Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 51

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 51

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chased one hundred and sixty acres of land six miles east of Bandon, and he made his home there and in Bandon until 1893, when he bought the place where he now lives. This place con- sists of one hundred and thirty-nine acres and adjoins his first farm. He has improved both of his places, and on his home place has a fine, mod- ern residence and good outbuildings. He carries on general farming and dairying and owns in all about two hundred and ninety-nine acres, about one-half of which is bottom land.

Mr. Danielson was joined in matrimony, Janu- ary 25, 1872, with Elizabeth Thrush, a native of California. They have had nine children, one of whom, Frank D., is dead. The others are as follows: Louisa Smith, of Coos river vicinity ; Rosetta, living at home; John E., of Bandon ; Lillie Davidson, also of Bandon; Tora, Rena, Richard and Christopher, who are still at home. Mr. Danielson is a man who takes little interest in politics, and who is an Independent. He has many excellent traits of character and is a broad- minded and public-spirited citizen.

HENRY YORK. A pioneer of Oregon, and for many years an esteemed resident of Josephine county, the late Henry York was well known throughout the community as an industrious and enterprising farmer, a trustworthy citizen, a kind neighbor and friend, and a loving father and hus- band. He was born March 15, 1833, in Clay county, Ky., and died on the home farm, about thirteen miles south of Grants Pass, November 21, 1902, his death being a cause of general re- gret. His father, Joseph York, a native of Clay county, Ky., removed to Iowa in 1836, and was engaged in farming in Henry county until his death, in 1841. His wife, whose maiden name was Rhoda Morris, was born in Kentucky, and died in Oregon in 1886.

Moving with his parents to Iowa when but three years old, Henry York acquired a limited education in the district schools of Henry county. Following the march of civilization to the western frontier, he crossed the plains with plodding ox- teams in 1852, and after a six months' trip ar- rived in the Willamette valley, Ore. After spending a short time in Linn county he located in Josephine county, and for about nine years thereafter was engaged in prospecting and min- ing. He was an active participator in the Rogue River Indian wars of 1855 and 1856, serving for four months as a private in Capt. Jonathan Ken- ney's company. In 1861 Mr. York settled on Applegate creek, and April 17, 1862, bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, lying thirteen miles south of Grants Pass, on the Applegate river, and at the same time entered forty acres of adjoining land, owning at the time of his death

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two hundred and eighty acres. Laboring indus- triously and intelligently, he improved a good farm, on which he resided until his death, as above mentioned. He was interested in the pub- lic welfare, and was a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.

In 1861, on Williams creek, Josephine county, Mr. York married Sarah E. Slagle, a native of Dade county, Mo., and a daughter of Conard Slagle. Mr. Slagle was born and reared in Ken- tucky, but was later a resident of Tennessee, and then of Dade county, Mo., where he was a tiller of the soil. Crossing the plains with ox-teams in 1852, he located in Lane county, Ore., near Eugene, where he took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he lived five years. Removing to Jackson county in 1857. he was engaged in farming in the vicinity of Applegate until his death, at the age of sixty-six years. He served in the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. York twelve children were born, namely: William B., at home; Martha A., wife of W. J. Russell, of Grants Pass; Ida, wife of John McDonough, of Idaho; Albert S., at home; Joseph S., at home ; Mary Emma, wife of R. Cousins, of Grants Pass; Rhoda Alice, deceased ; Francis Marion, of Lakeview, Ore .; Bertha May, deceased; Harvey, at home; Cora Elizabeth, at home; and Conard Lee, at home.

GEORGE H. DURHAM. A man of scholar- ly tastes and wide information, possessing great strength of character and tenacity of purpose, George H. Durham has acquired an influential position among the leading men of Josephine county as an attorney of ability and skill. Equipped for his profession by natural gifts and by his learning, he has been exceedingly prosper- ous in his career, and is held in high esteem as a public-spirited and progressive citizen. Always active and energetic, the law has not taken all of his time, but for the past ten years he has been interested in business enterprises, and in 1903 removed from Portland to Grants Pass in order that he might have a more close supervision of his mining property of that locality. A son of the late Albert A. Durham, he was born in Springfield, Ill., December 4, 1844. He comes of sturdy New England stock, his paternal grandfather, Ezra Durham, for many years a farmer in New York state, having been born and bred in Massachusetts.

A native of Genesee county, N. Y., Albert A. Durham was there reared and educated. Re- moving to Illinois when a young man, he was en- gaged in flour milling in Springfield for a few years, and while there formed the acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln, who was his attorney. Hav-

ing the ague in Illinois, he came to Oregon in 1847, crossing the plains with ox-teams. Locat- ing in Oregon City, he built a large saw-mill on the Clackamas river, which furnished good water power. Going to California in 1849, he was suc- cessfully engaged in mining for a year. Return- ing home by way of San Francisco, on board the Undine, he was shipwrecked in Shoal Water bay. Soon after his return, he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres on the present site of Oswego, Clackamas county, and improved a farm. He there erected a saw-mill, obtaining the water power from Sucker creek, and operated the mill until 1862. Early in the '5os he em- barked in the export business, and was the first man in Oregon to own vessels engaged in foreign trade, among his sea-craft being the Desde- mona. Selling out his interests in 1862, he re- moved to Washington county, where he resided until his death, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He was quite active in public matters, and served one term in the territorial legislature, represent- ing Washington county. He married Miranda A. White, who was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and is now residing in Portland, Ore., a bright and active woman, bearing with ease and grace her burden of eighty-nine years. Three children blessed their union, namely : George H., the subject of this sketch; Richard L., vice-pres- ident of the Merchants' National Bank of Port- land; and Silas A. died in Portland.

Coming to Oregon when but three years old, George H. Durham acquired his rudimentary ed . nication in the common schools. Entering Wil- lamette University in 1860 he left at the close of the freshman year, and enlisted in Company B, First Oregon Volunteer Cavalry, and served as hospital steward under Capt. F. J. Harding until receiving his honorable discharge, late in 1862, by special order No. 29, which was signed by Gen- eral Wright, commander of the Pacific Coast de- partment. Resuming his studies, Mr. Durham then entered the Pacific University, from which lie was graduated in 1866, with the degree of A. B. Subsequently this university conferred upon him the degree of A. M. Deciding to fit himself for the legal profession, he studied with Judge Lansing Stout, was admitted to the bar in 1869, and began the practice of law in Portland, being at first associated with Charles A. Ball. In 1872 Mr. Durham was elected district attorney, and served two years, when he was succeeded by H. Y. Thompson, who became one of his partners, the other partner being W. L. Hill. The firm of Hill, Durham & Thompson established a large practice, and soon after admitted to partnership Judge Williams and Pierce Mays, the name be- ing changed to Williams, Hill, Durham, Thomp- son & Mays. An, office was opened at The Dalles, and placed in charge of Messrs. Hill and Mays.

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the other members of the firm remaining in Port- land, and eventually separating from The Dalles firm. Subsequently being appointed master in chancery, Mr. Durham withdrew from the firm, and continued in practice alone. Forming a part- nership with William M. Colvig, of Jacksonville, in 1903, Mr. Durham became junior partner of the firm of Colvig & Durham, which has two offices, one in Jacksonville, under the charge of Mr. Colvig, and one in Grants Pass, of which Mr. Durham has charge. While practicing in Portland, Mr. Durham, as a member of the firm of Williams, Durham & Thompson, was con- nected with several cases of more than local im- portance, among others of special note being the case of Benjamin Holliday versus Joseph Holli- day, when his firm gained a victory over their op- ponents assisted by Dolph, Bellinger, Mallory & Simon ; and the celebrated case of the United States, on information of B. F. Dowell, against W. C. Griswold.

A man of financial ability as well as of legal talent, Mr. Durham was one of the organizers of the Commercial National Bank of Portland, and was its attorney until it was merged into the Wells-Fargo Bank. Since 1895 he has had large mining interests in Josephine and Douglas counties, being a shareholder in various mines. He is now president and manager of the Douglas Mining Company, which owns two hundred and forty acres of placer mining property in Douglas county, about fourteen miles southeast of Glen- dale. In order to superintend this property he removed to Grants Pass in 1903.

Mr. Durham married first, in Forest Grove, Ore., Emina Clark, who was born on the Tual- itin plains, Washington county, a daughter of Rev. Harvey Clark, founder of the Pacific Uni- versity. She died in Portland, leaving four children, namely: Nellie, wife of H. G. Platt, of Portland; Mary, wife of F. E. Thayer, of the City of Mexico, Mex .; George C., deputy sheriff in Portland ; and Marjory, living in Portland. Mr. Durham married second Kathleen N. McNeal, a native of Michigan. Fraternally Mr. Durham is a member and past master of Holbrook Lodge No. 30, A. F. & A. M., of Forest Grove ; a mem- ber of Portland Chapter No. 3. R. A. M. ; of Ore- gon Commandery No. I. K. T .; of Al Kader, N. M. S .; is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is now serving as grand master workman of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. Politically he is a sound Republican.

THOMAS S. CORNELIUS. This history of western Oregon would be incomplete indeed if no mention were made in it of the Cornelius family, whose members are so prominent in pub- lic life and are among the most successful men

of their section. The above-named gentleman is a worthy scion of his progenitors, and, at the present writing, is ably filling the office of as- sessor of Clatsop county, Ore. The Cornelius family is of Scotch descent and the great-grand- father of Thomas S. was a native of South Caro- lina, but removed to Kentucky. His son, Ben- jamin, was born there, and in 1812 he married and settled in Missouri. In 1845 he went to the far west and settled in Oregon.

Thomas S. Cornelius is one of a large family of children of the late Col. Thomas R. Cornelius, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this work. His mother was, before her marriage, Florentine Wilks, who descended from a distinguished Vir- ginia family and was herself a native of that state. She was a daughter of Peyton and Anna (Dalles) Wilks. Her father was born in Bed- ford county, Va., July 15, 1791, and was a tan- ner by trade. He served during the war of 1812, and his marriage with Anna Dalles took place in 1815. In 1829 they went to Hendricks county, Ind., where Mr. Wilks cleared and improved a farm and became a tiller of the soil. Ten years later they went further west, settling in Mis- souri, where they lived until 1845, and then went west to Oregon. The trip overland was a mem- orable one. They traveled in Captain Brown's company of eighty-five persons, and their own family consisted of father, mother, six sons and one daughter. One son died on the plains, and the company lost the trail and ran out of food, but finally secured a competent guide and were thus saved. Mr. Wilks engaged in agricultural pursuits and his last years were spent on a farm at Galesereek. He was ninety years old at the time of his death, but his wife died when but thirty-eight years old.

T. S. Cornelius was born on his father's dona- tion claim, five miles north of Cornelius, August 13, 1854. He was reared to farm life and at- tended distriet school, afterward taking an ad- vanced course in the Pacific University, which he attended two years. Leaving school he went to work in his father's store at Cornelius. He subsequently spent one year in California, and the three following years were spent by him in the Klickitat country, Washington Ter., where he was engaged in the stock business. Returning to Cornelius, he re-entered the store, and later turned his attention to farming. He purchased a farm near Cornelius and still owns this tract, which contains two hundred and twenty acres. In 1890 he came to Astoria, which has since been his home, and again entered mercantile life, as a member of the firm of Hay & Cornelius, and a successful business was carried on for three years. Selling his interest, Mr. Cornelius entered the employ of Mr. Scofield, a prosperous merchant of Astoria, and later became bill col-

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lector for the firm of Ross, Higgins & Co. In June, 1902, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of county assessor and was elected by a majority of five hundred votes, tak- ing the oath of office in January, 1903. Since his election he has devoted his entire time to the duties of his office, and from all appearances he is a most capable and efficient man for the place.

Mr. Cornelius was united in marriage with Miss Scofield, an accomplished daughter of Ben- jamin Scofield, of Washington county, Ore. Three children now bless their home, their names being Byron, Louretta and Lovelle. Fra- ternally Mr. Cornelius is allied with the Masonic fraternity, which he joined in Hillsboro. He now affiliates with Temple Lodge No. 7, of Astoria, being one of its most valued members.

JOHN PERDUE. Among the pioneer fam- ilies which took up the burden of existence in Oregon in 1850, none have been associated with more wholesome and practical advancement than that to which William, John and Leonard Per- due belong. The better to understand the in- fluences under which these successful brothers were reared and started upon their respective careers, it is advisable to recapitulate the career of the founder of the name in the west, that John Perdue after whom his second son is named.

For many years the Perdue family was well known in Giles county, W. Va., where it was identified with large land ownership, and with extensive farming interests. Here the elder John Perdue was born in 1817, and contin- tied to live until his marriage with Mary F. Mills, born in Mercer county, Va., in 1822. Removing to another farm with his wife, he made Virginia his home until 1843, in which year he moved overland to Mis- souri, settling at the end of his long journey upon a farm, wild and remote from all evidences of civilization. Here their oldest son, William. was born, and here the father cleared a portion of his land and gained a fair start in general farming. As the years passed his neighborhood was sought by other home-builders, and many there were who yielded to the entrancing ac- counts of wealth and opportunity in the west, and left with their families as early as 1849. However, Mr. Perdue did not dispose of his farm until the spring of 1850, when he invested part of his money in a comfortable outfit for crossing the plains, taking with him furnishings, clothes and provisions with which to start life anew in the far west. About the most important part of his outfit, a large herd of cattle and horses, was stolen by the Indians during the prog- ress of the journey, thus lessening their facili- ties for gaining a foothold in the new home. Mr.

Perdue first settled near Roseburg, Douglas county, but later took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres east of Canyon- ville thirteen miles, where he lived for many years, and upon which he made many improve- ments. In those days he combined farming and school-teaching to some extent, and he was one of the first teachers in his vicinity. Eventually he took up land sixteen miles from Canyonville, on the South Umpqua river, and upon a corner of which the little town of Perdue came into ex- istence. This was the last home of this earnest and successful pioneer, and here himself and wife both died at the age of eighty, and within eleven months of each other. Mr. Perdue took quite an interest in politics, and served as post- master of Perdue for a number of years. His farms were famous for the high-grade horses and cattle which found their way to the mar- kets. and he was an excellent judge of fine stock of all kinds. He equipped his properties with many modern innovations, and was wisely pro- gressive both as to farming and general rela- tions of life. His wife was a member and ac- tive worker in the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and her father, as well as his own, were ministers in that denomination. Mr. Perdue was honored for his uprightness and high moral character, and the old saying that his word was as good as his bond in no way exaggerates his standing in the community. He was personally genial and pleasant to meet, and the many friends attracted by his nobility of character were never known to wander from their allegiance.

The son and namesake of the emigrant Jolin was born on his father's farm near Roseburg. January 28, 1854, and received a practical edu- cation in the public schools. After his marriage with Mecy Tiller, a native daughter whose fam- ily crossed the plains in 1854, he went to house- keeping near Perdue postoffice, and lived there for about eight years. He then purchased his present home of three hundred and twenty acres one and a half miles south of Day's Creek post- office, and has since made all of the improve- ments which give to his property great value and productiveness. He is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising both on his home farm and on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres further up the river. A Republican in politics. Mr. Perdue has filled about all of the minor offices in his neighborhood, and has invariably thrown his influence on the side of good govern- ment, being especially interested in promoting good roads and education. His standing is best indicated by his prominence in the time-honored and noble organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Perdue have eight children, of whom Samuel lives in this

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vicinity ; Mrs. Alfa Catching and Mrs. Dora Catching live in Portland; John W. is a resident of Leavenworth, Wash., and Fred, Edward and Elva live with their parents on the home farın.

D. S. K. BUICK. Possessing strong and in- telligent convictions and good business tact, D. S. K. Buick of Roseburg, is actively identified with the best interests of his city, county and state, and holds a position of prominence among the leading men of the Pacific coast. Energetic, persevering and progressive, he has materially assisted in advancing the agricultural, mercan- tile and intellectual prosperity of Douglas coun- ty, and by his diplomatic ability has rendered his fellow-citizens efficient service as consul to a foreign country. The worthy representative of a long line of honored Scotch ancestry, he was born, April 27, 1827, near Dundee, county For- far, Scotland, which was also the birthplace of his father, William Buick, and the home of his ancestors for more than four centuries. His pa- ternal grandfather. James Buick, continued the business established by his forbears generations before, being a manufacturer and grain mer- chant.

One of a family of twenty-two children, Wil- liam Buick, the youngest child, was born, lived and died in County Forfar. Succeeding to the ancestral occupation, he was a manufacturer near Dundee, and carried on an extensive business as a grain dealer. He married Jane Jaffray, the descendant of an old Scotch family, and she, too, spent her entire life in her native land. Three children were born of their union, namely: D. S. K., the subject of this sketch; Alexander, who emigrated to America when a young man, was assistant engineer on the Grand Trunk Railway, and died several years ago in Canada ; and a daughter that died in Scotland.

Educated at the National School and Red Hall Academy, D. S. K. Buick was trained to the vo- cation of the Buick family, early in life being sent to different houses and cities to perfect his knowledge of business. In the first months of 1847 he came to New York City on a visit, and after studying the business ways and methods of this country, he went to Albany, N. Y., as man- ager of a business firm. Enthused by the ex- citement that followed the rumors of the discov- ery of gold in California, he determined to per- sonally test the truth of the stories afloat, but first made a hurried visit to his old home. Leav- ing New York City December 25, 1848, he sailed for Liverpool, going thence to Dundee. In the early spring of 1849 he sailed around the Horn for San Francisco, arriving at the Golden Gate in September, having been six months on the

water. Going direct to Calaveras county, Mr. Buick, with four companions, formed a company, and there, and in Tuolumne county, was exten- sively engaged in mining operations. In the fall of 1850 he bought the first steam engine used in mining on the Pacific coast, setting it up at Murphy's camp. He was also engaged in the mercantile business while there, being interested in a large and well known firm.

Returning to San Francisco in 1851, Mr. Buick was engaged in mercantile pursuits in that city for three years, in those early days of 'Frisco having many exciting adventures and experi- ences. Going thence to San Jose, he bought a tract of land, and was there employed as a farmer and a merchant for a number of years. Coming to Oregon in 1872, he bought a farın near Ashland, Jackson county, but not liking the situation, there being no railways in the vicinity, he removed to Douglas county in 1876. Pur- chasing a farm at Myrtle Creek, he carried on general farming most successfully until 1884, when he located at Roseburg, where he has since resided. Purchasing the Roseburg Plaindealer, he edited it for two years, selling out his inter- est in the paper in 1895. During this time he also dealt in real estate, establishing an extensive business in this line.

In January, 1891, Mr. Buick was appointed by President Harrison United States consul at Son- neberg, Germany. This country had other con- sulate agents in Germany, under the control of the Sonneberg consulate, one being stationed at Saxe-Meiningen, one at Coburg, and one at Bamberg. The office at Sonneberg was one of official importance, there being but four larger consulates of the United States in the world. Mr. Buick performed the duties devolving upon him with exemplary fidelity, as far as possible pro- tecting and enlarging the foreign commerce of this country. Shortly after the inauguration of President Cleveland, in September, 1893, Mr. Buick was relieved, and after traveling through Europe returned to the United States, arriving in Chicago in season to witness the closing of the Columbian Exposition. Since 1895 he has been actively engaged in the real estate business at his old home in Roseburg.

Mr. Buick married, in San Francisco, Miss Janct Brown, who was born in Dumfries-shire, Scotland, the descendant of an old and promi- nent family. Nine children have blessed their union, namely : John, who died in San Francis- co; Edmund Arthur, who died in Douglas county, in the twenty-sixth year of his age; John Hastings, a prominent contractor, residing near Redding, Cal. ; William Alexander, general man- ager of a large plantation on one of the Hawai- ian Islands; Walter Carrick, a stockman at Sil- ver Lake, Ore .; Charles D., of California ;

J.J. Schroeder

Mary Berry Schroeder

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James, who was burned in the Silver Lake Hall fire; N. Jane; and Marian Kate, agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company, and operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company, at Rose- burg.

Fraternally Mr. Buick is one of the foremost Odd Fellows of the Pacific coast. He is a mem- ber, and past officer, of San Jose Lodge, I. O. O. F., also belongs to the Grand Lodge, and has been a member of the Grand Encampment of Oregon since 1872. In 1885 he served as grand patriarch of Oregon and British Columbia, and during his occupancy of this chair the lodges were separated. He organized three encamp- ments in British Columbia, and granted dispen- sation for the first canton in Oregon. He also served as president of the building association that built the Odd Fellows' Hall and Opera House at Roseburg. He likewise belongs to Roseburg Lodge, B. P. O. E., being a charter member. For a number of years Mr. Buick was president of the Roseburg board of trade, of which he is now an honorary member. He was formerly president of the District Agri- cultural Society; was the first president of the Douglas County Agricultural Society; and for eight years was a member and one year president of the State Board of Agriculture, resigning the position when he went to Germany as consul. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and an ex- member of the state central committee. He be- longs to the Presbyterian Church, in which he has held all the offices.

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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 51

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