Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 151

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 151

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eighty-two years old. Of their family of four sons and three daughters, Charles A. is the old- est child.

Obtaining his early education in the district schools of Maine, Charles A. Trefethen remained on the home farm until eighteen years of age. Removing to Walpole, N. H., in 1866, he worked as a farmicr for a year, and then went to Bellows Falls, Vt., where he was employed as an ice- packer during one season. Going to Providence, R. I., in 1867, he was in the employ of the fire department as a driver for two years. In June, 1869, Mr. Trefethen came to Oregon by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and located in Josephine county, huying one hundred and sixty acres of land in that part of Althouse now called Hol- land, and embarking in agricultural pursuits. Going to Del Norte county, Cal., in 1882, he en- gaged in the livery business, opening a stable in Crescent City, and another in Smith River, and conducted both for four years. Disposing of his stables in 1886, Mr. Trefethen bought a ranch of four hundred and seventy-five acres, seven iniles north of Smith River, on the coast, and rented eleven hundred acres more, one-half of the tract being in California, and one-half in Oregon, and for nine years carried on a very large and remunerative business in the breed- ing and raising of cattle and horses and in gen- eral farming. Selling out in 1895, Mr. Trefe- then returned to Josephine county, and at once resumed possession of his old farm, near Hol- land. His estate contains four hundred and sev- enty acres of land, which he devotes to general agricultural purposes, including stock-raising. He is also engaged to some extent in the manu- facture of lumber, having a sawmill finely equipped with the most modern approved ma- chinery, with a capacity of three thousand feet per day. He is also interested in other indus- tries, being a shareholder in the Orephine and Dave Hill mining property, containing three hun- dred acres of placer mines in the Althouse district. The ditch extending through this land is nine miles long, three feet wide on the bot- tom, five feet on the top, and contains fifteen hundred inches of water.

In Vermont, Mr. Trefethen married Christina Bane, who was born in Somerset county, Me., which was likewise the birthplace of her father, Calvin Bane. Coming to California by way of Cape Horn in 1852, Mr. Bane was at first en- gaged in mining on the Fraser river, and at Marysville. He was afterward similarly em- ployed in Sucker creek, Josephine county, Ore., and later was engaged in placer mining at Cali- fornia bar. In his mining ventures he was very successful, and accumulated a large prop- erty. including among other things two ranches of one hundred and sixty acres each. He died

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at Smith River, Cal., at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Trefethen, in 1885, at the age of seventy- four years. He was a man of great intelligence and ability, and a strong Republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Trefethen are the parents of four children, namely : Leonora (now Mrs. McVay, of this county), William, Charles and Edward. The sons are all living at home. Politically Mr. Trefethen supports the principles of the Demo- cratic party by voice and vote. He has never been an aspirant for official honors, but while in Del Norte county, Cal., served as school di- rector.

ISAAC NEWTON FOSTER has been a resident of Nehalem valley since 1874 and has the distinction of having taught the first school in the valley. He resides in the vicinity of Jewell and was its first postmaster, serving in that capacity for fourteen consecutive years. A na- tive of Pike county, Ill., he was born August 20, 1848, a son of Christopher Foster, a native of Ohio. When Isaac N. was but six years old he had the misfortune to lose his mother, and six years after her death the father died also.

Mr. Foster was adopted by Perry Wells, with whom he lived until he attained his majority. He was educated in the schools of Pike county and when seventeen years old enlisted in the Union army. March 1, 1861, marks the date of his enlistment and Bowling Green, Ill., the place, and he became a private in Company I, Seventy- eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He went to Middle Rock, Ark., as a part of the Seventh Army Corps in command of General Reynolds, but participated in no active fighting during the service, being honorably discharged at Camp Butler, Ill., January 1, 1866, after the success- ful termination of the war.

Mr. Foster returned to Pike county, and re- mained with his foster-father, Mr. Wells, until May 1, 1871. He then went by rail to San Francisco and by water to Portland, Ore., and soon afterwards joined a brother at Aumsville, Marion county. After living in that vicinity for awhile he engaged in sawmill work at Buena Vista, Polk county, for a couple of years, fol- lowing which he was employed as stationary en- gineer at Albany until the fall of 1874. He then went into Nehalem valley, Clatsop county, and located upon the farm which has been his home ever since. His brother, W. A. Foster, had previously located in that neighborhood. Taking up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, Mr. Foster began to improve and cultivate it. He has sold thirty acres of his . original purchase, and has made many substan- tial improvements on liis farm. In connection

with stock raising he carries on general farm- ing and sixty acres of his land is in a high state of cultivation.

January 5, 1873, Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Anna Jane Metcalf, a native of Macoupin county, Ill., born August 23, 1855. In 1856 her parents, William and Julia (Livers) Metcalf, went to Oregon, sailing around Cape Horn, and settling in Polk county. Nine chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster and it is their good fortune to include among this number two pairs of twins. Their children are as follows: Mary Ruby, wife of W. G. Pres- cott, of Nehalem valley; William Leroy, an en- gineer on the Northern Pacific Railroad, sta- tioned at Spokane, Wash .; Charles Edward, a trained nurse in a sanitarium at Portland, Ore .; Julia Anne, wife of Frank Fisher, also of Port- land; and her twin brother, Joseph Newton, at home ; Bessie May and Bertha Maud, also twins; Dorothy Ellen; and Curtis Augustine.

Mr. Foster is a stanch Republican and was elected county commissioner of Clatsop county on the Republican ticket in 1881 and was re- elected in 1885. He has also served efficiently as justice of the peace, notary public and as school director, having been frequently clerk of the school board. He is identified with all move- ments of consequence in his section and is among its most prominent citizens.

CHARLES J. BRADY. The association of Mr. Brady with the Southern Pacific Railroad began in September, 1887, and has continued uninterruptedly up to the present time. From the position of brakeman on the road between Red Bluff and Dunsmuir, Siskiyou county, Cal., then the end of the road, he was promoted eight- een months later to conductor between the same stations. When the division was abolished in 1889 he removed his family from Red Bluff to Ashland, and in 1893 began to run into this town from Dunsmuir. Mr. Brady is a native son of California, and was born at Red Bluff, Sep- tember 10, 1868, the fourth in a family of six children, five of whom are living. His father, Charles, and his mother, Catherine (O'Connor) Brady, were born in Ireland, although the pa- rents met and married in Calaveras county, Cal., Mrs. Brady having emigrated to America with relatives when she was eight years old. She came to California in the early '50s. Charles Brady came to the United States with his parents when very young, and he also came west in the early '50s, embarking in New York on a Panama steamer. He was one of the well-known and prominent horse and liverymen of the early days, and as a stage driver

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

knew the majority of the roads throughout Cali- fornia. When the stage had ontlived its use- fulness as a factor of transportation on the coast, he settled in Red Bluff, Cal., and with his brother John engaged in a livery and horse dealing business. From a small beginning his enterprise grew apace, the brothers being ener- getic and practical, and excellent judges of horses. Both have long since joined the silent majority, but they are remembered as men of fine character, and who labored earnestly to maintain the business integrity of their town. Charles Brady gave his children practical com- mon school educations, and taught them the value of a good name and an industrious life.

Charles J. Brady has a pleasant cottage home in Ashland, and his family consists of his wife, formerly Jennie B. Patrick, a native of Denver, Colo., and two children, Charles J., Jr., and Jack. Mr. Brady is a Democrat in politics, and is fraternally connected with Lodge No. 62, K. P., of Red Bluff, and Mount Shasta Lodge No. I, Uniformed Rank, K. P., also of Red Bluff. He is a member of the Mount Hood Lodge No. 91, O. R. C. of Portland, and is prominent and influential in railroad circles. Mr. Brady has a thorough understanding of his chosen occupa- tion, appreciates his opportunities for making friends, and exercises at all times that courtesy and thoughtfulness which are among the special prerogatives of the guardians of the traveling public.

CHARLES DECKER, JR. Like all mining localities the town of Waldo has had its ups and downs and in the early days was known as Sailor Diggings. As the mining enthusiasm subsided there were sufficient inducements to cause many of its residents to remain here and make this their home, and consequently it has grown to be a town of divers activities and great promise, in keeping with the resourcefulness and high character of many of its pioneer settlers. One of the best known of the men who have contributed to the substantial upbuilding of Wal- do is Charles Decker, Jr., who came here in 1864, and who followed his mining experiences with merchandising and the hotel business, and who at an early day took up the claim of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he has since engaged in farming and stock-raising, and upon a part of which Waldo has sprung into existence. In fact Mr. Decker owns about all of the town land, and as the postmaster for the past six years, and the foremost merchant and hotel man, enjoys an enviable prestige in the community. This enterprising man continued his mining interests indefinitely, but disposed of the

last of his claims in 1899, and has since devoted his energies entirely to his town affairs. He has promoted education, public institutions, and especially the all-important subject of good roads, having served for many years as school director and road supervisor, and at all times stanchly upheld the Republican party.

Mr. Decker was born in New York City No- vember 5, 1836, and in his youth had the ad- vantage of being reared by practical German pa- rents, who regarded thoroughness and industry as prime factors in human development. His father, Charles, and his mother, Mary (Ladline) Decker, were born in Germany. Charles Decker, Sr., learned the hatter's trade as a young man, and about 1826 came to America in a sailing vessel, locating in New York City and work- ing at his trade. In time he quit his trade and engaged in the hotel business on the corner of William and Ann streets, and was thus employed at the time of his death in 1846. His wife, whose native home was in Weissenburg, Ger- many, was of French extraction. and lived to be seventy-eight years of age, dying in Boston, whither she moved after the death of her hus- band. Besides Charles, the second child, she had six others, four of whom are living.

Charles Decker, Jr., continued to live in New York City until 1854, and then came to Cali- fornia by way of Panama and San Francisco, remaining in the latter city several years, and engaging in draying and teaming. In 1858 he moved to Oroville, on the Feather river, but after a rather unsuccessful attempt at mining returned to San Francisco, and in 1859 settled in Virginia City. The mines of that locality yielded him fair returns, but after visiting Sailor Dig- gings, in Josephine county, he was confident that the region afforded excellent opportunities for an industrious and enterprising settler. Mr. Decker started his hotel business and merchan- dise store in 1885, and both have proved of im- mense importance to the town and surrounding country. At one time he was interested in the Chinese claim, for many years one of the pay- ing claims of the region, but at present has no money invested in mining properties. His straightforward and always dependable business methods have placed him at the head of captains of industry in this part of the state, and it is largely through his industry and influence that Waldo is a thrifty and creditabie little com- munity.

HENRY HOBART TAYLOR. The native sons of Oregon constitute a large contingent upon whose shoulders rests the hope of the fu- ture welfare of the state. Added to the fact that they are usually born of rugged and courageous

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parentage, in whom has dwelt the fortitude to bear trials and deprivations of which their chil- dren have never dreamed, and will never be called upon to endure, there is an innate pride associated with all birthplaces, which invariably serves as an incentive to well doing. This fact is appreciated by Henry Hobart Taylor, who was born on his father's donation claim, four and a half miles east of Medford, May 23, 1854. Elsewhere in this work may be found mention of S. Clark Taylor, the father of Henry H. Taylor, who was one of the pioneers of this well- favored county.

Educated in the public schools and at Ashland Academy, Henry H. Taylor spent an unevent- ful youth, but one rich in industry and striving after a competence. December 8, 1881, he was united in marriage with Florence I. Hocker- smith, born in the Willamette valley, a daughter of Jackson and Martha J. Hockersmith, natives of Missouri and Indiana respectively. The Hockersmiths came to Oregon in 1853 in Joe Meek's train, locating on a farm in Jackson county. After his marriage Mr. Taylor went to housekeeping on a portion of his father's farm; and three years later removed to Harney, Ore., and engaged in the stock business for three years and a half. Returning to Jackson county he located on the farm where he now lives, and at present owns five hundred and seventy-five acres of land in one body, besides thirty acres of heavy timber land. The majority of the improvements have been made by the present owner, who has a comfortable dwelling, good barns and out- houses, and well-kept fences. Besides carrying on general farming and stock-raising, he also conducts a dairy, making a specialty of the Jer- sey breed of cows.

Many minor offices in his locality have been filled acceptably by Mr. Taylor, who is a friend of Democracy, but he is liberal enough to vote for the best man regardless of party. Frater- nally he is associated with the Woodmen of the World. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of six children, the order of their birth being as follows : Jesse M., Leon C., Stella, Edwin H., Florence and John. Mr. Taylor has the confi- dence of the community in which he has grown from childhood to years of responsibility, and from the standpoint of his past efforts his future success is unmistakably assured.

GEORGE M. BROWN. The native-born citizens of Douglas county have no worthier representative than George M. Brown, of Rose- burg, a prominent and successful lawyer, who is now serving as district attorney of the second district of Oregon, which includes Douglas, Cur- ry, Coos, Lincoln, Benton and Lane counties.

A man of remarkable push and energy, Mr. Brown has ever been an earnest worker in his profession, and well deserves the success that has crowned his efforts. His sterling worth and ability are recognized throughout this section of tlie state, and it is well understood by his con- stituents that in whatever public position he may be placed he will perform the duties devolving upon him with credit to himself, and to the honor of his city, county, district and state. He was born May 5, 1864. about six miles north of Rose- burg, a son of Thomas Brown.

A native of Elgin, Scotland, Thomas Brown immigrated to the United States when a young man, settling first in New York state. He subse- quently traveled throughout the north and south, living in different places until 1847. Crossing the plains on horseback in that year, he came di- rect to Oregon, locating in the Willamette val- ley. Taking up land in Washington county, he resided there quite contented with his prospects until the excitement caused by the discovery of gold drew many to the mining districts. Follow- ing the old military trail to California, he en- gaged in mining in the Sacramento valley, and was afterwards employed in driving cattle, be- ing associated with Gen. Joseph Lane and John Kelley. Returning to Oregon, he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, lying about six miles north of Roseburg, on the North Uinpqua river, and was there suc- cessfully engaged in stock-raising and general farming until his death, August 20, 1890, at the good old age of seventy-nine years. While a resident of California, in 1854. he served in the Indian wars. He was a stanch Democrat in politics and a Presbyterian in religion. He mar- ried Sarah Flette, who was born in Canada, and died in April, 1882, on the home farm in Ore- gon. Her father. Rev. John Flette, a native of Canada, removed to Manitoba with his family, settling there as a pioneer Congregational min- ister. He was afterwards a pioneer settler of Oregon, but removed from here to Washington, locating near Tacoma. Of the union of Thomas and Sarah (Flette) Brown four sons and two daughters were born, all of whom survive, the four sons being residents of Roseburg, namely : Thomas, a railroad man; George M., of this sketch; Frank, who is engaged in horticultural pursuits ; James, who enlisted in the Second Ore- gon infantry during the Spanish-American war and served in the Philippine Islands. Dr. Myra (Brown) Tyman resides in Portland and Agnes Brown is a professional nurse in San Fran- cisco.

Brought up on the parental homestead, George M. Brown obtained his elementary education in the district school, afterwards entering the Wil-

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lamette University, from which he was gradu- ated with the degree of B. S. in 1885. He sub- sequently taught school, and was engaged in the insurance business in Montana and Washington for a few years. For a time he read law with Judge J. C. Fullerton, but subsequently resumed his former occupations, continuing as a teacher and insurance agent until his admission to the bar in 1891. Beginning the practice of his pro- fession as junior member of the firm of Preble & Brown, he built up a large and lucrative patronage. Being elected district attorney for the second Oregon district in 1894, Mr. Brown assumed the office in July, 1894, and served two years. He was not a candidate for the position in 1896, but in 1898 was again nomi- nated to the office by the Republicans, and was re-elected by a large majority, defeating the fusion candidate. In 1900 Mr. Brown was again re-elected district attorney by the largest majority ever given a candidate in his district, and is now serving his eighth year in that re- sponsible position. During this time he has tried many of the notable cases of southern Oregon, Among those worthy of mention are the follow- ing: The only two men ever 'convicted of mur- der in the first degree in Douglas county were prosecuted by Mr. Brown. The only two ever convicted of murder in the first degree and executed in Lane county were prosecuted by Mr. Brown, assisted by his deputy, L. F. Harris. The Gillespie case of Curry county is a noted case on record ; and in all he has prosecuted over thirty murder cases in the past eight years. He secured the conviction of four convicts for mur- der now serving life sentences in the peniten- tiary, and many other cases of less importance. where conviction was secured and execution car- ried out. From 1896 to 1898 he defended every criminal case in Curry county, and nearly every case in Douglas county, during which time he defended and acquitted Jones of Curry county, who was tried for his life.

A man of enterprise and ability, Mr. Brown has been unusually successful and in addition to accumulating considerable personal property has a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres lying just west of the soldiers' home. The land is well improved, and thirty acres of it are devoted to raising fruits of various kinds, in- cluding apples and pears. November 8, 1895, Mr. Brown married Miss Bertha Bellows, who was born in Roseburg, where her father. A. J. Bellows, and his wife, in maidenhood a Miss Young, settled in 1867. Two children have been born of their union, namely: Thomas and Mar- jory. Fraternally Mr. Brown is a member of Laurel Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., of Rose- burg; of Roseburg Chapter, R. A. M .; and of

the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also belongs to Joseph Lane Cabin, Native Sous of Oregon. In politics he is one of the fore- most Republicans of the county, and an ex-mem- ber of the Republican state central committee. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

EDMOND J. PRICE, of Coos county, Ore., is one of the most prominent mill-men of his section, being stockholder of the Riverton Lum- ber Company and superintendent of a large shin- gle inill at Port Orford, where both cedar and Oregon pine are used, and which has a capacity of twenty-five thousand shingles per day. Ed- mond J. Price was born May 1, 1858, in Dela- ware county, Iowa, a son of C. J. Price, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, and a farmer by oc- cupation. He settled in Illinois at a very early date· but later took up his residence in Iowa, where he married Jennie Walker, formerly of Illinois. After a brief married life, the wife and mother died, leaving three children, two of whom are still living, Edmond J. and his brother Harvey B., also a resident of Riverton.

Mr. Price was but five years old when his mother died. His scholastic training in the pub- lic schools of his native state was augmented by a more complete course in a college at Marshall- town, Iowa. When he was seventeen years old lie went with his father to Dodge City, Kans., and together they went into the transportation business, also covering an extensive mail route through Kansas to various parts of Colorado, being thus engaged for a period of thirteen years. His father's second marriage united him with Mrs. M. Hiatt, and this union resulted in the birth of two children: Curtis C., of River- ton, and W. H., of California. In 1889 the fam- ily sought a new location in Oregon and the father spent his last years with his son E. J. at Coquille. Soon after locating in that city Mr. Price. in company with E. B. Miller, erected a shingle mill at that point, but soon afterward Mr. Price sold his interest. In a very short time he re-purchased an interest in the same mill and carried on a profitable business there for several years. He then moved his mill to Fat Elk creek, a branch of the Coquille river, and later to Riverton, his present location. Combin- ing it with a saw-mill, he increased his business largely and operated both mills until 1900, when a stock company was formed and the same busi- ness carried on under the name of the Riverton Lumber Company, of which Mr. Price is a stockholder. He still retains the management of the large Inmber mill at Port Orford and owns an extensive tract of timber land.

In 1886 Mr. Price was joined in marriage

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with Laura Williams, who was born in Texas, and they have three children: Mrs. May Peter- son, Mrs. Hattie Folks and Edmond, all of whom reside in the vicinity of Riverton. In his polit- ical convictions Mr. Price is a stanch Repub- lican, and while a resident of Dodge City, Kans., he served as city marshal and was filling that position when that city was enjoying its boom. He takes an active interest in the political issues, both national and local, and as a lumberman he has few equals.

EUGENE L. BRISTOW. The descendants of that famous old pioneer, Elijah Bristow, are nummerously distributed throughout the state of Oregon, and are invariably associated with a high order of attainment in their respective call- ings. A worthy representative of the family is found in Eugene L. Bristow, his grandson. Mr. Bristow has been connected with the North- ern Pacific Railroad since September 2, 1886, and it is safe to say that no man in the em- ploy of the road enjoys to greater extent the confidence and good will of his superiors. He has been a conductor since 1894, having worked his way up from brakeman with that faithful- ness and determination characteristic of his fam- ily.

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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 151

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