Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 78

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 78

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In Salem, Ore., Captain Babcock married Ida M. Pratt, who was born in Rhode Island, a daughter of Lucian E. Pratt, a member of an old Rhode Island family, who came to Oregon in the pioneer days of the state. He was captain on a river steamer on the Willamette and under Captain Babcock he served as deputy county clerk. Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His daugh- ter, Mrs. Babcock, is still living and resides in Salem. She had four children: Pratt, who died at the age of five years; William Paul, of this review ; and Grace N. and Mary, at home.

William P. Babcock was reared in Salem and after attending the public schools here continued his education in Willamette University for three years. He is a graduate of the Capital Business College, of Salem, in the class of 1895, and after his education was completed he acted as book- keeper for different firms of this city. In 1899 he became bookkeeper for the Salem Flouring Mills Company, and September 1, 1902, was made agent of the mills, having charge of the Salem mills, for which his business capacity and enter- prise well qualify him.

In Salem, October 20, 1897, Mr. Babcock was married to Miss Rose Woodruff, who was born and educated in Indiana. They have one child, Amelia. They are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Babcock was made a Mason in Pacific Lodge No. 50, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is an earnest Republican and he served as deputy sheriff under F. T. Wrightman for two years and as deputy county clerk under William W. Hall. A wide awake and enterprising young man, and a representative of prominent families of the northwest, he is destined for a successful career, if the signs of the times speak truly.

MRS. MARY TERESA SCHOETTLE, D. O. One of the most important discoveries of the scientific world in recent years is the valtte of osteopathy, and its practice is steadily and rapidly increasing as its value is recognized by the public. The lady whose name introduces this review is a graduated osteopathist and is now enjoying a good practice in Salem where she has a large circle of friends. She was born in De- Witt, Clinton county, Iowa, a daughter of J. G. Barr, whose birth occurred in Baden, Germany,

in which country he learned the trade of a watch and clock-maker and was engaged in the manti- facture of the large time-piece, known as the " grandfathers'" clocks. Crossing the Atlantic to America when seventeen years of age, he took up his abode in West Virginia and afterward re- moved to Ohio, where he followed his trade. Subsequently he became a resident of DeWitt, lowa, where he was engaged in business for nearly thirty years as a jeweler and watch- maker. In 1885 he came to Oregon, locating in Salem, where he again established a jewelry store, which he conducted with success until his death, which occurred September 13, 1899. He was a man of excellent business and executive ability and in the control of his interests he man- ifested perseverance, diligence and laudable am- bition. He married Miss Margaret L. Stenger, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, a daughter of Sebastian Stenger, who was also a native of that locality and on emigrating to America took up his abode in Ohio. He was a miller by trade and followed that pursnit in the Bttckeye state until his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barr were born thirteen children. Further record of the family is given in connection with the sketch of Herman W. Barr on another page of this work. The parents were both communicants of the Catholic Church.

Mrs. Schoettle, the eldest of the family, was educated in a convent at DeWitt, Iowa, and in 1885 came to Oregon with her parents. She as- sisted her father in the store until she was mar- ried in Salem, July 19, 1887, to Emil Schoettle, a native of Baden. He was a merchant tailor who located in Salem in 1885 and began business here in the line of his chosen trade. Soon he gained a liberal patronage which was accorded him up to the time of his death. He died in Texas while on a business trip in 1894, and his loss was deep- ly mourned not only by his immediate family, but also by many friends, for he was a man pos- sessing many excellent traits of character that had gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he had been associated.

Mrs. Schoettle has continued to reside in Salem. In 1899 she became interested in os- teopathy. In February, 1900, she went to Kirks- ville, Mo., where she entered the American School of Osteopathy and was graduated therefrom in January, 1902, with the degree of D. O. Return- ing at once to Salem she began practice here and has now a good patronage. Osteopathy has made rapid strides into favor with the public. Judged by its results it has certainly accomplished much toward alleviating human suffering and Mrs. Schoettle is well qualified for the practice of the science. She had two children, Mary T. and M. Josephinc, the latter of whom died May 22. 1903. Mrs. Schocttle attends the

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St. Joseph Catholic Church, of which she is a member. She is also identified with the Altar Society. . \ lady of superior culture and intelli- gence, of refinement and genuine worth, she occu- pies a leading position socially and is rapidly winning her way to a foremost place in profes- sional ranks.

JAMES H. BROWN. No more enterprising farmer is maintaining the excellent standard es- tablished by a pioneer father than James H. Brown, one of the three sons occupying the original donation claim of their father, the elder James H. Brown. The latter was born in Vir- ginia November 10, 1796, his remote ancestors having pursued their various occupations in the German empire. From Virginia Mr. Brown re- moved to Illinois, where he engaged in farming, and where he married Sophia Hussey, a native of that state. He was an ambitious man and readily absorbed the glowing accounts of su- perior chance in the west, and finally sold his Illinois farm and outfitted for the transportation of his wife and children to the coast. The jour- ney was accomplished with three wagons and six yoke of oxen, a team of horses and a spring wagon for the family, and the train moved along leisurely and without incident until after the Missouri river was crossed. About that time cholera broke out in the hopeful little party, and Mr. Brown was sorely afflicted, barely coming through the ordeal alive. Their misfortunes were further added to by one of their children, James H., having both legs broken, but as far as the Indians were concerned there was no par- ticular trouble from them.

For a short time Mr. Brown lived in Gopher valley, but the first winter in the state was spent with Nathan Hussey, one of the very early set- tlers in the west. In the spring Mr. Brown bought the donation claim upon which he spent the remainder of his life, and which consists of six hundred and forty acres along the Yam- hill river. So successful was he that in time his interests demanded more property, and by fre- quent purchases he increased his possessions to seventeen hundred acres. His death, May 30, 1875, removed a useful and capable citizen, one devoted to the Methodist Church and to the Republican party. Originally a Whig, he natur- ally stepped into Republican ranks and among the offices held by him with distinct credit was that of county commissioner, which he held for two years. Ile is buried in the little cemetery in Willamina, as is also his wife, who died No- vember 8, 1804.

Coming to Yamhill at the age of eight, James H. Brown remembers but little of his father's farm in Illinois, where he was born, near Spring-

field, Sangamon county, June 14, 1842. He early evinced habits of industry and thrift, and as op- portunity offered he attended the district schools. November 30, 1865, he was united in marriage with Evelyn Yocom, daughter of Franklin Yocom, and soon after came into his share of the family claim, which has since been his home. In addition to the one hundred and forty-five acres of the home place he has seventy-five acres adjoining, besides eight hundred acres in another place, and enough more land to make up fifteen hundred acres. The entire donation claim is owned by the three brothers, all of whom are en- terprising and prosperous members of the com- munity. Mr. Brown has extensive interests both as to general farming and stock-raising, and in the latter capacity has Cotswold sheep, Hereford cattle and horses. The farm is located three miles west of Sheridan, and the improvements thereon are of the most modern kind, both as to build- ings and implements. For many years the owner has derived a substantial income from the pur- chase and sale of all kinds of stock, and is one of the best judges and experienced men in the business in Yamhill county.

A chief avenue of interest to . Mr. Brown has been the promoting of the educational oppor- tunities of his district, and in this capacity he has been a member of the school board for twenty years. Like his father and brothers he is a Re- publican. His family consists of his wife and the following children: Wilbur N., Minnie, Henry H., Franklin Y., Dudley (deceased), Al- thea, Bertha, Lloyd L., and Pearl. Lloyd L. and Pearl were twins, but the latter died in infancy.

WILLIAM R. ELLIS. That popular and successful merchant, William R. Ellis, has been a resident of Oregon since his thirteenth year, and in the meantime has assisted in the upbuild- ing of more than one part of the state. - From ancestors represented among the trades and tillers of the soil, Mr. Ellis inherits thrift and industry, traits fostered in an orderly home at- mosphere, where there were also seven other chil- dren. His father, Henry Ellis, was born in Ohio, and in his youth married Henrietta Rowell, the latter at present a resident of Salem, and seventy- five years of age. Henry Ellis was a tailor and farmer by occupation, and whatever he acquired of success in life was due to his untiring devo- tion and ability to overcome the obstacles of his youth. At the age of nine years he was appren- ticed to a tailor, and, having completed his trade, worked thereat for many years in Ohio and con- tinuing in the same after taking up his residence in lowa. From the latter state he brought his family to Oregon in 1865, settling at first near McMinnville, Yamhill county, but finally locat-

Lorenzo Roof

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing on a farm near Perrydale, where his death occurred in 1900, at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Ellis was a Democrat in political preference, and was fraternally connected with the Masons.

Like most of the upbuilders of this state, Wil- liam R. Ellis gained his first impressions of life and work on a farm. In time he became of prac- tical assistance to his father, and remained under the home roof until his twenty-first year. For a couple of years he rented land in Polk county, following which he went down into California and engaged in manipulating a threshing ma- chine, at the same time profiting somewhat by the mining possibilities of that great state. At the ex- piration of a year he returned to Oregon and settled at Grand Ronde, where he ran a sawmill for four years, and then engaged in the stock business near the town for eight years. Thus finally established in two lines of activity, Mr. Ellis branched out into the mercantile business, a line of activity for which he was especially fitted, and in which he achieved marked success. After twelve years of catering to a general mer- cantile trade, he sold out his interests in May, 1902, and purchased the store of J. R. Menden- hall, of Sheridan, which business he is now build- ing up and improving, and which is being con- ducted under the firm name of Ellis Brothers.

In politics a Republican, Mr. Ellis has taken a keen interest in promoting the welfare of his party, and has held many minor offices in the com- munities in which he has lived. Like his father he is well known among the Masons, and a irember of the Lodge at Sheridan. Through his marriage, March 26, 1890, with Ella J. Elgin, two children have been born into the Ellis fam- ily, Henrietta T. and Mildred J. Though a com- paratively recent acquisition to the mercantile ranks of Sheridan, Mr. Ellis has already im- pressed his worth upon the community, and his former extended success is bound to be dupli- cated in his adopted town.

LORENZO ROOT. With the thrifty blood of New England coursing through his veins and the broad training of the middle west to incite him to wider thought and action, there can be no surprise expressed at the success achieved in the life of Lorenzo Root. His parents and grand- parents, both paternal and maternal, owe their nativity to that part of the United States noted for the habits of thrift and industry inculcated in the lives of its sons and daughters. The Root family came originally from England, and lo- cating in New England, cast in their lot with this struggling country, several of the name serving in the Revolutionary war. John Root, the father of Lorenzo, was born August 3, 1796, being

raised to the life of a farmer, and in young man- hood went to Ohio where he met a pioneer family with whom he became united by the ties of marriage, Sylvia Wilbur, daughter of Reed Wil- bur, born in Vermont, September II, 1798, be- coming the wife of John Root. Of this union eight children were born, three of whom are now living : Sidney, a farmer of West Chehalem ; Lucinda, of Dysart, Iowa; and Lorenzo, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, October 19, 1825.

John Root, in his desire to find a more suitable home, left Ohio in 1837, locating in Iowa, and later in Whiteside county, Ill., remaining in the latter place the rest of his life, and thus giving the educational advantages of three states to young Lorenzo. At twenty years of age he left home, finding work among the farmers of the neighborhood, and by economy and thrift he was able to purchase a little land two years later, upon which he farmed for himself. In 1850 he married Miss Martha Bedder, who was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., November 15, 1829, the second oldest of thirteen children born to Ven Vlack and Maria (Heaton) Bedder. The father was born in Mohawk county, N. Y., in April, 1800; and the mother was a native of Vermont. After two years of quiet and profitable farming, the young people decided to emigrate, not to the land where gold was the inducement, but where the land itself held out hopes of speedy riches. With four yoke of oxen drawing a wagon containing their worldly store, they set out on the long journey, reaching Portland, Ore., safely October 1, 1852. From Portland they went to Astoria, where Mr. Root secured work in a sawmill, and there remained for a year and a half, spending the next four and a half years in keeping a boarding house, in which business he was very successful. But with his early train- ing strong upon him, he wished to possess him- self of some of the broad lands of Oregon, and he now left the town, going to West Chehalem, where he invested in four hundred acres of land, remaining upon this property from 1858 to 1879.

In the last named year Mr. Root removed to McMinnville, Yamhill county, and in 1882 again tested his ability in the business world, entering the list as a grocer, and meeting with the same success that has rewarded his efforts in other fields. After five years he retired from this busi- ness on account of ill health, continuing since in this retirement in a pleasant home, located on First and C streets, of this city, where he takes the part of an intelligent and interested citizen, being the possessor of four dwellings, and consid- erable other city property. He casts his ballot with the Republican party, and finds in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church his religious home.

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SYLVESTER POTTER. The present stand- ing of Sheridan among the foremost and most promising towns in Yamhill county is due as much to the pioneer and later efforts of Sylvester Potter, as to that of any other of its honored citi- zens. Mr. Potter was born in Cortland county, N. Y., April 3, 1836, a son of Erastus Potter, also born in New York state, and grandson of Hardin Potter, a native of Rhode Island, and of English descent.

Erastus Potter lived in his native state until 1844, and then took his family to the vicinity of Waukesha, Wis., where he took up government land, and where he lived for three years. He then removed to near Oshkosh, the same state, and upon one hundred and sixty acres of very wild land erected a little log cabin, and proceeded to make a home and competence. He was one of the very early pioneers of Wisconsin, and he became one of the upbuilding factors in his neigh- borhood, where he lived continuously until 1892. He then made his home in Sheridan, Ore., for three years, returning eventually to Oshkosh county, Wis., where his death occurred at the age of eighty-three. Through his marriage with Martha Durkee, a native of Vermont, the fol- lowing children were born: Sylvester; Lester, living at Gopher, Ore .; Lavina, the wife of Henry Dolton, who was killed in the war; and Jane, the wife of Andrew Ripple, of Oshkosh. His wife survives him and is at present ninety years of age.

Although early inured to hard work on his father's farm in Wisconsin, Sylvester Potter realized the necessity of a good education, and such leisure as came his way was utilized for the acquiring of the same. Having gone as far as the district schools permitted he attended the academy at Oshkosh, and, having qualified for educational work was thus engaged at the be- ginning of his nineteenth year. In 1859 he took advantage of the Pikc's Peak excitement and journeyed thither with ox-teams, but not realiz- ing his expectations, tarried but a short time and then continued his jaunt across the plains to Oregon, arriving in Portland October 1, 1859. At once he became associated with the means of livelihood which has started many a pioneer upon the road to wealth and which has had more to do in the upbuilding of the state than any other re- source here represented. He began to saw logs during the winter season, and then turned his at- tention to hauling wood for the steamers, for this purpose having his own teams. That the industry was a paying one is evidenced by the fact that Mr. Potter continued thereat for seven years, and at the expiration of that time was able to buy a farm in Gopher valley, where he and his brother owned eleven hundred acres. For ten years the brothers conducted extensive stock-

raising operations, and their combined energy and business ability resulted in large financial returns.

Following on his stock-raising experience Mr. Potter engaged in the warehouse business in Sheridan with which he is still connected, and some years later he also became interested in a mercantile business in the same town. In the meantime he has been foremost in promoting all worthy attempts at general improvement, and has given liberally of his stock of good advice and financial support to the charities and other in- stitutions here represented. A stanch Republi- can, and a devoted admirer of Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Potter cast his first presidential vote for the great emancipator, and has since taken a keen interest in local and other undertakings of his party. In his home district he has been mayor of Sheridan for four years, has several times served as a member of the city council, and for many years has promoted the cause of education as a member of the school board. He is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, which he has attended regularly for many years, and to which he contributes generously of his honestly gotten means. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has been financier of his lodge for many years.

Through his marriage, June 26, 1862, with Mrs. Ailcy Southmayd, widow of D. S. South- mayd, and daughter of Dr. William Caples, Mr. Potter became identified with a prominent pio- neer family of Oregon, and one intimately con- nected with its fundamental growth. Dr. Caples was born in Baltimore, Md., March 5, 1806, and when six years of age was taken by his parents to Tuscarawas county, Ohio. His paternal grand- father was a large slave owner in the early days, but evidently a humane one, for at his death he gave all under him their freedom, and provided them with separate homes. Dr. Caples was reared on the Ohio farm, and in his youth received a common school education. He married Har- riet Tracey, and seven children were born to them, the order of their birth being as follows: Nancy is the deceased wife of John Ward; Mrs. Potter is next; Hiantha married Seldon Mur- ray, now deceased ; Harriet is the deceased wife of Jacob French; La Fayette lives in St. John ; and Susan is the wife of M. Roberts, of St. John. Mrs. Caples dying in 1845, the doctor married for a second wife Nancy Nowel, of which union there were born eleven children, of whom men- tion is made of Jane, the wife of Marion Dodge; Elizabeth, who lives in Vancouver, Wash .; Robert, who is a farmer of Marion county ; and Ollie, who is the wife of Harry Hemlow, of Brit- ish Columbia.

Dr. Caples was a merchant and farmer in Ohio, and in 1838 moved to Savannah, Mo., where he

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

carried out a long intended project of studying medicine. Under the instruction of a brother physician he remained in Savannah until 1849, and then came west with his family. The outfit consisted of two wagons and ox-teams, and it was the intention to go to California in search of gold. However, the doctor changed his mind en route, as did so many others who heard adverse tales of gold while on the plains. The doctor unfortunately succumbed to mountain fever, and for a time his life was despaired of. Had it not been for his plucky daughter the party might have come to grief. Miss Caples was a very attractive woman, and one of the young men of tlie party became much enamored of her. He proved a rascal of deepest dye, for, knowing they were dependent upon him as guide and driver after the doctor was taken down with fever, he utilized his advantage by attempting to make the daughter promise to marry him when they should reach Portland. For his answer he received the butt of a heavy whip across his face, and thus convinced of the futility of his effort left the travelers to their own devices. The responsibil- ity proved not too great for the courageous daughter, for she bravely set to the task of driv- ing the oxen over the mountains, a difficult task even for a strong man in those days. From Portland the party went to Columbia City, and in the spring of 1850 Dr. Caples began practicing medicine in Portland. He was one of the best known of the early practitioners, and in his efforts to relieve the physical woes of his patients trav- eled many hundreds of miles on horseback, his territory extending into the remote mountains, and over vast areas of country. In 1854 he took up a donation claim where St. John's is now situ- ated, and, moving his family there, continued his hard and but slightly remunerative practice in the district. This popular and efficient pioneer practitioner died in 1893, at the age of eighty- seven, leaving behind him a record of hundreds of worthy deeds, and innumerable unrewarded services. In early life he was a rabid Democrat, but in after years became more tolerant in his views, both as to religion and politics. In fact he was an active church worker, and his moral in- fluence was unquestioned. Mrs. Potter inherits many of the sterling characteristics of her well- remembered father, as evidenced particularly in her children, who were trained in household and other arts, and taught to be useful and moral men and women. Marvin, the oldest of the sons, lives in Sheridan : Walter died in 1894; Ida is the wife of Edward Church, of Astoria; and Ada is the wife of Alfred Street, of San Francisco.

STEPHEN L. SCROGGIN. Though young in years, Stephen L. Scroggin has attained no small degree of success in the business affairs of

Sheridan, Yamhill county, Ore., as manager of the Scroggin & Wortman banking firm, which has recently been changed to Scroggin Broth- ers, Mr. Wortman having disposed of his inter- ests to Charles C. Scroggin. Since his entrance into the business world Stephen L. Scroggin has devoted his time and attention to the upbuilding of the interest with which he immediately became attached, proving an exceptional ability and rare judgment in his methods.

The father of Stephen L. Scroggin, P. M., was born in Logan county, Ill., in 1830, and was there reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. When a young man he removed to Iowa, where he engaged in farming, there marry- ing Sarah E. Howard, a native of that state, and until 1870 they made their home there, leaving at that date for Oregon. On arriving in the west Mr. Scroggin settled near McMinnville, Yam- hill county, and after five months he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres ad- joining the town of Sheridan, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying here April 18, 1894. As a Democrat he served for two terms as county commissioner of Yamhill county. Frater- nally he was a member of the Masonic order, having affiliated with them for many years. His wife survived him until 1895, dying then at the age of sixty-four years. Of the nine children born to them, seven are now living. Charles C. lives near Willamina; Mary died at the age of fourteen years; Stephen L., the subject of this review, makes his home in Sheridan; Ella is the wife of Clarence Jones, of Portland; Alice is the wife of G. A. Epperly, of Portland; Ida died at the age of twenty years; P. M., Jr., lives in Le- banon, Ore .; T. J. makes his home in Sheridan ; and May is the wife of Clarence Irvin, of Port- land.

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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 78

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