Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 116

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 116

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

825

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wife, Mr. Belland again made a trip abroad, in the eleven months that he was away visiting Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Resigning his position with the Packers' Association in 1903, he built his present fine residence, on Commercial street, near Forty-sixth street, where he has a most attractive and pleasant home.

October 13, 1897, in Astoria, Mr. Belland married Mrs. Elizabeth Strom, who was born in Smaaland, Sweden, which was also the birthplace of her father, Lars J. Ramberg. Her great-grandfather, John Ramberg, had a most tragic history. He was found during one of the battles between Denmark and Sweden, on the field of conflict, a babe, nursing his dead mother. The soldiers took him home, brought him up, and when he became a soldier gave him the name of Ramberg. Joining a regiment of roughriders, he served as sergeant of his company. After leaving the army he was en- gaged in farming. Lars J. Ramberg married Christina Mona Carlson, who was born in Smaaland, Sweden, a daughter of Carl J. Carl- son, and they became the parents of eight chil- dren, three of whom reside in America, name- ly: Mrs. Angus Larson, a resident of Astoria, came here from Sweden in 1874; Otto, a mer- chant in Alaska; and Mrs. Belland, formerly Elizabeth Ramberg. Coming to this country in 1883, Elizabeth Ramberg lived in Astoria from the first. A few years after her arrival, she married Carl Strom, who was born and reared in Kalmar, Sweden, and emigrated from there to Astoria. He was one of the organ- izers of the Alaska Packing Company, in which he was a director until his death, Sep- tember 8, 1891. His death was heroic, he hav- ing lost his life in trying to save a little girl from drowning. He belonged to the Astoria Lodge, I. O. O. F.

Mr. Belland is a member of the Astoria Chamber of Commerce, to which he has be- longed many years. Deeply interested in literary pursuits, he was influential in the or- ganization of the first Scandinavian Literary Society established in Astoria, and served first as its secretary and later as its president. He was one of the organizers of the Minerva So- ciety of Astoria, and has the honor of being elected its first president, a position which he filled three terms. In fraternal relations he holds membership in Beaver Lodge No. 35, I. O. O. F., and is now serving as vice grand. He is a Unitarian in his religious be- lief, and Mrs. Belland is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Belland is a firm supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party. In the fall of 1903 he was elected councilman from the

Third ward. The Astoria Daily News, in com- menting upon his nomination said :

After the Citizens' convention had adjourned on Saturday evening, there was the usual dis- cussion around town as to the merits of the candidates nominated, and L. O. Belland, nom- inee for councilman from the Third ward, was highly commended for his straightforward manner in accepting the nomination. Mr. Belland is regarded by all who know him as a man of superior intelligence, of unquestioned integrity, and with business sense such as is seldom if ever excelled by candidates for posi- tions similar to that for which he is to run. For many years he was a very prominent mem- ber of the Minerva Society, a literary organiza- tion that did much good among the Scandi- navian residents of Astoria, and he was always recognized as a clear reasoner and level- headed.

GRANT LEVENS. Occupying a prominent position among the leading citizens of Canyon- ville is Grant Levens, who is actively identified with the city's mercantile interests as junior mem- ber of the well known firm of Wilson & Levens, merchants. He is a worthy representative of an early and honored pioneer family of Douglas county, and a man of unquestioned ability and sterling character. A son of the late Dan A. Levens, he was born in Galesville, Douglas coun- ty, Ore., November 14, 1866.

Born October 20, 1828, in Buffalo, N. Y., Dan A. Levens removed with his parents to Illi- nois when a boy, and there grew to man's estate on the home farm, acquiring his education in the pioneer district school. Ambitious and venture- some, he joined a company bound for the Pacific coast in 1853, and after a journey of six months across the plains arrived in Douglas county, Ore. Continuing the trip to California, he followed mining and prospecting a few months, but was not at all satisfied with the results of his labor. Returning to Oregon in 1854, he took up a dona- tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres, which tract is now the city of Galesville, and was there engaged in farming until 1871. Remov- ing with his family to Canyonville in that year, he was engaged in business as a general mer- chant for about twelve years. He had also other interests, being engaged in farming, stock-raising and milling, in all of which he was successful. During the Indian uprising of 1855 and 56, he actively assisted in the protection of the homes and property of his neighbors, and although he did not enlist as a soldier, the fort which was erected near his home was a rendezvous for the residents of that locality. He was a man of rare business ability and acumen, owning at the

826

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

time of his death six thousand acres of land in Douglas and Harney counties, besides having extensive mining interests, his estate, personal and real, being valued at $150,000. He died in 1889 while yet a comparatively young man, be- ing but sixty-one years of age. In 1853 he mar- ried Frances I. White, who was born in New York state, living there until sixteen years old, moving then with her parents to Michigan, from there crossing the plains to Oregon in 1853. She died at the age of sixty-three years, leaving the following children: William, of Burns, Ore .; H. C., also of Burns; Mrs. Jessie Sheridan, of Boise, Idaho; Grant, the subject of this brief biographical review ; and D. D., deceased.

Educated in the district schools and at the Portland Business College, Grant Levens re- mained at home until his marriage, assisting his father at the home and in the store. Locating about one and one-half miles east of Canyonville, he carried on general farming for about five years, and then removed to Galesville, for the following ten years having the entire manage- ment of the home farm, carrying on farming and stock-raising, and at the same time conducting a small general store. Coming to Canyonville in 1902, Mr. Levens established himself in the mercantile business as junior member of the firm of Wilson & Levens, and has since carried on a prosperous trade, carrying a complete stock of general merchandise. Inheriting the business tact of his late father, he has already acquired an as- sured position in the business world, in addition to his mercantile interests owning a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, near the old place, which he carries on successfully.

In 1887 Mr. Levens married Alice Simpson, a native of Douglas county, and they are the parents of six children, namely: Dan, Elbert, Helene, Guy, Marguerite and Ethel. Politically Mr. Levens is a stanch Republican. Fraternally he is a member, and past officer, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; a member, and past master, of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; a member of Reames Chapter ; the East- ern Star; and of Canyonville Lodge, No. 326, B. P. O. E.

WILLIAM C. BURK. This honored citizen, who is industriously engaged in the cultivation of his fine farms in Douglas county, Ore., ranks among the most successful farmers in his vicin- ity and has devoted almost his entire life to that occupation. He is a native of the Keystone state, having been born October 9. 1827, in Adams county. This county, however, was des- tined to be his home but a short time, for at the tender age of four years his parents moved into West Virginia, and a little later went west to

Illinois in search of a more desirable location. In 1846 the family continued their wanderings, settling in Des Moines, Iowa, but in 1850, Wil- fiam C., then a young man twenty-three years of age, accompanied a train of west-bound emi- grants to California. After prospecting and mining for three months he took passage on the brig Caleb Curtis and went to the mouth of the Umpqua river, in Oregon. Proceeding up the river to what is now known as Coles valley, he took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land. This is the identical farm which is his home today, and the intervening years have been spent chiefly in its cultivation.

In 1865 Mr. Burk enlisted in the Union army as a member of the First Oregon Cavalry, and served one year in frontier service. By his union with Mrs. Henrietta Lehman, widow of Chris- topher Lehman, he gained not only a congenial companion, but acquired an additional one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, her fine farm being added to that of his own. In addition, Mr. Burk now owns three hundred and twenty acres of fine tillable land. He carries on general farm- ing and stock-raising, and his farm is well lo- cated eleven miles from Oakland, on the Calla- pooia river.

Mr. Burk is a Republican in politics, but is not by any means an offensive partisan, but a genial, whole-souled citizen, a general favorite among his neighbors. He has by his persever- ance and energy acquired a competence, and is spending the sunset of life surrounded by many conforts.

GUS NEWBURY. Although admitted to the bar as recently as 1902, Gus Newbury al- ready has a gratifying clientele, recruited from the ranks of those who, for many years, have watched his growing success as an educator. In his case it would seem that teaching is conta- gions, for three of the two sons and two daughters in his father's family have achieved excellent re- stilts along educational lines, all having contrib- nited to the advancement of the schools of Jack- son county. Mr. Newbury was born in Tioga county, Pa., March 27, 1869, his father, George W., a native of England, being at the time en- gaged in milling and mill-building, an occupation to which he devoted the most of his active life. The elder Newbury died in Tioga county at the age of eighty-seven years, and is survived by his wife, formerly Barbara Yandas, a native of Ger- many, who now lives in Jacksonville, Ore., with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Peter.

The boyhood of Gus Newbury was character- ized by excessive zeal as a student, and by con- siderable expenditure of midnight oil. At the age of sixteen he entered upon his educational

827

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

career in Jacksonville, to which he came in 1881, ' In 1852 he crossed overland to Oregon, settled and taught continuously in the town and county until engaging in the practice of law. For five years he was vice-principal of the schools of Jacksonville, and in 1894 was elected county superintendent of schools on the Republican ticket, in 1896 being re-elected, and serving in all four years. In 1898 he was elected county clerk, succeeding himself in the election of 1900. In the meantime, in 1894, he began the study of law, and since being admitted to practice has de- voted his entire time to his professional duties. At present he is a clerk on the school board, and is a member of the Republican county central committee. Mr. Newbury is also an active mem- ber of the board of trade.

In Jacksonville, in 1893, Mr. Newbury was united in marriage with Nellie Rose, a native daughter of this county, and whose father, L. A. Rose, is a farmer in the vicinity of Phoenix, this state. Maud, Donald, and Carl, the three chil- dren born of this union, are living at home and are being educated in the public schools. Mr. Newbury is connected with Warren Lodge No. 10, A. F. & A. M., of Jacksonville, Ore .; the Eastern Star; Medford Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Woodmen of the World; and the Arti- sans, in which he has passed all of the chairs.

HARVEY JONES. Throughout Douglas county, no one is more popular than the genial proprietor of the Roseburg House, at Roseburg, Ore., which ranks among the leading hotels of this section. Mr. Jones located in Roseburg in 1897, and the year following purchased the De- pot Hotel, thus laying the foundation of his present business. In 1903 he built the large brick structure known as the Roseburg House, which is gox80 feet, and is two and three stories high. The hotel is first-class in every particular and has a good patronage. Mr. Jones is a na- tive of Boone county, Ind., and was born Janu- ary 18, 1839, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Dains) Jones, the former of Welsh and the latter of German descent. His paternal grand- father, John Jones, was born in Wales, and upon immigrating to America, settled on a farm in Pennsylvania. He served in the Revolutionary war.

Jacob Jones, the father, was born in the Key- stone state, and while a boy he accidentally de- stroyed the sight of his right eye while cutting and making cornstalk fiddles with a hawkbill knife. This misfortune prevented him from serving in the war of 1812, and during that year lie · went to Zanesville, Ohio. He was among the pioneer settlers of that place, and there he cleared a farm and engaged in tilling the soil.

on the Umpqua river, and carried on farming and stock-raising until his death at the advanced age of eighty-four years. While crossing a small stream he fell from a log, and from the injuries thus received he died in a few hours. He was faithful in his allegiance to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and in politics he was a Republi- can. By his first marriage ten children were born, of whom one is living. Of his second marriage four children were born, three of whom are living. They are Henry, a farmer near Spokane Falls ; George, a farmer near Rose- burg, and Harvey. His third marriage united hint with Jane Guge. She bore her husband four children, three of whom are living. She died after the death of Mr. Jones.

Harvey Jones grew up on a farm and attend- ed the district school until 1852, when the fam- ily crossed the plains to Oregon. The train which bore them overland consisted of fifty-two wagons all belonging to his father and relatives except one wagon. Each wagon was drawn by thirce or four yoke of oxen. They started from Indiana March 2, and crossed the Missouri river at Council Bluffs, taking the Oregon trail up the Platte river. Five of their number died of cholera, and after a six months' journey they arrived at The Dalles September 28, remaining there until December. They then proceeded to Portland, where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1853 they came to Douglas county and located along the Umpqua river, the father tak- ing up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres.

Harvey Jones remained at home on his father's farm, assisting in teaming and stock-raising, un- til 1864, and then began farming for himself. He bought three hundred and twenty acres of land along the Umpqua river, six miles from Roseburg, and engaged in farming and stock- raising. From time to time he made additional purchases, until he had a farm of large dimen- sions, raising cattle, sheep and horses in addi- tion to large quantities of cereals. In 1897 he retired from the farm and moving into Rose- burg, engaged in the hotel business as previously mentioned.

October 14, 1868, Mr. Jones was married to Mary A. Duty, who was born in Posey county, Ind., a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Ridenour) Duty. Her paternal grandfather, Moses Duty, was a Missourian by birth and a farmer by oc- cupation. Her father followed the same line of work in Indiana, and in 1853 crossed overland to California and engaged in mining. Mrs. Jones's mother is a daughter of David Ridenour, who settled in Oregon in 1853. For many years he was a prominent stockman in Coles Valley, and afterward removed to California, dying at the

828

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

extreme age of ninety-eight years. Mrs. Duty makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jones.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have a family of seven children, namely : Wayne, an insurance agent in Idaho; Mrs. Anna Dabney, of San Francisco; Mrs. Jettie Harpster, of Roseburg; Mollie ; Wil- liam; Waitie and Stanford, living at home. The family attend services at the Methodist Episco- pal Church, of which Mrs. Jones is a member. Politically Mr. Jones is a Republican and in fra- ternal cireles he is allied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his wife and daugh- ter Mollie are members of the Rebekah Lodge, the latter having passed all the chairs of the Order.

JUDGE MARSHALL D. THOMPSON: One of the most able, faithful and well known of the public officials of Douglas county is Judge M. D. Thompson, of Roseburg, the present county judge. A man of versatile talents, persevering energy, sound judgment and great tenacity of purpose, he has been successful in the various enterprises with which he has been identified, and in all places and at all times has proved himself worthy of the trust reposed in him. A son of Ezra P. Thompson, he was born November 2, 1838, in Chautauqua county, N. Y. He comes of Welsh ancestry, his grandfather, Jonathan Thompson, having been born and reared in Wales. On emigrating to this country, he lo- eated first in New Hampshire, and then removed to Chautauqua county, N. Y. Becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that county, he took up a traet of land that was still in its primitive wild- ness, and by dint of sturdy labor cleared and im- proved a homestead, on which he spent his re- maining years.

A native of New Hampshire, Ezra P. Thomp- son accompanied his parents to New York, and there assisted in the pioneer task of clearing a farm. Not contented to follow the occupation to which he was reared, he learned the trade of a tinsmith in Fredonia, N. Y., where he continued in business until his death, at the age of seventy- three years. He married Orrilla Cowden, who was born in Chautauqua county, and spent her entire life in New York state. Of the three sons and three daughters born of their union, one daughter and two sons are living, Judge M. D. Thompson being the oldest. The other son, Carlton K., resides in Bradford, Pa.

Brought up in Fredonia, N. Y., Judge Thomp- son was educated in the public schools and acad- emy of that place, and there learned the trade of a gunsmith, at which he worked a few years. Following the tide of emigration westward in 1859, he started for Pike's Peak. Securing an outfit at Nebraska City, he and his comrades left

that place May 10, journeying across the plains with ox-teams. Reaching Salt creek, they met so many returning from the Peak that they be- came discouraged, and, changing their plans, took the California trail, and went via Salt Lake City to Placerville, Cal., arriving October 10. Mr. Thompson remained in Eldorado county sev- eral months, engaging in mining near George- town. With his fellow-miners, he had some hard experiences, much of the time being forced to live on limited rations, with such game as could be found. The necessities of life were often hard to be procured, while the luxuries were not to be thought of. He subsequently went to San Fran- cisco, where, on September 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Second California Volunteer Cav- alry. On being mustered in, he was sent with his regiment to San Pedro, thence across the desert to Fort Yuma, being subsequently stationed in Arizona, at different points and forts. Returning to California, the regiment remained in the viein- ity of Owens valley for about eighteen months, spending most of the time in fighting Indians, who were finally subdued. Twelve hundred were captured and taken to Fort Tejon, where the regiment to which Mr. Thompson belonged guarded the prisoners until relieved by other troops.

On September 27, 1864, at San Francisco, Mr. Thompson was honorably discharged from the service. Locating then in Petaluma, Sonoma county, he here resided for about three years, at the end of which time he embarked in the stock business in Lake and Mendocino counties, deal- ing principally in sheep. Disposing of his in- terests in that line in 1879, he removed with his family to Texas, but found the climate so un- healthful that he returned to the coast, taking up his residence in Lake county, Cal. Coming to Douglas county, Ore., in 1880, he bought a ranch near Scottsburg, and was there extensively en- gaged in the stock business for many years, rais- ing sheep and cattle. In 1896 Mr. Thompson was elected county commissioner for a term of four years, and served so acceptably that he was re-elected to the same office in 1900. After he had served six months of his second term he was appointed county judge, to succeed Judge Joseph Lyons, who had resigned, and took the oath of office January 1, 1901. In 1902 he received the Republican nomination for county judge, for a term of four years, and being elected by a good majority took the oath of office in July, 1902, and soon afterward removed with his family to Rose- burg. A man of strong convictions, firm in his decisions, impartial and just in his rulings, he is filling the office to which he has been called with eminent success, and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

In Lake county, Cal., Judge Thompson mar-

829

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ried Miss Ella V. Witter, who was born near Akron, Ohio, and into their household four chil- dren have been born, namely: Mrs. Fannie M. Grubbe, of Scottsburg, Ore .; Mrs. Flora O'Roque, of Idaho; W. E., living on the home ranch; and Maximillia, at home. Politically the judge is an uncompromising Republican. Fra- ternally he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Petaluma, Cal., and is now a member of the lodge at Gardiner, Douglas county ; he also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Work- men. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

I. F. RICE. Conspicuous among the early pioneers of Douglas, county is I. F. Rice, a suc- cessful real estate dealer in Roseburg. Coming to Oregon with his parents as a boy of seventeen years, he has become an important factor in de- veloping the agricultural and industrial interests of this part of the state, contributing his full share toward advancing its prosperity. When he made his advent here, settlers were few and far between, and the Indians were a constant source of terror to Oregon's brave pioneers. In the years that have since intervened wonderful changes have taken place, and in this grand trans- formation scene Mr. Rice has taken great pride and pleasure. A son of the late W. S. Rice, he was born September 15, 1835, in Laporte, Ind., where he lived until five years old.

A native of Canada, W. S. Rice removed to In- diana when a young man, and was there engaged as a tiller of the soil for a number of years. Migrating with his family to Jackson county, Mo., in 1840, he continued as an agriculturist in that locality for eight years. Hoping to better his condition in a newer country, he started with his family across the plains in 1848, and after a long and hard trip arrived in California in the fall of that year. The ensuing winter he kept a public house at Sutters Fort, and was afterward engaged in mining, meeting with but scant suc- cess. Coming to Oregon in 1850, he took up a claim in Washington county, but not liking the climate moved the following spring to Douglas county. Locating near what is now Rice Hill, he was there engaged in business as a stock- raiser and dealer until his death, at the age of seventy-four years. He married Mary St. Clair, who was born in one of the eastern states, of southern parentage. She survived him, dying on the home farm at the age of eighty-four years. Three sons and one daughter blessed their union, namely: I. F., the special subject of this sketch ; Orlando, a resident of Cottage Grove, Ore .; Isa- dora, a farmer, living near Rice Hill; and Mrs. Josephine Thiele, of Yoncalla, Ore.

Going with his parents to Missouri when a

small lad, I. F. Rice acquired his early education in the pioneer log school-house that stood near his father's farm. In 1848 his parents packed their household effects, and started across the country to California, having two wagons, with two yoke of oxen to each. The father himself drove one team, hiring a driver to take charge of the other. When about seventy miles out the driver was so afflicted with the cold that he turned back, and I. F. Rice and his mother sub- sequently took turns in driving during the jour- ney. Crossing the river at Council Bluffs, the party kept along the Platte, and one day were considerably alarmed by being attacked by a band of Pawnee Indians, although no serious results followed, the Indians being easily dispersed. Strict watch was kept by the party, a guard being on duty at all times, and not an Indian was al- lowed to enter the camp during their halts. After a tedious journey of six months, W. S. Rice and his family arrived at Sutters Fort, Cal. He sub- sequently engaged in mining for a time, and also kept a hotel. With his family he located in Stockton, but afterward removed to Sonoma, where he spent the second winter. I. F. Rice as- sisted his father in all of his enterprises, and after the family settled on Tualitin plains, in Washing- ton county, Ore., took a trip up the valley in search of a more favorable location. Arriving at Douglas county, he was very much pleased with the prospect, and induced his father to locate a new claim, about six miles north of what is now the town of Oakland, where he embarked in the stock business. Mr. Rice suffered from the dep- redations of the Indians during the Rogue River war of 1855, they having stolen many head of cattle. In 1856 Mr. Rice and his father sold their land, and went to California, locating at Stony creek, Colusa county. Selling out at the end of two years, both he and his father returned with their families to Douglas county, the former hav- ing been married in 1854, and bought back the old farm, near Oakland. Mr. Rice subsequently bought other land, and for a number of years was extensively engaged in the stock business. He became a large landholder, at one time owning a thousand acres, and was one of the prominent men of the place, Rice Hill being named in his honor. He still retains in his possession a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres. In 1891 Mr. Rice removed with his family to Roseburg, where he has since carried on a substantial busi- ness as a dealer in real estate.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 116

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