Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 112

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 112

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sailor for seven or eight months. His next employment was on a schooner, "Wm. Michael," which plied between Sacramento and San Fran- cisco, and he was subsequently employed on a ship on the Colorado river in Mexico, fighting for our government. In 1864 he discontinued boating for a time and went to Oregon, engaging in the oyster business at Yaquina bay. In 1886 he devoted two acres to the oyster industry near Oysterville, which he still owns and where for twelve years he was successfully engaged in the cultivation of oysters. January 8, 1866, Mr. Olsson pre-empted a claim of one hundred and twelve acres on Yaquina bay and the same is now known as Olsson's addition to Newport, or Olssonville. Upon this he built a fine residence, two stories, with nine rooms, overlooking the bay, and laid out his land into blocks and lots, thus forming an addition to Newport and acquir- ing money rapidly. He is now one of the larg- est land-owners in that section. He owns three tracts in the vicinity of Pioneer, containing re- spectively, one hundred and sixty, seventy-two and ninety-one acres; two hundred acres at Nashville; one hundred and sixty acres, four and a half miles north of Newport; seven and a half acres at Yaquina; four lots at Oyster City ; one lot at South Beach; one lot at Seal Rock ; fifty acres at Hood Canal, Wash .; and fourteen lots in Portland, on the mountains. When Mr. Olsson located at Newport there was not a resi- dence within fifty miles of the place. In 1866-67 he carried the United States mail and passengers to Elk City and return. The next year he was one of the crew who accompanied Colonel Chase and assisted him in the survey of the Yaquina bay and harbor, and also surveyed Cape Foul- weather and Seal Rock. The same year, in December, he put the rigging on the "Louisa Simpson" and went with her on her maiden trip to San Francisco, with a cargo of lumber and hides. The next year he ran as seaman on the "Salinas" steamship to and from that city. A little later Mr. Olsson went to Portland, and while there was employed on various vessels, among them the "Fanny Patten," "Success," "Senator," "Elert," "Dayton," "Reliance" and "Shoo Fly," all river vessels on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, and he was first mate of the "Senator." In 1876 he returned to Ya- quina bay and re-engaged in the oyster business. Hc also conducted the first camping-place in that point, but discontinued it. He was captain on the "Marie Hall," between Elk City and New- port, and served in the same capacity on the schooner "James McCoon," between Petaluma and San Francisco.

In 1871 Mr. Olsson returned to Sweden for his bride, who was Anna Carlson, of Malmo. Their union was blessed with one son, Lorens

O., who was born in Oregon City, and is now serving as city recorder of Newport, his home town. He is thirty years old. The family unite in worshiping at the Lutheran church and the political preference of Mr. Olsson is given to the Republican party.

HON. WILLIAM F. SONGER. Promi- nent among the substantial and honored resi- dents of Jackson county is Hon. William F. Songer, of Ashland, a man of genuine worth and integrity. One of the early settlers of this part of the state, he has taken an active in- terest in the development of its industries, and has rendered practical assistance in the ad- vancement of its agricultural and business re- sources. Coming here when Indians were nu- merous, and wild beats of all kinds roamed at will through the country, he was one of a small party of men that had a serious encounter with a grizzly bear on the mountain that re- ceived the name of "Grizzly" from that very incident. A native of Indiana, he was born near Livonia, July 4, 1826, a son of Frederick and Jane (Helm) Songer, both of whom were born in Rockingham county, Va., of thrifty German stock. Further parental and ancestral history may be found on another page of this volume, in connection with the sketch of Dr. S. T. Songer.

When three years old, William F. Songer accompanied his parents to Clay county, Ill., where he was brought up on a farm, receiving his early education in a subscription school held in a rude log cabin. He was subsequently employed in milling, working in both a saw- mill and a grist-mill for a number of years. Enlisting, in 1847, in Company C, Ninth Illi- nois Militia, commanded by Col. E. W. B. Newby, he served for eighteen months in the Mexican war, being much of the time on the New Mexico frontier making treaties with the Indians. Returning to Illinois, he was mus- tered out in 1848, and soon after entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, for which he paid with Mexican war land warrants. Im- proving a farm, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1852, being fairly successful. Crossing the plains in that year with ox-teams, he came via Fort Hall and the Snake and Co- lumbia rivers to Oregon, arriving in Astoria after a trip of five months. After superintend- ing the management of a saw-mill in that lo- cality for two years, Mr. Songer located in Jackson county, taking up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres three miles south of Ashland, where he resided five years. In the meantime, in 1855, he served in the Rogue River Indian war, enlisting, under Captain

Cl Fisher

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Smith, in the state militia. In 1865 Mr. Songer visited his old Illinois home, going by way of the Isthummus of Panama, and remaining more than a year. Returning by the same route to Oregon, in 1867, he took up his residence in Ashland, on Main street building a livery barn, which he conducted for three years.

Disposing of his livery business in 1870, Mr. Songer bought one hundred and eighty-six acres of land about seven miles south of Ash- land, and was there engaged in farming and fruit-raising for several years. He was sub- sequently engaged in business in the valley, buying a sheep ranch of eight hundred acres four miles north of Ashland, also having a ranch in the mountains for summer pasture. Purchasing fifteen hundred head of sheep, he carried on an extensive and profitable business until 1899, when he retired from active pur- suits, having since made his home in the city of Ashland. He still owns his large ranch, his valuable farm and a fine residence in Ashland, where he also owns other city property.

In Ashland in 1870 Mr. Songer married Mrs. Cecilia (Wells) Slade, who was born in Illi- nois, a daughter of Giles Wells, who crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1853, becoming a pioneer settler of Jackson county. Mr. and Mrs. Songer have one child, Mary Ellen Song- er. In 1864 Mr. Songer was elected to the state legislature, and served most efficiently for one term. He has also been city council- man for one term. He is a member of the Mexican War Veterans Association, and of the State Pioneer Association, in both organ- izations taking an active interest. Since 1867 he has twice visited the scenes of his child- hood days, making both trips by rail, the jour- neys being short and comfortable compared with the primitive mode of traveling with ox- teams, sailing around Cape Horn, or crossing the Isthmus of Panama.

CHARLES V. FISHER, M. D. Conspicu- ous among the progressive and skilful physi- cians of Roseburg is C. V. Fisher, M. D., who stands deservedly high in his profession, and has the reputation of being a thoroughly honorable and trustworthy man. A son of the late W. S. Fisher, he was born June 6, 1870, in Butler coun- ty, Pa., near the town of Newcastle. His pa- ternal grandfather, Samuel Fisher, who was engaged in farming in Pennsylvania during his days of activity, is now living at a venerable age, being more than ninety years old. A native of Pennsylvania, W. S. Fisher learned the trade of carpenter and builder, which he followed in Butler county, Pa., for some years. Removing

to Nebraska in 1885, he resided in Shelton until his death, at the age of forty-two years. . His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Kelty, spent most of her life in Pennsylvania, dying there in 1880. Of the four children born of their union, three are living, Dr. C. V. Fisher, the subject of this sketch, being the eldest child.

Brought up in the state of his nativity until fifteen years old, Dr. Fisher obtained his rudi- mentary education in the district school, and after moving to Nebraska took a course of study at the Shelton high school. He subsequently followed different occupations until 1890, when he came to Oregon, locating at Woodburn, where he was employed as a clerk in a hardware store for two years. Deciding to fit himself for a professional career, Dr. Fisher entered Willam- ette University in 1892, and after spending three years in the literary department entered the medical department, from which he was graduated in 1898 with the degree of M. D. During this time he also took a special course of study on matters pertaining to the eye with Dr. A. B. Gillis, a noted oculist of Salem, Ore. Im- inediately after obtaining his degree, Dr. Fisher entered the Chicago Post-Graduate College, where he took a complete post-graduate course. Then, after spending some time at St. Vincent's Hospital, Portland, as house surgeon, he located as a physician at Dallas, Ore., remaining there two years. Coming from there to Roseburg in 1901, the doctor has already gained an assured position among the successful physicians of the city, and has built up a substantial general prac- tice. In Salem, Ore., Dr. Fisher married Flora A. Chesney, who was born in Knoxville, Tenn.,

and they have one child, Constance Fisher. Po- litically the doctor is a stanch Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World, and to the Knights of the Maccahces. He also holds membership with the Southern Oregon Medical Society, the State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association.

JAMES WELLS. A pioneer himself, and the son of one of Jackson county's most proni- inent pioneers, James Wells occupies a place of distinction in the annals of Ashland. For a long time he was actively identified with the stock-growing industries of this part of the coun- ty, but for the past few years has been more closely associated with its horticultural interests. Coming to Ashland in 1897, he has acquired valuable city property, and during his residence here has enjoyed in a marked degree the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, a tribute which is never withheld from those who worthily de- serve it. A son of the late Col. Giles Wells, he

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was born August 14, 1847, in Van Buren coun- ty, Iowa.

A South Carolinain by birth and breeding, Giles Wells migrated from his native state to Kentucky, thence to Illinois, and then to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a time. Crossing the plains in 1849, he searched for gold in the mines of California for a few months. His efforts proving futile, however, he returned to Iowa, by the Isthmus of Panama, in 1850, and resumed farming. In March, 1853, with three wagons and several yoke of oxen, he came across the plains with his family, taking the southern route, via Salt Lake, to Oregon. Arriving in Jackson county the first of September, 1853, he took up a donation claim three miles above Ashland, on Neil creek, and began the improvement of a farm. Public-spirited and full of push and energy, he became one of the leading factors in the upbuilding of the Rogue River valley, and was largely instrumental in clearing the valley of Indians. During the Rogue River wars of 1855 and 1856 the Indians made frequent raids into the head of the valley, plundering the early set- tlers and destroying their crops. As the regular soldiers did not exert themselves very much on such occasions, Giles Wells raised a large com- pany of independent volunteers, and followed the savages on one occasion, giving them battle, and almost annihilating the entire band of In- dians, with but little loss among his own men. This effectual defeat probably had as much, if not more, to do with closing up the Rogue River Indian troubles than anything else. He was ever active in local and national affairs, and during one term served in the Oregon legislature, repre- senting Jackson county. He attained a vener- able age, dying in December, 1894, at the age of ninety-six years. He married Martha Fruit, who was born in Kentucky, in 1806, and died in Jackson county, September 16, 1894. Eight chil- dren were born of their union, namely : Erastus, who died in Ashland ; . Mrs. Elizabeth Dean, of Grants Pass. Ore .: Cecilia, wife of William F. Songer, of Ashland ; Joseph, residing in Illinois : Giles, who died in Ashland; Martha, wife of 11. S. McConnell, of Yreka, Cal .; John, a stock- man, in Bly. Ore .; and James, the particular subject of this brief biographical sketch.

Coming across the plains with his parents when a boy of six years, James Wells was too young at the time to realize the perils of such a trip, remembering, perhaps, only an occasional incident of the long journey. On the home farm he became thoroughly familiar with the various branches of agriculture while yet young, and in the pioneer district school he acquired a limited education in the common branches of study. Going to Albany, Ore., in 1863, he served an

apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for about six years. Returning to Jackson county, he then located on a ranch six miles north of Ashland, where he carried on a large and successful business as a sheep raiser and dealer for many years. Disposing of his ranch and stock in 1897. Mr. Wells purchased property in Ashland, where he owns two resi- dences, and has since been numbered among its most prosperous citizens. Near Normal he also owns land, having a tract of twenty acres, one-half of which is set out as an orchard, con- taining peaches and apples, and at the end of B street, in Ashland, he has two and one-half acres of land, which is now devoted to gardening, but on which he is erecting a new residence.

September 29, 1871, in McMinnville, Mr. Wells married Emily McKern, who was born near Decatur, Iowa. Her father, Henry Mc- Kern, a native of North Carolina, came across the plains with his family in 1862, locating first in Walla Walla, Wash., where he lived three years. Removing to Oregon in the fall of 1865. he located in Yamhill county, where he engaged in farming until his death, August 27, 1888, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Kitty Collins, was born in Kentucky, and died in Oregon, at the age of forty-nine years. Of the eleven children born of their union, eight are living, Mrs. Wells being the fourth child.

Mr. and Mrs. Wells are the parents of seven children. Mrs. Stella Payne. a music teacher, resides in Jackson county ; Percy, who was grad- uated from the Southern Oregon state normal school, is a teacher by occupation; Kittie, also a normal graduate, is teaching at Fort Klamath ; Edna H., also a teacher, graduated from the nor- mal school; Frederick was accidentally killed at the age of thirteen years, a horse falling upon him; Mattie and Emily complete the family. Politically Mr. Wells is a strong Republican. Mrs. Wells is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

CHARLES U. SNIDER. At an early period in the growth of Lakeview, Charles U. Snider started a much-needed general merchandise store, which was the first of its kind to cater to the set- tlers in the town or those living on the sur- rounding farms. This was in April, 1876, and ever since the crude little establishment with its queer and limited assortment of goods awoke activity in the neighborhood, its owner has been one of the leading promoters of the community, encouraging education and business enterprise. and attaining to a prominent place in business, politics, and fraternities.

Mr. Snider was born March 20, 1846, in Shaw-

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neetown, Gallatin county, Ill. His father, Jo- seph Ulm Snider, was born in Germany, and when eighteen years old came to America with his parents in a sailing vessel, settling first in Mansfield, Ohio, where he married Margaret Dorsey, a native of Hagerstown, Md., and moved to Shawneetown, Ill., in 1842, where he resided until his death at the age of seventy-six years. His son Charles was educated in the public schools. In 1862 he struck out for him- self and became a clerk on the Ohio river for the Evansville & Cairo Packet Company, remaining with the company until February, 1869. From the Packet Company's employ Mr. Snider came to Oregon, reaching Camp Warner, a military post commanded by Captain Hall, March 12, 1869. Although his primary incentive was to grow up with the west, his immediate concern was to reach his uncle, A. Snider, a post trader at Camp Warner, located in what was then Jack- son county. As a start in life his uncle employed him as a clerk in his general merchandise store, and so apt did he prove that he became necessary to a business which, from its very nature, gave great promise. In time the uncle extended young Snider's responsibilities to a partial inter- est in the trading post at Camp Harney, then in Grant county, Ore., and thither the nephew went in May, 1870, to assume the management of the new business. This store being sold out in 1871, and another one started at Fort Van- couver, Charles U. assumed the management of the latter in July, 1871, and in 1872 became man- ager of his uncle's store at Willow Ranch, Cal., six miles south of the Oregon state line. He was frugal and industrious, and in 1874 became part owner in the business, and in April, 1876, the firm of A. & C. U. Snider established a branch store in Lakeview. In 1883 the firm dis- solved partnership and discontinued the store at Goose Lake, Mr. Snider at that time engaging in a mercantile business for himself at Lakeview. In 1885 he disposed of a half interest in his bus- iness to G. P. Lovegrove, and until 1890 the firm of Snider & Lovegrove conducted one of the most prosperous mercantile establishments in this county. Mr. Lovegrove then became sole owner of the business, Mr. Snider turning his atten- tion to his position as receiver of the United States Land Office at Lakeview, to which he was appointed by President Harrison. His term of service expiring in 1894, he again returned to merchandising, and is thus employed at the pres- ent time. October 12, 1903, he was again ap- pointed receiver of the United States Land Of- fice of the Lakeview district, and at present com- bines his private and official duties most advan- tageously.

Mr. Snider is a Republican in politics, and has taken an active interest in local politics for many

years. Fraternally he is one of the best known and most popular men in Lakeview, being a member of the Blue Lodge No. 71, A. F. & A. M., of Lakeview, and having passed through all the chairs of the Lakeview Lodge No. 54, I. O. O. F. He has been particularly active in Lodge No. III, A. O. U. W., and on several occasions has been a delegate to the grand lodge. May 2, 1876, Mr. Snider married, in Shawneetown, Ill., Mary E. McCallen, who was born in Illinois, and who is a sister of A. McCallen, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snider, of whom the two oldest died in childhood. The others, Warner B., Mae E., and Clarence U., are living at home. Mr. Snider is particularly thoughtful and agree- able in his business and social associations, using great tact as well as forethought in both his gov- ernment and personal responsibilities. He is broad-minded and generous, public-spirited and progressive, and may be depended on to further with counsel, time, or money, any wise project for public improvement.

RUSSELL COOK DEMENT. During the half century of Mr. Dement's residence in Ore- gon he has witnessed the growth and develop- ment of this commonwealth, the enlargement of its commercial interests, the improvement of its agricultural domain and the building up of cities that rival the long-established towns of the east. In common with the prosperity of the state has been his individual success, largely secured through his connection with the cattle business. At this writing he has more than five hundred head of cattle, six hundred head of sheep and about twenty-five head of horses on his range, which includes twenty-three hundred acres in Coos county and twenty-six hundred acres in Curry county. In addition he owns (but leases to other parties) a dairy ranch of one hundred and eighty-seven acres at Norway, stocked with forty head of cows. During 1899-1900 he built the attractive modern residence at Myrtle Point, where he now makes his home. At the opening of the town he bought seventy-eight acres ad- jacent thereto and later purchased twenty acres within the city limits, all of which he still owns.

A resident of Oregon since 1852, Mr. Dement was born in Monroe county, Ohio, October IT, 1847, being a son of Samuel and Caroline (Spencer) Dement, natives of Ohio, the former born October 5, 1822. The paternal grandfather, William Dement, was one of the first settlers of Monroe county, Ohio, where he improved a farmi from the wilderness and made his home until he (lied, at eighty-two years of age. During 1851 Samuel Dement started for the coast, stopping en route with a brother-in-law near St. Joseph,

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Mo. The journey was taken up with ox-teams in 1852 and continued for six months through many hardships and much suffering from cholera and kindred dangers. After a short sojourn in Cor- vallis, Ore., he pushed his way on to Jackson- ville, Jackson county, where he worked at black- smithing. He also belonged to the home guards during the Indian war, known as Rogue River war of 1853. In the fall of 1853 he moved to Empire City, being among the first to settle there, and in March, 1855, moved on a donation claim on the south fork of the Coquille river, compris- ing three hundred and twenty acres. When Mr. Dement moved on this donation claim in 1855 there were no white families living nearer than sixty miles. Indians were numerous and there was one village (ranch) within one-quarter mile. During the ensuing years he was busily engaged in converting the wild land into a home and stock farm. He was one of the first to bring cattle into this section and the first to improve the common cattle by importing full blooded Shorthorns, of which he was a great admirer.

On account of ill health Mr. Dement was forced to abandon active labors. A visit was made to California in 1886 with the hope of regaining health, but a month later he died. He was sixty- three at the time of his death. Ever since the organization of the Republican party he was a believer in its principles and a supporter of its platform. His first wife, who died many years ago, was a daughter of a Maryland gentleman who settled in Ohio and carried on farm pursuits there until his death.

Besides his two sisters (both now dead), Rus- sell C. Dement has three half-brothers and one half-sister. When he came to Oregon educa- tional opportunities were less common than at present. The system of training in the log schoolhouse where he was a pupil was crude and undeveloped. However, after he was grown he had the advantage of a term in an academy at Portland, this state. Upon attaining his majority he began farming and stock-raising on a pre- emption claim of land near his father's place in Coos county, and this land is still in his pos- session, being used for a stock ranch. During 1873-74 he engaged in the meat business at Em- pire and Marshfield. On resuming ranch pur- suits he settled on the south fork of the Coquille river, where he remained until 1882. His next purchase was also situated on the Coquille river. his object in making the change of location be- ing for the purpose of living near a school. Dur- ing 1889 he bought and moved to a ranch near Norway, this state, and from there went to Ban- clon in 1896, but two years later returned to the farm on the south fork of the river, his final re- moval being in 1899 to Myrtle Point.

At Fairview. Coos county, Mr. Dement mar-

ried Lucy A. Norris, who was born in the Wil- lamette valley, a daughter of Thomas and Mary ( Boone) Norris. Her father, who was born near Baltimore, Md., removed to Missouri in early manhood and there married a descendant of Daniel Boone. Crossing the plains in 1844 he settled in Oregon City, Ore., where he followed the blacksmith's trade. In the building of the first mills in Oregon he was actively interested. Among his intimate friends was Dr. McLough- lin, the illustrious pioneer. Others of the men who made Oregon were numbered among his companions and friends. At his death, which occurred near Fairview on his home farm, he was mourned as a worthy man and progressive citi- zen. His widow is still living in Myrtle Point, and is now seventy-seven years of age. Of the children comprising the family of Mr. and Mrs. Dement, one died in infancy, and the following are now living: Nellie E., Eunice, Raymond B., Winifred, Ellis, Lester, Clare and Harry.

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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 112

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