Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 123

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 123

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died; Merritt, of Medford; and Edward, who lives at Bellevue, Idaho.

When the family crossed the plains Merritt Bellinger accompanied them and assisted his father in the arduous task of securing a home for wife and children. In 1853 he took up a donation land claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Jackson county, one mile from Medford, where he engaged in farming. In 1858 he traded that place for his younger brother's interest in the home place, the balance of which had been willed to him. Selling that property in 1870, he bought three hundred and twenty acres near by, but soon sold, and for two years operated a rented farm. Returning to his former home, he bought one hundred and twenty-five acres ad- joining his father's old homestead, and there re- mained until his removal to Medford. During the early years of his residence in Oregon Indians were numerous and often hostile, attacking the white settlers with such ferocity and cruelty that drastic measures were necessary to suppress them. May 27, 1856, he served for three months as third sergeant of Company D, and took part in the Rogue River Indian war. Three years before that he had also served for three months under Capt. John F. Miller and had assisted in quelling some warlike Indians. In politics he votes with the Republican party, in religion is connected with the Baptist Church and fraternal- ly is a member of Warren Lodge, No. 10, A. F. & A. M., at Jacksonville. Frequently he has been chosen to serve as road supervisor and his service in that responsible position has invariably been satisfactory.

In Linn county, Ore., Mr. Bellinger married Caroline Ritter, who was born February 16, 1844, and crossed the plains in 1853, in company with her father, John H. Ritter, a native of Indiana. He settled in Linn county, where he died at the age of sixty-five years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger comprises the follow- ing named sons and daughters: Lucinda, wife of Alonzo Slover, a drayman of Medford, Jack- son county ; John H., who occupies one hundred and sixty acres situated two miles east of Jack- sonville; Rachel Catherine, wife of John T. Tal- ent, of San Francisco, Cal .; Emma and Eva (twins), the former married to I. A. Merriman, of Jackson county, and the latter the wife of Dee Roberts, also of this count"; and Frank R., of Jackson county.

JOHN H. BELLINGER. The son of one of Oregon's honored pioneers, Merritt Bellinger, and himself a native-born son of this state, with whose farming and stock-raising interests he has been continuously identified since youth, John H.

Bellinger justly occupies a high place among the residents of Jackson county. On the old home- stead of the family, one and one-half miles east of Jacksonville, he was born February 4, 1866, and his education was obtained in the public schools of the neighboring town. As a boy he aided his father in the development of the home place, and during that time acquired the thor- ough, practical knowledge of agriculture that has been of inestimable value to him in later years. At the age of twenty-one he began to work independently and for four years followed ranching. The following four years were spent in the draying and transfer business, after which he rented the old homestead of his father and has since made his home two miles east of Jack- sonville.

The pleasant country home of Mr. Bellinger is presided over by his wife, whom he married October 14, 1900. Mrs. Bellinger was born in Walla Walla county, Wash., and bore the maiden name of Jennie Arthurs. Her father, William Arthurs, was born in Nashville, Tenn., and crossed the plains in 1861, settling in Jackson- ville, Ore., and there following the blacksmith's trade. A later location was at Brownsville, and while residing there he married Sarah McCallis- ter, who was born in Knoxville, Ill., and came to the Pacific coast in 1858. After marriage, in 1872, they removed to Washington and settled in Walla Walla county, where Mr. Arthurs con- ducted a ranch of nine hundred and sixty acres, and there he resided until 1897, when he moved to Applegate creek, where he is engaged in rais- ing alfalfa and sheep. For ten consecutive years he took the first premium at the Oregon state fair for making ploughs and ironing buggies and carriages. In the working of iron and steel he is a genius, and had it been possible for him to devote himself to that industry in his earlier years he would undoubtedly have attained a wide- spread reputation.

Since settling upon his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres Mr. Bellinger has not only carried on farm pursuits, but has made a specialty of raising Percheron and Clydesdale horses. Besides his stock and farm equipment, he is the owner of one hundred and sixty-eight acres on Rogue river, near Prospect. No resi- dent of Jackson county is more interested in its growth than he, and none is a firmer believer in its future prosperity. It is his belief that south- ern Oregon is now but in the infancy of its de- velopment, and that future generations will wit- ness a condition of affairs surpassing the dreams of our most enthusiastic optimists. While he has not yet held public office or sought such honors, he is a pronounced Republican and a stanch sup- porter of his party. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, and

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in religion, though not identified with any de- nomination, is a supporter of the Christian Church, with which his wife is actively con- nected.

BYRON COLE. One of the many worthy and respected pioneers of Jackson county was Byron Cole, late of Colestin, who came to Ore- gon when the country was new, and the settlers few in number, and far between. For many years he was actively identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state as a suc- cessful and prosperous stockman. Taking up land that was yet in its original wildness, he labored energetically, and with justifiable pride and satisfaction watched its gradual develop- ment from a forest and brush covered tract to a well-improved ranch, yielding abundant har- vests, and giving sustenance to his large herds of cattle. A son of Elisha Cole, who reared twelve children, Byron Cole was born in Putnam coun- ty, N. Y., in 1825.

In 1851 Byron Cole and his brother, Rufus Cole, left Putnam county, N. Y., and came via the Isthmus of Panama to Oregon. Taking up a donation claim in the mountains, seven miles south of Siskiyou, they established a stage sta- tion, and for several years ran the stage route in partnership. Selling out his interests in the place to his brother in 1859, Byron Cole returned east for his bride, whom he brought to Oregon, in 1860, by way of the Isthmus. Locating at Upper Coles, Jackson county, he embarked in agricultural pursuits, at one time owning nine hundred acres of land and a large amount of stock. He subsequently sold five hundred and eighty acres of his land, retaining, however, three hundred and twenty acres, on which was a mineral spring of superior medicinal properties. The spring becoming noted, Mr. Cole erected a hotel near it in 1884, and made it a popular sum- mer resort, the name of the town, which is located on the Southern Pacific Railroad, being named Colestin. This hotel Mr. Cole managed most successfully until his death, January 18, 1894, at the age of sixty-eight years and six months.

May 3, 1860, in Norwalk, Conn., Mr. Cole married Chloe Ann Knox, who was born in Carmel, Putnam county, N. Y., a daughter of Edmund Knox. Her grandfather, Abraham Knox, who was of Scotch descent, was a soldier in the Colonial wars, and afterwards a pioneer farmer of Putnam county, N. Y. A native of Putnam county, N. Y., Edmund Knox followed the trade of a shoemaker throughout his entire active life. He married Hannah Henion, who was born in New York state, a daughter of John Henion, who was born in Pennsylvania, of Ger-

man ancestry. Of the seven children born of their union, six are living, Mrs. Cole being the only one that ever came to the Pacific coast. She managed the hotel for about six years after the death of Mr. Cole, carrying it on until April, 1900, when she rented the property, and took up her residence in Ashland. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cole ten children were born, namely: Ella, wife of C. F. Sullaway, of Sisson, Cal .; Jules F., of McCloud, Cal .; Mrs. Emma Poor, of Ashland; Willard L., of Keswick, Cal., who is assistant manager of the Iron Mountain Cop- per Company, and superintendent of the Cali- fornia division of the Iron Mountain Railroad; Hugh F., a ranchman; Mrs. Grace Park, of Upton, Cal .; Byron H., of Dunsmuir, Cal .; Mrs. Jessie Zent, of Fresno, Cal .; Herbert, at home; and Clayton, of Ashland, an employe of the Southern Pacific Railway Company. Mr. Cole was a steadfast Republican in his political affiliations, and was a member of the Masons, and of the Jackson County Pioneer Society.

JOHN JACKSON. A clear, cool-headed, wide-awake man, possessing great tact for busi- ness, John Jackson, one of the leading grocers of Canyonville, is a typical representative of the self-made men of Douglas county. Industrious and self-reliant, he has worked his way through the world by persistent effort and well-directed toil, accumulating considerable property, and gaining the respect and esteem of his fellow- men. A native of Tennessee, he was born Janu- ary 5, 1833, the son of a farmer. When young he went with his parents to Illinois, where both his father and mother died while he was yet a boy, being then but thirteen years of age.

Left an orphan thus young, John Jackson, with the sturdy independence characteristic of his an- cestors, started out to make his own way in life, his only assets being a willing heart and two strong hands. The following six years he re- mained in Illinois working on a farm for Mr. Hill, a neighbor, receiving very little schooling in the meantime. In 1853, accompanied by his brother, William Jackson, he came across the plains with ox-teams, and although the Indians were in evidence at times he had no serious trouble with them. Arriving in Oregon at the end of six months, he located in Douglas county. Taking up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land lying two and one-half miles northeast of Canyonville, he began the improve- ment of a farm. Although Mr. Jackson did not enlist for services in the Rogue River Indian war that soon ensued, he took an active part in several of its engagements. From 1854 until 1881, in addition to farming, he was engaged in freighting, spending two and one-half years of

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the time in Idaho and Washington. He made all the improvements on his ranch, erecting sub- stantial buildings of all kinds, and carried on general farming and stock-raising with eminent success until 1897. Removing then with his family to Canyonville, Mr. Jackson established himself in the grocery business, and during the six years that have since elapsed he has built up a lucrative and extensive trade in staple and fancy groceries.

In 1860 Mr. Jackson married Mary Rose, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of one of the early pioneer settlers of Marion county, Ore., her parents having crossed the plains with their children in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson became the parents of five children, three of whom are living, namely: C. S., of Roseburg; John, a resident of Nevada; and Mrs. Della Boyle, living near Canyonville. Politically Mr. Jackson is a true blue Republican, ever ready to do his duty at the polls, and in the community. He has filled various local offices, and for one term served as county commissioner. He was one of the early members of the Canyonville Lodge of Odd Fellows, but is no longer affiliated with the order.

GEORGE M. DYER. The roll call of the founders of towns in Oregon includes many splendidly endowed lives, but none which call for more ready or just recognition than that of George M. Dyer. Bandon is a monument to his unceasing efforts as a citizen and man, and the best and most forceful years of his life went hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with its upbuilding. There seems to have been no phase of public life which was not benefited by his practical judgment and far-sighted rea- soning, and it can be said with absolute truth that he possessed the attributes which have impelled substantial growth ever since the world began. His death, August 1, 1896, marked the mournful passing of an able and a thoroughly reasonable man. He spent his en- ergy upon the things that last and are of use to men, leaving innumerable permanent re- minders of his existence in the community of his dreams and highest aspirations.

From data furnished in an able article pub- lished in Mr. Dyer's adopted town, it is learned that his early training was that of the farm and public school, where he laid the founda- tion of industry and practical thought charac- teristic of the well born and well conditioned farmer boy. December 5, 1834, he was born on his father's farm in Clermont county, Ohio, later living in Indiana and Iowa, from which latter state the family emigrated across the plains to Oregon in 1853. Mr. Dyer was just

twenty years of age when he began to mine in Coos county, between Port Orford and the Rogue river, and about this time the Rogue River war enlisted both his sympathies and practical help as a soldier. With him across the plains had come the memory of a bright young girl, and in the winter of 1858 he laid aside his work and returned to Iowa, where, in August, 1859, he married Fannie E. Grant, who was born in Dearborn county, Ind., March 6, 1840. Daniel B. Grant, the father of Mrs. Dyer, was born in Ohio, and as a young and ambitious man settled in Burlington, Iowa, where he worked at his trade of cooper, and where his death occurred in 1862. His wife, Caroline (Bonker) Grant, was born in Penn- sylvania, and bore him eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Dyer is the fourth child. Upon returning to the west, Mr. Dyer was accompanied by his wife and his father's family. He settled in Curry county, and engaged in mining for a number of years, during that time serving as county assessor, 1862-3. After coming to Coos county in 1865 he mined extensively, and also for a time owned the McClellan ranch at New Lake. Political honors came to him and he served acceptably as county commissioner in 1878, being re-elected in 1880, in which year also he was chosen county judge for four years. Dur- ing 1886 he made a systematic canvas of de- sirable locations in Coos county, and having decided upon a farm upon which Bandon was to spring into being, he formed a partnership with W. H. Averill, and moved to the then wild land. This property was soon cleared of timber, and plans were made to make comfort- able any settlers who might be induced to con- sider the location their permanent home. In this respect Mr. Dyer displayed the utmost sagacity and far-sightedness, for he knew human nature, and calculated from all sides of its needs. He started a mercantile establish- ment, without which nothing could be accom- plished, getting a fair start, but at the end of two years the partnership was severed by mu- tual and kindly consent, each member of the contract agreeing to promote the best interests of the embryo town. Through the efforts of the promoters settlers began to arrive and small industries to spring up; the original school-house became too small and was suc- ceeded by a larger one, and this in time made way to its more pretentious successor. The present school-house of Bandon is adequate for all requirements, and is architecturally an im- posing and creditable structure. General im- provements began to show themselves when things were well under way, lands were cleared and cultivated, homes erected, factories

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built, modern roads made traveling a pleasure, and a hotel, woolen-mill, cannery and broom- handle manufactory added to the zest of com- petition. At the same time the maritime op- portunities of the harbor were not overlooked, for wharves and vessels were constructed, and slowly moving craft cast anchor where a few years before a passing ship caused wonder and unusual interest. When the time for incor- porating Bandon arrived Judge Dyer was forthcoming with all the help needed for the advance, guaranteeing the expense of incor- poration, and enlisting the help of those to whom the prosperity of the town was a vital question. At the first election he was chosen one of the trustees, was made chairman of the town council, holding the office continuously until failing health necessitated the surrender of many of his cherished duties. He was the heart and soul and light of the forward move- ment of the city while he and it lived together, and the blending of the material and mental forces are plainly apparent to him who reads today. Force, dignity and truth were ex- pressed in everything that he said, and in every movement or enterprise which he encouraged. Schools, churches, societies, commercial and industrial concerns, and municipal government, came under the calm and unbiased judgment which recognized their necessity, and their mis- sion as factors of good. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dyer, of whom Florence E. is the wife of John Garfield, of Oakland, Cal .; Alice C. is the wife of D. D. Fagan, of What- com, Wash .; Henrietta is now Mrs. A. H. Buck- ingham; Elbert lives in Bandon; an adopted daughter, Hattie, the wife of C. Y. Lowe, re- sides in Bandon. Mrs. Dyer is the owner of considerable town property in Bandon, and she is popular and prominent in social circles. Fra- ternally she is identified with the Rebekahs and the Degree of Honor.

JENS H. HANSEN. Occupying an assured position among the prosperous and popular citizens of Astoria is Jens H. Hansen, who is now, in 1903, serving his second year as presi- dent of the city council. A self-reliant, reso- lute man, strong in character and energy, he has been in truth the architect of his own for- tune. Beginning life on a low rung of the lad- der of attainments, he has made good use of his faculties and opportunities, and by untiring industry and close application to his every-day duties he is making rapid strides along the pathway to success. A son of the late Capt. C. L. Hansen, he was born April 19, 1870, in Odense Fyen, Denmark, being the fifth child

in order of birth of a family consisting of four sons and four daughters.

A native of Odense Fyen, Denmark, Capt. C. L. Hansen emigrated to America, leaving his family at home, and in 1874 located in As- toria. A seafaring man, he sought a position connected with nautical pursuits, and for four years was in the employ of Capt. George Fla- vel, owner of a line of tug-boats, and rose from deck hand to the rank of pilot. In 1878 his family joined him in Astoria, and Captain Han- sen continued in his chosen occupation, serv- ing as a Columbia bar pilot under Captain Fla- vel for many years. He died in Astoria in 1886. He married Henrietta Graden, who was born near Hamburg, Germany. She survived him and is now the wife of A. Rosendale.

A boy of eight years when he came with his mother to Astoria, Jens H. Hansen attended the public schools of this city for about three years after his arrival here. Being obliged then to assist in making a living for the family, he worked as a shoe black for about three years. At the age of fourteen years he entered Crosby's shop as an apprentice, and under the instruction of Mr. Willett learned the trade of a plumber, working for him three years. The following two years he had charge of Mr. Cros- by's shop. Securing a position then with Mr. Hawes, he worked at his trade until his em- ployer sold out his business, nine years later. In 1899 Mr. Hansen entered the employ of Samuel Willett, with whom he was associated three and one-half years. Embarking in busi- ness for himself in February, 1903, Mr. Han- sen has a most modern and up-to-date plumb- er's shop at No. 505 Bond street, where he is well prepared to do any kind of work con- nected with plumbing, including steam and gas fitting, roofing, sheet iron work, etc.

Mr. Hansen married, in Astoria, Ida Hen- drickson, a native of this city, and they have one child, Ida Henrietta Hansen. No man is more deeply interested in the growth and pros- perity of his home city than Mr. Hansen, and none are more willing to contribute of their time and means towards its political, social or business advancement. In December, 1897, he was elected councilman from the first ward on the Citizen's ticket, took the oath of office in January, 1898, and was re-elected for another term of three years in 1900, and has since served as president of the council. In Decem- ber, 1903, he was again elected for a term of three years. During his first term as council- man he was chairman of the committee on fire and water. Twice he has been nominated by the Citizen's party as county sheriff, and was defeated the first time by one hundred and ninety votes, and the second time by ninety

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votes, only. In fraternal circles Mr. Hansen is very active and prominent. He is a member, and past chancellor, of the Knights of Pythias ; a member, and second lieutenant, of the Uni- formed Rank, Knights of Pythias; a member of tlie D. O. K. K .; a member, and past sa- chem, of the Improved Order of Red Men; and is past president of Astoria Aeria Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 17; also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In poli- tics he is a Democrat.

ISOM CRANFILL was born in North Caro- lina, but only a small part of his life was spent there. He made his way to Illinois and, in 1847, left that state with his family in two wagons drawn by ox-teams. They arrived in Oregon six or seven months later and staked a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres. He was an agriculturist there until 1876, when he removed to Eugene and the following year died there. He was a member of the Baptist Church, which he also served as elder for forty years. While still in Illinois, he was joined in marriage with Matilda L. Doyle, and she survived him until February 23, 1903, when she departed this life, aged eighty-five years.

WILLIAM GALLIER. Although a recent acquisition to Bandon, having started a hard- ware business in 1903, William Gallier's worthy and industrious life is one open book to the people among whom he hopes to estab- lish a liberal patronage. Mr. Gallier has never been afraid of hard work, and he has never found that there was any short cut to the good things of this world. Earnestly, hopefully, and in all honor he has climbed gradually upon his own individual merits, and it is doubtful if any man with whom he has ever transacted business has found aught of which to com- plain.

Born in Birmingham, England, February II, 1827, Mr. Gallier comes of ancestors long iden- tified with England, his grandfather, James, having been born there, and he died in his na- tive land June 6, 1859, at the age of seventy- two years. Edmund Gallier, the father of Wil- liam, and the father also of four daughters, was born in Worcestershire, England, October 25, 1800, and for the greater part of his active life worked at his trade of wheelwright in Birmingham, where he died in March, 1894, at the age of ninety-four years and six months. His wife, Mary (Sharrad) Gallier, was born in Birmingham April 8, 1808, and died June 9, 1858. The children in the Gallier family re-

ceived a practical common school education in the great manufacturing city of Birmingham, where William, the oldest in the family, was apprenticed at an early age to a spade and shovelmaker. The knowledge thus gained gave him that feeling of independence which accompanies mastery of a useful trade.

In 1850 Mr. Gallier came to the United States in a sailing vessel, having little capital, but a world of perseverance. After working at his trade for three years in Philadelphia he saved sufficient money to enable him to pay a visit to the home people in England, return- ing to Philadelphia after a visit of three months. He then found employment in the spade and shovel manufactory of T. B. Roland for two years, and afterward worked in va- rious factories in the state, saving his money and laying the foundation for his western suc- cess. In 1856 he located at Yorkville, Ill., and worked at the blacksmith's trade, and there met and married Matilda M. Heustis, who was born in New York city August 24, 1831, the daughter of Solomon Heustis, for many years a captain on the Atlantic ocean. Captain Heustis located in Illinois in 1838, and near Yorkville conducted a large farm, upon a por- tion of which the town was afterward erected. The latter part of his life was devoted to run- ning a hotel or public house on his place, and he became a very prominent and wealthy man of the neighborhood, promoting its political, farming and commercial welfare. He died in 1867, leaving many warm friends to mourn his loss, as well as an entire community which had regarded him as one of its most worthy and substantial citizens.

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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 123

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