Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 108

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 108

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Coming to Empire City, Coos county, in 1854, Mr. Rooke had the distinction of running the first ton of coal out of the Empire mines. In 1855 he enlisted in the company commanded by Capt. William H. Harris, and fought in the

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Rogue River Indian war for a period of five months. Locating at North Bend, Ore., in 1856, he worked in a saw-mill a part of the time and was an engineer on one of the tugs belonging to the Simpson Lumber Company, the Fearless, which was subsequently wrecked. Buying a large tract of land on the north fork of the Coos river, about twelve miles from Marshfield, in 1866, Mr. Rooke improved one of the most valu- able estates in this section of the county, and was there most successfully engaged in general farming for twenty-nine consecutive years. In 1894 he rented his ranch and settled in Marsh- field, where he has since resided. In 1900 he sold his ranch to his son-in-law, Ivy Condron, and is now living retired from all business cares, enjoying a well-carned leisure. At one time he owned an interest in the steamer Blanco, but after he got injured while running it he sold out his stock in the vessel to L. J. Simpson.

September 17, 1863, in Douglas county, Ore., Mr. Rooke married Helen Gurney, who was born December 12, 1846, in Lee county, Iowa, a daugh- ter of Robert Gurney. Mr. Gurney, a native of Massachusetts, removed to Ohio when a boy, subsequently lived and married in Iowa, and, in 1852, journeyed across the plains to Oregon. Returning east for his family in 1857 he came back in 1858 by way of the Isthmus, and lo- cated first on the Coos river, and then in Doug- las county, where, in August, 1858, he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres near Roseburg. Clearing a farm, he re- sided on it until his death, at the age of sixty years. He, too, served in the Rogue River In- dian war, being sergeant in the company of Captain Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Rooke became the parents of five children, namely: Thomas R., an employe in the Marshfield shipyard ; Eliza- beth Ellen, wife of I. M. Condron, a farmer ; James W., Jr., of Empire, captain of the ship Blanco ; Florence E., deceased ; and Rose, living on a farm on Coos river. Politically Mr. Rooke is a steadfast Republican. Fraternally he is a member of Blanco Lodge No. 48, A. F. & A. M., of Marshfield; Arago Chapter No. 22, R. A. M., and of the Eastern Star Chapter. Mrs. Rooke, who passed away October 3, 1903, was a woman of superior character and a valuable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she was a prominent worker.

RURICK LESTER BURDIC ranks among the most prominent lumber manufacturers in southern Oregon, and for several years he has heen secretary and treasurer of the Ashland Manufacturing Company. Although he recently sold his interest in that company, he was re- tained as secretary and treasurer, as his indi-

vidual efforts have been instrumental in build- ing up the present large business of the com- pany.

Rurick Lester Bnrdic is a descendant of a dis- tinguished New England family on the pater- nal side, and is of English and Dutch extrac- tion on the maternal side. The progenitors of the Burdic family in America came over in the Mayflower. The family name was originally Burdick and remained so until changed to Bur- dic by the father of our subject. Mr. Burdic is a son of F. F. and Ann (Pratt) Burdic, and grandson of Jared Burdick. The latter was a native of Vermont and afterward removed to Steuben county, Ind., where as a farmer he spent the last years of his life.

F. F. Burdic was born in Rutland, Vt., and accompanied his parents to Indiana. He fol- lowed in the footsteps of his father and became a tiller of the soil near Angola, following farm- ing here until 1878, when he went to Nebraska. Settling in Herman, Washington county, he en- gaged in stock-raising on a four hundred and eighty acre farm, and in 1895 removed to Gen- esce, Idaho, and is now living a retired life at the age of seventy years.

His wife, Ann Pratt, who is also living, was a native of Licking county, Ohio, her father, Major Pratt, being a pioneer of that state. Late in life he removed to Indiana, where he died. He was made a major in the war of 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Burdie were born four children, as follows : Elvie, now Mrs. Nordby, a resi- dent of Idaho; Eugene, a banker and stockman of Herman; R. L., the subject of this review, and Maude, who also resides in Idaho.

R. L. Burdic was born in Angola, Ind., Sep- tember 10, 1864. remaining in his native state until he attained the age of fourteen years, when he accompanied his parents to Nebraska. His educational training was received in the com- mon schools of Burlington and in Elliott's Busi- ness College, from which he was graduated. In 1883 Mr. Burdic engaged in the stock business in Nebraska, grazing the stock on the Omaha and Winnebago reservation ; in connection with this he farmed near Herman, continuing this line of business until 1892. He then embarked in the mercantile business in Herman and a couple of years later removed to Idaho, where he again engaged in farming and stock-raising. While there he held a contract to supply the Northern Pacific Railroad Company on Clear Water Branch, and killed twenty-seven hundred head of cattle in eighteen months.

In November, 1901, Mr. Burdic located in Ashland and became interested with Mr. Cham- bers in the Ashland Manufacturing Company with which concern lie has since been identified. This company began operations at first on a small

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scale, with Mr. Chambers as president and Mr. Burdic as secretary and treasurer. In a short time both mills were enlarged, new machinery placed in them, and a planing mill and box factory were added. In this way the capacity of the plant was increased from twenty-five to seventy-five thousand, steam power was put in and fourteen hundred acres of additional timber land was purchased. In 1903 a large interest was pur- chiased by E. T. Staples, the present manager of the company.

Mr. Burdic was united in marriage with Mae Samson, a daughter of Nelson Samson, of Cham- paign county, Ill. Mr. Samson was a Canadian by birth and when a child was taken to Indi- ana by his parents. His father, Nelson Samson, who was of English descent, later removed to Champaign county, Ill., where he continued his farming interests. Mrs. Burdic's father owns a fine farm of six hundred acres in Champaign county, but is now living retired in Urbana, Ill. A Republican in politics he takes an active in- terest in the welfare of his party. He married Amanda Pumphrey of Illinois, who died some years ago leaving six children, namely: Mrs. Harriet Brace, who died in Chicago, Ill .; Mrs. Emma Howser, of Illinois; Rollin, who died in Boise City, Idaho: America, now Mrs. Dr. Conant, of Genesee, Idaho; Frank, a merchant or Oroville, Wash .; and Mae, Mrs. Burdic. The latter graduated from the high schools of Cham- paign, and was engaged in educational work until her marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Burdic have two children, Hope and R. L. Mr. Burdic is quite prominent in fra- ternal circles. He was made a Master Mason in Herman, Neb., and for a time was a mem- ber of Blue Lodge No. 222 of that city. He was subsequently demitted to the Genesee Lodge in Idaho and now affiliates with the lodge at Ashland, and with Siskiyou chapter and Al Kad- er Temple, N. M. S. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Ancient Or- der of United Workmen and Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor. In politics he is loyal in his allegiance to the Republican party. His fine modern residence, recently built, is one of the finest in the city.

HON. JOSEPH T. BRIDGES. A worthy representative of the intelligent and progressive men of Roseburg is Hon. Joseph T. Bridges, who is actively identified with the financial, indus- trial, fraternal and political interests of the city and county in which he resides. A man of abil- ity and unblemished character, he occupies a po- sition of eminence in the community, and is ever among thie foremost in establishing and sustain- ing beneficial measures for advancing the city's

prosperity. A son of Daniel Bridges, he was born February 4, 1868, in Santa Rosa, Cal., be- ing the fifth in a family of eight chidren.

A native of Tennessee, Daniel Bridges re- mained in his native state until 1852, when he followed the tide of emigration westward, com- ing to California during the gold excitement. After mining a few years, he located in Santa Rosa, Sonoma county, where he worked as a builder and contractor, and assisted in building the academy. Removing with his family to Oregon in 1871, he bought land near Yoncalla, Douglas county, and was there engaged in stock- raising and general farming for several years. Returning to Tennessee, he now resides in that state. He married Eusebia M. Owens, a native of old Virginia, and they became the parents of three sons and five daughters, namely : Mrs. J. T. Miller, of Yoncalla; Mrs. Laura Applegate, also of Yoncalla; Mrs. J. A. Davis, of Yon- calla; Mrs. Norman Smith, of Lebanon, Ore .; Mrs. Walton Looney, of Jefferson, Ore .; Daniel, who died at the age of eighteen years; W. O., a merchant in Yoncalla, and J. T., the special sub- ject of this sketch.

At the age of three years, Joseph T. Bridges came with his parents to Douglas county, where he was reared and educated. Until seventeen years old he remained at home, assisting in the improvement of the parental homestead, and was afterwards engaged in farming for a brief time. He subsequently purchased a half interest in a store at Drain, his partner being W. A. Perkins, and was there engaged in mercantile business from 1889 until 1898. In addition to managing his store, he was also for a part of the time en- gaged in the lumber business, as a member of the Hudson Mill Lumber Company. Being ap- pointed, by President Mckinley, June 2, 1898, register of the United States land office at Rose- burg, Mr. Bridges sold out his mercantile and lumbering interests, and July 1, 1898, assumed his duties as register, a position that he has since retained, making Roseburg his home.

In his political affiliations a steadfast Repub- lican, Mr. Bridges has served in many official positions with credit and dignity. Elected to the Oregon state legislature in 1894 by a good major- ity, he served in the session of 1895 as chairman of the committee on corporations, and during that session supported Dolph, the senatorial can- didate, until the closing ballot, when, just before twelve o'clock, perceiving there was not the slightest chance for the election of Mr. Dolph, he changed his vote, being the forty-fifth to do so, thus winning the election of Mr. McBridge. He was also instrumental in having the appro- priation bill of $5,000 for a state normal school at Drain pass the house, but the bill was defeated in the senate. Re-elected as representative in

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1896, he received a creditable majority of the votes cast, but, as will be remembered, the fol- lowing session of the legislature was not organ- ized on account of the refusal of seven Repub- licans, and all of the Democrats and Populists, to come into the house. In 1900, on the organi- zation of the first board of regents for the Cen- tral Oregon state normal school at Drain, Mr. Bridges was appointed, by Gov. T. T. Geer, regent for a term of six years, and had the honor of being elected the first president of the board, an office to which he was subsequently re-elected for a second term. Mr. Bridges was also one of the organizers of the Douglas County Bank, of which he is director.

In August, 1887, at Drain, Mr. Bridges mar- ried Belle Holyfield, who was born in Union City, Ind., and was educated at the Central Ore- gon state normal school at Drain. Her father, Charles Holyfield, was born in West Virginia, but removed in early life to Indiana. Coming to Oregon in 1879, he located at Drain, where he was engaged in business as a merchant and lum- ber manufacturer until his death, in 1896. He married Mary E. Harlan, who was born in Ohio, and is now a resident of Drain. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges have two children, namely: Audrey B. and Rolston. Mr. Bridges is prominent in fra- ternal circles, being a member, and senior war- den, of Laurel Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., which he joined in 1894; a member of Eugene Chapter, R. A. M .; of Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 2, K. T., of Eugene ; of Oregon Consistory, No. 1; and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S., of Portland; of Mountain Lodge, No. 103, I. O. O. F., of Drain, of which he is past noble grand ; and of Pacific Encampment, No. 34, of which he is past chief patriarch. He likewise belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen; to the Woodmen of the World; to the Eastern Star; and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges are both members of the Christian Church.

JAMES M. FLETCHER. Among the well- known and successful business men of Roseburg James M. Fletcher occupies a place of note. En- terprising and energetic, he has assisted in the upbuilding of the city, and has been actively identified with its mercantile industries. Pru- dent in the management of his affairs and strictly honorable in his dealings, he has won the con- fidence and respect of his fellow-associates, and by careful attention to the promotion of those enterprises conducive to the welfare and prog- ress of society he has shown himself a public- spirited and useful member of the community. A son of Benjamin Fletcher, he was born in Haverstraw, Rockland county, N. Y., October

16, 1856. He comes of substantial Puritan an- cestry, of Revolutionary stock, his paternal grandfather, Benjamin Fletcher, having been a soldier in the Continental army.

The son of a prosperous farmer, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr., was born and reared in New York state. As a young man he was interested in the Goss Manufacturing Company, but was after- wards engaged in farming and stock-raising in Maine. From Maine he removed to Boston, Mass., where he was engaged in the dray busi- ness for a few years. Giving up that work he accepted a position as superintendent of the Bald- win Manufacturing Company, at Chelmsford. Mass., which was his home for some time. He subsequently returned to New York, and there spent his last years, dying in 1886. He married Sarah Wright, who was born in Massachusetts, the descendant of an old New England family. She survived him, and died, in 1898, while on a visit to Roseburg. Of her seven children all are living, three of them being residents of the Pa- cific states. The eldest child, Frank A., enlisted in a New York regiment and served in the Civil war.

Brought up in Massachusetts, James M. Fletcher acquired the larger part of his early ed- ucation in the public schools of Chelmsford, where he afterwards served as apprentice at the carpenter's trade with an uncle, Stephen Fletcher. Desirous of enlarging his sphere of action, he came to Roseburg, Ore., in 1880, and assumed charge of the one hundred and ten-acre fruit farm belonging to his brother, Charles E. Fletcher, who had previously located here. He managed it successfully for three years, when the ranch was sold. The following ten years Mr. Fletcher was engaged in the dray business in Roseburg, and in the meantime built his pres- ent residence. In 1897 he erected a large build- ing on the corner of Lane and Sheridan streets, and soon after its completion he put in a stock of groceries. He subsequently added a full line of cigars and ran a cigar store on Jackson street, being at the head of the firm of Fletcher & Ream. At the end of seven months he sold out his cigar business, retiring from that branch of trade. In March, 1903, Mr. Fletcher began re- modeling his block for a double store, his build- ing, which is 40x90 feet, with room for two stores, being now one of the finest and most conveniently arranged modern structures of the city.

Mr. Fletcher married. in Roseburg, in 1884. Miss Dora Grisdale, a native of Montana, and into the household thus established six children were born, four of whom are living, namely : James M., Thomas, Percy F., and Harry W. The oldest child, Earl Fletcher, died at the age of eighteen years, being suddenly killed by a live

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wire while studying to be an electrician. In

performing some piece. of work he tripped and fell onto the transformer, receiving at full count, probably, twenty thousand volts. Politically Mr. Fletcher is a Republican, warmly supporting the principles of that party by voice and vote. He served as councilman from ward four one term, and was deputy sheriff eight years, under Depu- ty Purdon four years and under Deputy Taylor an equal length of time. During these years he had some tough characters to arrest and run out. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is quite prominent in the organization, being a member and past noble grand of Philitarian Lodge No. 8, a past rep- resentative to the state Grand Lodge, a member of Union Encampment No. 9, of which he is past chief patriarch, and a member of the Re- bekalıs.

SAMUEL C. MILLER is a native born son of Oregon, an extensive land owner of Douglas county, and a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of the town of Dillard. He is meeting with sig- nial success in his independent calling, and his fine, well-ordered farm, with its improvements and environments, gives evidence of the skil- ful management, industry and well-directed lahors of the owner. A son of Rev. W. G. Mil- ler, he was born July 24, 1859, in Lane county, near Eugene. The father was born in 1835, on the parental farm, in Missouri. In the days of his boyhood and youth he assisted in the agricultural labors incident to life on a farm, remaining at home until twenty years old. Join- ing a company bound for Oregon in 1854, he crossed the plains with ox-teams, being six monthis on the way. The Indians were troublous at times, and succeeded in stealing a part of the stock. While on the road, he married Sarah Woolridge, who was born in Missouri, of Ten- nessee ancestry. Arriving in Oregon, he settled with his young bride in Oregon City, where he devoted himself to the ministry for a year. He subsequently preached in Jackson county, going from there to Lane county, and finally settling in Douglas county, near Roseburg, where he has since lived. He had charge of the Baptist church in Roseburg for several years, being one of the longest-settled pastors in Douglas county. At Winston, Douglas county, he carries on farming and fruit-raising, having a finely- appointed farm. Of his union with Miss Wool- ridge, five children were born, three of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, wife of Henry Smith, of Douglas county ; Mrs. Mary Cheshire, wife of Monroe Cheshire, of Grants Pass, Ore .; and Samuel C., the subject of this sketch.

Receiving such educational advantages as were offered by the district school, Samuel C. Miller remained at home until after attaining his majority. Turning his attention then to agricul- tural pursuits, he engaged in stock-raising, meet- ing with success. He subsequently served as deputy sheriff four years, and as sheriff two terms, residing in the meantime in Roseburg. In 1894 Mr. Miller removed to the farm known as the John Dillard place, where he is now ex- tensively engaged in farming operations, owning a thousand acres of land. He carries on various branches of agriculture, making a specialty of stock-raising, keeping Poland-China hogs and Short-horn cattle.

In 1890 Mr. Miller married Jennie Dillard, who was born on the farm where they now live. She is the daughter of James M. and Mary E. (Cox) Dillard, pioneers of 1852. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller, namely: Loren Lee, Floyd Baxter and Ethiel. Politically Mr. Miller is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and fra- ternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist Church, of which he is clerk. A man of remarkable push and energy, Mr. Miller has made for himself wonderful success as a farmer, and enjoys in a high degree the esteem and con- fidence of his neighbors and friends.

SOLOMON M. WAITE. A prominent and honored representative of the agricultural in- dustries of Douglas county, Solomon M. Waite, residing about ten miles south of Roseburg, owns and occupies one of the finest-appointed and best-managed farms of his locality. During the quarter of a century that he has lived here, wondrous changes have taken place, and in its rapid development he has taken an important part, and by his sagacity and foresight, while contributing to the welfare of his adopted state, has been enabled to accumulate a very comfort- able competency. A native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, he was born September 26, 1822, of ex- cellent New England ancestry. His father, who was born and reared in Massachusetts, was a physician, and served as a surgeon in the war of 1812. He lived to the age of seventy-seven years.

Being left motherless when a small boy, Solo- mon M. Waite grew to manhood under the care and influence of his father, remaining at home until his marriage. Beginning housekeeping on a farm in Lorain county. Ohio, he remained there fifteen years successfully employed in till- ing the soil. Removing to Van Buren county, Mich., in 1865, he carried on farming until 1878, when he came with his family to Oregon.

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Settling in Douglas county, Mr. Waite bought a portion of the James Burnett donation claim and enough adjoining to make three hundred acres. Here he is carrying on the various branches of agriculture with skill and success. Making continual additions to the improvements previously inaugurated, he has a farm that com- pares favorably in regard to its appointments and environments with any in the vicinity, and is a credit to his industry and wisdom. Character- ized by the same mental vigor, business aptitude and probity that distinguished his Massachusetts ancestors, Mr. Waite holds a high position throughout the community in which he lives, and is among the foremost to forward all en- terprises conducive to the general welfare and advancement of the town.

In 1850 Mr. Waite married Philena Bell, who was born in New York state, but was reared and educated in Ohio. Into the household thus es- tablished eight children have been born, namely : Cassius M., residing at home; Jasper B., of Roseburg; Franklin B., living not far from the parental homestead ; Theron C., living at Myrtle Creck ; Douglas, living on Deer creek ; Mrs. Cleo- patra Bush,. of Portland, Ore .; Mrs. Samantha Coleman, of Forest Grove, Ore. ; and Mrs. Chloe Cooper, of Douglas county. Mr. Waite is a steadfast Democrat in his political views, and has given acceptable service in various minor offices of the township.

JUDGE WILLIAM R. WILLIS. A pioneer of Douglas county, the son of a pioneer, a prom- inent attorney of southern Oregon, and for more than half a century one of its leading and in- fluential citizens, Judge William R. Willis, of Roseburg, well merits the respect and esteem so universally accorded him. He has had a long and busy career, setting forth in life with a purpose, and accomplishing it. To the performance of his legal and public duties, which have been many and arduous, he has devoted his time and attention in generous measure, carefully looking after the best interests of his clients, and being ever mindful of the welfare of the city, county and state. A son of Stephen D. Willis, he was born, June 22, 1825, in Brown county, Ohio. His grandfather, Stephen Willis, a native of Scotland, emigrated to the United States as a young man, locating in South Carolina, and sub- sequently serving as a soldier in the Revolution- ary war.

Born in South Carolina, Stephen D. Willis settled first as a farmer in Brown county, Ohio. Going to Illinois in 1827, he lived at first in Bond county, and then engaged in farming in Putnam county, and, in 1832, served in the Black Hawk war. Coming across the dreary plains

to Oregon in 1852, he lived a year in Benton county. In 1853 he settled in Douglas county, buying land about twelve miles from Roseburg, where he was actively engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death, in 1878, at the age of seventy-eight years. He married Nancy Ann Ross, who was born in Ohio, of Scotch ancestry, and died in Oregon. Both were people of strong religious principles, and members of the Presby- terian Church. Of the ten children born of their union, eight grew to years of maturity, and all came to Oregon, namely: Mrs. Martha Ann Rice, of Douglas county ; William R., the special subject of this sketch; Mary, who married Alex- ander Gilliland, and died in this county; Sarah, who was accidentally drowned at Looking Glass, in 1857; Parrish L., an attorney in Portland, who served in the Rogue River Indian war; Al- bert G., who also served in the Indian war and died in 1857, while on a trip to California; Mrs. Helen Phipps, who died in Douglas county ; and Owen L., who resides on the old homestead, in this county.

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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 108

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