Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 109

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 109

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Brought up on an Illinois farm, William R. Willis obtained his rudimentary knowledge in the old log schoolhouse, afterwards attending a subscription school. Returning to Ohio in 1844, he taught school in that state three years, after- wards teaching for awhile in Illinois. He sub- sequently became a pilot, running steamers on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers from LaSalle, Ill., to St. Louis, Mo. In 1853 Mr. Willis started for Oregon, going on a steamer from New York to the Isthmus, which he crossed by rail and mule train. After waiting at Panama City ten days, he came on the steamer California to San Francisco, thence on the Columbia to Portland, Ore., and from there to Douglas county, to join his father. His mother came with him by water. while the remainder of the household came across the plains, the father meeting them on the way. Settling on a ranch twelve miles south of Roseburg, William R. Willis engaged in the stock business on his ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, and continued thus engaged for a few years. Locating then in Roseburg, he was first employed as a clerk, and was subsequently appointed justice of the peace, being, without doubt, the first to hold that office in Douglas county. In 1864, while serving in that capacity, he was admitted to the bar, and at once began the practice of law, meeting with signal success from the start. From 1860 until 1864 he was county judge, and for many years thereafter served as justice of the peace. Winning for himself a leading position among the foremost lawyers of this part of the state, Judge Willis has had an extensive practice before the supreme court, and has probably tried more cases before that august body than any other one man in the

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entire state. In the years that intervened since he came to Oregon, he has acquired valuable property, and has been interested to a large ex- tent in the stock business. He now owns six farms in Douglas county, and has built a hand- some residence, which, with its fine yard and pleasant environments, is one of the most attrac- tive estates in the city.

Judge Willis married Caroline Haines, who was born in Whiteside county, Ill., and came to Douglas county with her parents when a girl of fourteen years. Into their household thus established, four children have been born, name- ly: Lulu, living at home; Mrs. Etta Evans, of Coles Valley; Stephen, an employe of the Southern Pacific Railway Company, who was accidentally killed in a railroad accident ; and Mrs. Belle Sherman, of Portland, Ore. Judge Willis is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and besides serving as a councilman a number of terms he was mayor of Roseburg for three terms. He belongs to the State Bar Association, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand and has served six times as an officer of the State Grand Lodge. Mrs. Willis is a member of the Episcopal Church.

THOMAS McCORMICK. The interests which Mr. McCormick holds in Klamath county are of an important nature and represent a con- siderable moneyed value. On his arrival in this county in 1887 he settled near Keno and three years later bought a sawmill on the Klamath river one mile southwest of Keno. In addition to the ownership of this plant, which has a capac- ity of ten thousand feet per day, he has almost five hundred acres of land in the same vicinity. He clevotes himself to the management of his busi- ness, which includes not only general saw-mill work, but also that of a planing and shingle mill. To facilitate his work he has a steamboat which plies between Keno and Klamath Falls and the lower lake country. Besides the super- vision of his mill he oversees his farm, on which general crops are raised and a stock industry is also carried on, there being forty head of cattle on the place at this writing.

On a farm near Brookville, Jefferson county, Pa., Thomas McCormick was born April 28, 1843. being a son of Thomas, Sr., and Jane ( Brice) McCormick. natives of Pennsylvania. His father, who was of Scotch extraction, was born in West- moreland county, January 17, 1795, and in youth learned the trade of a wagon-maker. February 15. 1816, he married Miss Brice, who was born September 14. 1799. Afterward they settled in Jefferson county, where he carried on a farm. Descended from a long line of devout Scotch

Presbyterian forefathers, it was natural that he should embrace the faith of that denomination and remain one of its faithful members as long as he lived. While still in the prime of life he died in September of 1844. He was survived for many years by his widow, who passed away in 1889 while living in Kansas. They were the parents of eight children, Sarah Ann, Jane, David, James Brice, John Baird, Welwood, Wil- liam and Thomas, Jr., all of whom are deceased excepting Jane and Thomas. Jane became the wife of George Wilson of New York state, their married life continuing forty-six years. Since his death Mrs. Wilson has made her home with her brother in Klamath county, and is now eighty-five years old.

When eighteen years of age Thomas McCor- mick, Jr., left his mother's home in Pennsyl- vania and started west, first going to Minne- apolis, where he was employed at farm work in Olmsted and Mower counties. On leaving Min- nesota in 1871 he went to Kansas and settled in Lincoln county, where he took up agricultural pursuits. After five years he moved to Ellis county, where, as in former locations, he was in- terested in farming. Kansas, however, as a per- manent place of residence, did not entirely please his fancy and we find him seeking a home still further west. In 1882 he came to Oregon and took up farm pursuits in Clackamas county. During the three years of his residence there he acquired some interests in the saw-mill industry, and was similarly engaged after moving to Union in 1885. From the latter place in 1887 he came to Klamath county, where he has since made his home. While living in Minnesota he was mar- ried, December 10, 1868, to Georgiana Andrews, who was born at North Anson, Somerset county, Me., August 26, 1850, and was the eldest of eleven children, all but one of whom are still liv- ing. Her parents, W. G. and Sarinna ( Benja- min) Andrews, were natives of Maine, where her father in early life engaged in lumbering and afterward turned his attention to farm pursuits. When she was two years of age the family moved to Wisconsin. Seven years later they went to Minnesota and settled in Mower county, where she grew to womanhood and remained until after her marriage. Born of her union with Mr. Mc- Cormick are the following named children : Florence Bertha, wife of Finley Paggett, of Keno, Ore .; Addie Florinda, who married Charles Miller, who died in Portland, Orc., June 29, 1903 ; Jennie Georgiana, Mrs. Isaac Inman, of Pokegama, Klamath county; Brice Webster, who in 1899 married Miss Alice Grubb, of Keno, where they reside; Jessie Gwendolen, wife of L. O. Mills, of Keno: Laura Etta, who married Conrad Madison, of Keno; Grace Dare, wife of Ulys Reeder, a resident of Silver Lake, Lake

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county, Ore .; Glenn Wilson, who married Miss Gertie Van Meter, of Poe valley, on January 6, 1904; Trenna May, Thomas, Jr., Lisle Dale and Madge Hazel, who remain with their parents on the home farm near Keno. The children were given common-school advantages, for Mr. Mc- Cormick is a firm believer in the public schools and in his work as school director has sought to promote the educational interests of his home locality.

JOSEPH L. HAMMERSLY. A position of rising influence among the professional men of Jackson county is held by Mr. Hammersly, who since 1898 has been engaged in the practice of law at Gold Hill and also since 1902 has officiated in the capacity of postmaster. His life has been passed in Oregon and he was born near Engene, Lane county, August 4, 1871, his parents being George R. and Martha (Borrough) Hammersly, natives respectively of Tennessee and Iowa, the latter a daughter of a prominent politician and statesman of Iowa. A descendant of an old Tennessee family of tradesmen and manufactur- ers, George R. Hammersly was born August 20, 1838, and in boyhood accompanied the family to Iowa, where he was married about 1858. From Iowa he moved to Missouri and embarked in the flour mill business. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted as a private in a Missouri regiment and remained in service about one vear, meanwhile being taken prisoner and ex- changed. On being mustered out he returned to his Missouri home. However, the war had so injured all lines of business in the state that he felt it useless to remain there longer. Having heard much of the far west and the opportunities it offered men of industrious habits he decided to seek a home there. In 1862 he crossed the plains with ox-teams. At that time the Indians were killing many emigrants and destroying much property, but he fortunately escaped un- molested and unharmed. At the expiration of six months he arrived in the Powder river dis- trict near Baker City, Ore., whence he proceeded to Clackamas county and from there to Lane county, settling on a ranch near Eugene. A later location was in Lake county, where he conducted stock-raising upon an extensive scale.

On coming to Jackson county in 1890 George R. Hammersly settled in Jacksonville, having decided to retire from the stock business. Two years later. while prospecting. he discovered what is now known as the Hammersly mine. twenty-five miles northwest of Gold Hill, in the Jump-Off Joe mining district, and since 1894 he has made Gold Hill his home, giving his at- tention to his mining interests. Always inter-

ested in politics, he is however not a partisan nor an office-seeker, preferring to enjoy the com- forts of home when free from the burden of business cares. The Democratic party received his vote, whether in national or local elections, and he has never from boyhood swerved in his allegiance to the party. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the blue lodge of Masons. In his family there are the following-named children: Riley J. and J. B., both of whom occupy land on Evans creek, Jackson county; T. E., a member of the police force of Portland; Joseph L., of Gold Hill; Luther A., who resides with his parents ; and Maragret, wife of Dr. W. P. Chisholm, of Gold Hill.

The high schools of Lake county furnished Joseph L. Hammersly with fair advantages, and on leaving school he took up the study of law, being for several years in the office of Judge P. P. Prim, of Jacksonville, under whose kindly preceptorship he acquired a thorough ground- ing into the principles of jurisprudence. On being admitted to the bar in 1898 he at once began to practice at Gold Hill, where for five years he has officiated as city attorney and is also a leading and popular member of the Re- publican party at this point. December 27, 1894, he married Matilda Carter, a native of Tennes- see. They are the parents of three children, Thelma, J. Noland and Helen Hazel. In fra- ternal relations Mr. Hammersly is identified with Warren Lodge, No. 10, A. F. & A. M., at Jack- sonville; Oregon Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M., also of Jacksonville; the Order of the Eastern Star ; Gold Hill Lodge, No. 129. I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs; Crater Lake En- campment, No. 47, at Gold Hill; the Order of Rebekahs; and Gold Hill Lodge, No. 80, A. O. U. W., in the work of which organizations he takes a warm interest and has proved an active factor in contributing to the success of each.

JAMES L. BOGGS. A thorough-going, skil- ful agriculturist, James L. Boggs is success- fully carrying on general farming and stock- raising, his well-kept and well-managed ranch being about four miles south of Roseburg. A man of excellent business capacity and mental force, his early training and his habits of thought and observation have tended to provide him with a good fund of general information, which has proved valuable to him in every respect. placing him among the useful and esteemed citizens of the place. No man takes more in- terest in the growth and prosperity of his native town and county than he, and none are more willing to assist in their advancement. Mr. Boggs was born May 13. 1864, on the homestead where he now resides, and on which his father,

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the late James Boggs, settled forty-five years ago.

A native of Pennsylvania, James Boggs was born June 16, 1808. Trained to farming pur- suits, he went to Ohio as a young man, hoping to find a more profitable field of work. Not fully satisfied with his prospects, he pushed still further westward, locating as a pioneer in Iowa. Purchasing land, he continued in the occupation to which he was bred, remaining there a number of years. In 1852, accompanied by his wife and children, he journeyed across the plains with ox-teams. During the six months of the trip, the company with which he was traveling had no serious trouble with the dreaded red men, but he and his wife sustained a grievous loss in the death of one of their children. Arriving in Oregon, Mr. Boggs took up a donation claim in Polk county, where he resided six years. Coming to Douglas county in 1858, he settled permanently about four miles south of Roseburg, buying the six hundred and forty-acre ranch known as the Langworthy donation claim. Im- mediately beginning the improvement of the land, which was then in its original condition, he labored untiringly, and in the course of a few years had a well-cultivated and productive farm. Energetic and enterprising, with keen foresight he accumulated money, which he wisely invested in real estate, and at his death, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, he was the owner of twelve hundred acres of land. As a general farmer and stock-raiser, he was exceedingly prosperous, carrying on a large business for more than a quarter of a century. Although interested in local affairs, he was never a poli- tician. He married Almeda Barney, who was born in Wilkesbarre, Pa. She is a woman of superior business ability, and since the death of her husband has carried on the estate with sig- nal success, her son James, the subject of this sketch, being manager of affairs. Of the eight children she bore her husband, four are living, namely : Mrs. Eliza J. Webb, of Walla Walla, Wash .; Mrs. Anna E. Stevens, of St. John, Wash. ; William F., of Roseburg ; and James L., residing on the homestead.

Receiving a practical education in the district and public schools, James L. Boggs remained with his parents, acquiring a good knowledge of the various branches of agriculture from his father. As an assistant of his mother in the management of the parental estate, he is carry- ing on general farming and stock-raising with most satisfactory results. Since the death of his father, he has continued the improvements al- ready begun, the home farm bearing strong evi- dence of the thrift and enterprise which first established it, and with which it has since been carried on. He has substantial barns and out-

buildings, and a good dairy, stocked with Dur- ham cattle, which he considers superior to all others for general use. Taking an active interest in public affairs, Mr. Boggs has served in vari- ous minor town offices, rendering good service. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Philitarian Lodge, No. 8, and Union No. 9, Encampment, and is a member of the United Artisans.

RILEY ANDRUS. Among the prosperous agriculturists of Douglas county is Riley An- drus, who owns a finely-improved and well- managed ranch in the town of Looking Glass. Energetic, industrious and enterprising, he has ever been a useful citizen of the community in which he resides, and has taken a keen interest in advancing its growth and prosperity. A farmer by birth and breeding, he has nearly al- ways been a tiller of the soil, and in the follow- ing of his independent occupation still finds his greatest pleasure. A native of Allegany county, N. Y., he was born March 5, 1830. At the age of six years he was taken by his parents to Michi- gan, where, as soon as old enough to wield axe, hoe or rake, he assisted in improving a home- stead. Leaving the parental roof in 1853, he journeyed to the westward in search of fortune, being a firm believer in the stories of fabulous wealth to be obtained in the far-distant gold fields. After a six-months trip across the plains, he arrived on the Pacific coast. Settling in Santa Clara county, Cal., he followed mining and prospecting three years, but did not find the golden ore in sufficient quantities to warrant him in remaining there permanently. Coming to Oregon in 1856, he lived near Oregon City for about ten years, and then removed to Washing- ton, taking up land near Palouse, where he re- mained fourteen years. Returning to Oregon, Mr. Andrus located in Douglas county, about six miles south of Roseburg, where he bought a donation claim, the ranch, on which many im- provements had already been made, being known as the A. S. McCoy place. Here he has since lived, carrying on general farming after the most approved modern methods. He has one hundred and fifty-five acres of land, part of it being range land, and for a number of years he was extensively engaged in the stock business. In 1868, having been away from home fifteen years, Mr. Andrus returned to Michigan to visit his friends and relatives. Going across the plains on horseback with a party of men, the Indians stole some of the horses belonging to the party, and Mr. Andrus, always venturesome and daring, stole them back again, this being an ex- perience that is so indelibly impressed on his mind that he will never forget it.

F. M. Strickland

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

While living in Oregon City, Mr. Andrus mar- ried Orphelia Mattoon, a native of that place, and into their home seven children have been born, namely : Alva, Orville, Louis, Flora, Nelson, Nancy and Myrtle. In politics Mr. Andrus was for many years a Republican, and sustained the principles of that party by voice and vote, but of late years has been independent, voting for the men and measures best for the country's interest.

FRANK M. STRICKLAND. Profitably and pleasantly engaged in the occupation upon which the nation's wealth and prosperity largely de- pend, Frank M. Strickland is a prominent and influential member of the farming population of Looking Glass valley. He has a large farm, on which he has made improvements of prac- tical excellence and value, his estate comparing favorably in its appointments with any in the neighborhood. A man of unquestioned integrity and ability, he exerts a healthful influence in the community, and is everywhere respected. A na- tive of Greene county, Ill., he was born near Whitehall, May 19, 1833. His parents, who were farmers, both died within a few months of each other, before reaching the prime of life.

Left an orphan at the age of twelve years, Frank M. Strickland at once began to be self- supporting. In 1849 he went to Iowa, where he secured employment as a farm laborer, working by the month for two years. Crossing the plains with ox-teams in 1851, he had a tedious trip of six months, the only diversion being an occasional meeting with the Indians, who stole a few cattle, and a little skirmish with the red men at Shell Creek. Locating first in Jackson county, Ore., Mr. Strickland followed mining and prospecting for a time. In 1855 he enlisted under Capt. T. J. Gardner, of Company G. Ninth Oregon Regiment, and served for thirty days in the Rogue River Indian war, taking part in the engagements at Big Bar, Vannoy, against Chief Taylor, Applegate Cabins, and at Evans creek. He was subsequently employed in log- ging in Coos county, but after his marriage, in 1870, settled in Looking Glass valley, purchas- ing a part of the J. D. B. Lee donation claim, in the southern portion, and has since resided here. With characteristic enterprise and perseverance he at once began the improvement of his farm, and in course of time erected a substantial dwell- ing house and all the necessary barns and out buildings for successfully caring for his stock and machinery. His estate, comprising nine hun- dred acres of good land, is admirably adapted for general farming and stock-raising, which he carries on with good success.

In 1870 Mr. Strickland married Mrs. Mary

Miller, who came across the plains in 1852, and is the daughter of William and Mildred Strick- lin. They are the parents of two children, name- ly: Mrs. Naomi Ann, wife of Marcus Mont- gomery, of Junction City, Ore .; and Alfred O., living at home. Mr. Strickland takes no especial interest in politics, although he invariably sup- ports the Democratic ticket. For one term he gave excellent service as road supervisor, but has never cared for public office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his private af- fairs.

GEORGE W. CARTWRIGHT is the genial and accommodating station agent for the South- ern Pacific Railroad at Yoncalla, Ore., where for some years he has also successfully followed mer- chandising, and at different intervals has been engaged at various other occupations. Mr. Cartwright is a native of Fayetteville, Ark., and was born April 4, 1843. When he was quite a small lad, his parents removed to Texas, and a little later, about 1850, they went overland to California, locating in Santa Clara county. The father took up a claim in that county, and for a few years engaged in ranching. He subse- quently removed to the town of Watsonville, and it was there that his son grew to manhood.

George Cartwright was educated in the pub- lic schools and remained at home until he was twenty-two years old. He then began for him- self by renting land and raising stock. This occupied his attention for several years, and, in 1865, he went to Lane county, Ore., and pur- chased a ranch near Lorane, following the same line of work there until 1877. For three years following he was keeper of the Cape Disappoint- ment Lighthouse, at the south mouth of the Col- umbia river, but in 1881 he resigned and com- menced his career on the railroad. He entered the employ of the Southern Pacific and first worked in the capacity of section foreman, con- tinuing two years. The next two years were spent as proprietor of a hotel at Boswell Springs, after which he located permanently at Yoncalla. The first three years of his residence in that place, he was employed again as section foreman, and in the meantime purchased an in- terest in a general merchandise store at Yon- calla, and was successfully engaged in mercantile business until 1901, when he sold his interest. In 1886 Mr. Cartwright was appointed station agent and filled that position uninterruptedly un- til 1901, when he resigned. After a year's rest he was re-appointed and is creditably filling that position at the present time. He is also agent for the Wells-Fargo Company, and under Harrison's administration he was appointed postmaster, his

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term extending two years under Cleveland's administration.

In 1865 Mr. Cartwright was joincd in marriage with Mary J. Cartwright, who has been a worthy helpmeet, often assisting her husband in and about the store. They unite in worshiping at the Presbyterian Church, of which both are mem- bers. Socially Mr. Cartwright affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, which he joined in 1878. He is a public-spirited citizen and takes a fitting interest in everything that pertains to the ad- vancement of Yoncalla. In politics he is a Re- publican, and although not an active politician, he is deeply interested in educational affairs and has served as school director. His fidelity to the company whose interests are identified with his own, is unquestioned, as he is known to be one of the most faithful employes of that system.

WASHINGTON POKE HERMANN, Dur- his many years of residence in Coos county, Washington Poke Hermann was known as a successful agriculturist, shrewd business man, and a progressive and enlightened upbuilder. His family is otherwise represented in this part of the state, and in the review of their life his- tories may be found more minute information of the ancestral connections. Of staid and con- servative southern and eastern families, his peo- ple were for many years identified with his na- tive town of Lonaconing, Allegheny county, Md., where he developed studious traits at an early age, and later applied the knowledge gained in the public schools of Maryland in educational work. For years he was known as one of the successful teachers of the state, many different parts thereof profiting by his superior instruc- tion. He continued to teach after coming to Oregon 111 1859, spending his summers in the harvest fields of his father's farm.

After the marriage in 1875 of Mr. Hermann and Nancy C. Brown, a native of Roseburg, Ore., born April 4, 1854, the young people went to housekeeping on a farm skirting Catching creek, and together labored that their children might be educated, and enjoy the advantages of a comfortable and refined home. In 1878 the fam- ily moved to the farm now occupied by the widow of Mr. Hermann, which is advantage- ously located six miles south of Myrtle Point, on the south fork of the Coquille river. This land was homesteaded by Mr. Hermann, and the first years spent here were necessarily desolate and full of hardship for the settlers, and general ad- vantages were few, and the clearing of land oc- cupied many months. From the first he took an active interest in local politics, although he could never be induced to accept official recognition. At the time of his death, June 21, 1899, he was

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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 109

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