USA > Oregon > Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.. > Part 49
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158
April 17, 1869. in Jefferson, N. C., Mr. Mesh married Evaline Miller Van Noy, who was born in Wilkes county, N. C., November 28, 1845. Her father, James Nathaniel Van Noy, was born in Wilkes county, N. C., October 20, 1815, of Mayflower descent. Leaving his family in North Carolina he started westward in Novem- ber, 1850, and after spending the winter in Mis- souri came across the plains with a band of emigrants in the spring of 1851, making the trip with ox-teams. Locating in Josephine county, on the Rogue river, he took up land six miles from Grants Pass, at what is now known . as Van Noy's ferry. He became a large land-
371
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
holder, at one time owning nine hundred acres of land in that locality. He took an active part in the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856, at that time building a fort on his ranch. He was an expert in the use of the gun, and it is claimed that he said that when he had a gun in his hand that there were three things that could not get away from him, those being first a skunk, second a rattlesnake and third an Indian. He died on his home farm, September 3, 1881. His wife, whose maiden name was Clara Miller, was born in North Carolina, and died in Ore- gon, February 22, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Mesh have no children. In his political affiliations Mr. Mesh is a strong Democrat.
JOHN H. AHLF. In the business activities of Josephine county J. H. Ahlf, of Grants Pass, has long been an important factor. A man of unlimited energy, push and ability, he was suc- cessfully engaged in the meat business as a butcher, dealer and packer for several years, and by prudent thrift and judicious expenditure acquired a substantial property. He is now filling a responsible position as manager of the extensive interests of Armour & Co., having supervision of their entire trade of northern California and southern Oregon. He was born February 27, 1856, in the city of Burg, Schles- wig-Holstein, Germany, which was the birth- place of his father, Thomas Ahlf. His grand- father, Jacob Ahlf, a farmer by occupation, was the descendant of an old and honored family of that part of Germany.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Thomas Ahlf spent the larger part of his life in his native country, where he was a well-to-do farmer. Eventually immigrating to the United States, he spent his declining years in Portland, Ore., dy- ing at an advanced age. His wife, whose maiden name was Omtje Kroeger, was a life- long resident of Germany. She bore him eight children, four of whom are living, and are resi- cents of this country, John H. being the seventh in order of birth.
Reared and educated in his native city, J. H. Ahlf shipped before the mast when sixteen years old, and for three years thereafter was engaged in coasting on the North Sea. Enter- ing the German navy then, he served the pre- scribed term of three years, being on the ship Prussia part of the time, and on the school-ship Renown the remainder of the term. Immigrat- ing to America in 1882, Mr. Ahlf was employed as a butcher in Davenport, Iowa, for two years. In 1884 he came to Oregon and located in Roseburg, where he followed his trade three years, and subsequently conducted a meat mar- ket for a year. Disposing of his interests in
Roseburg in 1888, Mr. Ahlf settled in Grants Pass, which was then a very small place, and has since been actively identified with its best interests. Building a shop on Front street, he embarked in the meat business and continued for about twelve years, rebuilding his market after the fire that destroyed his original build- ing, his slaughter house in the meantime being located on the river, on land adjoining the city limits. In 1893 he built a large, brick packing- house, 56x100 feet, and afterwards sold out his market and confined his attention to the pack- ing of pork only, for a number of years. Be- coming the representative of Armour & Co., of Chicago, July 22, 1902, he has since been man- ager of their northern California and southern Oregon interests. Mr. Ahlf has been very for- tunate in his financial transactions, and has ac- cumulated valuable residential and other city property. In 1902 he erected one of the finest and most attractive residences in Grants Pass, a large, two-story frame house, located on Sixth street.
Mr. Ahlf married first, in Roseburg, Caroline Rickhoff, who was born in Burg, Germany, and died in Grants Pass. Of the children born of that union two are living, namely: William C., a student at Holmes' Business College, Port- land; and Henry. Mr. Ahlf married second, Mrs. Susanna (Bruckner) Gatherman, a native of Austria. By her first marriage, Mrs. Ahlf had one child, Annie Gatherman. Mr. Ahlf invariably supports the principles of the Repub- lican party, and has served as councilman one term. He belongs to the local board of trade and is a member of the Woodmen of the World. In his religious views he is a Lutheran.
JOSEPH MICELLI. Among the enterpris- ing and active business men of Roseburg Joseph Micelli holds an important position, being an extensive brick manufacturer and dealer. He is highly esteemed as a man of energy, ability and sterling integrity, and is prominent in fra- ternal circles, being grand master of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows of the state of Oregon. He was the prime mover in the organization of the Odd Fellows' Building Association, of which he was secre- tary after the first year, and served as chair- man of the committee that completed the Odd Fellows' building. This is 51x100 feet, and con- tains, in addition to the Odd Fellows' hall, the opera house, of which Mr. Micelli is assistant manager. A native of Italy, he was born, Oc- tober I, 1864, in Venice, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Frank Micelli.
Born and reared in Venice, Frank Micelli learned the trade of brickmaker when young,
372
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and was there in business for a time as a brick manufacturer and contractor. Coming to the United States in 1872, he located first in Ne- vada, living there eight years. In 1880 he located at Hailey, Idaho, where he established a brick yard, and has since been prosperously employed as a brickmaker and contractor. He married Margaret Biancolini, who was born in Italy, the daughter of an expert woodcarver. In 1886 she came with her family to America, joining her husband at Hailey, Idaho, which has since been her home. Of their children four are living, namely: Mary, of Idaho; Joseph, the subject of this biographical sketch; Frank, an attorney in Roseburg; and Louis, of Monte- cristo, Wash.
Educated in the public schools of Vienice, Joseph Micelli remained in his native city until 1878, when he went to Pattau, Austria, where he continued his studies in the public schools for a time. Subsequently learning the trade of a baker and confectioner in that city, he worked at it a number of years, traveling as a journey- man through Austria-Hungary. In 1884 he came with his sister to this country, and after his arrival in Hailey, Idaho, attended the com- mon and high schools. On leaving school he entered the employ of the Idaho Forwarding Company, which has several stores in different states, becoming a clerk in the branch store at Hailey. He afterwards worked for his father as a brickmaker for two years, and, having become familiar with the trade, operated a brick- yard at Silver Mountains, Idaho, where he re- inained in business a year. Coming to the Pacific coast in 1889, he was employed in the manufacture of brick at Tacoma, Wash., for a year. In January, 1890, Mr. Micelli located in Roseburg, buying a tract of land on which he established a brickyard. He has since con- tinued in business, having about seven acres of land in his yard, and manufactures each year about a million brick, which he ships to coast markets, having built up a large trade. He and his brother own a fourth interest in the Ham- ilton addition to Roseburg, a tract of land con- taining twenty-seven acres. Mr. Micelli is a member of the Roseburg Board of Trade and is a Democrat in politics.
Mr. Micelli married, in Roseburg, Grace Preschern, who was born in Denver, Col., a daughter of John Preschern, who is now en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, near Roseburg. Of their union two children have been born : Victor and Albert. In 1886 Mr. Micelli joined Rising Star Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., of ITailcy, Idaho. Withdrawing from that lodge in 1890, he became a member of the Philitarian Lodge, No. 8, I. O. O. F., of Roseburg, of which he was noble grand in 1891. In 1892
he entered the Grand Lodge of Oregon, and at its session held in Roseburg in 1898 was ap- pointed grand conductor. In 1899 he was ad- vanced to the position of grand marshal, and in 190I was elected grand warden. In 1902 he served as deputy grand master, and in 1903, at the session held in Portland, Ore., he was chosen grand master of the Grand Lodge. He is also a member, and past chief patriarch, of Union Encampment, No. 9; and a charter member of Roseburg Rebekah Lodge No. 41; a member of the Kremlin Baku, of Portland; is a member and past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, and for three terms has served as a representa- tive to the Grand Lodge; and is a member and past chancellor, of the Knights of the Macca- bees, being active in the lodge work, and serv- ing as a representative to the first state conven- tion held by the order. He also holds member- ship with the Ancient Order of United Work- men, being a member of Roseburg Lodge, No. 16.
W. M. HAIR. The Hair-Riddle Hardware Company, Incorporated, is not only the oldest establishment of its kind in Grants Pass, but is also one of the largest in southern Oregon. The successful upbuilding of the business is in a large part due to the sagacious judgment and keen oversight of the president, W. M. Hair, who, on coming to Oregon in 1899, pur- chased the hardware stock owned by L. L. Jewell and formed a partnership with J. R. Riddle, the two incorporating the enterprise under the laws of the state. Their specialties are heavy hardware, agricultural implements, Sherwin-Williams paints, etc. In buggies they carry the Hodock and Henne. They also act as agents for the Bain wagons and the Moline plows and farm implements. Besides their store, which is 25x100 feet in dimensions, they have a warehouse, 25x100, of two stories, an- other warehouse 25x75 and a third that is 50x60 feet in dimensions.
In Brown county, Ohio, Mr. Hair was born February 3, 1855, being a son of James and Elizabeth (Sweet) Hair, also natives of that county. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Hair, a Virginian by birth, became a pioneer farmer of Ohio, where he remained until his death. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin F. Sweet, who removed from Ohio to Baldwin, Kans., had three sons who entered the Meth- odist Episcopal ministry, and one of these, WV. H. Sweet, officiated as presiding elder of the Solma district for many years. Through the Civil war James Hair served as a member of the Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry. At the bat- tle of Shiloh he was seriously wounded and
Peter To. Strach
375
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
on regaining his strength returned to the front as a member of the Seventieth Ohio Infantry, in which he continued until the close of the conflict. In 1866 he became a pioneer of Otoe county, Neb., where he bought a tract of raw land three miles from Syracuse, and there the balance of his life was passed in agricultural labors. His wife is now making Grants Pass her home. Of her four sons and two daugh- ters all are living but one daughter and all but the second son, W. F., who is a merchant at Unadilla, Neb., reside in Oregon. J. E. and J. B. live in Josephine county, where they are engaged respectively in the lumber busi- ness and farming. The daughter, Anna, is the wife of Dr. Findley, of Grants Pass.
When eleven years of age W. M. Hair ac- companied the other members of the family to Nebraska and settled on a farm, where he gained a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits while still a mere boy. After com- pleting the studies of the district schools he studied in the Per" Normal and for a year had the advantage of study in the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. On leaving school he bought a farm near Unadilla and engaged in bringing its one hundred and sixty acres under cultivation. On selling out he bought other farm land and in this way improved a number of estates. While in Nebraska he inade a specialty of raising full-blood Short- horn cattle, of which he had the largest herd in his county, including among them a num- ber of imported bulls. When he disposed of his interests in Nebraska he came to Oregon and settled in Grants Pass, where he is now an influential citizen, an active worker on the board of trade and a member of its executive committee. Politically he is a believer in the principles of the Prohibition party and in re- ligion is identified with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, of whose official board he is an active member. Near Unadilla, Neb., he mar- ried Miss Sue West, who was born in Ohio and by whom he has one child, Zelle. Mrs. Hair is a daughter of Major W. W. West, who during the Civil war held the rank of major in the Seventieth Ohio Infantry, and later re- moved to Nebraska, where he became a most extensive and influential stockman.
PETER McINTOSH stands prominent among the thriving and prosperous business men of the city of Tillamook. The son of a farmer, he early became familiar with the various branches of agriculture, paying especial attention to dairying, in course of time developing into a noted maker of butter and cheese.
Locating in Tillamook in 1894, he began the
manufacture of cheese. He has since so en- larged his operations that he has acquired, either by purchase or erection, eight cheese factories that are now in good running order. His pro- ductions are known throughout the northwest, and are of such quality and quantity that he well deserves the title of "Cheese King of the Coast" that is frequently bestowed upon him.
A native of Canada, he was born May 5, 1861, in Carleton county, Ontario. Duncan McIn- tosh, his father, was born March 2, 1826, in Glengarry county, Ontario. His grandfather, Donald G. McIntosh, was born in 1792, and his great-grandfather, Gilbert McIntosh, was born in 1743, in Perthshire, the highlands of Scotland. Both served in the army, the former as colonel, and the latter as a commissioned of- ficer. In 1765 he came to America and fought with the British army during the Revolutionary war, taking part in most of the principal battles, such as Brandywine, Bunker Hill, etc., fighting under General Cornwallis. He then went back to Scotland, and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1800. He received land grants from the crown in Glengarry county, where they spent the remaining years of their lives, the great- grandfather dying in 1831, and Donald G. Mc- Intosh dying in 1876 at a venerable age. In the war of 1812 he took part as colonel, and in the uprising in Canada in 1837 he served as colonel with the Fraser regiment.
Born March 2, 1826, Duncan McIntosh grew to manhood in Glengarry county, being reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1848 he removed to Carleton county, settling on Crown lands, and is still living on the homestead which he has im- proved. He married Martha Porteous, who was born in Dumfries-shire, Scotland, in 1830, and died in Russell county, Ontario, in 1896, aged sixty-six years. Her father, William L. Por- teous, was born in 1793, and emigrated with his family from Scotland to Ontario, dying in 1837, at the ripe age of eighty-three years.
The sixth child in a family of ten children, Peter McIntosh received a common school edu- cation in Carleton county, Ontario, and there learned the trade of a cheese maker, which he followed in his native land for a number of years. Migrating to Washington in 1888, he located first at Tacoma. Looking about for a favorable business opportunity, he leased two cheese factories in Cowlitz county-one at Free- port, and one at Woodland-and was in business there for about five years. Mr. McIntosh is in- terested in the general merchandise store of Mc- Intosh & McNair, and is secretary and treasurer of the Tillamook Lumber Company. He is also interested to some extent in timber lands.
Mr. McIntosh was married at Freeport, Wash., in 1891. to Miss Emily Bogard, who was
376
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
born in Canada in 1868, a daughter of Peter Bogard, a lifelong resident of Canada, and for many years a successful merchant of Chester- ville. Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh are the parents of one son, Donald E., who was born July 19, 1897.
WILLIAM C. HALE is a native born Ore- gonian, born in Linn county, May 19, 1852, and is a son of Milton and Susanna Brown Hale, who reside at Albany. William C. Hale is at present a member of the Oregon legisla- ture, elected on the Republican ticket from Josephine county, in 1902, and was a supporter in the last session of Charles W. Fulton for United States senator. He has served in various capacities of trust in the state of Ore- gon and was six years judge of the first judi- cial district. The judge has been in the active practice of the law since 1890 and has become quite prominent as a vigorous practitioner. He was married to Miss E. A. Langel, daugh- ter of N. Langel of Medford, Ore., on October 29, 1879. Their family consists of two chil- dren, Frank and Jessie Hale.
Milton Hale was the son of William and Sarah Borders Hale, and was born in Ken- ticky, September 6, 1821. He removed to In- diana and married Susanna Brown in 1842. Susanna Brown was the daughter of Isaac and Carrie Kinney Brown, and was born in North Carolina, November 4, 1822. Milton Hale came to Oregon in 1845 and settled on the donation claim in Linn county, where he resided for many years, and after a long life of activity he is now a retired, well-to-do citi- zen of Albany. He was a Whig until the or- ganization of the Republican party, since which time he has been actively allied with the latter party.
Judge Hale has been a resident of Grants Pass for several years past.
A. Y. BARKER. Among the numerous farmers who are identified with the dairy busi- ness of western Oregon is the gentleman above named, who is extensively engaged in stock- raising on a ranch in the vicinity of Oak creek, Douglas county, where he owns seven hun- dred and fifty-seven acres of land.
Mr. Barker was born in Indiana, September 13, 1840, and when a babe of six weeks his parents moved into Ozark county, Mo., and soon afterward to McDonald county, Mo., where they continued to reside until 1859. In the spring of that year Mr. Barker crossed the plains, and was hired to drive a herd of cattle to Sacramento valley, Cal. In the spring of 1860 he located in Douglas county, Ore., and
worked on a ranch for several years. In 1863 he took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, on Oak creek, and lived there four years, subsequently removing to North Umpqua river valley, where he purchased a half interest in the stock farm of Pinkney At- terberg, and the following five years were spent in stock-raising and farming. Mr. Barker then sold his interest to Mr. Atterberg and purchased the ranch which is still his home. He is considered one of the most suc- cessful dairymen and stockmen in that com- munity and his success is due largely to his enterprise and splendid methods.
August 8, 1861, Mr. Barker was joined in matrimony with Mary E. Duncan. Mrs. Barker is a native of Platte county, Mo., born May 3, 1844, and crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852. They have reared a family of six children, viz .: Mary A., wife of W. E. Chap- man ; Rosa I., wife of John Anderson, of Curry county, Ore .; Lee, residing near Drain ; Frances A., wife of P. Martin, of Grants Pass; Ollie, wife of Walter Singleton, of Roseburg ; and Xury, who is still single. Politically, Mr. Barker is a Democrat. By industry and fru- gality he has built up a large and profitable business, the fruits of which he is now en- joying.
FREDERICK BARTOLDUS. A fine representative of the pioneer settlers of Ore- gon, and an important factor in developing the industrial interests of Clatsop county, Fred- erick Bartoldus is recognized as one of the most skilful and successful agriculturists of Astoria, his well managed and finely improved dairy farm lying about four miles south of the city limits. During his long and useful life he has pursued the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a good citizen, advancing the welfare of his community as he had oppor- tunity, and is now living somewhat retired from the activities of business, leaving the care of his ranch to his sons. He was born January I, 1830, in Prussia, Germany, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Joseph and Victoria (Herbold) Bartoldus, both of whom spent their entire lives in their native land, the father dying in 1839, at the age of fifty years, and the mother in 1845, when about sixty years of age.
The youngest child in a family consisting of five sons and one daughter, Frederick Bar- toldus received his early education in the fatherland, and afterward served in the regu- lar army for three years. Emigrating to America in 1855, he settled first in Kentucky, and for a year or more thereafter worked as
377
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a day laborer in Fulton county. Coming by way of the Isthmus to Clatsop county in the fall of 1856, he was identified with the lum- ber industry for some time, working in a saw- mill at Oak Point for four years. In 1860 he went to Kentucky on a visit and owing to the war it was impossible for him to return until 1863. On his return to Oregon he was em- ployed at Westport the following five years. Then for two years he conducted a sawmill seven miles above Vancouver on the Old Hud- son Bay plain. Locating on Youngs river in 1870, Mr. Bartoldus bought his present home farm, lying four miles south of Astoria. The two hundred and seventy acres included in his ranch was then in its primitive wildness, being covered with trees and shrubs. By dint of hard labor he has made substantial improve- ments, and has sixty-five acres in a high state of cultivation. As a general farmer he has been successful, and is now carrying on an extensive and profitable dairy business, milk- ing thirty cows.
In 1872 Mr. Bartoldus married Amelia Shoup, a native of Germany, and into the household thus established six children have been born, four of whom are living: Joseph F., William, Minnie and Charles, all at home. Caroline and Mary, two of the older daugh- ters, are deceased. Taking a genuine interest in local affairs, Mr. Bartoldus has served as road supervisor and school director. In his political views he is independent, voting irre- spective of party prejudice for the best men and measures. He is a member of one of the leading fraternal organizations of Astoria, be- longing to Beaver Lodge, I. O. O. F.
WINSLOW BAYLEY. Too much cannot be said in praise of the earnest and well directed effort which has characterized the career of Winslow Bayley, at present promoting the home- making and industrial well-being of Lakeview as a real estate agent and collector. During many years of his life Mr. Bayley has had to contend with the disadvantage of unsatisfactory health, and being denied the great boon which makes all things possible, his successful struggle is the more worthy and to be commended. Born in White county, Ill., December 23, 1835, this former educator and stock-raiser is the fourth child in a family of fifteen children, eight of whom grew to man and womanhood. His father, Lewis S. Bayley, was born in Maryland, Decem- ber 31, 1808, and his mother, Amelia (Webb) Bayley, was born in the Old Dominion. The pa- ternal family was established in Maryland by Bowdoin Bayley, the grandfather of Winslow, who came from England at an early day, and
who presumably died in the state of his adoption. Lewis S. Bayley was a pioneer of White county, Ill., and died there on his farm at the age of fifty-five years, in 1863, his wife having died in White county in 1845.
Following upon his common school education in White county, Winslow Bayley attended the high-school at Washington Court House, Ohio, for a couple of years, and on August 22, 1861, enlisted in Company G, Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private. Even at this most enthusiastic time, and when animated by the most sincere desire to aid his country in time of need, Mr. Bayley felt the drawback of a not over-strong constitution, and after eight months spent in the hospital after the battle of Fort Donelson, where he fought under General Grant, he was discharged for disability. After the war Mr. Bayley engaged in school-teaching in White county, Ill., and June 30, 1866, he exchanged his duties for similar ones in Henry county, the same state. During this time many bright and inter- esting boys came to his country schools to receive the practical training which was to be the basis of their start in life, and he well remembers J. P. Hand, son of a farmer of Henry county, who has since been elected to the office of chief justice of the supreme court of Illinois. To escape the confinement of school-teaching he occupied him- self for a time with outside work, but later re- sumed teaching, and continued to live in Illinois until locating in Seward county, Neb., in March, 1878. Here he engaged in farming for a time, later settling in Polk county, and remaining there until moving to Oregon November 1, 1884.
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.