Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 154

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 154

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Some days before they came to what is known as Foley Springs, in Lane county, Mr. Denning's horse fell over a cliff into the river and not being

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able to get him out, they killed him for meat. Mr. Noland's horse became lame and was also killed for meat. The place where this occurred has since been known as Horse creek, taking its name from the incident mentioned. Separating themselves from the others, Mr. Denning and Mr. Noland traveled on foot to the base of the mountains, expecting to find the valley, but were disappointed. They made their way to Foley Hot Springs and were the first white men to see them. Following the stream to the mouth of the creek, they saw smoke and found their companions, spent, exhausted and were soon left behind by Denning and Noland. That night they found a deer skin with some meat left, which, after burning the hair off, they ate with the relish of starving men. The next day they unexpectedly met Clark's party, two weeks after having parted from them. All were practically without shoes and with little clothing. Their condition was one of despair, yet Clark's party boasted of a salmon, some snails and greens, and they enjoyed what semed to them to be a great feast. About the 24th of October, 1853, they arrived at Mrs. Davis' place, five miles east of what is now Springfield, and the dinner they had was one that all enjoyed. After that every- thing was free for them wherever they went. The train they left in Malheur county had been heard from and parties had been sent out from the valley to their relief.

It seems little short of a miracle that all of the eight men reached the settlements alive. They had been traveling for six weeks and for five weeks had been lost and without provisions. During the latter part of their trip they were so weak and exhausted that they could not travel more than seven miles per day. When roots or limbs of trees tripped them, they did not try to catch themselves, as that required more strength than to pick themselves up after they had fallen. When Mr. Noland saw the others giving up all hope, he began to save his share of the snails, thinking that if the worst should befall the others, he would make one last desperate struggle to reach a settlement. It seems little less than remarkable that these men did not meet the fate of the unfortunate Donner party and lose their lives ere they escaped from the horrors of their situation.

As soon as he had somewhat recovered from the effects of starvation and exposure, Mr. No- land took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, one mile north of Creswell, Lane county, where he built a home, improved a farm and reared his family. During the Rogue River Indian war of 1855-56 he served as cap- tain of a company in the Second Oregon Mount- ed Volunteers. His brother, Rhodes, who met his death at the hands of a half-breed, was the

first man killed at the outbreak of the Rogue River Indian war of 1855. To his original pur- chase, Mr. Noland added from time to time until his landed possessions aggregated over one thousand acres, and finally, after having ac- cumulated a competency, he retired from active agricultural labors. He died on the 9th of Feb- ruary, 1904, and was buried beside his mother, who died a few years after they reached Oregon. Mr. Noland was twice married. His first wife was Linna J. Stewart, a native of Polk county, Mo., and a daughter of Elias Stewart (best known as "Uncle Eben"). A native of Ten- nessee, Mr. Stewart came west from Missouri in 1852 and settled on a donation claim in the forks of the Willamette river. Some years later he traded his property for a claim near Eugene, and there he remained until his death, in 1898, at eighty-four years of age. Mrs. Linna J. Noland died November 13, 1873, leaving two children, George, of Astoria, and James, a resi- dent of Creswell and formerly sheriff of Lane county.

Near Eugene, Ore., George Noland was born October 24, 1857. After completing the studies of the Eugene schools he entered the University of Oregon on its opening day in 1876 and was graduated from that institution in 1882, with the degree of A. B., subsequently receiving the degree of A. M. The study of law he prosecuted under Judge Fitch and in the fall of 1882 was admitted to practice at the bar of Oregon. After a few months in Prineville, Crook county, in 1883 he opened an office in Astoria, where he has since carried on a general practice. For five and one- half years he filled the office of city attorney of Astoria. In politics he is a stanch Democrat .. Besides his law practice, which represents a con- siderable income, he owns valuable property in Eugene, Astoria and Seaside, some farm prop- erty, and has laid out a number of additions to Seaside. He was married in Astoria, his wife being Miss Lottie Goodell, by whom he has a son, Virgil Goodell Noland. Mrs. Noland was born at Forest Grove, Washington county, Ore., and is a member of one of the pioneer families of that county. Her father, N. E. Goodell, was for years engaged in the mercantile business in Forest Grove and died in Astoria. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Smith, is still living and makes her home at Seaside. In the Order of Native Daughters at Astoria Mrs. Noland holds the office of treasurer, while Mr. Noland was first president of the local or- ganization of Native Sons. He is a member of the Alumni Association of the State University ; holds prominent connection with the Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor and also affiliates with the Uniform Rank, of the same order.

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GEORGE W. MORTON. Among the active and prosperous business men of Astoria is George W. Morton, a well-known meat dealer. A man of unlimited energy, ability and push, he is en- dowed with the three characteristics that are pre-eminent in all true American citizens, and are bound to bring success to the possessor. He is influential in municipal affairs, and is now serving as councilman from the second ward. A native of Oregon, he was born in Coos county, near the city of Coquille, in 1862, a son of S. E. Morton.

Of excellent New England ancestry, S. E. Morton was born in Plymouth county, Mass., where his father spent his entire life, dying at a very advanced age. Migrating to California a few years after the discovery of gold in this state, he was employed in the United States mint until his death, in 1862. He married Chris- tine Romanus, who was born in New York City. In 1876 she removed with her family to As- toria, and nine years later, in 1885, at Roseburg, while on her way to Coos bay, she was one of the two persons burned to death in the confla- gration that destroyed the Depot Hotel. Of the three children she bore her husband, but two are living: Mrs. Lucy Wright, of Astoria ; and George W., the subject of this sketch. S. E., the eldest child, died several years ago in Cali- fornia.

Born November 27, 1862, about the time of his father's death, George W. Morton spent the first fourteen years of his life in the vicinity of Coos bay, attending the common schools. Coming to Astoria in 1876, he continued his studies in the city schools for a time, completing his early education at Albany College, under the tutelage of Professor Condit. Going then to Alaska, he was employed in canning salmon on the Sound, working first in Booth's cannery, and then in the Eagle cannery. He was subsequently engineer in the Astoria fire department for two years. May 15, 1895, Mr. Morton embarked in business for himself, opening a meat market in the upper town, on Franklin avenue, where he was located six years. Selling out that market in 1901, he purchased Gaston's central meat market, which he has since conducted most suc- cessfully, having a large wholesale and retail trade. In his large plant, supplied with electric power, he manufactures lard, bacon, hams and sausages of a fine grade, and in addition to fur- nishing his numerous customers with these, and with fresh mcats of all kinds, he furnishes many of the out-going steamers and vessels with their needed supplies in this line of goods, his busi- ness being extensive and lucrative.

In Astoria, Mr. Morton married Bertha Kal- seth, who was born in Christiansand, Norway, and they have four children, namely : Bertha

C., Grace M., William F. and S. E. In Decem- ber, 1901, on the Citizens' ticket, Mr. Morton was elected councilman from the second ward for a term of three years, and is rendering his city good service in the administration of its public affairs. He is chairman of the committee on health, and on police, and is a member of the committee on fire and water. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is active in fraternai circles, belonging to the An- cient Order of United Workmen; to the Knights of Pythias; to the Degree of Honor; and to the Eagles.

WALTER T. WEST. As agriculturist, dairyman and hotel keeper, Walter T. West is one of the most familiar figures and popular men of the vicinity of Tillamook and Beaver. October 4, 1884, he purchased his present farm, seventeen miles south of Tillamook, near Beaver, and at present he has eighty acres, upon which he has made many improvements, clearing the entire land for pasture. He has high grade cattle, and his dairy is maintained with fifteen cows, also modern devices for con- ducting a model milk and butter enterprise. The buildings have all been erected by him- self, and are substantial and convenient in ar- rangement. On both sides of his family Mr. West claims worthy ancestry, the maternal family of Shumway being particularly interest- ing. His father, D. V. P. West, was born within one mile of Chillicothe, Ohio, April 10, 1818, and died March 23, 1902, while his pa- ternal grandfather, Thomas, born in the state of Vermont, died in 1861, at the age of ninety- seven. He was of English-Welsh extraction, and his emigrating ancestor settled in Ver- mont at a very early day. Mary (Shumway) West, the mother of Walter T. West, was born in Worcester, Mass., May 1, 1824, and was of French descent, her remote ancestors having fled with other zealous Huguenots from intol- erant France after the massacre of St. Bar- tholomew's Day, and sought asylum first in England, but later removing to the United States. This was practically in the dawn of American history, for the family was well es- tablished in New England when tyrannical English rule was making wretched the lives of the colonists, and Great-grandfather Shum- way had a hand in that great event known as the Boston Tea Party. His son moved from Massachusetts to Wisconsin when his daugh- ter, Mrs. West, was sixteen years old, locating in Milwaukee county, where she afterward met her husband. In the meantime, the father of Walter T. West had been taken by his par- ents when a year old to Vermont, and after

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two years accompanied them to Canada, where he lived until eighteen. He then left home and made his way to Milwaukee county, Wis., where he bought land, married, March 9, 1843, and engaged in the saw-mill business for seven years. He then turned his attention to farm- ing in Columbia county, and was thus em- ployed at the time of his death. There were seven children in his family, five of whom were sons, Walter T. being the second, born May 24, 1845.

Mr. West received his education in the schools of Wisconsin, and as an aid to inde- pendence took up the trade of bridge building in Jackson county. Eventually he became an expert in his line and found employment as bridge builder with the Illinois Central Rail- road. In 1869 he was united in marriage with Mary Farmer, who was born in Union county, Ill., December 25, 1851, a daughter of Axom Farmer, one of the pioneer settlers of Tilla- mook county. In 1874 Mr. West moved to Dakota county, Minn., two years later taking up his residence in Stearns county, in 1876 set- tling for a six years' farming experience in Norman county. At the same time he en- gaged in carpentering and farming, and his combined efforts netted him a fair yearly in- come. May 20, 1884, he came to Tillamook, and October 4, 1884, purchased his present farm. His activities have extended into the world of politics, and as a Republican he has been justice of the peace for six years, school director for thirteen years, and road super- visor for several years. He is a member of the Christian Church, and for many years has been an active worker and elder.

J. M. THARP. As one who has experienced the hardships and trials of a pioneer life in the west, J. M. Tharp is passing the evening of his days upon the farm which has been his home for many years, his long residence in the neighbor- hood of Alsea, Benton county, having given him an enviable position in the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. He was born in Illinois September 2, 1830, and was reared to an agri- cultural life. In 1852 he joined the tide of emi- gration, crossing the plains with ox teams on a journey which occupied six months. Upon his arrival in Oregon he located in Portland and engaged in saw-milling, an occupation which he continued for four or five years, after which he went to the gold fields of California. A year later he returned to Oregon, but during the ex- citement in Idaho he went to the Florence mines, meeting with much success in his operations in that field. Upon his return to Oregon Mr. Tharp located near Halsey, Linn county, where he re-

mained for some time, in 1887 purchasing his present farm, a mile and a half from Alsea. It consists of four hundred and thirty-five acres, the principal part of which is under cultivation, and is well improved in every particular, the land being devoted to general farming and stock- raising.

Mr. Tharp has been married three times, the first ceremony being performed in Washington county, and uniting him with Nancy Campbell, who died a year and a half afterward. In Linn county he married Margaret Wigle, who died three years later, leaving one son, William J., who is now in Colfax, Wash. The third mar- riage of Mr. Tharp united him with Lucinda Simmons, who was born in Indiana and died in Alsea in 1897, at the age of fifty-four years. She crossed the plains in 1848 with her father, Wil- liam Simmons, who located in Marion county, shortly after building in Harrisburg, Linn coun- ty, one of the first grist mills of the state, the same still standing, a memento of the early times. Mr. Simmons died in Halsey in 1886, at the age of eighty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Tharp were born the following children: George E., who lives in Washington; Mary, the wife of Ray C. Fisher, who is also located on the home farm; and Margaret, at home. Mr. Tharp is a member of Hope Grange No. 269, of Alsea, and in his po- litical convictions adheres to the principles of the Republican party.

George E. Tharp, the oldest son of J. M. Tharp, was born on his father's farm, ten miles east of Halsey, March 6, 1869. His home re- mained in that location until he was fourteen years of age, his time being occupied in attend- ing the common school in the vicinity of his home and in performing the practical duties which fell to his lot as the son of a farmer. He removed with his parents to Tidewater, ten miles east of Waldport, on the Alsea river, after which his father located on his present property, which has ever since remained the home of both. Upon attaining manhood George E. Tharp married, in 1891, Alice Hammersley, who was born in Sur- prise Valley, Modoc county, Cal., February I, 1870. She was the daughter of William Ham- mersley, who crossed the plains in 1862 and lo- cated in Yamhill county, later removing to Modoc county, Cal. His death occurred in Alsea, Ben- ton county, June 14, 1892, when a little over sixty-five years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Tharp have been born the following children, all of whom are at home: Fred, Vevia, Mabel, Harry and Claude. Mr. Tharp is a member of Hope Grange No. 269. in which he is at present serv- ing as master. Always interested in local affairs, he is serving as school director and clerk of the board, having been elected to the position through the influence of the Republican party, of which

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he is a stanch adherent. Both father and son are prominent men in the community in which they have so many years been residents, their honora- ble methods in business dealings having won for them the esteem and confidence of all who know them.

HENRY HIRAM SPARLIN. Twenty miles southeast of Grants Pass Henry Hiram Sparlin has improved a farm of one hundred and forty- five acres, accomplishing great changes since he took possession, in 1864. As a pioneer of 1854, he had certain advantages in starting life in the west, for he brought with him across the plains a large herd of cattle, which served as a nucleus for his later large stock-raising operations. After his five months' trip he went to work with all the enthusiasm of twenty-one years on land in the Shasta valley, Siskiyou county, Cal., and from then until selling out his stock and land, in 1859, he realized far more than he had expected. In that year he returned via the overland stage to Missouri, remaining in Newton county until 1861, and then again he came to the west, this time via the old Butterfield stage route to Los Angeles. At San Francisco he embarked on a schooner for Crescent City, and from there went to Jacksonville, later making his way to Williams- burg, Josephine county. Here he engaged in mining for several years, and about 1864 took up the land on which he is now residing.

Mr. Sparlin was born on a farm near Zanes- ville, Ohio, October 25, 1833, his parents, An- drew and Elizabeth (Spurgeon) Sparlin, being natives of the same locality. There was a large family of children, eight sons and two daughters, Henry Hiram being the fourth child. When the latter was three years old, in 1836, the family emigration to Missouri took place with ox teams, and after a wearisome journey the home seekers camped where the city of St. Louis has since sprung into being. The father looked around for a desirable farm, and finally selected Newton county, of which he was one of the very earliest settlers. He carried on farming and merchandis- ing, his little store being the center of increasing activity as years went by and settlers came to the locality. His wife and helpmate died in 1854, but he survived her until 1890, at the time being over four score years of age. He witnessed many changes in the region he called home, and was ever fond of recalling the primitive condi- tions among which he cast his lot in 1836. He always took an active interest in education, and was one of the promoters of the first little log school house which his children attended when the leisure of winter permitted.

Soon after settling on his farm in Josephine county Henry Hiram Sparlin married, April 17,

1864, Anna Farris, born in the Willamette val- ley, Ore. She became the mother of three chil- dren, Ira, Robert and Lottie, the two latter de- ceased, and Ira is a farmer of Williams creek. August 3, 1876, Mr. Sparlin mar- ried Rachel Hayes, born in Lane county, Ore., December 23, 1854, and whose father, Lewis Hayes, is represented elsewhere in this work. Of this second union there were born the follow- ing children: George, living on the home farm; Elizabeth, the wife of Lester Layton of this county ; John, also at home; Alice, living at Grants Pass; and Frank and Harvey, at home. Mr. Sparlin is a Democrat in politics, and has acceptably served as road supervisor and school director.

OLIVER P. COSHOW. In more than one direction has Oliver Perry Coshow made his personality felt in the state of Oregon, for though a successful business man in the days of her prosperity, he crossed the plains in the time of danger and desolation and, coming into the wilderness of the west, he turned his energies along the lines necessary to profit by the multi- tude of opportunities presented in the untried fields. He is a pioneer of 1851, and during the intervening years he has served his adopted land as patriot, farmer, merchant and the leader of the woolen industry in the city of Browns- ville.

The ancestry of the Coshow family is traced back to Revolutionary times, the great-grand- father of Oliver P. Coshow being one of the soldiers who accompanied La Fayette through the country during his visit in 1824. The grand- father, William, was born in the state of Vir- ginia, later in life making his home in Ken- tucky, where his son, Robert Coshow, the father of Oliver P., was born, April 30, 1808, near Lexington. At a later date the family fortunes were changed to Indian creek, Ohio, and to Clermont county, same state, where the grand- father died. Being reared to the life of a farmer Robert Coshow continued in this occupation, removing in manhood to Fayette county, Ind., and in 1842 changing his location to Muscatine county, Iowa, where he remained for one year. After settling in Scott county, Iowa, he combined the trade of a carpenter with his agricultural pursuits, and remained at this until 1860, when le came, via the Isthmus of Panama, to Oregon, making his home, until his death, at the age of eighty-three years, with a daughter, Mrs. Car- penter, of Salem. He married Julia Perin, who was born near Connersville. Ind., and died in Scott county, Iowa. She was the daughter of John Perin, a native of Massachusetts, who, with his brother Samuel, settled in Indiana, later mak-

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ing his home in Iowa, where he died at the age of ninety-four years. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Coshow was Lemuel Perin, who was the first to change the spelling of the name be- qucathed to him by his ancestor, John, a native of England, who settled in Massachusetts in 1635.

Of the ten children born to his parents, three sons and seven daughters, all but one of whom attained maturity, Oliver Perry Coshow was the oldest son and the second child. He was born July 4, 1831, in Connersville, Ind. Interspersed as his home duties permitted he attended the public schools intermittently as circumstances would allow, growing up to the life of a farmer, at which he remained until 1850, when he entered a store in Appanoose county, Iowa, as a clerk. In 1851 he decided to try his fortunes in the west and accordingly made arrangements with the late Hon. R. B. Cochran, of Lane county, Ore., whereby he was to have his passage for driving an ox-team across the plains. Beyond the minor trials incident to life on the plains the trip was made without harrowing experi- ences, the party arriving safely in Oregon, where after helping Mr. Cochran to build a cabin on his claim, Mr. Coshow ventured to the Rogue river mines. Being prevented by illness in the continuance of this work he took up, in 1853, a donation land claim of one hundred and sixty acres, located one and one-half miles north of Brownsville, Linn county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1858 he bought two hundred and eighty acres five miles south- east of Harrisburg and continued in his work. For the better educational advantages of his children he removed to Brownsville in 1868, and in connection with H. R. Powell bought an in- terest in the general merchandise business of J. M. Morgan, but after one year Mr. Morgan withdrew and Mr. Coshow and Mr. Powell con- ducted the business for four years. In 1863 he traded his merchandise interest for an inter- est in the Brownsville woolen mills, but oper- ated the store in the interest of the new com- pany, being also secretary of the latter. The company then erected the business block on Main street, for which Mr. Coshow parted with his one-fourth interest in the woolen mill, in 1880, taking as a partner C. H. Cable, a resident of this city. In 1888 he sold out to C. E. Stan- ard. who has since conducted the business, and with the exception of the handling of real estate and the duties of a notary public Mr. Coshow has retired to private life. As a patriot Mr. Coshow enlisted, October 24, 1855. in Company C, Second Oregon Regiment, under Captain Keeney, and returned home without accident after three months' service, as did all but one man of the one hundred and twenty engaged.

The marriage of Mr. Coshow occurred in Brownsville, September 23, 1853, uniting him with Sarah E. Cochran, who was born in Put- nam county, Mo., January 23, 1837, and died March 6, 1903. Her father, William Cochran, a native of Kentucky, came from Missouri to Oregon, crossing the plains in 1847, and locat- ing first in Molalla, Clackamas county, Ore., when, after two years, he came to Linn county, and took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He died near Rowland, of this county, in the home of his youngest daughter, at the age of eighty-eight years, having lived a very successful life. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Coshow, William Luther is a farmer and stock-raiser in Lake county; Soph- ronia Alice is the wife of J. M. Howe, a mer- chant of Eugene, Ore .; Robert Heron is the secretary of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mills Company, of Salem, Ore .; James Nelson resides in Brownsville; Mary Ellen is the wife of John Franzen, a mechanical engineer of Portland, Ore .; Oliver Perry, Jr., is an attorney at Rose- burg, Ore .; Sarah Elizabeth is the wife of R. HI. Chaplain, Seattle, Wash .; Ida Alva is the wife of G. C. Stanard, of Portland; George Helm makes his home in Brownsville, where he is secretary of the Brownsville woolen mills ; and Kate Ethiel is the wife of A. B. Cavender, the business manager of the Brownsville Times. Fraternally Mr. Coshow is a member of the Blue Lodge chapter, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and in religion is a Baptist. Politically he is a Democrat and has been quite active in the affairs of the city. He is a member of the council, having been one of the first officers elected in the town, and has served in the ca- pacity of president. He has also served as city recorder for several years. He was appointed notary by Governor Lord and has served con- tinuously since.

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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 154

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