Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 106

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing company
Number of Pages: 1064

USA > Oregon > Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.. > Part 106

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spent the first winter there and at Oregon City, in the spring of 1845 making his way to the Clatsop plains by water to Fort Stevens, and thus by the beach to his donation claim. He pur- chased of Stewart Brock the right to a section of land three miles south of Warrenton, re- maining there until proving his right in 1856. His wife died in 1850, leaving four children, of whom Andrew is at Oysterville; Mrs. Mary A. Stevens lives in Los Angeles; Noyes S. lives in San Francisco, Cal., and Philip is at Seaside, Ore. The second marriage of Mr. Wirt occurred August 15, 1850, with Susie M. Kimball, who was born in Franklin county, Vt., September 21, 1831, and whose parents moved to Indiana when she was three years old. They took up a pre- emption claim in La Porte county, lived there un- til the spring of 1847, and then crossed the plains to Oregon. The Kimball family were ushered into their new domain under most dis- tressing and discouraging circumstances, for while stopping at Whitman's Station, on the Columbia river, near Walla Walla, the father was killed in the great massacre, and the balance of the family were held as prisoners by the In- dians for a month. Their rescue was effected by the Hudson Bay Company, and they after- ward came down the river to Oregon City, where they spent the balance of the winter. After lo- cating on the Clatsop plains in the spring of 1848, the mother married John Jewett, and Mrs. Wirt was reared on this farm, remaining at home until her marriage. Five children were born of this second marriage: John, of Astoria; Mrs. Harriet Rieman, of Portland, Ore .: Ione, de- ceased; Omer B, of Skipanon, and Mrs. Olive McGuire, of Seaside, Ore.

The house in which Mr. Wirt lives at pres- ent was built as long ago as 1851, although many improvements have been added in the meantime. Formerly his family were housed in a primitive log structure, and while this condi- tion prevailed he left his farm in other hands and went to California in the fall of 1848. Six months in the camps of the southern state more than rewarded him for the necessary absence from home, for he returned to his family with $3,000, a large sum of money for those days. In 1859 Mr. Wirt and family went to Shoalwater Bay, Wash., where he engaged in the oyster business for seven years, thereafter returning to Skipanon, where he has lived uninterruptedly. Before the railroad was built he kept a hotel and store, and freighted up and down the coast, and the advent of the great steam horse shut off a considerable means of livelihood. From time to time he has interested himself in Democratic politics, but has always been averse to office- holding, steadily refusing all proffered recogni- tion. He cast his first presidential vote for Mar-

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tin Van Buren. Mr. Wirt has bravely taken his place among the builders of western civilization, and his name will go down in history with the other heroes who faced incredible dangers in the year 1844. His name has become a synonym for manliness, integrity and industry, and his record as a fortune-seeker is clean and above re- proach.

ISOM CLEMENT ROBNETT. The native sons of Oregon constitute a large gathering, and those who are men, and are promoting the well- being of the state to which they owe filial alle- giance, represent a great army of pioneers with- out whom civilization would never have ad- vanced to the western coast. A singular and seemingly recognizable pride lurks in the make- up of these men whose eyes opened upon the struggles of those nearest to them, and who have taken up with increasing fervor the work laid down by hands rendered useless through long striving with adverse conditions. This energetic second generation has a large-hearted and suc- cessful representative in Isom Clement Robnett, engaged in the mercantile business at Central Point, and who was born at Shedds, Linn county, this state, October 22, 1869.

John A. Robnett, the father of Isom C., was born in Buchanan county, Mo., June 1, 1837, and came of southern ancestry, his father, John, hav- ing been born in Tennessee. The family was estab- lished in Buchanan county at a very early day, and both father and son crossed the plains to Ore- gon in 1849, meeting with few accidents on the way, and locating near Shedds, Linn county. After the death of the grandfather, John A. suc- cecded to the management of the home place, reared his two children, of whom Isom C. is the youngest, and improved a farm the original tim- ber of which he had helped to clear. He took a commendable interest in Democratic politics, and his election to the state legislature in 1882 regis-

tered the largest vote on the ticket up to that time. His wife, Octavia (Cranfill) Robnett, was born in the state of Illinois, and died at Shedds in April, 1870, at the age of twenty-three. Mrs. Robnett, thus early cut off from life and happi- ness, was a daughter of Isom Cranfill, mention of whom may be found elsewhere in this work.

Following upon his common school education, Isom Clement Robnett attended the State Uni- versity of Oregon for three years, in the mean- time continuing to live on the home farm until 1805. Notwithstanding the fact that his mother died when he was a baby, he received an excel- lent home training, becoming skilled in farming, at which he looked through the eyes of the prac- tical and intelligent student. Removing in 1895 to Central Point, he inaugurated his business

career in that year as a clerk in the general mer- chandise store of Cranfill & Hutchison and so well succeeded in this line that in January, 1898, he was able to purchase Mr. Hutchison's interest in the business, and the firm became Cranfill & Robnett, which has since been maintained with large profit to the promoters. A stock of $20,- 000 includes the articles in demand in growing and progressive communities, and the store has two floors, with display space measuring 64x55 feet on each floor. Mr. Robnett owns the store in which the business is conducted, as well as the home in which he lives at Central Point.

In 1897 Mr. Robnett was united in marriage with Edna L. Gibson, who was born near Ur- bana, Ohio, a daughter of John Gibson, who was born July 3, 1849, a native of Champaign county, Ohio. The Gibson family is numbered among the very successful ones of Jackson county, for Mr. Gibson came here in 1886 with the deter- mination to make the best of his opportunities, and has realized many of his expectations. At first he lived on a farm near Phoenix, Jackson county, but in 1887 bought a farm near Central Point, where he has since engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Robnett and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active in promoting its growth. Mr. Robnett is independent in politics, and is fraternally identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he has taken the de- gree of honor; and the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is past consul. He is a prudent and careful business man, advancing slowly along legitimate lines, conscious of the strength and ultimate satisfaction to be derived from fair and honorable dealing, and the posses- 'sion of a good name.

JAMES H. DUTTON. In the field of public utility known as building and contracting James H. Dutton occupies a prominent place in Ash- land and Jackson county, his training for his chosen work having been thorough and practical. Years of success are being crowned at present by a contract for the erection of the normal school at Ashland, now in process of construc- tion.

Mr. Dutton is a native son of the west, and was born in San Francisco, July 1, 1864. His life occupation took shape under the direction of his father, Joseph Dutton, a builder and con- tractor, who exercised his ability in San Fran- cisco from 1860 until his death in 1895. Joseph Dutton and his father, Thomas, came from Ire- land and located in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where Joseph married Catherine Cully, a native of New Hampshire. He engaged in building and contracting in New York state for several

D. Hamilton

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years prior to coming to the west by way of Panama, and reared a family of four daughters and one son, of whom one daughter is deceased. The mother of these children still makes her home in San Francisco. James H., the oldest in the family, began to work with his father when he was about fifteen years old, but was not content to be a mere builder, and so arranged to study the art of architecture. This was by no means an easy task, for his days were filled with work, and he had not sufficient means to suspend operations while studying the higher branch of his calling. Accordingly, his evenings were spent in study. In 1886 he went to Los Angeles, Cal., and followed his trade for eighteen months, afterward spending the same length of time in Portland. For a year he built and con- tracted in Spokane, Wash., and then removed to Genesee, Idaho, remaining there until coming to Ashland in 1900. He was one of the fore- most builders and contractors of the Idaho town, and probably is responsible for more than three fourthis of the structures in it. In Ashland, be- sides the normal school, he has built the Grant, Burdick, Perrozzi, Sales, Inglerock and Pengra residences, besides many of the schools, churches, and other public buildings. Mr. Dutton is a member of the Board of Trade, and in politics is a Democrat. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias.

SALATHIEL HAMILTON, M. D. The distinction of being the pioneer physician, not only of Roseburg, but of Douglas county, Ore., belongs to the venerable Dr. Hamilton, who set- tled in Roseburg in 1855, and for nearly forty years thereafter was actively engaged in the practice of medicine. A man of more than ordi- nary professional knowledge and skill, he has met with excellent success as a physician and sur- geon, and during his long and active life has

been prominently identified with the develop- ment and progress of both city and county. San Francisco being the nearest place in which med- icines could be procured when he first came here, Dr. Hamilton soon afterwards established the first drug store in Douglas county, and this was subsequently merged into the Hamilton Drug Company, a wholesale and retail firm, of which he has been the president for many years. Of sturdy Scotch ancestry, Dr. Hamilton was born November 5, 1825, in Morgantown, W. Va., a son of John Hamilton. His grandfather, Thomas Hamilton, a life-long resident of Virginia, served in the war of 1812.

John Hamilton was reared to agricultural pur- suits in West Virginia, living there until 1828, when he migrated with his family to Ohio. The journey was made overland with carriages. Set-

tling in Perry county, he took up a tract of un- broken land, and by dint of persevering labor cleared and improved a good homestead, on which he remained until his death, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. He married Julia Scott, who was born in West Virginia, and died on the home farm, in Perry county, Ohio, at the age of seventy-six years. Her father, Col. James Scott, a native of Virginia, was a soldier in the war of 1812, while Grandfather Scott served in the Revolutionary war. John Hamilton and his wife were both members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Nine children were born of their union, seven of whom are now living, Dr. Ham- ilton being the oldest child.

Brought up on the Ohio farm, Salathiel Ham- ilton attended first the pioneer district school, and afterwards continued his studies at the Zanesville high school. He subsequently taught school in Perry county for three years, and while thus employed turned his attention to the study of medicine. Going to Newcastle, Ind., he be- gan reading medicine in 1849 with Dr. Hess, with whom he was associated in practice until 1852. Having previously had a slight touch of the gold fever, and being favorably impressed with Oregon by the accounts and descriptions of the territory as given in The Oregon Spectator, published at Oregon City, Dr. Hamilton, accom- panied by a party of friends, started for the Pacific coast in 1852. Going by boat to St. Jo- seph, Mo., he left there May 12, going up the Platte valley, and crossing the plains with an ox- team train. Coming through Rogue river pass, and by way of Jacksonville, he arrived in Doug- las county in November, 1852, and soon after- ward took up a donation claim on the South Fork of the Umpqua river, about five miles north- west of Roseburg, where he improved a farm. He continued the practice of his profession, be- ing the first physician to settle in Douglas coun- ty, and in the spring of 1855 he located perma- nently in Roseburg.

During 1855 and 1856 Dr. Hamilton served in the Rogue River Indian war as surgeon of Capt. Bailey's company, in the First Oregon Regiment. Resuming his professional duties at the close of the conflict, the doctor built up a large and lucrative practice in this vicinity, for nearly four decades being the leading physician, until his retirement from professional duties, in 1893. When he came to Oregon he brought a few drugs with him, and when his supply was ex- hausted he had to send to San Francisco for more, having them sent by way of Gardiner. at the mouth of the Umpqua river, to his office. In 1857, with characteristic enterprise, he estab- lished a drug store in Roseburg, and as his trade enlarged he gradually increased his stock, and subsequently formed the Hamilton Drug

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Company, of which he has since been president. The doctor owns several farms in Douglas coun- ty, besides a prune ranch on Myrtle creek.

March 13, 1856, Dr. Hamilton married, in Douglas county, Sarah J. Watson, who was born in Iowa, and came across the plains to Ore- gon in 1853. Eight children have been born of their union, namely: Walter S., M. D., of Roseburg, Ore .; J. W., of Rose- burg, an attorney, and district judge; J. F., an attorney, living in Astoria, Ore .; Inez, wife of Frank G. Micelli, an attorney of Roseburg; Charles L., who is engaged in the practice of law in Roseburg; Julia, wife of W. C. Washburne, of Junction City, Ore .; Luther Hess, M. D., a prominent physician of Rose- burg, and a partner of Dr. A. C. Smith ; and Stella, who lives at home. Dr. Hamilton is a Presbyterian in religion, and a Democrat in politics. He takes an active interest in local and national affairs, and for four terms rendered ef- ficient service as county treasurer. He is a mem- ber of the Indian War Veteran Association, and for many years was identified with the State Medical Society. In 1870 Dr. Hamilton was president of the Coos Bay Wagon Road Com- pany, which built the wagon road from Roseburg to Coos Bay, a distance of sixty-five miles, which is still in operation as a public thoroughfare. Commencing with 1877 he served two terms of twelve years each as regent of the University of Oregon.

WILLIAM CONSTANT LEEVER. Given a good constitution, a clear brain, and a whole- some comprehension of the duties and respon- sibilities of life, the average man succeeds be- cause of the very rationalness of his attitude, and because he is prepared to cope with the world and its vicissitudes. Such a man is Wil- liam Constant Leever, successfully engaged in the hardware business at Central Point. In ad- dition, Mr. Leever has the incentive to noble liv- ing which arises from admirable family connec- tions, for relatives on both sides of his family have displayed exceptional bravery and fore- thought in coping with the pioneer conditions of our country. German conservatism and stability have taken an important part in the rising for- tunes of the family, and the paternal great-grand- father, to whom America offered a solace for the limitations of his fatherland, embodied the best of the traits which make the Teutonic citizen a desirable acquisition to any community. This sire settled in the state of Pennsylvania at an early day, purchased farm lands which he culti- vated and handed down to his children, and where he died at an advanced age. His son Samuel, the next in line of descent, established

the family in the state of Ohio, where William T. Leever, the father of William Constant, was born February 27, 1829.

William T. Leever was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and at an early age engaged in school teaching in his native state. In 1853, accompanied by his brother, Cornwall, he came to Oregon with horse-teams, being on the road barely three months. This was a de- cided improvement in time over the old time ox- teams, and the company being small, there were less hindrances to speedy and successful travel- ing. Mr. Leever lived first on a farm near Scio, Linn county, teaching school in a pioneer log cabin until 1854, and then removed to Roseburg, where he taught for about a year. In 1855 he came to Jackson county and followed teaching near Central Point, and in 1856 purchased a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres near the town, which continued to be his home until his death, March 2, 1903. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company A, First Ore- gon Volunteer Cavalry, as first sergeant, and served under Capt. William V. Rhinehart until his discharge November 23, 1864. His war ex- periences were centered principally on the fron- tier, and had to do with fighting the Indians, and in conducting emigrants to points of safety upon their arrival from the east. During the service he was at Fort Boise, Fort Harney, Vancouver, and other stations in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and during this time he had ample oppor- tunity to study the Indian question from all sides. In innumerable ways his education aided in ac- complishing his success in the west, and even when far on in life he was a stanch supporter and worker for higher mental training. He took great interest in Republican politics, but was never willing for his name to appear as a candi- date for office. As a deacon and worker in the Baptist Church he affiliated with the pioneers who believed in morality and humanity, and many are the instances when he went out of his way to perform an act of kindness to those less fortunate than himself.

Mr. Leever married into a family renowned for its good name, and conspicuous among the early pioneer influences of Oregon. Elizabetlı M. Constant was born near Springfield, Sanga- mon county, Ill., and died at Central Point in 1901. This estimable woman, and mother of four sons and six daughters, inherited her strong and reliant characteristics from her father, Isaac, who was born in Virginia, and moved with his parents to Kentucky while yet a boy. When grown to manhood he moved to Sangamon county, Ill., whence he enlisted in the Black Hawk war, serving with credit and distinction. Imbued with commendable zeal, he crossed the plains in the memorable emigrant year of 1849,

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and after his' long and wearisome journey he helped to hew timber for the first grist-mill in Oregon City. He was well pleased with the crude but to him promising country, and in 1850 returned to Illinois for his family, fully deter- mined to cast his lot with the men upon whose strong shoulders rested the responsibilities of de- veloping the northwest. Returning to Oregon in 1852, he located a claim half a mile east of Cen- tral Point, adding to his land from time to time until he finally owned eight hundred acres. Here he extensively carried on general farming and stock-raising, at the same time interesting him- self in politics, and the various phases of devel- opment around him. During the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union, stanchly de- fending his personal friend, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had known in Illinois, and for whom he entertained the most profound admiration. About 1884, he came to know Major Lipton, of Indian war fame, and when that enthusiastic fighter sought to enlist his aid in fighting peace- ful Indians, he stoutly maintained an attitude of friendliness towards the despoiled red men, all of whom had responded to his overtures of peace, and treated him with all fairness and considera- tion. He even went so far as express the hope that if the fighting major persisted in his deter- mination to annoy the Indians, he would meet with his just deserts. The prophecy was ful- filled as history narrates, and the Indians lost an implacable foe in the death of the obstinate war- rior. So well did Mr. Constant understand the loyalty and friendship of the Indians, that he in- variably succeeded in his dealings with them, converting their deep-seated hatred of the whites in general into perfect friendship for himself. At the outbreak of the Rogue River war Chief Joseph, mindful of many kindnesses on the part of his friend, specially dispatched a messenger in the person of his favorite daughter, Mary, assur- ing the Constant family of their absolute safety should they desire to continue on the home farm. Mr. Constant possessed a large heart and com- prehensive insight into the Indian question, and in his judgment dealt fairly with themselves and their grievances. Many times he considered the whites the aggressors, and his attitude of toler- ance inspired many of the settlers to follow his humane example. Mr. Constant added to his many accomplishments that of mountaineer and scout, and in this capacity he took the first white party to Crater lake, in Klamath county, now a national park. Members of this party included Judge P. P. Prim, Judge Jacobs, and others. The undertaking was considered a hazardous one for the times. He became a prominent man in the county, known far and wide for his gen- erosity, and liberality of belief, and few among the pioneers represented a finer array of personal

attributes. Friends, honor, financial success, and popularity rewarded his forceful grasp of west- ern opportunities, and in his death, in January, 1890, the state lost a true-hearted and noble gen- tleman of four score and four years, one who had conceived broadly and acted wisely, and who in passing left the world better for his having lived.

William Constant Leever is a native son of Oregon, having been born on his father's claim near Central Point, April 4, 1858. He was edu- cated in the public schools, and during 1876-7 attended the Ashland Academy. In 1880 he went to the Puget Sound country, and at Renton engaged in the drug business with a partner, stepping out in 1883 with fair profit. Returning to Oregon, he was employed in the construction department of the Oregon & California Railroad, between Roseburg and Ashland, and at the com- pletion of the road in 1885 he turned his atten- tion to a lumbering and warehouse business at Central Point. Five years later, in 1890, he en- gaged as clerk in the hardware enterprise of which he became sole owner and proprietor in 1893, and for the enlargement and improvement of which he has unceasingly labored. In addition to his town home he owns a tenth interest in the paternal claim, twelve acres of which he has de- voted to apples and general fruits. He is also interested in mining, and is president of the Pearl Mining Company, operating on Elk creek, and incorporated for $100,000.

Since coming to Central Point Mr. Leever has married Isabella Armstrong, who was born in Jackson county May 15, 1863, and who is the mother of three children, of whom Wayne H. and Ward M. are at home, and Amy is deceased. Mr. Leever is a genial, whole-souled man, inter- ested in the world of undertakings, of which he is an important part, and progressive in the ex- treme, favoring innovations which have the stamp of practicability and utility about them, and forwarding in example and speech educa- tion, morality and happiness. He is fraternally connected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, the auxiliary of the Royal Neighbors, and various other social and business organizations. As a Republican he has held membership in the city council many terms, and has materially in- fluenced the deliberations of that body. He is typical of the moving, energizing spirit of the west, and as such is deserving of all the good fortune that comes to him.

RICHARD MARSHALL LEATHERS. The largest shop for the building of small boats in the west is located at Astoria, Ore., and is owned and operated by Richard Marshall Leathers. Mr. Leathers needs no introduction to mariners upon the Pacific coast, nor does a bare statement of

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facts in any way add to his prestige. This vet- eran craftsman is known all along the ocean front from the northernmost habitable wilds ot Alaska to the sunny mesas of Mexico, for no western builder has turned out so many pleasure launches, fishing-boats, or so many row and duck-boats. In his manufactory he confines him- self strictly to craft measuring from eleven to ninety feet, and he thus never encroaches upon the domain of boats used for heavier seas and purposes. Possessing that profound apprecia- tion of the fascinating possibilities of his occupa- tion, Mr. Leathers evolves from his fertile brain some of the most artistic and delightful models which now plow the waters of the Pacific and Arctic oceans. He constructed his new shop in the fall of 1902, and has fitted it with electric power and the most modern innovations known to boat-building. Besides a shop covering 44x100 feet, he has a large shed for storage, and the yard extends for one hundred feet from the railroad to the channel, and from side to side is three hundred and fifty feet. Such well known steam, electric and gasoline launches as the Electro, Patrol, Alexander J. R., Lottie, Nola, Cora, Fox, Altoona, Cornelia Cook, Vanguard, Reliable, Au- rora, Anna Baron, Elf, Sylph, Uncle Jim, Ben Hur, Robert Baron, Taku Jack, Chilkoot, and scores of others, have been launched from this shop, besides scores of fishing smacks, many of which draw the icy waters of the Arctic seas.

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Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 106

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing company Number of Pages: 1064

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing company
Number of Pages: 1064