Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 75

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 75

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On the home farm Professor Northup re- mained through the period of his minority, at- tending the district schools in his youth. In 1872 he entered Colgate Academy, at Hamilton, N. Y., and after three years there became a student in Colgate University, in which he was graduated in 1879, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The same year he was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist church and accepted the pastorate of the church at Lake Mills, Wis .. where he remained for a year. In 1880 he went to Chicago, Ill., where he entered the Baptist Union Theological Seminary, and was therein

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graduated in 1883, with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He then returned to the old home farm in New York and was pastor of the Bap- tist Church in West Oneonta until July, 1888, when he came to Oregon, having been elected to the chair of mathematics in McMinnville Col- lege, and on arriving here he was also assigned to the chair of Greek. He has since been in- structor in both of these departments and for the past five years has been dean of the faculty, while since 1888 he has been librarian of the institution. Throughout the years of his resi- dence here he has continued his pastoral labors to a large extent, preaching in many different churches in Yamhill county and vicinity and also occupying different pastorates here.

Professor Northup was married in West Oneonta, N. Y., in 1886, to Miss Maud Galer, a native of that place and a daughter of James B. Galer, a builder there. They had seven chil- dren, but Frederick, the third, died at the age of nine months. The others are: Truman, Charlotte E., Fleeta, Lucy Mand, Emmanuel and Osa.

About 1897 Professor Northup became a member of the Oregon Fire Relief Association, in 1900 was made one of its directors, and upon the death of President O. H. Irvine, he was elected president and has since been an active factor in the successful control of the enterprise which is now a most important business concern of the state. Although Professor Northup has been a resident of McMinnville for little more than twelve years, he has been so closely and prominently connected with the educational and moral interests of the city and state that it is imperative that he be represented in this history. Christian instruction is having an influence over the world that few can estimate, for it is in youth that the life of the man is marked out, his future course decided and his choice as to the good or evil made. It is to the work of instructing the young that Professor Northup devotes his time, energies and thought and the result of his labors is far-reaching.

AUGUSTUS YERGEN. It was a merry golden wedding celebration that took place on the farm of Augustus Yergen, three miles from Aurora, March 28, 1902, for he and his companionable wife were held in high esteen1 in the neighborhood, and many came with gifts and heartfelt wishes to speed them upon the second half century of wedded hap- piness. May 24, 1902, the scene took on a dif- ferent aspect, for the fine old pioneer, whose industry had laid low the surrounding tim- ber, and caused the land to produce in abund-

ance, was stricken with death at the age of three score and ten years.

Born in Meilheim, Germany, November 28, 1831, Mr. Yergen was ten years of age when his father secured passage on an outgoing sailing vessel, thereafter spending many weeks on the waste of waters with his little family. Arriving in New York, he came at once to St. Clair county, Ill., where the son grew to manhood, and was reared on a farm of moderate size. As opportunity permitted he attended the public schools and, in St. Louis, March 28, 1852, was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Griffin, a native of St. Clair county, and daughter of an Illinois pio- neer, George A. Griffin. After two weeks the young couple carried out their long-planned trip across the plains, the details of which they had talked over during the winter months by the fire glow, and for which they had prepared on an elaborate scale. They had two yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows to one wagon, and were about six months in making the trip, having on the way a fairly pleasant time. The first winter was spent near Washougal, Wash., and this was a try- ing time, indeed, for feed of all kinds was scarce, and in consequence they lost all of their stock. The next spring Mr. Yergen took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres on the line between Marion and Clackamas counties, and here the new owner erected a little log house containing but one room, and in this started up housekeeping on a small scale, enduring many hardships ere their land was rendered productive. With slight exception the property was covered with a heavy growth of timber, and much ef- fort was required to clear even a small space. Nevertheless, this early pioneer prospered ex- ceedingly, and left to his heirs a valuable and productive farm. Of the six children born to himself and wife, Adelbert is a resident of Butteville; George W. is a hop-grower of Marion county; Mary E. is the wife of John V. Swan of Portland; Frank E. lives on a farm near Aurora, Marion county; Frederick also lives near Aurora ; and Henry F. is oper- ating the old homestead. Mr. Yergen was an extensive hop-grower and general farmer, and his methods of work were progressive and practical. He was also interested especially in horticulture, and during the early years of his career in Oregon accumulated considera- ble money as the result of his prosecution of this branch of agriculture. In politics a Dem- ocrat, he never took an active interest in the political agitations of his neighborhood. but rather chose the quiet and retired life of the unostentatious agriculturist. He was a men-

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ber of the Lutheran Church, and contributed generously of his means towards the support of that organization. No more honored man tilled the soil of this well-favored locality, and his death was deeply deplored.

HON. MARION B. HENDRICK. Among the pioneers of '52 who have worked their way up from comparative obscurity to prominence in the business and political affairs of Yamhill county, may be mentioned Hon. Marion B. Hen- drick, extensive grain merchant and member of the furniture and undertaking firm of Hendrick & Briedwell of McMinnville. The Hendrick family was established in Virginia long before the Revolutionary war, and members bearing the name participated in the memorable struggle for independence. In Virginia was born the pater- nal grandfather, Benjamin, who removed with his family to Barren county, Ky., where William A. Hendrick, the father of Marion B., was born. The family is of German descent, and the most desirable traits of that industrious and frugal nation have not been lost through transmittance.

William A. Hendrick was a farmer for the greater part of his active life, and about 1832 removed from his native state of Kentucky to Marshall county, Ill., of which he was one of the pioneer settlers. The region was wild and frontier at the time, and as a means of safety he lived in the fort until purchasing his farm in the wilderness. Eventually he removed to Iowa, and his death occurred on his farm in the vicin- ity of Osceola. In his young manhood he mar- ried Maria Bird, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Robert Bird, a native of Virginia, and pioneer of both Kentucky and Illinois. In the latter state Mr. Bird settled in Marshall county. from where he removed in 1847 to Ore- gon, coming by way of the plains with his own family and the families of his three sons. Settling within a few miles of Oregon City, he improved a farm of large dimensions, where his death occurred, and also that of his wife, who was a Miss Mary Haley of Kentucky. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick, of whom Marion B. is the oldest. Rachel. Sarah and Martha died in Illinois.

Born near Glasgow, Barren county, Ky., Au- gust 14, 1828, Mr. Hendrick was educated in the public schools of Marshall, and at the acad- omy of Eurcka. Having accumulated a keen interest in the far west. he was glad of the oppor- tunity to hire out as driver in crossing the plains in 1852, but this arrangement seems not to have been entirely satisfactory, for upon arriv- ing at Salmon Falls on the Snake river, himself and a companion left the emigrant train and started out afoot, accomplishing the rest of their

journey per shank's express. Notwithstanding this slow means of locomotion, he made good time, for, having started out April 15th, he arrived at the Dalles August 20, being six weeks ahead of the train. For some time Mr. Hen- drick worked at odd jobs around Oregon City, and even tried his luck in the mines in the southern part of the state. Convinced that he was not among the elect in the latter calling, he returned to Yamhill county and engaged in rais- ing wheat, which proved a profitable venture, for the land produced about forty bushels to the acre and sold at ninety-five cents per bushel. As he had twelve hundred bushels to sell the profit was considerable to a youth with depleted finances, and permitted him to carry out the long- considered project of becoming a land owner. Going to Marion county, Ore., he took up a quarter section of land in the Mission Bottom, and after cultivating it for three years, disposed of it at a profit. Returning to Yamhill county, he bought a store in Wheatland and engaged in a general merchandise business, and also began to deal in wheat, which proved so successful that in 1862 he put up the first warehouse at Wheat- land. In the vicinity also he built a flouring mill, which, after many years of prosperity, burned to the ground, entailing heavy loss.

About this time Mr. Hendrick increased his responsibilities by purchasing land and engag- ing in hop culture. He also leased a warehouse at Independence, and in 1888, with his son, Miles, he started a general store at Amity. The great flood of 1890 destroyed the Wheatland warehouse, containing twenty-five thousand bushels of wheat, but, nothing daunted, he re- built, and proceeded with as great courage as before. For thirty-one years he engaged in the general merchandise business, and at the same time was continually increasing his wheat busi- ness, which finally assumed very large propor- tions. After locating in Amity in 1893, he con- tinued the warchouse business, and at the same time had warehouses along different points of the railroad. His store at Amity, of which his son had charge, was run under the firm name of M. E. Hendrick & Company until 1897, when they sold out, and in 1899 opened a store in McMinnville under the same firm name, and that as well as the furniture and undertaking busi- ness of Hendrick & Bricdwell are sources of gratifying profit, and reflect the sagacity and far- sighted business judgment of their founder.

Ever since he was old enough to appreciate the distinctions in politics, Mr. Hendrick has allied his forces with the Democratic party. He has served for one term as county assessor, and in 1878 was elected to the state legislature, serv- ing in session of 1878-79. He was active in working for the election of United States Sen-

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ator Slater. Mr. Hendrick has been a member of the county committee, and was chairman of the same in 1900. He is a member of the County and State Pioneer Associations. In Wheatland, the laying out of which town was due to his enterprise, Mr. Hendrick was united in mar- riage, April 19, 1855, with Ellis Sawyer, who was born in Marshall county, Ill., a daughter of Mark Sawyer, a native of North Carolina. Mr. Sawyer removed to Marshall county, Ill., with his father, Jesse, and in 1847 crossed the plains with ox teams, settling after a six months' jaunt on a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres one-half mile north of Wheatland. Here he lived for many years, but finally retired to McMinnville, where his death occurred. He married Susan James, a native of Tennessee, who removed to Illinois with her parents in the early days. Of the twelve children in the family ten attained maturity, and nine are living, Mrs. Hendrick being the oldest in the family, and nine years of age when she crossed the plains. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick-Miles E., of the firm of M. E. Hen- drick & Co .; Ella, living with her parents ; Eleanora, now Mrs. Briedwell of McMinnville; and Lovie, now Mrs. Arlington Watt of Amity. Mr. Hendrick is a member of the United Evan- gelical Association, while his wife is identified with the United Brethren Church. He is pos- sessed of unquestioned integrity, oft-evinced public spiritedness, and the faculty to grasp op- portunity by the forelock. Mr. Hendrick enjoys the fullest confidence of the communities which have benefited by his upbuilding ability, and he is to an unusual extent, one of those large souled, generous pioneers whom it is always a pleasure to meet.

A. F. ARTHUR, who is a well-known and successful contractor and builder of McMinnville, is one of the native sons of the Golden West, his birth having occurred in this city May 23, 1865. That seemed an early epoch in the history of this section of the country, and vet, twenty-two years before that time, his father, William Arthur, had come to the Sunset state. He was born in Missouri and is a brother of Mrs. Mahala Cozine of this place. It was in the year 1843 that William Arthur crossed the plains, accompanying his parents. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and for many years followed the building business. In the early '6os he was a farmer in Clackamas county, Ore., and then came to McMinnville, where he began contracting and building, and many of the substantial structures of the city are the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry. He is now living retired in McMinnville, enjoying

a rest which he has truly earned. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Easton and died when A. F. Arthur was but a year old, leaving two children, the elder being Milton, who is a carpenter of Ione, Ore. The father is a member of the Baptist Church and his Christian faith has been manifest throughout his upright career. As an honored pioneer he, certainly deserves mention in this volume for he belongs to that class of heroic early settlers who laid broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and development of this section of the country.

In the public schools, A. F. Arthur acquired his early education and afterward spent a short time as a student in McMinnville College. From early youth he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he learned under the direction of his father, and he has always followed this pur- suit, with the exception of a few years spent in farming. He owned a place of four hundred and eighty acres four miles west of McMinnville and thereon engaged in the raising of stock, making a specialty of sheep and cattle. In 1894 he returned to McMinnville and rented his farm, which in 1899 he sold. Upon again locating in his native city he began contracting and building and has erected many fine residences here. He is now in partnership with J. W. Cook, under the firm style of Cook & Arthur, and they rank among the leading builders of this part of the state, having a liberal patronage, which is in- dicative of their excellent workmanship and their enterprise. They live faithfully up to the spirit as well as to the letter of the contract and in the execution of the work entrusted to them they show that they are masters of the building art.

Mr. Arthur is a man of resourceful business ability, who has not confined his attention alone to one line, for in the summer seasons he is en- gaged in threshing, being a partner of C. J. Skin- ner in that enterprise. They operate the Russell thresher, which is run by steam, Mr. Arthur having been in this business for fifteen years. In all branches of his work he is progressive, keeping abreast with the latest improvements.

In this county Mr. Arthur was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma Huguelett, a native of Vir- ginia City, Nev., and unto them have been born five children-Austin, Roy, Clara, Walter and Ernest. Fraternally Mr. Arthur is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Woodmen of the World, and he be- longs to the Baptist Church. His political sup- port is given to the Democracy and he has served as a member of the Democratic county central committee, doing everything in his power to advance the growth and success of the principles in which he believes. In business he has achieved success through honorable effort, un-

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tiring energy and capable management, while in social life he has gained friendship and favor because of qualities which everywhere command respect -- a genial disposition, and deference for the opinions of others.

FREDERICK J. J. HURST. More than forty years have passed since Mr. Hurst came to Oregon, and within this time he has risen to success in the business world, at the same time gaining an untarnished reputation. He was born in Pommern, Prussia, Germany, March 29, 1842, a son of Christian and Caroline ( Kingrün) Hurst. The father was also a native of Prus- sia and belonged to one of the old families of that kingdom. By trade he was a wagon-maker and followed that pursuit throughout his entire life, which was passed in Germany. His wife was a daughter of Jacob Kingrün, a native of Sweden, who removed to Prussia and there fol- lowed farming. Mrs. Hurst, however, was born in Germany, and after the death of her first husband she married again and spent her last days in the United States. Mr. Hurst of this review was one of a family of four sons and two daughters. His brother, John D. Hurst, made his way across the plains with him and followed the miller's trade in Oregon. How- ever, he did not confine his attention alone to milling, for he became recognized as the best stone dresser in Oregon and his activity along that line contributed to his success. He died in Aurora, this state, in 1900.

Frederick J. J. Hurst spent his boyhood days in his native country, and in accordance with the laws of that land attended school between the ages of six and fourteen years. He after- ward obtained practical training in business life by working upon a farm and in a mill. He was a youth of fifteen when he crossed the briny deep to America, sailing in 1857 on the vessel Ocean Home, which left Hamburg bound for New York. After a voyage of one hundred and two days, anchor was dropped in the American port and Mr. Hurst made his way from the eastern metropolis to Bureau county, Ill. In that local- ity he secured employment on a farm and later he worked in the old Tiskilwa mill for his brother in order to learn the trade. Subsequently he be- came a resident of Blue Grass, Iowa, where he followed the miller's trade and later was em- ployed in the same capacity in Davenport. He next removed to Lyons, Iowa, where he rented and operated a mill until 1862, but in that year. attracted by the growing west with its varied opportunities and business openings, he came to Oregon, making the journey with a horse team and wagon. In the month of April he left his old home, crossed the Missouri river at Council

Bluffs, followed the Oregon trail and came by way of the Landis cutoff. The Indians at that time were a constant menace to the emigrants, causing much trouble and annoyance. Subse- quently the party with which Mr. Hurst traveled served as a target for the guns of the red men, but the party returned the fire and kept the sav- ages at a distance. Eventually they were glad- dened by the sight of the fertile fields of Oregon, reaching their destination in October. Mr. Hurst went to the mines on the Powder river and afterward to the Boise basin, which was then a part of Utah. Subsequently he was engaged in mining in Montana, and in this way he gained a start. In 1869 he located in the Willamette valley and in partnership with his brother purchased the Corvallis Mill and turned his attention to the manufacture of flour. They had sold the mill, but before turning it over it was burned down and they rebuilt the plant. The new mill was then operated by the brothers until they sold to the firm of Gray & Kouthauer. At that time they purchased the Champoeg Mill, and this was conducted by Mr. Hurst until he disposed of it and purchased the North Salem Mill. Later he became a member of the Capital Milling Company, in which he was associated with William Reed and others. His brother was manager while Mr. Hurst of this review was head miller. Finally he sold his interest in this concern and removed to Lincoln, where he con- ducted a saw and grist mill for five years. Hav- ing opportunity to sell to an advantage he then returned to Salem where he began speculating, and since 1893 he has been engaged in real estate operations in this city. He both buys and sells real estate, and has a comprehensive knowledge of realty values and of good business opportun- ities in this direction. He laid out the Hurst Addition to North Salem, comprising three acres, and upon this he has built a number of good residences. He also owns the North Salem brick store and other buildings, including the one in which the steam laundry is conducted.

Mr. Hurst was married in Clackamas county to Miss Emma Daue, who was born in Wiscon- sin, and they now have four children-Albert. of Salem, and Carrie, Stella and Fred, who are vet under the parental roof. Since becoming an American citizen Mr. Hurst has given his polit- ical support to the Republican party, and socially he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while his wife is a member of the Unitarian Church. In 1873 he made a trip to his old home in Germany, visiting the scenes of his boyhood and renewing the acquaintances of his youth. He was content to return to America, however, for he has much love and admiration for the land of his adoption. He has never been disappointed in this country, nor had occasion

J.J. Graves

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to regret his determination to cast in his lot with its citizens, for here he has found good business opportunities and through the improvement of these he has become a successful man of good financial standing in Salem. He has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man, for his advancement is the direct outcome of persistent labor.

THOMAS J. GRAVES. To be a native son of one of the most productive counties in Oregon presupposes a more than ordinary in- terest in its affairs, and when the expecta- tions are justified and maintained for many years with indefatigable industry, upright liv- ing and practical progressiveness, the com- munity's well being may be said to rest in good hands. This is the case with Thomas J. Graves, around whom is centered a thrifty agricultural enterprise, and from whom emanates a world of good-fellowship and practical participation in the general advance- ment of the county. Born upon the farm upon which he now lives while his parents were 011 a visit to his maternal grandfather, Glenn O. Burnett, October 24, 1855, Mr. Graves is a son of Charles B. and Mary H. (Burnett) Graves, natives of Kentucky, and the former born January 28, 1824. Mr. Burnett was of Scotch descent, and was born in the state of Virginia, whence he started across the plains as early as 1845. He was a minister of the Christian Church, and after locating on the claim of six hundred and forty acres spent his days in farming and preaching, in time be- coming noted for his good works throughout the entire Willamette valley. He engaged in stock-raising, as the care of the same required less time than general farming, and his la- borious and well-directed career resulted in his health becoming impaired in 1861. In the hope of benefiting by the genial climate and inspiring surroundings of California he moved there, intending, however, to remain for a time only, but was so charmed with life among the sunshine and roses that he re- mained there until his death in 1888.

Grandfather James B. Graves was born in Kentucky and crossed the plains with his family in 1847, taking up a large claim near Sheridan, Yamhill county, Ore. He became prominent in Republican politics, and among other honors conferred upon him by his fel- low-townsmen was that of legislator, which he maintained with great credit to himself and benefit to those who had placed him in power. He died on his claim near Sheridan in 1881, at the age of seventy-eight years. His son, Charles B., the father of Thomas J.,

was a young man when he moved with his family to Woodruff county, Mo., and he was one of the most enthusiastic of the party that crossed the plains in 1846. Like his father he took up a donation claim of a section near Sheridan, settled thereon, and proceeded to make it profitable and home-like. In 1849 he went over the mountains to the California mines, an expedition which had its happy side, for he returned about $2,000 richer than when he departed. In 1851 he wedded Mary H. Burnett, and in 1864 he bought the old Burnett homestead, and lived thereon until a short time before his death in Monmouth, January 23, 1892, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.

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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 75

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