addition to general farming and some stock-raising he realized quite an income from

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fishing every fall, and also to an extent engaged in lumbering. He is also county scaler for the four saw-mills on the Siuslaw river. Leaving his farm in 1901, he came to Acme, and is now one of the reliable business men of this place, taking an interest in its sociai and general affairs, and contributing of his time and means when- ever a demand is made upon his resources. He still owns two hundred and eighty-five acres of land in the Sinslaw valley.

A Republican in political affiliation, Mr. Mc- Leod has served as school director and road sup- ervisor, and he is fraternally connected with the Masons of Florence. More than ordinary in- terest attaches to the marriage ceremony which united Mr. McLeod and Mary E. Hadsell, in 1882, for the couple were the first white people to be married on the Siuslaw river, and the first to go to housekeeping in other than an Indian wigwam. Mrs. McLeod was born in Linn county, Kans., February 16, 1863, and came to Oregon with her parents in 1875. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McLeod, Archie, May B., and Jennie V.

JAMES HEMENWAY. Among Lane county's substantial and enterprising business men, whose names are scattered throughout the pages of this volume, no one is more worthy of mention that James Hemenway, who, as a mem- ber of the Garman & Hemenway Company, is carrying on an extensive and lucrative mercan- tile business at Cottage Grove. A native of On- tario, Canada, he was born July 3, 1854, at Bishop's Mill, Grenville county, which was like- wise the birthplace of his father, William Hem- enway. He comes of English ancestry, his im- migrant ancestor having come from Yorkshire, England, to Massachusetts, in 1632, settling in Framingham with his four children, two sons and two daughters. His descendants lived in Massachusetts for many generations, and many of them attained prominence in literary circles. One of his descendants, Samuel Hemenway, great grandfather of James, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He subsequently removed to New Hampshire from Framingham, thence to Vermont, settling on Lake Champlain, where he spent his remaining years. His son, Almond, was next in line of descent. Almond Hemen- way was born and educated in Framingham, Mass., and afterwards lived in New Hampshire and Vermont. After the death of his father he removed to Grenville county, Ontario, settling at Bishop's Mills, where he was for many years one of the leading builders and contractors. He married after going there, and in that town reared his children. William Hemenway lived in his native town until after his marriage. In 1854

he came to the United States, locating in Dane county, Wis., at Black Earth, where he was em- ployed as a tiller of the soil until 1870. Remov- ing in that year to Ottawa county, Kans., he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Minneapolis, and for twenty years was numbered among the extensive and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of that locality. Com- ing to Oregon in 1890, he located at Cottage Grove, where he is now living retired from ac- tive pursuits, having faithfully performed his share of labor during his seventy-one years of earthly existence. He married Katherine Mc- Cord, who was born in county Derry, Ireland, of Scotch ancestors. Her father, James McCord, was born in Scotland, but as a young man had charge of a lord's estate in Ireland. Emigrating from there to Canada, he settled at Bishop's Mills, where he became a large landholder, and a citizen of prominence, living there until his death, at the age of four-score years. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and an active member of the church.

The oldest of a family of six children, of whom three sons are living, James Hemenway was educated in the common schools of Wiscon- sin and Kansas. Engaging in agricultural pur- suits as a young man, he carried on farming and stock-raising in Ottawa county, Kans., until 1888. Emigrating then to Oregon, Mr. Hemen- way opened a livery, sale and feed stable at Cot- tage Grove, and managed it successfully the ensuing ten years, building up a large and profit- able patronage. In 1898 he embarked in the real estate, insurance and brokerage business, continuing for a year. In 1899, he and his son, W. A. Hemenway formed a partnership with W. D. Garman, and established a mercantile business at Cottage Grove under the name of the Garman-Hemenway Company, which was in- corporated with a capital of $20,000. Meeting with almost unprecedented success in its venture, this firm has now one of the best-stocked de- partment stores in the county and is carrying on a very large business, in 1903 increasing its capital to $40,000 and establishing branch stores at Grant's Pass and Scio, W. A. Hemenway being manager of the store at Grant's Pass. Mr. Hemenway has other financial interests, also, owning "Happy Jack," an undeveloped mining claim, and having extensive mining interests in the Bohemia district. He owns business prop- erty having a frontage of thirty feet on Main street, and has erected a fine residence in Cot- tage Grove.

Mr. Hemenway married, in Minneapolis, Kans., Eva Comfort, a native of Ohio. Her father, William Comfort, was born in New York state, but early in life removed to Iowa, and afterward settled in Minneapolis, Kans.,

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where he is now actively employed in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Hemenway have two children, namely: W. A., of the Garman-Hemenway Company ; and Hazel, living at home. An active Republican in politics, Mr. Hemenway served as councilman seven years, and, in 1901, was elect- ed to the state legislature for one term, while there serving as chairman of the committee on labor and industries. He is quite prominent in a number of fraternal organizations, belonging to Eugene Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; to Cottage Grove Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs; to the Rebekahs; to Cot- tage Grove Lodge, K. of P .; and to Cottage Grove Lodge of Foresters.

MAJOR FRANK E. EDWARDS, B. M. E. Conspicuous among the residents of Benton county worthy of representation in this bio- graphical volume is Major Frank E. Edwards, a native-born citizen, a veteran of the Spanish war, and an alumnus of the Oregon Agricultural College, with which he is now officially con- nected, being commandant and professor of mili- tary science and tactics, and also assistant pro- fessor of chemistry.

Born September 13, 1875, in Lane county, near Springfield, Ore., Frank E. Edwards is a son of Webley J. Edwards. He comes of substan- tial New England ancestry, the earliest of his progenitors of whom he has any definite knowl- edge having emigrated from one of the New England states to New York city, where the family owned a large tract of land. The great- grandfather, Webley Edwards, of New England birth, served as an officer in the Revolutionary army, being captain of a company. The major's grandfather, T. D. Edwards, was reared and educated in Indiana, but later removed to Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1854. Coming then to Oregon across the plains, with ox-teams, bringing with him his family, his son, Webley J., being then an infant of six months, he located near Springfield on a donation claim in Lane county, where he cleared and improved a homestead. On retiring from active pursuits, he removed to Eugene, Ore., where his death occurred in 1895.

Webley J. Edwards was born in Ohio, but was brought up on the old home farm in Ore- gon, where he has since resided. A prominent farmer and stockman, he first started in business in Lane county, going from there to Lake county, where he followed ranching and general farming with signal success for three years. Returning then to the valley, he continued in his chosen vocation until his removal to Mayville, Gilliam county, his present place of residence. He mar-

ried Jane Gross, who was born in Iowa, a daugh- ter of Andrew Gross, a native of Germany, who emigrated to America, settling in Iowa, where he carried on agricultural work until 1856, when he came with his family to Lane county, Ore. He is now prosperously engaged in general farming in Brownsville, Linn county. Four children were born of their union, namely: Frank, the special subject of this sketch; Frederick, a graduate of the University of Oregon, and of the Oregon Agricultural College, is engaged in business as a stock-raiser and dealer in Gilliam county ; Hubert, residing on the home farm; and Velma, living with her parents.

Brought up on the home farm, and educated in the district schools of Lane and Gilliam coun- ties, Frank E. Edwards entered the Oregon Agri- cultural College in 1891, and was graduated in 1895, with the degree of B. M. E. While in his sophomore year, he was president of the Web- sterian Society, and in 1896, while he was tak- ing a post-graduate course, he served as captain of a company of cadets. From 1896 until 1898, he was connected with the college as instructor in chemistry, resigning his position to enlist, as a private, in Company M, Second Oregon In- fantry. Being mustered into service on July 2, 1898, he went with his regiment to San Fran- cisco, thence to Manila, arriving there on Thanksgiving day, 1898. He was subsequently made corporal of his company, and as a part of Wheaton's Flying Brigade, on March 25, 1899, took part in the battles of Tondo and Malabon, and the following day, March 26, was severely wounded at the battle of Polo, being shot through both legs, below the thigh. He was in- capacitated for further military duty, but re- turned, on crutches, with his company to Cali- fornia, then to Oregon, where he was mustered out of service on August 7. 1899. A month later, Mr. Edwards accepted the position of com- mandant of cadets, and professor of military sci- ence and tactics at his alma mater. In 1900 he was made instructor in chemistry, and assistant in the chemical department of the Agricultural Experiment Station. In June of that year he was appointed to the staff of Gen. Charles F. Beebe as brigade signal officer, with rank of major, an office that he filled until the reorganiza- tion, in 1903, when, on the resignation of Gen- eral Beebe, he was given command of the bri- gade signal corps.

Major Edwards married, in Corvallis, Miss Helen Elgin, who was born in Monroe county, Ore., and was educated at the State Normal School in Monmouth, Ore. Major and Mrs. Ed- wards have one child, Webley Elgin Edwards. Major Edwards is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and an active member of the Christian Church, being one of the board of dea-

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cons and superintendent of the Sunday school connected with it. He is identified with several fraternal organizations, belonging to Corvallis Grange, No. 242; to Edward C. Young Camp of the Spanish American War Veterans, of which he is past commander; to the Knights of Pythias ; and is ex-president of the Alumni Asso- ciation.

ROBERT E. CAMPBELL. One of the high- ly treasured possessions of Robert E. Campbell is the log house which he constructed in the height of his enthusiasm for his adopted state in 1852, and which still weathers the heat of summer and the cold of winter as stanch as it did when a little household gathered beneath its timbers, and earnestly laid their plans for the future. Strange to relate, the roof, which us- ually has the shortest life, has never known a successor, but with its supports remains an ex- ample of handiwork which has proved substan- tial in the extreme, and useful beyond compare. Not far from the pioneer house, which was 17x24 feet in dimensions, and contained two rooms, is the more modern structure now occupied by Mr. Campbell, and which is one of the really fine rural homes in which a prosperous country

abounds. The contrasts thus presented are borne out in the life of the owner, to whom naught has come save through the exertions of his hands and brain, and to the retention of which he owes frugality, good judgment and untiring industry. In LaFayette county, Mo., where he was born September 4, 1830, Mr. Campbell married, in 1849, Ruth Campbell, one child being born to them on the farm upon which they settled. With his cousin, Alexander Kinb, Mr. Campbell purchased a team of four yoke of oxen, and two cows, and started across the plains in a wagon, leaving home in April, and arriving in Lane county, Ore., in October, 1851. Sometime during the following winter he located a claim of three hundred and twenty acres a mile from Springfield and two miles from Eugene on the Willamette river, the following year moving to his present home where he erect- ed the log house above mentioned. In 1876 he removed to this part of the donation claim, and with the exception of intervals spent in other parts of the state. has made this his place of residence. For nine months Mr. Campbell lived in Wasco county, and during the summer of 1854 he mined in Jackson county, this state. In 1852 he hauled goods from Portland to Spring- field, and in 1859 he and his cousin built a flat- boat and took thirty-five tons of flour to Port- land. receiving in payment $2.75 per barrel. His farm is mostly prairie land, and all of the im- provements are due to his enterprise and pro-

gressiveness. General farming, stock and grain- raising are engaged in on an extensive scale, and in all of these departments Mr. Campbell has achieved success, having made a practical and scientific study of the occupation to which his life has been devoted.

The first wife of Mr. Campbell died in 1858, leaving two children, of whom Harvey, who crossed the plains with them in 1851, died in 1895, and Eliza is the wife of Mr. Anderson, and lives on the home place. For a second wife Mr. Campbell married in the fall of 1859, Martha Delgell, who died in 1865, her only child having died in infancy. The present Mrs. Campbell, married in 1867, was formerly Rebecca Hutchin- son, and is the mother of two sons, George E. and Emmet E., both of whom live on the home place. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, but being a quiet and unostentatious man, has never identi- fied himself with office-seeking. Possessing shrewd business judgment, honesty of purpose, and a kindly interest in the success of his fellow agriculturists, Mr. Campbell is justly popular in his neighborhood, towards the development of which he has so earnestly striven.

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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 229

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