Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 110

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 110

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forest supervisor of the Grand Canyon forest reserves of Arizona, having from earliest years devoted much study to forestry and horticulture. He was fond of trees and flowers and the bright things of life, and in many respects he seemed still young, although fifty-nine years had passed in review in his life. He took great pride in his farm, in his devoted and capable sons, and in the family which worked side by side with him in the struggle for existence. His passing was re- gretted by a host of friends and well-wishiers who had come to rightly estimate his fine per- sonal characteristics, kindly nature, and unques- tioned success. He was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows lodge.

The Hermann farm is occupied and managed by Mrs. Hermann and her three children, Flora Edna, Vivian Pierce and Arthur Bozarth, the latter of whoin is the general manager, and one of the popular and enterprising young farmers of the county. Cora Annetta, the oldest daugh- ter, is the wife of E. F. Schroeder, of their vicinity. The farm consists at present of one hundred and sixty acres, one hundred and twenty of which are cleared and improved, and devoted to general farming, dairying and stock-raising. A ten-acre orchard, well cared for and set out in various kinds of fruit, supplies a high grade of apples and prunes, and a garden, in which the majority of vegetables are represented, sup- plies delicacies for an always well spread table. Mr. Hermann, the genial manager and pro- prietor, is a Republican in politics, and is asso- ciated with the Ancient Order of United Work- men. After the death of W. P. Hermann, which occurred in Arizona while he was attending to his duties as forest supervisor, he was succeeded by his son, Arthur B., three months later, who held the position two and one-half years.

F. M. TROUT. Industry, common sense and integrity are attributes to which F. M. Trout ascribes his success in life, and which he unhesitatingly recommends to young men starting out on their own resources. He has found his greatest pleasure and largest profit in tilling the soil, and at the present time is one of the foremost dairymen of the vicinity of Tillamook, where he owns a farm of one hundred and nine acres three-quarters of a mile from town. The buildings and improve- ments of the Trout farm bespeak the orderly and thrifty spirit of the owner, who raises a mixed breed of cows, and is milking thirty- two for the maintenance of his model dairy. Besides his farm, Mr. Trout is interested in another favorite industry of this part of the country, and owns a half interest in a saw-mill doing a large business on the Trask river.

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Everything with which he has had to do in the west has borne the stamp of an enterpris- ing and progressive mind, tempered with New England conservatism and practical judgment.

Born in Delaware county, Ind., September 26, 1853, Mr. Trout is the sixth child of the two sons and seven daughters of Washington and Camilla (Christie) Trout, both of whom were born in Virginia, and who died in 1880 and 1895 respectively, at the ages of sixty-two and seventy-one. Washington Trout moved at an early day to Ohio, where he met and married his wife, and with her went to Dela- ware county, Ind., where they were among the earliest settlers. The neighbors were far apart, and facilities for housekeeping of a very crude order, yet their cheerful spirits and capable hands brought order out of chaos, and made a comfortable and well ordered home. The chil- dren received a liberal education in the public schools, and F. M., ambitious and hopeful, left the farm in 1875, with the vigor and con- fidence of a boy of eighteen who had been taught that all things come to him who hustles while he waits. From San Francisco Mr. Trout came by water to Oregon, reaching Portland in the fall of 1875, soon afterward locating in Tillamook county, farming on rented land.

In 1877 Mr. Trout was united in marriage with Ella Miller, who was born in Oregon in 1855, and whose father, George W. Miller, came across the plains in the days of the early gold excitement. Mr. and Mrs. Trout lived on rented land until 1888, and then came to their present farm, valued because of the years of hard work and sacrifice which preceded its purchase. Six children have been born into an atmosphere of thrift and high-mindedness, four daughters and two sons: Ray, Bertie, Pearl, Lillie, Lena and Howard. Mr. Trout is a Republican in politics, but invariably votes for the man best qualified to serve the public welfare. He is a quiet, unostentatious man, unusually devoted to his immediate family, and wisely planning for the future of his in- teresting children.

JOHN SWINDEN. In John Swinden Ore- gon found one of those large hearted and earnest pioneers who was not only willing, but glad to ally his fortunes with its wonderful promise, and suffer want and deprivation ere he had accomplished his goal of success. Under his guidance many acres of virgin soil were up- turned to the sky and made to give of their rich- ness for the latter day uses of man, furnishing a home for himself and family, and sustenance for those near him as well as for the way-

farer who chances his way and was less fortunate than himself. The farm now occupied by the widow and children, who survived his death, December 1, 1898, at the age of seventy-five, is one hundred and sixty-two acres in extent, and is located in the vicinity of Applegate, Josephine county. Its many improvements bespeak his generous nature and progressive spirit, and here he conducted general farming and stock-raising, also made a specialty of fruit, and shipped the first carload of apples out of Josephine county.

All through life Mr. Swinden betrayed his sterling English ancestry in his devotion to duty and his strict regard for truth and reliability. He was born in Yorkshire, England, March 20, 1823, and in 1840 accompanied his parents to America, locating in Green county, Ill. He was the oldest of six children, all of whom worked hard on the Illinois farm, yet his devotion to his adopted country stood the test of the war of 1847, when he enlisted in Company C, First Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain Fry, and participated in the battle of Buena Vista, as well as others of that memorable period. After being mustered out of the service he returned to Green county and continued to farm, and May 1, 1849, married Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, a native of Scarboro, Yorkshire, Eng- land, and born May 10, 1829. Mrs. Swinden's father, Robert Woodall, was born in Yorkshire, May 13, 1805, and died in Winchester, Ill., whither he removed at an early day, about 1833, and where he engaged in farming and stock- raising. His wife, Anne (Coltus) Woodall, was born in England May 10, 1805, and died in Winchester, Ill., in 1890.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Swinden located in Scott county, Ill., and remained there until crossing the plains, September 27, 1851, being the date of his arrival in Oregon City. They met with considerable opposition from the Indians and Mrs. Swinden lay sick for nine weeks, her eldest daughter, Mary A., having been born on the plains. The first winter the family spent at Butteville, Marion county, and in January, 1852, moved to Clackamas, where Mr. Swinden managed the mill of Cranfield & Matlock for a time. Subsequently starting for southern Ore- gon, he arrived in Jackson county the last of September, spending the winter in the mines in Jacksonville, where he endured many hard- ships through the limited supply of provisions. In July, 1853, he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land on Canes creek, nine and a half miles north of Jacksonville, in Jackson county, where he farmed and engaged in mining until locating on the farm now owned by his widow in 1887.

Mr. Swinden participated in the Indian wars of 1853, and 1855-56. For a time he was in

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command of the fort at Dardanell, as a member of Captain Lambrick's company, and in the esti- mation of the men who fought with him in those troublesome times he was a remarkably brave and fearless man. His success in later life en- abled him to give his children practical advan- tages, for he believed in education and advance- ment, and took great pride in his interesting daughters and strong, rugged sons. His oldest daughter, Sarah A., is deceased; the second daughter, Mary A., is the wife of J. W. John- son, of Grants Pass; Georgia A. is the wife of James M. Mansfield, of Grants Pass; William A. lives on the home farm; Robert F. lives in Jack- son county ; John E. is a farmer in Josephine county ; Olive E. is the wife of J. R. Stanley, of Washington; George W. is living at home; Charles L. is a farmer of Josephine county ; Kate is a resident of Redding, Cal .; Rhoda J. is the wife of F. W. Bedell, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; and Agnes J. lives in California. Mr. Swinden was liked and respected for his noble traits of character, for his success in the face of difficulty, and for his example of a strong and honest Eng- lish-American farmer.

ELISHA N. SMITH. The essentially American characteristics of push and energy, augmented by practical and personal confi- dence, are possessed in marked degree by Elisha Smith, one of the representative busi- ness men of Myrtle Point. Mr. Smith comes of a family renowned for its courage and dar- ing in both business and warfare, traits em- phasized in the life of his father, Richard J. Smith, a native of Ohio, and an early settler in Boone county, Iowa, where Elisha N. was born, at Madrid, May 7, 1876. The elder Smith was a speculator and capitalist, and served with the Texas Rangers between 1858 and 1865. During these years he was several times with the famous Kit Carson, and he had to show for his bravery eight scars, repre- senting as many severe wounds. One of these, a gun-shot wound, received in battle near Santa Fe, N. M., occasioned his death in 1880, while still in the prime of life.

Elisha N. was four years old when his father died, and he is the sole survivor of three chil- dren in the family. After completing his edu- cation in the public schools of Madrid he ap- plied himself to a mastery of civil engineering, which occupation he has never utilized to any extent. After coming to Oakland, Douglas county, Ore., with his mother, in 1896, he found employment in a general merchandise store for a couple of years, and then engaged in the hide and fur business throughout south- western Oregon for a time, making his head-

quarters at Myrtle Point, later locating there, buying and selling timber lands. After his marriage, December 31, 1902, with Maud Deyoe, a native of Nebraska, he went to house- keeping in his present pleasant little home, and has since engaged in the timber and real estate business. At present he is interested in the planing-mill business and lumber-yard conducted under the firm name of Smith & Rogers. Until recently he was interested in a lumbering and saw-mill business at Bandon, under the firm name of Smith & Page. Mr. Smith's mother died at Bandon in 1903, thus surviving her arrival in the west seven years.

Mr. Smith's rapid and at the same time sub- stantial rise in life cannot be too heartily com- mended. An important factor has been his ability to see and grasp the opportunities by which he has been surrounded. A young man, at the age of twenty-seven he has a firmly es- tablished reputation for business honor. He is interested in the stock business and also in timber-lands, houses and lots in the town of Myrtle Point, and a promising real estate and lumbering business, must needs command the attention and respect, and appeal to the pride and loyalty of his equally ambitious contem- poraries. Mr. Smith has contributed further to the upbuilding of his adopted town by plat- ting Smith's addition, which will undoubtedly become one of the principal residence sections of the town. He is a member of Myrtle Lodge No. 78, A. F. & A. M .; Arago Chapter No. 22, R. A. M .; Umpqua Lodge No. 37, I. O. O. F., of Oakland; Douglas Camp No. 258, W. O. W .; the Eastern Star, and the Rebekahs. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics.

THOMAS RILEY. For more than a quar- ter of a century, Mr. Riley has proved himself to be a useful citizen of Jackson county, Ore., chiefly engaged in the agricultural develop- ment of this section, although a part of his attention has been given to the stock industry. The first thirteen years of his residence there found him a resident of Jacksonville, but a subsequent removal in 1890 to his present home along Antelope creek, brought him in- creased prosperity and success. At that time he purchased his fine four hundred acre farm eleven miles east of Medford, many improve- ments having been added to this place, which is one of the best improved ranches in that locality.

A worthy descendant of a prominent Ohio family, Mr. Riley claims the same state as the place of his nativity, having been born in Bel- mont county in the vicinity of Barnesville, April 8, 1850. His attendance at the public

A DHelman

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schools of his native place was terminated by a desire for adventure and a taste for a mili- tary career, for, at the early age of fourteen years, young Riley ran away from home and enlisted in the Union army, without the con- sent of his parents, who had no knowledge of his whereabouts. He took up our country's cause April 14, 1864, as a private in Com- pany E, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and was mustered into service at Mari- etta, Ohio. Participating in the siege of Rich- mond, Va., where his company was stationed for sixteen months, he was wounded in an active engagement on the second day of April, 1865. Comrades carried him from the field and he was taken to the field hospital for treat- ment, but was afterwards transferred with others to Hampton hospital at Fortress Mon- roe, where his wounds received attention and he was discharged from Hampton June 16, 1865. His military career covered a period of three years. Returning home to Ohio, he re- mained there only a short time, subsequently going west as far as Illinois, where he took up his residence for several years, afterward removing to the territories of Dakota and Mon- tana. Anxious to avail himself of the in- creased advantages of the far west, in 1877 he sought a home on the Pacific slope, locating in Jacksonville, Ore., for a number of years as previously mentioned. December 30, 1882, Mr. Riley was united in marriage with Miss Sarah G. Hurst, a daughter of Martin Hurst, an esteemed citizen of Jackson county, Ore. Three children now brighten their home- Thomas M., Myrtle M. and Josie P. The fam- ily enjoy the highest esteem of their neighbors and acquaintances and are among the most useful citizens of their community. In fra- ternal circles, Mr. Riley is a prominent mem- ber of the Red Men of the World, and owing to his military career he is a worthy member of the Grand Army of the Republic organiza- tion of Medford. His adherence to the Repub- lican party is unquestionable and his election by that party to the office of county commis- sioner in June, 1900, was an auspicious cir- cumstance, and the manner in which he dis- charges the duties of that office is highly com- mendable.

ABEL D. HELMAN. Conspicuous among the early settlers of Jackson county is Abel D. Helman, who came here a full half century ago, and has since been an important factor in devel- oping its resources and advancing its interests. Prominent in the upbuilding of Ashland, which he had the honor of naming for the Ohio county

in which he was born, he is one of its most respected residents. Soon after locating here, he succeeded in having a post office located in Ashi- land, in 1855, and was appointed its first post- master, giving a bond as security. At first mails arrived once a month only, later coming once a week. When a daily mail was established, he gave a new bond, and when the office was made a money order office his bond had to be largely in- creased. As postmaster he served twenty-seven consecutive years without re-appointment, no one offering opposition until the salary reached the sum of $600 per annum, when others sought to secure the plum, and, in 1882, a successor was appointed, Mr. Helman making no effort what- ever to retain the position. Coming from sub- stantial German stock, he was born, April 10, 1824, in Wayne, now Ashland, county, Ohio, where his father, John Helman, was engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Born in Germany, John Helman immigrated to this country with his parents, locating first in Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the war of 1812, and afterwards removed to Ohio, where he was for many years successfully engaged in general farming. His wife, whose maiden name was Sophia Daugherty, was born in Pennsylvania, and died on the home farm, in Ohio. Four sons and three daughters were born of their union, and of these three children are now living. One son, Harmon, came to the Pacific coast with the gold seekers in 1849, and died in California. An- other son, John, came to Oregon in 1853, but is now a resident of Montana.

The fourth child in succession of birth in the parental household, Abel D. Helman grew to man's estate on the home farm in Ohio. Ob- taining his early education in a subscription school, he was a pupil in the pioneer log school- house, with its puncheon floor and rude slab benches, learning to write with a quill pen. Sub- sequently learning the carpenter's trade in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, he followed that in connection with the trade of a cabinetmaker until he was twenty-six years old. In January, 1850, anxious to join the gold hunters, he sailed from New York in the steamer Ohio to Aspin- wall, and then proceeded on foot to Panama, where he waited a month for a vessel to take him to California. Arriving in San Francisco in April, 1850, he went to Weaver creek, where he was engaged in mining for a time, and subse- quently worked at his trade in Sacramento for about a year. In 1851 Mr. Helman made a trip over the mountains to the Willamette valley, Ore .. driving a mule team from Yreka, Cal., to Salem, Ore., on the way crossing a part of the tract of land that he afterwards took up as a donation claim. Returning to California, Mr. Helman re- sided in Yreka until January, 1852, when, with

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two friends from Ashland county, Ohio, he came to what is now Jackson county, Ore., and took up three hundred and twenty acres of land on what was then called Rock creek. Erecting a log cabin on the thoroughfare now known as Helman Street, he kept house alone until the arrival of his wife and children, for whom he returned to Ohio in 1853. In 1852, with his two com- panions, he built a saw-mill on Mill creek, and two years later erected a grist-mill near by. In 1855 Mr. Helman laid out twelve lots around the plaza, naming the settlement Ashland from his native county. During the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856 he took part, being assigned to home duty at the fort which had been built on Wagner creek. For a number of years thereafter he operated the mills, then sold out and resumed work at his trade. As a carpenter and con- tractor he erected several fine residences and barns, and as a cabinetmaker did a good deal of work. Mr. Helman has within a few years laid out three or four additions to Ashland, his entire home farm being now included within the city limits. Of this he still owns about sixty acres, which he devotes principally to the culture of peaches. He is almost the oldest settler of this locality, he and Mr. Hargadine having taking up the two first donation claims in Ashland.

In Wooster, Ohio, Mr. Helman married for his first wife Martha J. Kanagy, who was born in Pennsylvania, came to Oregon by the Nicara- gua route in 1853, and died soon afterwards on the home farm. Eight children were born of their union, namely: Mrs. Almeda L. Shepherd, of California ; John K., living in Ashland; Mrs. Mary E. Niles, of California ; Martha Jane, wife of J. A. Carter, of Ashland; Abraham Lincoln, of Ashland; Benjamin Butler, also of Ashland ; Ulysses Grant, of Ashland, and Otis O., of Ashland. For his second wife Mr. Helman married Mrs. S. A. Rockefeller, who was born in Ohio, and came to Oregon in 1873. Politi- cally Mr. Helman is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has served as councilman one term. Fraternally he is a member of Ashland Lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand, and was grand master of the Grand Lodge in 1892 ; is a member, and past chief patriarch, of Pilot Rock Encamp- ment. In 1891 he was grand patriarch of the Grand Encampment; in 1892 was grand repre- sentative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, at Port- land, Ore., and in 1893 went to Milwaukee, Wis .. as grand representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge. He is also identified with the Rebekahs, and is a member of both the county and the state Pioneer associations. Possessing decp religious convictions, he is a firm believer in the Bible, and although not a church member is inclined towards the Methodist Episcopal faith.

GEORGE PROTZMAN. The Protzman family in this country originated in Maryland, and in carly days had the distinction of being one of the most distinguished families of that state. George Protzman is a worthy scion of the family and is an old and highly esteemed citizen of Roseburg, Ore., where he is success- fully carrying on a large and lucrative busi- ness as bill poster. Mr. Protzman himself is an Ohioan by birth, and was born Decem- ber 7, 1837. He is the fifth child in a family of ten children, seven sons and three daugh- ters, born to John and Rebecca (Shafer) Protz- man, the latter a native of Schuylkill, Pa., but who died in Ohio. The father was a native of Maryland, but the closing years of his life were spent in agricultural pursuits in Ohio. George Protzman grew to manhood in his na- tive state and early in life learned the shoe- maker's trade. When he was twenty years old, he left home to seek his own fortune and followed his chosen occupation success- fully in Wayne and Kosciusko counties, Ind. In 1864 he went to California, making the trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Arriving in that state, he located on a farm in San Joaquin valley, and followed ranching for a couple of years. In 1866 Mr. Protzman came to Oregon, at once locating in Salem and en- gaging at his trade. He also conducted a shoe store and met with fair success for three years. In 1869 he found a more desirable location at Roseburg, where competition was not so great and for a while again worked at his trade. He subsequently abandoned the boot and shoe business entirely, and engaged in agency work. For many years he traveled all over Douglas and adjoining counties, as salesman for vari- ous companies, and in connection with this he began bill-posting. The latter proved so lu- crative a business that in 1889 he relinquished all other work and began to devote his entire time to this occupation. By strict attention to his work he soon established a business which yielded him a handsome income, and he has continued to follow that line of work up to the present time. He is a member of the Pacific Coast Bill Posters' Association, a large advertising medium which does an enormous business in that section.

Mr. Protzman is quite well-to-do and owns a fine residence on Rose street. He was united in marriage with Isabella Bales, a native of Kosciusko county, Ind. They have reared seven children, who are prominent members of their respective communities. They are Laura, now Mrs. Phil. Ray, of New York city ; Floretta, now Mrs. J. A. Ricks, of Junc- tion City, Ore .; Nellie, now Mrs. J. D. Parker, of San Francisco; Linnie, Mrs. George Perrey,

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of Roseburg; Adrianna, now Mrs. Walter Mel- lick, of Portland; George and William F., both of Roseburg.

Mr. Protzman was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, but is now demitted, and is a Republican of the true blue type. He can not fail to have the esteem and confidence of the entire community, as he has contributed so largely toward the material de- velopment of Roseburg, in a moral, social and charitable way.

FRANK REED. To this gentleman be- longs the distinction of having discovered the copper mine in Curry county, Ore., and at the present time he is a popular stockman of Douglas county, also doing some business as a speculator in mining. Mr. Reed was born in Oakland, Ore., May 3, 1858, is a son of Joseph Reed and. grandson of Reason Reed. The latter came from Indiana and with his wife and six children crossed the plains by ox- team in 1850. The trip lasted for six months, and they first located in the Waldo Hills. In 1851 the grandparents took up donation claims of six hundred and forty acres on the present site of Oakland. There the grand- father engaged in farming and stock-raising and lived there until his death.

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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 110

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