Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 238

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 238

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The marriage of Dr. Cheshire occurred in Douglas county, Ore., Augusta May Palmer, a native of that county, becoming his wife. Her father was the Hon. P. P. Palmer, a prominent and successful farmer of that section. Dr. Cheshire was made a Mason in Eugene Lodge No. II, A. F. & A. M., is a member of K. of P. Uniformed Rank; Woodmen of the World ; Modern Woodmen of America ; Royal Arcanum ; Foresters, and United Artisans, in all of these serving as medical examiner. He is also a member of the Native Sons of Oregon. The doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal

Church, and in politics is a Democrat. Dr. Cheshire served for several years in the Oregon National Guard, and since July, 1898, he has been special examiner for Companies A and C, Fourth Regiment, and also of the Fourth Regi- ment Band.

RICHARD T. A. ROBINSON. A Canadian by birth, Richard T. A. Robinson combines the good qualities which distinguish those northern- born people with the energy and open hearted- ness of the Oregonians, for much of his life has been spent here, and it is here that he has earned his competence. He now owns two hundred and seventeen acres located in the vicinity of Junction City, Lane county, and is busily engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in the latter work finding profit in Cotswold sheep and Poland-China hogs.

Mr. Robinson was born in Mascouche, Canada, February 16, 1869, and when only nine years old he came to Oregon with his parents, Richard A. and Jane Ann (Alexander) Robinson, who located upon the farm where the son now makes his home, and engaged in the work of cultivation and improvement. This, however, remained their home for but a short time, as the mother died the year following and the father then took his chil- dren back to New York state to find a home. They remained in the latter location until the death of the father by a stroke of lightning, Au- gust 1, 1883, and then Richard T. A. returned to Oregon to make his home with R. L. Robinson, his uncle, who had come west to the gold fields of California in the early fifties, and from that location had settled in this state, where he had since remained. From 1886 to the day of his uncle's death, May 6, 1894, he made his home with the latter, who owned a farm of eight hun- dred and twenty-two acres. October 24, 1894, he married Jennie M. Spencer, and they now have one child, Jennie M. A practical and in- telligent farmer, Mr. Robinson has met with suc- cessful returns from his work and has added 10 little to the prestige of this class of men in the northwest. In religion he is a member of the United Brethren Church, and politically casts his ballot with the Democratic party.

JESSE SOVERNS. In the energetic and practical pursuit of agriculture Jesse Soverns is putting in his years and following the early train- ing which he received from his father, George Soverns, one of the pioneers of 1852. The latter was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December 4, 1826, his father being Jesse Soverns, a native of Virginia, but who had been taken to Ohio when quite young, there growing to manhood's

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estate. He married Eliza Bailey, and in 1832 they removed to Indiana and in 1837 located in Tazewell county, Ill., where they followed farm- ing for a livelihood.

Upon attaining manhood George Soverns mar- ried Fanny Holton and in 1852 he crossed the plains with his parents, his wife and child, a jour- ney which was long recalled by the misfortunes that followed them. The wife and child died upon the journey, and the mother met with an accident which caused her death soon after reach- ing Portland, and each family was thus bereft of the faithful care of the mother. The grandfather located near the present site of Junction City and the younger man sought a livelihood in what- ever he found to do, cutting wood, harvesting, etc. During the Rogue River war he engaged as teamster of his company, which was under the command of Capt. J. D. Matlock. In 1856 he located permanently in Lane county, becoming the owner of four hundred and twenty-six acres in the neighborhood of Junction City, and there engaged in the cultivation of his land, and espe- cially dealt in stock. Later he added to his property by a purchase of six hundred and forty- six acres in this county and extended his cattle interests to a considerable degree. For two years he located in Eugene on account of the excellent schools which he wished his children to attend, then spent a year again on the farm, in 1879 locating permanently in Eugene, where he lived until his death in July, 1900.

The second wife of Mr. Soverns was Mrs. Elizabeth (Blachley) Tylor, a widow with one daughter, Jane, who married Bernum S. Hyland. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Soverns are as follows: Jesse, of this review, who was born on the farm where he now lives, May 28, 1859; Hulda, deceased; and Fannie, wife of Al- bert Jackson. The respect and esteem of all who knew him was the tribute paid to the worthy life which Mr. Soverns had lived.

Jesse Soverns was reared upon his father's farm, receiving his education in the University of Oregon, after which he attended the De France & White Commercial College of Portland, his course extending over a period of three years, the wisdom of his father foreseeing the value of a good education in the prosecution of agricul- tural pursuits. When twenty years old he as- sumed charge of the home farm and October 8, 1879, was married to Evaline C. Behrens, who was also born in Lane county, and was the daugh- ter of Lewis Behrens, and they now have two children, George L., a merchant at Prosser, Wash., and Lewis, attending the high school of Eugene. Mr. Soverns now owns five hundred and seventy-five acres, all of which is in one piece, and engages in general farming and stock- raising, Cotswold sheep being his principal in-

terest. In politics a Republican, he has proven his loyalty to the party and has served for twenty years as school clerk of District No. 38. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and fraternally he affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, at Junction City.

ISAAC N. EDWARDS. The usefulness of a man's life is not determined by his environ- ment, but by the character which prompts his actions and indicates his motives, and it often happens that the life of an agriculturist is more conducive to broad-minded thought than that of almost any other occupation. Especially is this true in Oregon, and one of this class is Isaac N. Edwards, a resident of Lane county, whose voice has been heard on the side of progress for many vears and whose utterances have been appreci- ated by those who have the welfare of the state and community at heart. Though his principal interests have always lain in the cultivation of the soil, he was chosen to the state legislature for the sessions of 1902-'03 as a representative of the Republican party, the principles of which he has always supported.

The Edwards family is also represented in Oregon by the father, James E., now making his home near Monroe, Benton county, in his eighty- seventh year, his presence among the citizens a constant reminder of the pioneer days of the state, for he crossed the plains in 1853. He was born in Pennsylvania, and in Ohio married Mary Longsworth, also a native of the same state, and in the spring of '53 he outfitted with two wagons and seven yoke of oxen, and with his wife and four children set out upon the journey which meant a pilgrimage like unto that of the Israelites of old. Seven months were spent upon the plains amid the trials and dangers which beset the early traveler, and at the conclusion of their journey the father located in the Alsea country, Benton county, where he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres. Upon this property the family remained for four years, when they removed near their present location, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, and later moving to their present home near Monroe, Benton county. The mother died in 1887. Mr. Edwards is a member of the United Brethren Church, having crossed in the train which was largely composed of a colony of that faith. As a citizen he has always been in- fluential in his neighborhood and has taken a lively interest in public affairs, the position of county commissioner of Benton county being his for fourteen years.

The birth of Isaac N. Edwards occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, November 5. 1845, and he was thus eight years old when the journey

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was made to the west. He was trained to the life of a farmer under the careful supervision of his father, but almost before entering manhood he left home to become a volunteer in Company A, First Regiment of Oregon Infantry, under the command of Capt. Charles La Follett, and was detailed to Indian service in the same year ( 1864). He was first stationed at Vancouver and was then removed to Fort Yamhill. His company was then divided and he went with Captain La Follett and forty men to the De Chutes country, where he participated in build- ing Camp Polk, where they remained from Oc- tober, 1864, to May, 1865, when the company re- turned to Fort Yamhill and was mustered out of service in July, 1865. He then returned to his home and at twenty-two he married, and bought one hundred and twenty acres in Benton county, that being the home of his family for two years. On locating in Lane county he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres two miles southeast of Junction City and engaged in prac- tical farming for a period of sixteen years, in 1885 removing to his present property, which consists of one hundred and seventy-eight acres. Here he carries on general farming and stock- raising and lives the comfortable and pleasant life of a prosperous farmer. He still owns the farm which was his home for so many years.

The wife of Mr. Edwards was in maidenhood Mary Gilbert, daughter of L. D. and Hannah (Belknap) Gilbert, pioneers of 1847, and by their union were born the following children : Orville, deceased; Loren; Lettie, the wife of Josiah H. Herron, of Benton county; Clifford; Ernest, at home; Leona, wife of Jesse Flint ; Chester and Mary, at home. In the interests of the Republican party, the principles of which he endorses, Mr. Edwards has done considerable campaigning in a local way, in which capacity his services are thoroughly appreciated. In re- ligion he was once a member of the United Brethren Church, but in the past few years has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal faith, of which his wife is also an adherent. The church is built opposite his home, and he and his wife were the promoters of the church organ- ization. He now serves as class leader, trustee and steward, while Mrs. Edwards is a teacher in the Sunday school.

CHARLES APPLEGATE. If all the events and experiences of this pioneer could be chron- icled, they would make interesting reading for the occupants of the happy homes that now dot the country which he found a wilderness and inhabited by little else than savages and wild beasts. Suffice it to say that now his labors are ended, let the thronging thousands who shall

enjoy this beautiful land remember that his strong arms helped to subdue this far-western wilderness and prepared it for civilization.

Charles Applegate was one of three brothers, Charles, Lindsay and Jesse Applegate, who played such an important part in the early history of Oregon. He was born in Henry county, Ky., January 24, 1806, and died at Yoncalla, Douglas county, Ore., on August 9, 1879. When fifteen years of age Mr. Applegate moved to St. Louis county, Mo., and a number of years later, in 1829, was joined in marriage with Malinda Mil- ler. With her and a small company of emi- grants, he started for Oregon on May 15, 1843, and thus became one of the very early settlers. They settled in the Willamette valley in Polk county, and remained there until 1850, but at that date removed to the vicinity of the present city of Yoncalla, where he became an essential figure in business affairs, continuing so until his death.

Mr. Applegate was a very successful stock- man, and was especially a large sheep-raiser, and thus became very wealthy. He had a beautiful home on his large ranch, and was most liberal and hospitable to the emigrants and early settlers. His doors were always open to the weary trav- elers and they were glad to partake of his gen- erous hospitality, and many of the early emi- grants still remember him with great kindliness. His whole life was a blameless one and he ac- complished much good. He and his wife reared an exceptionally large family of fifteen children.

JOHN J. SPALINGER. When John J. Spalinger stepped from the gang plank of a sail- ing vessel in New York in 1856, he had $1.50 in his pocket, and a wealth of hope and good will in his heart. In his native Switzerland, where he was born in 1839, he had been reared to hard work and frugal living, and his scanty hoard seemed therefore more or less familiar, and not so discouraging as it might seem to some. By working his way he managed to reach Cook county, Ill., at a time when harvests were being gathered, and there was need for strong and willing men. For a few months he worked on farms for thirteen dollars a month, and then went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he found employ- ment in a saw-mill. From Des Moines he made his way to Council Bluffs, and after working as a laborer for six months, returned to Des Moines, remaining there a few months.

In his effort to find a desirable permanent loca- tion Mr. Spalinger visited St. Louis, and finally reached Illinois, still later moving to Jasper county, Iowa. Here he was married, in 1863, to Elizabeth Owens, with whom he went to housekeeping on a farm he had purchased, and

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which consisted of forty acres. To this he added from time to time, and finally accumulated a large property. In 1875 he came with his family to Oregon, and for a year lived on rented land in Linn county, soon after purchasing three hun- dred and twenty acres of land. Thirty acres of this land was cleared, but at present nearly two hundred acres are available for general crops. Many fine improvements have followed in the wake of large harvests, and the general appear- ance of the farm is characteristic of the enter- prise and order of the successful owner. It is three miles west of Jefferson, and is well watered, fenced and has a comfortable house.

The first wife of Mr. Spalinger died in 1885, leaving eight children: William, deceased; George; Frank; Oscar; Edward; Emma; Callie; and Sadie, deceased. In 1895 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Fannie Smith, daughter of Marshall Dudley and Chloe (Baldwin) Car- penter. Mrs. Spalinger was born in Iowa, and has resided in Oregon since 1888. By her mar- riage with George Frederick Smith she had two children, Clara Dell and Jessie May, both of - great northwest. He was accompanied by his whom are living. In politics Mr. Spalinger is two brothers, Benjamin and James E., the former of whom died in Harrisburg, Ore., in 1900, while the latter, after many years' identification with this state, became a resident of San Jose, Cal., where he now resides. Independent, believing in voting for the man best qualified to serve the public interests. He is en- terprising and progressive, and a typical repre- sentative of his resourceful nation.

SAMUEL DOKE HOLT. The conditions prevalent in Oregon in the early days, though bespeaking desolation, loneliness and danger, were such as to finely develop the character of the men who became pioneers. Empty-handed they came into the wilderness and began the up- building of a primitive civilization, courage, hon- esty and earnestness of purpose becoming the foundation of this western commonwealth; ad- vancing steadily with the march of progress un- hindered by tradition of pioneer days; working patiently and perseveringly toward a common end. It is not a matter of wonder that the pres- ent generation pauses to look upon the record of such lives as those which gave to Oregon the strength and purpose of manhood, in both youth and maturity, holding in grateful remembrance the pioneers of the state.

Occupying a prominent place among the pio- neers is the name of Samuel Doke Holt, who but recently passed from the scenes of his life- long labors. He came to Oregon in 1852 and settled in Lane county, where he was identified with agricultural and stock interests for many years, becoming a power financially and exerting a wide and lasting influence by the example of a Christian character, by which he is so well re- membered today. He was born in east Ten- nessee, near Greenville, the son of Barrett Holt.

The father was born near Richmond, Va., and on attaining manhood removed to Tennessee and thence to Missouri. The boyhood of Samuel D. Holt was spent upon a mountainous farm in Tennessee, but when fifteen years old he settled in Andrew county, Mo., where he entered the quartermaster's department of the United States army and served throughout the Mexican war and for about a year prior thereto. In the sum- mer of 1848 he drove eight yoke of oxen, assist- ing in the building of Fort Kearney on the Platte river. After the close of the war he decided to try his fortunes in the west, and accordingly crossed the plains with ox-teams, in August of the same year commencing mining operations on the middle fork of the American river. This sojourn in California proved profitable, and on his return to Missouri in January, 1851, via the Isthmus of Panama, he purchased a farm and decided to remain content in the middle west. The following year, however, he outfitted with three wagons and a number of loose stock and again crossed the plains, his destination being the

Mr. Holt arrived in Oregon August 29, 1852, and immediately took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty, acres in the neighborhood of West Point, Lane county, and engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. He met with the success which follows earnest effort and practical appli- cation of knowledge, and before the passage of many years he was numbered among the repre- sentative citizens of his community. In partner- ship with his brother, James E., be became the owner of about three thousand acres of land, which was devoted to an extensive cultivation of cattle and sheep. After many years a large part of this land was disposed of and the partnership of the brothers dissolved. At this time Mr. Holt owned about six hundred acres of land, known as the Joe Smith donation claim, located three miles north of Coburg. About twenty years prior to his death he removed to Eugene, from which city he superintended the management of his agricultural interests.

The marriage of Mr. Holt united him with a native daughter of the west, Miss Angeline Wilkins, who was born near West Point, Lane county, in 1849. The ceremony was performed March 10, 1868, at the home of her father, Mitchell Wilkins, a pioneer of 1847. Two chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holt, namely: Aileen, who died at the age of six months, and Linna. The latter, after graduating from the Eugene high school, attended the University of

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Oregon, from which institution she was gradu- ated in 1891. She married Albert Gaylord, of Pasadena, Cal., in which city her death occurred in 1898.

With the death of Mr. Holt, which occurred July 19, 1901, there passed away one of the truly worthy men of Eugene. Not alone eminent in the practical demonstration of his financial ability, but occupying a place high in the esteem of his fellow-men, Mr. Holt attracted to himself that regard which is the portion of one of his moral worth. No man stood higher in Eugene and no man more deserved the esteem and confidence of his associates. A Christian beyond the mere naming, he belonged to the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, having been converted when a mere lad at a camp meeting near his old home in Greenville, Tenn. In the face of many tempta- tions incident to the wandering life he led and the trials and dangers of his pioneer venture, he remained true to his profession of faith. In the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of this city, of which his wife is also a member, he served for many years on the official board, and was one of the strong lights of the congregation, an evi- dence of the love which he bore those who la- bored for the cause being manifested in his be- quest of $1,000 to be used by the board of min- isterial relief. In his political convictions Mr. Holt was a Democrat, though he was never radi- cal in his ideas or professions. In his fraternal relations he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his wife belongs to the Native Daughters of Eugene. Generous to a fault, broad-minded and public-spirited, Mr. Holt always contributed to every enterprise which came within his reach, having been particularly interested in the success of the University of Oregon. Both he and his brother James gave liberally to that institution, as much as $1,500 at a time going to increase the financial standing of this college. In addition to the many acts which the world could witness, Mr. Holt lived an earnest, forceful life, whose influence will outlast the passage of time and effectually insure him a place in the hearts of the younger gener- ation.

FRANK A. HACKLEMAN. A native of Albany, Frank A. Hackleman was born March 14, 1865. After obtaining his knowledge of books in the Albany public schools, he became familiar as a boy with the care of stock, spend- ing much of his time with his father on the ranch. When about twenty years old he started in business for himself as a cattle raiser and (lealer, at the same time making a specialty of breeding horses. For marking cattle, his father had the letter Q branded on the right side of

the animal, and Mr. Hackleman uses the same letter, but brands it on the left side. In brand- ing horses the father uses the letter H, placing it on the shoulder, and Mr. Hackleman brands H with a bar across the top on the shoulder. Their ranch, known as the Q ranch, has a fine location for grazing purposes, being situated just on the edge of the Great Desert. Mr. Hackle- man's ranch consists of three hundred and twenty acres of good farming land, with an extensive range for his cattle and horses near by. In his large herd of stock, he has many high grade Shorthorn cattle, and among his horses are some of the best Clydes and Percherons to be found in this locality. He sells some to the home mar- ket, but ships the greater part of those he raises, in the year 1902 two train-loads of horses having been shipped from the Q ranch to Omaha, Neb., where good draft horses are in special demand.

Mr. Hackleman married first Martha J. Stroud,, who was born and reared in Albany. At her death she left two children, Elmira and Pansey. He then married Miss Lena Cox, also a native of Albany, and they are the parents of three children, namely: Hazel, Elenore and Dorothea. Politically Mr. Hackleman is a Demo- crat. He resides in Albany, being numbered among its foremost citizens, but, with his fam- ily, spends the summer seasons on his pleasant ranch, where he has a beautiful country home.

MAJOR JOHNSON is a son of Philip T. Jolinson, and was born January 25, 1844, in Boone county, Mo. A native of Kentucky, Philip T. Johnson became an early settler of Boone county, Mo., but subsequently removed to Sullivan county, where his last years were spent. He served in the Civil war, enlisting in 1861 in the Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, and remaining with his company until he became so crippled that he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He married Sarah Hazard, a daughter of Harper Hazard, an early settler of Boone county, Mo., and a prominent member of the Baptist Church. She died in Missouri. Nine children were born of their union, eight boys and one girl. Four of the sons were in the Civil war, Henry D. serv- ing as captain of a company in a Missouri regi- ment ; D. F., Col. R. and Major being in the regiment with their father. Another son, Albert, was a member of the Missouri state militia for a year. Three sons still survive, Col. R. and Al- bert, of Missouri, and Major, the special sub- ject of this sketch.

The eighth in a family of nine children, Major Johnson was brought up on a farm, and educat- ed in the district school. At the age of seven- teen. in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company

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A, Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, and was mustered in at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. In April, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, the colonel of his regiment was killed, and he, with many of his comrades, was captured. The following six and one-half months, Mr. Johnson was con- fined in different southern prisons, the last one being Libby Prison, where he remained until ex- changed. After recuperating, he rejoined his regiment in Missouri, and afterwards did duty in Tennessee from the fall of 1863 until the spring of 1864. At that time, as a member of the Fourteenth Army Corps, under General Thomas, he participated in the various pitched battles and minor engagements of the Georgia campaign. In the meantime Mr. Johnson's eyes, which had seriously troubled him from the time of his captivity, grew so much worse that at the siege of Atlanta he was unable to distinguish objects. As his time of service had expired, lie was there mustered out, and honorably dis- charged. Returning to Missouri, he placed him- self under treatment, but received no help, his eyes continually growing worse, and since 1877 he has been totally blind. Notwithstanding his great affliction, Mr. Johnson has never lost cour- age, but has labored persistently and willingly, confining his attention to the tilling of the soil chiefly. Emigrating to Oregon in January, 1876, he located first in Independence, where his brother, Philip T. Johnson, resided. He subse- quently spent a short time in Polk county, then removed to Albany in 1880, in 1881 going to Benton county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Lebanon hillside. Two years later he traded that farm for another, and has since acquired other landed property, owning three farms in Linn county, one very fine one being located near Peoria. Since 1899, he has been a resident of Albany, and occupies a position of prominence among its esteemed and influential citizens.

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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 238

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