Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 48

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 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

364

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cabins which dotted the land being superseded by commodious and even elegant residences, and the small hamlets of the early times developing into thriving villages and populous towns and cities. Long trains of palace cars now cross the country daily, taking the place of the former heavy wagons drawn by oxen or horses which were used for transportation, while by means of telephone, telegraph or cable wires quick com- munication with all parts of the globe has been established. In these changes Judge Fitzhugh has been an important factor, contributing his full share in inaugurating and establishing bene- ficial enterprises. Early recognized as a man of ability and worth, he has been called to many offices of trust and responsibility, and in the dis- charge of his public duties has shown rare dis- cretion and fidelity. While serving as post- master of Roseburg in the early days of its settlement, he became acquainted with nearly every person in the county, and to this day is fre- quently called upon to locate some person who lived here at that time. A son of Robert Fitz- hugh, he was born, Angust 27, 1833, in Morgan county, Ill., about twelve miles north of the city of Jacksonville. His paternal grandfather, Peter Fitzhugh, a native of Virginia, moved to Logan county, Ky., where he was afterwards engaged in general farming until his death. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, enlisting with two of his brothers, both of whom were killed on the field of battle.

Robert Fitzhugh was born in Old Virginia, but was bred, educated and married in Kentucky. Removing after his marriage to Morgan county, Ill., he obtained a grant of four hundred and fifty acres of land, from which he improved a good farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of three score and ten years. In 1832 he enlisted in the Black Hawk war, but on account of a lack of arms was not mustered into service. He was a man of strict integrity, much respected throughout the com- munity in which he resided, and was a valued member of the Baptist Church. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party. He married Elizabeth Redmond, who was born in Boones- boro, Ky., and died, at the age of seventy-two years, in Morgan county, Ill. Her father, Thomas Redmond, a native of Virginia, was a pioneer of Boonesboro, Ky., where he became noted as an expert hunter, trapper, guide and Indian fighter. Hc was a man of considerable importance in the locality in which he settled as a pioncer and where he lived until his death, at the age of eighty years. A man of bravery and daring spirit, he had many encounters with the Indians, frequently having narrow escapes from death at the hands of the cruel savages. At one time while helping to defend Boonesboro against

an Indian assault, he formed the acquaintance of Margaret Gorham, who, although than a mere girl, ran all the bullets used at that time in de- fending the town, and afterwards wooed and won her for his bride. She was as familiar with the rifle as he, and both were expert shots. She was of Danish descent, coming from one of the early colonial families of America.

One of a family of ten children, eight of whom grew to mature years, and three are now living, Judge J. S. Fitzhugh grew to the age of nineteen on the home farm in Illinois. As a boy he attended the old log school house, with its slab benches, and the desks ranged around the room against the wall. A ten-foot fireplace heated the room, and the pupils learned to write with a quill pen. Energetic and industrious, he subsequently earned quite a sum of money for those times as a farm laborer, at the age of nine- teen years having accumulated a sufficient sum to pay his fare to the Pacific coast. In 1852, with an older brother, Abner T. Fitzhugh, he started for California, going down the Missis- sippi river to New Orleans, thence sailing on the Daniel Webster to Aspinwall. From that port he walked to Gorgona, where he joined a pack train bound for Panama, riding a mule until the beast refused to travel further, when he finished the journey on the back of a native. After waiting in Panama ten days for the ar- rival of the New York steamer, Mr. Fitzhugh and his brother had trouble in securing passage to California, the ship's captain refusing to take New Orleans passengers. Going to the United States Consul, the brothers satisfied him that they were citizens of the United States, with sufficient money to pay their passage, and ob- tained from him an order to the captain to take them aboard the steamer.

Arriving in San Francisco in April, 1852, J. S. Fitzhugh proceeded to Nevada City, where he engaged in placer mining. He subsequently con- tinted as a miner in Siskiyou, Plumas and Sierra counties, and in southern Oregon on the Scott and Klamath rivers, continuing in this occupation about six years, and being quite successful. During this time Mr. Fitzhugh spent his leisure in studying law, and while thus employed be- came well acquainted with United States Sena- tor Stewart, whose election he championed. While a resident of Siskiyou county, in 1855 and 1856, he served in the Rogue River Indian war in an independent company. Coming over the mountains with a train of pack minles to Oregon in 1858, Mr. Fitzhugh located in Rose- burg, which was then a small hamlet, and for a year was engaged in surveying and civil en- gineering, assisting John Fitzhugh, a govern- ment contractor. He subsequently worked for a year as clerk in the general store of A. and

365

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

B. Heineberg, and then, buying out his em- ployer, started in mercantile business on his own account. Buying his stock in San Francisco, he gradually enlarged his operations, building up a good trade, which he carried on until 1875, in the meantime continuing his law studies. The Democratic nominee for county judge in 1870, he was elected by a good majority, although the county was then Republican, and served from July, 1870, until July, 1874. From 1875 until 1882 Judge Fitzhugh carried on a successful business as a lawyer and real estate dealer. In the latter year he was again elected county judge on the Democratic ticket, receiving a large majority of the votes cast, and being re- elected in 1886 served until 1890, when he re- fused another nomination. Reopening his law office in 1890, the judge continued the practice of his profession until 1899, when, on account of ill health and deafness, he was forced to re- tire from active pursuits. One of the leading Democrats of Roseburg, and a citizen of in- fluence, Judge Fitzhugh has served a number of terms as councilman ; for two terms was mayor of the city; was city recorder several years; and was instrumental in establishing the present sewer system. Serving as postmaster in 1866, under President Johnson, he had the distinction of issuing the first post office money order in Douglas county.

Judge Fitzhugh married, in Wilbur, Douglas county, Mary J. Flowers, who was born in Shel- byville, Ind., a daughter of Samuel Flowers. Of English ancestry, Samuel Flowers was born and bred in Cutler, Ohio. He subsequently engaged in farming in Indiana for a time, and then lived in Fulton county, Ill., a few years. Starting across the plains with his family in April, 1853. he came with ox-teams to Eugene, Ore., ar- riving in November of that year, having in his journey crossed the Willamette river twenty-six times. Subsequently locating in Corvallis, he worked at the carpenter's trade, and helped build the first saw mill in that vicinity. He worked at his trade in various places, and had consider- able stock on a donation claim in Benton county. He afterwards lived in Wilbur, Douglas county, .then moved to · eastern Oregon, locating as a stockman in Grant county in 1865. In 1882 he transferred his operations to Montana, going thence to North Dakota, where he actively en- gaged in stock-raising until the fall of 1902, when he moved to Roseburg, where he now lives a hale and hearty man of eighty-two years. He married Susan Cummings, who was born in In- (liana, the grand-daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. She died in Roseburg. Mr. and Mrs. Flowers had but two children, and of these Mrs. Fitzhugh is the only one living. Judge and

Mrs. Fitzhugh are the parents of three children, namely: J. K., an attorney, living in Portland, Ore .; Edgar E. and Clinton, both stock-raisers and stock-dealers in Montana.

HON. JAMES M. HANSBROUGH. Prominent among the well known and influ- ential residents of Roseburg is Hon. J. M. Hansbrough, who has been for many years ac- tively associated with the railway service of this section of Douglas county. A man of marked ability and intelligence, he has proved himself a most useful citizen, and while a member of the legislature he devoted his time and energies to the duties of his position, being always mindful of the interests of the people he represented. A native of Randolph county, Ill., he was born January II, 1862, about eight miles from the old town of Kaskaskia. He comes of English ancestry, and is a son of the late Eliab Cooper Hansbrough.

The descendant of one of the early English settlers of Virginia, Eliab C. Hansbrough was born and bred in Tennessee. After learning the carpenter's trade, he settled in Kentucky, where he was employed in farming and car- pentering for a time. Subsequently removing to Illinois, he worked at his trade in Ran- dolph county until 1867, when he migrated with his family to California. Locating in San Jose, he was employed as a carpenter and builder for about five years. Coming to Ore- gon in 1872, he established himself as a con- tractor and builder at Ashland, Jackson county. Transferring his residence and busi- ness interests to Douglas county, he was a resident of Glendale until his death, in 1883. He was a man of upright character, greatly esteemed by all, and earnestly supported the principles of the Republican party. He mar- ried Sarah Hagan, who was born in Bards- town, Ky. She survived him, and is now liv- ing in Roseburg, with her son. J. C., being a bright and active woman of four score and four years. She bore her husband six chil- dren, two of whom are now living, namely : Hon. H. C. Hansbrough, who had the dis- tinction of serving as the first member of con- gress from North Dakota, and is now filling his third term as United States senator from that state : and Hon. James M.

Being but five years old when he came with his parents to California, James M. Hans- brough first attended school in San Josc. sub- sequently completing his early education in the public schools of Ashland, Orc. Learning telegraphy, Mr. Hansbrough was in the em- ploy of the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany from 1885 until 1886, and the following

366

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

three years was a brakeman on the Southern Pacific railway, running from Roseburg. From 1889 until 1897 he was conductor of a freight train, and then was conductor of a passenger train running between Roseburg and Ashland until he resigned, September 9, 1903. Genial, pleasant and accommodating, he was popular with the patrons of the road, and won a host of friends. In his railway career, he has been exceedingly fortunate, having never met with any serious accident. By industry and good management he has acquired some property, and is interested to some extent in the mines of northern California.

Mr. Hansbrough married Miss Clara Bacher, who was born and reared in Ohio. True to the political faith in which he was reared he has ever been a stanch Republican, and in 1902 was elected to the state legisla- ture on the Republican ticket of Jackson and Douglas counties, receiving a large majority of the votes cast, and served in the twenty- second biennial session of the house of repre- sentatives. While there he took an active part in the work, being chairman of the rail- way and transportation committee ; chairman of the joint committee for investigating pub- fic buildings ; and was chairman of the com- mittee on counties. He introduced several bills into the house, among others being the "Fellow Servant" bill, which became a law. He was active in aiding the organization of the house, and in the election of United States Senator Fulton. Fraternally Mr. Hansbrough is a member of Laurel Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M., of Roseburg; Umpqua Chapter, R. A. M .; of Oregon Consistory No. 1 of Port- land: Al Kader Temple, N. M. S .; and of Roseburg Lodge No. 326, B. P. O. E.

JOHN HAMBLOCK. This gentleman has been a resident of Coos county, Ore., since 1857, and during his eventful life he has fol- lowed diversified occupations. For many years he worked in and about saw-mills prior to engaging in farming and stock-raising. He subsequently conducted a general merchan- dise store at Bullards and served as postmas- ter and justice of the peace. The place was then known as Randolph. He is now living a retired life, upon his fine five hundred acre farm at the mouth of the Coquille river, where he has one of the most attractive places to be found for miles. His convenient residence, surrounded as it is by commodious farm buildings, bespeaks the prosperity of its owner and testifies to his careful, methodical habits. In fact, his entire farm has an air of thrift.

John Hamblock was born in Prussia, Ger-

many, July 9, 1827, which was also the birthi- place of his father, who was a carpenter by trade. He also owned and operated a saw- mill, and was so occupied until cut off by death. The same mill is now owned and operated by his descendants. The father died when John Hamblock was but five years old, leaving seven children that his widow reared and educated.

Jolın Hamblock was the youngest but one in this interesting family, and was educated in the parochial schools of his native land. While a youth he learned the cabinet-maker's trade and followed that line of work as long as he remained in his native land, also assist- ing in the saw-mill. Being a good workman, he had no difficulty in securing work after coming to the United States, where he landed in 1849. He located in St. Louis, Mo., and for three years was head-sawyer in a saw-mill there, but in 1852 he made up his mind to go to California. The trip was made over- land across the plains in four wagons drawn by mule-teams, and little trouble was experi- enced with the Indians while en route.

After a three-months trip the first stop was made at Sacramento, Cal., where Mr. Hamblock remained bnt a short time, how- ever. Entering the mines in that vicinity, he mined and prospected for a couple of months, afterward going to San Francisco and assist- ing in the erection of a saw-mill there, again working in the capacity of head-sawyer, for the same Mr. H. A. Wilson he was employed by in St. Louis. This mill was a portable one, and it was moved into the Redwood district, where Mr. Hamblock continued working until he had been a resident of California for about two years. In 1854 he went to Port Orford, Curry county, Ore., and continued in the lum- ber business there for three years. April 15, 1856, he was united in marriage with Jane Ann Long, a Canadian by birth. Her people had removed from Canada to Illinois, and in 1853 crossed the plains to California, and the following year took up their abode in Port Orford, Ore. They had the distinction of bringing the first milch cows into Curry county. In 1857 Mr. Hamblock with his fan- ily went to Coos county and took up a pre- emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres at the mouth of the Coquille river where Bul- lards now stands. This land was mostly prairie and was undeveloped. This place is still the home of Mr. Hamblock and the land is now in a fine state of cultivation. Upon this he carried on general farming and stock- raising and dairying, having been very suc- cessful. He added to his original purchase until he acquired eight hundred acres of land.

J. J. Stanley

369

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hamblock: Mary Ellen, who died at the age of fourteen years; Melinda Ann, wife of R. W. Bullard, whose sketch is given else- where in this history; John A., residing in the vicinity of the home place; and Mary C., wife of A. Barrows, who also resides near. Shortly after settling on Coquille river Mr. Hamblock, in connection with farming, opened a general store and served as postmaster at Randolph -- now Bullards-for a number of years. He also made an efficient justice of the peace, being independent in politics, and is justly considered a representative citizen of his sec- tion. His residence, besides being of modern design, is beautifully located, overlooking the river, as it does, and commands a fine view of surrounding points.

J. JOHNSON STANLEY. When J. John- son Stanley enters upon his career as a legal practitioner, he will have as formidable weapons in the way of varied and practical experience as any disciple of Blackstone in Coos county. Equally successful as a student, educator, farmer, politician, journalist and real-estate dealer, he has gained a correspondingly large knowledge of human nature, of prime importance in the pro- fession which he has chosen as a life occupation. Mr. Stanley came to Oregon in 1888, being at the time twenty-four years of age. He was born in Lynnville, Jasper county, Iowa, Septem- ber 13, 1864, and on the paternal side comes of Quaker ancestry undoubtedly originally associ- ated with England. Several generations of the family have reflected credit upon their respective localities in the United States, but no authentic record has been kept of the first venturesome im- migrant. Presumably he settled in Virginia, for the great-great-grandfather, William Stanley, lived there, and his son, Samuel, the next in order of descent, was a native of the same state.

William Stanley established his family in Guil- ford county, N. C., and died in that state No- vember II, 1807, after gaining a reputation for sobriety and substantial citizenship. Samuel Stanley, who also died in Guilford county, had a son Richard, the grandfather of J. Johnson Stanley, who was born in Guilford county Janu- ary 3, 1782, and who removed to Henry county, Ind., in 1830. The grandfather was a carpenter and builder and followed that trade for the greater part of his active life, or until shortly before his death, April 25, 1847. As had been his ancestors before him, he was a member of the Society of Friends. His son, Joshua F., the father of J. Johnson, was born in Guilford county, January 29, 1824, and removed to Indiana with

his parents in 1830. From his father he learned the carpenter's trade, and in connection therewith farmed for some years in Henry county. After removing to Lynnville, Jasper county, Iowa, in 1862, he combined farming and merchandising, and in 1874 engaged in general merchandising in Earlham, Iowa. From 1879 until 1898 Mr. Stan- ley lived on a farm near Wetmore, Kans., and became one of the stable and enterprising resi- dents of that region. From then until the present he has lived with his children in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas, and though now about four score years old, retains a youthful heart, and an in- tense sympathy with all that is human and beauti- ful in the world. From out his younger days come reminiscences of life as a country school teacher. He was a consistent member of the Society of Friends, in which he since became an elder. His wife, formerly Mary Jane Stan- ley, was born in Guilford county, N. C., August I, 1828, a daughter of Temple Bruce Stanley, who was born in the same county December 17, 1802. Mr. Stanley removed to Indiana in 1830, the same year as the family of Joshua Stanley, and there plied his trade of machinist and black- smith until his death in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1881. One of the four sons and five daughters of Joshua Stanley is deceased.

As a small boy J. Johnson Stanley realized the importance of acquiring an education, but it was largely through his own business exertions that he was able to realize his expectations in this direction. From the public schools he entered Campbell University, at Holton, Kans., in the fall of 1883, and in 1887 he was graduated with the degree of Ph. D., and also received a diploma from the commercial department connected with the university. In the summer of 1882 he rented his father's Kansas farm, and thereafter through- out his university career managed it during the summer time and taught school during the vaca- tion season. For one year he filled the duties of janitor of the school. After coming to Ore- gon in 1888 he taught a class in penmanship at Coquille for three weeks, afterward spending three months in Jackson county, and later taught a school at Cape Blanco lighthouse for three months. April 1, 1889, he became principal of the Coquille school, and from 1890 until the spring of 1892 had charge of a school in Coos county. In the latter year he was elected clerk of Coos county for one term. In 1894 he served as deputy sheriff under W. W. Gage, and in 1896 located on a farm of sixty-one acres which he had purchased near Coquille, and which he made his headquarters while working in the sheriff's office. About this time he purchased the Coquille City Bulletin, which he has conducted with fair success up to the present time. In the meantime he had engaged in the real-estate business to some

370

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

extent, and at the present time buys and sells town and country property on an extensive scale.

Entertaining a profound appreciation of legal science for many years, Mr. Stanley has devoted his leisure to mastering its principies, and his professional carecr will unquestionably take on the character of great usefulness and success. He has a trained and logical intelligence; is quick to see the vital point of a question and possesses a genial and kindly nature which is bound to win and retain clients. A stanch upholder of De- mocracy, he has held many offices besides those already mentioned, in 1894 serving as secretary of the county central committee. He has been school director and road supervisor, and a mem- ber of the city council for one term. Fraternally he is one of the best known men in the county, being a member of Chadwick Lodge No. 68, A. F. & A. M .; the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in which he has passed all of the chairs ; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is a charter member, first master, and has taken the degree of honor ; also represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge in 1902 ; the Fraternal Aid; and the Rebekahs. Mr. Stanley was mar- ried in Coquille, September 4, 1892, to Carrie B. Goodman, a native of Sangamon county, Ill., and daughter of John P. Goodman, a retired farmer and mechanic of Coquille. He served four years during the Civil war. Mary Alta, Carrie Alice, John Foster and Ruth Ann, the four interesting children of Mr. and Mrs. Stan- ley, are being educated in Coquille.

JESSE MESH. A man of activity and energy, well endowed with those habits of thrift, perseverance and pluck that win success, Jesse Mesh has for the past thirty years been a potent factor in developing the agricultural interests of Josephine county. Having been very fortunate in the prosecution of his chosen calling, he has acquired a comfortable compe- tency through his own exertions, but has not yet retired from business pursuits. Now own- ing and occupying a small ranch of ten acres, ly- ing within the limits of Grants Pass, and but a mile from the business center, he devotes his time to general farming and gardening. A son of William Mesh, Jr., he was born in Ash coun- ty, N. C., May 5, 1848. He comes of German ancestry, his grandfather, William Mesh, Sr., having been born and reared in Germany. Emi- grating to the United States in colonial days he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was subsequently employed in tilling the soil for many years. He attained a notable age, living to be either one hundred and three or one hundred and four years old.

A native of North Carolina, William Mesh,

Jr., settled as a farmer in Ash county, and there spent the greater part of his four score years. He married Rhoda Miller, who was born in North Carolina, June 2, 1806, and died in Ash county, N. C., in 1876. Her father, George Miller, emigrated from Germany, the country of his birth, to America, and spent the remainder of his life in Ash county, N. C. Of the union of William, Jr., and Rhoda ( Miller) Mesh, eight children were born, five sons and three daugh- ters, Jesse, being the youngest child.

Receiving but meager opportunities as a boy for advancing his education, Jesse Mesh re- mained at home, working with his father, until twenty-one years of age. Hoping in the new western country to find a better chance for im- proving his financial prospects, he went to Kan- sas, locating near Louisville, Pottawattomie county. October 1. 1869, and living there about two years and a half. Not quite satisfied with the result of his labors during that time, Mr. Mesh started for Oregon in May, 1872, travel- ing by rail to Red Bluffs, Cal., and from there continuing the journey with teams. Home- steading one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Rogue river, nine miles west of Grants Pass, he resided there for twenty years. Em- barking in general agriculture, he was very suc- cessful, and subsequently purchased more land, buying a tract containing one hundred and sev- enty acres. By persistent toil and wise man- agement he improved a good farm, his ranch in its appointments and improvements compar- ing favorably with any in the neighborhood. Disposing of all of his land in that vicinity in 1893, Mr. Mesh removed to his present home, in Grants Pass. He owns ten acres of productive land, and his wife owns another ten-acre tract near by, both being valuable property to hold. He carries on general ranching to some extent, but is specially interested in gardening, which he finds profitable. Mr. Mesh has other financial interests in this county, being the owner of one half of a tract of land containing one hun- dred and sixty acres of placer mines, on the Illinois river.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 48

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