Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 153

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 153

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Returning to California via the isthmus in 1859, Mr. Kirkpatrick settled in Yuba county,

1005

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

twelve years from Marysville, on a tract of land that he had located nine years before while en- gaged in mining. There he carried on farm pur- suits for ten years. On selling out in 1869 he returned to Illinois. However, he was not con- tent to remain permanently east of the moun- tains, and the year 1871 found him once more in Yuba county. Soon he removed to Mendocino county, same state, where he remained for two years. From there he moved to Eastern Oregon and settled in Wallowa county, where for four years he was interested in stock-raising. On his return to California he engaged in the sheep business in Del Norte county for four years. Since 1884 he has made Klamath county his headquarters, and here owns one hundred and sixty acres a mile west of Fort Klamath, which he formerly operated as a stock farm, but now rents to tenants. In religion he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fort Kla- math, and politically supports the Democratic party.

SOLON OBIL SHATTUCK. Since coming to his present homestead, five miles northwest of Fort Klamath, in October of 1878, Mr. Shattuck has engaged in stock-raising and the dairy busi- ness. At this writing he owns three hundred and twenty acres, all under fence, bearing an excel- lent grade of improvements, and forming what is said to be one of the best stock ranches, for its size, in the entire valley. His specialty is Dur- ham cattle, of which he has about one hundred head. In his agricultural operations he is keen, energetic, resourceful, and hence is meeting with a degree of success that his industry and ability merit.

When the earliest settlers came to America members of the Shattuck family crossed the ocean from England and located in Massachu- setts. In Middlesex county, that state, Obil Shat- tuck was born, and from there he removed to a farm in Vermont, where he died in 1849, at the age of forty-seven years. In young manhood he married Direxa Freeman, who was born in Massachusetts and died in 1869, aged sixty years. Of their seven sons and two daughters the young- est was Solon Obil, who was born in Danville, Caledonia county, Vt., June 18, 1847. He was only two years of age when his father died, and four years later he accompanied his mother to Lowell, Mass., where he grew to manhood. After his mother's death he made his home with Samuel F. Shattuck, an uncle. On completing the stud- ies of the common schools he attended New Hampton (N. H.) Institute for one term, and later was a student in the academy at Lyndon, Caledonia county, Vt. In early manhood he en- listed in the United States Engineers, at Bos-

ton, and as a private in Company D came to Cali- fornia via the isthmus in 1867. After having been stationed at Fort Point for six months, he was transferred to Goat Island, where his com- pany established a post and built a fort. January 27, 1870, he was honorably discharged, and in June of the same year he returned, via railroad, to Boston, from there going to his old home in Vermont, where he was employed by the Fair- banks' Scale Manufacturing Company.

During May of 1871 Mr. Shattuck came west the second time. For two years he was em- ployed in San Francisco, after which, August 27, 1873, he enlisted in Company B, First United States Cavalry, which lie accompanied to Oregon. For two months he was stationed at Fort Van- couver. October 13, 1873, he arrived at Fort Klamath, Klamath county, where he remained until he was mustered out, August 27, 1878. In October of the same year he homesteaded the land where he has since resided. While he was stationed at this fort, in 1877, his regiment was ordered to the Nez Perces campaign in Idaho, where he remained five months, returning to the fort on the 22d of November of that year. In politics he is a Democrat. He has held a num- ber of important local positions, including that of postmaster, in which capacity he served for three years. He has also been a member of the board of school directors and clerk of the board. While living in Vermont he was made a Mason in Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., at St. Johns- bury, of which he is now a demitted member. Since living here he has been elected justice of the peace, which office he has filled faithfully and well. His marriage was solemnized at Ash- land, Ore., January 20, 1882, and united him with Docia E. Culbertson, who was born in Char- iton county, Mo., January 27, 1857, and came to Oregon with her mother and brothers in 1871, settling near Eagle Point. Born of their union are three children : Clara M., wife of John Cole- man, of Klamath Falls; Obil, at home; and Er- nest, deceased.

JOSEPH E. SIBLEY. Prominent among the Freemasons of high degree in Tillamook county is Joseph E. Sibley, a highly esteemed resident of Hobsonville. Inheriting from his New Eng- land ancestors the untiring industry, keen per- ceptive powers and energetic perseverance that win success in any position, he has been an im- portant factor in developing the manufacturing interests of the county, and is numbered among the best known business men of the Pacific coast. A son of Jeremiah Sibley, he was born in Vas- salboro, Me., February 24, 1858, of Scotch de- scent. His grandfather, Sothard Sibley, was a resident of New Hampshire for a number of

1006

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years. A native of New Hampshire, Jeremiah Sibley was a farmer in his earlier days, but was afterwards engaged as a lumber manufacturer and dealer in Maine, living in Augusta, where his death occurred March 19, 1899, in the sev- cnty-seventh year of his life. He married Eliza Denniston, who has spent her seventy-seven years of life in Augusta, Me., the city of her birth. Three children were born of their union, namely : Alice, living with her widowed mother in Au- gusta, Me .; Joseph E., the subject of this sketch ; and Hattie, deceased.

Obtaining his preliminary education in the common schools of Maine, Joseph E. Sibley was afterwards graduated from the Dirigo Business College, in Dirigo, Me. On attaining his ma- jority he secured a position as clerk in a store, continuing thus employed until 1880, when he came to Oregon in search of more favorable business opportunities. Locating at Ellensburg, Curry county, he remained there as clerk in a store two years. Coming then to Tillamook Bay, he settled in Hobsonville, entering the employ of the Tillamook Packing Company as manager of its salmon canning factory. Seven years later, when the canning plant was discontinued, Mr. Sibley accepted a position with the Truckee Lumber Company of San Francisco, assuming the entire management of its mill, which has a capacity of sixty-five thousand feet per day. With the exception of the years 1898 and 1899, he has since been identified with this company as general manager of its interests in this lo- cality, by his ability and enterprise doing much to forward and increase its business. He is also general manager and one-fourth owner of the Tillamook Logging Company, which is carrying on a large and lucrative business.

In 1881 Mr. Sibley married Wilhelmina Can- field, who was born June 9, 1865, in Illinois. Their only child, Alphonso Sibley, died in early life. Fraternally, Mr. Sibley is a member of Bay City Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; of Tilla- mook Chapter, R. A. M .; and of Portland Com- mandery, K. T. In politics he is a stanch adher- ent of the principles of the Democratic party, and has served as school clerk and as county commissioner, being appointed to the latter of- fice.

SILAS WRIGHT KILGORE. While he has not resided upon his present farm many years, Mr. Kilgore is an early settler of Klamath county and has long been identified with its stock-raising interests. It was during 1899 that he came to his present homestead eleven miles south of Klamath Falls, where he owns three hundred acres, of which one hundred and fif- teen acres are in alfalfa. In addition to mak-

ing a specialty of hay, he devotes considerable attention to the stock industry, and now has five hundred head of cattle, mostly of the Durham breed. Besides his home place he is the owner of a section of land in Langells valley, where he formerly made his home.

Near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, Silas Wright Kilgore was born July 18, 1842, a son of James and Mary Ann (Dean) Kilgore, natives respectively of Westmoreland county, Pa., and Stark county, Ohio. At an early age James Kilgore accompanied his father, David, from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and there, about 1837, married Miss Dean, who was born October 8, 1819, of German and English ancestry. April II, 1854, they left Stark county en route for the far west, and after an uneventful but difficult journey landed at Ashland, Jackson county, Ore., October I, same year. After two years in Ash- land the father rented a farm near Central Point, and from there in 1859 moved to John F. Mil- ler's place, two miles north of Jacksonville, which he purchased. For years he continued on that farm. In the spring of 1873, disposing of his interests there, he came to Klamath county. During the Modoc war he engaged in carry- ing the mail from Ashland, Ore., to Cedarville, Modoc county, Cal. Returning to Ashland in 1875, he bought one hundred and twenty acres adjoining the town, and took up his residence in Ashland, where he continued to reside until his death, December 27, 1887. He was then seventy- six years of age, having been born in December, 18II. His wife died at Ashland April 11, 1902. They were the parents of the following-named children : Lucetta, deceased ; Martha Washing- ton, widow of Robert Hargadine; Felix, de- ceased; Silas W., of Klamath county ; Amanda, wife of G. W. Whitmore; Mary, Mrs. Henry Duncan, of Langells vallev. Klamath county ; David, whose home is in Placerville, Cal .; E. G., living in Langells valley; James, deceased ; Jo- sephine, wife of A. F. Squires, of Milwaukee, Clackamas county, Ore .; and Florence, who makes her home in Ashland, this state. The father was a man of religious principles, but not a member of any denomination. Before leaving Ohio he was elected to the state legislature from Stark county, on the Democratic ticket, and served for one term, filling the position with tact and intelligence. Fraternally he was con- nected with the lodge of Odd Fellows at Jack- sonville, this state.

When the family settled in Oregon Silas W. Kilgore was a boy of twelve years. Primarily educated in the schools of Ohio, he later at- tended those of Jackson county, Ore. On start- ing out for himself in 1862, he went to the mines of eastern Oregon, but failed to meet with

1007

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the desired success, and in 1864 returned to Jack- son county. In 1869 he came to Klamath county and secured employment as farmer at the reser- vation, in the Indian department, under Capt. O. C. Knapp. After two years in that position he removed to Langells valley and located a farm near the postoffice of that name, taking up three hundred and twenty acres at that time. From that year to this he has made a specialty of stock-raising, in which he is meeting with deserved success. He gives his attention closely to the oversight of his lands and, aside from voting with the Populists, takes no part what- ever in political affairs. May 1, 1879, he was united in marriage with Mary Alice Herrin, who was born May 1, 1857. The record of the Her- rin family appears in the sketch of her father, John S. Herrin, upon another page of this vol- 11me. Of her marriage to Mr. Kilgore there are three sons. The oldest, Roy, is a stock- raiser at Bonanza, Oregon; the other two, Silas Warren and Merle, remain with their parents in Klamath county.

ANDREW KERSHNER. There is a great deal of interest in the story of Andrew Kersh- ner's life, with its background of mountains, forests and plains, of lonely trails and frontier mining camps. Reared in comparative affluence, in 1869 he left a pleasant and agreeable home, where he had not been denied advantages in the way of an education. He spent one year clerk- ing in a store near Omaha, Neb., and the fol- lowing year moved on to Kansas, where for two additional years he followed clerical work in a store at Humboldt. It was not until 1872 that he continued his journey to California, and from that time on to his taking up his residence in Klamath county, his life was spent in the moun- tains at hardy, often dangerous, work and among hardy companions. Locating near Colfax, he followed mining for a couple of years prior to going into the lumber camps in the vicinity of Truckee, and for a number of years he was engaged in contracting, furnishing lumber for various Nevada mines, retaining his interest in the lumber industry there until 1886, when he sold out, and purchasing land in Klamath coun- ty, Ore., he settled there permanently and turned liis attention to farm pursuits. His fine farm, which contains one hundred and sixty-eight acres, is located fifteen miles south of Klamath Falls, and is well improved, most all of it being under cultivation.

In tracing the ancestry of Mr. Kershner, we find his father, David J. Kershner, to have been born near Sidney, Ohio, in 1818, and he was by occupation both a farmer and a minister of

the Christian Church, following the double occu- pation during the latter part of his active life. He was of German descent, and when a young nian, being an orphan, he started out to make his own way, and found employment in Michi- gan. It was in that state, in 1839, that he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Thompson, born in St. Joseph county, Mich., of Scotch descent. Her parents were southerners, but moved to Michigan at an early day, and it was in that state that Mrs. Kershner was reared. During the gold excitement of 1849, the mining "fever" seized the husband and father and he made the perilous trip across the country to California in search of gold, and was quite suc- cessful; but in making the return home in 1855, by way of the Isthmus, he was shipwrecked and lost the greater part of his earnings. Return- ing home to Elkhart county, Ind., where he had engaged in farming prior to going west, Mr. Kershner settled there permanently and took up ministerial work in connection with farm pur- suits, and it was there that he died in 1892. Seven children were born to him and his wife, the latter still living, now in her eighty-third year and a resident of Paso Robles, Cal. The children are as follows: Marcellus; Andrew ; William; Isaac; James, of Elkhart, Ind .; George D., of Nebraska ; and Ellen, wife of Robert Trav- erse, of Paso Robles. Three of these brothers, Marcellus, William and Andrew, were volun- teers in the Union army during the Civil war, and the former two died while valiantly sup- porting "Old Glory." Isaac died in infancy.

When Andrew Kershner was born, March 12, 1842, his parents lived in St. Joseph county, Mich., near Mottville, later removing to In- diana, and it was in the public schools of Elkhart county, that state, that his early education was received. After the war he returned home and soon afterward entered Oberlin College, in Ohio, as a student, taking a one year's business course, prior to going west in 1869, as previously men- tioned. The Republicans claim Mr. Kershner as one of their strongest allies, and it was as a candidate on the Republican ticket that he was elected sheriff of Klamath county in 1898, serv- ing one term. Fraternally he is a member of Klamathı Lodge No. 137, I. O. O. F., of Klamath Falls. He has a war record to which he refers with pride, having enlisted with his brothers as a private in the Eleventh Michigan Regiment, and serving with distinction until he received honorable discharge in October, 1864. His en- tire term of service was spent in the Army of the Tennessee and he served under Generals Rosecrans, Thomas, Sherman and Grant, par- ticipating in all the principal engagements from Stone River to Atlanta, his regiment being re-

1008

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

called but a few days before the surrender of the latter city. Although his brothers fell in battle, Mr. Kershner was fortunate enough to escape serious injury, but was wounded slightly at Stone River.

SAMUEL T. SUMMERS. The Summers family was established in Klamath county July 10, 1884, when that enterprising farmer, Jesse Nolan Summers, bought the ranch of eight hun- dred aeres now occupied by his wife and son, Samuel T. Summers, the latter of whom is one of the public spirited and very successful men of his neighborhood. The elder Summers was born on a farm near Frankfort, Ky., September 14, 1832, and when young emigrated to Missouri with his parents, and lived there until coming to the coast in 1850. Near his home in Missouri lived Mahulda McGee, who was born in northern Texas, on the Red river, June 28, 1837, and who also came to Missouri as a child with her parents. In 1850 the young people were united in mar- riage. Grandfather Anley Taylor McGee, the father of Mrs. Summers, was born in middle Tennessee in 1808, and died in Mono county, Cal., in 1876. He was of Scotch descent, and all his active life was a farmer and stock-raiser.

Jesse Summers was nothing if not ambitious, as his career in the west plainly indicated. Short- ly after his marriage he outfitted and came to California, accompanied also by his father, who failed to survive the rigors of the overland trail. Locating first in Germantown, Cal., Mr. Sum- mers engaged in mining for a few months, and then experimented in the same line in Aurora, Nevada. Returning to California, he continued to mine until the early '6os, and then took up land in Mono county, where he engaged in stock- raising, and in connection built up a large butch- ering business, having as many as ten shops in different parts of the county. He was very suc- cessful and accumulated a competence, and after selling out in 1884, purchased his farm in Kla- math county, four and a half miles east of the falls of that name. At the time of his death, March 14, 1891, he was one of the most sub- stantial and prosperous stockmen in the county, and to no one was greater honor and esteem ac- corded. His standing among the best element in the state was best illustrated by his connection with the Knights Templar, in which he was especially active during his residence in Mono county, Cal. He possessed the strongest and most desirable traits of his Scotch-Irish ances- tors, and was a man who valued his word, his family, and his good name. Throughout his vot- ing days he was a Democrat, but rarely interest- ed himself with party undertakings save when casting his vote. Only three of his eleven chil-

dren are living, Jane, the wife of J. F. Kertchem, of Portland, Ore .; Samuel T .; and Daisy, the wife of Arthur T. Merrill, of Portland.

The foundation of Samuel T. Summers' agri- cultural zeal was laid in Mono county, Cal., where he worked with his father, and became a practical and scientific farmer. He also learned all about fine stock, and has ever since found it the most profitable and lucrative part of farm- ing. Accompanying the family to Klamath coun- ty, he assumed partial management of the large farm upon which he still lives, and after the death of his father became head of its various departments. In 1893 he married Nellie Humph- rey, who was born in Minnesota December 21, 1871, and whose father, Charles Humphrey, brought his family to Oregon in 1887, locating on his present farm on upper Klamath lake. Three children brighten the Summers home, Hazel, Bee and Jesse. Like his father, Mr. Sum- mers is a Democrat, and has taken an active in- terest in the development of party affairs in the county. In 1900 he was elected sheriff of Kla- math county, and his ability to cope with the criminal element received confirmation in 1902, when he was re-elected by a large majority. He is fraternally connected with the Klamath Lodge No. 107, I. O. O. F., and the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Klamath Falls. Mr. Sum- mers is a forceful and energetic man, well posted on current events, and eminently public spirited. As sheriff and farmer he commands the allegiance of the first people in the county, not only because of marked ability, but because of character endowments of a high order.

JAMES MALONE. Although born in the eastern part of the United States, James Malone has been a resident of the far west for over a quarter of a century. For thirteen years serving as postmaster of Langells Valley, he is still a resident of that place, and is now engaged in farming and stock-raising. Klamath county is proud of her farmer citizens who, like Mr. Ma- lone, are an elevating influence in their respect- ive communities. James Malone is of Irish de- scent, both his father and mother claiming Ireland as their native land. The former, James Malone, Sr., was by trade a stone-cutter, and during his earlier life crossed the Atlantic ocean to seek a home in the United States. Locating in the state of New York, it was there that his marriage took place, he being united with Miss Ellen Dempsey. Two children were born to them, and Mary, the elder of these, is now deceased.

James Malone, Jr., was born in New York city May 16, 1852. Remaining in his native city until a young man, he early attended the public schools, and after leaving school he

1009

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

entered upon a three years' apprenticeship to learn the iron moulder's trade. Having natural mechanical ability, Mr. Malone soon mastered this trade and upon coming to California in 1874 he at once took up railroad work in Kern county. Engaging thus for but two years, at the end of that time, in 1876, he removed to Klamath county, Ore., and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres near Langells Valley, eighteen miles south of Bonanza, where he now carries on farming and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of the latter industry, owning forty head of cattle.

December 25, 1883, James Malone married Miss Etta Findley, a native of North Yamhill, Yamhill county, Ore., born July 12, 1867, and a daughter of Isaac Findley. The latter was born December 25, 1843, in Missouri, and when but sixteen crossed the plains to Oregon and set- tled in Yamhill county, where he married, and where Mrs. Malone lived until twelve years of age. Traveling at that age with her parents to Washington, where her father farmed in Columbia county, she remained there until the family again changed their residence in 1882. This time they located at Langells Valley, Kla- math county, Ore., and here they remained until after the marriage of Mrs. Malone, when the father went to Josephine county in 1887 and still lives there. Mr. Malone is a Democrat, po- litically, and aside from serving as postmaster, has officiated as school director for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Malone have two children, Robert L. and Jessie Ellen.

GEORGE NOLAND, A. M. The lineage of the family represented by this native son of Oregon is traced back through Virginia and North Carolina to Ireland and Wales, where some of that name established themselves in a very early period. Patriotism has always been a family characteristic. His great-grandfather was a Virginian soldier in the war of the Revo- lution, participated in the hattle of Brandywine and had two sons who served in the war of 1812 and participated in the battle of New Or- leans. Another son, Smallwood V., though not a participant in any important war, came near losing his life while helping to drive the Mor- mons from Missouri, to which state he had moved from Kentucky. For a considerable period he represented his district in the state legislature of Missouri, and held a federal office under Pres- ident Polk's administration.

Pleasant Calvin Noland, son of Smallwood V. and father of George Noland, was born near Independence, Mo., September 29, 1830. He served in the Mexican war and during the Ca- nadian boundary dispute of "54-40 or fight,"

was sent with a regiment to the northwest to protect the frontier, after which he drove a team to Santa Fe. Acquiring a knowledge of the west through his various trips to different portions thereof, he was ready to start to the coast when news came of the discovery of gold in California. The trip across the plains he made in 1849 with several companions (Messrs. Hazard, Forbes and Keeney) and four yoke of oxen, traveling by way of Salt Lake to the vicin- ity of Sutterville. In 1851 he returned east via the Nicaragua route, taking with him $2,000 that he had mined. On his return to Missouri he took up the quiet life of a farmer.

It is said that those who have once sojourned in the west remain always under the hypnotic influence of its charm. This proved to be the case with Mr. Noland. He was not content to remain in Missouri after having once been in the west. In 1853 the tide of emigration was drifting toward Oregon and he determined to seek a home in that then little known region. With him to decide was to act, and he lost no time in starting westward. He was one of a party of eight men who attempted to reach the Willamette valley by the Middle Fork, hoping thus to shorten the distance and arrive the sooner at the headquarters of their train. In the party there were, besides P. C. Noland, the following men: Bob Tandy; Frank Owens, who is still living in Polk county; Asa McClure, Charles Clark, Mr. McFarland, Mr. Long and Job Den- ning. In the southeastern part in Oregon (in what is now Malheur county) they started out, intending to travel by the Diamond Peak. Un- fortunately, they mistook one of the Three Sisters for Diamond Peak and thus became lost in the dense mountains. Their journey around Harney Lake consumed so much time that they became short of provisions and their packhorse was killed for food. To add to their miseries, water was scarce. Finally they reached and crossed the Des Chutes river, but still could not find the road they desired. They made their way to the summit of the Cascade mountains and there the party divided, the two divisions bidding each other farewell with little hope of ever meeting again. Clark, McFarland and Long started on foot along a northern route. The others dashed into the wilderness in the battle for life. They subsisted on elder berries and snails. Later Mr. Noland reflected upon that period of horror without emotion. and often insisted that it was he who taught the Frenchmen how to eat snails. No game was to be had at that altitude in that season of the year, the deer having descended into the valley of the MacKinzie.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 153

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