USA > Oregon > Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.. > Part 140
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ing, with the result that he ran a pack train of thirty-five mules to the mines, and had another train which packed into British Columbia. In 1867 he sold both his stores and pack trains and returned to San Francisco, where he started a machine shop and ran it for a year.
In 1869 Mr. Flanagan returned to Coos county and at Empire engaged in a wholesale liquor business for a couple of years, and after dispos. ing of that concern was engaged in the real-es- tate business until the time of his death, Septem- ber 1, 1903. He was the first man to start the salting of salmon on the Coquille river, and his enterprise found an outlet in maintaining and promoting many other paying features of busi- ness life in that part of the state. He possessed a fair competency, all of which he made since coming to the coast, as upon his arrival here he was without money or influence or any friend upon whom he might call in time of need. He was a Democrat from the time of casting his first presidential vote, and held many positions of trust and responsibility. Under the administra- tion of President Cleveland he was custom house collector at Empire City. He established and was first postmaster of the office at Elk City, Idaho.
December 25, 1877, Mr. Flanagan was united in marriage with Mary Rinck, who was born in Alsace, and came to this country in June, 1877. Mr. Flanagan had many exciting experiences in his career, but none more difficult of accomplish- ment than trying to run the gauntlet of the cus- tom house officials on his first trip to British Columbia. In his effort to elude these officers and evade paying toll he rode on horseback eighty miles in one night. He was probably as familiar with the out of the way places in the northwest as any man now doing business in Coos county. His death occurred after a brief illness at his home in Empire, September 1, 1903.
WILLIAM SAMUEL WHEELER. The unambitious plodder, or the man whose con- trolling aim is money getting, little realizes the joy experienced by his brother whose adap- tive brain makes the best of every circumstance whether work, recreation or adventure. - A forci- ble illustration of the latter class of men is found in William Samuel Wheeler, of Marshfield, whose interesting experiences would fill a vol- ume. Few lads go to sea at the age of ten years, yet such was the case with Mr. Wheeler. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 7, 1833, he was left an orphan at the age of three, and was adopted by his grandfather, Herman Rogers. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Rogers) Wheeler, and he was the third in a family of
three sons and one daughter. David Wheeler was a member of the Philadelphia police force for many years, and was accidentally killed while riding a horse in August, 1836. Of all his family connections William Samuel Wheeler . likes best to recall his grandfather, Herman Rogers, a seasoned mariner in his younger days, and towards the end of his life the owner and operator of a line of freight vessels plying be- tween New York City and Galveston. Born in the state of Maine, he began at the bottom in the merchant marine, and in time had command of a ship called the Ellen, which carried pine timber from Charleston to New York City. He was thus employed when he took his ten-year- old grandson on board as a cabin boy, the youth taking kindly to the uncertain life, and readily overcoming any fear occasioned byhis initial voy- age. He recalls the time the Ellen was pressed into government service, to carry rock from Staten Island for the erection of Fort Sumter. Later the steamer continued to carry lumber to Galveston, and in time Mr. Rogers owned and operated a large lumber yard in the latter city, and began to buy vessels for the shipment of his lumber. At the same time he perfected a method of packing and shipping dressed beef to New York City, and his name became associ- ated with the most successful and extensive ship . pers, lumbermen and vessel owners of the east and south. Naturally, dealing in commodities for which there was continuous demand, he made money rapidly, and at the time of his death, from cholera, in Galveston, in 1852, he left a large and valuable estate. He was a sagacious and far-sighted business man, an excellent nauti- cal commander, and he arose in influence because of his ability both to see and use the opportuni- ties that came his way.
Leaving his grandfather's ship at the age of thirteen, William Samuel Wheeler worked on a farm in New Brunswick, N. J., until his twen- tieth year, and again went to sea as a sailor in the coasting trade. In 1852 he took a trip around the Horn to San Francisco, worked along the coast for a few months, and in 1853 went to Georgetown, Cal., later traveling throughout the mining section of the state. Dur- ing this experience he led a typical frontier life, and for two years he slept on the hard ground or a blanket in the corner of a camp. In 1857 he made his way to the mines in the northern part of the state, and in 1858 reached the Rogue river, Oregon, also visiting Gless Creek, and spending two years in that vicinity mining and prospecting. In 1859 he worked in a sawmill at Port Orford, and in 1860 returned to Phila- delphia, two years later marrying Hannah R. Wolf, whose father, John Wolf, was the oldest
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conductor on the Philadelphia & Baltimore Rail- road. Many interesting things happened in the life of Mr. Wolf, for his railroad experience covered some troublous times, being chiefly cen- tered around the incidents leading up to the Civil war. He was a personal friend of the martyred president, and never tired of singing his praises. It was his good fortune to assist in saving the life of the Great Emancipator when he was on the way to Washington to assume the duties of chief magistrate. This was ac- complished by hiding Mr. Lincoln in an apart- ment of the car, between Magnolia and Balti- more. Mr. Wolf died January 3, 1862, at the age of forty-five years. He was a very promi- nent man in railroad circles, and many of the officials became his warm personal friends.
For the two years before and two years after his marriage Mr. Wheeler was employed by the Philadelphia & Baltimore Railroad, and he will never forget the excitement prevailing throughout that time. The seething discontent between the north and south was growing more intense each day, and he was in Philadelphia when the bells tolled announcing the declaration of war. As fireman and engineer he assisted in transporting troops, and had many an exciting encounter with the opposite faction. With his wife he returned to the coast in 1864, and at Virginia City and Gold Hill engaged in mining and running a quartz mill. In the spring of 1866 he bought a farm in Long valley, between Nevada and California, and at the same time con- ducted a hotel, or half-way house. This hotel sheltered many a rough character over night, although order was always maintained, much to the consternation of the unruly element. It was located two miles from the famous Antelope Hotel, a noted center for horse racers, gamblers and confidence men, and many threats came the way of Mr. Wheeler because he refused to har- bor a like class of travelers. The region was wild in the extreme, and human life was held cheap. Nevertheless, the farm and hotel pros- pered, until 1869, when they were traded for property in Gold Hill, Nev., because the railroad had purchased the right of way through the farm and impaired its value as an agricultural proposition.
Coming to Coos county in 1870, Mr. Wheeler expected to mine and prospect ; but he met some friends who induced him to purchase a farm. He bought one hundred and sixty acres on Ken- tuck slough, wild, timbered and marshy, but which yielded to cultivation and became valuable property. In time he added to this land until he now has four hundred and sixty acres. He was the first man in the neighborhood who had a white wife, and his daughter, Kate, now Mrs. J. R. Josephine, was the first white child born
there. Annie, the oldest daughter, died young ; George L., the second in the family, operates the Hannah, the gasoline boat on the bay; and Mary Ellen, the fourth child, is the wife of I. G. Sunderland, of Oakland, Cal. Many things of interest are connected with Mr. Wheeler's thirty years of residence on the farm. He took the first horses and cattle into that part of the coun- try, and started many farmers in a stock raising business. For many years he was the most ex- tensive raiser of hogs in the neighborhood, and secured the passage of the hog law, but finally the business failed to pay and he gave it up. He introduced the first threshing machine into the country, and had the first steam yacht on the slough. When Mr. Wheeler removed to Marsh- field in 1900 the marshes and timber were a thing of the past; verdant pastures and pro- ductive fields, orchards and gardens bespoke years of patient and conscientious labor. He built a cottage for his town residence, and has since rented his farm and retired from active participation in business affairs. Mr. Wheeler has been an advocate of progress in every form, especially as pertaining to education, for the best interests of which he zealously worked while school director and clerk for many years. As a Republican he has taken an active part in county elections, has served as road supervisor and has invariably voted for the best man, regardless of party distinction. He became an Odd Fellow in Wilmington, Del., in 1861, passed all of the chairs except that of Noble Grand of the lodge in that city, and has since been a charter mem- ber of Empire Lodge No. 137, and of Sunset Lodge No. 51, at Marshfield. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Rebekahs, joining soon after her husband. The public and private life of Mr. Wheeler has been such as to elicit the admir- ation of his friends and associates, all of whom appreciate the fact that he has been his own master builder, and has unfalteringly followed his wisest inspirations.
THOMAS PERKINS FISH. Half a cen- tury of existence has served to shift the career of Thomas Perkins Fish from the deck of a cheer- less whaling vessel to a merchandise store in Toledo, Ore., and to transform a practically homeless child into an independent and prominent western citizen. In the meantime romantic ad- venture has accumulated around a receptive char- acter which has bravely weathered storms by no means confined to the wilderness of waters.
A knowledge of the personality of his parents is not among the memories of Mr. Fish, for when very young he was taken by them to the Azores, leaving behind them the home in Lisbon, Portugal, where he was born November 15, 1847.
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At the early age of seven years he was adopted by an old-time whaler, Captain Fish, who was born in New London, Conn., and who was better known than any other whaler of his time. The character of this old sailor seems to have been admirable and his discipline irreproachable. Thomas Perkins Fish, as the protegé and adopted son of the old mariner, was taken aboard the ves- sel, trained in whaling as a means of livelihood, and in time became expert with the harpoon and in the management of the small boats. Many a
time did he risk his life while striving to conquer a mighty leviathan of the deep, and many a time did he experience the joy of returning to the ship with a trophy of enormous size. The cold of the Arctic seas had no terrors for him, be- cause of the absorbing fascination of the sport, and it was with inexpressible regret that he saw his old-time friend, the captain, breathe his last amid the icebergs of the frozen north. From then on whaling lost its charm and the seas their power to attract, and the same year, in 1863, when his vessel arrived in San Francisco, he bade adieu to the excitement and danger of the old and profitable occupation of whaling.
From San Francisco Mr. Fish came to Ore- gon and found employment on a farm, and the following year, in 1864, stepped into the excite- ment of military service at Vancouver, Walla Walla and Fort Caldwell, as a volunteer in the First Oregon Volunteer Infantry, bound for the state of Washington. After eighteen months in the army he was discharged in 1866, and after living for a time in Oregon City he came to King's valley, Benton county, and took up a claim of one hundred acres of land. This he farmed and improved with moderate success, and in 1873 came to Toledo and engaged in a general merchandise business. This has continued to be his occupation up to the present time, and al- though many obstacles have interfered with his progress, he is today a prominent representative of the teeming business world, bearing as honored a name as any who have depended upon mer- chandising in Lincoln county. During the Cleve- land administration times were very dull and all lines of business depressed, and after recovering somewhat from the dire effects, Mr. Fish met with yet another misfortune in 1900, when he was completely burned out without insurance, entailing a loss of five thousand dollars. Re- building almost immediately, he has a more mod- ern store and larger stock, and has every reason to feel encouraged and hopeful of the future.
Mr. Fish is one of the many men who owe their success to the co-operation of a capable and sympathetic wife. The present Mrs. Fish was born in Erie, Pa., and was formerly Jennie Whitford. Her marriage occurred in 1893, and at the present time she is interested in her hus-
band's business, having in charge an up-to-date millinery department. The first wife of Mr. Fish was formerly Ida Dundon, who died in Toledo in 1889, leaving two children, LaFayette C. and Wallace, who are now living with their grandparents near Toledo. Always a Repub- lican, Mr. Fish was postmaster of Toledo dur- ing the Arthur administration, and he was also city treasurer for two or three years. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the National Union Insurance Company.
JOHN L. ARZNER, a resident of Canyon- ville, Ore., is a natural mechanic, who has seen years of experience and industry and is now liv- ing in retirement from active business life. He is a native of Baden, Germany, where he was born October 16, 1837. He was one of a large family, consisting of thirteen children, and spent his early days in his native country, where his father worked as a laborer. His education re- ceived little attention and at the age of eight years he was apprenticed to learn the nailer's trade, and made nails for a number of years. Many people were then emigrating to the United States and Mr. Arzner likewise determined to seek his fortune in the new world and started on his journey in 1851, arriving safely in New York and remaining three or four years in the state working at various occupations.
From New York Mr. Arzner went to Michi- gan, and engaged in working up timber in the lumber business so extensively operated in that state. Later he located in Jackson and became the efficient foreman of the blacksmith depart- ment of the state prison at that place, which position was retained until 1857. In that year he left Michigan and settled in Missouri, remain- ing for two years, when he left that state and worked as a journeyman mechanic for five months while crossing the plains to California. On this trip he was accompanied by one of his acquaint- ances and they arrived safely at their destination near Sutter's Creek, Cal. They had no serious trouble in their trip, although the Indians fre- quently molested parties traveling in this way. Mr. Arzner at first secured employment in a blacksmith shop at Marysville, Cal., but did not retain the place long, as he went north to Wash- ington for a few months, previous to taking up his permanent residence in Oregon. In August, 1861, he arrived in Oregon, and since 1862 his home has been in Canyonville. For ten years he worked as a horse shoer for the California Stage Company. Subsequently he started a blacksmith shop of his own, conducting it with success until his retirement in 1899. His reputation as a me- chanic is exceeded by few and the credit given
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him by Canyonville citizens has been well earned. He learned in the school of experience many val- uable lessons, all of which stood him in good stead as the years passed.
In 1868 Mr. Arzner was united in marriage with Emma Roberts, a native of Missouri. In 1847 she came to Oregon with her parents, who settled temporarily in Polk county, but in 1851 became permanent residents of Douglas county. Her father was an extensive stock-raiser on his farm near Roseburg. Roberts Hill, near that city, was named in his honor. He passed away at the age of forty-eight years. His widow at- tained the age of sixty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Arzner became the parents of four children, two of whom are living, namely, John, who man- ages the large ranch near Canyonville, and Jennie, who is still at home. In fraternal circles Mr. Arzner is a Mason, in which he has held all the chairs. He affiliates also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is treasurer of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he has ever taken an active interest in the affairs of city and county and stands by Republican principles unswervingly.
EDWARD J. FARLOW. A worthy repre- sentative of one of the pioneer families of Ore- gon, and a resident of the state for more than half a century, Edward J. Farlow, of Ashland, holds a conspicuous position among the respected and honored citizens of Jackson county, being es- teemed not only for the substantial ancestry from which he is descended, but for his own integrity and worth. Active, educated, intelligent and progressive, he has been intimately associated with the industrial advancement and prosperity of city and county. Prosperous as a rule in all of his undertakings, he has met with such finan- cial success in his various operations, that he is now enabled to live retired from business cares. A son of the late Hiram Farlow, he was born April 24, 1851, in Rock Island county, Ill., near the city of Rock Island. His paternal grand- father, John Farlow, a native of one of the east- ern states, served in the war of 1812, and after- wards devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, living first in Indiana and then in Illinois.
Born in Indiana, about 1820, Hiram Farlow removed with his parents to Illinois, where he followed farming to some extent, and was also a skilled blacksmith. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, stowing away his family, which con- sisted of his wife and three children, and his household effects in two large wagons, each drawn by four big mules. The party, which included his brother-in-law, Richard Farwell, who had crossed the plains in 1849, intended to
go directly to California, but at the parting of the ways decided to take the Barlow route, and come to Oregon instead. After a very quick trip, being but little more than three months on the way, the company arrived in the Willamette valley early in August. Purchasing a claim of three hundred and twenty acres about four miles north of Albany, Hiram Farlow improved a fine ranch, on which he subsequently built a black- smith's shop. Disposing of his stock in 1868, he rented his farm and bought property in Ashland, and on the plaza erected a smithy, which he con- ducted until his retirement from active pursuits. A man of superior character and ability, he was well worthy of the respect and esteem so gen- erously accorded him. He died at his home in Ashland, in September, 1900, in the eightieth year of his age. Politically he affiliated with the Dem- ocratic party. He married Lucinda Farwell, who was born in New Hampshire, a daughter of Dr. Moores Farwell, one of the pioneer physicians of Illinois. She died in March, 1900, at Ashland, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. Of the eight children that she bore her husband, two daughters and one son are living.
The third child in order of birth of the parental family, Edward J. Farlow was but little more than a year old when he came with his parents to Oregon. He obtained his early education in the district schools of Linn county, walking three miles each morning that he might not miss a les- son. After coming to Ashland in 1868 he con- tinued his studies at the old Ashland College, from which he was graduated in 1873. The fol- lowing three years he was employed as a clerk in a general store, and obtained a fair insight into the details of mercantile pursuits. In 1876, in partnership with Dr. Inlow, he opened a drug store on the plaza, and carried on a good business until the memorable fire of 1879 burned their establishment, the stock and building, which were uninsured, being a total loss. Subsequently forming a partnership with Mr. Fountain, Mr. Farlow erected on the plaza a brick building, 25x75 feet, and put in a stock of general merchandise. For the ensuing two years he carried on business as junior mem- ber of the firm of Fountain & Farlow, and then sold out his interest in the firm. He was after- wards engaged in the grocery business in this city for three years. In 1887 he was appointed post- master by President Cleveland, and served until his successor was appointed, nearly four years later. Mr. Farlow then embarked in the real es- tate and insurance business, with which he was actively identified until a few years ago, when he retired from the activities of business. He has been active in county and municipal affairs, and is a prominent worker in the Democratic party. From 1876 until 1878 he served as county school
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superintendent, and for one term represented his ward in the city council.
October 3, 1875, at Phoenix, Jackson county, Ore., Mr. Farlow married Mary D. Colver, a native of that town, and of honored pioneer ancestry, her Grandfather Colver, and her father, Hiram Colver, having both been among the pio- neer settlers of Oregon. Born and reared in Ohio, Hiram Colver came to Oregon in 1851, settling first in Lane county, and then coming to Jackson county. Taking up a donation claim adjoining the town of Phoenix, he improved a ranch, but later removed to Phoenix, where he was engaged in the practice of law until his death. He was an active citizen, performing his full share of pioneer labor, and served throughout the entire period of the Rogue River Indian war. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Ward, died in 1890, in Phoenix. Mr. and Mrs. Farlow are the parents of two children, namely: Elda, a graduate of the Pacific Coast Business College, at San Jose, Cal .; and Elbert J. Mr. Farlow is a member, and past noble grand, in Pilot Rock Lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F .; is a member, and past chief patriarch, of Ashland Encampment ; and belongs to both the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Woodmen of the World. He is also a member of the Jackson County Pioneer Society.
JAMES H. RUSSELL. Closely associated with the early advancement and industrial growth and prosperity of Ashland was the late James H. Russell, a man of marked ability and integrity. Coming to the coast with the venture- some miners of 1849, he assisted in developing the rich mineral resources of this section of the Union, and after settling permanently in Oregon, in 1851, was one of the first to make use of the veins of fine marble underlying much of the land in the southern section of the state. As an early settler of Jackson county, and its leading pioneer marble worker, he is justly entitled to honorable mention in a work of this character. His widow, Mrs. Ann H. Russell, is also espe- cially deserving of commendatory notice, being a woman of intelligence, culture and great artistic talent. Since' the death of Mr. Russell she has continued the business which he so firmly- estab- lished, and has the distinction of being one of the oldest and most capable marble workers in the United States.
A native of West Tennessee, James H. Russell was born April 5, 1823, and died at his late home, in Ashland, Ore., October 1, 1895. His parents, James and Mabel (Howard) Russell, were born and reared in Marietta, Ohio, and both died while yet in the prime of life. Thus left an orphan at the tender age of five years, James H. Russell
was educated in Washington county, Ohio, near Marietta, living there until fifteen years old. Go- ing then to Pittsburg, Pa., he served an appren- ticeship at the trade of a marble worker and stone cutter, and afterward worked as a journey- man in that city. Joining a party of seventy enterprising and ambitious young men, he started for the gold diggings of California in 1849, com- ing across the plains from the Missouri river with the Big Mule Train. After mining on the Yuba river for two years he came with three com- panions, Messrs. Gibbs, Hare and Barron, to Jackson county, Ore. Locating at a place now called Barron, they took up a donation claim con- taining two sections of land, and, continuing in partnership, carried on the land, and conducted the Mountain House, which they established, un- til 1858. During the Indian wars of 1853-56, Mr. Russell was actively engaged, serving as major in the regiment commanded by Col. John Ross.
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