Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 148

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 148

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THOMAS MARTIN has been identified with the miller's trade in England and America for the past forty-four years, and to him belongs the distinction of having built the first mill in Klamath county, Ore., and of being the sole mill- owner in the county at the present time. United by close ties to the south of England, Mr. Martin was born September 19, 1845, in the village of West Stour, in Dorsetshire, and his parents, both now deceased, are of the same nativity. His father, Edward, was a butcher by trade, and was successfully engaged in that occupation for an u11- broken period of sixty-four years in the village of West Stour, spending his entire life in that locality. His mother's maiden name was Mary Crocker, and she and her husband were blessed with nine children: Edward, Maria, James, William, Sarah, Charles, Anne, Thomas and Jane. James, Charles, Anne and Jane were claimed by death, the latter in infancy, and Sarah is now the wife of Ben Werhan.

The education of Thomas Martin was obtained in the village school of his birthplace, which he attended until thirteen years old, when he be- came apprenticed to learn the miller's trade, serv- ing a six years' apprenticeship and completely mastering all the details of this important trade. Thus at nineteen he was an expert miller and had few superiors, and, immediately embarking upon his career, worked at his trade throughout various parts of England, spending eight years in Lon- don. It was not until 1873 that he took passage for America, and soon after landing in New Or- leans, he proceeded up the Mississippi river as far as Macoupin county, Ill., where he lived, hiring out as a miller, and worked several years. In 1876 he obtained a more lucrative situation in Terre Haute, Ind., where he conducted a mill

for a couple of years, and in 1878 he went to the great northwest and to Oregon.

There for two years he ran the old Olwell mill at Phoenix, in Jackson county, and subse- quently removed near Ashland and conducted the Eagle Mills for four years. During the fourth year he rented the mill, and, after testing his ability to make a success of the business him- self, went into Klamath county, in 1884, and built a mill at Klamath Falls, which was the first in the county. This mill was successfully operated by Mr. Martin until 1901, and although he still owns it, he retired from mill work at that time, and the mill is now operated by two of his sons. In 1894 he also built a mill at Merrill, which is now in charge of his eldest son. The father retired to his fine two hundred and eighty acre ranch, ten miles northwest of Merrill, and upon this well-improved farm he carries on stock- raising and general farming, raising many cereals. He has sixty head of fine cattle, and his ranch is conducted on a well-paying basis.

In the year 1872 Mr. Martin married Miss Thirza Pattiemore, of English birth, born in Somersetshire, May 2, 1847, and their marriage took place in London, July 22, 1872. Eight children were born to them: Mary Anne, Sam- tel Edward, Oner, Charles, Elizabeth, John, May and Maud, two of whom are deceased, Mary Anne and Oner. Samuel, the eldest son, has charge of the mill at Merrill, while Charles and John conduct the mill at Klamath Falls. Eliza- beth, the eldest daughter living, is now the wife of Cary Ramsby, and resides in Klamath Falls, and the two younger daughters are attending school, the family having remained in Klamath Falls for the purpose of furthering their educa- tion, while the father conducts the ranch. Mr. Martin has served as a member of the school board of Klamath Falls for years. A life-long Republican in his political views, he has never been prevailed upon to accept office, and in fra- ternal circles he is a valued member of Lodge No. 110, A. O. U. W., of Klamath Falls.

STEPHEN CLARK TAYLOR. In Frank- lin county, Mass .. occurred the birth of Stephen Clark Taylor, September 17, 1828. When he was two years old he was taken by his parents to Ashtabula county. Ohio, which was the family home for the following seven years, when they removed to Pecatonica, Winnebago county, Ill. Stephen C. Taylor was a son of Stephen P., who in addition to conducting a farm, also carried on a saw-mill. The latter years of his useful life were devoted to ministerial work, and many there are who have been helped over the hard walk through life by his cheering words and practical assistance. He married Abigail Clark,

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a native of Massachusetts, and in 1831 removed from the latter state with his family to Indiana, later going to Ohio, and still later to Illinois. In the meantime some of his children had at- tained maturity and established homes of their own, among them being Stephen C. In 1853 Stephen P. Taylor determined to come to the west and his enthusiasm over the project en- listed the co-operation of his entire family, in- cluding Stephen C. Taylor and his wife. For three years prior to this journey the father had been in poor health and much of the time con- fined to his bed, but nevertheless he insisted on making the trip. He was carried trom the house on a bed, placed as comfortably as possible in a wagon, and thus began the long journey to the Pacific coast. Long before Oregon was reached he had recovered his health to such an extent that he was able to drive a team and perform his share of the work.

Probably none of the emigrants of the year 1853 started out under more auspicious circum- stances, for they had been successful and were able to purchase the necessary equipment to in- sure comfort in travel. They took with them a large herd of fine stock, and their wagons were drawn by many teams of strong and patient oxen. Nevertheless, in spite of the vigils by night and day much of their stock passed into the keeping of equally ambitious, but less scru- pulous Indians, and at the end of seven months they arrived at their destination in the Rogue river valley with far fewer facilities for start- ing a stock-raising enterprise than they had ex- pected. The father took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres, five miles east of Medford, which he improved and which was his home the balance of his life. As had been his life in the east, so in the west Stephen P. Taylor was associated with, and took an active part in, all progressive measures which tended toward the betterment of his locality.

Upon reaching Jackson county Stephen C. Taylor located, November 8, 1853. upon the farm of three hundred and twenty acres adjoin- ing his father's tract and located four miles northeast of Phoenix. With true pioneer cour- age and determination he set about building a cabin, his only tools being a jack-knife and an ax. The result of his indefatigable efforts was a pine log cabin, 16x20 feet, four feet high, cov- ered with shakes. This rude dwelling sheltered the family during the first winter. The only fur- niture that the family boasted was a wooden bench or two, and the only culinary articles were two tin plates and a few knives and forks. The method of cooking adopted by Mrs. Taylor was novel and original. A fire was made on the earth, and when sufficient coals had accumulated to make the ground hot they were removed and

two stones were placed edgewise on either side. Upon these another flat stone was placed (hav- ing been previously heated) and in this oven the iron pan holding the dough was placed and baked to a turn.

The donation claim upon which Mr. Taylor first settled was proved up on four years later, and he then removed to an adjoining piece of property which was then owned by his father, but which later came into his possession. Mr. Taylor understood the art of turning his land to good advantage, was amenable to reasonable ad- vancements in practical and scientific agricul- ture, and in all his dealings showed not only a broad and tolerant, but an astute and far-seeing, mind. Of the eight children born to himself and wife, formerly Mary A. Prescott, and whom he married October 24, 1850, four are living. Henry H. resides in the vicinity ; Willis W. lives on the home farm; Ellen E. is the widow of A. J. Mundy, of Corvallis; and C. C., the youngest of the children, resides not far from Medford.

FRANCIS MARIUS MILLER. The Bank of Lakeview, incorporated in 1898 with a capital stock of $150,000, owes its establishment to the financial sagacity of Francis Marius Miller, its cashier and manager. He is a native son of Oregon, and was born in Sublimity, Marion county. May 28, 1856, a son of August and Priscilla (Lane) Miller, natives respectively of Germany and Illinois, and the former born in 1803. August Miller, a millwright by trade, was forty-four years old when he came to Ameri- ca, in 1847. In New York City he worked for a time at his trade, and in 1851 crossed the plains in an ox train, taking up a donation claim near Stanton, Marion county. The following year lie married Miss Lane, whose father was one of the very early settlers of Marion county. Mr. Miller carried on general farming and stock-rais- ing on his farm, and in connection therewith worked at his trade, erecting some of the first flour and saw-mills in the state of Oregon. About 1869 he changed his residence to Lake county, to which he brought a band of cattle, and became one of the first stock-raisers in his section of the county, returning, however, to his other farm near Scio, Linn county, in 1874. There he lived in retirement until his death, in December, 1879. at the age of seventy-six, being survived by his wife, who is now seventy-nine years old, and is living at Lakeview, Ore. The children born to August Miller were as follows: Josephine, de- ceased ; Francis Marius; Elanora; Frank Lane, of Lakeview ; Monrovia, the wife of V. L. Snell- ing, of Lakeview; Minnie, a resident of Port- land, Ore .; and Oscar, deceased. Mr. Miller was

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a Democrat in politics, and from earliest youth was a member of the Christian Church.

Following upon his education acquired in the public schools of Marion and Lake counties, Francis Marius Miller entered with zest into stock-raising with his father in Lake county, and after the retirement of the latter assumed entire control of the business until starting the Bank of Lakeview, in 1898. This bank is one of the solid monetary institutions of Lake county, and has behind it the backing of conservative and in- fluential men. However, it by no means represents the extent of Mr. Miller's responsibilities, for he is president of the Lakeview Mercantile Com- pany, and is secretary and treasurer of the Lake County Land & Livestock Company. Although independent in politics, he has been prominently before the public in municipal affairs, and served as mayor of Lakeview for two terms, during 1901-2. He is prominent in fraternal circles, having passed through all of the chairs of Lake- view Lodge No. 63. I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the Encampment. Mr. Miller mar- ried April 26, 1890, Lulu Millis, who was born in San Joaquin county, Cal., in 1865, and who is the mother of two children. William Vinton and Hobart. No man in Lakeview enjoys a greater degree of confidence than the cashier of the Bank of Lakeview. He is progressive and public spirited, straightforward and substantial as a business man, and is the personification of courtesy and consideration towards all with whom he has to do.

JOHN J. NYE. Conspicuous among the suc- cessful ranchers of Lincoln county, Ore., is John J. Nye, who resides on a fine farm four miles northeast of Newport, where he is engaged in raising horses, cattle and sheep. Mr. Nye lo- cated upon this farm in 1874. His original claim contained one hundred and sixty acres, but he now has one hundred and eighty acres. He is a native of Ohio, his birth having taken place at Perrysburg, on the Maumee river, January 2, 1831. He is a son of Michael and Sophia (Clark) Nye, both of whom were natives of the same state. The family name was once supposed to be of German origin, but later researches have inclined Mr. Nve to think it of Scotch descent. He can trace his ancestry back, on the paternal side, for one hundred and fifty years, to Gordon Nve, who located in Pennsylvania at that time.

John Nve, the grandfather of John J., was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was later a cap- tain in the Home Guards in Ohio. He was born in Pennsylvania. His son. Michael Nve. the father of John T., was a plasterer and bricklaver bv trade, but his later vears were devoted to farming. He was a life-long member of the

Baptist Church, and in politics was a Repub- lican. In 1830, at Sandusky, Ohio, he was united in marriage with Sophia Clark, who died in 1833, leaving two children, John J. and Agnes. The latter married R. M. Thompson of Corvallis, Ore., but is now deceased.

After the death of his first wife, Michael Nye contracted a second marriage with Elizabeth Kines, in 1836. Six children blessed this union, as follows: Omer, deceased; Jasper, of Knox- ville, Iowa; Rowen, of Indiana; Michael, of Idaho; Nancy Disher, of Dakota; and Rebecca, of Warsaw, Ind. The mother of these children lived to attain the advanced age of seventy-nine years and died in Whitley county, Ind., in 1900. She was preceded to the grave many years by her husband, who died in Kosciusko county, Ind., in 1844, at the early age of forty-two years.

After the death of his father Mr. Nye began his apprenticeship at the tailor's trade at War- saw, Ind., and served three and a half years. He then followed his chosen occupation in various parts of that state until 1859, when he went to Oregon. He commenced the trip in January, and crossed the plains behind ox teams, going as far as Pike's Peak. Retracing their steps, the company returned to the Missouri river at Atchison, Kans., and took a fresh start from that point. At Salt Lake City they exchanged oxen for horses and proceeded the rest of the way on horseback. Mr. Nye spent the first win- ter at Corvallis, Benton county, and the fol- lowing spring (1860) he started for the Rock Creek mines in British Columbia. He met with fair success, but returned to Corvallis in the fall of 1861, and remained there until March. 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army, as a tailor of Company A, First Oregon Volun- teers. He remained in the service for nineteen months and was stationed at Fort Vancouver, Fort Yamhill and later at Camp Polk. He saw no actual fighting, and was mustered out at Fort Yamhill July 1, 1863. Returning to Corvallis, he clerked in a general store until 1865, and then went to Lincoln county, taking up a pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres, one-half mile north of Newport at the place now called Nye Creek. This place is a noted summer re- sort and bathing place for tourists. He remained on his claim for nineteen months and proved up on it, holding it for about twelve years, when he laid it out in lots and sold it at a large profit.

Mr. Nye then returned east, and in Warsaw, in 1871, was united in marriage with Olive Jane Kist of Ohio, who was born January 19, 1849. Returning to Oregon with his bride, Mr. Nye located at Corvallis, which was her home until 1874, when he located at his present home, near Newport. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nye: Zoa, of Seattle, Wash .; Zay, de-

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ceased; Earl H .; Andrew, of Menlo, Wash .; Frank, of Lincoln county; Otto, of eastern Ore- gon ; Arthur ; and John. Mr. Nye is a Repub- lican in his views, and has filled various posi- tions of trust in his vicinity, among them school director and road supervisor. In former years he affiliated with the I. O. O. F.

GEORGE WASHINGTON OBENCHAIN. A native of Indiana, since coming west, in 1861, Mr. Obenchain has resided almost continuously in Oregon, where he has made a record for him- self as a successful rancher and stockman, and as a man of enterprise and progressiveness. As in the case of many others, his land when pur- chased was without a single improvement, and the energy of Mr. Obenchain is proven by the fact that not only is it now under cultivation. but it has been added to until now there is a fine eight hundred acre farm in place of the original purchase of one hundred and fifty-eight acres.

The Obenchains originally came from Ger- many, but the father, John Obenchain, was a native of Virginia, being a farmer by occupa- tion. After his marriage in that state he re- moved to Indiana, locating in Putnam county until 1844, when he went west to Illinois for the winter. In the spring of the next year Mr. Obenchain located in Iowa, first in Linn county, but afterwards in Buchanan county, where he re- mained until his removal west. His first trip to the far west was in 1850, at which date he trav- eled to Yreka, Cal., engaging in mining there for two years and returning to Iowa in 1852. Again going westward, this time accompanied by his family, he located in California at Marys- ville for one winter, removing to Oregon in the spring. A permanent settlement was made in Jackson county, where the father engaged in stock-raising in Butte creek until 1893, when he departed this life, at the age of eighty-five years. His marriage had united him with Miss Margaret Deady, a Pennsylvanian, who also passed away when about eighty-four years old. Of the nine children born to this honored couple, but three are now living. as follows: Bartlett, a resident of Central Point, Ore .: John, of Browns- boro, Jackson county, Ore .; and G. W., of Bly. Three sons and three daughters are deceased : Julia Anne, Emma. Jane, Davis, James and Mad- ison.

February 22, 1835. marks the birth, at Fin- castle, Putnam county, Ind., of George Wash- ington Obenchain, who when a boy was taken by his parents to Iowa, where his early educa- tion was received. When the family crossed the great plains to Oregon. G. W. accompanied them. and in 1866, after a few years residence there,

spent two years in Idaho during the gold ex- citement there. The Sprague river valley first became his home in 1877, when he brought a herd of cattle to that place and located perma- nently, purchasing his ranch of which we have spoken. Besides his general farming interests, he makes a specialty of stock-raising, with splen- did success, owning two hundred head of fine cat- tle and eighty horses. As he has all his life been honest and persevering, success has crowned his efforts as a natural result. As consistent in his political views as in other matters, Mr. Oben- chain has been a Republican all his life, and supports that party to the best of his ability.

SMILEY H. PATTERSON. Of Irish-Dutch extraction, Mr. Patterson was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 15, 1840. Like most of the successful men of America, he was born on a farm, and this particular farm upon which Mr. Patterson was born belonged to his father, and was located twelve miles from Mount Vernon. His grandfather. Adam Patterson, was a Virgin- ian by birth, and about 1800 removed to Ohio. settling permanently in Licking county. At the time of his removal to that section his son, Ephraim Patterson, the father of Smiley H., was but a few years old, having been born in Virginia in 1805. and his wife, whose maiden name was Eva Fry. was one year his senior, a native of the Keystone state and of pure Dutch ancestry. Her parents left Pennsylvania for a home in Licking county, Ohio, and it was there that Mr. Patterson's parents were married.

About 1849 the father, accompanied by his family, went west and settled on a farm in John- son county. Iowa, and in connection with farm- ing pursuits he took up the practice of medi- cine and became quite a successful practitioner. His useful life was terminated in 1863, his widow surviving him for more than twenty years, her death occurring in 1885 in Johnson county, in the same vicinity where she had spent many happy years. She and her husband were blessed with eight children. as follows: Clarissa, wife of Philip Shafer, of Iowa; Loraine, deceased ; Adam, a resident of California: Jacob, of the same state: John, of Oklahoma: Minerva, who died in infancy : Smiley H. ; and Bruce, who still resides in Iowa.

Educated in the common schools of Ohio and later of Iowa, Smiley H. Patterson, at the age of nineteen years, took up the trade of a car- penter, with a view to making it his life work. and after serving several years' apprenticeship. he succeeded in mastering the details of that useful trade. There were ample possibilities in his home section for the man with capital, but for the man who was practically without means,

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although equipped with a thorough knowledge of his trade, newer fields offered better induce- ments, and he naturally turned his attention to the west. Crossing the plains to Nevada in the spring of 1863, the trip requiring sixty-four days, he traveled behind horse teams. The first stop of any length was made at Austin, and for a brief time he worked at his trade in the mines and at anything else he could obtain. In 1865 he went to Virginia City, and for two years fol- lowed carpenter work there, prior to locating in Butte county, Cal., where he followed mining in winter and carpenter work in summer, covering a period of more than twenty years, and meeting with fair success.

Mr. Patterson made his first trip to Oregon and to Portland in 1866, and in looking about for a safe and paying investment, he was soon in- duced to locate in Klamath county, purchasing at that time a farm four and a half miles south- east of Bonanza. He set about improving this place, and at once engaged in stock-raising, and at this writing he owns a fine farm of five hun- dred and twenty acres, three hundred acres be- ing under cultivation. Upon the completion of the private irrigating ditch two and a half miles long, upon which he is now engaged, a much larger tract of land, used at present for grazing purposes, will be placed under cultivation. Much high grade stock is raised on this ranch, includ- ing horses, mules and cattle, and especially is attention paid to the Durham Short-horn breeds, over one hundred fine specimens of the latter be- ing found upon his place.

In 1861, about two years prior to his going west, Mr. Patterson was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. McEldowney, formerly of Mercer county, Pa., where her birth took place in 1842. Six children were born of their union, namely: Helen May, wife of L. H. Brown, of Portland, Ore .; Nellie, wife of G. K. Van Riper, of Bo- nanza; Albert, who resides on the home place; Jessie, wife of Nelson Dunn, also of Bonanza ; a child who died in infancy; and Daisy, who is successfully engaged in teaching in Bonanza. Mr. Patterson has always been interested in educa- tional matters, and has served as school director and as clerk of the board, having at all times done his part toward securing good local schools and advancing the cause of education in a gen- eral way. In his political views he is entirely in- dependent. and socially he is a valued member of Bonanza Lodge No. 143, I. O. O. F.

LEWIS PARRISH. When that great pa- triot, La Fayette, came to America to espouse the cause of the down-trodden Colonists, he brought with him many of his French country- men whom his zeal and humanity inspired to

lofty effort in the Revolutionary war. Among those who set sail from the sunny slopes of France was a distant kinsman of Lewis Parrish, one of the well known dairymen of Tillamook county. This emigrant's descendants settled in different parts of the east, some making their way to Vermont, where Cook Parrish, the grand- father of Lewis, was born. He served in the war of 1812 as a drummer boy, and the life start- ed under such patriotic and worthy circumstances went out in gloom and suffering in a yellow fever camp in New Orleans. The grandfather lived for a time in Niagara county, N. Y., where Lewis Parrish, the father of the Tillamook dairy- inan, was born. The elder Lewis married Fannie Cates, a native of Vermont, and with her removed to La Porte county, Ind., where Lewis Parrish, Jr., was born, January 1, 1841, the fourth in a family of seven sons and two daughters. When he was a few months old the family removed to Ingham county, Mich., where is now the city of Lansing, and there the father took up eighty acres of land in the wilderness. This continued to be his home for many years, but he finally removed to Porter, Mich., where his death oc- curred in 1892, at the age of eighty-two years. For almost half a century he had been without a helpmate, for his wife died as early as 1850.

Lewis Parrish, Jr., was just twenty years old when the Civil war broke out, and August 22. 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Sixth Michi- gan Infantry, as a private, serving four years to a day. After going with his regiment to Balti- more, he accompanied General Butler to New Orleans; and for the rest of the service was in that department. He participated in the largest and many of the smaller battles of the war, in- cluding Baton Rouge, the siege of Fort Hudson, the taking of Mobile, and many others. After being mustered out at New Orleans August 22. 1865, he returned to Michigan and took up the carpenter's trade, engaging in the same in Van Buren county, Mich .. until 1881. He then came to Oregon, located in Tillamook county in the fall, and took up a homestead a mile and a half north of his present home, which he sold in 1888. At present he has one hundred acres skirting the Miami river, and another farm of one hundred and sixty acres directly north, a large part of which is under cultivation. Ninety acres are in grass, and he milks about eighteen cows in his dairy. Mr. Parrish has a pleasant home and thoroughly modern farm, equipped with late ag- ricultural devices, and conducted on the most approved and scientific principles.

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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 148

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