Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 45

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 45

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NATHAN PRENTISS DODGE. The life which this narrative chronicles began in Mont- pelier, Vt., February 8, 1839, and closed at Grants Pass, Ore .. February 16. 1903. The Dodge family was established in New England during the early period of its settlement and several of its members participated in the Revolutionary war. Nathan P. Dodge, who was a son of Nathan Dodge. a farmer of Vermont. grew to manhood on the home farm and received such educational advantages as the schools of that day offered. Though reared to agricultural pursuits, his tastes led him toward a commercial life, and in young manhood he entered the fac- tory of the Fairbanks Scale Company at St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he was employed as a me-

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chanic about twelve years. On going west he settled at Rathdrum, Idaho, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber and carried on a sash and door factory under the name of Dodge Bros. & Kinney.

The burning down of the factory caused Mr. Dodge to return to Vermont, where he took up mercantile purusits. Soon, however, his health failed, and he again sought the mountain air of the west, returning to Idaho, where with his brother he built up the saw mill manufacturing business. In the spring of 1886 he came to Ore- gon and settled at Grants Pass, where for three years he acted as superintendent of the yards of the Sugar Pine Door & Lumber Company. This position he resigned to accept that of postmaster, under appointment from President Harrison. For five years he had charge of the postoffice and his term of service proved acceptable to all. He is remembered as one of the most efficient post- masters the city has ever had.

On retiring from office_Mr. Dodge became a partner of L. L. Jewell in the hardware business under the firm name of Jewell & Dodge, continu- ing as such until the expiration of three years, when Mr. Dodge sold his interest to his partner. Subsequently he became interested in fire and life insurance, but from this was obliged to re- tire by reason of ill health. From that time he was an invalid until his death, which occurred February 16, 1903. To the citizens of Grants Pass the going out of his life was a source of deep and sincere regret, and many testimonies as to his value as a citizen came to his widow from friends in various places.

In politics Mr. Dodge affiliated with the Re- publican party. During the Civil war he served under General Pitkin in the commissary depart- ment in the south. A sincere and devoted mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, he was a ruling elder and trustee of the congregation and for seven years acted as Sunday-school superintend- ent. Fraternally he was a member of Grants Pass Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M., Reames Chapter No. 28, R. A. M., and the Commandery Knights Templar at St. Johnsbury, Vt. His marriage was solemnized in Middlesex, Vt., June 10, 1868, and united him with Miss Mary E. Carpenter, who was born in that town. She was one of three children now living, having a sister, Mrs. Martha E. Lee, at St. Johnsbury, \'t., and a brother, Charles P., also of St. Johns- bury, and who was a soldier in a Vermont regi- ment during the Civil war. Her father, Don P. Carpenter, a native of Vermont, born in 1808, was a farmer, a prominent man of business, jus- tice of the peace and many times a member of the state legislature of Vermont. IIe died in St. Johnsbury in 1880. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Hutchins, was born in

Vermont in 1808, and died there in 1890. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Dodge was Tim- othy Hutchins, of Colonial and Revolutionary an- cestry from New Hampshire ; her paternal grand- father, Nathaniel Carpenter, was born in Coven- try, Conn., of Revolutionary stock, and was a soldier of the war of 1812. Abigal Morse, his wife, was taken prisoner by the Indians, led by Horton, a British lieutenant, at the burning of Royalton, Vt., in the fall of 1780. Mrs. Dodge was reared in Vermont, and after completing the studies of Northfield Academy she engaged in teaching school four years. Possessing a noble character, keen intelligence, a ready interest in important affairs, she is a welcome guest in the most select circles of society, and at her home on the hill. which is one of the most attractive resi- dences in Grants Pass, she entertains her large circle of friends with the gracious hospitality ever one of her chief attributes.

GEORGE W. KEARNS. In the industrial and business circles of Josephine county George WV. Kearns, of Grants Pass, occupies a place of prominence. A man of great ability, enterprise, tact and sound judgment, he has been actively associated with the railway, timber and mining interests of the Pacific coast, and is now holding a position of importance and responsibility as general manager of the Vindicator Placer Min- ing Company. A son of John Kearns, he was born June 24, 1857, on Fox Prairie, Linn county, Ore. His father, and his grandfather, Joseph Kearns, were both natives of Indiana, and both were pioneers of Oregon, coming across the plains in 1848, and the following year both were engaged in mining in California, on the Feather river. Joseph Kearns eventually settled as a farmer in Marion county, Ore., and there spent his declining years.

Forming a partnership with Joseph Stillwell, John Kearns was quite fortunate in his mining operations. Taking a burro pack-train of gold dust to San Jose, Cal., they embarked in the dry goods business, establishing the firm of Stillwell & Co., which is still in existence, and for many years were the leading merchants of Santa Clara county. Disposing of his interest in the firm, John Kearns subsequently engaged in mining in northern California and southern Oregon, even going into British Columbia during the gold ex- citement. Retiring from mining, he settled in Marion county Ore., buying the old Peter Neil farm, on which he resided until his death in 1897. He married Lucy Bryant, who was born in Mis- souri, and is now living in Stayton, Ore. She bore her husband six children, of whom five sur- vive, George W. being the oldest child.

Receiving an excellent training in the differ-

Aug KSchroeder

Daca 8. Schroeder

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ent branches of agriculture on the home farm, George W. Kearns had also good educational advantages, attending first the common schools, and later completing his studies at the Willam- ette University. In 1880 he began work on the Oregon and California Railroad as foreman, and afterward assisted in building the Corvallis and Eastern Railroad from Yaquina bay to Corval- lis, and subsequently helping to complete the road as far as the Buck Rock tunnel. Becoming junior member of the firm of Sisson, Cochran & Co., he was employed in contracting lumber and wood for the Southern Pacific Railway Company for five ycars. Settling on Wolf creek in 1889, Mr. Kearns accepted a contract to furnish wood and ties for the same railway company. In filling his contract, he cleared hundreds of acres of timber, employing from fifty to three hundred men all of the time for a period of eight years. Since that time Mr. Kearns has been especially interested in the Vindicator mine on Grave creek, and is now general manager of the mine, which consists of two hundred and twenty-five acres of placer patented ground. This mining company has a fully equipped plant, having a bank from thirty to eighty feet high, and a very large reservoir, the largest in this section of the country, which was built at a cost of $25,000. In running the mines, which are operated about seven months a year, two giants are used. In 1901 Mr. Kearns located his family in Grants Pass, where, in addition to looking after his mining interests, he is also engaged in buy- ing and selling timher, carrying on a substantial business in this line, also.

In 1886, in Vancouver, Wash., Mr. Kearns married Loretta E. Cooper, a native of Kansas, and they have two children, namely: Georgia Pearl and Donald Cooper. In politics Mr. Kearns uniformly votes the Republican ticket. He has never been an aspirant for public office. but served one term as deputy sheriff under Edward Lister. He is a member of the Wood- men of the World and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

AUGUSTUS H. SCHROEDER, who is now conducting a fine ranch two miles northeast of Myrtle Point, is one of the conspicuously suc- cessful citizens of Coos county. During his life he has worked at diversified occupations, among them mining and carpentering, and was also em- ployed in a brass foundry. He was born March 8, 1843, in Baltimore, Md. An account of his ancestry will be found in the sketch of J. Henry Schroeder in another part of this volume.

Augustus H. Schroeder sought and obtained his early scholastic training in the public schools of his native city. When fifteen years of age,

however, he left school to assist his parents in the work of supporting the family. Entering a brass foundry he learned brass moulding and finishing, remaining there until 1859. April 7 of that year he accompanied his parents in their long journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama to the far west, statting April II from New York. Their first settlement was made on Coquille river, and here our subject remained until 1862, when he started out for himself. He worked first in the Johnson mines; then for five years he and a brother engaged in beach mining. They re- mained in Coos county until 1868 following dif- ferent lines of work. October 27, 1868, Dora C. Perry became the wife of Mr. Schroeder. She is a native of Clatsop county, and was born August 15, 1850. Soon after their marriage the young people began housekeeping on the place where they now live. They have had the following twelve children : Edwin F., who lives on the south fork of Coquille river; Thomas A., living at Johnson's Mill; Eugene, who died at the age of seventeen years: Charles E., also of Johnson's Mill; Johanna L., wife of F. Linegar, of Co- quille ; Frederick William, who was drowned at Johnson's Mill in 1898; Ada E., at home; Arthur V., deceased ; and Percy G., Henry A., Edna M. and Chester W., who are at home.

Mr. Schroeder has a very fine place of one hundred and sixty acres, two miles northeast of Myrtle Point. When this was purchased it was all in a wild, uncultivated state, but from time to time he introduced improvements, and he now has sixty acres under cultivation. A fine two- story frame dwelling graces the lawn, and all the farm buildings are good and substantial. Mr. Schroeder carries on general farming and raises stock, especially Jersey and Shorthorn cattle. In addition to conducting his ranch he has followed the carpenter's trade almost continuously since making this place his home. Politically he is a Democrat and has filled minor offices in the vicinity, serving for ten years as justice of the peace. Mr. Schroeder is a man whose efforts speak for themselves and show him to be de- serving of the honor everywhere accorded him. He was one of the organizers of the band at Myrtle Point.

MRS. MARY CASE is proprietor of the Ocean House, at Newport, Orc., which is fam- ous for miles around, and has a commanding view over the bar and far out to sea. It is a two-story building, has twenty-five rooms, and is surrounded by about eight acres of ground. This famous pleasure resort was built by the late husband of the present proprietor, Samuel

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Case, who conducted it until his death, August 25, 1897.

Mrs. Case is a native of Boise City, Idaho, and was born September 25, 1848. She is a daughter of James and Mary Ann Craigie, and is the second in a family of seven children. James Craigie was born in the Orkney islands, Scotland, August II, 1813, and emigrated to the United States when twenty-one years old. He located in Vancouver, Wash., in the interests of the Hudson Bay Company, and the trip to that place was made by way of Cape Horn on the ship Prince Albert. In 1839 he was trans- ferred to Boise City, where he helped to build the fort, and he remained there until 1852. Only one difficulty was experienced with the Indians, and at that time there were but seven men in the fort. An American trapper shot an Indian in a dispute over territory and the Indians wanted to avenge the death of their comrade. They collected a large band intending to attack the fort. About that time, a prominent chief from Hot Springs appeared on the scene, and he decided in favor of the Americans and per- suaded the Indians to withdraw. In 1852 Mr. Craigie settled in the Waldo Hills in Marion county, and took up a land claim seven miles from Salem, where he lived for five years. In 1857 he moved to Walla Walla, Wash., re- maining there until his removal to Yaquina bay, in 1866, in search of health. He died September 29, 1893. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church and his political preference was given to the Republican party. His wife was a native of Boise City, Idaho, and her demise took place in Newport, January 17, 1869.

Mary Craigie was united in marriage with Samuel Case, January 8, 1868. The latter was a native of Lubeck, Me., and was born in 1831. He had received a college education and became an educator in the schools of his native place until 1853, when he went to California, by way of the Nicarauga route. He followed mining and teaching there for four years and then returned to the east on a visit. In 1858 he returned to the Golden Gate, and during the Civil war he enlisted in Company D, Fourth California Vol- unteer Infantry, and was sent with his regiment to Oregon. He was orderly sergeant of his company and served until November, 1864, when he received his honorable discharge. Mr. Case was then appointed farmer on the Alsea reserva- tion, and worked in that capacity four years, having removed in 1866 to Yaquina bay. He afterward located on land in that vicinity-the same upon which a part of Newport now stands -and soon afterward built the Ocean House. He ornamented the surroundings and grounds and conducted it as a health resort until his death. In politics he was a Republican, and

took an active part in the political issues of his day. He served as collector of customs of Ya- quina port for one term, and was largely in- terested in educational work in that section. He was a broad-minded, public-spirited citizen and was universally admired for his good qualities.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Case, as follows: Nellie L., wife of John Buckley ; Ida L., wife of Winfield Scott Ingalls; Mary Elizabeth. wife of Dr. E. D. Johnson, of Port- land; Nora Lorena; Roy G., of Portland; and Cara. Those not otherwise mentioned, are resi- dents of Newport. The father of these children was prominently allied with the Odd Fellows, and was engaged in general merchandise for sev- eral years at Newport. In 1873 he was one of a committee of three appointed as peace com- missioners to make terms with the Modoc In- dians, but he feared the treacherous nature of the Indians and resigned in preference to ac- cepting their terms. His judgment was good as later events proved, for the Indians, under a flag of truce, attacked the peace commissioners, killing one, and wounding another, literally murdering General Canby. Mrs. Case is a faith- ful attendant and active member of the Episco- pal Church, and is among the most business-like and popular ladies in Newport.

JAMES HOLMES BLAIR. We are pleased to give a short sketch of the popular postmaster of Elk City, Ore., a man who possesses many excellent traits of character. Mr. Blair has been a citizen of Oregon since 1853, and is the archi- tect of his own fortune. An Illinoisan by birth, he claims Montgomery county as his native place. and February 1, 1836, was the date of his birth. He is the fifth in a family of eight children born to Colbert Powell and Elizabeth (Hill) Blair.

Colbert P. Blair was a native of North Caro- lina, but early in life he became a resident of Kentucky, and afterward of Illinois. In the lat- ter state he located in Montgomery county for a few years, and in 1837 he went to Lee county, Iowa, and farmed for a number of years. In 1853 he crossed the plains to the far west, and the trip was made in the usual way behind ox- teams. He was over six monthson the way, travel- ing over the old Oregon trail, and suffered heavy losses of stock, but finally arrived in Oregon, the desired destination. He located in Benton county, near Corvallis, and took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres in that section. Mr. Blair is still living, a highly re- spected citizen of Pendleton, where he located in 1892, and January 1, 1903, he celebrated his ninety-seventh birthday. In his earlier days he was a man of prominence, and in 1862 he was elected to the state legislature and served one

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term. His wife, who was a native of Kentucky, died thirty-three years ago, her demise taking place near Corvallis, at the old home place, the scene of so many happy years.

James H. Blair was educated in the common schools and received but a limited schooling. As his father lost heavily in crossing the plains, and had a large family to support, the son was obliged to work for himself at an early age. He hired out as a farm hand and laborer and worked in that capacity in both Benton and Polk counties until 1866, when he went on a ranch near Elk City, in Lincoln county. He followed ranching until 1893, being then commissioned postmaster under President Cleveland. Mr. Blair is still serving as postmaster, filling the office with credit, and is a Republican in politics. He has also served his party as school director and road supervisor. He is quite a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs; he also belongs to the Rebekah lodge. In 1902 he served as delegate to the meeting of the grand lodge of the state, at Newport, and in 1903 he also attended the grand lodge in Portland.

Mr. Blair was united in marriage in 1861, with Mrs. Rebecca Caroline Barker, and this union, although a happy one, is without issue. Their marriage took place in Polk county, and Mrs. Blair is a native of Indiana. Both are valued members of their community and their many friends wish for them continued prosperity.

JOHN APPLEGATE. The name Apple- gate is too well known in southwestern Ore- gon to need any extended introduction to the readers of this volume. The pioneers of that name were among the most promi- nent people in that section, and were large- ly instrumental in its development. Their descendants are widely scattered; among them we find John Applegate, of this review, a pros- perous farmer near Yoncalla, Ore. He was born in St. Clair county, Mo., March 12, 1842, and is one of a family of fifteen children born to Charles and Melinda (Miller) Applegate.

Charles Applegate was a Kentuckian by birth and his wife was a native of Tennessee. Of their children, fifteen grew to manhood and womanhood. In 1843 the father, mother and eight children left Missouri, where the parents had lived since marriage, and traveled overland to the Pacific slope. On this trip Charles Applegate was accompanied also by two brothers, Jesse and Lindsay, and the emigrant train of which they were a part consisted of eight hundred people. Mr. Applegate had two wagons with four oxen to each, ten cows and one horse.

Leaving his cattle at Walla Walla, he built a boat and journeyed by water to Oregon City, and afterward to Marion county. That winter he worked for a Mr. Burs, the mission black- smith, about fourteen miles from Salem, and in the spring of 1844 he went into Polk county and settled on a six hundred and forty acre claim, about four miles north of Dallas, where he lived until 1850. That spring Mr. Applegate sold his land in Polk county and came south to Douglas county, taking up a donation claim of six hun- dred and forty acres, adjoining the present site of Yoncalla, and near the residence of Levi Scott. His brothers, Robert, Cowan, Oliver, Jeffrey and Jesse, were already located in that vicinity. From that time on the history of the Applegate family is closely interwoven with that of Douglas county, and it may be said with the state of Oregon, as they were active and promi- nent in the history of that young state. Two of the brothers, Jesse and Lindsay, rendered valiant services in the Indian uprisings. Charles Ap- plegate and his brothers in 1851 built the first school house in Douglas county, which they conducted independent of all outside aid. At the cost of $1,000 a library was purchased from Harper's, in New York, and shipped via Cape Horn, and James Applegate was installed as teacher. The latter served as county judge of Douglas county, also as county commission- er, and was a member of the state legislature for many years. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union army and served one year as sergeant major. Another brother, Albert, was a lieu- tenant during the same war. Charles Ap- plegate's useful life was terminated by death in 1879, in his seventy-fourth year. His wife survived him until 1888, being seventy-six years old at the time of her demise. Both died on the old donation claim which was their home for so many years.

John Applegate was but one year old when the family settled in Oregon, and was but eight years old when they removed to Douglas county, where he was practically reared and educated. When he reached his majority he began his career and farmed for a couple of years. In 1865 he enlisted in the Union army as a private in Company K, First Oregon Volunteer Infantry, and saw one year's service on the frontier- mostly in Washington. ' In 1866 he returned to Douglas county, and several years later he was united in marriage with Laura V. Bridges, of Coos county. Seven children blessed their union, as follows: Anne, wife of John Kruse; Bertha, wife of Clarence Stock; Lola; Charles ; Emma; Susa; and John, Jr.

Mr. Applegate owns three hundred and forty- three acres of land, one hundred and sixty acres in the valley. Like most of his neighbors, he is

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largely engaged in stockraising. His fine farm is located about four miles east of Yoncalla on Elk ereek. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Applegate conducted a general merchandise store at Yoncalla from 1870 to 1874 and was postmaster during that time. He is a close ad- herent to the Republican party and is one of the solid citizens of Yoncalla.

DAVID HOLLAND. Living retired from active business cares in Marshfield, David Holland is spending the closing years of his long and useful life in ease and plenty. He is a fine representative of the self- made men of Coos county, having in truth been the architect of his own fortunes. Beginning life with no other resources than his strong hands, active brain and willing spirit, he has met with well-merited success. Industrious and ambitious, he labored during his earlier years at any thing that gave promise of a satisfactory reward, and in whatever position he was placed always gave to his work his best energies and efforts. A native of Ayrshire, Scotland, he was born September 17, 1828, near Kilmarnock, which was also the place of birth of his father, David Holland, Sr.

Emigrating from Ayrshire, Scotland, to Amer- iea with his family, David Holland, Sr .. settled in Nova Scotia in 1830. Continuing in his for- mer occupation, he worked in the Albion mines, near Pietou, for many years, living there until his death, at the age of three score and ten years. He married Ellen MeKelvie, who was born in Scotland, and died in Providence, R. I., at the venerable age of ninety-seven years. Of their family of sixteen children, eight sons and eight daughters, David, the subject of this brief sketch, was the twelfth child.

Being but two years old when he came with his parents to Nova Scotia, David Holland was there educated in the common schools. Begin- ning to work in the Albion mines when but twelve years of age, he continued thus employed until after his marriage. Migrating to the United States in 1850, he was engaged in coal mining in Lonaconing, Md., for nine years. Coming by way of the isthmus to Oregon, in May, 1859, he located on the Coquille river, taking up one hundred and sixty acres of land near Myrtle Point. Two years later his entire property was swept away by a freshet, leaving him well nigh penniless. Again turning his at- tention to mining pursuits, Mr. Holland was for ten years superintendent of the Eastport coal mines, near Marshfield. In 1872 he purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land lying just across the bay from Marshfield, but sold that

ranch two years later, and bought an adjoining farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Dispos- ing of that land in 1882, Mr. Holland was en- gaged in the butchering business in Marshfield for four years, being quite successful in his deal- ings. In the meantime Mrs. Sarah Holland, his wife, purchased an interest, with James L. Fer- rey, and conducted the Blanco Hotel, and from 1886 until 1896 Mr. Holland engaged with his wife in the business, having sold out his butcher business. He owns two good ranches, both of which he rents, and has some city property, his income being sufficient to maintain him well, af- fording hin all the comforts of life.

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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 45

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