Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 150

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 150

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November 4, 1901, Mr. Ferry opened a gen- eral merchandise store at Riverton and enjoys a liberal patronage, and in May, 1903, he was commissioned postmaster at the same point. He had previously removed his family there in 1899. In 1864 he married Mrs. S. J. Floyd, nee Hall, a Virginian, and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: Mrs. Josephine Dar- nell, of Pendleton, Ore .; Mrs. Elizabeth An- drews, of Freewater, Ore .; Mrs. Pauline Byars, of Pilot Rock, Ore .; Rosa, at home; Mrs. Mary Lee, of Eureka, Cal .; Joseph, who also assists on the home place; and Henrietta, who is now de- ceased.

HERMAN L. CARL. Creameries, better known as butter and cheese factories, form an important addition to any locality where dairy farming is carried on to any great extent. This is especially the case in southwestern Oregon, and Mr. Carl is the joint proprietor of one of the largest and best creameries in Coos county, and has one of the most extensive dairy ranches in that locality. Mr. Carl was born July 28, 1877, in Poweshiek county, Iowa, and is a son of August and Amanda (Newcomer) Carl, the lat- ter a native of Maryland. His father was born in Germany in 1835, and followed agricultural pursuits principally. He learned the tailor's trade, but never followed it to any great extent. In 1858, in company with an older brother, he came to the United States and settled in Iowa, where he was later married. He made his home in that state until 1881, and then came to Coos county, Ore. He purchased a ranch of two hun- dred and thirty acres on the Coquille river, three miles northwest of Myrtle Point, and at the time of purchase, only three or four acres were under

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cultivation. He began improving his land and succeeded in clearing one hundred acres. He carried on general farming and stock-raising there until 1901 and then moved to Newberg, Yamhill county, living a retired life there until his death, May 8, 1903. He was a devout mem- ber of the German Baptist Church and was deeply interested in church work. He affiliated with the Republicans in his political views and, although an active politician, he never sought office. He was a soldier in the Civil War, en- listing in the Union Army from Iowa and serv- ing eighteen months. His widow still survives him, an esteemed resident of Newberg.

Herman L. Carl was educated in the district schools and remained at home until his marriage, which took place January 1, 1903, and united him with Ella Ellingsen, a native of Coos county, her parents being natives of Norway. After their marriage the young people went to house- keeping on the home place which Mr. Carl and his brother have managed together for several years with splendid success. They built a cream- ery which is up-to-date in all respects, and in addition, have a fine, large barn, 58x92 feet. Their dwelling is among the best in that section, and many other modern improvements are to be found on the premises. Their fine ranch con- tains two hundred and forty acres, and in addi- tion our subject owns forty acres adjoining. They milk forty cows, and also purchase the product of near-by dairy farms. The brothers own a steamer, the Welcome, which plies on the Coquille river. John D. Carl, with whom our subject is associated, was born in 1881. Both brothers are Republicans and bid fair to make their mark in the world, being among the most popular, rising young men in the vicinity of Norway.

EBENEZER NEWELL COLSON. When he came to his present property ten miles south- east of Klamath Falls, in 1893, Mr. Colson bought a right and filed on one hundred and sixty acres of government land, and here he has since engaged in general farm pursuits. The majority of the improvements to be seen on the land represent his own labors. Through his un- wearied toil eighty acres have been placed under cultivation, one-half of which is in alfalfa, yield- ing about eighty tons of hay. Like other farmers in Klamath county, he finds stock-raising an al- most necessary adjunct of general farming, and has begun the building up of a herd, having as a nucleus for the same nineteen head of finely-bred cattle.

In Eaton, Madison county, N. Y., Mr. Colson was born August 23, 1829, being a son of Brack- ley and Susan (Salter) Colson, natives of Con-

necticut, the former of Danish extraction, the lat- ter of Irish descent. The paternal grandfather was a soldier with the New England forces dur- ing the Revolutionary war and served under the command of George Washington. The father lived to be nincty-three and the mother eighty- seven years of age, and both died in New York state. In their family of six sons and three daughters Ebenezer N. was third in order of birth. Such advantages as local schools offered were given to him in his boyhood. At eighteen years of age he started out for himself, his first location being at Ridgway, Elk county, Pa., where he was employed as a lumber hand and later worked on a farm. In the spring of 1852 he went to the vicinity of Beloit, Wis., where he worked as a farm hand. The following year he removed to Will county, Ill., where he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, going from there in 1855 to Iroquois county.

At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Colson became an enthusiastic supporter of the Union cause, and July 24, 1862, at Kankakee, Ill., he enlisted as a private in Company A, Seventy- sixth Illinois Infantry. Assigned to the army of the Potomac, he served first under General Ord and later under General Grant. After the battle of Hatchie's Run, in which he participated, he was sent to Vicksburg. In October, 1862, he was taken ill and sent to the hospital at Bolivar, Tenn., afterward to Jackson, Miss., rejoining the regiment at Memphis in May, 1863. During the · siege of Vicksburg in June, 1863, he was again sent to the hospital, where he continued for some time, not able to engage in active duty. During the winter of 1863-64 he was stationed at Rock Island, guarding prisoners. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service June 24, 1865, in Milwaukee.

Beginning in 1866, Mr. Colson was for twelve years employed as a gardener in Fond du Lac, Wis., and in that city also conducted business in the raising and selling of hops. His resi- dence in Klamath county, Ore., dates from 1891, when he became manager of a ranch for Dr. Towne at Naylox, ten miles north of Klamath Falls. Two years later he located at his present place. Here he and his wife, with their son, Glen Archibald, have a comfortable home. Mrs. Colson was formerly Mary E. Allen, and was born near Rochester, N. Y., in February, 1839. Her father, Lyman R. Allen, a native of New York state, moved to Wisconsin about 1858 and settled in Fond du Lac county, but later re- moved to Calumet county, same state. In his removal to Wisconsin he was accompanied by his daughter, Mary, who remained with him un- til her marriage about 1868.

All the acquaintances of Mr. Colson are aware

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of his stanch Republican sympathies. At every election, whether local or national, he casts his ballot for the candidates of the party, whose prin- ciples he believes to be for the greatest prosperity and upbuilding of our country. He is interested in educational matters and has served as a school director. At county conventions of his party he is usually present and gives assistance in the work of nominations, because he is interested in putting good men into office. As a citizen he is patriotic and public-spirited, doing all in his power to promote the welfare of his country.

Z. C. STRANG. From almost the earliest period of his recollections Mr. Strang has been identified with the history of Coos county and more especially with that part of the county lying in or near Coquille. The family of which he is a member traces its lineage to Prince Ed- ward's Island, where his grandfather, Jesse Strang, was born and where he died at an ad- vanced age. Although that was his home during much of his life, at one time he tried his fortune in the states and settled on a farm near Pem- broke, Mass. It was while the family lived at Pembroke that his son, David P., was born. The latter went to Minnesota during 1860 and took up a homestead there. At the first call for volunteers when the Civil war opened he offered his services and was accepted, continuing in the army until the close of the war as a member of the Seventh Minnesota Infantry. His fighting spirit was further shown by his service in the Indian wars, when he aided in quelling the tur- bulent Sioux in Minnesota. In recognition of his faithful service and of wounds received in battle, he now draws a pension from the gov- ernment. After some years as a farmer in Min- nesota, the year 1871 found him bringing his family to Oregon, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres near Coquille, Coos county. With the early development in agriculture of this region he was associated and niet with a fair degree of success. At this writing he is retired from business carcs and makes his home with his son in town.

The marriage of David P. Strang united him with Emily M. Warren, a descendant of General Warren, one of the most illustrious generals of the Revolutionary war. She was born at Sen- eca Falls, Vt., and died in Coos county, Ore., in 1902, at sixty years of age. Her father, Z. S. Warren, spent many years as a master mechanic at Seneca Falls, Vt., but in 1865 came to the coast and secured employment at his trade, later removing to Portland, Ore., where his death oc- curred. In the family of David P. and Emily M. Strang there were three sons and two daugh- ters, one of the sons being Z. Clark, who was

born in McLeod county, Minn., June 17, 1866. After securing such educational advantages as the place then afforded he began to work at the painter's trade, continuing his apprenticeship in the same until he turned his attention to the mercantile busmess. It was in 1892 that he embarked in merchandising and since then he has built up a trade covering all this part of the county. To meet the demands of his cus- tomers he carries a large stock, aggregating about $8,000 in value. It is his aim to conduct his busines after reliable and approved modern methods. By giving his personal attention to the details he has been enabled to build up a business that is extensive and profitable, while at the same time he has gained a reputation for uprightness and fair dealings with all. Neces- sarily giving much of his time to his business, he has little leisure for association with political organizations and fraternities, and we find him identified with no society except the Woodmen of the World, while in politics he is independ- ent, voting for the men and the measures rather than the party.

The marriage of Mr. Strang at Myrtle Point, Coos county, united him with Miss Ella Wag- ner, who was born near that place and by whom he has one daughter, Zelma Cleora. Of south- ern ancestry, Mrs. Strang is a daughter of Dan- iel Wagner, a native of North Carolina and a pioneer of Oregon. After some years in Coos county, about 1893 he returned to North Caro- lina, where his death occurred amid the scenes of his boyhood days.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN VAN BRIM- MER, born in Livingston county, Mo., January 27, 1841, is of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry on the paternal side. His father, George Van Brim- mer, was born in Pennsylvania and his mother Rebecca (Carter) Van Brimmer, was born in Ohio. When a boy George Van Brimmer moved to Delaware county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, learned the tanner's trade, and event- ually married. In 1839 he moved to Livingston county, Mo., and his death occurred near Chilli- cothe, Mo., at the age of forty-five, his wife fol- lowing him to the other world in 1849. He followed tanning during his entire business life, and managed to give his children a comfortable home and fair common school education. Besides Benjamin Franklin, next to the youngest child, there were the following children: Henry, who died at the age of thirteen; Clinton, conducting a farm on Lost river, Klamath county; Ellen, the wife of James Ryan of Colorado; Daniel, a farmer on Lost river; and Mary, deceased.

Left an orphan at the age of eight years, Ben- jamin Franklin was reared in the home of

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strangers until his sixteenth year, and then started out for himself, working on farms in Missouri by the month. In 1861 he became in- terested in a project to cross the plains, the plan taking on additional interest because his brothers, Daniel and Clinton, were similarly inclined. The start was made with ox and horse teams May 27, and the party arrived in the San Joaquin valley early in September. Remaining there over winter, Mr. Van Brimmer soon aft- erward went to the mines in the state, and in 1868 removed with his brothers to Siskiyou county, Cal., where they took up a large homestead and extensively engaged in stock-raising, under the firm name of Van Brim- mer Brothers. In 1883 the brothers sold their land and stock at an advantage, and together moved into Klamath county, where they built the irrigating ditch near Merrill, making a com- plete success of the same. The ditch completed, Mr. Van Brimmer located in Klamath Falls, where in 1891 he married Mrs. Lydia. Brewer, mother of three children by her former marriage. Of these, Frank, the oldest son, lives in Douglas county ; and Myra and Fred are at home. Mr. Van Brimmer has subscribed to Democratic prin- ciples ever since old enough to vote, and in this town he has served as councilman and as school director for six years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Klamath Falls.

ELDON M. BRATTAIN. In Judge Eldon M. Brattain Lakeview has a painstaking and conscientious lawyer and ex-magistrate, whose learning and general ability reflect undisputed credit upon his native state of Oregon. Ap- pointed to his present position by President Mc- Kinley in 1898, as registrar of the United States land office at Lakeview, his administration is being well received, and in every way fulfills the expectations of those responsible for his re- tention in office. He has the gifts of tact and consideration, of geniality and industry, and as a promoter of all around prosperity and good government is noted for his independence and liberality of thought and action.

Judge Brattain was born on his father's farm in Lane county, near Springfield, March 23, 1862. His is one of the pioneer families of the state, his father settling in it shortly after bring- ing his family across the plains during the sum- mer of 1850. His father, Thomas J. Brattain, was born in Illinois January 20, 1829, and pre- vious to coming to the coast engaged in general farming and stock-raising, occupations to which his entire active life was devoted. Retaining possession of the farm near Springfield, which is still in the family, in 1859 he located on a farm near Klamath Falls, Jackson county, and during

the winter of 1869-70 lived in Phoenix, the same county. In the spring of 1870 he moved onto a farm eight miles south of Bonanza, and in the fall of 1872 returned to his farm in the vicinity of Springfield, Lane county. In the spring of 1873 he took up the first claim in Silver Lake valley, Lake county, which has been continuously occupied ever since, and in the fall was joined by his family, some of whom have continued to make this their home ever since. Mr. Brattain married Vermilia Jane Gil- lespie, who was born in Missouri June 4, 1839, and who has borne him four children, of whom Judge Brattain is the second.

Judge Brattain was favored above the average country reared youth as far as education was concerned, possibly because he comes from stock which appreciated this great boon as a factor of advancement, and also because he possessed the perseverance necessary to make the best possible use of his advantages. From the public schools of Springfield he entered the University of Ore- gon in 1880, graduating in the class of 1887 with the degree of A. B. Shortly afterward he be- came a student in the law school at Portland, re- ceiving his degree in the spring of 1891. He then engaged in stock-raising with his father in Lake county, and in 1894 was elected judge of Lake county, and removed to Lakeview to enter upon his active service, which continued until 1898. The same year he received his appoint- ment to the United States land office, yet another evidence of the confidence which his character and public services have inspired and of his loy- alty to Republican principles and issues. In De- cember, 1897, Judge Brattain married, in San Francisco, Myrtle E. Best, a native of Modoc county, Cal., and born March 21, 1876. Two children have been born of this union, Virgil and Eldon. Fraternally the judge is connected with Lakeview Lodge, K. of P.

JOSEPH BIXBY. The business activity in the little town of Beaver is largely due to the enterprise of its leading merchant, Joseph Bixby, who is also one of the large land owners and successful farmers of the vicinity. Mr. Bixby, whose self-made career serves to illustrate the worth of application and integrity, is a native of Cass county, Mich., and was born November 24, 1857. His father, Harling, was born in Utica, N. Y., and his mother, Parthena (Higgins) Bixby, was born in Virginia. The parents were pioneer settlers of Cass county, Mich., and met and married while yet the vast timberlands were practically unexplored, and when the Indian was a frequent visitor at their hospitable door. Eight children were born to them, six sons and two daughters. The mother died at the early age of

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thirty-five, in 1867; the father survived until 1893, his age being sixty-seven. Harling Bixby married a second wife, a Mrs. Linn Fish, who bore him two children.

The fourth of his mother's children, Joseph Bixby was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. In 1880 he married Edith Pat- rick, who was born in Cass county, Mich., June 18, 1860, and of this union five children have been born: Beatrice, Benjamin F., Lella, Hattie and Roland. In 1881 Mr. Bixby removed to Oregon, locating four miles east of Salem, but the following year taking up their residence on a farm a quarter of a mile south of Beaver. This one hundred and sixty-six acre farm is still in the possession of Mr. Bixby, and under his constant care has developed into a fine and paying property. Always ambitious and on the lookout for broader opportunity, Mr. Bixby started a general merchandise store in his house in 1889, which so prospered and rewarded the energy of its owner that he moved into town in 1903 and built a store more in accord with his increasing trade and bright promises. To his former farm has been added from time to time, and at present he has three hundred and seventy- eight acres of land, and besides general farming, conducts a dairy of forty-five cows. The post- office is conducted in his general store. Mr. Bixby has invested the proceeds of his labor in various home enterprises, owning a half interest in the cheese factory at Beaver, and the same amount of stock in the Hughey factory. As a stanch Republican he has served in various local capacities, and has been a school clerk for sev- eral years. Mr. Bixby is one of the solid, re- liable merchants and farmers of Tillamook county, and his name is invariably associated with progress, whether from a mercantile, edu- cational, or moral standpoint.

LORENZO D. ACKLEY. One of the most successful dairymen in Tillamook county is Lo- renzo D. Ackley, owner of a farm of one hun- dred and ten acres two miles northeast of Tilla- mook. Mr. Ackley has always lived on a farm, has a thorough understanding of agriculture, stock-raising and dairying, and has owned his present property since 1888. He milks about thirty-four cows, and has ample accommodation for carrying on after modern fashion a large dairying business. Of English-German descent, Mr. Ackley was born on a farm near Cincinnati, Ohio, August 5, 1848, and is the third of the seven sons and five daughters born to Samuel and Charlotte (Ripley) Ackley. Samuel Ack- ley was born in New York state in April, 1812, and his wife was born near Marietta, Ohio, on Duck creek, in 1813. As a young man just

starting out in the world, Samuel Ackley went from New York to Ohio, married there, and when Lorenzo D. was a year old moved to Put- nam county, Ill. A few years later he moved to Iowa, and after a winter spent in Black Hawk county, returned to Illinois, where he lived four years. His next home was in Sullivan county, Mo., removing from there in about a year to Page county, Iowa, his intention being to get away from the trouble over the slavery question. Until 1861 he roamed around over Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri, and that year crossed the plains with ox-teams, arriving at his destination in California at the end of five months. After a winter in Butte county he removed in the spring to a different locality, and for nine years had no settled home for any length of time, in the mean- time engaging in ranching. In time the dispo- sition to locate in Oregon led him to make the journey over the mountains with teams, and from Portland he took a boat for Tillamook county, where he lived on a farm until 1871. Then, with the faithful wife who had shared his many wanderings, he moved to San Bernardino county, Cal., where four years later, in 1875, his death occurred, his wife and helpmate surviving him for two months only.

Lorenzo D. Ackley remained in Oregon when his people went to California, and the following year, in 1872, was united in marriage with Mary J. Jenkins, who was born near Knoxdale, Iowa, in 1851. Nine children have been born of this union, five sons and four daughters, who are receiving good educations. Mr. Ackley is a Re- publican in politics, and has served as school director and clerk for many years.

WILLIAM H. GAMBLE. Prominent among the farmers and stock-raisers of Coos county due mention belongs to William H. Gam- ble, who has made a life study of his calling, having always followed these pursuits. He was born May 24, 1864, in Poweshiek county, Iowa, a son of William D. and Emma ( Harman) Gam- ble, both natives of England. The father was born in 1822, in Leicestershire, where he was reared and educated. When a young man he engaged in the saw-mill business, following this until his removal to the United States. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Harman, the ceremony being performed in Eng- land. They continued to live in their native country until 1864, at which time they came to the United States, locating in Poweshiek county, Iowa. For a time Mr. Gamble engaged in the saw-mill business, but finally took up farming, and after following this for four years in Iowa, continued in the same line of endeavor in Mis- souri until removing to Oregon in 1873. Set-

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tling in Coos county, they took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres on Ken- tucky slough, seven miles north of Marshfield, and there carried on farming and stock-raising. With the exception of two years which were spent in visiting the home land, England, they remained on this farm until the death of the father, at the age of seventy-four years. Polit- ically he was a Republican and took a great in- terest in the welfare of his chosen party. The mother also passed away on the home farm, when fifty-five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Gamble had four children, of whom three are now liv- ing: Francis J., of Astoria; Mrs. Clara Har- ring, who resides in the Siuslaw valley; and William H., of this review.

William H. Gamble was educated in the dis- trict and graded schools and made his home with his parents until 1875. His farm of six hundred and forty acres is well located, one hundred and twenty acres being valuable bottom land. Mr. Gamble carries on general farming and dairying and deals extensively in stock, making a spe- cialty of Hereford and Short-horn cattle.

October 17, 1875, Mr. Gamble was united in marriage with Mrs. Lizzie Kingston, a native of County Cork, Ireland, who by her first marriage had the following children: Altus, a resident of Marshfield ; Tillie, who also lives in Coos county ; Ida, Cyrus, Vincey, William and Lizzie, who still live at home with their mother. Mr. and Mrs. Gamble have three children, namely : Thomas S., Frank and Emma C. Politically Mr. Gamble is a Republican, and has held all the minor offices within the gift of his fellow citi- zens. He is a valued member of society and occupies a high place in the esteem and confi- dence of his neighbors.

CHARLES AUGUSTUS TREFETHEN occupies a position of prominence among the more active and influential residents of Josephine county. Owning a large and well-improved ranch, lying about two miles southwest of the Holland postoffice, he carries on general farming and dairying, operates a sawmill, and is inter- ested in valuable mining property. A man of versatile talents, he has been uniformly success- ful in his undertakings, and has proved himself a man of unusual financial ability and business acumen. Of honored New England ancestry, he was born January 10, 1842, in Penobscot county, Me. His father and his grandfather. both named John Trefethen, were life-long resi- dents of Maine and were both farmers. John Trefethen, Jr., now a venerable man of eighty- five years, is living retired from active pursuits in Dover, Me., and his wife, whose maiden name was Emma Copeland, is also living, being

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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 150

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