Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 31

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 31

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ELI GOODSPEED. Among the retired east- erners who have stamped their worth and indi- viduality upon various lines of activity in Ore- gon may be mentioned Eli Goodspeed, who lives on valuable property near Tillamook, and who is loaning the snug little fortune acquired by years of well-applied industry. Born in Genesee county, N. Y., December 30, 1827, Mr. Good- speed had few educational or other opportunities in his youth, and whatever he has achieved of success has been of his own making. The ten children in the family were reared on a compara- tively small farm, but as only two sons and five daughters grew to maturity, the sons were obliged to shoulder responsibility at a very early age. The father, Jeremiah Goodspeed, was born in Vermont, and after living for a time at War- saw, N. Y., removed to Hancock county, Ohio, near Fort Finley, where he died in 1837. His father, Hosea Goodspeed, lived to a ripe old age. Eli Goodspeed's mother, Sybil (Shumway) Goodspeed, was born and reared in Massachu- setts, and her marriage occurred in Genesee coun- ty, N. Y., whither she had removed in order to make her home with friends.

Eli Goodspeed was ten years old when his father died, and even at that early age he as- sumed a considerable share of the management of the farm, in time giving his energy to the support of the entire family. In 1856 he located with the family on a farm in Guthrie county, Iowa, and in 1863 crossed the plains with ox teams, being four months on the way, and living the first year in eastern Oregon. Washington county became his home in 1864, and in the vicinity of Forest Grove he engaged in general farming on rented land. In 1871 he located near Salem, Marion county, and in 1876 came to Tilla- mook, purchasing one hundred and sixty-four acres of land, upon a portion of which the town has since reared its homes and industries. A few years ago he traded with his son for his present home, where he is living retired.

In no capacity has Mr. Goodspeed better illus- trated the fine and honorable traits of his char- acter than as a politician and supporter of the Republican party in his adopted state. At the time of the county seat controversy he was serv- ing as clerk of Tillamook county, and therefore took an important part in securing its location at Tillamook. In fact, it was largely through his efforts that the change was brought about, but in

this respect he showed no more than his usual public spirit. He has also served as road super- visor, and many years ago in Iowa was an im- portant factor on the school board. He has taken a foremost part in promoting various en- terprises of an upbuilding nature, and his judg- ment has come to be valued for its conservatism and regard for practical common sense. He is the father of three children : Columbus, living in Baker county, eastern Oregon; Emma, widow of Aaron Weller, a resident of Baker City, and Henry F., of Tillamook, mentioned at length in another part of this work. Of late years Mr. Goodspeed has been troubled with failing eye- sight, yet even in the face of this serions draw- back, he maintains a cheerful and contented spirit, living in the meantime in the world of memory, which in his case fails not, but rather is a ceaseless reminder of work well done, and of ambitions at least partially realized.

PHILIP BENEDICK. One of the longest- established and most respected business men of Roseburg is Philip Benedick, who is known far and wide as a man of enterprise, ability, sterling integrity and honest worth. A native of Jeffer- son, Harrison county, Ohio, he was born January 1, 1838, of German ancestry. His father, Philip Benedick, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania, but early settled in Ohio, where he was employed as a carpenter and builder until his death, which occurred in manhood's prime. He married Sarah Harman, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Ohio. Five sons and three daugh- ters were born of their union, and of these, three sons and one daughter survive. Four of the sons served in the late Civil war, namely: John, who enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Levi, a soldier in the Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; George W., of the Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and Jacob, who was in the same regiment as his brother George, and was killed at the battle of Corinth.

The sixth child in a family of eight children, Philip Benedick was reared and educated in Jef- ferson, Ohio, attending the public schools during the days of his boyhood and youth. At the age of twenty years he began an apprenticeship at the cabinetmaker's trade, and after serving three years as an apprentice worked in the same shop for the next five years as a journeyman laborer. Migrating to Missouri in 1867, he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Platte county a year, and then removed to Jackson county, where he con- tinned general farming for six years. Coming from Missouri to Oregon in 1874, Mr. Benedick, located in Roseburg on April 24 of that year, and immediately started in business as a cabinet-

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maker and undertaker, his establishment being just a block above his present one, which he sub- sequently built. He met with success from the first, building up a large and profitable business as a cabinetmaker, and doing an extensive un- dertaking business. In May, 1903, Mr. Bene- dick sold out his undertaking department to W. B. Hammitt, but still continues his cabinet- maker's shop.

In Harrison, Ohio, Mr. Benedick married Elizabeth Buchanan, who was born and reared in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. Six children have blessed their union, namely: Oscar Newton, a carpenter, resides in Washington; Mrs. Emma Jane Lennox, of Roseburg ; Mrs. Cora Lee Wim- berly, of Roseburg; Mrs. Ida May Nichols, also of Roseburg; James Earl, living in eastern Ore- gon ; and Elsie Ethel, living at home. Politically Mr. Benedick is a warm supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and has proved himself a most efficient public official. For two terms he was a member of the old village board of trustees, and from 1900 until 1902 served as alderman, an office to which he declined a re- nomination. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for some time was superintendent of its Sunday school.

DAVID J. WILEY, M. D. Both New Bruns- wick and Nova Scotia claim early members of the Wiley family, and in the former province Dr. David J. Wiley, of Tillamook, was born March 10, 1843. His father, Robert Wiley, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and received both his classical and professional education in the city of Dublin. When ambition suggested a removal to America as a more fitting field for advancement, he embarked in a sailing vessel for Nova Scotia, where an uncle on the paternal side was engaged in practicing medicine. On the way the ship was wrecked and Dr. Wiley drifted to an island, where passing fishermen dis- covered his sorry plight, and obligingly gave him passage to his relatives in Nova Scotia. He sub- sequently went to another uncle in New Bruns- wick, in timc settling on land near the Maine line, in which locality he was the pioneer phy- sician, and where his practice spread for miles on both sides of the boundary line. He was stricken with cholera in 1886 and died at the age of seventy-six years. Dr. Wiley never talked much about his father or family, and it is sup- posed that the name was connected with some of the stupendous but unsuccessful movements of carlier times to lift the yoke of oppression from the necks of Erin's sons. It is known that his father, John, was born in Ireland, that he was

of Scotch-Irish extraction, and a devoted mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. He owned an estate in County Tyrone, and was an extensive breeder of fine horses. Dr. Robert Wiley mar- ried Clarissa Dihble, who was born and who died in New Brunswick. It is thought that the Dibble family settled in the New England States at a very early day, and possibly that they were United Loyal Legion followers. At any rate, the paternal great-grandfather removed to New Brunswick during the Revolutionary war, taking with him Edwin, supposedly born in New York, and who was the father of Mrs. Wiley. Edwin Dibble was a blacksmith by trade and the posses- sor of great mechanical ingenuity. He owned a large farm in New Branswick, where he accumu- lated quite a fortune for his time, and where he was highly esteemed for his progressiveness and fine traits of character.

David J. Wiley is the oldest child of the three sons and three daughters born to his parents, of whom two daughters and three sons attained maturity. In his youth his educational opportun- ities were those of a crude and pioneer region but time developed unexpected chances in the shape of a grammar school course, in addition to the professional and general training which he received from his father. In 1859 he entered the medical department of Harvard University, re- mained for two years, and then continued his studies at the University of Vermont, from which he was duly graduated with the degree of M. D. in June, 1862. Thereafter he engaged in prac- tice with his father at Florenceville, New Bruns- wick, and in 1867 started out to practice by him- self in the same town. In 1888 he removed to Fort Fairfield, Me., remained there for three years, and in 1891 removed to Vancouver, Wash. In search of a desirable permanent location, he traveled over Washington and Oregon, and in 1892 located in Tillamook, where his many gifts and profound knowledge gained him a ready recognition.

In New Brunswick Dr. Wiley was united in marriage with Elizabeth McCain, a native daugh- ter of New Brunswick, and whose father, James McCain, was born in the north of Ireland. Mr. McCain was an early settler in New Brunswick, where he owned a large farm and became well to do. His death occurred on the steamer City of Boston, en route for his native land. To Dr. and Mrs. Wiley have been born five children, and it is doubtful if any father on the coast has reason to be prouder of the characters formed under his personal supervision, and guided by his moral and intellectual soundness. Isabella, the oldest daughter, is living at home; Robert Weldon is a scientist and mining assayist, at pres- ent attending to the affairs of some large cor- porations operating in Dawson, Alaska; James

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lives in Portland; Lottie is the wife of Rev. A. R. Griggs, Presbyterian minister of Hoquiam, Wash .; Percy J. is living at home and studying medicine with his father, and will graduate from the medical department of the State University in the class of 1904; Thomas McCain is a resi- cent of Florenceville, New Brunswick. All of the sons are physicians. Dr. Wiley is a Repub- lican in politics, and has been the recipient of many political honors in his native town, in- cluding that of chief executive of the city for two terms. He is fraternally connected with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of Tillamook, and in religion is a member and elder of the Presby- terian church.

JUDGE OLOF ANDERSON. Among the citizens of Astoria a position of respect is held by Olof Anderson, who is now serving in the capacities of city auditor and police judge. He was born in Carlscrona, Sweden, and is the only living son of Andreas Ander- son, for many years a merchant of Carlscrona, and still a resident of that town. The wife and mother, Bothilda Larson, has also been a lifelong resident of that place. Of their five children four are still living, Olof being the only one of the number in America. In the city where he was born, August 6, 1868, he passed the years of boyhood and early youth. At the age of fourteen he left school and se- cured employment in a very humble capacity on a ship engaged in trans-Atlantic trade. A year later he transferred to an American ship and thereafter continued on the same. In 1886, on the ship, Southern Hulbert, he rounded the Horn, and after a voyage of one hundred and eighty-five days out from New York, he ar- rived in Astoria. Ever since his arrival, Oc- tober 15, 1886, he has been a resident of this city, interested in its growth and a contributor to its material progress. At first he greatly felt the need of a more thorough knowledge of the English language, so attended school during his spare time for three winters, the intervening summer months being devoted to fishing. Later he was employed as a clerk and bookkeeper for different firms, including John- son & Carlson. Meantime he perfected him- self in the occupation of bookkeeping.

On the death of H. E. Nelson, city auditor, Mr. Anderson was appointed auditor and po- lice judge by the city council, and took the oath of office December 23, 1902, to fill the vacancy thus occasioned. Since taking up the work he has inaugurated a system of book- keeping for the city, bringing the whole up to a standard thoroughly modern and accurate. Aside from being police judge, he is ex-officio

justice of the peace. He has taken a rigid stand in the enforcement of city laws and fines for misdemeanors. As a result the city treasury is much benefited, and improve- ments within the corporate limits are being pushed ahead and completed. Within the six months ending September 1, 1903, the receipts from the police court amounted to $5,325. The city indebtedness within a year was reduced from $208,000 to $152,070. Every department was systematized and the books brought into excellent shape. The work of the official has been much praised by press and citizens. Peo- ple, irrespective of political views, have united to commend his accuracy, splendid system and dispatch in executing matters connected with his office. In his work as police judge there has been strict impartiality and a rigid adher- ence to law and justice.

The marriage of Mr. Anderson was solemn- ized in Astoria July 26, 1896, and united him with Miss Sophia Sund, who was born near Wasa, Finland, of Swedish parentage. The two sons born of their union are named Olof Ewart and Aaron Melvin. A Democrat in party views, Mr. Anderson has served that organization on the county central and city executive committees. However, there is no trace of partisanship in his opinions, for he is above all things else a patriotic, loyal citi- zen, true to the country he has made his home. The Chamber of Commerce numbers him among its active members, as does also the Commercial Club. Other organizations with which he is identified are the following: In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Beaver Lodge since 1891. He is past noble grand, recording secretary, and has represented the lodge in the Grand Lodge five terms. He is also a member of the Rebekahs : the Red Men, in which he is past sachem of Concomly Tribe No. 7, and has served as chief of records for six years, also has been raised to the Degree of Pocahontas ; and the Eagles, in which he is vice-president.

WILLIAM KERTIS PRICE. The ranch which has been Mr. Price's home since 1887 comprises three hundred and twenty acres, of which two hundred acres have been brought under cultivation. Formerly known as the Hughes donation claim, it lies in the immediate vicinity of Tolo, Jackson county, one mile south of Table Rock and nine miles northwest of Med- ford. Among the valuable ranches of the county this holds a conspicuous position. The farm- house is one of the neatest in the vicinity, the other buildings are substantial and adapted to their varied purposes, and everything is arranged

Juncal Thompson

ntv.

4 1856

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piling and shipped to San Francisco. During the early days in the history of the county he ran a pack train from Scottsburg to Jackson- ville. He became quite prominent in that section, and served as justice of the peace and as school director for many years. In politics he was a Republican. His marriage with Sarah Wells was blessed with eleven chil- dren. Both parents are now deceased, the father dying at the advanced age of seventy- two years, and the mother passing to her rest in 1899, also at an advanced age.

Benjamin Butler, the eldest of these brothers was born March 12, 1860, on the old home- stead, and after attending district school he was sent to Wilbur Academy and took a scien- tific course. December 17, 1898, he was united in marriage with Rosa Smith. He takes an active part in the affairs of his section, doing all in his power to advance its prosperity.

A. L. Butler, the younger of the brothers, was also born on the home farm, and July 30, 1865, was the date of his birth. His common school education was supplemented by a com- plete normal course at Drain, and in 1891 he was united in marriage with Anrilla J. Mex- field, formerly of Nebraska. They have two children, Muriel and Roy.

These brothers own many hundreds of acres and raise stock quite extensively. During the past year their business has been treble what it was in former years. They are both Repub- lican in politics, and are among the most valued members of the Ancient Order United Workmen, of Scottsburg.

JACOB THOMPSON. Noteworthy among the veteran agriculturists of Jackson county is Jacob Thompson, now living retired from the activities of life in Ashland. Crossing the plains in 1847, more than fifty-six years ago, he is distinguished as one of the earliest of settlers of southern Oregon, and as one of the self-made men of this county he has a clean, honorable rec- ord. Bravely daring the dangers and trials that beset the pioneers of a new country, he came here almost penniless, being dependent upon his own resources for his subsistence. Endowed by na- ture with an unlimited amount of energy, a coura- geous heart, strong hands and a willing spirit, he labored industriously, made judicious invest- ments, and in course of time acquired a handsome competency, which he is now enjoying. A na- tive of Indiana, he was born in Vigo county, near Terre Haute, January 10, 1827, a son of Daniel Thompson.

Coming from sterling New England stock. Dan- iel Thompson was born and bred among the green hills of Vermont. Removing to Indiana

in early life, he lived for a time in Vigo county, going from there, about 1828, to Sangamon county, Ill., settling near Springfield. In 1833 he went with his family to Iowa, and took up a tract of land in Lee county, where he lived for a year. He then sold his estate to Knapp Brothers, who laid it out in lots, it being the present site of the city of Fort Madison. Two miles from there Mr. Thompson took up another tract of land, on which he lived until 1835, when his wife died, and he sold out his possessions in that state. For a few years thereafter he was a wanderer in the northwest, traveling through- out different states until 1852, when he located in Oregon. He subsequently moved to Washing- ton, where he resided until his death, in 1873. He married Eliza Ronalds, who was born in Vermont, of Scotch ancestry, coming from a family of prominence, her sister being the mother of Whitelaw Reid. She bore her husband five children, of whom three are living. One of the sons, Amos Thompson, who came to Oregon with his brother Jacob, the subject of this sketch, in 1847, is now a resident of Crook county.

Left motherless when a young lad, Jacob Thompson went to live with his uncle, John Ronalds, in Illinois. The following year he ac- companied his uncle and family to Louisa county. Iowa, and from that time until fifteen years old resided on a farm, about four miles from Wa- pello. At first he had no educational advan- tages, but after the establishment of a district school in the customary pioneer log schoolhouse he attended three months every year. Going to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1842, he worked as a farm hand for two years or more. Desirous of im- proving his financial condition, and having heard most favorable reports of the opportunities fur- nished a young and ambitions man in the great northwest, he, with his brother Amos, started across the plains in April. 1847, driving a team for Mr. Klum. After crossing the Missouri river. May 7, 1847, he did not see a dwelling- house until his arrival in Oregon City, Ore., on September 7. 1847. He came by way of the Barlow route, his party being the first to follow Mr. Barlow, who had just cut out the trees along the road, making a blazed pathway through the forests. After spending the following winter with Mr. Klum, near Sodaville, Linn county, he worked for a year at various employments. In 1849, joining the gold hunters, he went by water to San Francisco, and was subsequently engaged in mining for two and one-half years, first on the American river, then on the Feather river, and later on the Tuolumne river. He was after- wards employed in mining in Siskiyou county. Cal., and in southern Oregon, until 1854. when he located on Wagner creek, Jackson county, Ore., engaged in farming. In 1855 and 1856

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he served in the Rogue River Indian war, being in the company commanded by Capt. John S. Miller. Going to Baker county, Ore., in 1862, Mr. Thompson worked in the mines a year, then returned to his former home. Subsequently pur- chasing eleven hundred acres of state land in Klamath county, near Keno, he was there ex- tensively engaged in stock-raising for thirty years, making a specialty of raising Shorthorns. In 1880 Mr. Thompson removed his family to Ashland, but retained the management of his large stock farm in Keno until 1900, when he sold his farm and stock, and has since lived re- tired in Ashland, where he owns a handsome resi- dence property, and has valuable real estate holdings. He was of the original stockholders in building the Oregon Hotel in this city, owns the Murcklin store and the Beach building, and has farms and lands in the valley, his property interests being extensive, and bringing him in a good annual income.

In 1863 Mr. Thompson married Mrs. A. E. (Rollins) Butler, who was born in Kentucky, and came to the Pacific coast with her first hus- band in 1852, crossing the plains with ox-teams, and settling in Yreka, Cal. Her father, Lloyd Rollins, came to this part of the country at an carly day, and spent his last days in California. By her first marriage Mrs. Thompson had one child, G. S. Butler, of Ashland. Politically Mr. Thompson is a straightforward Republican, ever true to the principles of his party. Frater- nally he is a member of Ashland Lodge, No. 23, A. F. & A. M., and the Jackson County Pio- neer Association, of which he is ex-president.

PETER V. VAN HARDENBERG. The ranch of one hundred and eighty-one acres, ly- ing three miles north of Central Point, Jackson county, is the home of Mr. Van Hardenberg and is owned by him in partnership with his two brothers, Albert and William. Originally pur- chased by their brother, Joseph J., who died February 7, 1902, and by him improved to some extent, since his death the other brothers have. continued the work of improvement and cultiva- tion which had been so well begun under his painstaking care. While general farm products are raised to some extent, these are utilized al- most wholly in the feeding of their stock, for the breeding, raising and fattening of cattle is their specialty, and in it they are meeting with a gratifying degree of success.

In St. Louis, Mo., the subject of this narrative was born September 18, 1874. His father. Peter Jacob, was a native of Belgium, born in 1830, and was one of eight children. After hav- ing completed the studies of the public schools he learned the baker's trade under his father,

who had made that his lifelong occupation. At twenty-four years of age he left home and came to the United States, where he settled in Phila- delphia. During the two years of his residence in that city he was employed at his trade. From there he removed to Allerton, Mo., and engaged in the grocery business. Meantime he had married, in the vicinity of St. Louis. Miss Mar- guerite Todd, a native of St. Louis county, and for a time they made their home in St. Louis, removing from there to Allerton. Some years later they returned to St. Louis. From there, in 1892, they came to Oregon and settled on a tarm in Jackson county. Seven years later they bought the ranch still owned and managed by the family. On this place the father died in . May of 1902, after more than three score and ten busy years. Besides his three sons before named, he had several daughters, all now mar- ried, namely : Mrs. Anna Cliff, of North Bend, Ore .: Mrs. Pauline McCoy, of Medford; and Mrs. Nellie Gall, of North Bend.

The public schools of St. Louis furnished Peter V. Van Hardenberg a fair education. He accompanied his parents in their various re- movals and came with them to Oregon when about eighteen years of age. In the work of bringing the farm under cultivation he bore his part, assisting his father and brothers in all their undertakings. When he married Miss Kate Vaughn, a native of England, March 1, 1903, he brought his bride to the old home and here they now reside. In religion they are members of the Baptist Church. The principles of the Socialistic party find a hearty and warm admirer in Mr. Van Hardenberg. In spite of the many duties connected with his home life, he man- ages to keep posted concerning current events and believes that the highest good can never come to the greatest number until the doctrines of Socialism are brought into universal use. Fra- ternally he is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

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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 31

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