Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 43

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 43

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Until his twenty-first year, Peter F. Clark remained on the home farm in Missouri, and in

1850 crossed the plains with ox teams, mining for two years on the American river in Cali- fornia. In 1852 he returned to the east via Panama, and farmed and raised stock in Mis- souri with considerable success. The beginning of the Civil war found him living on a farm de- veloped by his industry into a paying property, yet he left his interests and enlisted, May 19, 1861, in the home guards of Lawrence county, which guards had been raised principally through his instrumentality. The services of the guards were recognized by the governor of the state and were paid accordingly, Mr. Clark serving as captain about four months. For the follow- ing two months he was a member of the state militia, after which he raised Company A, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, of which he was made first lieutenant, serving thus until the end of the war. Two companies, A and H, were detached from the regiment and sent to carry supplies to Kit Carson's regiment, and to act as escort to the governors of Arizona and New Mexico.

After the close of hostilities, Mr. Clark re- turned to Missouri and engaged in farming until 1874, when he again crossed the plains, this time with horse teams. Four months and thirteen days were consumed in the journey, whereas five months were lost in the former trip. Locat- ing at Zena, Polk county, he remained there until 1876. He then purchased his present farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, all of which is under cultivation. The property is now rented and Mr. Clark is enjoying a well earned rest from the ardnous toil which marked his earlier years. September 23, 1852, he was united in marriage with Margaret J. Marsh, in Lawrence county, Mo. Mrs. Clark was born in Tennessee, November 10, 1830, and died in Polk county January 28, 1900, leaving three children living and one deceased, as follows: Margaret E., who became the wife of A. W. Cochran, but is now deceased; Henrietta C., the wife of J. N. Gibson, of Pullman, Wash .; John F., an attor- ney-at-law of Oregon City, and Addie E., who graduated from the McMinnville College in 1889, and for three years was engaged in teach- ing in Polk and Yamhill counties. In 1896, Miss Clark went to Oregon City and became a grade teacher in the West Side school, later ac- cepting a similar position in the Barclay school. After two years she became principal of the school, in which position she remained until June, 1903, when she was elected to the important position of superintendent of the Oregon City schools.

In politics a Republican, Mr. Clark has taken a keen interest in all matters of general interest, and his influence has often been felt in the coun- cils of his party. Among other positions of trust

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and responsibility which he has filled, may be mentioned that of justice of the peace for twelve years, postmaster at Zena for six years, and clerk and director of the school board for many years. He is a member of Salem Post, No. 10, G. A. R., a member of and a deacon in the Bap- tist Church. A man of high moral courage and unquestioned integrity, Mr. Clark commands the highest respect of all who know him, and well deserves the financial and general success which has crowned his honest efforts in 'the northwest.

ABRAHAM McKILLOP. A lunch counter enterprise in Albany which is deserving of the large patronage accorded it, is that owned and operated by Abraham McKillop, who, though a voung man, has both the experience and special ability for his chosen calling. The Albany Lunch Counter has many attractions for the hun- gry wayfarer, not the least of which is absolute cleanliness and agreeable surroundings. The viands are the best procurable, and where prep- aration is required, the utmost skill is evinced, an excellent chef being in attendance in the cul- inary department. The genial and tactful propri- etor has a good word for everyone, a fact which goes far towards retaining his constantly in- creasing patronage.

The adaptability of the brightest of the sons of Erin is the inheritance of Mr. McKillop, who has also Scotch blood in his veins, his grand- father. James, having established the family in the north of Ireland after leaving his native Scot- land. Abraham was born in Belfast, Ireland April 10, 1872, and is the youngest of the ten chil- dren born to his parents, James and Martha (Mc- Meekin) McKillop. James McKillop was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and by trade was a linen weaver. He died when Abraham was two years of age, and his wife died when the boy was nine years old. The other children are James, who came to Oregon in 1870, lived on a farm in Marion county, and was killed while hauling lumber in the mountains; Robert lives on a farm at Scio, Ore .; Hannah, deceased, was the wife of Mr. McCauley, of Salem; Archie was accidentally killed in a logging camp; David is living on the farm of his brother Abra- ham near Salem; William is a farmer near Sil- verton; and Alexander is a rancher in Califor- nia. Archie McKillop, brother of James, and uncle of Abraham, was a pioneer of the Pacific coast, having crossed the plains in 1849, and located in Marion county, where his death oc- curred.

After the death of his mother. Abraham Mc- Killop went to live with a cousin until he was fourteen years old, and in 1886 he came to Am- erica, traveling overland to Salem, Orc. His

first business experience was in a restaurant in Salem, where he began at the bottom and worked his way up to be cook, learning also to be a practical and economical buyer. In 1896 he came to Albany and bought and conducted a restau- rant for two years, disposing of the same in 1898 in order to pursue a similar occupation in San- dow, B. C. He was very successful in the north- ern country, and at the end of eighteen months returned to Albany and again bought the res- taurant he had owned before. Two years later he sold it and bought the White House Res- taurant in Salem, a year later disposing of his purchase to buy, for the third time, the old Al- bany eating house. Since 1900 he has conducted this time-honored restaurant known as the Al- bany Lunch Counter, with gratifying success.

In Albany Mr. McKillop was united in mar- riage with Estella Critchlow, who was born in Salem, and who is the mother of one son, Archie. Mr. McKillop is a stanch defender of Republican principles, but he has hardly been long enough in one place to actively participate in the local undertakings of his party. He is popular fra- ternally, and is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Work- men. The old McKillop farm, settled by his uncle near Salem, is the property of Mr. McKil- lop, and its one hundred and eighty-one acres are devoted to grain and stock farming, and managed at present by his brother.

FRANK SKIPTON. On the corner of Sec- ond and Ellsworth streets, Albany, is located the livery and feed stable owned and managed by an enterprising and up-to-date business man, one who appreciates the value of first-class car- riages and well-bred horses. Frank Skipton has a thorough understanding of his business, and is known as one of the popular and successful liverymen in the Willamette valley. He has tact and is obliging, never out of humor, and able to count his friends and patrons by the score. He was born on a farm near Des Moines, Iowa, October 20, 1865, his father, Elijah, having set- tled there at a very early day, removing from his native state of Illinois. The paternal grand- father, James, lived for many years in Illinois, and lived in contentment to the end of his days. Elijah Skipton brought his wife and three chil- dren across the plains with horse teams in 1851, spending six months on the way, with a train of one hundred wagons. He settled on a farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Benton coun- ty, Ore., seven miles from Corvallis, where he is still living, and successfully engaged in farm- ing, stock and prune-raising. He is a promi- nent Democrat, and served continuously as county assessor for twelve years, refusing to

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longer fill that important office. He has also been county commissioner, and is a man of lead- ing characteristics, thoroughly in touch with gen- eral affairs. His wife, formerly Mary Marion, a native of Illinois, is also living, as are four of their seven children, Frank being the fourth in order of birth.

While on the paternal farm Frank Skipton at- tended the public schools, and in time entered the schools of Roseburg, later attending the Philo- math College. His school days ended, he re- turned to the farm, and after his marriage in Douglas county, in 1891, with Miss Alvia Im- bler, bought two hundred and sixty-six acres of land near the old home, which he improved and devoted to grain raising for four years, when he sold it. He still owns seventy-one acres of the old farm. In 1895 he located with his family in Albany, and in 1896 bought the livery busi- ness of John Smear, which he has since main- tained most successfully. To such an extent has the business grown that he opened another barn to accommodate his large and constantly increas- ing trade. The main barn is 110X96 feet, ground dimensions, and has ample accommodations for horses which are for sale, a department in which Mr. Skipton realizes large yearly returns.

He is identificd with Laurel Lodge No. 17, Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Knights of the Maccabees. All who know him entertain respect for the admirable personal characteristics of Mr. Skipton, and rec- ognize in him a man of strict business integrity. In public matters he has always been a liberal contributor.

FERRIS A. LUCAS. The Bryan-Lucas Lumber Company, formerly the Luckiamute Milling Company, is one of the substantial commercial enterprises of Polk county, and in the community around Falls City enjoys a reputation in keeping with its large output and the high character of the men directing its affairs. The prime factor in the develop- ment of this industry is Ferris A. Lucas, a lumberman of many years' experience, and one who, although, comparatively speaking, one of the younger business men of the county, has already evinced marked financial ability. Born in the heart of the lumbering district of Michigan, in Steuben county, Sep- tember 14, 1865, and reared at Stanton, the heart of the lumber section, he was accus- tomed from earliest boyhood to the hum of the sawmill, and to the free and easy life around farm and mill. His father, Israel J. Lucas, born in Ohio, moved from Indiana to Montcalm county, Mich., about 1865, and there became interested in milling and farm- ing. He is a very successful, prominent and

ambitious man, and has amassed quite a for- tune from his combined interests. At pres- ent he is living at Stanton, Mich., where he owns four farms, at the age of sixty-five years. He is of Scotch-English descent, and his father, Israel, was also a native of Ohio, and died in Indiana. Israel, Jr., married Mary Ann Hodges, who died in Stanton, Mich., at the age of twenty-nine years, leaving four children, three sons and one daughter, of whom Ferris A. is the second child.

When within three months of graduation at the high school of Stanton, Mich., Ferris A. started in to farm for himself, being at that time twenty-one years of age. In 1889 he began to work at the carpenter trade, and in 1891 came to Oregon, locating in Falls City. He was not slow to realize that he had found a very desirable lumbering local- ity, and in 1896 became interested in a shingle mill, and the following year bought a lumber or sawmill with a capacity of fifteen thousand feet per day. In 1898 he put up a mill with a capacity of one hundred thousand feet per day, located four miles southwest of Falls City, and having a flume which carries the lumber to the town. At present seventy-five men are employed around the mill. The new mill, now being erected, will have the very latest in milling machinery, and will be an- other addition to a large and flourishing lum- ber community. A dryer is also being built at present, with a capacity of eighty thousand fect. A market is found in all of the states west of the Mississippi river, and the mill products are known all along the coast. As in Michigan and other lumbering centers, the company maintains a large general merchan- dise store for the accommodation of its em- ployes and their families, the store building being one of the finest of the kind in the county. It is three stories high, and has ground dimensions 40x80 feet. In the build- ing is a hall 40x80 feet, and the store contains everything in demand in the general merchan- dise line.

First known as the Luckiamute Milling Com- pany, Mr. Lucas changed his associations in 1897 and took as his partner John J. Mont- gomery, and in 1898 sold a third interest to A. H. Dodd. In 1899 he bought out Mr. Montgomery, and in the same year sold a half interest in the business to R. E. Bryan, since which time the business has been con- ducted under the firm name of the Bryan- Lucas Lumber Company. Mr. Lucas is pro- gressive in his ideas, and has all modern im- provements in his business, including a tele- phone connection with Falls City.

In Michigan Mr. Lucas was united in mar-

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riage with Carrie E. Calkins, a native of Hills- dale county, Mich., and daughter of H. S. Calkins, a native of New York. Mr. Calkins was an early settler in Michigan, and at the present time is employed by his son-in-law in his mill. The twins born to Mr. and Mrs. Lucas died at birth. Mr. Lucas is a Demo- crat in political affiliation, and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. A man of sterling integrity and sound business judgment, he not only has the confidence of the business community, but the friendship and good will of all who are asso- ciated with him in whatsoever capacity.

OLIVER EMMETT LEET. Among the real estate men who are helping to spread abroad the many advantages of Polk county, and by their advocacy of its climate, soil, and resources induc- ing homeseekers to settle within its boundaries, may be mentioned Oliver Emmett Leet, an enter- prising citizen of Falls City, and a large land- owner in different parts of the state. Mr. Leet is a native of Massachusetts, and was born at the old homestead at Williamstown, May 9, 1850. On this same farm his father, Alonzo Leet was born, reared, married, and eventually died at the age of sixty-five years. He was a farmer during his entire active life, and because of good management and shrewd business ability acquired a competence. The old Leet homestead was the scene also of the birth of the paternal grandfather, William. The paternal great-grand- father, Gerard, was born on Leet Island, Conn., which was named in honor of the family. Alonzo Leet married his wife Laura in Vermont, the daughter of Oliver Hill, a farmer of the Green Mountain state.

The youngest son and fourth child in his father's family, Oliver Emmett Leet was educated in the public school near the home farm, and at the age of seventeen learned the stone mason's trade in North Adams, Mass. In 1875 he came to the coast, and after a short time spent in Cali- fornia returned to Massachusetts. During the latter part of 1876 he came to Nebraska, but the same year returned to Massachusetts. A third time he came west in 1878, this time reaching California, but in December he again visited his native state. The various trips to the coast had been utilized by Mr. Leet for making observations of the country, and in hope of finding a desirable permanent location. October 15, 1879, he came to Oregon, and in October, 1880, settled in what is now Sherman county but at that time it formed but one precinct of Wasco county, containing only thirteen voters, and there he cast his first vote in Oregon for James A. Garfield, for presi- dent. He engaged in stock-raising, principally

horses and cattle. In addition to the land he had taken up he bought a large tract and placed it partially under cultivation, and in 1888 desiring to try his fortunes in another part of the state. he settled in Newport, where he remained four years. Returning to his farm in eastern Oregon in 1892, he continued to farm and raise stock for two years. In December, 1894, he came to Falls City, where he bought ninety acres adjoin- ing the town, and engaged in farming and fruit- raising. In 1896 he removed to Dallas, return- ing to the farm in October, 1898, and there remaining until November, 1901.

Locating in Falls City, Mr. Leet engaged in the real estate business, and although a compara- tively recent addition to the business life of the city, he is recognized as one of the substantial business factors in the community. He deals principally in farm and timber land, concerning which his life of activity in various parts of the state has given him a wide knowledge. Person- ally he owns a great deal of property in Oregon, at Dallas, Hillsboro, and in Portland, as well as valuable town property in Falls City.

Mr. Leet married, June 30, 1872, in New York state, Mary Jane Parker, a native of Stanford, Vt., and daughter of Harry Parker, a native and farmer of Vermont. Mr. Leet is prominent in social affairs of his adopted town, and is identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically a Republican, he held the office of councilman in Newport, Ore., for two terms. He is a resourceful and enterprising man, con- scientious and painstaking. and with a parti- cularly fine regard for the courtesies and ameni- ties of life.

SILAS LIVINGSTON. Occupying a promi- nent position in the industrial circles of Albany, Linn county, Ore., Silas Livingston is a member of the firm which controls the interests of the Albany Planing Mills, a large and lucrative busi- ness which adds much to the financial prestige of the city. Though in business but a comparative- ly short time, as far as regards independent in- terests, Mr. Livingston has forcibly demonstrated his ability along these lines, and has made a gratifying success of his work.

The birth of Mr. Livingston occurred in York- ville township, Racine county, Wis., March 13, 1844, his parents being David and Julia Ann (Nichols) Livingston. The founder of this fam- ily in America was John Livingston, an emi- grant from Scotland. After a short residence in Canada he came to the state of New York and there became a farmer, later making his home in Wisconsin, where he died. His son, David, the father of Silas Livingston, was born in New York state, and was also a farmer. He became

John Hughes

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a pioneer of Racine county, Wis., and later re- moved to Minnesota, where he lived in both Hen- nepin and Carver counties. With his wife, the daughter of George Nichols, Mr. Livingston made the journey to Portland, Ore., where he died. His wife survived him until 1899, her death occurring in Albany. Her father was first a resident of New York state, where Mrs. Liv- ingston was born. Subsequently he resided in Wisconsin. Of the nine children born to them, eight sons and one daughter, all attained ma- turity, though only three are now living. Of the sons four served in the Civil war, being as fol- lows: John, in Burdan's First Sharpshooters ; Alexander, likewise in Burdan's First Sharp- shooters, being wounded at Antietam; Jasper, in the Ninth Minnesota; and S. Livingston, fourth of the children. The three first named are now dead, John and Jasper both dying while residents of Minnesota.

Silas Livingston was about seven years of age when his father removed to the state of Minnesota. There he was reared to manhood on the paternal farm, receiving a limited educa- tion in the district schools. Though but eighteen years of age Mr. Livingston enlisted in 1862. in Company D, Sixth Minnesota Infantry, and was sent to the scene of the Sioux Indian upris- ing, where he served until the Indians were sub- dued. He was then sent south, passing through Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi, and serv- ing through the siege of Mobile. Before he left the service he was made a corporal. After a service of three years and three months he was mustered out at Ft. Snelling, in September, 1865.

In his native state he afterward engaged in farming for two years. In 1867 he went to Kan- sas and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, near Columbia, Cherokee county, where he remained for twelve years engaged in farming and threshing. At the close of that period he came west, settling first in Los An- geles county, Cal., near Wilmington, and in 1879 coming to Oregon. On his arrival in this state he first engaged with the bridge department of the Oregon Limited, and remained with them for seven months. After spending the winter in southern Oregon he came to Linn county, and in Albany engaged in the shops of the Althouse & Pierce Planing Mill Company. After one year here he returned to Portland, and was em- ployed for the ensuing twelve years in planing mills of that city, and others in Albany, being principally engaged with the Sugar Pine Mill and Fixture Company with the exception of three years spent in the employ of the Curtis Lun- ber Company in Mill City, Ore. On entering the business for himself he engaged with Mr. Sears, and they now occupy three floors of a building. the dimensions of which are 60x90 feet, all fix-

tures and machinery being thoroughly up-to-date. The business has increased in volume through the enterprise and conscientious effort of Mr. Liv- ingston and his partner to turn out exceptional work.

Mr. Livingston was married in Hennepin county, Minn., to Miss Amy Gould, a native of Wisconsin. They have four children, as fol- lows: Alexander, an engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad, who makes his home at Ash- land, Ore .; Grace, wife of Sanford La Salle, of Albany; Pearl and Robert. Mr. Livingston is a Republican in his political affiliations, and in military circles he is known through his mem- bership of McPherson Post, G. A. R.

JOHN HUGHES. The name of John Hughes, who for many years was one of the substantial business men and influential citi- zens of Salem, is closely interwoven with the history of the Willamette valley since the pio- neer days of the community. He was born in Blountville, Tenn., June 21, 1831, a son of John Hughes, who was also a native of that state. His grandfather, David Hughes, was born in Ireland, but prior to the Revolution crossed the Atlantic to Virginia. When the colonists attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression he joined the American army and fought for independence. He became a pioneer of eastern Tennessee, and there died at the age of ninety-two years. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. Mr. Hughes' father, who carried on farming in eastern Tennessee, died at an early age. He had mar- ried Ann Himes, who was born in Lancaster, Pa., a daughter of Abraham Himes, who was also a native of the Keystone state and of German descent. He removed from Pennsyl- vania to eastern Tennessee, and there Mrs. Hughes was reared. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Knoxville, Tenn., at the age of ninety years.

John Hughes was the eldest of a family of four children and the last surviving member. He was reared in his native locality, pursuing his education in the district and subscription schools. In 1852 he went by stage to the Mississippi, and took a boat for Council Bluffs, Towa. On the 20th of May of that year he left the latter place and started for the gold mines of California. He and four comrades outfitted with a three-yoke team of oxen and one wagon, proceeding westward until they reached the forks of the Green river, where the party divided, three of the number going to Oregon and two to California. Cutting their wagon in two and dividing the oxen,

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they continued on to their respective desti- nations.

On the 7th of October, 1852, John Hughes arrived in the city of Portland, and came thence to Marion county, where for seven years he was engaged in farm work. He then engaged in painting in Salem for a number of years. In 1863 he began business as a mer- chant in that city, establishing a store for the sale of groceries, paints, oils and other com- modities. For forty years thereafter, with the exception of the time when he was temporarily out of the city, he devoted his time to building up a trade which ultimately became one of the most important in the Willamette valley. At the time of his death he was the oldest mer- chant in the city of Salem. He erected the Hughes block, built a portion of the bank block, and at one time was interested in the Salem Flonring Mill. It will thus be seen that his efforts were not confined to one line of enterprise. He carried forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertook, and his identification with commercial pursuits result- ed in making him one of the wealthiest men of the city.

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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 43

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