Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 144

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 144

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WILLIAM OWENS, of Jackson county, Ore., owns a farm of two hundred and eighty acres near Medford, which bespeaks the pros- perity and thrift of the owner and is one of the best improved in the neighborhood. Born in Clay county, Mo., January 21, 1834, Mr. Owens continued to live there. until he was eleven years old, accompanying his parents at that time to Des Moines, Iowa. When sixteen years old Mr. Owens accompanied his father to California, and soon after their ar- rival in that state the father fell a victim to the scurvy. The son followed prospecting and mining in that state for three years, but became discouraged and in 1853 turned his face homeward, making the journey on pack mules to his home in Iowa, where his mother and the remainder of the family still lived. For two years after his return home he was engaged in breaking prairie with ox teams and in other farm work, which occu- pied his attention until his marriage with Miss Sarah Harper, a native of Indiana. Soon after marriage the young people went to Kan- sas and engaged in farming pursuits near Oskaloosa, Jefferson county, and during their stay in that section the famous border war took place. In 1856 they moved to a farm near Lawrence, which Mr. Owens afterwards traded for three hundred and twenty acres in Jackson county, near Holton, whither he removed in the fall of 1864. The year following he sold this farm to advantage and determined to lo- cate in the far west, and purchased a three hundred and twenty acre farm near Harris- burg, in the Willamette valley. Here for seventeen years he cultivated and improved his farm, and in connection with ranching pursuits he ran a saw-mill, thus developing the natural resources of the country.

Disposing of his interests in that county, Mr. Owens invested a part of his savings in stock and embarked in cattle raising in Crook county, but during the severe winter of 1884-85

nearly all of his stock perished. This caused him to leave that section and seek a more de- sirable location for a home in Jackson county. Locating upon the farm which is still his home, once more he turned his attention to stock- raising and this time success has crowned his efforts. His fine ranch is located along Dry creek.

Upon first taking up his residence in Kan- sas Mr. Owens had considerable trouble with the Indians, who frequently annoyed the set- tlers and caused loss by their depredations. In making the trip overland across the plains in 1865 he was chosen captain of the party. In politics his views coincide with Republican principles and although not an active poli- tician he has served as judge of the election and in other minor offices. His busy life has excluded him from joining many fraternal orders and he is a member of but one secret society, the Masons, which he joined in 1857.

CAPT. PLEASANT C. NOLAND. The loyalty and patriotism which Capt. Pleasant C. Noland displayed in the time of his country's need were two of his most salient traits, and added to these he lived a life of quiet, earnest, persevering work which numbered him among the useful citizens of a pioneer day. When a mere lad he responded to the call for volunteers in the Mexican war and faithfully performed his duty in a company wherein he was the youngest in age, and also occupied that position in rela- tion to the entire brigade. After locating in Oregon he acted the part of a patriot and a loyal citizen in the defense of his country and its in- cipient civilization, and deservedly won the title by which his fellow citizens learned to know him.

In Missouri, the middle western state that gave to the more remote west so many sturdy emi- grants, Capt. Pleasant C. Noland was born Sep- tember 29, 1830. His father was engaged at his trade of stonemason and also in farming in Jackson county, and was also active in politics, giving his support to the Democratic party, and winning for himself a prominent place in the affairs of his community. He engaged heartily in the Mormon war and was one of the treaty commissioners. Owing to a large family, Pleas- ant C. Noland being the fourth in age among ten children, the father was unable to give his son many advantages, but undaunted by the ob- stacles which he must face he set about the accomplishment of the task himself and received considerable knowledge from an attendance of the district school. He remained at home until he was sixteen years old when he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, first in Captain

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Craig's company, but on account of his age, be- ing truthfully stated by himself, was rejected, and one week later was accepted by saying he was twenty-one years old, joining Stewart's com- pany, at St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847. This com- pany was detailed to guard duty on the frontier, where this lad served for eighteen months, as brave and uncomplaining as those many years his senior. The company was mustered out at Ft. Leavenworth, and Mr. Noland, not then wearing his official title, returned to his home and spent the winter following attending the district school in the vicinity of his home. In May, 1849, from the spirit of adventure as well as the more sober reason of a thoughtful man, which he had become through his assumption of early responsibilities, young Noland started for the gold fields of California. He met with no serious trouble from the Indians, and after a journey of a little more than four months he reached his destination and immediately entered upon the life of a miner. He continued so oc- cupied for two years and met with fair returns for his labor. In 1851 he returned to his home in Missouri, via the Isthmus of Panama, spend- ing a like period in the more quiet and less uncertain pursuits of the middle west. In 1853 he again crossed the plains with ox-teams, taking with him his mother, Sarah M. Noland, his brothers and sisters, as he felt the west to hold much greater chances for advancement. While crossing the plains this family left the train of emigrants at Harney lake and were lost in the mountains, where they remained wandering about for forty-two days, and very nearly starved before finding their friends again. On arriving in Lane county, Ore., Mr. Noland took up a donation claim one mile north of Creswell, bought the squatter's right and proved up on the land, and at once entered upon the improvement and cultivation of it. In the fall of 1854 Mr. Noland's mother died. In 1855 the son enlisted in Company B, Oregon Mounted Volunteers, and he was afterward elected second lieutenant for services in the Rogne River war. He served in this company a little more than five months, and took part in a number of skirmishes. In March, 1856, the company disbanded, and its re-organization was attempted and successfully completed by Captain Noland, who then secured this official title. The company, still bearing its old name, went back again into service and par- ticipated in the battle of Big Meadows and other minor engagements, remaining until July 4, 1856. At one time during a skirmish on Rogue river the captain and his men were in a tight place, heing surrounded by Indians. Seeing a canoe, he succeeded in getting a load of his men across and landed among the red men and drove them back to the river through the brush, having suc-

ceeded in getting behind them through strategic movement. A day later they got among the red men again and the captain succeeded in cap- turing six squaws and one Indian, and from this man he secured a revolver which he kept for years. He was ably assisted by a brave boy, Benton Kent, who swam the river and secured a canoe, and in this manner the captain was able to duplicate his deed of the day previous. None of his men was wounded in either skirmish. The reason for his crossing the river was that three wounded men of another company were at the mercy of the Indians, one of the men being Clay Huston.

After his discharge Captain Noland returned home, and January I, 1857, was united in mar- riage with Linna Jane Stewart, a native of Polk county, Mo. They lived on the home place un- til her death, in 1873. They had two children, James, ex-sheriff and ex-county surveyor, lives in Creswell, and George, an attorney, of Astoria. In 1879 Captain Noland married Mrs. Melissa R. Davidson, who was born in Fayette county, Ill., April 30, 1849, and was married in St. Louis, Mo., to Green C. Davidson, and with him came to Oregon in October, 1870. Mr. Davidson died in Salem, Ore., August 15, 1878, leaving two children, John C., a jeweler, of San Francisco, and Minnie, the wife of John P. Hayden of Walla Walla, Wash. To Captain and Mrs. Melissa R. Noland was born one child, Neva, who is still at home with her mother. The death of Captain Noland, February 9, 1904, brought to a close a life well and worthily spent, one which the younger generation would do well to study and emulate. Until 1893 the family home was on the farm, but in that year they located in Creswell, and upon his farm of four hundred and eighty acres the captain carried on general farming and stock-raising, besides which prop- crty he also owned a neat dwelling, a brick build- ing and several lots in the town. Mrs. Noland is a member of the Baptist Church. Fraternally Captain Noland was a member of the Masonic order, and in political convictions he adhered to the Democratic party.

ASMUS BRIX. Keeping pace with the march of civilization the heart of the lumber belt of the United States lias moved westward from the wooded-regions of Maine to the Pacific coast, where is located the future timber sup- ply of our country. Conspicuously identified with the upbuilding of the immense lumber in- dustry of the northwest is Asmus Brix, of As- toria, who is widely known as president of the Grays Bay Logging Company, of Oneida, Wash. Energetic, far-seeing, and of excellent business tact and judgment, he has developed a large

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and important business from a small beginning, and is now one of the most extensive loggers of this vicinity. A German by birth and breed- ing, he was born February 3, 1864, in Schles- wig-Holstein, which was also the birthplace of his parents, P. F. and Maria (Andersen) Brix.

A native of Germany, P. F. Brix spent the earlier part of his life in the Fatherland, where he worked at his trade of a shoemaker. Immi- grating to this country with his wife, and those of his children that had not preceded him, in 1881, he bought land in Wahkiakum county, Wash., on Grays river, and was engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits for a few years. He is now living retired from active business cares in Oneida, Wash. Of his marriage with Maria Andersen, six children were born, namely : Asmus, the subject of this brief biographical sketch; Albert, engaged in the logging business ; P. J., secretary and treasurer of the Grays Bay Logging Company; Mrs. J. H. Erp, of Grays River, Wash .; Mrs. Henry Haeck, of Frankfort, Wash .; and A. H., of Oneida, Wash., also engaged in logging.

Receiving a practical education in the public schools of his native village, Asmus Brix re- mained at home until fifteen years old. Then, in 1879, he came with an uncle, H. P. Andersen, now a resident of Grays River, Wash., to the United States, being the first member of his immediate family to cross the Atlantic. Com- ing directly to Grays River, lie began working with a logging crew, and in a few years had obtained a good knowledge of logging and lum- bering. In 1884, in company with his brother Albert, he embarked in business on his own ac- count as one of the firm of Brix Brothers. In June, 1900, this firm was dissolved, the other two brothers were admitted to partnership, and the Grays Bay Logging Company was incor- porated, with Asmus Brix as president, and P. J. Brix, as secretary and treasurer. This company carries on a large and profitable busi- ness in logging and manufacturing lumber, in its operations having logged off several thousand acres of standing timber. In the work seventy- five hands are constantly employed, the products of the forests and mills being shipped to Port- land or Astoria. Mr. Brix is also a stockholder in the Clatsop Milling Company; and was one of the incorporators of the Wherity-Ralston Company, a retail mercantile firm, dealing in boots and shoes, Mr. Brix being president of the company.

In Astoria, Mr. Brix married Christine M. Thompson, who was born in Schleswig-Hol- stein, Germany. In 1895 he took up his perma- nent residence in Astoria, and has since been actively identified with the management of mu- nicipal affairs. Elected councilman from the

third ward in December, 1896, he took the oath of office in January, 1897, and served six con- secutive years, being re-elected to the office in 1899, and in 1901. He served on the committee on ways and means as chairman, and in 1900 was president of the council. He is one of the leading Republicans of the city, and is a member of the county committee. An active member of the German Lutheran Church, he is one of its board of trustees.

JOSEPH CONGER. The changes which have been brought about at Klamath Falls and vicinity since 1868 have been noted from all sides by Joseph Conger, who recalls the one building then occupying the site of the town and the few evidences of public-spirited enterprise. The falls were then known as Linkville, the county was known as Jackson, was later divided into Jackson and Lake counties, and Lake coun- ty eventually became Lake and Klamath coun- ties. Mr. Conger came from Indiana in the spring of 1853, accomplishing the plains journey with ox-teams, and being the regulation six months on the way. Starting out May 4, he arrived near Salem September 15, and a month later went to Coos Bay with the expectation of making that region his home. Not finding suf- ficient inducements, he returned at the end of a month, and in the spring of 1854 made his way to Yreka, Cal., engaging in mining with indif- ferent success. Later he mined with better re- sults at Hawkinsville, Siskiyou county, Cal., and in 1863 went to the mines of Idaho City, Idaho. Two years later he returned to his for- mer place near Yreka, and was there during the Modoc war. In 1873 he came back to Linkville, making that place his home until 1876, in which year he purchased his present farm of one hun- dred and twenty-eight acres on the Link river and adjoining Klamath Falls. Forty-seven acres of his land are within the city corporation, and here he has ever since engaged in gardening, fruit-raising and some stock-raising, making a comfortable living, and enjoying the practically care-free existence of a bachelor who lives near to the heart of nature, and who finds his work congenial and broadening. Independence is stamped upon every phase of his life, entering even into his political preferences, which are ranged on the side of personal fitness rather than allegiance to any one party. He was a member of the city council in 1890, and has served two years as road supervisor.

Of Dutch descent on the paternal side, and Irish-Dutch ancestry on the maternal side, Mr. Conger was born in Pike county, Ind., May II, 1831, his father, Levi, being presumably a native of the same state. His mother, Juriah (Small)

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Conger, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and died in Indiana in 1846, leaving five children, of whom Joseph is the oldest. Richard, Perry and Mrs. Harriett Richards, of Indiana are deceased, and Mrs. Katura Beckus lives in Vincennes, Ind. Joseph was fifteen years of age when left an orphan, and as the oldest son he started out to make his own living, the other children being allotted to relatives living in the state. During the lifetime of his parents he had scant educa- tional opportunities, and when he began to work on farms by the month his chances were dimin- ished still more. The application of later years is responsible for his present education, and to all who converse with him it is apparent that he is well informed upon current events, and ap- preciates the advantages of schools, books, and observation. This early settler, who is one of the oldest residents of the neighborhood, com- mands the respect and good will of his fellow townsmen, and it is to be hoped that many years may be spared him in which to pursue his peace- ful occupation, and contribute to the well being of his adopted county.

ELISABETH GRAHAM. Mention of the name of Elisabeth Graham elicits expressions of profound regard on the part of all who have been permitted to enjoy the friendship of this high- minded and agreeable resident of Toledo since her first appearance in the town in the spring of 1866. Miss Graham was born in Carroll county, Ohio, October 24, 1834, and comes of a family identified with County Donegal, Ireland, for many generations. Her paternal great-grand- father was born and died there, and her grand- father, Richard, claimed the same birthplace, as did also her father, John Graham. Richard Graham was a farmer and linen manufacturer in County Donegal, and came to America with his family in 1822, locating first in Philadelphia, Pa. Afterward he removed to Huntingdon, Pa., purchased a large farm, but finally retired from active life to Worcester, Wayne county, Ohio, where his death occurred during 1840.

John Graham came to America about 1825, lo- cating first in Huntingdon, Pa., and later remov- ing to Carroll county, Ohio, where he owned and operated a grist and saw-mill in connection with general farming. During 1855 he removed to Eddyville, Iowa, worked at his trade of stone- mason for a few months, but the same year set- tled in Douglas county, Kans., where he con- ducted a large building and contracting business. Though successful, he saw in the far west larger opportunities than any he had been accustomed to in the eastern states, and therefore made his plans for permanent residence on the coast. In May, 1864, he made the start with ox, mule and

horse-teams, in a party consisting of many fam- ilies and one hundred wagons, accomplishing the distance from Kansas to Oregon in six months. He escaped the unpleasantness which characterized the emigration of earlier settlers, for the country had undergone a great change since that ominous cry of gold startled the peace of the country, and awoke to vengeance the hith- erto undisturbed red men of the plains. Mr. Graham made his way via the Platte river, cross- ing the South Platte at Julesburg, and going thence to Fort Laramie, and to Boise City, where he stopped for a couple of weeks. For a year he lived in the Grande Ronde valley, and in the fall of 1865 came to Corvallis, where he spent the winter. The spring of 1866 witnessed the de- parture of the family for Toledo, where Mr. Graham purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Eventually he retired to Toledo, and died there in 1884, at the age of seventy-nine years. In Jefferson county, Ohio, he was united in marriage with Rebecca Logan, also a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and daughter of Walter Logan, who settled at St. John's, Canada, and worked at his trade as a marble-cutter. Mr. Logan moved in after years to Philadelphia, and after that to Wheeling, W. Va., in time locating on a farm in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In the fall of 1854 he removed to Eddyville, Wapello county, Iowa, and died there in 1857, at an advanced age.

Miss Graham had the advantages of the public schools in her youth, as did all of the eleven daughters and two sons of her father's family. She accompanied the family to Oregon, but in 1869 returned to Ohio, and visited an uncle in Carroll county until 1876. Since then her home has been in Toledo, where she is well known for her lovable disposition, het unostentatious char- ities and her loyalty to friends and general in- terests.

RICHARD BESWICK. The right to the honor and esteem of his fellowmen has been fairly won by Richard Beswick, a pioneer of 1858, and since 1887 the owner of a fruit ranch of twenty acres in the limits of Ashland. This genial man, who finds both profit and pleasure in working among his peach and apple-trees, and whose fruit reflects the care and solicitude bestowed upon it, has had his share of the vicissitudes of life, but has always kept in view the sure road to success, with the result that he is one of the financially strong men of the town of his adoption. Mr. Beswick was born on a farm near Niles, Berrien county, Mich., September 2, 1842, and is the fourth

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of the eight children of George and Sarah (Power) Beswick, natives of Delaware, and both early settlers of Berrien county, Mich. George Beswick crossed the plains to Califor- nia in 1852, intending to move his family there permanently, but he was evidently disappoint- ed in the conditions which he found, for he returned in 1855, and for many years contin- ued to farm in Michigan. His wife died on the Berrien county farm, but he himself died among the scenes of his youth in Delaware. Three of his sons came to California, and of these, William crossed the plains in 1856, and died in 1900, while Nathaniel crossed with Richard, and died in California.

Distinctly Richard Beswick remembers the little log school-house in Berrien county, Mich., where he learned the rule of three, and to which he trudged through the snows of winter. He was fifteen years old when he and his brother Nat decided to come to the west, both hiring out as teamsters in the provision train of General Johnston, destined for Salt Lake City. Arriving in the Mormon town he and fifteen others bought a wagon and four mule teams and proceeded to California, which they reached late in the fall, but in fairly good condition. Coming north to Yreka Mr. Beswick engaged in placer mining for about eleven years, and then turned his attention to ranching on the Klamath river in Siskiyou county, Cal. This ranch became known as the Shovel Quick Springs, now called the Klamath Hot Springs, and Mr. Beswick retained posses- sion from 1873 until 1887. He was the first to discover the efficacy of the spring water, and after having it tested and analyzed, he conceived the idea of establishing a summer resort. Putting his idea into practical shape, he erected a large and modern hotel, furnished it in an attractive manner, and was soon con- vinced that his plan was a wise and remunera- tive one. Health-seekers patronized him for many succeeding seasons, and the place gained a reputation by no means local in extent. Mr. Beswick owned a section of land at the springs, located twenty miles from Ager, and when he finally disposed of it in 1887 it brought large financial returns. He then came to Ashland, and has since given the same conscientious care to the improvement of his small ranch as he did to the more pretentious property in California.

In Yreka, Cal .. September 29, 1879, Mr. Beswick was united in marriage with Margaret Lowden, daughter of John Lowden, and both born in the state of Ohio. Mr. Lowden spent his earlier life upon the lakes as a sailor, and in 1859 brought his family to Yreka, Cal., by way of Panama, locating on his present farm in Siskiyou county, where he engaged in min-

ing, farming and stock-raising. In his youth he married Sarah Curry, who was born in England, and who is the mother of fourteen children, thirteen of whom are living, and all but Mrs. Beswick, who is the oldest, making their home in Siskiyou county, Cal. Mr. and Mrs. Beswick have two children, Lottie Vena and Sarah. Mr. Beswick is a quiet unosten- tatious man, fond of his home and devoted to his friends. He votes the Republican ticket, but aside from serving two years as a member of the town council has steadily refused to ac- cept official recognition.

PETER BRITT. To Peter Britt belongs the distinction of taking the first photograph in the state of Oregon, the much-valued print still be- ing a prized possession of this master portrait painter and photographer. The date of this un- dertaking was February 26, 1858, and the sub- ject was Judge Moser. Probably no one living in the west has so large a collection of pioneer pictures as Mr. Britt, the majority of his sub- jects having long since passed over the great di- vide. All degrees and kinds of photographic de- velopment are represented, and probably most of the faces which had to do with the frontier days may be studied under the hospitable roof of this earnest and high-minded lover of art. His gallery also contains many examples of his por- trait work in oils, and upon his canvases are perpetuated many of the ideal landscapes for which Oregon is noted far and wide. Many of these paintings represent great value, and as a collection they rank with the landmarks which illustrate western development up to the present time. The Britt house and gallery commands a view over the entire city, and Rogue River val- ley, the horizon being banked by the Cascade mountains. Surrounding it are flowers, shrubs and trees in profusion, the trees including orna- mental palms, magnolias, chestnut, lemon and orange trees, as well as cherry, plum, apple, peach and others which bear their burden of fruit each season, an ideal home, occupied by an artist who has gone through life with seeing eyes, and one who has observed and thought with extreme intelligence. It is not surprising that his eighty-five years are crowned with the honor of all, the love and affection of many and the supreme consciousness of having performed well whatever he set out to do.

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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 144

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