Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 87

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 87

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CALEB J. PAYNE. The finest rural dwell- ing between McMinnville and Sheridan has just been completed by Caleb J. Payne, owner of one of the best stocked, best equipped and most thoroughly cultivated farms in Yamhill county. This farm possesses more than an ordinary in- terest for its fortunate owner and represents not only the field of his mature and successful activ- ity, but is as well the playground of his child- hood and the scene of his birth, which occurred December 21, 1858. The inspiration derived from all worthy ancestors has had its effect in forming the character of Mr. Payne, and fur- thermore it is to his credit that he so well main- tains the reputation of one of the noble, capable and resourceful pioneers of the county.

The Payne family was early represented in America, the paternal great-grandfather holding large landed possessions in Penn- sylvania. There in 1789 was born his son, Aaron, the intrepid Oregonian pio- neer, a man destined to fill a broad niche in the affairs of his time and place. A farmer and local preacher of the Christian Church by occu- pation, Aaron Payne was also a courageous sol- dier in the war of 1812, and was later a soldier in the Blackhawk war in Illinois, to which latter service he was prompted by the massacre of his brother, one of the first to fall before the murder- ous vengeance of the Indians. In the war of 1812 he was with Jackson at New Orleans, and in the Blackhawk war was a member of the Light Horse Dragoons. He was wounded near the place where the great Blackhawk was taken prisoner, but not seriously, and finally located on a farm in Illinois, a stanch advocate of peace won at the expense of Indian extermination. He married a Miss Murphy, who bore him thir- teen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. Her death occurred in 1846, and the following year he joined a caravan bound for the extreme west, and without particular incident arrived at his destination in Yamhill county, Ore. Here he took up a donation land claim, cleared it of timber to a certain extent, and made his home among the crude conditions then prevailing in

the state. Leaving his farm to the care of his children he took advantage of the gold rush to California in 1849, but on the way enlisted in the Rogue River war, participating in many of the important skirmishes. The need of his mili- tary services over, he resumed his journey to California, where he followed mining and pros- pecting for about a year, returning then to his donation claim, where he worked at its im- provement for many years. He became promi- nent in politics and represented his county in the state legislature, all the while continuing to preach and run his farm, doing all the good that lay in his power to accomplish. His life was fashioned on self-sacrificing lines, and while di- recting the lives of hundreds into channels of usefulness and peace, received no remuneration save that conferred by an approving conscience. It was against his principles to receive money for preaching, but his farm netted him a fair in- come and he was what might be termed a finan- cially successful man. When he was about eighty he retired from agricultural and minis- terial work, thereafter living in retirement at North Yamhill until his death, in 1883, at the age of ninety-four years.

While Aaron Payne was living on his farm in Sangamon county, Ill., his son, Caleb J., Sr., the father of our subject, was born May 24. 1821. In time he left the paternal farm and learned the butcher's trade in Illinois, and his search for opportunity was rewarded in 1845. when he was employed by a man by the name of Ramage to drive ox-teams, and make himself generally useful in a trip across the plains. This was two years before the father came west, and at the end of his journey he settled on the farm on the Sheridan and McMinnville pike, near where the son now lives, eleven miles southwest of McMinnville and three and a half miles east of Sheridan, and which is now occupied by his son. At the time of the Cayuse war he was endeavoring to utilize his six hundred and forty acres in general farming and stock-raising, but he responded to his country's needs and en- listed as first orderly sergeant, taking part in all the principal engagements of the war. His peaceful farming existence was further inter- rupted in 1849, when he went to California and mined for a few months, but his hoard was con- siderably lessened owing to the time he spent in caring for an old friend, William Ball, who had the misfortune to break his leg. Returning to Portland on the Brother Jonathan, he was forty-seven days en route, but finally reached his claim, the wiser for his various experiences.

In 1850 Mr. Payne married Malinda Toney, who was born in Callaway county, Mo., March 24, 1829, and who crossed the plains with her parents in 1847, settling on a farm in Yamhill

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county adjoining that of her future husband. But a comparatively brief married life was per- mitted Mr. Payne, for he died in 1858, leaving to his children a large property, but partially de- veloped. His widow continued to live on the farm until 1872, when she married J. J. Butler and removed to a farm in the vicinity. Her sec- ond husband died a few years later, and she her- self died in McMinnville in 1898, at the age of sixty-nine years. Five children were born of her first marriage, of whom Amanda is the wife of W. L. Warren, of McMinnville, and Mary is the wife of H. C. Burns, also of McMinnville ; twins died in infancy, and Caleb C., Jr.

The present owner of the Payne property was educated in Monmouth and at the Portland Bus- iness College. He continued to be an integral part of the home farm until his marriage to Mary Raymond, a native of Marion county, and daughter of Augusta and Mary Raymond, pio- neers of 1841. The young people lived in Mc- Minnville for a short time, and thereafter lived on a farm in Marion county for two years. He located on the old home place in 1888, and the majority of the fine improvements now facilitat- ing an extensive general farming and stock-rais- ing enterprise have been of his own making and are the result of his enterprise and progressive- ness. He makes a specialty of fine cattle and Cotswold sheep, and derives a substantial income from his fertile and productive property, which comprises three hundred and fifteen acres. Of the three children born into the Payne home Ethel is deceased; and Rita and Raymond are living at home with their parents. Mr. Payne is a prominent Democrat in his neighborhood, and takes an active interest in promoting the inter- ests of his party. For several years he has been a member of the school board, at times serving as clerk, and at present is one of the directors. Fraternally he is associated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Sheridan. Mr. Payne is one of the live, progressive forces of Yamhill county, his beautiful home, his scientific and practical knowledge of farming and his genial and optimistic manner, contributing to a truly enviable reputation.

ELI T. BRANSON owns an excellent farm pleasantly and conveniently located half a mile from the courthouse in McMinnville. He is now practically living retired and his rest is well deserved, for he has reached the seventy- third milestone on life's journey and through- out the greater part of his manhood his career has been one of untiring activity and of honorable effort. The ancestors of the Branson family came from Norfolk, England, in 1733, three

brothers leaving their native land at that time, Levi, Eli and Thomas. One settled in Ohio, one in Philadelphia and one in Indiana, and our sub- ject came from the branch of Eli, who settled in Ohio in 1733. Eli T. was born in Sangamon county, Ill., seven miles northwest of the city of Springfield, May 13, 1829, where his father oc- eupied a farm for several years, and on leaving that country he took up his abode in Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming, and later he went from that state to Indiana and after- ward to Illinois, settling in Sangamon county, where his last days were passed.

Eli Branson, the father of our subject, was born in the Buckeye state in 1775, and after ar- riving at years of maturity he wedded Anna Tur- ner, who was also a native of Ohio. Her pa- rents lived to very advanced ages and died in Sangamon county, Ill., where they had followed agricultural pursuits, her father passing away when a centenarian and her mother departing this life at the very advanced age of one hun- dred and two years. Mrs. Anna Branson, how- ever, died in 1829, at the birth of her son, Eli T., being at that time about forty years of age. Eli Branson, the father, afterward wedded Thankful Montgomery. The children of his first marriage were: Hannah, Sally, John and Will- iam, all of whom are deceased; Mrs. Mary Cad- wallader, of Jersey county, Ill .; Calvin, who is living in Fulton county, Ill .; Lydia and Nancy, who are also deceased ; and Eli. The children of the father's second marriage have all departed this life, namely: Benjamin, Samuel, Abraham and Martha. For his third wife Mr. Branson chose Mrs. Wilkins, a widow, who survived him for about a year. He became a resident of San- gamon county, Ill., at an early day and there carried on agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest, his death occurring in 1850, when lie was seventy-five years of age.

Under the parental roof Eli T. Branson spent the days of his childhood and when eighteen years of age he began earning his own liveli- hood by working as a farm hand in the locality in which he had been reared, but the business opportunities of the west attracted him and with the desire to embrace the advantages offered upon the Pacific coast, he crossed the plains in 1851, and eventually arrived at McMinnville on the 15th of September. The journey had been made with four yoke of oxen and he was accompanied by William Hussey, but trouble arose between them when they were on the way and they parted on the plains, Mr. Branson going on alone from Snake river. He passed through McMinnville, going on to the home of his uncle, William Branson, at the fork of the Yamhill and Willam- ina streams. For four years thereafter he was employed among the settlers and was in govern-

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ment survey work for a similar time. The early experience of pioneer settlers came to him, including hardships, trials and difficulties. He took part in the Yakinla Indian war, which be- gan in February, 1855, and lasted for one hun- dred and twelve days, during which time he was subject to much exposure because the troops were not well equipped for military service. When the uprising of the Indians had been sup- pressed Mr. Branson returned to Polk county and in 1859 purchased a farm on Mill creek, the tract comprising three hundred and twenty acres, which he continued to cultivate and improve until 1869. The following year he purchased a farm in Yamhill county a mile and a half above Sheridan, this being three hundred and ten acres in extent. He retained possession of it until 1897, when he purchased his present farm of forty acres conveniently located only half of a mile from the courthouse. The land is devoted to general farming, but Mr. Branson has practi- cally retired from business life, leaving the care of his property to others, while he is enjoying the fruits of his former toil.

Unto our subject and his wife were born four children, of whom two are yet living: William Arthur and Calvin E., both at home. The latter has been county surveyor for ten years. Mr. Bran- son has taken the second degree of Masonry in McMinnville and in politics he is a Republican. A half century has passed since his arrival in the northwest and wonderful has been the trans- formation which has occurred in this period. Railroads have been built and the land has been made to yield its rich resources and gifts to the settlers who have invaded its forests, claimed its splendid timber districts and its prairie lands, working its mines and establishing all kinds of industries known to business life in the east. Mr. Branson takes much pride in what has been accomplished here and his work in behalf of the county has been effective and beneficial, while in the supervision of his farming interests he has gained the success for which all men are striving.

WILLIAM MERCHANT. If it had required money to purchase the men who have put their brawn and energy into the cultivation of the west, Oregon would owe to many a locality for that which they have lost and she has won. A descendant of a sturdy Scotchman, William Mer- chant claims his nativity in the United States, and works for the welfare of the country through his good citizenship in the state of his adoption. His father, Robert Merchant, was born in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, in December of the year 1792, and at the age of six years he was apprenticed to a shoemaker

to learn the trade. Three years later he left home, and from that time on made his own way in the world. In 1808 he decided to emigrate, and after a short visit home, he started for the United States, his manner of traveling showing his determination of character, for not having sufficient money to pay his passage he secreted himself on board a vessel bound for New York, and after an uneventful voyage, he landed in that city, and though penniless and alone he was not resourceless for he had an abundance of courage and energy, as well as a trade to fall back upon. He drifted about from place to place, seeing much of this part of the world, but finally settling in Elkhart county, Ind., where in 1838 he met and married Lucretia Stewart, a native of that state, born July 8, 1818. After drifting to various places in Ohio, Illinois and Iowa, in the latter state taking up government land and farming in conjunction with his trade, he decided to try his fortunes in the west. Accordingly he sold out in 1847, and crossed the plains, landing in Ore- gon City September 27, having taken about six months in the journey. After a very few days spent in looking about him, he bought the right to six hundred and forty acres of land, and here he passed the remainder of his life, carrying on general farming and also his trade, which latter he found very profitable, working at times six- teen hours a day, making boots for the miners who were going to the mines of California, and receiving for each pair the sum of $16. After sixty-eight years of strenuous living that marked his whole life he passed away, leaving behind him the records of his industry and per- severance in the well-tilled fields of the great farm which he had truly earned in the improve- ments put upon it. His life had been full of hardships, but with no such word as failure in his vocabulary he left his children a rich inheri- tance in their western home. The mother out- lived her husband many years, dying in Janu- ary, 1891. Of the eight children that blessed the home, five were born in Oregon, the other three experiencing the trip though almost too young to recall the happenings. Andrew, the eldest, located in Seattle, Wash., where he died in 1899: Sarah Jane, the next in age ; William; Warren, the first native Oregonian of the family, now in Vancouver; Mary Maynard, of Colton, Wash .; Mariah Hendricks, of Seattle, Wash .; and Robert, who is engaged in the commission business at the last-named city.

William was the youngest of the children who crossed the plains, having been born in Davis county, Iowa, July 12, 1843, being at the time of the journey four years of age. The years of his boyhood he passed on his father's farm, spending a small part of each year in the schools of Oregon, going several miles to the de-

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serted cabin that served as a school building. At the age of twenty-two years, he went to the mines in Idaho, remain- ing there for three months, taking away with him several hundred dollars, the result of his labor. Returning home, he went to work among the farmers of his neighborhood, leaving the next spring on another mining expedition, bound at this time for the Blackfoot mines, in company with several others, among whom were Lee Laughlin and Uncle Benjamin Stewart. Mr. Merchant remained in eastern Oregon for three months working on a stock ranch. He subse- quently engaged in the sheep business and in the spring of 1867 took six hundred head to Boise City, where he sold them with a liberal profit for his work. In the Boise Basin he tried the livery business, giving it up later, however, as he received at this time his share of his fath- er's land, which was seventy-four acres. In 1868 he married Miss Martha Landess, a native of Washington county, Ore., her father having crossed the plains in the same train with the Merchant family in 1847, settling in this county, where he remained until his death.

From time to time Mr. Merchant has added to his property until he now owns seven hundred and fifteen acres, four hundred and forty of it · being land that helonged formerly to his father's place. Nearly all of this large farm is in culti- vation, being used for general farming and very extensive operations in the line of stock-raising. Mr. Merchant has interested himself on all public questions, taking an active part in school matters, holding through Republican influence the posi- tion of road supervisor and various school offices. He is a very prominent man in the county, giving his energies in the direction of general improvement, and with all his worldly success remembering the early days of Oregon and seeking to perpetuate their memory by his interest in the County Pioneer Association, in which he has served as president.

JONAH WISEMAN MOORE. Half way up the mountains, and commanding a fine view of the city of Brownsville and the surrounding county, is the home of Jonah Wiseman Moore, around whom still clings those fast disappear- ing characteristics with which fiction and im- agination surround the old-time miners of the west and north. This discoverer, and for years partial owner, of the famous Lucky Boy mine in the Blue River mining district, is by nature fitted for a life on the outskirts of civilization, possessing a ruggedness of constitution and a fearlessness of thought and conviction particu- larly adapted to unsettled regions.

Born on a farm in Sheridan county, Mo.,

October 15, 1839, he comes of an old Tennessee family, established in Missouri by his paternal grandfather, Jonah. His father, Robert, was a small boy when the family fortunes were shifted from Tennessee to Sheridan county, and he was reared to farming and educated in the district schools. He married Malinda Scrivner, a native daughter of Missouri, whose father, James Scrivner, served in the war of 1812. Seven children, six sons and one daugh- ter, were born into the Moore family in Mis- souri, Jonah being the second. In 1852 the father outfitted with ox-teams and wagons and started across the plains with his family, Jonah being then thirteen years of age, and able to make himself useful driving stock and carrying water in camp. The journey was a memorable one for the homeseekers, for on the way the mother succumbed to the strain of travel, and was left in a wayside grave on the Big Dry Sandy. Mournfully the procession proceeded upon its way, the travelers enduring patiently the hardships and deprivations incident to the times and conditions, rendered doubly dreary by a loss which had taken away the wife and mother. The father took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres near Harrisburg, and, in 1858, moved to Josephine county, Ore., the following year removing to Curry county, where he engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing. In 1873 he bought a small stock ranch in Del Norte county, Cal., which he managed for several years, and upon which he is now living retired, at the age of eighty-six.

Two years after coming to Oregon with his parents, in 1852, Jonah W. Moore started out on his own responsibility, securing work on different farms in Linn county. His mining career began in the dry diggings near Grant's Pass, in 1859, and when the Salmon river ex- citement was at its height he made his way thither. After taking an inventory of the situ- ation he made up his mind that there was not gold enough to go around, and that he stood a better chance running a pack train to the mines than in trying to work them, and this he did with fair success for five years. In 1867 he began mining again, and the next year came to the Willamette valley, and in Clackamas county married Elizabeth Garrett, a native daughter of the state. Thereafter he engaged in farming for some time, and, in 1887, began what proved to be the most satisfactory part of his career as a miner. IIe discovered the great Lucky Boy. How great was his good fortune may be imagined when it is known that upon disposing of his share in the mine, in 1901, to F. C. Sharkey, he realized $20,000. Few men in the state are more familiar with the mines in the west than is Mr. Moore, who

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has traveled many hundreds of miles from one camp to another, and has feasted in the light of many camp-fires. Fortunately he has not followed a phantom fortune, idealized by an overwrought brain or exaggerated expecta- tions, but has made his work count, and placed himself beyond the reach of want.

Five children were born of the first marriage of Mr. Moore, and of these, Anna May is the wife of C. B. Wilson, of Oregon City; Ivy is the wife of W. W. Waters, of Brownsville; Ettie married S. B. Sawyer, of Brownsville ; R. A. owns and manages a grocery store of this town, and Richard Irvin is deceased. The pres- ent Mrs. Moore was formerly Mrs. J. W. Han- ley, a native of Washington, and daughter ot Marcus McMillen, a native of Ohio. Mr. Mc- Millen crossed the plains from his home in Michigan, in 1852, locating in the state of Washington, where he eventually died. Through her marriage with John W. Hanley four children were born: William H. and Er- nest F., deceased ; Lennie L. and Leo W. Mr. Moore has always subscribed to the principles of the Republican party, but his time has been too much taken up in out-of-the-way places to permit of any political service. For many years he has been identified with the Encamp- ment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religion he is a Baptist. Mr. Moore has the sincerity and straightforwardness of a large- hearted and tolerant miner, augmented by gen- erous and admirable traits of character. He has found many opportunities to do kindly and disinterested acts, in consequence of which there are many living in different parts of the northwest who gladly acknowledge their obli- gations to him. Mr. Moore has recently pur- chased 16,000 shares in the Lucky Boy mine, and still keeps up his interest in mining circles.

M. S. PEERY. Four miles southeast of Day- ton is the farm of two hundred and fifty-seven acres belonging to M. S. Peery, recognized as one of the stable and reliable members of the agricul- tural community of Yamhill county. From an- cestors similarly engaged Mr. Peery inherits a special aptitude for his chosen work, augmented by a practical home training on the paternal farm in Missouri, where he was born October 15, 1852.

Wilson Peery, the father of M. S., was born in Kentucky in 1827, and at a very carly date re- moved with his parents to Missouri, when that state was as yet an undeveloped prairie. As he was one of a large family of children it was nec- essary for him to assist in the maintenance of the family, which he cheerily did, remaining at home until his marriage, which united him with Miss Maria Compton, who was also a native of Mis-

souri. For several years they kept house and farmed in the vicinity of Pattonsburg, Daviess county, in which town they sold their general commodities, receiving in exchange sugar and other staples. In 1863, Mr. Peery disposed of his Missouri land and prepared to come to Oregon with ox and horse teams, and during the long trip, covering six months, had a comparatively fortunate time. The extent of their unpleasant experiences was the appropriation of some of their stock by the Indians, but otherwise they were unmolested, thanks to the more settled con- dition of the country. For a year the family lo- cated in Clackamas county, and in 1864, removed to Linn county, remaining there for seven years. In 1871, Mr. Peery retired from farming and took up his residence in Dayton, where his death occurred when he was seventy-one years of age. His wife died when sixty-eight years old. Both were members of the Baptist Church, in which they were active workers. Of their eleven chil- dren, James is deceased ; Hiram lives in Yamhill county ; Archibald is a druggist in McMinnville ; Jefferson is deceased; M. S. is next in order of birth; Amanda is the wife of B. Harris, of Dayton; Eliza, Julia, Rebecca and Martha are deceased; and America is the wife of Alvis Gains, of Yamhill county.

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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 87

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