Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 32

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 32

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he never reached his destination nor realized his hopes, as he went down in the wreck of the brig Enterprise off Newcastle in 1820, all of the family being rescued except himself and an in- fant nephew whom he had in his arms.

John Minto, the father of our subject, was born at Wylam, England, on the Tyne, about nine miles from the city of Newcastle. The same house in which he was born was also the birth- place of his eldest son, who is the subject of this review. The father was a coal miner by occupation and by trade a gunsmith. His mar- riage with Mary Hutchinson, who was of Eng- lish ancestry, took place in England, and in 1840 they, with their family, came to America, stopping first at Pottsville and later . at Pitts- burg, Pa., where for several years the father followed coal mining. Early in 1848 the fam- ily removed to Iowa, where the mother's death took place. The father lived to be fifty-five years old and died in 1855 of tropical fever on the Caribbean Sea, within a day's sail of Aspinwall, while on his way to join his son in Oregon.

Nine children were born into the parental fam- ily, namely: Margaret, John (of this review), Mary, William H., Jane, Annie, Robert H., Isa- bell and Sarah. Margaret was twice married, her first husband being Mr. Haig, by whom she had one son, John Haig, who was a soldier in the Civil war; her second union was with Thomas Craig, a veteran of the Civil war, and her death took place in Iowa. Mary died in Pennsylvania in 1880; her husband, Henry Ramsey, was also a soldier in the Civil war. William H. was drowned in the river Tyne, England, when a youth of. thirteen years. Jane is the widow of Fred Richards and resides at Tipton, Iowa; Annie is the widow of William Arnott and formerly lived at Springfield, Ohio, but is now a resident of Kansas. Robert H. re- sponded nobly to our country's first call for troops at the outbreak of the Civil war, and was a vol- unteer in the First Ohio Cavalry, serving three months; after receiving an honorable discharge he at once re-enlisted in another cavalry troop and served until the termination of the war; he died in Indian Territory. Isabell, the first child of this family who was born in America, married Alonzo T. Waln, Sr., and resides at Hawkeye, Iowa. Sarah becanie the wife of Lucien B. Fullerton ; at the time of her death in Oregon she owned the donation claim four miles south of Salem, Ore., originally taken up by her brother John, and the same is now owned hy her sister's son, Alonzo T. Waln, Jr.

John Minto, whose name heads this article. was born October 10, 1822, in England. He ac- companied the family to America and his early education was irregular and defective, owing chiefly to the moderate circumstances of the fam-

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ily as well as to the inferior schools of those early times. From his eighth to his twenty- second year, he found almost steady employment in the mines, digging coal after he had passed his eighteenth year. He finally left Pittsburg, in- tending to go to Iowa, but when he reached St. Louis he conceived the idea of going to Oregon. He had read so much about frontier life that the very name of Oregon had a peculiar fascination for him, and finally influenced his decision. Changing boats at St. Louis, where he also bought supplies to cross the great plains, he proceeded to St. Joseph, Mo., where he fell in with the Gilliam Company, which rendezvoused at that place. He contracted with R. W. Mor- rison and drove the leading teams of the Gilliam Company across the plains and Rocky mountains, arriving one month ahead of the balance of the train, and returning, assisted the others on their way. That was in 1844, and he arrived in Ore- gon City October 18, though the balance of the party did not arrive at Linton, their destina- tion, until much later. Early in 1845 he re- turned to The Dalles and drove Capt. R. W. Morrison's cattle to the valley, arriving in March of the same year.

July 8, 1847, Mr. Minto was joined in mar- riage with Martha Ann Morrison, who was born in Montgomery county, Mo., December 17, 1831, a daughter of Capt. R. W. and Nancy (Irwin) Morrison, both of whom died on the Clatsop. They were noble pioneers of

that section and both died at the old home farm, which was the original Morri- son donation claim. They both lived to attain the advanced age of eighty-four years, and at their death left a large family, as follows: Martha Ann, who became Mrs. Minto; Mary E., widow of Hiram Carnahan, residing at Carnahan Sta- tion; Thomas H. Benton, president of the His- torical Society at Astoria; John H. and James F., deceased ; Hannah M., wife of Captain Ham- lin; William M. and Jefferson. The three last mentioned reside on a part of the home farm. Soon after his arrival in Oregon Mr. Minto worked for Peter Burnett, making cedar rails, and next assisted in logging for Hunt's saw- mill, near the present site of Clifton. During the year 1845 he purchased the original Metho- dist Mission claim, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He subsequently sold this farm and took up a donation claim four miles south of Salem, and began immediately to im- prove it, setting out orchards, etc. About this time he began raising sheep, and soon became a leader in that industry. Fine wool sheep were first introduced into Oregon about 1860, and being already a prominent sheep-raiser, Mr. Minto paid $512 for an interest in ten head of choice Merinos. From the first he was success-

ful in this business, and was soon considered an authority on all questions pertaining to sheep. He also contributed many articles on sheep-rais- ing to the leading agricultural papers of the country, and for two years was secretary of the State Agricultural Society. During the second ycar he was elected by the managers of the so- ciety to edit The Willamette Farmer, devoted wholly to agricultural interests.

In 1873 Mr. Minto was appointed by the county court to go to the mountains and ascer- tain if there was a natural pass into eastern Oregon, as had been reported by some hunters. The report was confirmed, and the pass was named Minto's Pass, in honor of our subject, who personally superintended the work of con- structing a trail. In 1882 he learned from Hon. John B. Waldo that a lower pass existed seven miles south of Minto's pass, and, upon the lat- ter's suggestion, Mr. Minto was furnished with the funds to make a survey, and finally a rail- road was built through this pass over the Cas- cade mountains.

In politics Mr. Minto is a Republican, though he was originally a Douglas Democrat. He served several terms in the lower house of the state legislature, being elected in 1862, 1868, . 1880 and 1890. In 1892 he received a commis- sion from the secretary of agriculture to report on the sheep-husbandry in the northwest, em- bracing California, Oregon and Washington. In 1895 he was appointed by Governor Lord as a member of the State Board of Horticulture of Oregon, and shortly afterward was elected Sec- retary of the board and served as such for three and one-half years. He has been a copious writer on every subject connected with farm life, and the management of the Pioneer Association of Oregon selected him to make the presentation speech February 5, 1889, when the life-size por- trait of Dr. John McLoughlin, which now adorns the state house, was presented to the state. It is needless to add that he did not dis- appoint his friends on that occasion, as he is a fluent speaker.

In 1867 Mr. Minto purchased the Island prop- erty, which was then covered with driftwood and undergrowth. Under his management it soon put on an air of thrift, and since 1870 he has made it his home. He owns two hundred and forty-seven acres of land, seven acres being on the east side of the river.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Minto, as follows: John Wilson, Mary E., Rob- ert B., William Jasper, Irwin, Douglas C., Harry Percy, and May. The last-named died in in- fancy, and Irwin and Robert B. died of typhoid fever when eighteen years of age. Mary E. is the wife of Robert C. Halley and they reside on part of Mrs. Minto's donation claim four miles

John Porte

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south of Salem. Jasper resides in the latter city. Douglas C. operates the home place and Harry Percy is prospecting for gold in Alaska.

Though Mr. Minto is now in his eighty-first year, he has not ceased to think and care for the best interests of Oregon, and his views have often been sought in matters of moment.

JOHN PORTER. Among the courageous pioneers of Marion county, who put forth their highest efforts toward the upbuilding of the com- munity in which they had located, were Edward Porter and his son John, the subject of this sketch. Coming to Oregon when the country was practically virgin wilderness, they were par- ticipants in and interested witnesses of the rapid transformation of the heavily timbered land into a rich and productive agricultural region, and by every means within their power aided in its growth and advancement.

Edward Porter was born in 1803. Early in life he engaged in farming in Ohio, where he mar- ried. In 1835 he removed with his family from Ohio to Illinois, settling in Fulton county, where for nearly a score of years he continued farm- ing. In his youth he had learned the trade of steel-smith, and made tools of all kinds, an occu- pation which demanded no small measure of skill. In 1853 he started on the long journey overland, bound for Oregon. He and his family crossed the intervening country with teams and wagons, which were then the only means of land transportation in the west. With his wife and children he came direct to Marion county, and located about five miles southeast of Silverton, on what is known as the Porter donation claim. In common with other pioneers he labored with untiring energy to improve his land, and as the years rolled by found himself possessed of a comfortable home. Here he resided until after the death of his wife, Anna (Anderson) Porter, who was born in 1805. His remaining years he spent at the home of his youngest son. He lived to be over seventy years of age.

A native of Vermilion township, Richland county, Ohio, John Porter was born October 6, 1830, and in that state spent the first five years of his life. Going then with his parents to In- diana, and thence to Fulton county, Ill., he was there reared and educated. When his parents started westward in 1853 he accompanied them on their trip across the plains. They were nearly six months journeying with the plodding ox- teams, but had no serious adventures en route. Being young and unmarried he remained at home, assisting in the clearing of the land taken up by his father until he reached the age of about twenty-five years, when he took unto him- self a wife and established himself as a house-

holder on the old Porter donation claim. There he resided until 1859. In that year he located near Fairfield, on the French Prairie, where he remained until 1864. From that time until the death of his wife in 1897 he resided on the White donation claim. Since 1897 he has made his home with his children.

Mr. Porter's wife, whose maiden name was Annis White, was born in Indiana, and came with her parents from Missouri to Marion county in 1852. They settled about five miles southeast of Silverton, on the White donation claim. Of the ten children born of their union. one died in infancy. The others are as follows : Allen, residing in Grant county, Ore .; Rene, wife of F. M. Remington, a resident of Idaho; Ed- ward S., a farmer of Marion county; Charlotte, wife of E. W. Ross, also a farmer of Marion county ; Anna, wife of R. N. Harrison, of Wash- ington; John H., living not far from the old homestead; Josie, wife of L. D. Leonard, of Idaho; Ai, who lives on the home farm; and Lena, wife of B. H. Davis of Silverton.

A man of unusual energy and ability, John Porter has met with almost unprecedented suc- cess in his life occupation. Since the beginning of his career he has accumulated a large amount of land, aggregating about sixteen hundred acres, a large part of which is in a good state of cultivation and yielding him a handsome annual income. Straightforward and honest in all his dealings, he enjoys in a marked degree the con- fidence and good-will of all who know him. He is liberal and public spirited, and has taken an active part in the political undertakings of his neighborhood. The record of his entire life has been above reproach, and his name will go down in history as that of one of the earnest, consci- entious, fair-minded and upright men of Marion county.

O. P. DANNALS. Continuously since 1896 O. P. Dannals has served as councilman of the First ward in Albany, and during that time has proved himself- a conscientious and painstaking public servant. His reputation as a broad-minded and incorruptible politician goes hand in hand with his standing as one of the substantial busi- ness men of the town, and one who has for years contributed to its material and moral upbuilding. An expert blacksmith and machinist, he stands at the head of his line in this community, and his shop, with its horse-power machinery and mod- ern facilities for doing a large and varied busi- ness, is one of the busiest places in the town.

James Dannals, the father of O. P., was born in Rochester, N. Y., and by trade is a cabinet- maker and carpenter. As a young man he say an opportunity to make a fortune in the mint ;

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of California, but after crossing the plains with ox teams in 1851, and spending a year in mining and prospecting, he gave up the idea of making money rapidly and came to Oregon. Taking up a claim near Eugene in the spring of 1853, he soon after moved into the town and engaged in the furniture business, continuing the same until 1862. For a short time following he farmed in the vicinity of Salem, and in 1868 bought a farm twelve miles south of Albany, in Linn county, where he lived and prospered until 1876. He is now living retired in Albany, where he is well known, and where he has served in the city council. He married Louise Clover, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Paul Clover, who crossed the plains with his family in 1852, settling on a farm in Linn county. Oscar Paul is the oldest of the four sons and four daughters born into this family ; Lucy, the oldest daughter, is the wife of Worth Huston, the present sheriff of Linn county ; Rosa is deceased ; Frank is a painter and decorator in Albany; James is deceased ; Daisy is now Mrs. Allen, of Washington ; Charles is engaged in painting in Albany; and Laura is living at home.

Born on the old donation claim near Eugene. February 5, 1854, Oscar Paul was educated in the public schools, and while still a boy, learned the cabinet-maker's trade from his father. Later he was apprenticed to a blacksmith and machinist, and at the expiration of his. service was amply qualified to look out for himself in any emer- gency. In 1876 he began to farm in Linn county, and in 1878 located in Albany, where his father was running a furniture factory, and where he himself worked as a cabinet-maker and uphol- sterer. In 1882 he removed to east Oregon and worked at blacksmithing at Dufur, Wasco coun- ty, returning to Albany in 1882, and establishing his present shop in one of the most desirable loca- tions in the town. He makes a specialty of horse- shoeing, but besides has a most complete ma- chinist's outfit, both for repairing and manufactur- ing.

In Linn county Mr. Dannals was united in mar- riage with Alice McCulley, a native daughter of Linn county, and whose father, J. M., is a farmer in Idaho. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dannals, the order of their birth being as follows: Eliner J., a conductor with the Cor- vallis & Eastern Railroad; Clyde, a blacksmith in business with his father ; Nellie, employed with the telephone company ; Floe ; and James. A Re- publican in politics, Mr. Dannals has taken a keen interest in his party's local undertakings, and was elected councilman first in 1896, being re-elected continuously since, the last time in 1902. He is fraternally popular, and is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Like

the majority of men who are thrown much with horses, Mr. Dannals has a keen appreciation of the good points of a horse, and owns some valu- able specimens of this noble animal. In the esti- mation of competent judges the driving horse with which he usually appears is one of the finest to be found in Oregon. A beautiful thorough- bred Arabian, of the kind the Bedouin chiefs rank as deserving a place with their owners in the great hereafter, with a splendidly arched neck and shining sides, it is not surprising that the hand which guides the reins is a kindly and gen- tle one, and that it is numbered among his most valued possessions.

STIRLING PRICE MUNKERS. Promi- nently identified with the management of the pub- lic affairs of Linn county, S. P. Munkers of Al- bany, occupies the responsible position of county recorder. A native son, he is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the earliest and most hon- ored pioneer families of the Willamette valley, the name of Munkers being conspicuously asso- ciated with its industrial development, and the promotion of its prosperity. He is a son of the late Hon. Thomas McLean Munkers, and was born in Linn county, September 16, 1864.

Descendant of a distinguished Virginian an- cestry, Mr. Munker's paternal grandfather, Ben- jamin Franklin Munkers, was born and reared in the Old Dominion state, but began his life work as a farmer in Missouri. Crossing the plains with his family in 1845, he took up a do- nation claim in Marion county, Ore., near Salem, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until well advanced in years. Removing then to Linn county, he resided in Scio until his death.

As a boy of fifteen years, Thomas McLean Munkers came with his parents to Oregon from Jackson county, Mo., the place of his birth, mak- ing the journey with ox-teams in 1845. In 1846, accompanied by two of his brothers, he rode across the mountains to California, but not being impressed with the country, soon returned to Salem, Ore. During the excitement that fol- lowed the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mills, he again visited California, and while there took part in the Indian war, and was an active par- ticipant in various skirinishes with the savages, both in California and Oregon. After his mar- riage he settled in Linn county, purchasing a farm of four hundred and eighty acres in the forks of the Santiam river. Improving the land. he devoted his attention to the raising of grain and stock until his retirement from active pur- suits, when he settled in Scio, where his death occurred in 1898, at the age of sixty-six years." Active and influential in public matters, he repre- sented his district in the state legislature three

Matthew Small

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terms, and served one term as state senator. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Christian Church.

Hon. Thomas McLean Munkers was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Phoebe Ann Crabtree, was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Washington Crabtree. Her father was an early pioneer of Linn county, taking up a donation claim near Red Hills, at the forks of the Santiam river, where he improved a farm, and also worked at his trade of blacksmithing and carriage and wagonmaking, as well as manu- facturing plows. He died at the venerable age of ninety-three years, a respected and honored citizen. Mrs. Phoebe Ann (Crabtree) Munkers died at the age of twenty-six years, leaving three children, namely: George W., who died in Marion county, Ore., in June, 1902; Sarah I., wife of John Smallman, of Stayton, Ore .; and Stirling Price, the subject of this review. For his second wife Mr. Munkers married Mary Jane Chrisman, by whom he had three children, two of whom are now living: Ida, wife of Ed. King, of Salem, Ore. ; and J. C. Munkers, of Mohawk, 'Ore.

Reared on the home farm, Stirling Price Munk- ers received a practical education in the district schools, remaining beneath the parental roof until attaining his majority. Accepting then a position as superintendent of the warehouse at Munkers Station, he was associated with G. F. Simpson as a dealer in grain for nine years, and after a time became a partner in the business. Returning to the old homestead, Mr. Munkers had charge of the farm for five years, being successfully em- ployed in grain and stock-raising. Purchasing a farm of his own, he engaged in general farm- ing for three years, when he sold out and re- moved to Scio, and for a time worked at various occupations. Accepting the nomination for coun- tv recorder on the Democratic ticket in June, 1902, Mr. Munkers was elected by a majority of one hundred and fifteen votes, for a term of two years, and took the oath of office on July 7. 1902.

On June 29, 1892, in Albanv. Ore., Mr. Munk- ers married Miss Maggie McKnight, who was born in Linn county, of pioneer parents. Two children have blessed their union: Zelpha Ann and Royal Bruce. Mr. Munkers is a member and past chancellor of Scio Lodge No. 36, K. of P .; and Scio Camp, W. O. W., of which he is past councilor. Politically he is a sound Democrat. Mrs. Munkers is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

MATTHEW SMALL. With southern blood his birthright and southern skies the first he ever looked upon, the father of Matthew Small

was still a stanch Abolitionist, going even to the length of giving up his home and the pleasant associations of his young manhood to remove from the conditions that were so foreign to his inborn principles. Thomas Henderson Small was born in Wayne county, Ky., October 6, 1810, and was reared to the life of a farmer. In that state, December 22, 1831, he married Miss Elizabeth Burnett, who was born in Mer- cer county, Ky., July 14, 1806, and there they continued to make their home for some time. In 1832 they removed to Tennessee. Finding the social conditions there such as he could not endorse, Mr. Small gathered up his worldly goods and with the proverbial ox-team started in September, 1852, on the journey over an un- settled continent. Whatever the remainder of their life was, one year of it was spent as was that of the Israelites of old, in wandering toward a land which they fondly hoped would prove the realization of their dreams. On the trip they had stopped in Gentry county, Mo., where they had remained through the winter, taking up the journey again with the breaking of the cold. They were providentially spared the depreda- tions of the Indians while on the way, reaching Oregon safely September 7, 1853, and coming direct to Marion county, where they settled in the Waldo Hills, about four and one-half miles south of Silverton and twelve miles east of Salem.

Having purchased the squatter's right to property in this locality, Mr. Small at once proved up on the claim, putting upon it all the im- provements that brought it from the wilderness to rank with the farms of this fertile county. His first wife having died on the old donation claim six miles south of Silverton, October 21. 1882. after a few years he married Mrs. Fannie E. Green, a native of Missouri, who was born Janu- ary 28, 1839, and died June 30, 1893. By his first marriage he had nine children, three of whom are living as follows : Henry, of California ; Matthew, of this review ; and Rhea, living on the old home place. Thomas H. Small died May 3, 1901, when over eighty-nine years of age, after a well-spent life, not the least of whose labors was his ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he having given about a third of his time to religious work. He was ordained to the ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in eastern Tennessee, about 1832. During the years of his residence in Oregon he performed onerous pastoral duties in various sections of the Willamette valley, and never sought pecuniary reward for his services. He was one of the best known men in the vicinity, and the general es- teem in which he was held has made his name one to be remembered.

Matthew Small was born October 25, 1836, in Sweetwater, Monroe county, Tenn., receiving

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his education through the medium of the dis- trict schools, principally in his native state. He journeyed to the west with his parents and remained with them until his marriage, which occurred in Oregon April 2, 1857, uniting him with Miss Mary J. McAlpin, a native of Indiana. Their first home was one mile north of the old home place, but in 1870 they removed to the location where they now live, about a half-mile south of Silverton, on the old mountain road. The house in which the family live was built in 1853. In his farming Mr. Small has always been progressive, endeavoring to bring this in- dustry to a higher standard of excellence and to make it pleasant as well as profitable. In addition to city property Mr. Small and his wife own nine hundred and fifty acres, upon which he is at present engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is also interested in fine sheep and goats, being the first man to introduce Angora goats into the Willamette valley. His first wife having died March 9, 1891, at the age of forty-nine years six months and four days, he married Margaret M. Moore, April 5, 1892. She is a native of Ottawa, LaSalle county, Ill., and a daughter of William Craig and Margaret Jane (Wauchope) Moore, born respectively in Pennsylvania and Ireland. They died in LaSalle county, Ill. By his first union Mr. Small had five children, only three of whom are living: Olivia, wife of Capt. David Craig, of Macleay, Ore .; Isham B., of Oswego, Ore .; and Narvesta, wife of James G. Smith, of Silverton. The children by his second marriage are Hugh Talmage and John Quincy. Politically Mr. Small is a supporter of the Prohibition party, and finds his religious home in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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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 32

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