Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 64

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 64

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Pettijohn claim, twelve miles south of Salem, and hither brought his wife, formerly Hannah Barcaw, whom he had married in February, 1863. The young people located on a farm south of Salem, and in 1871 bought a farm of five hundred acres six miles north of Saleni, where they lived until purchasing a farm ad- joining their present home, six miles north of Salem, on the old Salem and Oregon City road.

The present Perkins home was purchased in 1892, and consists of four hundred acres, all in one body. Mr. Perkins is a prac- tical and enterprising farmer, and all manner of modern improvements are to be found on his property. He is engaged in farming, prin- cipally making a specialty of Jersey cattle and Cotswold sheep. Mr. Perkins is a Republican in politics, but he has never cared to work for or hold public office. In his family have been born thirteen children, of whom the first six, Thomas, Ada, Ella, Willard W., Julia, and Vina, as well as the eighth, Clyde, are de- ceased, while Edna is the wife of Elton Shaw, of Salem; Iva is the wife of Elam Shaw, of Salem, and Ray and Rex, twins, and Floyd and Alonzo, are living at home. For several years the family has lived in the town of Salem, the object being to give the children better educational advantages. Mr. Perkins is one of the most substantial and honored farm- ers of Marion County, his approachable and genial nature, and thoroughly reliable business methods, commanding the lasting regard of all who know him.

JOHN ELLIS. The sojourner in Polk county, and more especially around Dallas, hears innumerable kindly expressions of opin- ion in regard to Uncle John Ellis, who was one of the most highly honored residents of Dallas. The capacity to permanently ingrati- ate himself in the hearts of many friends and well-wishers denoted personal characteristics of an enviable nature.

This interesting pioneer of 1865 was born in Vermilion county, I11., March 7, 1829, and is the fourth of the ten children born to Wright and Sarah (Williams) Ellis. Wright Ellis was born in east Tennessee, and came to Illinois with his father, Shubal, also a native of Tennessee, who settled first in Ohio. The Ellis farm, ten miles south of Danville, Ver- milion county, Ill., continued to be the home of Wright Ellis up to the time of his death, and here the ten children were reared and educated in the little pioneer subscription school near the old homestead. Illinois at that time was in a very primitive state of de- velopment, yet the family made the most of

J. O. Beardsley

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

their opportunities, and continued to live on the homestead for several years after the death of the father. John Ellis was sixteen years old when he removed with his mother and the rest of the children to Iowa in 1845, settling in Dai- las county, where they lived on a farm for twenty years. Here the mother died, and here John married in October, 1850, Julia Ann Stump, who was born in Indiana, and who bore him five children in Iowa.

With his little family Mr. Ellis started across the plains in May, 1865, there being one hun- dred wagons in the train. He outfitted with horse teams, and arrived in Oregon October I, 1865, without any untoward incident marring a successful and uneventful journey. The first winter was spent in Sheridan, where they re- mained one year, when Mr. Ellis engaged in farming in Polk county for two years. He then went to Lake county, southeast Oregon, re- turning the following year to Polk county. Here he engaged in farming on eighty-two acres of land adjacent to the town of Dallas, until his death, July 5, 1903. He left a well- improved and profitable property, and his home, in which he spent his declining years, was renowned for its hospitality and good-fel- lowship. Mr. Ellis was engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and experienced success in the greater part of his undertakings. No more familiar figure was seen on the high- ways, at political gatherings, or in the meeting places of Dallas than that of Uncle John, for whom everyone had a kindly smile in recogni- tion of his pleasing nature, and goodness of heart. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, of whom Sarah J. died near Dallas; Mary Ann is the wife of William Bogue, of Corvallis; Martha E. is now Mrs. H. Plummer ; William is a farmer near Falls City; Marquis lives in Dallas and owns the electric light plant ; Philander died in New Mexico, and Leander, of Roseburg, is an engineer for the Southern Pacific Company.

JAMES OSCAR BEARDSLEY. No name in Marion county is more indicative of the best that can be accomplished in general farming, stock-raising and fruit and hop culture, than that of J. O. Beardsley, who owns and operates a farm of four hundred and eighty-eight acres. Mr. Beardsley is a descendant of forefathers who were successful farmers in Ohio. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio, January 14, 1852, and was one of a large family of children. His mother, Harriett Evaline Cassel, died at the age of thirty- five years, when James O. was but five weeks old. His father, Henry Judson Beardsley, com- bined farming with steamboating on the Ohio

river, and was captain on a merchandise craft, and also owned interests in other boats. He lived on the old home place in Ohio, enjoying a well- earned rest until his death, at the age of eighty- two years, March 30, 1903. Notwithstanding his advanced age, he was in full possession of all his faculties up to time of his death.

Until his twenty-second year J. O. Beardsley worked on the home farm in Ohio. In the mean- time he acquired his education in the public schools and at the Gallipolis Academy. Follow - ing a prearranged plan, he came to Oregon in 1875, arriving June 6. Having but little money, he began work as a farm hand in Marion county, but soon after was enabled to rent a place on shares, and was so successful that after three years he was able to buy a small farm in the Missions Bottoms, where he lived and prospered until 1886.

In the meantime, in 1878, he married Miss Emma Gorsline, who was born August 8, 1853, a native of New York state; she has borne him six children, the order of their birth being as follows: Effie A., Walter W., Mary A., Arthur F., Elmer O., and Harry J. Of these, Walter, who married Miss Alice Potter, of Malvern, Iowa, is engaged independently in farming in Marion county. The others reside at home.

In 1886 Mr. Beardsley came to his present farm, which was partially improved, though merely incidental to the more extensive arrange- ments of the present owner. He has a well- appointed home, up-to-date outbuildings, and two Allen fruit-driers, each having a capacity of two hundred bushels for each drying of twenty-four hours. Twenty-five acres of this land is devoted to prune culture, and sixteen acres to hops. Dur- ing the year 1902 he raised twenty-one hundred pounds of hops. Of this farm, four hundred acres are under cultivation, the balance being devoted to stock-raising, making a specialty of Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs.

In politics Mr. Beardsley is a Republican, and has taken an active interest in local affairs. He has always warmly advocated advanced ideas in the education of the youth of the land, and has served for many years on the local school board. He has also devoted considerable of his time to the duties of the office of road supervisor. Aside from these, he has never been an aspirant for political office, though frequently besought by his friends to allow his name to be presented before the conventions of his party. He is a member of and liberal contributor to the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Beardsley is highly estecmed by his numer- ous friends for his devotion to the highest in- terests of the community, for he has exhibited an unselfish and broad-minded spirit in his participa- tion in all movements calculated to advance the

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

public welfare. He is recognized as a man pos- sessing fine business qualifications, and his in- tegrity has never been brought into question, even by those who have had occasion to differ radically from him as to the ways and means to be adopted toward the common end sought.

DANIEL P. STOUFFER, city auditor and police judge of Dallas since 1892, and also engaged in the insurance and real estate busi- ness, is a native son of Oregon and was born near Ballston, Polk county, January 20, 1856. His father, Hon. Jonathan Stouffer, was born in Chambersburg, Pa., and in his youth learned the blacksmith trade. As a young man, he removed to Indiana, and the next year, in 1851, came to Oregon as driver of an ox team for James McCain. Arriving in LaFayette he worked at his trade for a year, and then mar- ried Agnes McCain, a native of Indiana, a daughter of James McCain and sister of James McCain, ex-district attorney, whose sketch ap- pears in another part of this volume. After his marriage Mr. Stouffer settled on a claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Ballston, which he improved, and upon which he built his home. His wife died in 1861, when her son, Daniel, was five years of age. Mr. Stouffer entered the government employ as head agri- culturist for the Indian reservation at Grande Ronde Agency, and after many years thus spent, retired to his farm near Ballston. His death occurred November 30, 1902, at the age of seventy-seven years and six months. He was a man of leading characteristics, and as a stanch upholder of Republicanism served as county judge from 1888 until 1892, and a mem- ber of the legislature in 1866. Fraternallv he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The only one living of the three children born to his parents, Daniel P. Stouffer was reared in Polk and Yamhill counties, living for the greater part with his uncle and grand- father. After completing the course at the dis- trict schools he entered Willamette University in 1874, and was graduated therefrom in 1878, with the degree of A. B. His preliminary pro- fessional training was acquired under the law firm of Boise & Stratton, during the university course, but just before his admission to the bar he was taken ill, and was obliged to repair to the country in order to regain his health. In order to derive the benefits of outdoor exercise he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty- three acres, adjoining that of his father, and for fifteen years engaged with fair success in farm- ing and stock-raising. During all these years

he was justice of the peace, and on many occa- sions acted as mediator in the disputes that arose between his agricultural neighbors.

In 1889 Mr. Stouffer moved into Dallas and engaged in insurance and real estate, and in 1892 was elected city auditor and police judge, to which combined offices he has since been continuously re-elected every two years. He is also ex-officio city clerk, and at the same time continues to deal in insurance and real estate. As a relaxation from political and busı- ness problems Mr. Stouffer still retains an in- terest in his farm, which he has increased to five hundred and seventy-four acres, four hun- dred of which consists of tillable land. This farm is admirably situated and well watered from springs, and fifteen acres are devoted to the culture of prunes.

In Polk county Mr. Stouffer was united in marriage with Ella Richter, who was born in Indiana, and came to Oregon with her parents in 1871, her father being Christian Richter, of whom mention is made in the sketch of John- son E. Richter. Lina Stouffer, the only child in the family, is a graduate of the Dallas Col- lege. With his wife Mr. Stouffer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is presi- dent of the board of trustees, and ex-superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He is one of the Native Sons of Oregon, and in political affiliation is identified with the Republican party.

HON. JOHN JAY DALY. The passing of Hon. John Jay Daly, at the age of fifty-six years, closed the career of a brilliant lawyer and capable man of affairs. Judge Daly occu- pied an altogether unique position among the men who have been identified with the juris- prudence of Polk county, not only because of special natural gifts, but because it was his good fortune to start out in life under particu- larly auspicious circumstances. Of Irish de- scent, he was born in Rochester, N. Y., in March, 1846, a son of Michael and Jane Daly, and brother of Charles H. Jay Daly, a promi- nent physician of New York City. As a youth, Judge Daly was reared in an atmosphere of cul- ture and refinement, his family being one of the most prominent in the state of New York. His early environment was reflected in his ma- ture years, and found expression in an elegance of manner altogether charming, and a courtesy, tact, and consideration which made him the most delightful of friends and companions.

After graduating from the classical course of St. John's Catholic College, Fordham, a suburb of New York City, Judge Daly read law, anI was finally admitted to the New York bar.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

With the clear-sighted intuition which was one of his strongest points, he decided on settling in the west, and arrived in Polk county, Ore., in 1870. After engaging in school teaching for a couple of years in Buena Vista, he came to Dallas and opened a law office, and so intelli- gently and persistently applied himself to his profession that his early and subsequent suc- cess was a logical resultant. He soon became interested in politics, and as a stanch defender of Democracy represented Polk county in the lower house of the Oregon legislature in 1885, and in 1892 was a delegate to the national Democratic convention held in Chicago. In 1894 he was nominated for circuit judge of the Third Judicial district, but was defeated by his opponent on the Republican ticket, Hon. H. H. Hewitt, of Albany.

In the practice of his profession Judge Daly found his broad general knowledge, his capac- ity for reading character, and his marvelous faculties of enormous benefit. He was recog- nized as a strong advocate and strenuous fighter, guarding well the interests of his client at every point, and quick to seize and persist- ent in holding the point of vantage. A line of attack or defense, as the case required, once laid down, the correctness of his position be- came a conviction, and naught swerved him from his position. Nevertheless, generosity often characterized his attitude towards his opponent, and he was ever ready to grant such concessions as proved non-injurious to his cli- ent. For years he was attorney for the South- ern Pacific Railroad Company, and also for many years attended to the legal complications of the old Scotch Company.

The plan of fraternal life insurance received substantial support from Judge Daly, and at the time of his death he held membership in three different organizations. As one of the chief upbuilders of the Ancient Order of United Workmen in the northwest, he served as grand master workman for the jurisdiction of Ore- gon, Washington and British Columbia from 1890 until 1891, inclusive, and during the latter vear delivered before the lodge at Victoria, B. C., one of the most scholarly and brilliant addresses on the work of fraternal insurance ever heard in the west. For many years he was a member of the judiciary committee of the Oregon Grand Lodge, and in 1892 was a delegate to the Supreme Lodge of Helena, Mont., and in '93 to Toronto, Ontario.

Judge Daly possessed an optimistic and de- lightful personality. The doing of a favor, or the lending of a helping hand to friend or stranger was spontaneous, and seemed never to be recalled by him. A competence rewarded his well applied energy, but money he regarded

as the means to an end, and that end the better- ing of the conditions by which he was sur- rounded. Like many strong and highly pol- ished natures, Judge Daly was eccentric, but the study ot these peculiarities rendered him the more interesting, and never interfered with the balance and splendid equipoise of the man. . This learned judge is enrolled among the students of legal science who have reflected dignity and brilliancy upon the professional history of Ore- gon, and his death is regretted by hundreds who knew, loved and admired him.

In Salem, Ore., in 1878, Judge Daly mar- ried Phya Burns, who was born near Dallas, Polk county, and was educated at the Notre Dame Convent in Salem and at San Jose, Cal. The family claims kinship with Robert Burns, the poet, after whom the paternal grandfather was named. The grandfather was the emigrat- ing ancestor, coming from Scotland with his wife and children, settling presumably in Lex- ington, Ky. Here was born William Burns, the father of Mrs. Daly, who removed to Taze- well county, Ill., at an early day, and, crossing the plains in 1848, took up a donation claim near Bridgeport, Polk county, Ore. In 1849 he took advantage of the gold excitement and crossed the mountains into California, after which he returned to Illinois, settled up his business affairs and returned to Oregon again in 1853. The donation claim of six hundred - and forty acres is still in the family, and is owned by his three children. He was exten- sively engaged in stock-raising, both in Polk county and in eastern Oregon, and at the time of his death, while on a trip to California, in 1877, was the possessor of a large and valuable estate. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife, Rachel (Ford) Burns, who was born in Illinois, and died in Oregon at the age of sixty, was the mother of eleven children, six of whom attained maturity, Mrs. Daly being the young- est. The oldest son, Robert, died in the mines of California ; John died on his farm in Polk county ; William is a farmer in Polk county ; James is a farmer near Dallas, and Rachel is the wife of Mr. B. F. Smith, of Lewisville, Polk county.

Mrs. Daly is one of the popular and well known women of Dallas, and has one of the most attractive homes in the little city, sur- rounded by beautiful grounds in which flowers, trees and shrubs abound. Her share of the old donation claim is three hundred acres, which is under a fine state of cultivation, about sev- enty acres being devoted to hops. This farm is watered by the Little Luckiamute river, and is equipped with all modern improvements. Mrs. Daly is a member of the Shakespeare

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Club, and in political preference is a Repub- lican. Her son, L. F., is a graduate of Mount Angel College, class of 1901.

HENRY C. PORTER. Closely allied with the pioneer touch that has shaped the current of events in Oregon is Henry C. Porter, whose father gave no little of a worthy life to the de- velopment of the natural resources of this great state, linking with these the influences of a citi- zenship of intelligence and high integrity. The family traces its lineage back to the state of Virginia, the grandfather, David Porter, having been born in that state March 8, 1780, and emi- grating from there to Tennessee. He was mar-

ried at the time of his emigration from his native state, and was accompanied upon the trip by his wife and three children, Mary Rebecca, Alex- ander and Robert. In 1812 he took his family into Missouri, locating at Licking, having passed the preceding three years in Kennedy Fort, to which he had been driven by the depredations of the Indians.

William Porter, the father of Henry C., was born in Missouri, December 14, 1812, one of a family of ten children. He passed the years of childhood on the paternal farm. Feeling that he could not be satisfied with the education obtainable in the district schools of his native state he left home at the age of eighteen years, and going to Jacksonville, Ill., entered the college at that place, where he remained four years. His first intention had been to study medicine, but abandoning the idea he entered upon the more congenial life of teaching, the scene of his early labors being Pike county, Ill., where he remained until 1846, a decade of his life being passed among these surroundings. In 1840 he married Miss Sarah Coffey, a native of Pike county, and with a wife no less courageous than himself, he ventured in the spring of 1848 to set out on the journey with the great northwest for its termination. After six months of travel with ox-teams Oregon was reached by the emigrants. In the spring of 1849 they left Aumsville, Marion county, where they had passed the preceding winter. and Mr. Porter took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres located two and one-half miles southeast of Aumsville. Upon this farm a little log cabin was erected to shelter the pioneer family, and nothing daunted by the years of toil and hardships which he knew must lie between this humble beginning and the suc- cess which he hoped to win, he gave the strength of his manhood to the task of cultivating the broad acres. And not only in his personal plans has Mr. Porter met with succes, but in the pub- lic affairs of his adopted state he was ever found

ready to lend his best efforts toward any move- ment that had for its end the upbuilding of the common welfare, being actively interested in the early days of his community in the laying out of roads and the organization of schools, serving as teacher in the latter for many years. In the first legislative body of Oregon, the date of assembling being July, 1849, it was the distinc- tion of Mr. Porter to serve as chief clerk, later being elected to the state legislature, where he remained one term. For four years he served as assessor of Marion county, and as county com- missioner for one term. His political offices were held through the influences of the Republican party, of which he was a stanch adherent. Re- ligiously, Mr. Porter was a member of the Chris- tian Church. His death, which occurred March 30, 1899, was a source of regret to the entire community.

Mr. Porter had been twice married, his first wife having died of mountain fever soon after their arrival in Oregon. In 1849 he married her sister, Martha Coffey. The children of the first marriage are as follows: William G., who served three years in Company B, of the First Oregon Cavalry, the first stationed on the fron- tier, and whose death occurred in January, 1880, on his farm, one and one-half miles east or Turner; Nancy E., the wife of C. K. Reed, now located on the old homestead; John H., a farmer at the state penitentiary; and Sydney R., of Kent, Sherman county. Three children were born of the second union, of whom Henry C. is the subject of this sketch; Sarah L. died in 1892; and Mary J. is the wife of Henry C. Von Behren, living near Aumsville. Mrs. Martha C. Porter died May 17, 1903, in her nine- tieth year.

Upon the donation claim linked to the Porter name through long years of association Henry C. Porter was born November 24, 1850, and there he grew to manhood, receiving his early education in the district school in the vicinity of his home. Upon attaining manhood he married Miss Minnie F. Welch, a native of Ontario, Canada, born in 1858, who came to Oregon with her grandfather, J. T. Welch, in 1869. In 1880 Mr. Porter built the house which he now occupies, part of his farm being formerly owned by T. C. Coffey, who took up a donation claim in 1852. The father of the Coffey family was born in North Carolina, in 1790, and with his family of eight children came to Oregon at the same time that Mr. Porter's father made the trip, and took up land in this vicinity. Mr. Porter now owns three hundred and twenty acres, upon which he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, being principally interested in l Iereford cattle. The location is two miles from Aumsville. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have one child,

PETER FELLER.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Minnie Maude, who is the wife of Otto G. Weaver, of Berlin, Linn county.

In various ways Mr. Porter has served the public, having been justice of the peace for eight years, and also notary public for some time. Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being a member of Aumsville Lodge No. 90. He is a devoted member of the Christian Church, in the Sunday school of which he has served for twenty years as superintendent, a striking example of faith- fulness to duty. He is supported in his religious affiliation by his wife and daughter, both of whom are members of the same church.

PETER FELLER. In 1847 there came from the province of Lorraine, where he was born March 6, 1822, a pioneer of Oregon who was destined materially to promote the agri- cultural prestige of the state, and to maintain a type of citizenship as useful as it is influ- ential and worthy. This ocean voyage from Europe was accomplished in a sailing vessel which was delayed by storms and calms, and which put into the port of New Orleans sixty- two days after embarking from the other side. With his few worldly possessions Peter Feller, then twenty-five years of age, took another boat up the Mississippi river, eventually arriv- ing at Galena, Ill., where he found employ- ment on farms in the neighborhood of the town. Among the fellow pasengers on the in- coming vessel was a bright and attractive Ger- man girl by the name of Anna Notum, also a native of Lorraine, and from subsequent events it would seem that they became very warm friends before the vessel arrived in port, for they were married the following year, Aug- ust 1, 1848, and thus an orphan girl found a home, and a stranger in a strange land a help- mate. Three children were born to the couple in Illinois: John ; Barbara, deceased ; and Peter. As time passed fortune favored them moder- ately, leaving them at least contented minds and bright hopes for the future.

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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 64

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