Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 26

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 26

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tion. The general appearance of the farm is one of thrift and neatness, the broad acres being now devoted to general farming and stock-rais- ing.

Mr. Chavner was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1814, and inheriting the characteristic spirit of his race, the love of freedom, he was fitted by nature for the pioneer life which filled up the greater part of his years. He lost his father when he was quite young, and when but six years old his mother brought her family to America, landing at Philadelphia, which was then the port for a large number of European emi- grants. Soon afterward the family removed to Susquehanna, the first employment of the little Irish lad being to deal out the regular rations of whiskey allowed to laborers on all public works. Upon the death of his mother, which occurred soon after they settled in the United States, Thomas Chavner was left to the care of an elder brother. In Pittsburg he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tailor, but finding the work uncongenial he ran away and made his way down the Ohio river to Cincinnati, for three or four years thereafter serving as cabin boy on various boats that plied on the Mississippi, Ar- kansas and Monongahela rivers, his first trip be- ing made on the famous Cincinnati and Louis- ville packet, Gen. Albert Pike. While in St. Louis, at the end of a trip from New Orleans, Mr. Chavner became associated with various trappers from the Rocky mountains, whose tales of dangerous yet interesting adventures in the west so imbued him with the desire to try his fortunes beyond the Rockies that he became a member of the company under Sublett and Camp- bell, employes of the American Fur Company, to go on a year's tour to trap and trade. He at first agreed to work his way as cook, but by the time they arrived at Independence the party had found him so useful that they decided to give him $10 per month for his services. Upon the expiration of his contract with the American Fur Company Mr. Chavner entered the employ of Thompson and Craig, traders from Brown's hole, on Green river, with whom he went north. there meeting Kit Carson, Baptiste Cheults, Lew Anderson, Henry Spilter, Barney Ward, and others whose names have since become famous as trappers and guides. Until 1841 Mr. Chavner remained in the employ of the fur company, pass- ing through many experiences which were but the repetition of the stories which he had heard while in the Mississippi valley. In the last named year the American Fur Company ceased to be a corporation, and the party of trappers disbanded, Mr. Chavner accompanying Kit Car- son and several others back to South Platte, where he entered the employ of a man named Lupton, to trade with the Arapahoes, Sioux and

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Cheyennes. Kit Carson stopped at Bent's Fort, eight miles below Lupton's, and it was there he first met General Fremont, in whose service he afterward won fame as guide for his expedition. Their meeting was brought about by Mr. Chav- ner, who met General Fremont first, when the latter inquired for a guide and was recommended to see Carson, as he was in every way qualified for the duties required.

The next campaign of Mr. Chavner was in the southwestern part of the country, where he met with many adventures and had many narrow escapes. In the spring the party with whom he had hunted returned to South Platte, save one adventurous hunter, named Manfield, who went to Texas and obtained a colonel's commission from Sam Houston, then president of the Lone Star Republic, after which he recruited a com- pany of three hundred men and fought for the independence of Texas. During the prelimina- ries for a treaty with the Comanche Indians Mr. Chavner, who had learned the language, was em- ployed as interpreter and was thus intimately acquainted with the border life of that period. Upon the completion of the treaty, President Houston gave him permission to establish a trad- ing post on the Brazos river, twenty miles from the nearest post, where he remained two years. Upon the opening of hostilities between Mexico and the United States he joined a company of independent rangers and scouted in the vicinity of General Taylor's army until peace was de- clared, taking an active part in the battle of Buena Vista and many others of note. Im- mediately after the close of the war he went to California, in company with Daniel S. Terry, the slayer of Senator Broderick, and a number of other disbanded soldiers. He remained in California until 1856, when he came to Jackson- ville, Ore., and ever afterward identified his in- terests with those of Jackson county, becoming a trader of note through his unvarying success. The second bridge across Rogue river at Gold Hill was erected by Mr. Chavner, a toll bridge known as the Centennial bridge, because it was built in 1876, and from this spot his farm ex- tends three miles up a beautiful valley, bounded on the north by Gold Hill. Mr. Chavner was also one of the promoters of Gold Hill mine and was active in the establishment of the town.

Mr. Chavner was united in marriage in 1861 with Margaret Brennan, who was born in County Carlow, Ireland, having emigrated from her native country in the same year. Their first home was in Jacksonville, but they removed soon to the large ranch near Gold Hill, where Mrs. Chavner died in 1880. She became the mother of the following children : Michael and Peter, both on the home place; Mary A., who became the wife of Dr. Roland Pryce, a sketch of whose

life follows; and Margaret, the widow of S. D. Jones. Both daughters make their home on the ranch, the first named being the manager of the place. Mr. Chavner, though a stanch Democrat in his political convictions, never cared for of- ficial recognition, but gave every assistance in the matter of good government in the community wherein he made his home for so many years. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

ROLAND PRYCE was born in North Wales in 1848, growing to manhood in his native land, where he received a fine education. He attended Dublin Medical College, after which he came to the United States, settling first in the state of Vermont. From a residence in Vermont he removed to Ohio, and later came to Hillsboro, Ore., where he lived for a few years, after which he located in Medford. He practiced his profession of phy- sician and surgeon after coming to the United States and met with entire success in his work. September 10, 1893, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Chavner, who was born in Jack- son county, and in 1893 they removed to the ranch which had been the property of Mrs. Pryce's father, where they lived at the time of Dr. Pryce's death in 1894. He was then a promi- nent and influential physician of the community with a large and lucrative practice, to the at- tention of which he gave the effort and energy of a practical knowledge. He was also largely interested in the political affairs of the commun- ity, serving as county coroner for several terms in the interests of the Democratic party, of whose principles he was a stanch adherent. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

S. DONALD JONES was born in New York City in 1864, and when a very young man assumed the position of traveling cor- respondent for various papers, acting in that capacity for the New York Herald when he was located in India. He became a col- lector of curios and was later located in Se- attle and San Francisco, and in 1896 he came to Gold Hill, where he engaged in mining. The following year he was united in marriage with Margaret Chavner, who was born near Gold Hill on her father's ranch. Mr. Jones then re- moved with his wife to Yreka, Cal., where he engaged successfully in the furniture business, which, however, lasted but a year, as his death occurred in 1898. The community lost in his death a man of prominence and one who would have influenced largely the affairs about him, for he took a broad and liberal interest in every worthy enterprise and gave material help toward their promotion and establishment. In his polit-

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ical preferment he affiliated with the Democratic party. Since his death his widow has made her home with the remainder of the family.

JOHN FRANCIS CLEMENTS. Mr. Clem- ents has every claim to representation in the his- tory of western Oregon, ranking as he does, among the most prominent and successful con- tractors and builders of Douglas county. He has been a resident of Roseburg since 1873, and many fine residences and business blocks in this and other cities are monuments to his ability and skill. Besides three residences which he has erected for himself, and one of which he still owns, he has erected the Hildebrand building, Douglas County mills and the two prune-pack- ing houses at Roseburg, and the Bashford, Sykes, Byron, Perry, Josephson and Hamilton cottages. Mr. Clements was born near Minne- apolis, Ottawa county, Kans., January 7, 1868, the youngest of the four sons, still living, born to John and Elizabeth ( Markley) Clements, natives of England. John Clements, the father, was born near Prickwillow, England, and came to America when a young man, settling in Illinois, and it was there that his marriage occurred. He subsequently moved to Kansas, spending some time in Ottawa county, and, in 1873, with his wife and five children, he crossed overland to Oregon and settled in Roseburg, which has been his home ever since. The father resides with his son, retired from the active duties of life.

John F. Clements has three brothers, namely : David, a successful contractor and builder in Deborgia, Mont .; Charles, who is mining in Alaska; and Jesse, who is a carpenter, in the employ of his brother, John F. Mr. Clements received a common public school education in the schools of Roseburg, which he attended dili- gently until he was seventeen years old. At that age lie began working for wages on a farm in the vicinity of Roseburg, continuing to follow the peaceful life of the agriculturist until his marriage, in the fall of 1889, which united him with Jennie E. Mote, formerly a resident of California. Subsequently he began to learn con- tracting and building from his brother David, and while learning his trade received $1.50 per day. After working for his brother for four years, in 1896 he began contracting and building on his own behalf and from the first has been successful, gaining prominence for the excel- lence of his work.

In February, 1901, Mr. Clements suffered the loss of his wife, who left him three daughters, Edith, Mabel and Irma. For his second wife Mr. Clements married Lienary Mote, also of California. In his political opinions Mr. Clem-

ents takes sides with the Republicans, voting and using his influence in favor of his chosen party. For many years he has been a member of the Baptist Church, assisting in its many avenues for doing good, and as trustee of the church and superintendent of the Sunday-school his serv- ices have been especially helpful. Socially he is identified with the Woodmen of the World and the Artisans.

HON. JOHN H. SHUPE. An able and successful lawyer, a trustworthy citizen, and a man of strict integrity and high moral prin- ciples, Hon. John H. Shupe of Roseburg is well deserving of representation in this vol- ume. The son of one of the earlier settlers of Douglas county, he came to Oregon as a child and for fifty years has been a resident of this part of the state. During his active career he has taken a sincere interest in the develop- ment and advancement of the industrial re- sources of town and county, ever exerting his influence to enhance their welfare. A son of the late M. R. Shupe, he was born April 26, 1850, in Cass county, Mo. He comes of pa- triotic ancestry, of pure Dutch descent, his pa- ternal great grandfather, who served in the Revolutionary war, having emigrated from Holland to the United States, settling in the Northumberland Colony, N. Y. Mr. Shupe's paternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio, removing there from Penn- sylvania.

A native of Bucks county, Pa., M. R. Shupe removed with his parents to Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. On attaining his ma- jority he engaged in the milling business near Mansfield, Ohio, remaining there until 1842. Migrating then to Cass county, Mo., he fol- lowed the trade of a plasterer for several years, also doing some carpentering. On April 5, 1853, accompanied by his family, which con- sisted of his wife and three children, he started with ox-teams for the western frontier. Tak- ing the old Oregon trail, he came by the Bar- low route around Barlow gate, to Oregon, ar- riving in Linn county, October 12, 1853, and there spent the winter. In June, 1854, he came to Douglas county, locating near Oakland, where he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres. He subsequently improved a homestead, and by the purchase of other land became the proprietor of a ranch of eight hundred and eighty acres. Embark- ing in the stock business, he raised sheep and cattle, establishing a profitable industry, which he carried on until his death in 1884. He served for three months in the Rogue River Indian war, and for two terms served as jus-

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tice of the peace. In politics he was a stead- fast Republican, and in religion was a mem- ber of the Christian church. He married Mar- garet Van Nostern, who was born in West- morland county, Pa., the descendant of a Hol- land Dutch family who came to Pennyslvania with William Penn's colony, the family sur- name at that time having been spelled Van Ordstrand. Of their union eight children were born, three of whom are living, namely : P. T., a commercial traveler, living in Chicago, Ill. ; Mrs. Rachael J. Metz, of Colfax, Wash .; and John H., the special subject of this brief sketch. The mother died in 1870.

Brought by his parents to Oregon when about three years of age, John H. Shupe was reared and educated in Douglas county, and until 1876 assisted in the care of the home farm. For several years thereafter he was em- ployed as a bookkeeper, afterward being en- gaged in the grocery business at Oakland for eight years. Being appointed by President Harrison as register at the United States land office in 1890, he removed to Roseburg, and on July 1, 1890, asumed the duties of his new position, for which he was well fitted, having previously studied law. At the expiration of his term as register, on April 1, 1894, Mr. Shupe opened a real estate office in Roseburg and carried on a successful business for two years. Being elected county clerk on the Re- publican ticket, he served from July, 1896, until July, 1898, and three months later, in October, 1898, was admitted to the bar. Be- ginning the practice of his profession at once, he has since built up a most satisfactory cli- entage, having been unusually successful from the first. In 1884 Mr. Shupe was elected state senator, and served in the regular and in the special sessions of 1885, in the latter session helping to elect United States Senator John H. Mitchell. He again served as senator in 1887, and in 1889 was chief clerk of the senate. He is a true Republican, never swerving from party principles.

In Oakland, Ore., Mr. Shupe married Miss M. E. Kruse, who was born in Iowa, and came to Oregon in 1875. Five children have been born of their union, namely: Leona E., wife of A. Abrahams, of Roseburg; Minnie W .; Grace, who died July 14, 1901, aged eighteen years; Ethel; and Virgil. Mr. Shupe served as a member of the city council, and as city recorder, while living in Oakland, and since coming to Roseburg has been school director and president of the board of aldermen. He was made a Mason in Oakland, in 1874, and for two terms was master of his lodge. He was also made a member of Roseburg Chap- ter R. A. M., during its existence. He is now

a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is past master work- man, and belongs to the Woodmen of the World. He is an active member of the Chris- tian church, and one of its trustees.

LINCOLN SAVAGE, B. S. D. The super- intendent of schools of Josephine county was born near Grants Pass, where he now resides, April 20, 1864, and is a son of James and Mar- garet (McKinzie) Savage, natives respectively of Nova Scotia and Scotland. His father, who was of north of Ireland parentage, removed from Nova Scotia to Illinois and settled at Fulton, Whiteside county, where he married and engaged in farming pursuits. May 10, 1853, he started upon the long and tedious journey, with ox-teams, for the distant west, and in November he arrived in Oregon from the southern route. Shortly afterward he took up a donation land claim of three hundred and twenty acres seven miles east of the present site of Grants Pass. There he built a log house and cleared the land, after which he con- tinued for years as a general farmer and stock- raiser. During the Indian troubles the fami- lies on both sides of him were attacked by the savages, but he escaped their depredations. At the time of the Rogue river war he was a member of the First Oregon Mounted Volun- teers. As the years passed by he acquired ad- ditional land, until his possessions aggregated six hundred acres. Meanwhile he also en- gaged in mining and from a placer mine near his claim took out enough gold to furnish a livelihood for his family. On the claim where he first settled he continues to reside, but now, at the age of seventy-five years, no longer actively cultivates the land, although he still oversees all the work of the place. In politics he votes with the Republican party. His wife came from Aberdeen, Scotland, and settled in Virginia, where her father was employed as a mason and government contractor. After re- moving to Illinois he continued in the govern- ment employ. In religion he was of the old Scotch Presbyterian faith.

Among thirteen children, twelve of whom attained mature years and are now living, Lin- coln Savage was sixth in order of birth. When a boy he walked every morning to the dis- triet school three miles from his father's farm and after walking home in the evening made himself generally useful, as a strong and healthy boy can. Later he attended the Grants Pass high school from which he was gradu- ated. In 1889 he began to teach school and this occupation he has since successfully fol- lowed. He also took a complete course in the

le, lo Beckman

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Southern Oregon State Normal at Ashland, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Scientific Didactics. The highest honors in a class of twenty-three. and his selection as valedictorian furnish ample testimony as to his successful work as a student. During his vacations he had en- gaged in teaching and on his return from the normal he turned his attention entirely to edu- cational work, teaching with such success that he soon acquired an enviable reputation. His popularity was evidenced by his election, in 1900, to the office of county superintendent of schools, to which he was chosen on the Re- publican ticket, by a majority of two hundred and fifty-six. In August of that year he took the oath of office for a term of four years. Since he began school work he has attended every county and district teachers' convention and he is also an active member of the State Teachers' Association. One measure which he has advocated with especial enthusiasm is that of securing a uniform method of study. As a result of his efforts in this direction Josephine county was the first in the state to establish a uniform system and course of study; several years later the state took up the same plan.

In addition to his educational interests, Mr. Savage for some years has been financially connected with the Savage and Miller mine on Applegate river. As might be inferred from what has been previously stated, he is a Republican in his political views. However, no trace of partisan spirit is discernible in his management of his office, which is conducted for the highest good of all. Tact, intelligence and system have characterized his official labors and have gained for him a high stand- ing with the people. Fraternally he is asso- ciated with the Knights of Pythias, in which order he is vice-chancellor; the Woodmen of the World, in which he is advisory counsel, and the United Artisans.

CORNELIUS C. BEEKMAN. No name in southern Oregon is better known than that of Cornelius C. Beekman, who for more than half a century has been closely identified with its com- mercial, financial and political status, and through his many years of experience has be- come known as one of the leading financiers of the northwest. While contributing to his own success, Mr. Beekman has not been unmindful of the best interests of his adopted county and state, and with a true patriotic spirit he has con- tributed towards the furtherance of all enter- prises intended to promote the peace and pros- perity of the community wherein he has so long

resided. In the commercial world Mr. Beek- man is best known through his long connection with Wells, Fargo & Co., one of the oldest in- stitutions of the west, while in financial circles he is known through his many years of service as a private banker.

The Beekman family came originally from New Jersey, which was the birthplace of Cor- nelius Beekman, the grandfather, and of Ben- jamin B. Beekman, the father of Cornelius C. Cornelius Beekman moved from New Jersey to New York City, where he spent the last years of his life. Benjamin B. Beekman removed from New Jersey to Yates county, N. Y., in 1830, and became a successful contractor and builder, He died there in 1879, at the age of seventy-six years. He married Lydia Compton, who was born in New Jersey and who died in Dundee, Yates county, N. Y., at the age of eighty-five years and six months.

Cornelius C. Beekman was born in New York City, January 27, 1828, receiving in his youth a limited education in the common schools of his native state. When quite a young man he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade and was thus equipped to earn his own livelihood. In 1850 he came west via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco in the fall of the same year. He went at once to Sawyer's bar, where he engaged in mining, going from there to Yreka and later to Scott's bar, where he continued his search after the precious metal. In 1853 he re- turned to Yreka, Cal., and entered the office of Cram, Rogers & Co., who shortly afterwards sent him to Jacksonville, Ore., as their repre- sentative at that point. About 1854 Cram, Rog- ers & Co. closed their office at Crescent City, Cal., transferring their agent at that point to Jackson- ville, and Mr. Beekman was put upon the road as traveling express messenger, in which posi- tion he remained until the failure of Adams & Co. in 1856, which also caused the failure of Cram, Rogers & Co.

Mr. Beekman then engaged in business for himself until the stage road was built in 1863. and Wells, Fargo & Co. completed their overland connections with Portland, Ore. He then ac- cepted the position as agent for Wells Fargo & Co. at Jacksonville, with which office he is still connected. During the past forty years many thousands of dollars have passed through his hands and the responsibility which his position entails has indeed been great, but with keen business judgment and conservative methods Mr. Beekman has always brought about the most satisfactory results. In 1857 he opened a private banking business, which has contributed no little amount to his financial success, buying gold dust for many years and receiving no deposits until his association with Thomas G. Reames in

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1887. Since the death of his partner, in 1900, Mr. Beekman has conducted the busi- ness alone. Mr. Beekman has also been connected with many other important busi- ness enterprises of Jackson county, in all of which he has put forth his reserved force and power and has clearly demonstrated his ability to lead in all matters of commercial and political moment. He was one of the original incorpora- tors, and is now serving as president of the Jack- son County Land Association, which has in its control large tracts of land in southern Oregon.

In his political affiliations Mr. Beekman has al- ways been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. His earnestness and honesty of purpose soon became evident to the citizens of Jacksonville and at many different times he has been called upon to serve the public interests, serving as mayor of the city and many times as a member of the city council. In 1878 Mr. Beekman was the Re- publican nominee for governor of Oregon, but was defeated by Hon. W. W. Thayer by only sixty-nine votes, and this in spite of the fact that he put forth no effort to accomplish his election. The cause of education has also found in Mr. Beekman a true and sincere friend, as well as a liberal contributor. He has served many years either as president or member of the school board and for fifteen years was a member of the board of regents of the State University at Eugene, Ore.

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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 26

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