Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 97

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 97

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H. Z. FOSTER, the treasurer of Yam- hill county, a resident of Oregon since his tenth year, and formerly an educator and agri- culturist, was born twenty miles north of Keo- kuk, Lee county, Iowa, October 8, 1843. At a very early age his paternal grandfather removed from Indiana to Tennessee, in which latter state his father, Harrison Foster, was born in 1801.

Harrison Foster emigrated to Illinois about 1822, and lived in that then wild and inhospi- table region until his removal to Lee county in 1838. In Illinois he married his first wife, a Miss Barber, of that state, and the five children of this union were born in Illinois and Iowa. Of these, four are living, James Barber being a min- ister of the Baptist Church in Boise City, Idaho; Jesse D., a Congregational clergyman in Cali- fornia, and Mrs. Sarah J. Death and Mrs. Mar- garet V. McComas, both residents of California. In Lee county, Iowa, Mr. Foster married his second wife, Sarah Booth, a native of England, and daughter of John Booth, who emigrated from England to New York state. The second Mrs. Foster died at the old home in Oregon at the age of eighty-three years, leaving two chil- dren, the present treasurer of Yamhill county, and Mrs. Mary E. Wood, of Tillamook county. With his wife and children Harrison Foster un- dertook the journey across the plains in 1853, starting out from Council Bluffs, Iowa, in April, and proceeding up the Platte and Sweetwater

rivers and down the Snake river to Umatilla, then down the Umatilla. On the way they over- took many other emigrants from Iowa, and the six months' journey passed off without any par- ticular incident, or any of the harrowing details incident to the plain travel in the early days. The father took up a claim in the hills, and in the spring of 1854 bought the right to a claim of three hundred and twenty acres on the Will- amina, where he lived and worked for many years, and where his death occurred in 1876, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a quiet, ninostentatious man, but successful withal, and in his adopted county made many friends. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

For some years after crossing the plains with his parents H. Z. Foster had no educational op- portunities, for the neighborhood in which he lived had not yet risen to the dignity of main- taining a log school house, or a teacher to dis- tribute knowledge to the rising generation. The advent of the first school house was heralded with delight by both pupils and parents, and among the first to assemble in the little log en- closure was the youngest son of Harrison Fos- ter. At the age of sixteen the youth spent a year in the old McMinnville College, and then studied for a year with Professor Johnson, of the same institution. In 1872 he entered the Willam- ette University at Salem, from which he was duly graduated with the degree of B. S., in the class of 1875. The same summer he returned to the parental farm, and in 1878 located in Sher- idan, where he taught school, worked in a ware- house, and finally engaged in clerking. In Sher- idan he married Edith LaFollette in 1885, a na- tive of Dallas, Ore., and daughter of Capt. Charles LaFollette, born in Indiana, and an early pioneer of Oregon.

In 1890 Mr. Foster returned to the old farm and lived there until locating in McMinnville in September, 1900. He has already accumu- lated property in the town, and the sale of his farm presupposed a permanent residence in this thriving community of interests. His capacity for public services found recognition in October, 1901, when, upon the resignation of County Treasurer Rood he was appointed to take his place by the county court. So satisfactory were his services that he was duly elected county treasurer by one of the largest majorities on the Republican ticket in July, 1902, and thereupon took the oath of office for two years. He has affil- iated with the Republican party ever since cast- ing his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln. Fraternally he is allied with the Masons of Sheridan, and has been past master of that lodge. Since 1873 he has been a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and has been very active

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in both church and Sunday-school work. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster : Charles, Robert and Mary.

ALVIS KIMSEY. Although many years have elapsed since the death of Alvis Kimsey, there are many in Yamhill county who recall his worthwhile endeavors while making a home for his family in this then wild section of country. Mr. Kimsey was born in Missouri May 26, 1816, and owing to the death of his father when he was but thirteen years old he was early obliged to assist in the maintenance of the family. His mother eventually married a second time, and when his services were no longer needed on the home farm he also married, taking for his wife a Miss Simpson, who was born in Missouri. The death of his wife temporarily shadowed his life and left him with one small child, with no guiding hand at the hearthstone.

Joining a band of west-bound emigrants in 1846 Mr. Kimsey reached his destination in Cal- ifornia without any particular difficulty, and once arrived at his new destination he had the opportunity of serving in the Mexican war. Dur- ing a part of his service he was a commissioned officer, and his soldier days were marked by par- ticular courage and devotion to the cause. In 1848 he removed from California to Oregon and took up a donation land claim of six hundred and forty acres on what is now called the Middle Salem and Dayton road, about four and one- half miles southeast of Dayton. In September of the same year, 1848, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Fulkerson Dorris, who was born in Missouri, and whose husband died while crossing the plains in 1847. When Mr. Kimsey purchased his claim there was a small log house upon it and this continued to shelter the family for a few years, but subsequently he put up a more comfortable and commodious residence. The discovery of gold in California about this time enticed him thither, but his stay was of short duration, and upon his return home resumed his agricultural duties. In 1855 he retired from active labor and took up his residence in The Dalles, the change being necessitated by overwork and responsibil- ity. His death occurred in the latter home Sep- tember 14, 1865, and was mourned by all who had known him. At one time he took a promi- nent part in politics, and served as sheriff of Yamhill county, an office which he was com- pelled to resign on account of impaired health.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kimsey: Mary J., born on the old home- stead, where she now lives, in 1849; Rachel E., deceased; and Wiley A., a resident of Albany, Ore. Some years after the death of

her husband Mrs. Kimsey was united in mar. riage with Willis Gains, who crossed the plains in 1852. After their marriage they took up their residence in Linn county, where Mrs. Gains died at the age of sixty-seven. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gains: Holt is deceased and Anna became the wife of John A. South, and resides in Linn county. Mary J. Kimsey became the wife of R. W. Powell, who crossed the plains in 1852 with his parents. One child blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Powell: Addie, now the wife of A. A. Launer, and they make their home in Dallas. Four years after his marriage Mr. Powell died, and two years later Mrs. Powell became the wife of H. W. Peery. Seven children were born of this marriage, of whom we make the following men- tion : Minnie E., the wife of W. L. Jackson, of Albany; Edward C., a resident of Linn county ; Edith, the wife of Ed Hoffman, of Oregon City ; Amy C. and Claud C., twins, who are at school, as is also Willie. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Peery still owns one hundred and eighty- nine acres of the old donation claim settled by her father, and this property is classed among the most desirable in Yamhill county. The family have one of the finest rural homes in the neigh- borhood and have many friends and well-wishers in the community in which they reside.

J. L. HOSKINS. In an effort to maintain the prestige of a fine old southern family re- ligiously associated with the Society of Friends, and in civic life identified with pioneering and other substantial occupations ennobled by sterling English worth, J. L. Hoskins, recorder of Yam- hill county, has mapped out a career in harmony with agricultural, educational and general ideals. In accord with the workings of the twentieth cen- tury philanthropic mind, institutions of learning have come to be regarded as the medium through which the good of the world is to be derived, and this being the generally accepted theory, promo- ters of education must needs be the chief factors of civilization. It is perhaps in this connection that Mr. Hoskins will be longest remembered, for he has been one of the advance guard of the Pa- cific College at Newberg, and has earnestly and disinterestedly labored for the betterment of this well-equipped institution of learning.

A native of the vicinity of Wellington, Clinton county, Ohio, Mr. Hoskins was born March 20, 1846, a son of Joseph, and grandson of George Hoskins, the latter of whom was born in North Carolina, and removed with his parents to Clinton county, Ohio, when a mere boy. The grand- father later improved a farm in Clinton county on his own responsibility, and there was passed his long and meritorious life. Joseph Hoskins

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was born in Ohio, and from there removed to Rush county, Ind., where he farmed for many years, prior to spending his last days with his son in Yamhill county. He married Saralı Ann Hod- son, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and sister of J. M. Hodson, of Portland, represented at length in another part of this work. Mrs. Hos- kins also died in Oregon, leaving four sons, her only daughter, Carrie M., having died in Indiana. Cyrus E., the oldest of the sons, is a farmer at Gold Hill, Ore .; A. M. is engaged in mining in Jackson county, Ore .; and Cyrus E. served in the Thirteenth Ohio Cavalry during the Civil war, with his brother, J. L.

As has been the case in the lives of many worthwhile men in this country the Civil war pre- sented itself as a developing factor in the imma- ture youth of Mr. Hoskins, and when not yet seventeen, he enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Cav- alry, later consolidated with the Thirteenth Vol- unteer Cavalry. He was mustered in during March, 1863, and was mustered out in Virginia, in September, 1865, being later discharged in Columbus, Ohio. During the time of his service he participated in many of the important battles of the war, including the Wilderness, Cold Har- bor, the sieges of Richmond and Petersburg, Ap- pomattox, and many others. The siege of Peters- burg, on July 2d, proved most disastrous for the regiment, for a roll-call revealed the death of at least half of its members. Mr. Hoskins marched up Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, when peace had been declared, and this grand review terminated his association with affairs military.

Saddened by his experiences on the battle field, but with clearer defined ideas of life and its re- sponsibilities, Mr. Hoskins returned to Ohio only to find that his parents had removed to Indiana, and were living on a farm in Rush county. He joined them, and while assisting his father, taught school for a couple of years, during the winter season, working in the harvestfield in the summer time. In 1879, he came west to San Francisco, and from there by steamer to Portland, soon after purchasing a little farm of fifty-six acres in the brush near Newberg. This he proceeded to im- prove and develop, and while engaging in gen- eral farming, has reaped a liberal income from an orchard and small fruits, also considerable stock.

A stanch Republican ever since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864, Mr. Hoskins was not particularly active until 1900, when he was nominated county recorder in June, and elected by a large majority. So satis- factory were his services that in 1902 he was re- nominated, and re-elected by a majority of five hundred and five, leading the ticket. His as- sumption of office began in July, 1900, and will continue until July, 1904. He is an ex-member of the county committee, and has attended many

conventions during his residence in Oregon. Fraternally, Mr. Hoskins is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined that organization in the early '70s. He is now past officer and past grand representative of Willamette Lodge of Newberg; a member of the Encampment at McMinnville, and member of the Woodmen of the World. He is also connected with Shiloh Post, G. A. R., of Newberg. In religion, Mr. Hoskins adheres to the faith of his forefathers, that of the beautiful and impressive Society of Friends.

JACOB GRAUER. At the age of ten years Jacob Grauer came to America with his parents, having spent his previous life in Germany, where he was born January 31, 1856. His father, an- other Jacob, was born in Germany in 1823, and was by trade a weaver, which trade he followed for many years in his native land. He married Catharine Grauer, a native of the same part of the kingdom, and with her came to America in 1866, settling on a farm in Iowa. Here the father enjoyed moderate prosperity, and here he died at the age of sixty, his wife surviving him until sixty-nine years of age. There were eight' children in the family, the order of their birth being as follows: Mary, a resident of Iowa; George, also living in Iowa; Christ, a farmer in Iowa; Lizzie, living with her brother, Jacob; Jacob; Kate, a farmer's wife in Iowa; Adamı, a farmer of Iowa; and Anna, deceased.

Until his twenty-first year, Jacob Grauer lived on the paternal farm in Iowa, contributing his share towards the support of the large family. He attended the district schools as opportunity offered, and his pastimes and diversions were those of the average farm-reared youth. For ten years after his marriage with Rosa Gutbrod, a native of Germany, he continued to farm inde- pendently in Iowa, and, in 1891, brought his family to Yamhill county, Ore., settling near Newberg on a small farm. At the expiration of two years, Mr. Grauer bought a farm of M. S. Sheridan, but after a year removed to the Raleigh place, three and a half miles northeast of Sheri- dan. In 1899 Mr. Grauer bought the farm of one hundred and seventy acres which has since been his home, and to which he has in the mean- time added, so that he now owns five hundred acres in all. Many fine improvements are the re- sult of the good management and industry of this enterprising farmer, his buildings, agricultural implements and general farm furnishings being the best known to the model, up-to-date farmer. Mr. Grauer is independent in politics, although he usually votes the Republican ticket. Office- holding has never held any charm for him, as he prefers to devote his time to his farm and family.

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He is a member of the Lutheran Church. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grauer : Louis, Anna, George, Jacob, Frederick, Adam, Edgar and William, at home, and Carl, deceased.

ABRAM COOVERT. Though at present living a retired life in Dayton, Abram Coovert is known as one of the broad-minded and energetic developers of Yamhill county, and has been closely allied with its agricultural, milling, edu- cational and religious affairs. An additional dis- tinction is attached to Mr. Coovert, growing out of the fact that he and his wife, who died March 31, 1903, were undoubtedly the oldest married couple in this county, and one of the oldest in this part of the state. The parents of Mr. Coovert were farmers during their active lives, and lived for many years in Butler county, Ohio, where he was born April 24, 1819. As his mother died when he was ten years old, leaving six other children, he was bound out to a family to remain until his twenty-first year, at the expiration of which time he was to receive $100 and a suit of clothes. The consideration was fulfilled according to contract, the youth in the meantime developing thrifty and industrious traits of character.

Left to fashion his career as suited him best, Mr. Coovert went to Indiana in 1840, and for five years made himself useful to one of the wealthy and appreciative farmers of the Hoosier state. In 1845, he married Martha A. Odell, a native of Wayne county, Ind., and thereafter he made his home in that state until 1851. He then prepared to seek a home in the far west, and with two wagons, six yoke of oxen and two horses, joined a train under command of Captain Elder, and spent six months on the way to Oregon, arriving at Wheatland October 4, 1851. That same year he bought a squatter's right to the farm which he now possesses, located four miles southeast of Dayton, and which was originally three hundred and twenty acres in extent. Every improvement on the place is due to the energy and progressive spirit of the owner, who has kept abreast of the times and equipped his place with all known de- vices of a labor-saving and improving character. Much of this property has now passed into other hands, but Mr. Coovert still owns ninety acres of about the finest farm land in the state of Ore- gon. In 1857 he erected the first grist-mill in this vicinity, and for many years this picturesque old mill ground out flour and feed for the agricultur- ists for many miles around. Located as it was on the Dayton & Salem road, it was easy of access, and became a common meeting place in which to discuss the important happenings of the county.

An active politician during his years of great- est activity, Mr. Coovert has at times labored

faithfully for the political advancement of his worthy friends, although he himself has never desired office of any kind. However, his active interest in educational matters resulted in his acceptance of a position on the school board, and he has also served as road supervisor, thus filling two of the most important and far-reaching offices in the community. Mrs. Coovert had been a member of the church ever since her fourteenth year, and he has been similarly connected for more than half a century, being still a trustee in the church. In 1899 Mr. Coovert left his farm to the care of younger hands, and retired, making his home on the farm, and is now enjoying the rest from care and responsibility which he has so richly earned. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coovert, named in the order of their birth, as follows: John Q., deceased; Sarah C., the widow of W. D. Nichols, of this neighbor- hood; Mary E., the wife of John Lambert, of Yamhill county ; Wilbur L., deceased; Ida, wife of N. Harris, and who resides at home with her father; and Henrietta and Ora, both of whom are deceased.

CHARLES MITCHELL. When Charles Mitchell landed in the United States, in 1884, he brought with him a silver medal, which indicated that he had come out first in a plowing contest. This reward of merit was conferred in his native country of Scotland, where he was born Septem- ber 10, 1860, and where thoroughness is the na- tional watchword in all lines of activity. In Banffshire, Scotland, the Mitchell forefathers had tilled the soil for several generations, and here the father of Mr. Mitchell owned a large farm, and in Banffshire his mother is still living, at the age of four score years. There were seven chil- dren, who were left practically on their own re- sources when the father died, at the age of forty- six, but all had been reared to industry and fru- gality, and their assumption of responsibility was therefore less difficult than it would otherwise have been.

Having arrived at the age of sixteen Mr. Mitchell started out to make his living as a farm hand, and for eight years was in great demand, because of his excellent workmanship and con- scientious application to business. Arriving in America in 1884, he came at once to Oregon, and soon after entered the employ of Duncan Ross, near McMinnville, and afterward had charge of the Ladd place, near Portland, for about nine years. In 1894 he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, and to the one hundred and eleven acres has added by more recent purchase, and now has two hundred and fifty-seven acres. His industry and enterprise have resulted in the equipment of the farm with a modern dwelling,

D & Henry

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convenient barns and onthouses, and the most modern of agricultural implements. He is en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising, but his chief source of revenue is the raising of An- gora goats. The year 1895 is recalled by Mr. Mitchell as most disastrous to his prospects, for he had the misfortune to burn out, and for a time felt the weight of this loss. However, he has more than made up for the loss, and is to-day an independent and comparatively well-to-do agri- culturist.

In 1888 Mr. Mitchell married Ellen Crim- mins, a native of Oregon, daughter of John and Jane Crimmins, and of this union there were born six children: Robert, Raymond, Jeanette, Cari, Lillian, and one child who died in infancy. Mr. Mitchell is independent in politics, and be- lieves in voting for the man best qualified to serve the public interests. He has served as a member and clerk of the school board, and as road supervisor. The Mitchell farm is located four and a half miles southwest of Amity, on the Amity and Ballston roads.

DUDLEY G. HENRY. Since coming to his present farm near Salem, in Polk county, in 1878, Dudley G. Henry has successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and now has three hundred of his three hundred and forty acres under cultivation. His property and its appointments are worthy the progressive spirit and practical insight of the owner, and speak volumes for the untiring industry and thrift which has characterized his entire active life. Many of the present large landowners of Oregon received their first impressions of life and work in Pike county, Mo., and here Mr. Henry was born September 20, 1843, a son of John D. and grand- son of Alexander, the latter of whom was born in Yorktown, S. C. The grandfather was a sol- dier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans, his death occurring in Pike county, Mo., whither he removed at a very carly day. at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. His son, John D., was born on a farm near Nashville, Tenn., and as a child accompanied his parents to Pike county, where he grew to matur- ity, and where he married Nancy Walker, a native of Virginia. The parents eventually removed to Red Lodge, Mont., where the father died in 1896 at the age of eighty-six, and the mother in 1900, at the age of seventy-eight. Dudley G. is the third oldest in the family of four sons and four daughters. His brother, W. A., an extensive stock-raiser of the vicinity of Spokane, Wash., is an ex-member of the Washington leg- islature, and a prominent man in his district.

For about three months during the year Dud- ley G. Henry attended the public schools in

Pike county, Mo., and at the breaking out of the Civil war he was busily employed on the home farm, being then eighteen years of age. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served for six months as a private under Colonel Anderson in the home guard. This service expired, he became a pri- vate in Company D, Thirty-third Missouri Vol- unteer Infantry, under command of Col. Clinton B. Fisk, and went to St. Louis as a member of Gen. A. J. Smith's Sixteenth Army Corps. In this capacity he participated in many of the notable engagements of the war, principally in the battle of Vicksburg, the Red River campaign and the campaign against Price, and he was dis- charged August 23, 1864, and sent back to St. Louis. Returning to Pike county, Mo., he again engaged in farming on the old place, and re- mained there until 1868.

The long water journey around the Horn was chosen by Mr. Henry as the most desirable way of reaching Oregon, and from Portland he went over the mountains to California, where he mined and engaged in the cattle business on Feather river for about a year. He then re- turned to Portland and went into Klickitat county, Wash., where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1876, when he returned to the Willamette valley. February 22, 1876, he was united in marriage with Nancy Walker, who was born in Polk county, November 18, 1852, and whose father, Major W. M. Walker crossed the plains in 1848. Her mother, Jane (Mackey) Walker, is at present living in Salem, Ore., and is eighty-four years old. Soon after his marriage Mr. Henry took his wife to Seattle, Wash., where he engaged in street contracting and grading for a couple of years, and in 1878 returned to Oregon and purchased his present farm of three hundred and forty acres. He has taken a keen interest in the all around improve- ment of his neighborhood, has been prominent in local politics, and among other positions held that of school director for many years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Zena, and is an officer in the same, towards the main- tenance of which he contributes generously. His oldest son, Clyde, is a druggist at Evanston, Wyo .; Wayne is living at home; and Worth is a student at the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis. Mr. Henry has excellent business ability, broad-minded views of general happen- ings, and bears a reputation for unswerving in- tegrity in all his undertakings.

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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 97

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