Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 53

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 53

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Mr. Ash took for his wife Miss Ida Harmon, a native of Iowa, the marriage taking place in 1875. Four children were the result of this union, namely : Addison H., Clara F., Ulysses Y. and Martha A.

Mr. Ash is a Republican, and takes quite an active interest in political affairs. He has, in the past, filled various minor offices, among them county commissioner, serving as the latter two years. Fraternally he is a member of Canyon- ville Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Graham Post No. 76, G. A. R. He is just in his prime and has before him many years of usefulness to Douglas county, his state and his country. He is a man who will never disappoint the confident hopes of his friends, either in business, social or political life.

RICHARD L. CANNON is one of the repre- sentative and foremost agriculturists of south- western Oregon, and belongs to a family which had an important part in the transformation of that section from a comparative wilderness to the broad acres of grain fields and the wide-spread- ing meadows of the present day. He has espe- cially assisted in developing Douglas county, and at the present time owns five hundred and ninety acres of choice land thirteen miles east of Rose- burg, having recently purchased two hundred acres. He carries on general farming and stock- raising, and choice specimens of high-grade stock are found on his premises, which prove him to be a man of thrift.

Richard L. Cannon was born in Lincoln county, Mo., near Troy, February 17, 1848, a son of John C. and Mary ( Nichols) Cannon. In 1853 the father, in company with his brother- in-law, John J. Nichols, and others, started across the plains with three yoke of oxen, four cows and one horse. The family consisted of himself, wife and five little ones, the youngest a mere infant. The hardships of a six-months' journey like that can scarcely be realized by the present generation, and many who started never reached the country beyond. In this instance the wife

and baby, whose name was Susan, died, and were buried at the foot of the Blue mountains, on the west side. The remainder of the family pro- cecded across the mountains and the first winter was spent near Salem. In the spring of 1854 the father went to Douglas county and took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres on Oak creek and built a log cabin where, with his four boys, he continued to reside until 1870, when he removed to California. Here his death occurred July 17, 1884. He was a man greatly beloved by all who knew him, and during the Indian war of 1855-56 he served as a volunteer under Captain Gordon.

Richard L. Cannon was but six years old when he arrived with his father and brothers in Oregon, and as soon as he had attained the requisite strength he began working on the ranch with his father, continuing up to his twenty- fourth year. He was the youngest but one of the four boys who were left motherless and solely dependent upon their father. His eldest brother, Isaac, died in 1861. The second son, Ira, re- sides in Modoc county, Cal., having served as district supervisor for two terms, and the young- est brother, Mahlon, is a prosperous rancher of the same state.

April 8, 1873. Mr. Cannon was united in mar- riage with Mary A. Chapman, formerly of Jolinson county, Iowa, and a daughter of George Jefferson Chapman, a pioneer resident of that section. After marriage Mr. Cannon and his wife lived with the latter's father one year, and then took up a homestead claim near the East Umpqua river. This proved to be their home for eight years, when Mr. Cannon purchased a part of his father-in-law's estate, which is his present home. Six children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cannon, viz .: Laura, wife of W. H. Brown, of Dixonville; Mary, wife of Robert Lane, a son of S. R. Lane: Elsie, wife of E. A. Rhoten, of Marion county, Ore .; E. Lee ; Thur- man ; and Edna B. The three youngest still brighten the home with their presence. Fra- ternally Mr. Cannon is a valued member of Lowell Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Roseburg. He is known to be an honest, reliable and pro- gressive citizen, and his prosperity is due mainly to his own industry and to his judicious manage- ment.

R. L. BARTLETT. Through his incum- bency of the office of county clerk Mr. Bartlett has gained a wide acquaintance among the people of Josephine county. A resident of Oregon since 1889, he was born in Blue Earth City, Faribault county, Minn., and is a son of Alfred and Ame- lia M. (Pierce) Bartlett, natives respectively of

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Maine and New York City. During the Civil war his father was one of those who responded to an early call for volunteers. Assigned to Company B, Seventh Minnesota Infantry, he ac- companied his regiment to the front and partici- pated in a number of conflicts on southern battle- fields. He was an early settler of Minnesota, where he cleared a farm from a tract of raw, undeveloped land. In 1889 he brought his family to Oregon and settled in Josephine county, where he engaged in the grocery business until his retirement. His home is in Grants Pass, where also reside his five sons and daughters : R. L., county clerk; V. C. and Mark, who are engineers on the Southern Pacific railroad; Ethel and Clare. The oldest of the family, R. L., was born April 27, 1872, and passed the years of boyhood at Blue Earth, Minn., where he was a pupil in the public schools.

After coming to Oregon Mr. Bartlett com- pleted his education in the Grants Pass high school and the business department of Albany College. On leaving college he became an as- sistant to his father in the latter's store at Grants Pass, remaining with him until his election as county clerk, in 1898, on the Republican ticket. At the expiration of his first term he was re- elected, in 1900, by a majority of two hundred and fifty, and two years later was again elected. He is now serving his third term as clerk, a fact which in itself speaks well for his tact, energy and faithful performance of duty. All elections have come to him from the Republican party, of whose principles he is a stanch supporter. The Board of Trade and other organizations for the benefit of the town have in him an active worker and friend. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees; Woodmen of the World: Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor ; Grants Pass Lodge No. 84, A. F. & A. M .; Reames Chapter No. 28, R. A. M., and Melita Commandery No. 8, K. T.

HON. J. F. BASHOR. In tracing the line- age of J. F. Bashor, the present mayor of Grants Pass, we find that the family came to this coun- try from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, thence going to Virginia and later to Tennessee. His father, M. M. Bashor, a native of Virginia, became a miller in Tennessee and met with grati- fying success until the Civil war came on, with all of its devastating consequences. Failing to recover anything from the ruins of his once prosperous business, he determined to start anew in another section of country. In 1869 he re- moved to Trinidad, Col., where he engaged in the stock business. Ten years later he came to Oregon and settled near Salem, in Marion county, where he conducted a farm. He is now

living retired in Lewiston, Idaho. In religion he is a faithful member of the German Baptist Church, in which he has been ordained to the ministry. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Garst, was born in Virginia and died in Oregon in September, 1902.

Among fourteen children, twelve of whom at- tained mature years and ten are still living, J. F. Bashor is fifth in order of birth, and was born in Jonesboro, Tenn., May 7, 1867. His earliest recollections are of Colorado, whither the family removed in 1869. As a child he gained his pri- mary education in the schools of Trinidad. In 1879 he accompanied his parents to Oregon and settled in Marion county, where he attended school and assisted in the clearing of the farm. When nineteen years of age he began to farm on Salem prairie, where he remained for three years. A later venture was as a worker in the saw-mills at Minto, where he and Mr. Leedy built and for four years operated a mill with a capacity of fifteen thousand feet per day. On selling out in 1889 he began railroading on the Southern Pacific. While engaged as an employe in the freight department at Albany, Ore., he learned telegraphy. In 1896 he was appointed agent and operator at Wolf Creek, and two years later was transferred to Grants Pass, to take charge of the warehouse of the Southern Pacific at this point. Since 1901 he has been freight agent here, a position which he fills with ac- knowledged intelligence and energy.

In Albany, Ore., Mr. Bashor married Miss Ida Leedy, who was born in Linn county, this state, and is a daughter of his former partner. They and their children, Zella, Irvine, Binnie and Mildred, occupy a residence on Fifth street, which Mr. Bashor owns. In national politics he is a Republican. As the nominee of the Labor Union ticket he was elected mayor of Grants Pass in December, 1902, by a fair majority and began the duties of the office in the following January. Since coming to Grants Pass he has been initiated into the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has also identified himself with the Woodmen of the World. With his wife he holds membership in the Baptist Church. Along the line of his chosen occupation he is connected with the Order of Railway Employes and the United Brotherhood of Railway Employes.

PURDY A. WILSON. Of the citizens of Douglas county who have known no other occi- pation than that of farming, and who have had more than ordinary success in the prosecution of that vocation, Purdy A. Wilson surely de- serves special mention. His farm is located near Riddles, Ore., where he carries on agricul- tural pursuits. He was born April 29, 1866.

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on a farm one-half inile south of Riddles, and is a son of William L. Wilson, an extensive cattle dealer.

William L. Wilson was a native of Clay county, Mo., where his parents tilled the soil. When he was a child he lost his mother and some time afterward his father married again. In 1845 the family started to cross the plains with an ox- team and had journeyed some distance, when the father suddenly died, leaving William L. to con- tinue the journey with his step-mother. This he did, and they finally reached Oregon and settled in Washington county, where his step- mother was again married. William L. Wilson lived with his step-parents until 1849, when he went to the mines in California. After a short time he returned to Douglas county, Ore., and took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres about one-half mile south of Rid- dles. Here he resided several years, finally pur- chasing the place on which his son now lives. He was a very prominent man in his locality, filling at various times all the minor offices, and took a great interest in politics, serving one term as county commissioner. He was a mem- ber of the Baptist church and was an active work- er. He was married twice. He was first united with Hulda Mynatt, who died after a brief married life. Mr. Wilson was subsequently joined in marriage with Hattie Haskin, a native of Wisconsin. By this marriage he had seven children, whose names are as follows: Mrs. Ora Harmon, of Riddles, Ore .; Mrs. Jane Wilson, of Scio; Purdy A .; Frank, deceased; Ella, of Pendleton, Ore .; John, and Mrs. Carrie Fish- man. The father of these children died some years ago. The mother has made her home with her children since her husband's death, and is now living at Pendleton, Ore.

Purdy A. Wilson received his education in the district school of his community and remained at home until he was married to Augusta Kimmel, of German nativity, who has made him a worthy helpmeet. After wedlock, Mr. Wilson and his wife began housekeeping near the home farm, and after about a year moved to an adjoining place. There they sojourned for six or seven ycars and finally bought their present farm, which is the east half of the old home farm. Mr. Wilson is the owner of two hundred and thirty- scven acres of fine land, ten acres being de- voted to prunes. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and. needless to say, makes a decided success of it. He makes a specialty of raising Jersey cattle and breeds some of the best in the vicinity. Since locating on his pres- ent property he has instituted many fine im- provements. This worthy couple have five chil- dren. They are William Austin, Alta H., Carl R., Henry Dewey and John V.

Mr. Wilson takes quite an active interest in politics and has filled all the minor offices in his vicinity. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and Women of Wood- craft, being an officer of each lodge. Like his father, he is a member of the Baptist church and is serving as deacon at the present writing. Mr. Wilson is an upright man, a good farmer and a worthy citizen. It is the influence of such men as he that does good in a community. No one is better liked than he and his good wife, and the respect accorded them is thoroughly deserved.

HENRY WILEY. This solid and substan- tial citizen and retired farmer of Douglas county, Ore., has spent nearly his entire life in agricul- tural operations. His age has already gone far beyond that usually allotted to man, as he has passed the octogenarian mark, but still retains much of his natural vigor and the full posses- sion of his faculties. He was born in Pike coun- ty, Ohio, December 13, 1821, and is the son of a farmer who died when Henry was very young. The latter was educated in a private subscription school and remained at home until he had at- tained his majority. Immediately afterward the family moved to Illinois and lived in that state until 1852. Henry then crossed the great plains to the west, meeting with no serious difficulty on the way, and arriving at his destination in a little over five months, a shorter time than was con- sumed by the average emigrant party. Upon reaching Oregon, Mr. Wiley came directly to Douglas county, and took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres, four miles east of Myrtle Creek, which he cultivated and improved until 1901. At the latter date he purchased seven- teen acres adjoining the town of Myrtle Creek and it is there that he now resides. On this farm he has a fine orchard of five or six acres. Mr. Wiley is an extensive land-owner, having in all nine hundred and fifty-four acres, nine hun- dred and thirty-five acres of which are in one body. He carried on general farming and stock- raising with success until his recent retirement.

Mr. Wiley has also given good service to his country as a soldier. During the winter of 1855-6 he served one hundred days in the Rogue River Indian war as a private, in the company com- manded by Captain Latshaw and later by John M. Wallen. He was engaged in several skir- mishes and made a fine record, In 1846 he en- listed in Company I, Fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and for the following year served in the Mexican war, under Col. E. D. Baker. He was present at the capture of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, and at other minor engage- ments, and bore himself like a true soldier in these years of service.

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In 1859 Henry Wiley married Mrs. Patsey A. Milliken, a native of Kentucky, who crossed the plains the same year in which Mr. Wiley came to Oregon. Two children were born to them, namely, Mrs. Kittie Brown, who resides on the old home place, and Mrs. Sarah Smith, who makes her home with her parents. The mother of these children was claimed by death July 12, 1901, at the age of eighty years, three months and twelve days.

Mr. Wiley has always been a man of sound judgment and has exerted a marked influence in the community in which he has resided. He be- came a prosperous eitizen as a result of his thrift and industry. Along social and political lines, he is energetic, and is a man whose opinion is often sought on important questions. Mr. Wiley, although over eighty years old, is an expert with a rifle and can still put to shame many of the younger generation, and has killed considerable game in his time. He is a Democrat, and casts his vote and influence to support that party. Forty years ago he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, which he is now serving as trustee, having served many years as steward in the Myrtle Creek church.

ROBERT PHIPPS. The fertile soil of Douglas county has been brought to its present productive condition by some of the most stir- ring and progressive men of our country. One of the leading spirits in this wondrous agricul- tural development is Robert Phipps, a prominent and enterprising farmer of the town of Dillard. Coming here in pioneer days, he has ever taken an intelligent interest in the welfare and advance- ment of his adopted county, and has willingly contributed his full share towards its develop- ment and progress, being especially identified with its agricultural industries and prosperity. A native of West Chester, Chester county, Pa., he was born May 2, 1829, of English ancestors. His father, who followed the trade of a miller as a young man, was afterwards engaged in the hotel business until his death, at the age of sixty years. Mr. Phipps' mother survived her hus- band, living to the advanced age of eighty years. In his possession Mr. Phipps has an oil painting of one of his uneles, Timothy Mattlack, who was attached to the staff of General Washington as one of his chief aids.

Being left fatherless when but a boy, Robert Phipps began making his own way in the world when quite young, at first working on a farm for his board and clothes. He afterwards learned the tailor's trade, and at the age of nineteen years went to Springfield, Ill., where he remained about three years. Joining a company about starting for Oregon in 1851, he worked his pas-

sage across the plains by driving an ox-team. On reaching this state, Mr. Phipps left the company, going by boat to California, where he followed mining and prospecting for six months. Not successful with the piek and shovel, he then re- turned to Oregon, loeating in Douglas county, on the South Umpqua river, where he followed the blacksmith's trade for two years, working with John Bowen and Robert MeKee. Subse- quently taking up a donation claim of one hun- dred and sixty acres on the South Umpqua river, about twelve miles south of Roseburg, he embarked in agricultural pursuits. Enlisting in 1855 in Company B, Second Oregon Regiment, under command of Captain Buoy, he served for six months, taking part in the principal en- gagements of the Rogue River Indian war. Re- turning to his raneli after being mustered out, he resumed his farming operations, living on it until his marriage, when he bought an adjoining farm, to which he removed. In 1879 Mr. Phipps bought his present farm in Dillard. He has one thousand acres of good land, and is carrying on general farming and stock raising on an ex- tensive scale, making a specialty of breeding and raising Jersey cattle. In politics Mr. Phipps is independent, voting for such men and measures as he thinks most conducive to the public good, irrespective of party prejudices. Although not an office seeker, he has served in various minor public capacities, rendering good service to his fellow-citizens.

Mr. Phipps married first, in 1862, Ellen Willis, who was born in Illinois. She died in 1877, leaving five children, namely : Ethel, residing at Spokane, Wash .; Clair, of Portland, Ore .; Mary; Mrs. Helen Nosler, of California; and Victor, residing on the home farm. Mr. Phipps married second, in 1879, Mrs. Mary (Gage) Flournoy, who was born in Dallas, Polk county, Ore., where her parents were pioneer settlers, having crossed the plains in 1844. Of this union two children have been born, namely: Vera Anna and Lila S.

JOHN L. JONES, who bears the reputation of a practical and honorable business man, has re- cently formed a partnership with his sister-in- law, Mrs. Mary Lindsey, in the millinery busi- ness in Tillamook. When Mr. Jones engaged in the livery business in 1891, he had practically nothing, and the competence which he later pos- sessed was due to his own grit and determina- tion. He was born March 16, 1865, in Trinity county, Cal., where a number of his earlier years were spent. Of an old New England family, he is a son of David and Mary (Cone) Jones, the latter of whom was born at Wagner. Ohio, and died in Mendocino county, Cal., at the age of

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forty-eight. David Jones was born in Peekskill. N. Y., and in 1838 started out upon a whaling career along the Atlantic coast, and up into Arc- tic waters. His was an adventurous life for sev- eral years, for he went on extremely long trips before the end of his nautical experiences, going around the Horn seven times, and around Cape of Good Hope twice. Many times he had mar- vellons escapes from death, but the sailers in which he shipped were always stanch craft, and manned by courageous crews. Sixteen years be- fore the mast engendered a longing for a settled home life, so he came to Corvallis, Ore., bought land, and engaged in the nursery business for some time. In 1863 he located on land near Minersville, Trinity county, Cal., married there, and farmed until moving to Point Arena, Men- docino county, in 1867. This is still his home, although he has retired from farming to the quiet and peace of a well conditioned life.

John L. Jones, the youngest of two sons born to his parents, started out in life equipped with a practical common school education. In 1891 he engaged in a livery business in Tillamook, sold out in 1895, but re-bought in 1896, and again sold out in 1897. He then started a meat market in partnership with M. F. Leach, his half-brother, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. This association was amicably continued four and a half years, when Mr. Leach succeeded to the entire business, and Mr. Jones engaged in farm- ing until 1902.

In California, in 1891, Mr. Jones married Maud Lindsey, who, since coming from her na- tive state of Missouri with her father, Robert Lindsey, lived on the home place at Point Arena. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones the oldest died in infancy : George died at the age of sixteen months; and Lloyd, the only child liv- ing, is five years old. Mr. Jones has lately re- turned from a trip of two months and a half to the old home in Mendocino county, Cal. He is a Republican in political affiliation, and has served as a member of the city council for a couple of terms. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He is just and honor- able in all his dealings, progressive in his tenden- cies, a stanch advocate of education, and is de- voted to his family circle and his many friends.

JOHN DEVLIN. As a boy John Devlin was self-willed and independent, causing dis- may among the elders who had his youthful train- ing in hand. As a man the same determination has been turned to good account, and has re- sulted in his accomplishing the majority of his projects. He earned his first money as a sailor, and today he is drawing a liberal income from a farm of four hundred acres on Applegate creek,

about two hundred and twenty-five acres of which are rich and productive bottom-land. As a rule he cuts three crops of alfalfa during the season, averaging about six tons to the acre, and raises besides large quantities of grain and general farm products. He is an energetic and public-spirited citizen, proud alike of his mother country, and of his adopted land, and is giving to the latter the benefit of the excellent traits of character with which his countrymen are noted as a nation.

In Mountfield, county Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born May 15, 1835, Mr. Devlin lived until his eighth year, when his paternal uncle brought him to the United States in a sailing vessel. He was seven weeks on the water, and after land- ing, lived with his uncle in New York city until he was twelve years old. During this time he was doing a great deal of calculating which did not reach the ears of his relative, and one day he took unceremonious leave, omitting the formality of saying good-bye. The next heard of him he was doing service before the mast on a whaling vessel. During this time Mr. Devlin visited Portland in 1853, sailing up the Columbia river in a sailing vessel. Afterward he embarked on passenger ships whose route lay in the Pacific and Indian oceans, and in time he made two trips from New York to Liverpool, England. Still later he sailed on ships plying between the United States and Cuba, and on one of these trips the vessel was wrecked, all on board being for- tunately saved. Leaving the sea temporarily, Mr. Devlin worked at the shipbuilders trade in New York city for a couple of years, and then shipped in the United States navy as able seaman with Commodore Armstrong. His ship had the honor of taking Mr. Harrison, the first American consul, to Japan, and he afterward visited many ports in the Mikado's realm, touching also at ports in China and India. This trip consumed three years, and in the fall of 1858, after return- ing to New York, he came to San Francisco by way of the Isthmus, remaining two months in the coast city. He then came to Jackson county, Ore., and bought forty acres of land near Ash- land, upon which the state normal school has since been built, and turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. In 1890 he bought his pres- ent ranch nine miles south of Jacksonville, and during the thirteen years of his occupancy has brought it to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Devlin has a pleasant country home, and as is wise and fitting, attributes a large share of his success to the unfailing help and sympathy of his wife. Mrs. Devlin was formerly Annie Murphy. born in the city of Cork, Ireland, and who came to America in 1854. Mary, the oldest daughter of this union, still lives with her parents. Her husband, Miles Cantrell, ex-member of the state legislature. is at present managing the Devlin

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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 53

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