Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 143

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 143

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Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Elizabeth Brown, whom he had known in Ohio, and two of whose brothers came with him to Ore- gon in 1852. Mrs. Taylor proved a helpmate indeed, and bravely shouldered her share of responsibility, suffering great deprivation in the early days of her marriage. She lived until 1896, and her disconsolate family were left to mourn a gentle and refined influence. Mr. Tay- lor raises some fine stock on his farm, and his improvements are modern and continually being added to. He is one of the most popular men in his neighborhood, and his standing is empha- sized by association with one of the foremost fraternal organizations in the world. February 22, 1847, in Philadelphia, he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a charter member of the Jacksonville

Lodge, and was one of the first charter mem- bers of the Ashland Lodge, in the early days serving as treasurer of the same.

BENJAMIN F. REESER. Among the earlier settlers of prominence in Jackson county Benjamin F. Reeser occupies a noteworthy place. Locating in this section of the state more than forty years ago, he has since been a most useful and honored citizen, and an able assistant in promoting its agricultural and industrial inter- ests. Having by industry, energy and persist- ency of purpose acquired a competency, he is now living retired from active business cares in Ashland, where he and his estimable wife are respected for their many excellent traits of mind and character. He was born August 14, 1838, in Mount Carbon, Pa.

His father, Benjamin Reeser, a native of Berks county, Pa., was born near the town of Reading, being descended from one of the early and re- spected families of that locality. A miller by oc- cupation, he was first established in business in Dauphin county, afterwards removing to Mount Carbon, where he operated a grist mill for a number of seasons. Going thence to Pottsville, Pa., he there spent his last years, dying in 1855. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Leiz, was a life-long resident of the Keystone state. She bore her husband eleven children, of whom seven grew to years of maturity, Benjamin F. being the youngest member of the family and the only one to come to the Pacific coast. One son, Reuben Reeser, served with a Pennsylvania regi- ment during the Civil war.

Leaving school at the age of fourteen years, Benjamin F. Reeser spent the next three years as a copying clerk under his brother Lewis, who was county clerk and recorder for Schuylkill county, Pa. Migrating then to Iowa, he served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade under Spooner & Hulbert, the leading tinsmiths of Lyons. After his marriage he started for the Pacific coast with his father-in-law, Horace Root, leaving Clinton, Iowa, with horse and mule teams, April 15, 1861. Crossing the Missouri river at Council Bluffs, the company proceeded by way of South Pass and the Humboldt river to Susanville, Cal., thence over the mountains, via Lawson butte, first into the Shasta valley in California, and then to Rogue River valley, in Oregon, arriving there August 31, 1861. Locat- ing in Jacksonville, Ore., Mr. Reeser was a tin- ner and plumber for the firm of Love & Bilger for the ensuing five years or more. Investing his money in land in 1868, he purchased a ranch near the site of the present town of Talent, and was there engaged in grain and stock-raising for three years, being quite successful as an agricul- turist. In 1872, just as Ashland was beginning

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to grow, he sold his farm, and moved into the embryo city, of which he was subsequently one of the active and prominent upbuilders. At once erecting a store on Main street, he em- barked in mercantile pursuits, putting in a stock of hardware, stoves and tinware. He also worked at his trade as a tinsmith, and afterwards did plumbing throughout the city. More room being required in the management of his extensive business, Mr. Reeser subsequently added to the original building, giving his store a frontage of fifty-four feet. He continued in business for nearly three decades, being the leading hard- ware merchant and plumber of the city until January, 1901, when he sold out, and has since lived somewhat retired, attending only to his pri- vate interests, which are extensive. He owns a tract of four hundred and eighty acres of fine timber land on Dead Indian road, twelve miles from Ashland, on which he has erected a saw- mill. In 1888 Mr. Reeser bought fourteen acres of land on what is now Gresham street, and has since laid out Highland Park addition to Ash- land, on which his fine residence stands.

In Iowa Mr. Reeser married Matilda J. Root, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Horace Root. Mr. Root was born and reared in New York state. Engaging in agricultural pursuits, he was a pioneer farmer of Clinton county, Iowa. Crossing the plains to California with the "forty niners," he was engaged in mining pursuits for four years, when, going by way of the Isthmus, he went back to Iowa. In 1861, accompanied by his family, which included Mr. and Mrs. Reeser, he returned to the coast. Locating in Jackson county, Ore., he purchased the old claim on which he formerly lived, near Phoenix, and resided there for a time. Afterwards buying land which is now within the corporate limits of Talent, he carried on general farming quite successfully for many years. He married Eliza Thomas, a native of New York state, and they reared three chil- dren, namely : Matilda J., now Mrs. Reeser ; Mrs. Anna M. Gunnison, whose death occurred in Ashland; and Charles A., who died in Talent, Ore. Both Mr. and Mrs. Root spent the declin- ing years of their lives with their daughter, Mrs. Reeser, he passing away at the age of seventy- three years, and she at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Reeser became the parents of nine children, namely : Mrs. Hattie Camps, of Ashland ; Lida, a music teacher of Ashland; Ben- jamin, who died at the age of five years; Mrs. Tillie Pennebaker, of Jackson county ; Mrs. Pearl Hooper, of Ashland; Margaret, a graduate of the Oregon state normal school at Ashland, liv- ing at home; Horace, who is engaged in exten- sive stock-raising with his brother-in-law, G. W. Pennebaker, near Ashland; Netta, the wife of W. B. Freeland, of Portland; and Olive, who died

in Ashland, at the age of two years. Mr. Reeser is a member of the Ashland Board of Trade, with which he has been connected for many years. He is a firm adherent of the Republican party, and during Ashland's earlier history was honored with the office of city treasurer. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mrs. Reeser is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she is an active worker.

J. W. HOWARD. From the time of the founding of the town of Grants Pass to the present Mr. Howard has been associated with its history and progress. In October of 1883 he bought the first lot sold in the place. He also has the distinction of erecting the first building in the town, this being a store room, 24x36 feet, on the corner of Sixth and Front streets. In his possession is the hammer with which he drove the first nail in the building. On the completion of the store he opened a general grocery and dry-goods house, selling the first goods ever sold here. As a souvenir of early days he keeps a copy the Grants Pass Argus, under date of March 13, 1885,which was the first paper published here.

Near Bowling Green, Ky., Mr. Howard was born November 8, 1849, a son of Henry T. and Nancy (Grizzle) Howard, natives re- spectively of Culpeper county, Va., and Ken- tucky. His maternal grandfather, William Grizzle, who was of Irish birth, settled in Virginia and from there moved to Kentucky, where he conducted a farm and also followed the cooper's trade. His death occurred in Kentucky, as did that of his daughter Nancy. The paternal grandfather, John Howard, a native of England, settled on a plantation in Virginia, but in 1825 removed to Warren county, Ky., where he followed farm pursuits and the wheelwright's trade, remaining in that locality until he died. From Kentucky Henry T. Howard removed to Johnson county, Mo., and settled on a large farm near Latour, where he died March 4, 1893, at the age of sixty-eight years. In religious faith he was an adherent of the Christian Church.

In the family of seven children, all of whom are still living, J. W. Howard is the oldest and the only one in Oregon. When a boy he re- ceived a country school education in Kentucky. At the age of nineteen he started out in the world for himself, going to Cass county, Mo., where he was employed on a farm. During 1875 he settled in Santa Barbara, Cal., but found business prospects there less alluring than the climate. After eighteen months, in May, 1877, he came to Oregon, and secured

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employment on the present site of Medford. October of the same year found him taking up farm pursuits on Williams creek, and the next year he engaged in the sawmill business. In the spring of 1879 he became a clerk for Jack Clayton on the Applegate, and during October of the same year he began to clerk in Henry Smith's store on Galice creek, where he remained until 1882. From that time until July, 1883, he was manager of Mr. Smith's store on Wolf creek. He then came to Tuffs station, one mile from the present site of Grants Pass, bringing with him a new stock of goods and opening a store there. From that place he came to Grants Pass at the opening of the town and continued in business here (for years having the largest stock of goods in the town) until 1897, when he moved his stock to Kerby, and has since been engaged in business there. In 1886 he erected a brick block, 45x52 feet, two stories in height, and later added 23x50 feet; this building he still owns, as well as an attractive residence in the town. With Mr. Layton he built a store, 50x80 feet, and put in a stock of hardware. For fifteen months the business was conducted under the title of J. T. Layton & Co., but Mr. Howard then sold his interest to his part- ner.

On New Year's Day of 1884 Mr. Howard married Miss Eudora G. Godfrey, who was born at Kerby, Josephine county, in 1860, and grew to womanhood on the home place on Williams creek. Her paternal great-grand- father was an Episcopalian rector, and her grandfather, who removed from England to Ireland, operated a large farm in the latter country. Her father, Thomas J. Godfrey, was born in the north of Ireland and was educated for the clergy, but changed his plans and at sixteen years of age came to America. In Ohio he married Mary J. Morford, who was born at Ironton, that state, where her father, Thomas Morford, was a farmer. In 1857 he came to Oregon via Panama and two years later his wife joined him here. For a time he remained at Kerby and from there removed to Williams creek, being engaged in mining at both places. He was accidentally drowned in Applegate creek during the high water of December, 1861. Later his widow became the wife of David John, living at Williams creek.

Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey became the parents of two children, but Mrs. Howard was the only one of these to attain maturity. She received excellent advantages in the Jacksonville gram- mar and high schools and was for a time en- gaged as an educator. The only child of her marriage, Eula Jean Howard, possesses un-

usual musical ability and has been given every advantage by her parents.

Stanch in his adherence to the Democratic party, Mr. Howard has been a leader in the local councils of the party. At one time he was chairman of the county central committee, and in 1896 was a delegate to the national con- vention in Chicago. For three terms he served as a member of the city council, for two terms held office as mayor, for one term was county treasurer and from 1885 to 1890 held the posi- tion of postmaster at Grants Pass. Though not identified with any denomination, he con- tributes to religious movements; his wife is a member of the Episcopal Church. He was made a member of the blue lodge of Masonry at Dayton, Mo., and later became associated with Warren Lodge No. 10, A. F. & A. M., at Jacksonville; in 1885 he became a charter member of Grants Pass Lodge No. 84, in which he officiated as the second master. The Royal Arch degree was conferred upon him at Jacksonville, in Oregon Chapter No. 4, and he is now a member of Reames Chapter No. 28. The Knight Templar degree was conferred upon him in Malta Commandery No. 4 and later he was a charter member of Melita Com- mandery No. 8, in which he has held official positions. With his wife he is also associated with the Order of the Eastern Star.

SYLVESTER PATTERSON. Prominent among the solid, alert and progressive citizens of Ashland is Sylvester Patterson, a pros- perous orchardist, and one of the foremost business men of the city. For many years he was conspicuously identified with the promo- tion and advancement of the agricultural pros- perity of Jackson county as one of its most skillful and thorough-going farmers. Ever ready to lessen the labors connected with farm- ing, and to add to the profits of his work, he took advantage of the most approved modern machinery and appliances, keeping abreast of the times in regard to inventions, and has the distinction of having introduced the first der- rick wagon for elevating headed grain from the stack to the thresher, and subsequently of being the first to bring a combined har- vester and thresher into southern Oregon. This harvester was run by twenty-two horses, and was of great assistance to the men in the harvest field. A native of Michigan, he was born near the town of Charlotte, January 14, 1856. Further parental and ancestral history may be found on another page of this volume, in connection with the sketch of William Pat- terson, a brother of Mr. Patterson.

Coming across the plains with his parents

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when a lad of six years, in 1862, Sylvester Pat- terson remembers but little of the dreary jour- ney which consumed about six months. Brought up on the home farm, he attended the Wagner creek school when it was in session, obtaining a practical knowledge of the three Rs. In 1872 his father, while on a visit east, died suddenly. Mr. Patterson, then a youth of sixteen years, started in life for him- self. With his brother Lair he took charge of the homestead, conducting it for his mother for five years. In 1877, forming a partnership with his brother Joshua he purchased the parental homestead of five hundred acres, and continued his agricultural labors there for two years. Selling his interest in the estate in 1879, Mr. Patterson bought the Frank Meyer farm of one hundred and sixty acres, lying three and one-half miles north of Ashland. He subsequently purchased adjoining land, in- creasing the size of his ranch to five hundred and twenty acres, and was extensively and profitably engaged in grain and stock-raising for several years, being one of the most enter- prising and thrifty farmers of the county. Since 1886 he has rented his farm, and re- sided in Ashland. Buying eight acres of land in Ashland, he set out an orchard of peach trees and apples trees, and has since carried on a large and remunerative business as a fruit grower, his trees being in a fine bearing condition, and bringing him in a good annual income. In 1894 Mr. Patterson was nominated for sheriff, and, although not a regular candi- date, was elected to the office, and served from July, 1894, until July, 1896, when he declined a renomination to the position.

In Phoenix, Jackson county, Mr. Patterson married Sarah E. Payne, who was born in Linn county, Ore., where her father, C. T. Payne, now living retired in Ash- land, was a pioneer settler. Three children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, namely: Rosa, Lillie and Dexter. Politically Mr. Patterson is a stanch Repub- lican, and has served one term as councilman. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member and past chancellor of Ashland Lodge, K. P. Mrs. Patterson is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which she is an active worker.

WILLIAM PATTERSON. The present superintendent of the Ashland Water Works assumed his responsibility in 1900, and has since had ample opportunity to demonstrate his managerial and general ability. Under his control the works have been enlarged, new machinery placed, and at present there is

no more modern or satisfactory water supply in this part of the state. The water is brought from Ashland creek and is conveyed through large steel pipes, every effort being made to insure pure and clean water as well as a suf- ficiently large supply. Mr. Patterson is a pioneer of 1862, and previous to assuming his present position was well known as a car- penter and builder, lumberman and miner. He was born near LaFayette, Ashland county, Ohio, May 10, 1845, a son of Joshua and Cath- erine Patterson, natives of Dauphin county, Pa. Joshua Patterson removed at an early day to Ohio, living first in Ashland, but later near Charlotte, Eaton county, afterward re- moving to near Knoxville, Monon county. In all of these places he was a pioneer settler, and cleared farms from almost primeval wilder- ness. In 1862 he brought his wife and eight children to Oregon, buying a farm near Talent, and engaged in farming and stock-raising for the balance of his active life. He died while on a visit to his old home in Ashland county, Ohio, his wife also dying in the same state. The children, in order of birth, are: John, of Riverside county, Cal .; Elizabeth, the wife of James Thornton, of Ashland; William; George, of San Francisco; Joseph, of Port- land; Lair, living in San Diego county, Cal .; Sylvester, a resident of Ashland, and ex-sheriff of Jackson county; Joshua, a farmer near Talent and county commissioner; Frederick, living in Mariposa county, Cal .; B. F., a resi- dent of San Diego county, Cal. ; and Belle, Mrs. Morris, of Mariposa county, Cal.

William Patterson was educated in the pub- lic schools, and in 1854 went to Michigan, re- moving to Iowa in 1859. In the latter state he heard much about the west, and determined to cast his fortunes with its growing prosperity. Leaving Iowa in May, 1861, he came by way of Lander's Cut Off on the Snake river, then down to Humboldt and through the Shasta valley to the Rogue river and Talent. Here he remained on his father's farm until 1866, in the meantime supplementing his rather meagre education by a course at the near by public school. In 1866 he began sawmilling on his own responsibility, erecting a mill on Wagner creek, and later conducting a similar enterprise on Big Butte creek. Subsequently he removed to the north Umpqua river in Douglas county and ran a mill for a couple of years, then sold out and came to Ashland, where he followed the carpenter's and builder's trade for many years. He also became inter- ested in mining in Siskiyou county, Cal., giv- ing up these combined interests to become superintendent of the Ashland Water Works in 1900.

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One of the pleasantest residences in Ash- land is that built and now occupied by Mr. Pat- terson. This home is presided over by his wife, a native of Canada, who's maiden name was Annie E. Clift. Six children have been born into the family, of whom Elsie M., Maude E. and Minnie Blanche are graduates of the high-school, and Jessie, Harold and Margaret are prospective graduates of the same institu- tion. Mr. Patterson is a stanch adherent of Republicanism, and in religion is a Presby- terian. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is past noble workman, and the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor. He is a progressive and highly honored citizen, lending his influence to all efforts for the betterment of the community which he is faithfully serving.

WILLIAM McKEEVER. This pioneer of 1864 in Oregon, who for twenty years has re- sided near Jewell, on the Nehalem river, thirty miles from Astoria, was born in Belfast, Ireland, December 21, 1839, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Wiggins) Mckeever. His paternal grandfather was of Scotch birth and parentage, but located in Ireland and spent his remaining years at Belfast. The maternal grandfather, Jolın Wiggins, was a native of England and a dragoon in the English army, but settled in Ireland in 1812. After having devoted his early manhood to farm pursuits in Ireland, in 1847 James McKeever brought his family to America and settled at Rahway, N. J. Some years were spent as a farmer near that town, after which, in 1855, he removed to the vicinity of Marshall, Mich., and took up a tract of farm land. His death occurred in 1893, when he was eighty-two years of age. Of his eight children four are now living, Will- iam being the eldest of the number. His only surviving sister, Mrs. George, is a resident of San Francisco; a brother, Robert, also lives in that city, while the other brother, Samuel, continues to cultivate the old homestead in Michigan.

One of the recollections of Mr. Mckeever's childhood is associated with the departure of the family from Ireland, the trip across the ocean and the arrival in the United States. While still very young he was obliged to assist in the maintenance of the family, hence he had little opportunity to attend school. First he worked on the home farm, then was em- ployed in a paper mill, and afterward served an apprenticeship of two years to the trade of carriage-maker. When nineteen years of age he went to sea on the New Bedford whaler,

California, which rounded the Horn and made various ports in the Pacific ocean. For three seasons he accompanied the whalers in their expeditions, after which he returned via Cape Horn to his home, from which he had been absent for more than three years. He arrived there July 5, 1862, enjoyed a visit with rela- tives and friends, and then sailed to Liverpool. On his return he sailed on the ship, Tom Fletcher, which arrived in San Francisco after a voyage of two hundred and twenty-two days by way of Cape Horn. From San Francisco he came on the old ship, Iconium, to Seattle, taking the first cattle and the engine to the Sound for the purpose of starting the Free- port mills. After he returned to San Francisco he engaged in coasting, later made a voyage to Honolulu, where he was detained through an attack of fever. As soon as he was able to travel he returned to San Francisco, then pro- ceeded up to the Sound, where he was em- ployed at logging during the winter, and on the ocean in the summer months.

The ship, Ladoga, brought Mr. Mckeever back to the east in the fall of 1866, the voyage being made via the Horn in ninety days. After landing in New York he proceeded to Mar- shall, Mich., and spent six weeks on the old home farm. From there he went to Chicago and secured employment on the lakes between that city and Saginaw. Subsequent to that employment he engaged in the coasting trade out from New York City. In 1869 he married Miss Elizabeth Brown, a native of Ireland, but a resident of New York City from child- hood. Their bridal trip was a voyage to San Francisco via Panama, and they settled down to housekeeping in the far western city. Until the railroad was built through from the east, Mr. McKeever engaged in the freighting bus- iness on the Sacramento river, but the facili- ties afforded by steam transportation rendered the river business unprofitable and he sought other pursuits.

After coming to Oregon in the spring of 1870 Mr. Mckeever was employed on ocean steamers between Portland and San Fran- cisco. In 1880 he went to Astoria, where he engaged in fishing during two summer sea- sons. In 1883 he located a claim on the Ne- halem river near Jewell and at once began to improve the property, giving it his attention when business along the shore was dull. On his place is an orchard, a neat house, an ade- quate equipment of farm buildings, and other improvements. In addition to cultivating the land, he is engaged in raising cattle, also has a goodly number of horses on the place. Though not giving much attention to politics he is a stanch Republican. The nature of his

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occupation has been such that he has not held public office, his only work of a public nature having been his service on the grand jury. Though not a member of any denomination he contributes to the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his wife is identified. They are the parents of three children now living and lost two in San Francisco, these being Will- iam, a boy of seven years, and Jennie, who was five years of age. Elizabeth, Mrs. Larson, is living at Nehalem; Maggie is the wife of George Heisel, a resident of Scappoose; and John remains at home, assisting his father in the management of the farm.

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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 143

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