Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 25

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 25

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After fifteen years of labor in Oregon City Mr. Sellwood accepted the pastorate of St. David's Church in East Portland, where the last ten years of his busy life were passed. From a small con- gregation, St. David's has grown into a large and well organized parish, and this happy result is largely due to his efforts in those days of small beginnings. While he was pastor of that flock, on Christmas eve of 1899, after a day of severe illness, he insisted upon speaking to the children at their Christmas exercises, saying, when his family protested, "I feel I must look into their dear, bright faces once more." The next day he again went to the church, hoping to administer the holy communion to his loved con- gregation, but he was taken with a chill and was carried from the church, never more to enter it in life. Weeks of pain and illness were met with his accustomed cheery and bright patience, and finally, March 12, 1890, with the parting words upon his lips, "All is peace," he entered into the unknown. A large concourse of those who loved him attended the funeral services, where Bishop Morris, in the memorial sermon, paid a deserved tribute to his years of patient and self-sacrific- ing toil. The organizations with which he had been connected passed resolutions of respect. The bishop and clergy of the diocese of Oregon adopted resolutions bearing testimony to his goodness of heart and gentleness of spirit. Other organizations who took similar action were St. David's Vestry, Women's Guild of St. David's parish, Daughters of St. David's, Young Men's Guild of St. David's Church, St. Paul's parish in Oregon City and the convention of the diocese. Since his death his wife, who had been his constant and successful co-laborer in the min- istry, has devoted herself largely to missionary work in the Protestant Episcopal Church in Oregon, and is now registrar of the diocese of Oregon, and is also the diocesan secretary of the Women's Auxiliary.

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CHARLES HENRY MERCHANT. In the foremost rank among the prominent and able financiers of Coos county stands Charles H. Merchant, who well deserves the honored title that has been bestowed upon him of "Father of Marshfield." Of marked individuality, keen in- tellect, and broad sympathies, he has for many years been a potent force in the industrial circles of city, town and county, and to him, perhaps more than to any other one person, is Marshfield indebted for her rapid development and advance- ment in business lines. Perfectly honest, upright and just in all his dealings, respecting the rights of employes as well as of employers, he has won the trust and esteem of all classes of people, and is eminently worthy of the confidence so uni- versally reposed in him. His integrity and sym- pathetic feeling for his brother man have ever been prominent features of his character, and have to a large extent dominated his whole career. Unappreciated as a boy, he left home when young, beginning life without capital, and by his own exertions has won success in business lines, being at the present time the financial prince of the Coos Bay country.

The oldest of two children, both boys. Charles H. Merchant was born July 31, 1838, in New York City, where he received a limited educa- tion, attending the public schools when young. Beginning life for himself at the age of fourteen years, he was employed in a wholesale hardware and grocery store from 1852 until 1854. Coming then via the Isthmus to California, he remained a short time in San Francisco, then went to Columbia, Tuolumne county, Cal., where he was clerk for a mining company for four years, re- ceiving a salary of $175 a month. Removing to Portland, Ore., in 1858, he was clerk in the wholesale hardware establishment of John R. Foster for a short time, afterwards occupying a similar position in the retail store of WV. C. Little & Co., at Salem, Ore. Returning to Portland in 1859, he remained there as a clerk in the whole- sale house of \V. C. Little & Co., for about a year. In April, 1860, Mr. Merchant made his advent into Coos county, coming to North Bend as business manager for A. M. Simpson, taking charge of his lumber plant, sawmill and store. Under his management the business was rapidly developed, and during the thirteen years that he remained with Mr. Simpson the business flour- ished, Mr. Merchant's enterprise and sagacity doing much towards making it one of the leading lumber organizations of the county.

Becoming a member of the firm of E. B. Dean & Co., in 1873. Mr. Merchant continued as a partner and as the business manager of the com- pany for twenty years, disposing of his interests in the firm in December, 1892. His previous long and satisfactory experience with the lumber

trade of this part of the state made him a valu- able assistant in the building up of the firm with which he became connected, and largely through his personal efforts an extensive business was established and maintained. In December, 1896, nearly four years after he left the firm, Mr. Merchant, in order to save himself, was forced to again take charge of the business of the firm as receiver. In May, 1903, on account of ill health, he resigned the position in favor of his oldest son, William T. Merchant, who is now business manager and superintendent. This com- pany, incorporated with a capital of $200,000, carries on an immense business, and at its plant, known as the Bay City Mills, manufactures large quantities of lumber of all kinds.

A man of great financial ability, Mr. Merchant owns large tracts of town property both in Ore- gon and California. In 1873 he laid out the original town of Marshfield; and in 1890 and 1891 laid out the first two additions, South Marshfield and West Marshfield. In 1892 he owned five hundred and sixty acres of the rail- road addition to the town, the firm of E. B. Dean & Co. owning the remainder of that tract. In his earlier years he was actively identified with all the more important industries of this part of the county, being associated with its mercantile, ship-building, logging. timber and lumber in- terests, in each and all being a dominating power. He is now living retired from active business cares, at his attractive home in Marshfield, where he is honored and respected for his many virtues.

In 1862, at North Bend, Ore., Mr. Merchant married Mary Lincoln Gunn, who was born in New Bedford, Mass., a daughter of Capt. John C. Gunn. A native of South Shields, England, Captain Gunn was brought up as a seafaring man. He was one of the earliest navigators of the pacific coast, coming as master of a vessel to California in 1849. Giving up whaling, in which lie had previously been employed. he engaged in mining pursuits for awhile. He subsequently bought the sailing vessel John J., which brought La Fayette to this country, dismantled her in Oakland harbor, and was preparing to burn the hulk, when he was accidentally killed. his skull being fractured by a fall between decks. Cap- tain Gunn married Mary A. Fuller, a native of Newton, N. H., and a member of the family which numbers Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller, of the United States Supreme Court, among its representatives. Of the sixteen children born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Merchant. five of the daughters have passed to the higher life, eight sons and three daughters are still living: William T., of whom a brief 'sketch may be found on another page of this vol- ume, is manager of the Dean Lumber Company ; Robert S., a sailor, is in Alaska; Benjamin T ..

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a miner, lives in California; Francis Elmer is a millman; John C. G. is a merchant, in Coos county ; Charles Walter is an electrician; Albert F. S. and James are students in Hill's Military Academy, Portland; Mary is the wife of Roland Desmond, who is engaged in mining in Shasta county, Cal .; Lydia is the widow of Forest E. Lang, of Marshfield; and March Lily is at home. Politically Mr. Merchant is a Republican, but takes no active part in local affairs. Fraternally he is very prominent in Masonic circles, being a thirty-second degree Mason. He has passed all the chairs in lodge and chapter, and is a mem- ber of council, commandery, consistory and shrine. He is liberal in his religious beliefs, and gives generously towards the support of all the churches of the town.

HON. CARLTON E. HARMON. His present office, that of postmaster at Grants Pass, was tendered Mr. Harmon under ap- pointment from President Mckinley, March 31, 1899. A day later he took possession of the office, to the work of which he has since devoted his entire attention. Meanwhile the headquarters have been moved from two small rooms to a modern and commodious building, which is equipped in a manner sur- passed by few if any of the third-class post- offices in Oregon. In politics he has always been a pronounced Republican, and the various offices to which he has been elected have come to him as the gift of his party. For one term he was chairman of the county central committee of the party and at another time held membership on the state central com- inittee.

In Winterset, Iowa, Carlton Everett Har- mon was born November 2, 1867, being a son of T. G. and Lydia (Hathaway) Harmon, na- tives respectively of Hancock county, Ill., and Indiana. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Hathaway, removed from Indiana to a farm in Worth county, Mo., and in 1880 came to Josephine county, Ore., where he died. The paternal grandfather, William Harmon, of Pennsylvania birth, became a pioneer of Il- linois and in 1842 entered from the govern- ment the present site of Winterset, Iowa, but this he later sold, settling on other raw land. In 1873 he came to Oregon and his last days were spent in the home of his son at Albany, Ore. Tilman G. Harmon served for three years in the First Iowa Infantry during the Civil war, after which he took up farm pur- suits. During 1873 he brought his family to the west, traveling by railroad to Marysville and from there by team over the mountains to the Willamette valley. After making his home

near Tangent for three years, in 1876 he set- tled near Kerby, Josephine county, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and since then he has engaged in farm- ing. Memories of old war times are kept in mind through his association with the Grand Army of the Republic. In political views he has always been a decided Republican. Though not connected with any denomina- tion, he is a believer in Christian work and is in sympathy with the Baptist church, to which his wife belongs. In his family there are the following named sons and daughters: Carlton E., of Grants Pass; J. W., a farmer at Kerby; Walter, who is interested in real es- tate in Grants Pass; Mrs. Edna Bailey, of Kubli, Ore .; Mrs. Alma Kiphart, of Dryden, Ore .; and Arthur and Zella, both residing in Grants Pass.

When seventeen years of age Carlton Ever- ett Harmon began to teach school. During 1887-88 he was a student in Monmouth Nor- mal School. In 1890 he gave up teaching and assumed the duties of county assessor, of Josephine county, to which office he was elected in July of that year and which he held until July, 1892. In the year last named he was elected county clerk by a fair majority, and in 1894 was re-elected by an increased vote, serving until 1896. The office of joint state senator, to represent Coos, Curry and Josephine counties, was tendered him in 1896, his election being by a majority of six hun- dred. He served in the session of 1897, the special session of 1898 (where he helped to elect United States Senator Simon) and the session of 1899, meantime being a member of four different committees. One of the meas- ures advocated by him was the general regis- tration bill, which became a law. Another which he actively supported was the bill for starting the Normal School at Ashland. On the expiration of his term as senator he was appointed postmaster. In addition he has served for two terms as councilman from the second ward. He is a member of the board of trade. On the organization of the Mount Lion Mining Company he was elected its secretary and has since been active in the work of operating a quartz mine, with a five- stamp mill, at Davidson.

In Grants Pass Carlton E. Harmon married Miss Effie Green, who was born in Kerby, Ore., and by whom he has three children, Lewis (ten years old), Lois (seven) and Lonise Marie. Mrs. Harmon's father, Daniel Green, came from Missouri to Oregon in an early day and while engaged in prospecting discovered the famous Sugar Pine mine. At this writing he makes his home in Grants

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Pass. In fraternal relations Mr. Harmon is connected with the Knights of Pythias; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he is past master workman; the lodge of Odd Fellows, in which he is past noble grand; and the Encampment, in which he has been an officer and a representative to the grand lodge.

LARS JENSEN. In common with the sons of Switzerland, the children of Denmark seem to possess particular ability for successful dairying. This statement finds confirmation in every state and territory in the west, and for years has been demonstrated in the east- ern and middle western parts of the country. An encouraging example is found in Lars Jen- sen, who is spending the best years of his life a long way from his native land, and in Tilla- inook county has built up a dairying enter- prise which yields him an income far in excess of similar undertakings in his sea-swept fath- erland.

Mr. Jensen was born in Denmark, March 26, 1843, and, according to the custom prevail- ing in the land, took his father's first name, the original name being Jens Rasmusen. The father was a farmer and dairyman during his entire life, and died in Denmark in 1868, at the age of fifty-five years. He was survived by his wife, formerly Boar Hansen, who also was born in Denmark, and died there in 1871, at the age of fifty-five years. Lars is the youngest of the five sons and two daughters born to his parents, and owing to financial stringency in the family his early education was extremely limited. The greater part of his knowledge has been gained since coming to America in 1872, for under the new condi- tions he had more leisure to devote to the improvement of his mind, and more incentive to make the most possible of his opportuni- ties. After a voyage in a sailing vessel, he landed in New York city, and located in Mid- dlesex county, N. J., where he found employ- ment at digging fireclay. Four years of this sort of work sufficed to inspire greater ambi- tions, and Mr. Jensen decided to avail himself of an oportunity to come to the west, which he reached by way of Panama, and located in Bakersfield, Cal. A year later he came to Oregon over the Grande Ronde trail, with a pack-horse which enabled him to travel over the mountains at the rate of twenty-six miles a day. After looking around for a favorable location, he settled on his present farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres, near Hebo, where he has lived ever since, and engaged in dairying, stock-raising and general farming. Eighty acres of his property have been cleared

and fine improvements made, including a com- fortable house, and convenient barns and out- houses. Mr. Jensen milks eighteen cows, and is meeting with encouraging patronage from a large trade. He has a thorough understand- ing of dairying, enforces the first principles of neatness and dispatch, and presents in his home and enterprise a typical example of the successful and thrifty farmer and dairyman. Mr. Jensen belongs to the Lutheran church, towards the support of which he contributes generously, and for the best interests of which he and his family actively work. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, but has never taken any par- ticular part in local or state affairs, contenting himself with meritorious service on the school board for many years. He married Sophia Hansen in Denmark in 1867, and of this union there have been born six children, four of whom are living: H. L., engaged in farming near Blaine, Ore .; C. C., living on a farm ad- joining that of his father; Millie, wife of W. Sappington of Tillamook, Ore .; and Mary, liv- ing at home. Mr. Jensen is energetic and capable, and in his adopted county and state has established a reputation for progressive- ness and integrity, as well as for adaptiveness to the conditions which are so materially dif- ferent from those among which he was reared and educated.

JOSEPH L. NAY. On the thousand-acre farm of Joseph L. Nay, about all of the de- partments possible in western farming have assumed large and almost perfect proportions, and have been and are conducted after mod- ern and scientific principles. Colts of aristo- cratic lineage have been successfully bred and reared to be the pride of their owner, and the joy of the race-track ; high-grade cattle, also cared for on the Nay farm, have worn the blue ribbon denoting superiority of breeding, and at many exhibits have been recognized as the best to be found in the coast counties. Mr. Nay began to farm on a comparatively small scale in 1875, owning at the time but a hun- dred and sixty acres, comprising a part of the old George Launt donation claim, purchased several years before. In 1883 he started a steam sawmill on his place, the water supply coming from Elk river, which waters the great farm, and to facilitate his lumber business and the disposal of his crops at harvest time, Mr. Nay built the road that now runs to Port Or- ford. This road was considered a great un- dertaking, and certainly has more than re- warded its promoter for the $2.000 or more expended in its construction. Fine and hard and white, it is indicative of the high degree

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of prosperity attained and encouraged in an ideal agricultural section. The mill ran with- out interruption for several years, and has since been operated at times at the pleasure of the owner, who has not found it particularly profitable, but has on the contrary lost a great deal of money. The capacity of the mill is fifteen thousand feet daily. Of late years Mr. Nay has devoted his time almost entirely to stock-raising, for which his farm is particu- larly adapted, and in which occupation he takes genuine satisfaction.

Until his twenty-first year Mr. Nay lived on his father's farm near West Milan, Coos county, N. H., where he was born in 1833. His first money not earned on the farm came from two years of teaming in Boston, Mass., and with this he purchased a ticket for San Francisco by way of the Isthmus of Panama. From San Francisco, which he reached in the fall of 1857, he came to Port Orford, on the old Columbia, and from there went to the mines. Returning to the Port he worked for a time in the mill of Tichenor & Co., and afterward spent some time as manager of lum- ber camps in the woods of the county. In 1859 discontent with his surroundings inspired his return to his former home in New Hampshire, where he remained until the spring of 1861, and then returned to the region which has been increasing in value when viewed from across the country. Again he found employ- ment in the Tichenor Mills, and two years later rented the mills and ran them on his own responsibility for a couple of years. In 1862 he made his way to Coos Bay and con- tracted for getting out lumber for Mr. Simp- son, and about 1875 came to his present ranch, which at that time had practically no im- provements. Mr. Nay has devoted all of his time to his increasingly fine property, being essentially a home man, quiet and unostenta- tious, and having no desire to accept office from his fellow Republicans, or otherwise ap- pear in a public capacity. Honorable in all of his undertakings, fair in his judgment of peo- ple, and well posted on the affairs of the coun- try, he is a credit to his many friends and the neighborhood whose best interests he repre- sents.

GEORGE W. STALEY. Well known by a large proportion of the leading citizens of Douglas county, George WV. Staley of Rose- burg, the present county assessor, is especially fitted for the responsible position he holds, being a man of quick apprehension and sound judgment. and an able accountant. The third in direct line of descent to bear his name, he

was born near Montrose, Lee county, Iowa, December 18, 1863, coming of German an- cestry.

. George WV. Staley the first, who spelled his surname "Stayley," was born and reared in old Virginia. When a young man he settled in business as a butcher in Pennsylvania. Subsequently removing with his family to Lee county, Iowa, he was there employed in the same line of industry for a number of years. In 1864 he made an overland trip to Oregon, with his wife and family, which included among others the widow of his son, George W. Staley, second, and her four children, a son-in-law, Capt. Abraham Lamb, being the leader of the party. Locating in Portland, he resumed his former occupation of butcher, and continued his residence in that city until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. In his youthful days he served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Captain Lamb removed from Portland to Washington county, living there until 1868, when he settled at Yoncalla, Doug- las county.

Born near Altoona, Pa., George W. Staley, second, removed to Iowa with his parents. Receiving excellent educational advantages, he entered upon a professional career, and was employed as a school teacher in Iowa for many years, dying there while in manhood's prime. He married Isabelle Washburn, a na- tive of Virginia. After the death of her hus- band, she came with her father-in-law to Port- land, Ore., as previously stated. She subse- quently married Dr. William Henley of Port- land. After the doctor's death, she made her home with her youngest son, dying on his ranch when she was but fifty-four years of age. She was a woman of much strength of character, and a member of the Baptist church. Of the five children born of her first mar- riage, four are living, namely: Mrs. Sarah Wilson, of Yoncalla : Mrs. Clara E. Ambrose. of Yoncalla ; Charles D., a farmer, residing near Forest Grove, Ore .; and George W., the third, with whom this sketch is chiefly con- cerned.

But six months old when he came across the plains with his widowed mother and grandfather, George W. Staley, third, ac- quired his early education in the public schools of Portland. Coming with the family to Yoncalla, Douglas county, in 1873, he sub- sequently worked as a farm laborer during seed-time and harvest, attending the winter terms of school. When about thirteen years of age he began to be self-supporting, and also assisted in caring for his mother. After ac- cumulating some money by working as a miller and a farmer, he purchased a small

THOMAS CHAVNER.

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ranch not far from Yoncalla, and was there successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising for several years. From 1893 until 1899 Mr. Staley served as deputy county assessor, and the following two years was an attendant at the state insane asylum, in Salem, having charge of the first convalescent ward. Resigning his position in 1901, Mr. Staley re- turned to his farm, and the following spring, in 1902, was nominated for the office of county assessor on the Republican ticket for a term of two years. Being elected by a handsome majority, he took the oath of office in January, 1903, and since that time has resided in Rose- burg.

Mr. Staley married Miss Martha Wright, of Drain, Ore. She was born in Jacksonville, Ore., a daughter of John Berry Wright, who settled in Oregon as a pioneer in 1852. Four children have been born of their union, namely: Charles Elmer, Ivy Muriel, Fannie Beatrice and George W., the fourth. Frater- nally Mr. Staley is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and past master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politi- cally he has always been identified with the Republican party, and is an ex-member of the county central committee.

THOMAS CHAVNER. One of the names that was earliest and most honorably connected with the history of Jackson county was that of Thomas Chavner, who, though his death oc- curred September 8, 1888, is still remembered by the citizens of Oregon as a man of unfailing integrity, kindliness and a helpful spirit which was a dominant influence in the development of the community wherein he made his home for so many years. With the pioneer element strong within him, an inheritance, probably, from his mother, who emigrated to America in 1820, Mr. Chavner was not content to pass his days amid the quiet scenes of the eastern states, but chose rather to cast in his lot with those who were giv- ing their best efforts toward the upbuilding of the lands which lay beyond the Rocky moun- tains. Early in the '4os becoming identified with the fortunes of Texas, he served valiantly in the Mexican war, after which he came to the north- west and gave to the development of the re- sources of Oregon the same enthusiastic service. Not alone successful in the service of the state, he accumulated a large amount of land, seven- teen hundred acres in one body near Gold Hill. Jackson county, as well as a large timber claim near Ashland, the former property, whereon he made his home, being enclosed and subdivided by sixty miles of fence and the greater portion of the land being under a high state of cultiva-

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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 25

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