Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 57

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 57

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JOSEPH L. SCOTT. During the long pe- riod of Mr. Scott's residence in Oregon he has made Jackson county his home, and since 1879 has owned and occupied a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, formerly known as the James Trimble place, and located five miles north of Woodville. At the time of purchase the land was almost wholly wild, and he has since brought sixty acres under cultivation, and has also home- steaded a claim of eighty acres near the other property. His faith in the desirability of this climate and soil for the fruit industry led him to plant an orchard of five acres. A neat farm- house has been erected for his family, and suit- able buildings have been put up for the storage of machinery and grain and the shelter of stock. The crops raised are used mostly for feed, as stock-raising is his principal industry, and he finds grain can be utilized for the stock more profitably than when sold.

The Scott family were identified with the early history of Kentucky. Mr. Scott's grandfather was a companion of Daniel Boone and General Wayne and was taken prisoner by the Potta- wattomnie Indians in Kentucky. He attained the great age of one hundred and four years, dying in 1857. The father, Joseph Scott, was a native of Kentucky, whence he removed to Missouri and settled among the pioneers of that then un- developed state. With no neighbors, remote from any town, and surrounded by evidences of frontier life, he took up the task of clearing a farm, and out of the wild land evolved a de- sirable homestead. Of his nine children Joseph L. was born in Pike county, Mo., March 7, 1832, and received his education in district schools. In the spring of 1854, ambitious to secure a start in life and believing the Pacific coast region offered greater opportunities than his own state,

he started with ox-teams for California. On ar- riving there he took up farm pursuits in Contra Costa county. During 1858 he returned via the Isthmus to Missouri, where he resumed agricul- tural labors. However, the west had not lost its charm for him. His thoughts, in the midst of daily duties, constantly turned to the far-distant country beyond the desert and the snow-capped mountains. Finally, he resolved to return hither. Accordingly in 1865 he crossed the plains with a mule-team, returning to the locality in Cali- fornia where he had previously resided. Al- though Indians were very troublesome at that time, he made the entire trip unmolested by them and reached his destination in safety. After four years in Contra Costa county he removed to Merced county. On coming from California to Oregon in 1877, Mr. Scott settled in Sams val- ley, Jackson county, but two years later bought and removed to the ranch which he still oc- cupies. Before leaving Missouri he married Miss Agnes Bennett, a native of that state, their wed- ding being solemnized January 22, 1861. Born of their union were seven children, of whom only three sons survive, namely: Mastin, who cultivates land adjoining the old homestead ; Thomas, who is living in Tolo; and George, a resident of Grants Pass. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Presbyterian denomi- nation and take a warm interest in church work, as well as in the various charitable and social projects of their community. Mr. Scott's politi- cal views are in harmony with the platform of the Democratic party, and ever since attaining his majority he has maintained a quiet but deep interest in public affairs and politics. Educa- tional matters also receive his hearty sympathy and co-operation. In this district he has been a member and clerk of the board of school di- rectors, and during his period of service did much to promote the standard of education here and elevate the grade of scholarship.

ISAAC C. QUICK. The dairy farm of Isaac C. Quick is located six and a half miles south- east of Tillamook, and consists of three hundred acres. It has been in the possession of the pres- cnt owner for many years, and in its management and general improvements shows the judgment of a thoughtful and conscientious agriculturist and stock raiser. Mr. Quick's life has been one of toil and more or less conflict with discourag- ing obstacles, yet he has never been known to turn back or allow anything permanently to interfere with his progress. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, April 8, 1832, his family having been established in the Buckeye state by his paternal grandfather in 1812, after his re- moval from his native state of Pennsylvania.

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With this sire came Benjamin Quick, the father of Isaac, who was reared on a Holmes county farm, and in time married Susan Clough, a na- tive daughter of Pennsylvania, who died in the early '8os in Ohio. Benjamin Quick made a fair success of farming, and lived until 1842, his age being sixty-five years.

When ten years of age Isaac C. Quick was left fatherless, and as he was the oldest of the four sons and one daughter in the family, he started out soon afterward to make his own way in the world. As a farm hand he remained in the state of Ohio until 1853, and then moved to Johnson county, Mo., remaining there on different farms until 1854. This year stands out in his life as presenting the greatest promise, for he secured the position of stock driver with a train of emi- grants bound for the coast, and had charge of five hundred loose cattle. The west had long had a fascination for him, and he gladly assumed the burden of caring for the large herd, and ar- rived at the end of his six months' journey with three hundred of the animals intrusted to his care. This was a good showing, considering the losses from disease, alkali water, drowning and Indian appropriation. Mr. Quick stopped first above Stockton, Cal., but soon afterward went to the mines of the Sacramento valley, and met with rather indifferent success. Later he turned his attention to ranching in the southern state, but not realizing his expectations, came to Ore- gon over the mountains with teams, intending to mine on the Frazier river, British Columbia. Before getting that far his courage failed, and at Victoria he turned back and settled in Yamhill county. From August, 1858, until 1863 he worked on different farms in the county, and in May, 1863, married Frances A. Simmons, who was born in Wisconsin April 17, 1847. With his newly wedded wife he located on a rented farm near McMinnville, and two years later, in the fall of 1865, moved to Tillamook county and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land three and a half miles south of Tillamook. Here hc lived and prospered for fifteen years, remov- ing then to a farm on the Nestucca river, and two years later sold his claim near the town of Tillamook. His present place of three hundred acres was purchased after due investigation of the desirable properties in the county, and that his choice was a wise one has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the fortunate owner. Mr. Quick raises a high grade of stock on his farm, and at present is milking thirty-five cows in his dairy. He is independent in his political views, and has served as county commissioner, road supervisor and school director. Fraternally he is a member of Tillamook Lodge No. 57, A. F. & A. M. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Quick, namely : Susan C., born in Yam-

hill county, July 12, 1864, is now the wife of Emanuel Ericson of East Portland; Hester P., born October 31, 1866, in Tillamook county, is the wife of Charles Wells of Tillamook; Dick B., born November 10, 1868, resides in Washing- ton county; Clara F., born July 6, 1870, is the wife of Jasper Buckles, of South Prairie, Tilla- mook county; Deroy C., born December 17, 1872, died in October, 1903; Thomas L., born April 8, 1875, is living in Clatsop county; Wil- liam H., born April 9, 1879, is at home ; Isaac F., born October 22, 1881, lives in Portland; Ivan C., born May 16, 1884, died in 1894; Addie D., born March 16, 1887; Ladd C., born April 22, 1890, and Rosa D., born January 25, 1893, are at home.

DANIEL GILES. The life of Daniel Giles, a well known and honored resident of Myrtle Point, Coos county, has been replete with the incidents characteristic of the pioneer days,-the dangers, hardships and trials of those early times having been experienced by him to an exceptional degree, though he was also endowed with a capacity for pleasure which makes of his recollection today a pleasing link between the past and present. He was born in Bed- ford county, Pa., September 16, 1836, the son of Henry Giles, also a native of that state. The family came originally from England, the grandfather, Henry Giles, having been born in London, and at the age of fourteen years ran away from school in Liverpool, com- ing to the United States, where he served as a drummer boy in the Revolutionary war. In manhood he became a resident of Bedford county, Pa., where he resided near the stream of Bloody Run and earned his livelihood in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1852, at the age of ninety-four years. His son, Henry, became a blacksmith and lived in Penn- sylvania until his death at the age of fifty years. He married Nancy Moore, who was born in London, England, and died in Iowa in 1868, whither she had removed to make her home with her sons. She was the daughter of William Moore, also a native of London, a silk-weaver by trade, who came to the United States in 1817 and located in Bedford county, Pa., where he was engaged in the weaving of cloth. In 1834 he removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he continued at his trade and also engaged in fancy handwork, in which he was very expert. His death occurred there at the age of ninety-one years.

Of the four sons and three daughters born to his parents Daniel Giles was the youngest, and by the death of his father when about

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two years old, he was deprived of many of the advantages which might otherwise have been his. In 1838 his mother removed with her family to Fairfield county, Ohio, and a few years later was again married. Until he was eight years old Daniel Giles remained at home but was then compelled to seek his own live- lihood. For two years he worked for his board and clothes, after which he secured a place which gave him a little money, with which he attended school for three months. With the energy and perseverance characteristic of the pioneer lad he continued to work at whatever his hands found to do, not only caring for him- self but helping his mother as well, until the spring of 1851, when he went to Davis county, Iowa, from which state he set out in the fol- lowing year to become a pioneer of the north- west. This trip is one of the most memorable events in the life of Mr. Giles, for though full of hardships and danger it was also en- joyable, for he traveled in a large train and had many exciting and interesting adventures while en route. Although but sixteen years old he had entered the employ of Leonard Buell for the six-months journey, but on ac- count of cholera breaking out in the train he and his brother-in-law, the latter with his family being also a member of the company, as well as several other families, withdrew from the train and completed the journey alone. When within twenty-two miles of Fos- ter on the old Barlow route they were com- pelled to send Daniel on afoot to get pro- visions and return with them and meet the family the following day, which duty he per- formed courageously. Having been compelled to leave many articles, among them the family Bible, back in the Cascade mountains on ac- count of their team being exhausted, after se- curing a fresh team they traveled again the twenty-five miles to secure the abandoned ar- ticles.

On his arrival in Oregon Mr. Giles located with his brother-in-law on French Prairie, his first work in Oregon being the familiar farm labor which he gave up later to work on a boat called the "Oregon," just completed that year. In the spring of 1853 he set out for the mines at Jacksonville . in the Rogue River valley, and at Corvallis, then known by the name of Marysville, he fell in with a pack- train with which he worked his way to the south, being employed by Thomas Holdman and his father, these two men having a general merchandise store at Jacksonville. They had quite a large train of mules and Mr. Giles learned well the work of packing, which was so remunerative an employment in the early days. Upon his arrival in Jacksonville he de-

cided to continue working for Mr. Holdman, as he knew nothing about mining, and shortly afterward went with his employer to Crescent City, Cal., for a supply of goods to establish another store on Applegate river, at a location about seven miles from Jacksonville. This proved an exciting and interesting trip, taken through a beautiful country rich in vegetable, animal and mineral products, but in several different adventures Mr. Giles came near los- ing his life. The store at Applegate was suc- cessfully established and Mr. Giles remained as clerk for some time. He made friends with many of the Indians, who gave him a warning at the time of the uprising in 1853, which he in turn imparted to Mr. Holdman, who, however, did not credit it, and could not be induced to move the store to Jacksonville until the dan- ger was more evident. On the night of the uprising Mr. Holdman became very ill and Mr. Giles set out for Jacksonville in order to obtain a physician, and while on the way was suddenly surrounded by a company of Indians. His life was spared through the intervention of the chief's son, Charley, with whom he had been very friendly, the two having gone hunting to- gether many times in the days of peace. While parleying a company of soldiers appeared and took the Indians prisoners, and Mr. Giles continued on his way to Jacksonville though warned of the danger by the captain of the company, who told him the town was sur- rounded by Indians. Through pluck and skill he succeeded in his undertaking and reached the town, and though he could not persuade the physician to return with him he secured some medicine and once more set out upon his perilous journey. The return trip was one of extreme danger and tried his courage to the utmost, but it was safely accomplished. A short time afterward Mr. Holdman moved his store to Jacksonville and there sold his pack- train to two men, with whom Mr. Giles en- tered into employment as a packer to go to Scottsburg for a cargo of flour. While on the way he had an exciting experience in search of several of their mules which had wandered from the train, the two men who were sent out becoming separated and lost in the brush and timber, where they were forced to remain throughout the long, dark hours of a cold, rainy night. Morning set them right as to their trail and early in the afternoon they reached the camp. This exposure proved too much for Mr. Giles, for he was attacked with a lameness which prevented his traveling any further, and he was therefore left with a family by the name of Bunton, where he was to re- main until his employers came after another load of produce. On his recovery Mr. Giles

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went to what is now Coos county and again this trip furnished him with reminiseenees for future days. After leaving the employ of the men with whom he had traveled to Empire City Mr. Giles purchased a mining claim near Randolph beach, paying $150. However, he found more profitable employment in whip- sawing lumber in that locality, as there was a great demand for lumber. In partnership with the two men who owned the business he purchased several other claims, only one of them, however, bringing them any returns. Later the three men, one of whom was a sailor, built a boat, the intention being to earry supplies to the mouth of the Coquille river. One trip, however, was enough for Mr. Giles, and not caring for a sea-faring life he left the boat in June, 1854, and struck out for the mines at the head-waters of the Coquille river, where he remained for some time meeting with considerable success. On the approach of win- ter he went north, remaining until 1855 with his brother-in-law and family, who had loeated on Deer Creek, Douglas county. The follow- ing spring he returned to the mines of south- ern Oregon, but found the Indians so hostile that mining operations were exceedingly dan- gerous; in fact, the greater part of the popu- lation of that locality had enlisted as soldiers in the effort to protect the settlers' homes. Mr. Giles also enlisted as a volunteer, serving in Company A, under Capt. Samnel Gordon, and Company H, under Capt. Edward Sheffield. For special services during that war Mr. Giles is now drawing a pension, his courage and self- sacrificing efforts calling forth the eommenda- tion of all who knew him.

In 1855 Mr. Giles purchased a farm of two hundred and twelve acres located on Deer creek, Douglas county, where he remained un- til 1866, becoming a power for good in his com- munity. Helpfully interested in local affairs he served from 1859 to 1866 as deputy sheriff of Douglas county, through the influence of the Republican party, of which he is an ad- herent, and was also elected in 1861 as county assessor. He likewise served as school director and road supervisor: In 1866 he removed from his location in Douglas county, on account of his health, which had suffered from exposure in the Rogue River Indian war, settling two miles south of Myrtle Point, Coos county, upon a ranch of three hundred and sixty-six aeres. Here he remained until February, 1891. when he rented his farm and came into Myrtle Point, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile, his yard occupying eight aeres of land. Through his successful con- duct of this business Mr. Giles has become one of the prominent men of the town in in-

dustrial circles, and as such oceupies an in- fluential position in the development of its resourees. It was largely through his influence that the fine, modern school-building of Myrtle Point was erected, his manufactory furnish- ing the briek as well as that for many other buildings there. In 1903 Mr. Giles disposed of his large raneh which had been his home for so many years, but he still owns a farm of one hundred acres located on the north fork of the Coquille river.

Mr. Giles has been married twiee, the first ceremony being performed October 24, 1861, on South Deer ereek, uniting him with Amer- iea Agnes Braden, who was born in Platte county, Mo., and erossed the plains in 1852. Her death occurred in Coos county in 1878. She was the mother of six children, all of whom are living: John Henry; Samuel Cris- well; Effie May; Susanna Naney ; Julia Ann Rebecca ; and Daisy Bell. December 24, 1881, at Myrtle Point, Mr. Giles was united in mar- riage with Nannie H. Ransom, who was born in Vacaville, Cal., May 28, 1857. Four chil- dren were born to them, namely: Daniel William ; Earl Ransom, deceased; Claud Har- ry ; and Clark Ransom. In his fraternal rela- tions Mr. Giles is identified with the Masons, being a member of Myrtle Lodge No. 78, A. F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of the - Eastern Star. In his religions convictions he belongs to the reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints.

To sum up in brief: The life of Mr. Giles, though in part like that of many of the early pioneers of Oregon, has been remarkable, more through the personality of the man than the character of the events. Not alone endowed with physical courage, he never lost an op- portunity to extend a hand to any whom he found in need, one of his first generous acts being the reseue of a lad from drowning while on the trip across the plains. In his inter- course with the Indians of Oregon he ever displayed a kindly spirit, and their recognition of his gentleness was a remembranee in his hour of danger. Steadfast in his friendships, upright in all his business dealings, generous in self-sacrifice toward the advancement of all that pertained to the general good-sueh a character is that of Daniel Giles, and his name is justly enrolled among those who eounted not the cost of the effort to lay the foundation for a western commonwealth.

WILLIAM H. BRADSHAW. The same courage and determination which prompted Wil- liam H. Bradshaw to enlist as a soldier in the Civil war has been observable all through his life,

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accompanying him from the time when he had scarcely a dollar to his name to the present, when lie represents the vigorous success and sturdy manhood for which the west is famed. In ex- change for years of well directed labor his adopted state has yielded fair and liberal returns, and Jackson county has gained a promoter whose dignity and integrity and practical industry has added to her prestige among the coast counties. Born in Green county, Ky., June 8, 1845, Mr. Bradshaw removed to Clark county, Ill., with his parents when he was seven years old, and four years later settled near Atlanta, Logan county, the same state. Here he grew to manhood on a productive Illinois farm, and not only attended the comnion schools, but had the advantage of training at the Atlanta Seminary.,

From the monotony of farm life to participa- tion in the great battles of the Civil war was a change appreciated only by the farmer boys now living who have similar records, but it was a change which this fifteen-year-old lad courted with all the enthusiasm of a hitherto pent-up na- ture. Enlisting in Company D, Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry at Camp Butler, Springfield, Ill., July 25, 1861, he vividly recalls his first en- counter with the enemy at Fort Donelson. After- ward came the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Altona, and many minor engagements, and then the fa- mous march with Sherman to the sea. For a time his regiment was on guard duty at Rome, Ga., and Mr. Bradshaw was veteranized at Pu- laski, Tenn., January 1, 1864, becoming a member of the same company and regiment. He was dis- charged in July, 1865, and after taking part in the Grand Review at Washington, returned to his home in Illinois. As was the case with all who entered the Civil war as boys and came out as men, the world took on a different aspect, for grim-visaged war broadened the sympathies, taught generosity to those in distress, and so im- pressed with the idea of universal brotherhood, that the soldier must ever possess something of that great quality which makes all men kin.

In the spring of 1866 Mr. Bradshaw took up a homestead in Madison county, Neb., and engaged in stock-raising until coming to Oregon in 1886. Settling on a farm near where he now lives, Mr. Bradshaw married, February 18, 1868, Delilah Allen, of which union there have been born four children : Zadie, the wife of D. W. Stevens on the home ranch: Effie, the wife of Charles Ter- rell, of the vicinity of Brownsboro; Reedie H., living with his father; and Ira L., also on the home ranch. At the present time Mr. Bradshaw owns nine hundred and fifty-one acres of land on the Little Butte creek, thirteen miles northeast of Medford, near Brownsboro, five hundred acres of which are under cultivation. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and it will readily be

seen what an advantage he enjoys in having his children work with him in the management of so large a property, they of course taking an inter- est which could not be expected of an outsider. Mr. Bradshaw surrounds himself with all pos- sible advantages in his country home, and indeed his manner of life offers great contrast to the farmer of other days, whose knowledge was lim- ited to the range within his fences, and who was supposed to lead a lonely and isolated life. A

fine garden and orchard are not the least of the blessings of this model farm, the orchard being especially worthy of mention. It covers twenty acres of land, fifteen acres of which are set out in apples. His residence and outbuildings are modern, his fences in good repair, and the latest in agricultural implements facilitates an extensive and scientific general farming enterprise: Mr. Bradshaw takes deep interest in the development of the county, and is one of its financially strong and substantial men. He is one of the organ- izers, and a director in, the Medford Bank, one of the reliable institutions of the county. Of late years he has voted the Populist ticket, and was elected commissioner of Jackson county in 1892, serving until 1896. He is a man of influence in the community, is honored for his sound judg- ment and practical common sense, and is a leader in educational, material and moral advancement.

JOHN CHARLES CAMPBELL. The an- cestry of J. C. Campbell, of Grants Pass, is traced to Scotland, whence his great-grandfather, Hugh Campbell, crossed the ocean to America and settled in Pennsylvania. During the Revo- lutionary period he showed his loyalty to the country of liis adoption by a meritorious career in the American navy, as an officer on the old Con- stitution. Next in line of descent was Robert Campbell, who for a time engaged in the revenue service, but was mostly occupied as a farmer in Pennsylvania. His son, Robert, Jr., was born in Somerset county, Pa., and for some time fol- lowed the hatter's trade in New York city, and later in Greene county, N. Y., but eventually took up farming. During the latter part of his life he was a resident of Binghamton, N. Y., where he died at eighty-seven years of age. By his marriage to Dorcas Van Loan, a native of Greene county, N. Y .. and a daughter of John P. Van Loan, an extensive farmer, he was brought into identification with one of the old Holland- Dutch families residing in the Hudson river re- gion. In his immediate family there were two sons, John Charles and Walter, the latter of whom is now a contracting mason in Bingham- ton.

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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 57

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