Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 60

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 60

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JOHN HENRY HAWLEY. The president of the Polk County Bank at Monmouth is num- bered among the early pathfinders and home builders, who, in the stern, heroic days that tried the fiber of the manhood of men, amid almost incredible hardships and dangers, blazed the first narrow winding trails of progress through green wilds, and laid a sure foundation for the state whose heraldic ensign is now numbered among the sisterhood of states. Collectively the knights

of the plains, upon whom a strong duty was im- posed, constitute one of the most imposing pageants in the history of the world, beside which the Crusaders of old, with their perfumed clothes and high sounding titles, their charges and re- tainers, pale into insignificance because of the futility and subsequent uselessness of their mis- sion. Not so the Oregon pioneer, in whose path has grown up the civilization of this part of the northwest, and many of whom possess to-day a memory which runs the gamut from primeval simplicity to cosmopolitan and strenuous activity. To an exceptional degree, John Henry Hawley represents the class of men of whom we speak, and he came a long way with his father in the early days. He was born in London, Canada, March 10, 1835, and was but ten years of age at the time of the overland trip.

Cyrus B. Hawley, the instigator of the family emigration in 1844, was born in the state of New York, and about 1820 removed with his people to the vicinity of London, Canada. Here the parents lived on a farm, while the young man worked at whatever he could find to do, eventually engaging in building and contracting in London, many of his constructions still standing in the quaint old town. In 1836 he removed to Detroit, Mich., and worked at his trade, and two years later located on a little farm near Farmington, Iowa, where he combined contracting and agri- cultural pursuits for about two years. He then moved to Andrew county, Mo., locating near the town of Sparta. While working at building and gathering his harvests, he heard glowing accounts of the far west. Not being satisfied with the prospects of Andrew county, he determined to join an emigrant train in the hazardous journey over the prairies. Disposing of his farm, he equipped with ox teams and wagons, his faithful wife, Elizabeth (Smith) Hawley, whom he mar- ried in the east, assisting him in every possible way. On the journey many pleasant incidents enlivened the company, and although the train was among the first to penetrate the wilds, they encountered very little opposition from the In- dians, and suffered comparatively little from chol- era, small-pox or mountain fever. Gen. Cornelius Gilliam was captain of the train, and he proved a very genial and competent guide, but after awhile the party divided into several sections, each going its separate way. Mr. Hawley located on a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres three miles east of McMinnville, and here he erected a log house for the accommodation of his family, cleared his land of brush and timber, and was soon living in comparative comfort. At best his farm yielded not more than was required for the maintenance of his four sons and three daugh- ters, and the mining chances in the surrounding states appealed to him as worthy of attention.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Accordingly he left his farm in charge of his oldest sons, and in the spring of 1862 went to the Boise Basin, Idaho, intending to add to his fortune from the gold mines. His dreams were not destined for fulfillment, for the following year, in 1863, he was stricken with mountain fever, and died in November at the age of fifty- four years. He was a man of resource and am- bition, and cherished a just pride of birth, his ancestors having been among the early emigrants from England to settle in the United States, and their descendants have filled many positions of trust and responsibility. .

John Henry Hawley built up a strong consti- tution while working on the donation claim near McMinnville, and his want of educational chances in the early days was realized as he approached maturity. At the age of twenty-one he took a two years' course at the Bethel Academy, and, having qualified as a teacher, he taught school in both Polk and Yamhill counties. With the money thus earned he bought a little farm of ten acres in 1858, and in 1861 went to the gold mines of Idaho. Although moderately successful, he spent only one year in the mines, and then returned home. The next year he engaged with his brother-in-law, Jonathan Atterbury, in packing provisions to the Idaho camps. In 1864 he em- barked in the mercantile business in Bethel, Polk county, and in the meantime purchased four hun- dred acres of land upon which he began to engage in farming in 1875. Beginning with 1892 he spent a year in Salem, Ore., and then came to Monmouth, where he invested heavily in the stock of the Polk County Bank, of which institu- tion he has since been president. Much of the success of the bank is due to the financial acumen of this tried and trusted official, whose name rep- resents strength, integrity and absolute control of his business affairs. At the same time he con- tinues to be interested in his farm, where he raises grain to a considerable extent, and makes a specialty of registered Lincoln sheep, and other high grade stock.

In 1858 Mr. Hawley was united in marriage with Eliza Mulkey, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Luke Mulkey, a native of Kentucky. As a young man Mr. Mulkey removed from Kentucky to Missouri, and after crossing the plains in 1847, located near Corvallis, in Benton county, where his death occurred in 1895. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hawley, of whom Horace G. and May I. are deceased ; William H. is a merchant of Pendleton, Ore .; Curtis L. is living on the old farm; Constance is the wife of B. F. Mulkey, of Ashland, Ore .; Luke M. is in the mercantile business with his brother in Pendleton, Ore .; and Maude E. is living at home. Since attaining his majority Mr. Hawley has taken a keen interest in local and gen-

eral politics and has allied himself with the Re- publican party. He has filled many positions of trust and responsibility in the community, and is at present the chief executive of the city of Mon- mouth. During the session of 1882 he was a member of the state legislature from Polk county, serving on the committee for the enrollment of bills. At one time he was justice of the peace of Bethel, Ore. An elder and trustee of the Christian Church, Mr. Hawley is a teacher of the bible class in the Sunday school, and con- tributes generously towards the maintenance of the church. His two story frame home on Col- lege avenue is one of the hospitable and delight- ful centers in the town, and here one of the stal- wart founders of the present prosperity of Polk county spends the hours between his arduous po- litical and business responsibilities.

THOMAS COCKRELL. Since January I, 1896, Thomas Cockrell has been connected with the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad, and on Febru- ary I, 1903, he accepted the position as agent at Albany, Linn county, and in his work has met with the commendation of employers and the good feeling of fellow employes and passengers, thus proving his capability for work where he is constantly thrown into association with the pub- lic. Mr. Cockrell is truly spoken of as one of the rising young men of the community, and it is through the avenue which has led many a man to fortune that he will seek the zenith of his ambitions-an evidence of the estimation in which he is held being in the fact that he was promoted to the Albany office, which is one of the responsible positions on the road.

The Cockrell family came originally from Vir- ginia, where Mortimer J. Cockrell, the grand- father of Thomas Cockrell was born, and from which state he removed to Ohio, where he followed farming and conducted a cooper shop. His death occurred in Medina county. His son, Robert J., was born near Burbank, Wayne county, Ohio, and for many years was a grain dealer in that state. In 1890 he removed to Corvallis, Ore., where he now makes his home. He married Sarah J. Shoup, a native of Center county, Pa., and a daughter of George Washington Shoup, also of that state, who later became a millwright in Ohio. Mrs. Cockrell is the mother of four children, all of whom are liv- ing, the second oldest of them being Thomas Cockrell, who was born near Burbank, Wayne county, Ohio, December 23. 1875. In 1890 he accompanied his parents to Oregon, being at the time but fifteen years of age. He completed his education in the public schools of Lebanon, con- tinning at his studies until he was eighteen years of age, when he began the study of telegraphy.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

He commenced January 1, 1896, at Yaquina Bay, and July I, of the same year, he took a position as an operator at Morrison, Ore., and soon after came to Albany as assistant agent, remaining for one month at the latter place, after which he was sent as agent to Mill City. Three months later he was again in Albany, where he remained for one year. After eight months spent in Gates, and nearly five years in Mill City as agent he ac- cepted the position which he now holds, and which his excellent service in the past fully war- ranted.

In fraternal orders Mr. Cockrell is prominent, holding membership in Laurel Lodge No. 7, Knights of Pythias, of Albany; past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Mill City ; and is a member of the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks No. 359, also of Albany. Po- litically he casts his ballot with the Republican party.

GEORGE W. BURKHART. The owner and proprietor of the flourishing blacksmith business at 418 West Second street, Albany, is deserving of more than passing mention among the suc- cessful politicians and public-spirited men of the town. He was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, October 18, 1845, the youngest of the eleven children born to his parents, John and Rebecca ( Baltzell) Burkhart, natives respectively of Tenn- nessee and Pennsylvania. While still living in his native state the father enlisted for the war of 1812, and he afterward removed to a farm in Iowa, where he lived for many years. His children were all ambitious and on the lookout for better things, and it is not surprising that at least one of them should venture across the plains while yet the undertaking was a hazardous ex- periment. This one happened to be C. D., one of the older sons, who crossed the country as early as 1845, and sent back favorable reports of con- ditions as he found them in Oregon. Yielding to the entreaties of the other children, the father sold his farm in Iowa in 1847, and, outfitting with oxen and prairie wagons, brought the rest of his family to the northwest. He took up a claim two miles southeast of Albany, where his death occurred in 1855, at the age of seventy years, his wife surviving him until she was eighty-two years of age.

Two years of age when he came with his pa- rents to Oregon, George W. passed his boyhood days .among surroundings which would have seemed strange indeed to his little playfellows back in Iowa. Aside from his brothers and sisters, all of whom were older than himself, he had no one to play with but Indian boys, and he readily adapted himself to the strange looking chaps. As he grew older he learned the Chinook language,

and came to think well of the much-painted red boys, who nevertheless showed great kindness of heart, and often pronounced generosity and grat- itude. At the little log school of the district he received his educational start, and when old enough to look out for himself went to Albany and learned the blacksmith trade. In those days many-sided work was required of the mechanic, for industrial conditions had not as yet limited a man to the exercise of but one talent as a means of livelihood. He therefore applied himself to carpentering and building, afterward engaging in a large truck and dray business in Albany. He was successful from the start, and ran three teams to accommodate his many customers. In 1897 he engaged in his present blacksmithing and horseshoeing business on Second street, and has since had a trade in keeping with his position among the master workmen of his line.

The first presidential vote of Mr. Burkhart was cast for a Republican candidate, and he has since given that party his stanchest support. That he possesses claims for leadership is recognized by his fellow politicians, and by the community at large, for he has served for nine years as deputy United States marshal, under both Kearney and Kelly, and has also been city marshal two terms, and constable two terms. With his wife, who was formerly Nancy Cooper, a native of Mis- souri, he attends the United Presbyterian Church. Hettie, the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Burk- hart, is living with her parents. Mr. Burkhart has been prominently before the public in other than political capacities, for he is public-spirited, generous, and capable, and uses his resources often in promoting some worthy effort in behalf of the community interests. He is one of the brave and gallant members of the fire depart- ment, having associated himself with the same as long ago as October, 1875. For several years he was foreman of the department, and many times risked life and limb for the safety of imperiled households. He is highly respected in the community of Albany, and his industry and success are worthy of emulation and all-around approval.

PETER RUETTNER. Prominently identified with the building interests of Linn county Peter Ruettner, of Albany, is carrying on a prosperous business as a contractor, builder, and house- mover. A man of sterling worth and honesty of purpose, possessing great physical and mental vigor, he holds a fine position among the fore- most residents of the city, and by his upright conduct in the varied relations of life has gained the respect and esteem of aff with whom he has come in contact, either in a business or social way. A native of Switzerland, he was born

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

April 4, 1852, in Ragatz, Canton of Saint Gallen, which was also the birthplace of his father, Frank Ruettner. His grandfather, who was born in Switzerland, of French ancestry, was a carpenter and builder by occupation, and a man of some in- fluence in his community.

Frank Ruettner married Amantia Buehler, who was born, reared and married in Saint Gallen canton, and they became the parents of nine children, seven of whom grew to years of ma- turity, and five, three boys and two girls, are now living. In 1871 he migrated to America, starting from Ragatz with his wife and seven children. In Germany, at Frankfort-on-the- Main, his wife was taken sick, and died at the Holy Ghost Hospital, where he left her in the care of their youngest son, Peter, the special subject of this sketch.

Having completed his early education in the common schools of his native land, Peter Ruett- ner at the age of twelve years began herding cat- tle and goats in the Alps, and during the three years that he was thus employed grew strong and large. He subsequently worked with his father at the carpenter's trade until 1871, when he started for the United States with the fam- ily. Remaining, however, in Frankfort-on-the Main until after the death and burial of his mother, he worked at his trade in that city dur- ing the five weeks of his stay. Coming then via Bremen to New York, he landed in that city with but a single gold dollar in his pocket. Join- ing the remainder of the family in Chicago, Ill., as soon as possible, he witnessed the burning of that noble city, and with his hammer and saw added his little mite toward its rebuilding. In 1874, during the hard times that nearly paralyzed business, he secured a position as driver on the street cars, and continued thus occupied two and one-half years. Times becoming better, Mr. Ruettner followed the carpenter's trade for a few years, and then worked as a millwright about six years.

In 1887, finding that he had an uncle, Sebas- tian Ruettner, who had come to Oregon as a pio- neer in 1845, living in Kings valley, he made up his mind to visit his kinsman. Coming here, accordingly, in 1888, Mr. Ruettner was so pleased with the country that he decided to make Oregon his permanent residence. Locating with his fam- ily in Albany, he embarked in business as a con- tractor and builder, and has met with eminent success. Since 1892 he has made house-moving a specialty, paying attention to that line of in- dustry in conjunction with his other work. En- terprising, energetic and a sagacious manager, he has accumulated considerable wealth. In addi- tion to his own residence, at the corner of Third and Main streets, he owns two most desirable houses, and other property of value.

While living in Chicago, Ill., Mr. Ruettner married Miss Minna Brandt, who was born in Des Plaines, Cook county, Ill. Her father, Will- iam Brandt, emigrated from Hanover, Germany, his native place, to Illinois, and was for many years engaged in farming in Des Plaines. He subsequently removed to Fillmore county, Minn., and there spent his last years, and died in 1880 at the age of sixty-five years, seven months and seven days. Mrs. Ruettner's mother died in Chi- cago, August 13, 1902, at the age of eighty years, five months and five days. Mr. and Mrs. Ruett- ner are both members of the Lutheran Church, and contribute generously toward its support. In politics, Mr. Ruettner is a stanch Republican.

HON. N. B. HUMPHREYS. Among the influential and respected citizens of Albany no man stood higher in the estimation of the people than Hon. N. B. Humphreys, who during the Civil war fought most gallantly for the preserva- tion of the nation, and who has since faithfully performed the duties devolving upon him in his home, his town, his county, and his state. In all respects a worthy representative of the enter- prise, industry and intelligence of Linn county, he has been prominently identified with the ad- vancement of its highest interests. A son of the late George Humphreys, Jr., he was born in Louisa county, Iowa, December 30, 1840. He comes of substantial Scotch-Irish ancestry, his great-grandfather, David Humphreys, having been a life-long resident of the North of Ireland, and the descendant of one of the old Covenanters who emigrated to that country from Scotland.

George Humphreys, Sr., the grandfather of Hon. N. B. Humphreys, was born and reared near Belfast, Ireland. Emigrating to the United States when a young man, he settled in Ohio as a pioneer, and there cleared and improved a homestead, on which he spent the remainder of his life.

Born in Jefferson county, Ohio, on the parental homestead, George Humphreys, Jr., re- sided in his native state until 1836. when he set- tled on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa. Fol- lowing the march of civilization westward, he crossed the plains to Oregon in 1865, and took up his residence in Albany, where he lived re- tired until his death. He married Elizabeth Mc- Cleary, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, and died in Oregon. Her father. Robert Mc- Cleary, was born in New England, of substantial Scotch ancestry, and died in Jefferson county, Ohio. Of the twelve children born to George and Elizabeth Humphreys six are now living, of whom George is an attorney in Portland, and Ross is a lumberman in Washington.

N. B. Humphreys, the ninth child in order of

IMK island

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

birth, obtained his early education in the pioneer log schoolhouse of his native state, and remained on the home farm until eighteen years of age. Beginning the study of law in the office of T. B. Perry, in Albia, Iowa, he was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1861. The following year, relinquishing the practice of his profession, Mr. Humphreys enlisted as a private, July 26, 1862, in Company D, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry, and was mustered into service at Iowa City. He subsequently participated in many of the more important engagements of the conflict, and for bravery in action was frequently rewarded by promotion. At Port Gibson, on May 1, 1863, he was wounded in the left knee by a piece of a shell, being then sergeant of his company. He was afterwards in the Battle of Champion Hills, on May 16, 1863, and the following day, during the engagement at Big Black River, received a bullet wound in the left shoulder. On May 21, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of first lieu- tenant, and on May 22, while assisting in the siege of Vicksburg, he received a bayonet wound in the left arm. On June 21, 1863, Lieutenant Humphreys was commissioned captain of Com- pany D, and with his regiment was subsequently transferred to the Department of the Gulf, thence sent by transports to Bermuda Hundred. As a part of the Nineteenth Army Corps, under General Sheridan, he was actively engaged in the battles at Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. At the close of the Shenandoalı campaign, Captain Humphreys was located for awhile in Savannah, Ga., then in Raleigh, N. C., remaining on duty in that state and in Georgia until the close of the war. The regiment, which was mustered out of service July 22, 1865, dis- banded, at Davenport, Iowa, August 3, 1865.

Resuming the practice of his profession, Cap- tain Humphreys was elected county judge of Monroe county, Iowa, in 1865, and served until the spring of 1866, when he came to Oregon. The train in which he crossed the plains con- sisted of fifty-four men, with wagons and mule teams to accommodate the entire party, which was four months on the journey. Locating in Al- bany, Linn county, he built up an extensive and lucrative practice, becoming one of the leading attorneys of this part of Oregon. In 1872 he was elected district attorney of the Third Judicial District, which contains five counties, and served for one term. From 1880 until 1882 he was state senator, serving as chairman of the com- mittees on enrolled bills and on military affairs, and as a member of the judiciary committee. He introduced into the legislature the bill that has since become a law making the wife equal to the husband in regard to the custody of children ; also introduced the bill regarding the building of a state insane asylum; and was instrumental

in the passage of many other bills of minor im- portance. He later filled the mayor's chair in Albany one term, and in June, 1902, was elected justice of the peace, serving in that capacity at the time of his death, April 17, 1903.

In Polk county, Ore., Mr. Humphreys mar- ried Miss R. M. Smith, who was born in Polk county, of pioneer parents. Their only child, Saxon Humphreys, a graduate of the Monmouth state normal school, is a resident of Moumouth, and a teacher. Politically Mr. Humphreys was a stanch Republican. Fraternally he was made a Mason at Albia Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 76, in Iowa, and was a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 62, of which he was past mas- ter, and also belonged to Bayley Chapter, R. A. M., No. 8. He was also a charter member of McPherson Post, G. A. R. In his religious views he was a Presbyterian.

JUSTINIAN WILLIAMS KIRKLAND. A resident of Independence, Ore., for the past twenty years, Justinian Williams Kirkland has played no unimportant part in the affairs of the city. By his judgment and excellent management of his business affairs he has made himself a worthy factor in the progressive movements of the community. His life has been full of the varied experiences that befall the man who has visited the different sections of country at a time when some unusual happening has drawn the attention of the world to that location, and of the past years he recalls many pleasant memories of oc- currences which have marked his wanderings in the seventy-five years which he has lived.

The father of Mr. Kirkland was Abraham Kirkland, who was born in Mercer county, Ky., and after his marriage with Miss Elizabeth McGee, also a native of that state, he removed in 1812 to Boonville, Cooper county, and later to Monroe county, Mo. In 1843, while assist- ing at a house-raising, he was killed by a large log falling upon him. The mother also died in her Missouri home in 1883. Of the five sons and two daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk- land, Justinian Willianıs Kirkland was next to the youngest, his birth occurring at Boonville, Mo., February 15, 1828. With a rather limited education received in the common schools of Mis- souri, he began life for himself, the first occupa- tion being that of farming, and later he engaged in buying stock and disposing of the same in the St. Louis market. In this he met with good financial returns. In 1850 he joined a party bound for the new El Dorado, the trip being made with the customary ox-teams, and was of brief duration compared with the length of time considered necessary for a Californian journey They started March 15 and reached their des-

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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 60

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