Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 61

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 61

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tination October I, their stock of supplies having fallen so low that they had been on half rations for some time. Mr. Kirkland's first experience in California was a two months' illness, and upon his recovery he at once entered the mines near Rough and Ready. A two years' residence among these scenes netted him moderate returns, and in 1852 he went to San Francisco and shipped for New Orleans, via Panama and Havana, Cuba. His trip across the Isthmus of Panama was one of interest, being made on foot, a skiff used to convey him down the Chagres river a distance of sixty miles to Aspinwall. Upon his arrival at New Orleans he ascended the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where he was once more welcomed back to his home. With a desire to try his fortunes in the business world he engaged in the grocery business, in which he met with success until he had the misfortune to lose his property by fire, upon which he returned to the cultivation of the soil. In 1862 he re- sponded to the call of the South in which he had been born and reared, and became a captain in the Confederate army, serving for three years in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry. Upon Lee's sur- render he returned to private life, and with the changed conditions of Missouri he chose again to emigrate to newer fields of endeavor. In the spring of 1865 he crossed the plains to Montana by ox-team and located at Helena, where he en- gaged in mining and freighting, and in 1869 he continued his journey westward and arrived in Polk county, Ore. He engaged in farming for four years near Independence, and at the close of that period purchased three hundred and twenty acres near Rickreall, making his home in that vicinity for fifteen years, engaged in gen- eral farming. In 1885 he removed to Indepen- dence, where he engaged in the real-estate busi- ness. Upon the corner of Second and B streets he built a handsome little cottage where he now makes his home. Among the other town prop- erty which he owns is a forty foot lot on First street.

Mr. Kirkland's first wife was Miss Katherine M. Johnson. a native of Kentucky, whose death occurred in Independence in 1891, at the age of sixty-two years. His second union was with Mrs. Sarah Donty, who was born in the state of New York. Four sons were born unto J. W. and Katherine M. (Johnson) Kirkland: A. P., of Wallowa county; W. J., of Arlington ; P. M., a druggist in this city, and John E., of Independence. During his residence in this city Mr. Kirkland has taken a prominent place in its affairs, having served two terms as mayor, as councilman many terms, also as county commis- sioner of Polk county for one term. His offices have been held through Democratic influence, of which party he is a consistent supporter. He

has also been president of the board of trade of Independence. Fraternally Mr. Kirkland is as- sociated with the Masons, in which he has taken the chapter degree; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Knights of Pythias.

MADISON SCOTT. As the descendant of a family successful for many generations, Madison Scott is upholding the standard of excellence set in the eastern states many years ago, through the display of evident business ability and quick, unerring judgment making his citizenship of great value to the community in which he makes his home. He has met with a much merited suc- cess in both his business and political relations, in the former devoting himself entirely to the raising of stock, and in the latter being often called upon to serve in some public capacity, al- ways proving his worth and ability when so doing.

Mr. Scott is a member of a prominent New York family, the grandfather, Solomon, and father, Edward L., both owing their birth to that community of the east, where they both followed the occupations of farmer and stockman. In 1845 the latter removed to Lee county, Iowa, and, locating near Keokuk, he continued in the same business, becoming one of the noticeably successful men of the middle west. Attracted by the glowing accounts from the Pacific coast he decided to try his fortunes beyond the Rockies, and accordingly crossed the plains in 1850, traveling alone with his ox teams until he reached California. There he engaged in mining for the ensuing three years, enjoying each year a more complete success, which compensated for the long absence from his home and family, since his return would mean greater comforts for the coming years. At the close of this period he prepared for the return trip via the Isthmus of Panama, and the loved ones at home were wait- ing and watching since they knew when he would sail from San Francisco. The news that he ex- pected to sail on a certain date was the last that was ever received from him, for he disappeared from human knowledge as completely as though the earth had opened and swallowed him. It was known that he carried $50,000, the result of his self-denying years of toil, and it is supposed that this was the incentive for some cowardly work that robbed a home of the father and the children of the competence which had certainly heen hardly gained. He had married Charity Sorter, who was born in New York state, the descendant of Dutch ancestry. Her father. Zebulon Sorter, was a native of New Jersey, but had spent much of his life in New York, Iowa, and later in Clark county, Mo., where he died. Some time after the failure of her husband to

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return to their home Mrs. Scott removed to Sul- livan county, Mo., where she reared her family and where she now makes her home at the age of eighty-eight years. She makes her religious home in the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was the mother of six children, five sons and one daughter, of whom there are four sons living The oldest son, Zebulon, was a lieutenant in the Eighteenth Missouri Regiment, and at the battle of Corinth was taken prisoner and sent to Libby prison, where he died in 1863.

The oldest of the children now living, and the only one on the Pacific coast, Madison Scott was born October 28, 1842, in Allegany county, N. Y., and was five years old when the family fortunes were shifted to the state of Iowa. He was there reared to manhood, attending the dis- trict schools for his education, and when his mother removed to Sullivan county, Mo., he went with her. During the Civil war he served in the Twelfth Missouri Militia, and later in the Six- tieth, his period of service lasting about a year, when he was called out several times. After the war he engaged in farming, and in 1869 he removed to Mckinney, Tex., and there com- menced the breeding of horses. In 1871 he re- turned to Missouri and spent the ensuing two years there, after which he came west and pur- chased a farm in Linn county, Ore., located twelve miles southeast of Albany. He engaged extensively in the stock business, upon his own and rented lands nearby, raising full-blooded Shropshire sheep, Shorthorn cattle and other stock. He ships cattle and hogs principally to the Puget Sound country and through good judg- ment and executive ability is making good profits.

The marriage of Mr. Scott occurred in Mis- souri, in 1866, and united him with Miss Jane Terrell, a native of Monroe county, Iowa, the daughter of Horace Jefferson Terrell. The lat- ter was born in Connecticut. After a brief resi- dence in Lorain county, Ohio, he became an early settler in Monroe county, Iowa, from which place he removed to Sullivan county, Mo. He married Minerva McNeal, also a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Alexander McNeal, who died in Ohio, to which state he had removed. Mrs. Terrell, who passed away in her Iowa home, was the mother of thirteen children, of whom two sons, Lemuel and Burt, died while serving in Iowa regiments during the Civil war. Three of her children are residents of the state of Oregon, of whom Mrs. Scott is one. She was reared in Iowa, where she began teaching school at the age of seventeen years, and continued in the work for about three years. She is the mother of the following children: Charles E., located in Benton county ; A. I., who is at pres- ent engaged with his father in the stock busi-

ness; Eva, the wife of Elmer Conn, of Albany; Leva, wife of J. H. Coe, of Shaniko, Ore .; Wal- ter O., Nellie, Grace and Roxy Frances. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Baptist Church.

A stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Scott has often been called upon to fill some position at the disposal of this party. In 1890 he was nomi- nated on that ticket for the office of sheriff, to which he was elected by a majority of seven hun- dred votes. He took the oath of office July, 1890, and held the position until 1892, having removed in the first named year to the city of Albany, where he now makes his home. On retiring from office Mr. Scott again engaged in the stock busi- ness, and still finds lucrative returns from his work. Fraternally Mr. Scott affiliates with Leba- non Lodge No. 47, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of the Encampment, and also with Safety Lodge Ancient Order of United Workmen.

A. MONROE MILLER is a retired farmer living in Dallas, but still owns the old dona- tion claim of six hundred and forty acres which he secured from the government not long after his arrival in the northwest in 1847. Few are the residents of the state who arrived at that early date, but with the pio- neer history Mr. Miller has long been identi- fied. He has watched the progress of the coast country from the time it was inhabited largely by those who sought to make for- tunes, but did not care to make homes in this district. He has watched with interest the upbuilding and substantial development of the state, and in as far as possible he has contributed to its improvement.

Mr. Miller was born in Cole county, Mo., about ten miles west of Jefferson City, No- vember 9, 1827. His father, Richard Miller, was a native of Virginia and the grandfather, James Miller, removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky and in 1820 became identified with farming interests of Cole county, Mo. He was of Scotch descent and many of the sterling traits of his Scotch ancestry were manifested in his life. The father of our sub- ject followed farming in Missouri until 1847, when he crossed the plains with an ox-train, accompanied by his wife and six children. One child of the family had died in Missouri. They started with three wagons, fifteen yoke of oxen and seventy-five head of cattle, leav- ing their old home on the 12th of April. They crossed the Missouri river about twelve miles above St. Joseph and forded both South and North Platte in their wagon-beds, swimming the cattle. At times the Sioux Indians threat- cned, but caused no serious disturbance.

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However, when they reached the Columbia river, Indians attempted to rob them and they had to keep men continually on guard so as not to allow the red men in their camp, and in due course of time the journey was completed in safety, arriving in the Willam- ette valley on the Ist of October. The father secured a donation claim of three hun- dred and twenty acres four miles west of Mc- Minnville, Yamhill county. He entered all entire section of land, but because he went to California for his wife's health and voted in that state he had to lose three hundred and twenty acres of his claim. In 1849 he took his family by water to California, this being a year later than our subject and his brother made an overland trip. Mr. Miller engaged in gardening near Martinez for eighteen months and then returned by the water route to his farm, where he lived until he retired from business life. His wife died in 1863 and in 1865 he went to live with his children, his death occurring at Turner, Ore., when he was eighty-two years of age. For many years he was connected with the Baptist Church as a minister and did everything in his power to promote the cause of the gospel. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy L. Fulker- son, of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in Virginia, a daughter of James Fulkerson, who at an early day went to Tennessee and afterward to Missouri, where he carried on farming until his death. He served in the Indian wars and passed away at the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Miller be- came the parents of six sons and one daughter and with the exception of one son all came to Oregon. Alexis N. died in Lane county, Ore., in November, 1902. The others of the family are Andrew Monroe, William T., a farmer of Turner, Ore .; Mrs. Elizabeth J. Husicker, of North Yamhill, Ore .; John W., who died in California in 1900; and R. Jack- son, who died in eastern Oregon.

A. M. Miller was reared on the old family homestead in Missouri until nineteen years of age, and during the winter months he pur- sued his studies in a subscription school which was held in one of the old-time pioneer log school houses, furnished with slab seats, while a desk was made by placing a board upon pins driven into the wall. The chil- dren used quill pens and the text-books were of a primitive nature. At the age of nineteen Mr. Miller accompanied the family on their emigration to Oregon, driving a five-yoked ox-team across the plains. From actual ex- perience he is familiar with the events of such a trip, its hardships and its trials. On the IIth of September, 1848, he and his

brother Alexis started over the mountains to California with ox-teams, they being of the first party to travel in this way. There were eight men in their party and they arrived in California on the 4th of November, making their way to the gold fields. Mr. Miller was then engaged in mining on Feather river until 1849, when on account of the scourge which broke out there he went to Contra Costa county. There he and his brother and two other men engaged in sawing lumber with a whip-saw, receiving a big price for their prod- uct. They spent two years there, during which time Mr. Miller built a hotel of sixteen rooms at Martinez. The nails, paint and car- penters' work for this building cost $2,200. The town, however, did not grow to be a San Francisco, as was anticipated, and three years later Mr. Miller sold the property for eight hundred dollars.

In the meantime he had returned to Ore- gon by way of the water route on the steamer California. This was in 1850 and he spent about a year in Yamhill county. In 1851 he located in Polk county, four miles north of Dixie, securing a donation claim of six hun- dred and forty acres. He built a frame house, cleared and improved his farm and engaged in the raising of grain and stock. In 1861-2 he made trips to the Florence mines with pack horses. During the greater part of the time since securing his claim he has carried on farming and still owns the original dona- tion claim of six hundred and forty acres, be- sides having added to it an adjoining tract of seventy-five acres. His farm is now a valua- ble property and returns to him a good in- come from rental. In 1884 he took up his abode in Dallas where he has since lived.

Mr. Miller was married in Polk county, Ore., to Margaret A. Crowley, who was born in Holt county, Mo., a daughter of Thomas Crowley, who in 1846 made the journey across the plains with an ox-train by way of the southern route and the Rogue river pass. He died in Umpqua, as did one son and two of his daughters. His wife and seven chil- dren came on to the Willamette valley and another son died the following year. Mrs. Crowley reared her remaining children in the valley, Mrs. Miller being fourteen years of age at the time of the emigration to the northwest. Her married life, however, was of short duration, for she died seven months after becoming a bride.

In Yamhill county Mr. Miller was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Lucinda V. (Fulkerson) Logan, who was born in Virginia, but was reared in Cooper county, Mo. There she married Mr. Logan

John A Vari's

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and with him crossed the plains in 1852, but he died soon after their arrival in the valley. By her first marriage she had two children: Mary C., who became the wife of Judge Mey- ers, both of whom are now deceased; and James F., who died in Polk county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born three chil- dren, two of whom are living: Jasper R., of Portland; and Nellie E., the wife of U. S. Grant of Dallas. Mrs. Miller died January 5, 1887, at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. Miller is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church and served on the board of trustees for several years.

In politics Mr. Miller is a Democrat. He belongs to the Polk County Pioneers' Asso- ciation. The days of chivalry can furnish no more interesting tales than are told by the pioneers of the northwest, and Mr. Miller is one whose life has been closely connected with its development and progress. There is therefore particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored and vener- able gentleman whose name initiates this arti- cle, since his mind bears the impress of the historical annals of the state of Oregon from the early pioneer days and from the fact that he has been a loyal son of the Republic and has attained to a position of distinctive prom- inence in the thriving little city where he has retained his residence for so many years.

JOHN NATHANIEL DAVIS. One of the many worthy citizens and capable and thrifty agriculturists of Marion county is John N. Davis, who has resided on his present farm in the Waldo Hills for upwards of thirty years. Dur- ing this long period of time he has gained for himself an enviable reputation as an honest man and a good citizen, and as one who has per- formed his full share in the advancement and de- velopment of one of the finest counties of the state. He came of New England ancestry, and of patriotic Revolutionary stock, his grand- father, John Davis, a resident of Rhode Island, having served his country as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and the steel which he then carried and used to make a fire with instead of matches is now in the possession of his grandson, John N. Davis.

A native of Gainesville, Wyoming county, New York, John N. Davis was born June 27, 1824, a son of John W. Davis. His father was born in Rhode Island in 1783, and was there educated. Running away from home when a boy, he en- gaged in seafaring pursuits for many years. He sailed along the northwest Pacific coast three years, and in 1811 visited the mouth of the Co- lumbia river. He had the distinction of being cap- tain of the first steamboat run on Lake Erie. He

subsequently took an active part in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Black Rock, Erie county, N. Y., later in life locating perma- nently on a farm in Wyoming county. In 1839 he removed to Illinois, trading his New York farm for one in Sangamon county, and there he spent his remaining days, dying at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. John W. Davis was married three times. His first wife was Saman- tha Flower, who was born in New York state May 3, 1803, and died in 1828. They had two daughters and three sons, of whom John N. Davis is the third child and the sole survivor. For a second wife he chose Abigail Flint, who became the mother of two sons, both deceased. His third wife was Martha Taylor, who had six daughters and one son by a former marriage, all of whom are deceased.

Until twenty-three years of age John N. Davis remained at home, attending the district school as a boy, and assisting in the care of his father's farm. Thinking then to improve his chances of making a fortune, he went to Illinois, where he worked until 1851. The money thus earned he invested in oxen and wagons, and entered the employ of Joseph Williams, a widower with six children, who was about to start for the Pacific coast. His team being one-third of the outfit, he was hired as a driver on the expedition, re- ceiving $15 per month for his services and the use of his team. Crossing the plains, Messrs. Williams and Davis came direct to Marion county, Ore., but after stopping here a short time Mr. Davis proceeded to California, where he was engaged in mining for a few months. Re- turning then to this state, Mr. Williams went to southern Oregon, where he was killed by the Indians in 1853. After taking the orphaned children of his former companion and employer back to their Illinois friends, Mr. Davis returned to Marion county in 1854, and for sev- eral years thereafter worked as a farm laborer, accumulating some money. After his marriage he went to housekeeping near Scott's Mills, and four years later, about 1870, purchased one hun- (red and sixty acres of his present homestead. He has since made improvements of an excellent character, added forty more acres of land by purchase, having now one of the best and most desirable farming estates in the neighborhood.

Mr. Davis was married September 22, 1866, to Martha Whitlock, a native of Marion county, and the daughter of Mitchell and Malvina (Engle) Whitlock, her parents having made the tedious journey across the plains in 1845. Four children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Davis, as follows: John F., who lives on the home farm; George William, deceased; Brayton H., living near Silverton; and James, deceased.

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Mrs. Davis was born May 1, 1847, and her death occurred December 18, 1894. Mr. Davis has always taken an active part in political matters, and has rendered valuable service to his fellow- citizens as county commissioner for four years, as road supervisor for seventeen terms, and as a member of the school board. Fraternally he has been a Mason since 1850, and has assisted in organizing three different lodges, besides which he had the pleasure of helping to initiate Gen- erals Sheridan and McClellan into the order in Portland, Ore., in 1853.

EDWARD S. PORTER. In the annals of Marion county no name stands higher for indus- try and integrity than that of Porter, and no family in the Willamette valley is held in higher respect and esteen. Among the courageous pio- neers of Silverton and vicinity, who put forth their highest efforts toward the upbuilding of the place in which they had located, were Ed- ward Porter, the grandfather of E. S. Porter, born in 1803, and his son John, the father of the subject of this sketch. Coming here when the country round about was in its virgin wildness, they were interested witnesses of the rapid trans- formation of the heavily timbered land into a rich and productive agricultural region, and by every means within their power aided its growth and advancement.

Removing from Ohio to Illinois with his fam- ily in 1835, Edward Porter settled in Fulton county, where he engaged in farming for nearly a score of years. Starting for the far-off west in 1853, he crossed the intervening country with teams, which were then the only means of land transportation, and with his wife and children came direct to Marion county, and located about five miles southeast of Silverton, on what is known as the Porter donation claim. In com- mon with other pioneers, he labored with untir- ing energy to improve his land, and as the years rolled by found himself possessed of a comfort- able home, wherein he lived 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, living 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, remaining in that location until 1853, when, with his parents, he made another journey westward, coming to Ore- gon 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, as-

sisting in the clearing of the land taken up by his father until about twenty-five years old, when he took unto himself a wife, and established him- self as a householder on the old Porter donation claim, living there until 1859. Locating then near Fairfield, on the French Prairie, he re- mained there until 1864, when he removed to the White donation claim, residing there until the death of his wife, in 1897. Since then he has made his home with his children.

A man of unusual energy and ability, John Porter has met with almost unprecedented suc- cess in his life occupation. Since beginning life for himself he has accumulated a large amount of land, aggregating about sixteen hundred acres, a large part of which is in a good state of culti- vation, 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 takes an active part in political matters. His wife, whose maiden name was Annis White, was born in Indiana, and came with her parents from Missouri to Sil- verton, in 1852, settling about five miles south- east of Silverton, on the White donation claim. Of the ten children born of their union, one died in infancy, the others being as follows: Allen, of Grant county, Ore .; Rene, wife of F. M. Remington, of Idaho; E. S., the subject of this sketch; Charlotte, wife of E. W. Ross, living near Silverton; Anna, wife of R. N. Harrison, of Washington ; John H., living not far from the old homestead; Josie, wife of L. D. Leonard, of Idaho; Ai, living on the home farm; and Lena, wife of B. H. Davis, of Silverton.

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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 61

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