Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 248

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 248

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The Rev. Peter Bentgen was born at Tecum- seh, Mich., in the neighborhood of Detroit, Oc- tober 7, 1864. His father, Nicholas Beutgen, was born on the Rhine, Germany, and he came . to Kent county, Canada, where he was employed as a baker. After locating near Detroit, Mich., he removed to that city and continued to follow his trade until 1875. At that date he located in Portland, Ore., and after a number of years spent in the prosecution of his trade he became an assistant to the city engineer and superin- tendent of streets, with whom he remained ten years, his death occurring there in 1896. He married Mary McNally, a native of Ireland, and she died in Portland in 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Bentgen were born four sons and four daugh- ters, the sons besides our subject being as fol- lows: John, a merchant of Los Angeles, Cal. : Nicholas, a merchant of Portland; and Fran- cis, a contractor of New York City.

When eleven years old the Rev. Peter Bentgen

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became a resident of Portland, removing at that time with his parents to that city. When four- teen years old he entered St. Hyacinth's College in the city of that name in Canada, where he completed the classics in seven years. After a course of three years in another university he spent the ensuing three years at Mount Angel College, engaged in teaching and a farther con- tinuance of his studies. He also engaged in mission work in this state for some time. At Mount Angel he was ordained a priest in 1890, by Bishop Gross, who sent him to Coos Bay, where he organized the church, and later built St. Monica's at Marshfield and St. Mary's, Star of the Sea, at Cape Blanco, this being now the most westerly church in the United States, and both now having large congregations. The Rev. Peter Beutgen entered mission work extensively, remaining so employed for three or four years, when he became a student at the Catholic Uni- versity at Washington, from which he was gradu- ated in 1898, with the degree of B. S. T. He then returned to Oregon and was first appointed pastor of Baker City, where he remained a year, during which time he traveled on horseback to the missions. During his pastorate of two years at Roseburg he kept up his interest in the mis- sions, and at the close of this period he received his present appointment, a congregation which was established about twelve years ago and now numbers three hundred. He belongs to the Catholic Knights of America, in which he offi- ciates as chaplain.

G. W. GRIFFIN. A young man of decided push and energy, G. W. Griffin has already achieved a substantial position in the business circles of Eugene as manager of the Griffin Hardware Company, one of the leading firms of its kind in Lane county, and has gained in a marked degree the esteem and confidence of the ' community. A son of the late G. P. Griffin, he was born December 29, 1870, in Earlville, N. Y.

A native of New York state, G. P. Griffin was first engaged in business for himself as a mer- chant in the town of Earlville, and was after- ward identified with the mercantile interests of Rockford, Ill., and of Manchester, Iowa, while in the latter place being also engaged in the stock-raising business in Wyoming and Mon- tana. Going to Nevada in 1860, he worked as a millwright, building five large quartz-mills. Returning to Earlville, N. Y., in 1867 he again engaged in business. Coming to Oregon in 1888, he located at Eugene as a hardware mer- chant, and five years later, in 1893, organized the Griffin Hardware Company, becoming its presi- dent, a position that he retained until his death, in 1897. He was a man of good business ability,

quick to seize advantageous opportunities, and was successful in his undertakings. Politically he was an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In 1859 he married Mary A. Spraker, who was born in New York state, and now resides in Eugene. Since the death of her husband she has succeeded him as president of the Griffin Hardware Company. Of the six children born of their union, the follow- ing are living: Drew, a member of the Griffin Hardware Company; G. W., the special sub- ject of this sketch; and Lizzie, wife of R. S. Bryson, of Pendleton, Ore. Charles W., for- merly a member of the firm, was drowned in the Willamette river the night of July 20, 1903.

Although born in New York state, G. W. Griffin was reared in Illinois and Iowa, receiv- ing a practical education in the public schools of those states. After coming with his parents to Eugene, he studied for a year at the University of Oregon, and was subsequently a clerk in his . father's hardware store. On the incorporation of the Griffin Hardware Company, in January, 1893, he was made secretary of the company. and since the death of his father has served as manager of the entire business. This firm has a two-story building, 29x190 feet, well stocked with hardware of every description, logger's and miner's supplies, stoves, tinware and agri- cultural implements and tools of all kinds, carry- ing a complete assortment of the various goods found in a first class store of its kind. The com- pany also owns a large implement warehouse, and two large storage buildings.

Taking an active interest in promoting the wel- fare of Eugene, Mr. Griffin has not shirked the duties of public office, but served as city treas- urer in 1897, and from 1900 until 1902 as county coroner, and is now a member of the city coun- cil, representing the third ward. He is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations. He is prominently identified by membership with sev- eral of the leading organizations of the county, belonging to Eugene Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M .; to Eugene Chapter No. 10, R. A. M .: and to the Knights of Pythias lodge, which he has served three times as chancellor commander, for the past six years being a member of the grand lodge. He also belongs to the Uniformed Rank K. of P .: the Royal Arcanum; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a charter member of the Commercial Club of Eugene and a member of its hoard of trustees.

ALEXANDER SMITH. The son of one of the largest land owners in the Willamette valley. Alexander Smith was always interested in the accumulation of landed property and the culti- vation of the soil, an occupation which he fol-

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lowed up to the time of his death, being also largely and profitably interested in dealing in stock. His ancestry is traced back to the state of Virginia, where his grandfather, George, settled upon coming to this country from his birthplace in Ireland. Some time later he re- moved to Indiana, where he became a large land owner near South Bend. Greenberry Smith, the father of Alexander, was born in Virginia and accompanied his parents to Indiana, and on at- taining manhood left home, going to Clay county, Mo., where he engaged in farming, giv- ing this up in 1845 to undertake the journey across the plains. His brother, Alexander, had joined him, and together the two started with a herd of cattle, a part of which they took through safely to Oregon whither they were journeying, the amount of time occupied by the trip being six months. In Benton county Mr. Smith took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, located upon Soap creek twelve miles north of what is now the town of Corvallis though at that time there was but one house here. He early became a model farmer of this section, putting improvements upon his claim in the way of buildings and added cultivation. He also became largely interested in the stock business, principally in eastern Oregon, where he went in the year 1862, locat- ing in what is now Gilliam county, though it then formed a part of Wasco county. For fif- teen years he remained in this business and con- tinued to add to his land until he owned about eight thousand acres in Polk and Benton coun- ties though the amount aggregated over ten thousand at the time of his death. At one time he added to his profits by conducting a general store at his ranch, though he continued this for but a few years. The last of his days were spent in retirement in Corvallis where his death oc- curred in 1886, at the age of sixty-seven years. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Only once in his life had Mr. Smith been enticed away from his chosen work, and that was for a journey in 1849 to the mines of California, where he remained but eighteen months. Mr. Smith had been mar- ried twice, his first union being with Miss Eliza Hughart, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Joseph Hughart who came to Oregon in 1845 locating in Benton county. She was the mother of one child, Alexander Smith of this review, her death occurring when he was but three months old. Mr. Smith later married for a sec- ond wife, Elizabeth Baker, who was born in the eastern part of Tennessee, the daughter of John Baker, a pioneer of 1846. She died in 1902 in Corvallis, to which city her husband had removed the family. She left one child, John Smith, who

is now one of the wealthy men of Benton county and makes his home in Corvallis.

Alexander Smith was born on the donation claim taken up by his father, December 10, 1848, and was reared to manhood on this farm. He was given the best of advantages in the educa- tional line, after his early education was com- pleted in the public schools being sent to Van- couver College. Following the example of his father he spent ten years engaged in the stock business in the original location selected by his father, after that bending his best efforts to the successful cultivation of his large farm which was located two and a half miles south of Cor- vallis. His death occurred in 1890, a loss to the community of a large-hearted, whole-souled man, who had ever been ready to assist all who called upon him in the hour of need. Politically Mr. Smith voted with the Democratic party.

By his marriage June 2, 1871, with Miss Anna Callaway, Alexander Smith allied himself with not only a very prominent family of Oregon but one which traces its ancestry on the maternal side to the nobility of England. Her father, Hon. William Richard Callaway, was born in Tennes- see, the son of William, one of the pioneers of Missouri, and a large land owner in Scotland county of that state. Tiring of farming, the son, William R., went to Fillmore, Andrew county, where he engaged for some time in a mercantile business, later, however, returning to the old farm in Scotland county. In 1865 he decided to make a change of home, not from necessity, but from the desire to give his strength and energy to the upbuilding of a commonwealth beyond the Rockies. The trip was made across the plains, in company with a large party all well armed and well equipped, the wagons drawn by horses. Mr. Callaway had four wagons, two teams allowed for each, besides quite a number of loose horses. After a six-months trip the party arrived at their destination, Mr. Callaway locating first in Linn county, but soon removed to Benton county, purchasing property advantageously located on Soap creek, where he built a house and other improvements and engaged extensively in gen- eral farming. Adding to his property from time to time he finally owned over one thousand acres, the station Callaway, on the Southern Pacific railroad, being upon this land. Mr. Calla- way's last year was spent in Corvallis whither he had removed, intending to pass the remaining years of his life in retirement. His death oc- curred in 1895, at the age of seventy-two years. He had always been a very prominent man in this section of the country through the influence of the many good qualities which distinguished him, and as the choice of the people he was an able representative in the state legislature for one term. In his fraternal associations he affili-

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ated with the Masons. Mr. Callaway married Miss Abigail Cecil, who was born in Tennessee, a descendant of Lord Cecil of England, her im- mediate. ancestor being Samuel Cecil, whose birth occurred in Tennessee, his home on attain- ing manhood being in Kentucky and Missouri until 1864, when he came to California. After a year spent in that location he came to Oregon, remaining, however, but a short time before re- turning to California and engaging in farming until his death in Yolo county. Mrs. Callaway died before the removal to Corvallis. On the death of her husband, Mrs. Smith removed to Corvallis, where she now makes her home, a welcome addition to the cultured society of this city. She owns three hundred acres of the old homestead upon which she was reared, in addi- tion to much other property left in her charge at the death of her husband. She is the mother of two children, of whom Eliza is now the wife of J. W. Hayes, a farmer of Benton county, liv- ing in Corvallis, and Clarence, who makes his home with his mother.

JAMES F. ROBINSON. As the manager of the Lane County Electric Company, James F. Robinson is establishing for himself an en- viable reputation in regard to his executive ability and mechanical knowledge, after a very successful career in various other lines in the city. Previous to the organization of this com- pany, in which Mr. Robinson acted as one of the principals, he served in the same capacity in the one established in 1890 and which was known as the Eugene Electric Company. He then super- intended the construction of the plant and after- wards rebuilt it, and the company is now putting up a fine plant in Springfield, which has a capac- ity of six hundred horse power, the engines to supply both Springfield and Eugene with power and light. Since the organization Mr. Robinson has served as a director.

Mr. Robinson was born in Henry county, Iowa, near Mt. Pleasant, December 2, 1846, the young- est of the three children born into the family of his parents and the only one who attained ma- turity. His father was James Robinson, a native of Ross county, Ohio, the grandfather being Josiah Robinson. The latter was born in Vir- ginia and became a settler in Ross county on the north fork of the Scioto river, where he en- gaged as a farmer until his death. Religiously he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The father also became a farmer in Ohio and later removed to Iowa, where his death occurred in October. 1846. His wife was formerly Cather- ine Macauley, born in New York state, the daugh- ter of James Macauley, who came from Inver- ness, Scotland, and became a resident of New

York and later settled in Ohio and from there removed to Iowa. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, enduring safely all the hardships and dangers of the trip only to experience death in a mine in an Illinois town. Mrs. Robinson married a second time, a man named Bradford, and later she died in Macon county, Mo.

On the farm in Iowa Mr. Robinson attained the age of eleven years, when his mother removed to Macon county, Mo., where he received a pre- liminary education in the public schools, after which he returned to Ohio, and attended Bryan Academy in Chillicothe. Later he was graduated from South Salem Academy, after which he re- turned to his home in Missouri, and remained until after the close of the war, when he again went to Chillicothe and worked on his grand- father's farm for two years. On locating once more in Macon county he engaged as clerk in a hardware store. In 1872 he crossed the con- tinent and coming by way of San Francisco lo- cated in Eugene, Lane county, Ore., which has since been his home. On his arrival here Mr. Robinson first entered the hardware business, establishing the first hardware store south of Albany and successfully conducted it until 1888, under the firm name of Robinson & Church. At that date they sold out and dissolved partnership. Mr. Robinson then became interested in the or- ganization of the water works here, superintend- ing the construction, and when finished he be- came superintendent of the company, in which he was a director. This employment continued for two years, when he resigned to accept his present position in which he has won much com- mendation for his excellent management.

The first marriage of Mr. Robinson occurred in Macon county, Mo., Miss Jennie Hughes, of Wisconsin, becoming his wife. She died in San Francisco, leaving one daughter, Stella, who is a graduate of University of Oregon. His second marriage united him with Nannie Hughes, also of Wisconsin, the ceremony being performed in Eugene, and they are the parents of two children, Ralph D. and Emma Helene. In his fraternal relations Mr. Robinson is one of the prominent men of the state, having filled the most impor- tant offices of Masonry. He was made a member of this order in Macon Lodge No. 106, and now belongs to Eugene Lodge No. 1I, A. F. & A. M., in which he is past master. He entered the Grand Lodge as an officer and worked up to the grand master of Grand Lodge of Oregon, in which he served one term, and in 1898 he was elected grand secretary of grand lodge and has been re-elected each year. He was made a Royal Arch Mason in Macon county and is now a member of Eugene Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M. He served as high priest. and was grand high priest of the Grand Chapter of Oregon two terms

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in succession, and since 1896 he has acted as grand secretary of the Grand Chapter of Oregon. He was raised to Knights Templar degree in Emanuel Commandery No. 7, of Macon, Mo., and is now a member of Ivanhoe Commandery No. 2, in which he is past eminent commander. Mr. Robinson organized the first commandery in Oregon, that being Oregon Commandery No. I in Portland, and there acted as eminent com- mander for two terms, and also organized the Grand Commandery of Oregon, acting as the first grand commander. He is at the present time grand recorder of the Grand Commandery of Oregon, having held the post since 1895, and is a member of Oregon Consistory No. I, Al Kader Temple, N. M. S., and is grand recorder of the order of High Priesthood. In his polit- ical principles Mr. Robinson is a stanch Repub- lican and has served his party in various ways. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

HON. JOSEPH DE WITT MATLOCK. A pioneer whose life has been marked by the course of events in the great Northwest, whose shrewd business instinct and quick decision have enabled him to see and profit by the opportunities which have been the foundation of statehood, is the Hon. J. D. Matlock, now a resident of Eugene, Lane county, Ore., where he lives retired from the duties which have so long engrossed his at- tention. He has been greatly interested in the growth of this city, both commercially and politi- cally, but his energies have not been expended here alone, as for some time he carried on a profitable mercantile enterprise in Alaskan fields, having but recently returned from the north. A brief reading of his life will be interesting for those who have experienced pioneer life in this · section of the country, and also for those who have watched the growth of this western com- monwealth.

Joseph De Witt Matlock was born in Benton county, Tenn., March 8, 1839, the son of Edward Lane Matlock, a farmer in that locality, who emigrated from his native state of Georgia. In the fall of 1839 the father removed to Dade county, Mo., where he served one term as county judge, and continued in his occupation of farm- ing, until his emigration to Oregon in 1853, where he settled near Goshen, Lane county, on a donation claim of two hundred and ninety-six acres, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted the years until 1862. In the last-named year he went to the Florence mines, and the following year to the Boise Basin mines, in the latter becoming ill of lung fever and dying July 1, 1863, at the age of forty-six years, having been born April 18, 1817. He had faithfully

served as wagonmaster in the Rogue River In- dian war, in 1855-56. His wife was formerly Susan C. Fry, a native of North Carolina, born December 3, 1815, and died at Heppner, Ore., May 1I, 1896. She was the mother of seven sons and one daughter, named in order of birth, as follows: Caswell John, a rancher in Morrow county, Ore., who served in the Rogue River Indian war; J. D., of this review ; James W., ex- sheriff of Morrow county, now residing in Heppner; Edward Lane, who died in Heppner while sheriff of the county; Wm. F., a capitalist of Pendleton, Ore., who served as state senator two terms and as major general of the Oregon National Guards; Thomas J., a rancher in Hepp- ner ; Benjamin F., who died in Morrow county ; and Sarah, who married Lee Greenwood and died in Eugene, Ore.

The education of J. D. Matlock was received in Dade county, Mo., but was rather limited, though his father, as one of the most public-spir- ited men of that community, had borne one-half of the expense of the school in their district. He was fourteen years old when the journey was made across the plains, the little company start- ing in April, 1853, with ox-teams and quite a large number of loose cattle, which this lad was compelled to drive, walking the entire distance. His father had, besides, six or seven wagons. With no unusual occurrence the party followed the old Oregon trail until they reached Fort Boise, and from there they followed Meek's cut- off, which led along the Malheur river to the big lakes, two weeks being consumed in coming around them, and also crossed the desert, where their supply of water was exhausted. They then crossed the Des Chutes river and came in on what is now the Military road, crossing the Wil- lamette river nineteen different times before they arrived at Butte Disappointment, October 26, 1853. Mr. Matlock, as a boy, went upon his father's farm and there remained for several years. His desultory education was finished here, first with an attendance at the common school at Goshen, the Eugene high school, and he then entered Columbia College, which was burned, and he then entered the Cornelius high school, where he completed his education. In 1862 lie went to the Florence mines, where he met with fair success, after which he returned to Lane county. There he was married, in the fall of 1862, to Elizabeth E. Rutledge, who was born November 9, 1844, in Illinois, and who came to Oregon in 1853. Mr. Matlock then located on a farm seven miles southeast of Eugene, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he farmed until his wife died in 1864. He then commenced teaching school, which occupa- tion was continued for two years, during which time he was elected county superintendent of

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public instruction, holding this position for one term. He then engaged in pork-packing and the general merchandise business in Pleasant Hill, Lane county, in which he remained for about twenty months, after which he again located on a farm, selecting eight hundred and fifty acres in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising for fifteen years. He met with a most pleasing success in this work, and at the close of the fifteen years he had ac- cumulated a comfortable competency, where- upon he sold his property and removed to Eu- gene, becoming the owner of the merchandise stock of T. G. Hendricks in 1884. Two years later he erected on the corner of Willamette and Eighth streets a handsome three-story building, to which his constantly increasing business was removed, and he here carried on the work until 1896, when he sold out and prepared to go to Alaska. January, 1898, found him en route for the north, going first to Skagway and then en- gaging in business at Lake Bennett, British Columbia, where he continued successfully for two years. He then sold out and prepared to move his stock to Dawson, taking it down the Yukon river on flat-boats. While en route he lost about $2,000 through the sinking of a boat during a storm, for, though he succeeded in rais- ing it, the stock was almost worthless. In Daw- son he once more opened up a general merchan- dise business, but remained only eighteen months, when he closed out the stock and returned to Eugene coming down the Yukon river to St. Michaels, thence to Nome. Mr. Matlock now owns five hundred acres located five miles from Eugene, which is devoted to the raising of stock, this land now being rented. For many years he was interested in the Engene Lumber Company, acting as director for the company, and has but recently disposed of his interest in the business.

Notwithstanding his engrossing business in- terests, Mr. Matlock has always taken an active part in public affairs, being broad-minded and earnest in his efforts for the best interests of the community. In 1874 he was elected to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket, of which party he is an adherent. For one term he was mayor of Eugene, and was councilman for a period of ten years, now holding that office as a representative of South Eugene, from the Second ward. He is also chairman of the street com- missioners and a member of the health commis- sion. He is chairman of the Lane county Demo- cratic central committee and a member of the First Congressional District Democratic com- mittee.

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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 248

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