Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 136

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 136

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his active life was dignified by thoroughness and skill, and fair financial returns. Two of his brothers departed for the Civil war at the beginning of the contest, participating in nearly all of the important battles on the Union side. His first wife dying in 1865, at the early age of twenty-eight, he married for a second wife Mary J. Sexton, also born in Kentucky, and still living on the old farm in Metcalf county, half a century having passed over her head. There were four children of the first union, William T. being the oldest. Albert, the second son, died in infancy ; Eliza- betli also failed to survive her childhood; and John is a farmer in Metcalf county, Ky. The only child of the second union died in infancy, and Mr. Shive himself died February 8, 1896, upon the farm where practically his entire life had been passed.

In January, 1882, William T. Shive left his Kentucky home and located in Sullivan coun- ty, Mo., where, December 18, 1882, he was united in marriage with Mima Dunlap, born in Sullivan county, Mo., December 10, 1862, and with whom he went to housekeeping on a farm of his own, disposing of the same upon his removal to Oregon in October, 1885. Near Brownsboro, Jackson county, he engaged in farm work until September, 1887, and then moved to Keno, Klamath county, where, in the spring of 1888 he built and operated a feed barn. Two years later he took up a home- stead near the town, improved the same until 1892, and then engaged in a merchandise busi- ness with J. L. Paggett, of Keno. In 1895 he started a merchandise business at Fort Klamath, and in 1900 engaged in the hotel business, at the same time operating a feed barn and stock ranch on a farm of four hun- dred and twenty-five acres. He was success- ful in these combined enterprises, and still retains possession of two hundred and sixty- five acres of his land near the town of Fort Klamath. His home is one of the pleasant and hospitable ones for which his neighbor- hood is noted, and is graced by the presence of six of his seven children, named Oscar E., Alexander, Flora M., Roxey, Dorothea and Madge. Arminta E., the second in the family, is deceased.

A Democrat in political preference, Mr. Shive has observed the best tenets of his party in his official capacities as notary pub- lic for four years, as school director and clerk, and president of the town board, and as post- master of Fort Klamath for five years. His fraternal associations have been well selected, and he is member and secretary of the Kla- math Lodge No. 77, A. F. & A. M .; foreman and member of Linkville Lodge No. 110, A.

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O. U. W .; and a member of the Eastern Star. With his family he is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Fort Klamath. Mr. Shive's distinguishing characteristics are thoroughness, liberality, broad-mindedness, and indefatigable industry. He is an honor- able and highly esteemed gentleman, and his amiability has won him many friends.

WILLIAM ZACHARY GRANT STEELE. As the genial proprietor of a general mer- chandise store at Knappa, Clatsop county. Ore., which he purchased in February, 1901, from J. D. McFarland, Mr. Steele ranks among the successful young business men of that section and enjoys a good patronage througli- out the surrounding country. A worthy scion of a distinguished southern family, he was born February 24, 1869, in Menifee county, Ky., a son of Jonathan M. and Sarah Eliza- beth (Johnstone) Steele, both of whom were natives of Bath county, Ky. Jonathan Steele was elected the first sheriff of Menifee county after its division from Bath county. His first union was with Sarah Elizabeth Johnstone, who died June 2, 1876, at the early age of twenty-nine years, leaving three sons and one daughter. The daughter died in infancy ; Samuel J. is engaged in sheep-raising in Har- ney county and Farmer H. is a farmer resid- ing in Alberta, Canada. In 1882 Jonathan Steele married Mary Rice, who died several years later, in 1889. In 1893 Mr. Steele was united with his present wife, who was before marriage Henrietta Cross. Removing from Kentucky at an early date with his family, Mr. Steele located for a time at Indianapolis, where he continued to reside until 1885, when he located in Roberts county, S. Dak., where he has followed mercantile life ever since, as proprietor of a retail grocery store. He is now fifty-seven years old.

W. Z. G. Steele was the recipient of a good education. His common school training was obtained in Kentucky and was supplemented by a more complete course in the Indianapolis high school, after which he began teaching. He followed that profession for some years in Oregon, whither he had gone in November, 1890, locating at that time in Astoria. He subsequently discontinued teaching and, after spending two years in the dairy business in that city, determined to go into mercantile life and accordingly purchased a general store at Knappa, having the post office also located in his store. He owns a well improved farm of sixty acres four miles southwest of his store. In 1893 Mr. Steele was united in mar-

riage with Lydia Sloop, who was born in Illinois, February 8, 1876, and four children blessed their union, namely, Sarah Elizabeth, Louis Clifton, Henrietta and Jonathan Al- bert, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Steele are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Steele is now serving in the capacity of recorder and has officiated as a member of the school board for the past six years in district No. 17. In politics he is a Socialist. Mr. Steele is a careful, conserva- tive business man, and his success is due chiefly to his individual efforts.

EVAN ROGERS REAMES. In reviewing the career of Evan Rogers Reames one is im- pressed with the practical and substantial, as against the speculative and visionary, in busi- ness. Starting out in life as a clerk in a general store, he advanced by easy stages, keeping his mind focused on success, and with no thought of failure to clog his mental or physical machinery. It is to this steady and persevering class of men that communities owe their backbone, and whose affairs, always in order and well adjusted, are rarely influ- enced by temporary financial depression. Mr. Reames' fifty-three years of life began in Litchfield, Montgomery county, Ill., April 5, 1850, his father being Woodford Reames, born in Hart county, Ky., April 4, 1811, and his mother, Hulda (White) Reames, born in the same state and county April 2, 1825. His pa- ternal grandfather, Aaron Reames, although a southerner and large slave owner, ranged him- self on the side of the Union when the keep- ing of slaves became a national issue, em- phasizing his sincerity by liberating those who had toiled for his success with the yoke of ownership upon their shoulders. In the Civil war he attained to the rank of colonel in the Union army. He was probably of Scotch descent, his emigrating ancestor having set- tled in Virginia, from where his parents moved to Kentucky, the state of his birth. He was the father of nine children, and he lived to an advanced age. Woodford Reames learned the blacksmith trade in his youth, working at the same in Kentucky and after his removal to Montgomery county, Ill. In April, 1852, when Evan, who was next to the youngest of the six children, was two years old, the father brought his family across the plains with ox-teams, having six yoke of cat- tle, and a sufficient number of wagons to travel in comfort. There were many other home seekers in the train, and the party ar- rived at St. Helens, Columbia county, in Oc-

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tober, 1852. The following spring Mr. Reames located one mile south of Phoenix, Jackson county, where he took up three hun- dred and twenty acres of land, the same now occupied by his son, James R. On this farm he made many fine improvements, and in con- nection with farming ran his little shop, one of the first in his neighborhood. About 1879 he retired to Jacksonville, where his death occurred in 1884, his wife surviving him until 1890. The oldest son in this family, Thomas G., a banker of Jacksonville, died in March, 1900; Martha is the widow of Joseph Rapp, of Talent, Ore .; James R. is a farmer of the vicinity of Phoenix, Ore., and Dora is the wife of Oliver Harbaugh, of Jacksonville, Ore. One child died in infancy.

The early public schools of Jackson county afforded the preliminary education of Evan R. Reames, and at the age of nineteen he entered upon a six years' clerkship in the store of Major James T. Glenn, a pioneer merchant of Jackson county. While thus employed the Modoc war made an appeal to the able bodied sons of the state, and he enlisted, as second lieutenant November 26, 1872, in Company A, First Oregon Volunteer Cavalry, serving un- til April, 1873. The company, under command of Capt. Harris Kelly, was detailed to service in both Klamath and Siskiyou counties, and at the first important battle Mr. Reames received a flesh wound in the leg. With the return of order he again took his place in the general store, and in 1881 engaged in a similar busi- ness in Jacksonville, in partnership with his brother, Thomas G., under the firm name of Reames Brothers. The business expectations of the brothers were so far realized that they were enabled to start a branch store in Kla- math Falls, of which Evan R. assumed con- trol in 1881, moving here, the better to super- intend what was in reality a business of coun- ty importance. The store here was managed under the firm name of Reames, Martin & Co., and Mr. Reames continued with it until 1886, when he sold his interest both in this and the Jacksonville store, and turned his attention to stock-raising on his splendidly appointed ranch of two thousand acres two miles south of Klamath Falls. For a few years he was engaged in business in San Jose, Cal., the su- perior educational facilities of that town for his child being the chief incentive, for re- moval. Returning to Klamath Falls in 1890, he engaged in a general hardware business with George T. Baldwin, and in 1898 sold out both his stock and hardware business engag- ing in a general merchandise and banking en- terprise with Alexander Martin and son. At the expiration of two years Mr. Reames pur-

chased Martin's interest, and has since con- ducted his business under the firm name of Reames & Jennings.

The broad and tolerant public spirit of Mr. Reames has found vent in many avenues of town activity, and he has been particularly energetic in seeking to gain the foremost of modern advantages for his adopted town. He is one of the promoters and a stockholder in the light and water works of Klamath Falls, and is treasurer of and owns a quarter interest in the Midway Telephone & Telegraph Com- pany. He is also vice-president of the Kla- math County Bank, one of the solid financial institutions of this part of the state. Although independent in politics, he has held many po- sitions of honor in the community, and when Klamath was divided from Lake county he was appointed county treasurer by the gov- ernor, and was elected to succeed himself, serving in all four years. For many terms he has been a member of the town council. Fraternally he is connected with the Klamath Falls Lodge No. 77, A. F. & A. M., the Knights Templar, and the Royal Arch Ma- sons, being the present treasurer of the latter organization.

Near Jacksonville, Ore., October 3, 1873, Mr. Reames was united in marriage with Jen- nie E. Ross, who was born in 1855, on a farm near Jacksonville, Jackson county, Ore., a daughter of Gen. John E. Ross, one of the best known of the Indian fighters of the northwest. Mollette, the only daughter born of this union, is one of the cultured and very popular young women of the county, and is the wife of F. W. Jennings, of the firm of Reames & Jennings. Architecturally and otherwise, the Reames home on the river side is an exposition of latter day elegance and refinement, and just such a center of hospitality as one might ex- pect from a man of Mr. Reames' advanced ideas and unquestioned appreciation of the benefits of beautiful and attractive surround- ings. To an unusual extent the genial owner possesses the nameless element of popularity, and with it the sincere good will of the many associates who regard him as the embodiment of western prosperity and shrewd business sagacity.

GEN. JOHN ENGLAND ROSS, well known pioneer and Indian fighter of the west, was born in Madison county, Ohio, February 15, 1818, and when ten years of age removed with his parents to a farm upon which has since sprung into being the splendid city of Chicago. His father, Angus, who came to America from Scotland, died in Oregon, at the home of his son, J. E. Ross, at the ad-

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vanced age of eighty-five years. John E. Ross married Elizabeth Hopwood, born near Uniontown, Pa., in August, 1830, and of Eng- lish descent. There were ten children born of this union, six sons and four daughters, Mrs. Reames being the second child. In the spring of 1847 Mr. Ross crossed the plains with ox-teams to The Dalles, and from there went by boat to Oregon City. In that city he engaged in a butchering business for a short time, but soon entered upon that active Indian career which practically dominated his life in the west. He was first lieutenant in a company of Oregon rifleman who sought to quell local disturbances, and protect the lives of the settlers, and soon afterward took an active part as captain in the Cayuse war. When the war was over he returned to his butchering business, and afterward took the first threshing machine in the state to the Tualatin plains. From 1848 until 1849 he mined with indifferent success in California, and later mined and fought Indians through- out the northern part of California and south- ern Oregon. In the fall of 1852 he located in Jackson county, and in January, 1853, mar- ried the wife who so materially aided in his success, this being the first marriage solemn- ized in Jacksonville. In December, 1853, Mr. Ross located on his claim of three hundred and twenty acres, upon which the balance of his life was spent, and a short time afterward he was elected colonel of the volunteer forces called out to subdue the Indians. In 1854 he was commissioned colonel by Gov- ernor Davis, and served through 1854-5-6, bringing additional distinction upon a name already endowed with the finest attributes of the soldier.

In 1866 Colonel Ross was elected a member of the legislature, and in 1872 was commis- sioned brigadier general of the First Oregon State militia, serving in that capacity during the Modoc war. In 1878 he was elected state senator from Jackson county, and during the session represented the interests of his pro- moters with his usual tact and discernment. The death of this brave soldier and successful politician and farmer occurred on his home farm, three miles from Jacksonville, February 17, 1890. He is survived by his wife, who is making her home at Central Point. Besides Mrs. Reames, there are four daughters and four sons living of the ten children in the family.

JAMES THOMAS WINTER. As super- intendent of the Tongue Point Lumber Com- pany's mills and box factory James Thomas

Winter, of Astoria, occupies a position of prominence in industrial circles. A man of remarkable business vigor, and of superior artistic and mechanical talent, he has risen to a high point of excellence as a draughtsman and architect, and is one of the most able and skillful millwrights of the Pacific coast. A na- tive of New York state, he was born about five miles from the city of Buffalo, November 4, 1858. His parents, Walter and Susanna (Bar- ker) Winter, were both born and reared in England, both emigrated to the United States and for a few years lived on a farm near Buf- falo, N. Y., and both died in Ontario. The father was a miller by trade, but also devoted himself to agricultural pursuits to some ex- tent, both in New York and in Ontario. Of the twelve children born of their union, ten are living, James Thomas, the youngest child, be- ing the only one on the Pacific coast.

Moving with his parents to Ontario when a small lad, James Thomas Winter was edu- cated in the public schools of Ontario. Go- ing then to Goderich, Ontario, he began to learn the millwright's trade when fourteen years old, and after serving an apprentice- ship of four years went to South Cadillac, Mich., where he remained several years. In February, 1883, Mr. Winter came to the Pa- cific coast, and settled in Seattle, Wash., as a millwright. His skill in this line becoming widely known, he was kept busily employed as draughtsman, architect and builder, and since 1888 has had the entire superintendence of the building of mills in several places in Washington, including Seattle, Blaine, Bothell, South Bend and Hoquiam. From the latter town he went to Alaska to take charge of the construction of a mill at Skagway, and afterwards erected a large mill at Vancouver, B. C. Returning to the States, he next built a mill at Portland, Ore., for the Eastern Lum- ber Company, and then superintended the erection of the B. B. Improvement Company mill at Whatcom, Wash., and of the Simpson mill at South Bend, Wash. In 1902 Mr. Win- ter erected the Clatsop mills at Astoria, and in 1903 built the Tongue Point Lumber Com- pany's mill, which is furnished with the most modern and up-to-date equipments, and of this mill, and also of the company's box factory, he has had the entire superintendency since the completion of the plant. As a skilled me- chanical engineer, Mr. Winter has had charge of putting in the machinery in all the mills that he has built, his knowledge covering all the details connected with the erection of a milling plant from the time the material is gathered together until the plant is in active operation.

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Mr. Winter is a stanch Republican in poli- tics, although he takes no active part in local affairs. He belongs to the Astoria Lodge, B. P. O. E .; to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; to the Astoria Chamber of Com- merce; and to the Hoo Hoos, of this city, one of the leading social organizations.

DAVID CAMPBELL. A good proof of the excellent opportunities in Oregon is the fact that from every part of our United States flock men of all classes and ages, eager to settle in the new land and to try their fortune there. Even from the most southeastern states they come, and as an example of the latter we name David Campbell, a native of Alabama, now residing at Lorella post office, in Langells valley, Ore., where he prosperously engages in farming and stock-raising on his fine ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, which he purchased in 1885. Although farming to some extent he devotes especial attention to raising stock, owning forty head of cattle, mostly Durhams, and has made all the fine improvements on his place, having his entire tract under cultivation. Possessed of the right spirit and a knowledge of the best methods, Mr. Campbell naturally makes a suc- cess of what he undertakes, and is a valuable acquisition to Klamath county.

The Carolinas are claimed as the birthplace of Mr. Campbell's parents, his father, John Campbell, being born in South Carolina in the Kershaw district, where he farmed until some time after his marriage, which occurred in South Carolina, and united him with Miss Harriet Wil- son, who was born in North Carolina. Soon after their marriage they removed to Alabama and the father re-engaged in farm pursuits in Coffee county. While residing there three sons were born to this worthy couple and of these, but two are now living, the youngest, Christopher C., having been removed by death from the home circle. Of the others, the elder is G. W., who still lives in Alabama, and the younger is David. When David had attained the age of eighteen years, the family went to Texas, settling in Panola county and later in Grayson and Wise counties, the latter county being the scene of the death of both parents, about the year. 1879.

In Clintonville, Coffee county, Ala., February 24, 1840, David Campbell first saw the light of day and as before stated remained in that state, gleaning an education from the common schools, until the removal to Texas in 1858 with his par- ents. Upon the opening of the Civil war, in the spring of 1861, young Campbell patriotically went to the front, enlisting in the Confederate army in Company I, Tenth Texas regiment, as a private, in which capacity he served until the

close of the war. He was first under command of General Kirby Smith and later under Gen- eral Bragg, in Kentucky. His term of service expiring he received honorable discharge on Cumberland mountain, just before the battle of Murfreesboro. Re-enlisting immediately, he joined Company F, of the First Texas Rangers, and went into Louisiana under Generals Smith and Taylor, and was in the battle near Corinth. Sickness caused his discharge, but when he was able he served the rest of the time west of the Mississippi under Smith. While in this southern campaign he had been in several active engage- ments, among them the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou and Old Cain River; in the spring of 1865 his regiment was mustered out of service in Texas, having served faithfully in the Confederate army for four years.

Upon Mr. Campbell's return from the war, in 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances E. Rankin, a native of Tennessee ,who is supposed to have been born in McNairy coun- ty, February 17, 1845. Returning to Panola county, Tex., he began farming, following that vocation in Panola, Grayson and Wise counties until 1885, the date of his removal to the far west, at which time he settled in Klamath coun- ty on the farm in Langells valley, where he has lived ever since. This farm is located ten miles southeast of Bonanza, but Mr. Campbell's post office is at Lorelia, where at one time he officiated for five years as postmaster. A Democrat in political views he has served in various capac- ities, such as road supervisor, school director and clerk of the school board, and he and his family attend divine worship at the Congregational Church at Lorella. Of the nine children who have blessed Mr. and Mrs. Campbell's union, two have been removed by death and the others are as follows : Ida J., now wife of Louis Ger- ber, of Klamath county ; William, still at home ; Walter and A. R., who reside at Lorella; Stella, Oscar and Mabei, who also brighten the home with their presence.

JOSEPH A. HAINES. To no one in Curry county is that time honored expression, self-made, more applicable than to Joseph A. Haines, the fortunate owner of nine hundred acres of land, and the present postmaster of Eckley station. From the small farm in Tazewell county, Ill., where he was born Au- gust 8, 1828, to his present position of wealth and influence in a thriving community in Oregon is a long road to travel from both the standpoint of distance and experience, yet Mr. Haines has conquered all obstacles with seeming ease, being possessed of those prac-

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tical and useful attributes which are the funda- mental traits of a fine and honorable citizen- ship. Were Mr. Haines asked to give his re- ceipt for success he would undoutbedly say: "Do well whatever you undertake." At least this trait has predominated in his own life, and has been forcibly impressed in the train- ing of the family of sons and daughters, who inherit much of his ability and business method.

Mr. Haines had a father with equally prac- tical ideas of life and work who arose from obscurity and comparative poverty to a prom- inent place in the pioneer world of Douglas county. Born in New Jersey, he accom- panied his parents to Hamilton county, Ohio, at an early age, and lived on the home farm until his marriage with Mary Leeper, a native of Ohio. In 1827 he came with his wife and parents to Tazewell county, Ill., made that his home until 1839, and then removed to War- ren county, Ill., where Mrs. Haines died in 1840, leaving eight children, five of whom are living: Joseph A. and W. W., twins; Mrs. Rebecca Myers, of Port Townsend, Wash .; J. L., living in the state of Iowa; and Mrs. Susan Overfelt of Oklahoma. Soon after his wife's death Mr. Haines returned to his for- mer home in Tazewell county, and in 1845 settled on a farm in Whiteside county, the same state. In the meantime some of the sons had started upon their independent careers, some of them locating in the far west, and sending favorable reports back to the east. Mr. Haines was forcibly impressed with the advantages which awaited him on the coast, and in 1862, accompanied by his younger chil- dren, and his second wife, formerly Mary Nixon, of either Ohio or Indiana, he crossed the plains with mule teams, arriving at his destination near Elkton, on the Umpqua river, Ore., at the end of five months. Here he bought a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, reared another family of ten children, and lived thereon until after the death of his second wife. His last years were spent among his children, to whom he was always a wel- come guest, and his death occurred at Grants Pass, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He possessed a vigorous and impres- sive personality, and was continually before the public in some capacity, taking a keen in- terest in general affairs, and being especially active in church and politics. He served with distinction in the Black Hawk war.

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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 136

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