Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 44

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 44

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JOHNSON CHRISTIE. Among the reso- lute business men of Josephine county who have acquired wealth and position through their own efforts is Johnson Christie, a well-known resi- dent of Grants Pass. As an industrious and capable farmer, he was for many years an active factor in promoting the agricultural prosperity of this section of the county, and while thus en- gaged accumulated a good property for himself, and is now living retired from business cares. He was born October 20, 1845, in Buchanan county, Mo., a son of Abram Christie. His pa- ternal grandfather, Israel Christie, a native of Kentucky, moved to Missouri about 1835, be- coming a pioneer of Buchanan county. Five years later he bought land in Davis county, Mo., and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, at a venerable age.

Born and educated in Kentucky, Abram Christie accompanied his parents to Missouri, and assisted in clearing a farm from the raw land. Selecting farming as his life occupation, he settled first on land of his own in Buchanan county, but afterward removed to Gentry county, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty years. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Johnson, was born near Franklin, Ky., and is now living on the home farm, in Gentry county, Mo., being an active, capable woman of eighty-three years. She bore her husband nine children, four sons and five daughters, Johnson being the third child in order of birth and the oldest son.

Having completed his early education in the common schools of Missouri, Johnson Christie began life for himself at the age of eighteen years, and for a year or more was employed in freighting on the plains. Deciding to locate on the Pacific coast, he came across the plains from

eastern Oregon in 1865, and the following year was employed in teaming in Walla Walla. Tak- ing up his residence in Linn county, Ore., in the fall of 1866, he rented land near Scio, Linn county, and engaged in general farming. Sub- sequently buying a two-thirds interest in two hundred acres of land, he resided there until 1882, when he removed to Jackson county, set- tling in Ashland, where he was employed in teaming and gardening for three years. In 1885 Mr. Christie came to Josephine county, leased a tract of land on Rogue river, five miles west of Grants Pass, and for three years was successful- ly engaged in general farming. In 1888 he bought a small ranch of fifty-three acres, and subsequently bought two other farms, the acre- age of his three ranches aggregating four hun- dred acres. With characteristic enterprise and thrift, he added improvements of value to his es- tates, rendering them among the best in regard to their appointments and productive qualities of any in the neighborhood. Selling his home farm early in 1902, Mr. Christie deeded the remainder of his land to his sons, G. Frank and Samuel J., and in March, 1903, took possession of his pres- ent home property, consisting of fifteen acres of land, lying one and one-half miles from Grants Pass, on the west, and has since lived retired. Here he has erected a fine residence, a substan- tial nine-room cottage, with good barns and out- buildings, and has set out shrubbery and trees, the house with its environments being among the most attractive in the vicinity.

In Linn county, near Scio, in 1867, Mr. Chris- tie married Elizabeth Porter, a native of Frank- lin county, Ky., and daughter of Dudley M. and Mary ( Polsgrove) Porter, who came to Ore- gon in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Christie have four children, namely: Nancy J., living at home; G. Frank, of Grants Pass; Samuel J., living on the farm ; and Johnson, Jr., a bookkeeper in Gardiner, Ore. A faithful Democrat in his political views, Mr. Christie has been road supervisor, and school director, in the latter position serving as chair- man of the board.

BENJAMIN DIMMICK. As a representa- tive of one of the early pioneer families of Ore- gon, and a man of ability and worth, Benjamin Dimmick, of Grants Pass, is held in high respect and esteem. For many years he has been close- ly associated with the agricultural industries of the Pacific coast, and has carried on a large and remunerative business as a general farmer and dairyman. Of him it can be truly said that he is not lacking in any quality belonging to a Chris- tian man and citizen, and in the advancement of the material interests of the town and county he has ever given generous support, and in the ele-

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vation of the moral tone and standard of the community he has performed a worthy part. A son of the late Joseph Dimmick, he was born November 5, 1842, in Schuyler county, Ill., where his early childhood days were passed.

A native of New York state, Joseph Dimmick removed when a young man to Illinois, and for several years was a resident of Schuyler county. In 1852, wishing to take advantage of the dona- tion land law passed by Congress, he came across the plains to Oregon with ox-teams, bringing with him his wife and their fourteen children. He spent the first winter in Milwaukee, Clacka- mas county, and in the spring of 1853 took up three hundred and twenty acres of land lying thirteen miles southwest of Corvallis, in Benton county. Improving a good farm, he carried on general farming and stock-raising until after the death of his wife, when he removed to Monroe, Ore., to the home of his daughter, with whom he resided until his death, in 1860, at the age of fifty-one years. He married Comfort Dean, who was born in Virginia, removed with her par- ents to Illinois, where she was married, and died on the home farm, in Benton county, Ore., in 1858, at the age of forty-eight years. Of their union, seven sons and seven daughters were born, Benjamin being the tenth child.

A lad of nine years when he came with his par- ents to Oregon, Benjamin Dimmick had but lim- ited opportunities for securing an education in the pioneer schools of his early days. Leaving home in 1862, he was engaged in mining near Elk City for four years. Returning to the pa- rental roof-tree in 1866, he assisted his father in his agricultural labors for about four years, when he set up housekeeping on his own account. Lo- cating in Josephine county in 1870, Mr. Dim- mick took up a homestead claim of one hundred and forty-six acres, lying one and one-half miles west of Grants Pass, and purchased one hundred acres adjoining his claim. As an agriculturist he was exceedingly fortunate, carrying on gen- eral farming and stock-raising and being espe- cially interested in dairying. As his wealth in- creased, he bought other tracts of land, becom- ing a large landholder, and since his recent sale of a ranch of two hundred acres he still owns three hundred and eighteen acres of good land. He keeps about forty head of cattle, and in his dairy has twenty-five milch cows of a fine grade.

In 1869, in Benton county, Ore., Mr. Dim- mick married Almina Bumgartner, who was born near Fort Hall, while her parents were crossing the plains, in 1853. She is of German an- cestry, her father, C. Bumgartner, having been born and reared in Germany. In 1830 he emr- grated to this country, and for more than twenty vears afterward resided in Olin, Iowa. Coming to Oregon in 1853, he located first in Benton

county, near Mouroe, and then settled as a land- holder in Washington, where he still resides. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dimmick, namely: Edward E., living on the home farm; Ida May, wife of Wesley Free, of Portland; Virgil, a dentist in Forest Grove, Ore .; Gertrude, at home; Hazel, at home; and Vivian, at home. Politically Mr. Dimmick is true to the interests of the Republican party, and for one term served as county commissioner, being elected to the office in 1882, and for a num- ber of years he was school director. Of a deep- ly religions nature, he was converted when thir- teen years old, at Bellfountain, Ore., and has since lived a Christian life. He is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a class leader for several years, and of which he was formerly a trustee.

WILLIAM M. HANNUM. More than half a century ago William M. Hannum, of Grants Pass, came to Oregon, being then a youth of scarcely nineteen years, and since that time has been actively identified with the advancement of the interests and industries of the Pacific coast. His life has been busy, and his experiences var- ied. In the development of the mining and agri- cultural resources of this section of our country he has been active and prominent, and while help- ing to promote its prosperity he has gained wealth and influence for himself. In the early engagements with the native Indians he served in an official capacity, and during the Civil war he fought bravely, freely offering his services to save the Union from disruption. A son of the late Thomas Chandler Hannum, he was born August 28, 1832, in Chester county, Pa., where he spent the first ten years of his life.

Of New England ancestry and parentage, Thomas Chandler Hannum was born and reared in Maine, his birth occurring while the Revolu- tionary war was yet in progress. Leaving his New England home when about twenty-four years of age, he migrated to Pennsylvania, set- tling in Chester county, where he resided a few years. Going to Ohio in 1843, he lived for a month in Dayton, and then proceeded to Terre Haute, Ind. Removing from there to Illinois in 1846 he bought land in Ipava, Fulton county, and was there engaged in business as a farmer and a general merchant for four years. Settling in Topeka, Kan., in 1850, he lived in that city, re- tired from active pursuits, until his death, in 1867, at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. He married Anna La Vaga, who was born in Spain, and came with her parents to the United States, locating in Philadelphia, Pa. She died in 1844, at the comparatively early age of fifty years. She bore her husband thirteen children,

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six daughters and seven sons, William M. being the youngest child.

In 1851 William M. Hannum followed the tide of emigration to its extreme western limit, com- ing across the desolate plains to Oregon with ox- teams. The ensuing winter he spent on the San- tiam river, and the next spring was one of the first to reach that particular section of Jackson county to which men, excited by the report of rich discoveries of gold, were wildly rushing. After mining there for four years he erected a hotel at Humboldt Bay, Cal., and for four years managed it successfully. During the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856 Mr. Hannum actively participated, serving as lieutenant in the com- pany commanded by Capt. Silas Harris, and also took part in the Humboldt Indian war, and in the Bald Hill Indian war. Removing to Ione City, Cal., he was engaged in mining during the win- ter of 1860 and 1861, after which he resided in San Francisco for a year. In 1862 Mr. Han- num' enlisted in a California battalion that was attached to the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, and served for three years in the Army of the Potomac, under General Sheridan the greater part of the time. Preferring to be a scout rather than an officer of the army he was employed in scouting for eighteen months. He was a brave, courageous soldier, and in addition to taking part in many skirmishes was at the front in many hard-fought battles, including among others those of Winchester, Cedar Creek, Opequan Creek and Gettysburg. Of the five hundred and thirty-five gallant men that enlisted in the California bat- talion in 1862, only eighty-five were left at the close of the war, and these were honorably dis- charged at the Readville barracks, in Boston, Mass., in 1866.

After receiving his discharge Mr. Hannum visited New York City and Washington, and then returned to San Francisco, arriving by way of the Isthmus of Panama in the fall of 1866, and going directly to Ione City. Coming to Ore- gon in the spring of 1867, he was first engaged in mining in Jackson county, and then at Grave creek, Josephine county. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Hannum discovered the Cox mine in Cow creek canyon, Douglas county, where he contin- ned his mining operations for several seasons. Locating on the Umpqua river in 1873, he car- ried on general farming in that locality for about three years. Returning then to Josephine coun- ty, he was engaged in mining on Grave creek from 1876 until 1896, when he removed to Placer, where he was equally as successful as a miner. In 1899 Mr. Hannum moved to his pres- ent home two and one-half miles west of Grants Pass, which is owned by his son Edward, and on the well improved ranch of one hundred and

fifty-five acres has since been successfully en- gaged in general farming and fruit raising.

In 1874 Mr. Hannum married Mary Black, a native of Douglas county, daughter of Francis M. and Margarett (Denney) Black, and of their union eight children were born, namely: Edward Francis, of Grants Pass, a miner, who discovered Greenback mine; Elva May, wife of E. Inman, of Placer, Ore .; Ida, wife of Newell Dysert, of Placer, Josephine county ; Arthur; Elvina, de- ceased ; Willard; Chandler ; and Laona, wife of Chester Clark, of Portland, Ore. Mr. Hannum is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and has served for seven or more years as school director.

COMMODORE STEPHEN JACKSON, B. S. D., LL. B. Noteworthy for his high mental attainments, and conspicuous for the success he has achieved at the bar, Commodore Stephen Jackson of Roseburg occupies a position of prominence among the active and esteemed citi- zens of Douglas county. Mr. Jackson was chief clerk of the Joint Committee for the House and Senate on Ways and Means, during the twenty- first biennial session of the legislature ; was chief clerk of the Judiciary Committee of the lower house in the twenty-second session of the Ore- gon State Legislature. The descendant of one of the earlier families of Oregon, a native-born son, and a successful attorney, he well merits honorable mention in a work of this kind. A son of John Jackson, he was born January 10, 1867, near Canyonville, Douglas county.

The son of a well-to-do farmer, John Jackson was born in Belleville, Ill., in 1833, and until nineteen years of age resided beneath the pa- rental roof-tree. In 1853, in company with Messrs. John Fullerton and J. F. Gazley, he crossed the plains to Oregon, the journey being made with ox-teams, then the only means of transportation in the far west. Arriving in Douglas county, Ore., he took up a donation claim about sixteen miles east of Canyonville, the land being known as the John Perdue place. Disposing of that at an advantage, he bought another homestead, lying but two miles east of Canyonville. By sturdy and energetic labor he improved a good farm, on which he lived until 1896. Selling at that time he removed to Can- yonville, where he is engaged in mercantile bus- iness at the present time. He is enterprising and influential, a leader in the Republican party, and for several years served as county commis- sioner. He married Mary E. Rose, who was born in Iowa, and is still living. Her father. Commodore S. D. Rose. brought his family from Iowa to Oregon, settling first in the Willamette valley. In 1847 he made a trip to the California

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mines, and after his return to Oregon located at the forks of the North and South Umpqua rivers, in Douglas county. Taking up a donation claim, he resided there a number of years, and then sold out and bought land at Roberts creek, where he lived for some time. He died at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Of the union of John and Mary E. (Rose) Jackson, five chil- dren were born, three of whom survive, namely : Commodore Stephen, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Della C. Boyle, of Canyonville; and Thom- as J., teacher and superintendent of the Govern- ment Indian School at Pine Ridge, S. Dak. John Jackson had six brothers in the Civil war, all members of an Illinois regiment. Two of them were killed in battle; one returned home with both of his arms gone; one lost a leg on the battle-field, and one went to Texas and was never afterwards heard from. Another brother, William, served during the Civil war in the First Oregon Volunteer Infantry, and now resides at Canyonville.

Acquiring his education in the district school, near the parental homestead, Commodore Ste- phen Jackson began his active career when quite young, teaching school until he had saved up sufficient money to pay his way through the Monmouth Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1894, with the degree of Bachelor of Scientific Didactics. After his graduation he continued teaching and farming until he had accumulated some money, when, in 1895, he en- tered the Leland Stanford, Jr., University, where he studied law and economics two years. Entering the law department of the University of Denver in 1897, he was graduated from there in 1898, receiving the degree of LL. B. Re- turning to Oregon Mr. Jackson was admitted to the supreme court of Oregon on June 2, 1898. He subsequently served one year as deputy county clerk under County Clerk J. F. Gazley, Jr., but since that time has devoted himself to the duties of his profession. Conscientious, cap- able and skiltul, he has built up a large and lucrative general law practice, and now ranks among the foremost members of the legal fra- ternity of Roseburg.

In 1895. at Roseburg, Mr. Jackson married Miss Lillian Bailey, who was born in Douglas county, where her father, John Bailey, and her grandfather, Isaac Bailey, were pioneer settlers. Three of her grandfather's brothers, Ezekiel and two others, were killed by the Rogue River In- dians. One of his brothers, Capt. James Bailey, served in the Cayuse war. John Bailey still re- sides at Canyonville, being a well-known lumber- man and miner. Mrs. Jackson, who completed her studies at the Palo Alto high school, was en- gaged in educational work prior to her marriage. She was a woman of exceptionally fine charac-

ter, greatly beloved by a large circle of friends, and her death, which occurred August 29, 1901, was deeply deplored by all who knew her. Fra- ternally Mr. Jackson is a member of Philitarian Lodge, No. 8, I. O. O. F., of Roseburg, Ore. He also belongs to Gen. Joseph Lane Cabin, Native Sons, of which he is financial secretary and one of the managers ; and to the Douglas County Bar Association. Politically he is a straightforward Republican.

LEWIS LINZY JENNINGS. Among the thriving agriculturists of Josephine county. Lewis L. Jennings is contributing his full share toward developing the productive resources of the soil. At Grants Pass he has a choice farm, well improved, and as a hop-raiser and fruit- grower is meeting with success. A native-born citizen of Oregon, his birth occurred January 30, 1856, in Independence, Polk county. His father, J. R. Jennings, was born and reared in Tennessee. When a young man he moved to Mis- souri, and for a number of years was engaged in farming near St. Joseph. Migrating to the Pa- cific coast in 1852, he located on Sauvies Island, Ore., where he continued his chosen vocation for two years. From 1854 until 1860 he resided on a farm in Independence, Polk county; from 1860 until 1863 he was employed in general farming near Roseburg : locating then in Canyon- ville, Douglas county, he carried on stock-raising and ranching for more than twenty years. In 1885 he took up his residence in Grants Pass, and became the pioneer hotel keeper of this place, opening the first public house of enter- tainment in the town. Giving up this business in 1897, he subsequently lived retired until his death, May 14, 1903, at the age of seventy-eight years. He married Artimesia Cooper, who sur- vives him, and is now living in Grants Pass, making her home with her son-in-law, W. E. Everton.

The second child in a family composed of four sons and three daughters, Lewis L. Jennings worked as a wage-earner in Douglas county from the age of sixteen years until attaining his ma- jority. Going then to the Stein mountains, he was employed on a stock ranch for three years. Settling in Grants Pass in 1880 he was engaged in the saloon business for fifteen years, and the following six years was again engaged in ranch- ing. June 4, 1901, Mr. Jennings purchased his present ranch of fifty-five acres, lying five miles west of Grants Pass, and has since been actively engaged in the management of his estate. Six- teen acres of his ranch are devoted to the culture of hops and during the present year (1904) it is his intention to enlarge his yard by ten acres. Six acres are set out with fruit trees, and the re-

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mainder of the land he devotes to general farm- ing purposes.

While living in Douglas county Mr. Jennings married Sarah Dean, a native of Missouri, and they have two children, namely: Audrey and Merle. Politically Mr. Jennings is a warm ad- vocate of the principles promulgated by the Democratic party. Fraternally he is identified with many of the more important secret societies of Grants Pass, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Rebekahs, in which he has passed all the chairs; the Woodmen of the World; the Knights of the Maccabees; and the Knights of Pythias ; and he is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Roseburg.

THOMAS J. KEARNEY. The distinction of being, in point of service, the oldest conduc- tor of the Southern Pacific Railway Company lines in Oregon, without doubt belongs to T. J. Kearney of Roseburg. He was a member of the first corps of men employed in surveying for the old Oregon and California Railroad, and since its completion has been connected with its daily service, serving first as brakeman, then as con- ductor of a freight train, and since as conductor of a passenger train. In all positions he has given eminent satisfaction to the company, and as conductor has won the friendship and good will of the numerous patrons of the road, his genial manners, patience, and true accommodat- ing spirit being warmly appreciated by the trav- eling public. Born in Montreal, Quebec, No- vember 13, 1851, he there spent the first four years of his life. His parents, John and Rosa Kearney, removed from Montreal to Minnesota in 1855, settling on a farm in Hamilton, where both spent their remaining years. Of their seven children, three sons and two daughters are living, and two sons have passed to the life beyond. One son, George Kearney, enlisted in a Minne- sota regiment during the Civil war, was wound- ed in battle, captured, kept as a prisoner in Lib- by prison until exchanged, and died while on the way home.

The youngest child of the parental household, T. J. Kearney, was reared and educated in Min- nesota, living on the home farm until 1864. In that year he came with his sister, Mrs. Burns, to Portland, Ore., sailing from New York City for San Francisco, coming via the Isthmus. After attending school in Portland for three years he began work as a civil engineer. Under Chief Engineer Thielson, in a party commanded by John F. Kidder, he assisted in surveying twenty miles of the old Oregon and California Railroad between Portland and Rock Island, Clackamas county. He continued with the corps of engi-

neers to Salem, afterwards assisting in the pre- liminary survey of the road from Roseburg to Canyonville. On his return to Portland Mr. Kearney found trains running as far as Jeffer- son, and in 1870 he was made a brakeman on a freight train. He was subsequently promoted to the position of brakeman on a passenger train, and in 1883 was made conductor of a freight train. In 1884 he assumed his present position as conductor of the passenger train running be- tween Roseburg and Ashland, and in the time that has since elapsed he has been exceedingly fortunate, having been in no serious wreck, and never a passenger having been injured on his train. Locating in Roseburg when he assumed the position of conductor, Mr. Kearney has here built one of the most attractive residences of the city, situated on Stevens street. In beautifying his estate he takes great pleasure, his rose gar- den being one of the finest in the vicinity, the roses, for which he received second premium at the rose festival in 1903, being exceptionally large, healthful and fragrant.

Mr. Kearney married, in Eugene, Ore., Miss Annie Leasure, who was born at French Prairie, Marion county, a daughter of George Leasure, who settled in Oregon in 1850. Six children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kear- ney, four daughters and two sons, and of these four children are living, namely: Lena; Mrs. Carrie Schmidt, of Roseburg; Ralph; and Hazel. Thomas, who was a brakeman on the Southern Pacific Railroad, was killed at Ash- land while making a flying switch, at the age of twenty years; and Margery died at the age of six years. Mr. Kearney is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, belonging to Di- vision 91, of Portland, and is also a member of Roseburg Lodge No. 326, B. P. O. E. He is a stanch advocate of the principles promulgated by the Republican party, and takes a strong interest in the welfare of town and county.

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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 44

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