Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 147

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 147

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Joel Bond was sixteen years old when he came to Curry county, and with his brother Eli bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Sixes river. The brothers raised cattle together for a year, and then Joel started out on his own responsibility and bought a squatter's claim of

two hundred and sixty acres on Elk river. This remained his home until the fall of 1870, when he became first assistant of the Cape Blanco light house, and helped to start the first light of that now famous danger signal. For three years and a half he listened to the boom of the ocean against his fortress home, all the while keeping the lights bright to warn mariners of the shoals which otherwise would wreck their vessels. In the meantime he had been peering into the future with practical eyes, and pur- chased a portion of his present farm, upon which he located after leaving the light-house service. Mr. Bond's original purchase of land proved altogether inadequate for the carrying on of his large agricultural and stock-raising schemes, and he has added to it. from time to time until at present he owns nine hundred acres, three hundred of which are in the bottoms. He raises cattle, sheep, horses and hogs, and has had ex- cellent success in disposing of his stock at a reasonable profit. The farm is admirably sup- plied with water, for busy little Elk creek sings its way through the timbered banks, and be- sides, excellent wells have been dug for the watering of stock and the home supply. Three and a half miles from Port Orford, the farm is high and admirably located, commanding a fine view of the sea, the light-house, and the near by town. Mr. Bond devoted all of his time and energy to his farm, caring little for politics, although his stanch adherence to Republican principles is well known. He is a supporter of education, morality and progressiveness in agri- culture and general living, and has many loyal friends not only in his immediate neighborhood, but throughout the county.

JOHN B. TAYLOR. Five miles from Ash- land is a farm which bears evidence of many years of painstaking effort on the part of its former owner, John B. Taylor, whose death, March 9, 1898, caused widespread regret in the neighborhood where he had established many lasting friendships. In Ireland, where his birth occurred in 1824, Mr. Taylor learned the art of linen weaving, following the trade as a means of livelihood. In his native land he married Elizabeth Taylor, who was born October 8, 1828, and in 1850 came to America with his family, being six weeks and three days on the ocean.

In Philadelphia Mr. Taylor became identified with a carpet weaving establishment, and must have been pleased with his position, for he re- mained with the concern for nine years, and during that time saved quite a little money. The same spirit of unrest and ambition which prompted his immigration to the United States led him to seriously consider journeying further

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to the west, and he came by boat to San Fran- cisco, and from there to Trinity county. From the latter place he crossed the mountains with mules, his wife carrying one of the children in front of her, and he taking the other two. Their destination happened to be Jackson county, where Mr. Taylor had a brother living, and the family lived with him for about four years, the brothers working together on a large ranch. Mr. Taylor then bought the right to the tract of three hundred acres of land now occupied by his family. Erecting a small house in which to tem- porarily reside, he turned his attention to clear- ing the land, and soon was able to put in the first season's crops. From the first he was suc- cessful, invariably finding a ready market for his produce, which was varied in kind and large in extent, and he also raised cattle and horses.

Ever since the death of Mr. Taylor his wife and sons have occupied the farm, and are main- taining the advanced policy of its pioneer set- tler. There were eight children in the family, of whom William J., the oldest son, is deceased ; James conducts a farm in Klamath county ; Mary is the wife of John McAllister, of this county ; Andrew resides in Klamath county ; Liz- zie is the wife of Eugene Spencer, a farmer in Klamath county; Ellen lives at home; William lives on a portion of the old place ; and John also has a share of the original property. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were devoted members of the Pres- byterian Church, where the wife still worships, and where she is known as one of the active church workers. The family bears an honored name in the community, personal integrity, busi- ness ability and trustworthiness being among the claims to recognition possessed by all of its members.

JOHN W. WEAVER. This honored pio- neer citizen of Douglas county, Ore., who re- sides in the vicinity of Myrtle Creek, is enjoying the reward of his early industry and persever- ance. He has been identified with the interests of Douglas county for more than half a century and has long been recognized as one of its best citizens, aiding and maintaining it in reaching its present position among the first-class com- munities of the state. He was born in Tennes- see, February 28, 1832, and is a son of William and Anna ( Adams) Weaver, the latter a native of South Carolina. William Weaver, who was born in Alabama in 1806, was a tanner by trade. When he was a young man he settled in Tennes- sec and followed his trade, and it was there his marriage took place. Both the paternal and ma- ternal grandfathers of J. W. Weaver fought in the war of 1812.

When John W. Weaver was but five years old

the family moved to Kentucky, where they lived until 1844, and then journeyed west as far as Missouri, which was their home until 1850. Like many others, they then decided to come to Oregon, and crossed overland with ox-teams. The trip consumed six months' time to a day, and although the Indians stole some of their cattle and engaged them in a few skirmishes, no trouble occurred of a serious nature. They spent the first winter in Cornelius and in the spring of 1851 they came to Douglas county and took up donation claims of six hundred and forty acres on South Umpqua river, three miles south of Myrtle Creek. They improved and cul- tivated the land and built a residence which was among the first houses in Douglas county. Upon this farm the parents spent their remaining days. They had three children, two of whom are still living, John W. and his sister, Harriet Chad- wick, who resides near Myrtle Creek. William Weaver was a Democrat and took quite an in- terest in politics, filling minor offices in his vicin- ity. He was intensely interested in the Christian Church, of which he was a member. During the Indian uprisings of 1855-56 he was very ac- tive in the protection of homes. He won hosts of friends who held him in high esteem. He died when about sixty years old, and was sur- vived many years by his widow, who was a faithful member of the Baptist Church and lived to attain the age of eighty-seven years.

John W. Weaver was educated in the public schools, and remained at home until his mar- riage, which occurred in 1859. He had pre- viously taken up a donation claim near his fath- er's, and after marriage he lived upon his claim. His wife was, before her marriage, Harriet Wright, a native of Missouri, but after a brief sixteen months of wedded life, she passed away. Many years afterward Mr. Weaver was married to Clara Sumner, formerly of Illinois. Imme- diately after marriage they went to housekeep- ing upon the place where they now reside, a part of the father's donation claim, which the son inherited. Nine children were born to them. Those still living at home are Lulu, Fred, Ber- tha, Hallie and Fay.

Mr. Weaver owns about six hundred acres of land, about three hundred acres being fine bot- tom land. Here he is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising, and also raises fruit ex- tensively, having one hundred acres in orchard. raising prunes mostly. With the exception of seven years and a half Mr. Weaver has devoted his whole life to farm work. For about six years he was engaged in a general merchandise business and has done considerable prospecting and mining. He has the distinction of being one of the discoverers of the Myrtle Creek mines, and has taken an active part in their develop-

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ment. He is a man who has rendered eminent services in various fields of labor. Like his father, he firmly advocates the principles of the Democratic party, and has always taken an ac- tive part in politics, filling various minor posi- tions. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a deacon. In fraternal circles he holds a membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

MARTIN L. RANDLEMAN will be remem- bered by many as a man of worth, whose death in the prime of his life was regretted by a wide circle of friends and relatives. He was born in Missouri, November 9, 1853, and when only four years old accompanied his parents across the plains to California. They traveled by ox-teams and were once attacked by Indians, a skirmish ensuing, in which one man was killed and two wounded. However, they arrived in safety, after a journey of about five months, and settled in Sonoma county. Martin Randleman attended the district school with diligence, and his train- ing there was supplemented by a course in the Methodist College at Santa Rosa. He made his home with his parents until the year of 1874, when he went to Coos county, Ore., taking up a homestead claim ten miles east of Bandon. Two years later he married Julia A. Gorham, who was born in Jefferson county, Ill., and who crossed the plains with her father and mother, settling in Coos county, in 1866.

Mr. Randleman and his bride began house- keeping on the place where his widow now lives. Besides conducting this farm, he was employed in a sawmill, until he was compelled to go to California on account of his health, which was failing rapidly. While in that state his death occurred March 10, 1898. He was greatly be- loved and a man of influence in his community. An active church worker, he was clerk of the Baptist Church of which he was a member. He was also identified with the Odd Fellows and was a Democrat in politics.

Mrs. Randleman is the daughter of King D. and Sarah (Harberson) Gorham, who were both natives of Kentucky. Her father was born in Logan county, of that state, May 29, 1835, and was a farmer's son. His father also a Ken- tuckian, had twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, and King D. Gorham was the eighth child. While a young man the latter worked at the carpenter's trade, and March 4, 1851, he was united in matrimony with Sarah Harberson. They remained in Kentucky until 1855, remov- ing at that date to southern Illinois, where they lived until they started across the plains in 1865. The party started with an ox team, and having no serious trouble with Indians, arrived at their

destination after a tedious journey of seven months. They spent that winter at Walla Walla and disposed of their oxen; in the spring of 1866 they took pack horses and traveled to Coos county, Ore., where they settled on the Coquille river. In 1868 Mr. Gorham purchased the home- stead where he still resides, ten miles east of Bandon. He owns one hundred and sixty-five acres, fifty acres in bottom land, and has made all the improvements on the place. He carries on general farming and dairying, and is a man whose worth is recognized hy everyone. He is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gor- ham, only one is now living, Julia Ann, Mrs. Randleman.

Mr. and Mrs. Randleman have been the happy parents of six children, whose names are as fol- lows: Allen, Charlie, Martin, Georgia, Ollie and Ora Lee. Charlie Randleman lives in Par- kersburg, Ore. The other children live with their mother and manage the farm for her. They have one hundred and thirty acres of fine, val- uable land, with handsome, modern residence, large barn, etc. They carry on general farming with a dairy in connection, owning seventeen milch cows. Mrs. Randleman is highly re- spected by all who have the honor of her ac- quaintance, and the memory of her deceased husband is still bright in the minds of many who reside in that vicinity.

J. MARSH WAGNER. Soda Springs owes its most lasting and substantial prosperity to the untiring efforts of J. Marsh Wagner, owner of what was formerly Caldwell Springs, but is now known by the name of Wagner Springs. Born in the town of Ashland, April 15, 1863, Mr. Wagner had good educational advantages in his youth, graduating from the high school and from the state university at Eugene. His business career was inaugurated at the age of twenty- one, when, in partnership with his father, Jacob Wagner, and his brother-in-law, W. H. Leeds, he purchased the springs which now bear his name. The partnership was dissolved after an existence of eight years, J. M. Wagner becom- ing sole owner and proprietor. For the past nine years he has engaged quite extensively in the bottling business, and ships his spring water to all parts of the surrounding country. The springs are located ten and a half miles south- east of Ashland and have a capacity of five gal- lons a minute. The waters are of an even tem- perature, remaining the same during summer and winter. A ranch of fifteen hundred acres surrounds the springs, where high grade cattle, horses and sheep are raised, and where almost all the modern improvements known to the lat-

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ter day agriculturist have been installed. During the summer season Mr. Wagner rents his rooms to guests desirous of enjoying the advantages of the country, and the best advertisement for his place is the fact that his guests return year after year, showing that they are satisfied with the entertainment provided.

December 21, 1887, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage with Annie Anderson, and three children have been born of the union, Elizabeth, Carroll M., and Robert A. Mr. Wagner is a stanch Republican in his political afhliation, and fraternally is identified with Ashland Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Wagner is known as a shrewd business man and in all his dealings has been fair and impartial, his honesty and integrity being at all times above reproach.

JOHN WEAVER. Conspicuous among the many farmers and stock-raisers who have made a decided success of their vocation in Douglas county, Ore., is John Weaver, who is now living practically retired. He was born December 15, 1824, in Germany, and accompanied his parents to the United States in 1833. The family settled in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where the father followed farming until his death, at the age of sixty-three years. The beloved mother lived to about the same age, and reared eleven children.

John Weaver, who was the third child born to his parents, attended district school during his boyhood days and thus laid the foundation of a practical education. He remained at home until 1843 and spent the following two years in Vir- ginia. Having now reached manhood's estate he went west to seek his fortune and spent six years in the state of Iowa. In 1852 he went overland to Oregon, behind ox teams and the trip consumed about six months' time. The party with which he traveled had no serious difficulty with the Indians, but proceeded directly to Doug- las county. There Mr. Weaver took up a dona- tion claim six miles east of Canyonville, in the South Umpqua valley. With the exception of four years spent in the cattle business in Nevada this has been his home ever since. He has made many fine improvements on his farm and has up-to-date practical ideas about farming. In the main he has followed general farming and stock- raising and has met with unqualified success. He has recently disposed of the greater part of his landed interests, but still retains a seven hun- dred acre ranch in Coos county, where he car- ries on stock and dairy ranching quite exten- sively.

After many years of unceasing labor and toil Mr. Weaver has reached the calm and is sur- rounded by the fruits of his foresight and in-

dustry. In his political views he coincides with the Republican party and in former years took a decided interest in politics. In his religious inclinations he is an active member and stanchi supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Canyonville, and is recognized as one of its in- fluential members.

JOHN C. LAIRD. After years of effort at improving various fertile lands in Oregon, John C. Laird is living in retirement on his Coquille river farm, three miles west of the town of that name. In 1889 he purchased seventy acres of the farm, but additional purchase has increased the acreage to one hundred and thirty-three. Mr. Laird was always an appreciator of fine stock, and the raising of the same has consti- tuted one of his chief pleasures, as well as larg- est sources of profit. As his name indicates, Mr. Laird is of Scotch descent, and both his father, John, and his grandfather, were born in Scotland, the former in Glasgow, where the grandfather owned and operated a blacksmith shop. John chose the cotton and woolen spin- ners' trade as a means of livelihood. Having mastered his trade it was with a sense of security that he emigrated to Canada at the age of eight- een, and after working there for a year he re- moved south to New York state, settling in the prosperous old town of Brownville, Jefferson county. There he married Marion Calhoun, a countrywoman born in Edinburg, Scotland, June 4, 1803, who came to America with her parents as a child. The Calhoun family lived first in Canada, but finding the winters severe, moved, as did the Lairds, to the warmer climate of New York. About 1843 Mr. Laird moved his family overland to Iowa, where he continued to raise stock and general produce, and where his death occurred at a comparatively early age. With her children the widow set out for the west in 1856, bravely facing the dangers which threatened them at every turn of the road. A few years later, in 1870, she was united in marriage with Pinxton Wade, one of the famous California '49ers. In 1888 the family left California and located in Coos County, Ore., and from their farm on Pulaski creek they afterward removed to Douglas county, where Mr. Wade died at an advanced age. Since the loss of her second hus- band the mother has been making her home with her son Walter in Brewster valley, and is now ninety years of age.

John C. Laird, born in New York on the Jef- ferson county farm April 29, 1836, was the fourth of the nine children in the parental fam- ily. Owing to the early times, and the more or less unsettled conditions of the country in which he lived, he received a very limited education in

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his youth. His success is therefore the more creditable, as is also the fact that to-day he is a well informed man and an earnest supporter of education in his neighborhood. He was one of the first in the family to think of going west, and made the start in 1851, arriving at his des- tination in California at the end of the usual six months. After a few years of ranching and teaming he went to Montana and followed min- ing and prospecting for a few years, and again in California he farmed and raised stock on a large scale. About 1863 he was united in mar- riage with Janie Norris, a native of Ireland, and thereafter continued to live in California until 1878. Coming north to Coos county, Mr. Laird settled on a farm two and a half miles west of Coquille, which remained his home for many years, and there he made many fine improve- ments. Selling out at a large profit, he bought his present home in 1889 and has since been one of the most successful and prominent men of his locality.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Laird has never desired office for himself, but has given his sup- port to such of his friends as were fitted to serve the public welfare. For many years of his active life he has found recreation and compan- ionable associates in the foremost fraternal lodges of the country, and is identified with the Masons and the Odd Fellows. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Six children have been born into the family : James, Pinxton and Warren, of this vicinity ; George, living in Marshfield, Ore .; Anna, the wife of F. Vorpeggit, of this neighborhood ; and Eunice, the wife of George Schroeder, of Coos Bay.

CHARLES A. PETERSON has lived in Ore- gon for a period of over thirty years, and now resides on a large ranch, eight miles west of Coquille, Coos county, where he carries on gen- eral farming and dairying. He was born in Scotland in 1832, and of the six children in the parental family three are still living. The mother died in 1849, a victim of cholera. Charles A. Peterson received his early education in sub- scription schools and remained at home until 1850, when, in company with his brother, he departed for the United States. They arrived after a journey of six weeks and went directly to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where they followed mining for one year. They next went to Pittsburg, Pa., working there and in the vi- cinity until 1871. In that year Charles A. left Pennsylvania and came to Indiana, mining there for about two years, finally going farther west and locating in Oregon. Arriving here in 1873, he later purchased one hundred and forty-five

acres of land on the Coquille river, which is now his home. At the same time he pre-empted a claim of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his first purchase, and cultivated and improved both places, making all the improvements upon them. He has fifty acres of bottom land and carries on farming and dairying, and, needless to say, carries them on successfully. His home place is adorned with a neat dwelling and good farm buildings.

Mr. Peterson's first marriage united him with Elizabeth Hall, an estimable lady, who was born in 1838 in Pennsylvania. They had five chil- dren, the second of whom, Christina, is de- ceased. The living are Maggie, Sadie and Lillie, all residents of Pennsylvania; and John, who lives in San Francisco. In 1872, some years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Peterson married Mary Gamble, also a native of Penn- sylvania. Four children blessed this union : Harry, a resident of Riverton, Ore., and Mrs. Susie McCormick, Elsie and Charles, who live in the vicinity. Mr. Peterson allies himself with the Republicans in political opinions. He has always been an active politician and has been elected to many minor offices in the locality. Be- sides his farm work he has for many years en- gaged in mining in the coal belt of Oregon.

C. C. TAYLOR. Of the families established in Jackson county in 1853, none is associated with more earnest and substantial efforts in its behalf than that of which C. C. Taylor is a worthy representative. Born on the farm which he now owns and occupies, March 3, 1870, Mr. Taylor has spent his entire active life in aiding in the improvement of one of the finest general farming properties near Medford, his farm con- sisting of four hundred acres, one hundred and seventy-five of which are under cultivation. This property, however, does not represent the limit of his landed possessions, for in other local- ities he owns land amounting to one hundred and ten acres. Besides carrying on general farming Mr. Taylor makes a specialty of dairying and raising graded stock. He has the push and re- sourcefulness of the men in whose hands rests the destiny of the state, and in whose strong and tireless brains are weaving endless schemes for advancement.

C. C. Taylor is a son of Stephen Clark Taylor, a man of much pluck and ability, whose well rounded life has been an inspiration and an ex- ample to his children. He was a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, exempli- fying in his daily life the teachings of the Mas- ter, and gave liberally of his means to all worthy causes. October 24, 1850, he was united in mar- riage with Mary A. Prescott, and eight children

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were born of their union, of whom four are now living: Henry H., Willis W., Ellen E., and C. C.

The early education of C. C. Taylor was re- ceived in the district schools of the vicinity of his childhood home, and he was later a student in the Portland Business College, from which he graduated. His marriage, November 16, 1892, united him with Miss Effie L. Rose, who was born in Phoenix, Ore., a daughter of Albert Rose, who came to Oregon in 1852. Mr. Taylor is prominent in Republican political circles, has served as deputy assessor for two terms, and in 1900 was appointed census taker of Medford and vicinity. He has filled all of the chairs in Medford Lodge No. 83, I. O. O. F., and at one time was delegate to the Grand Lodge. He is also identified with the Knights of the Macca- bees. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have one child, Albert A.

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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 147

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