Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 59

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 59

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Immediately forming a partnership with E. Papmahl, Mr. Hahn embarked in the brew- ery business in Astoria, continuing in that occupation until 1883. Embarking in business as a shoe-dealer in 1885, Mr. Hahn continued in this line up to September 1, 1903, meeting with success in his operations. Although he has had a checkered career in life, meeting with reverses and disappointments, he has al- ways been honest and upright, and is known to the business world as a straightforward, honorable man, true as steel. In 1889 Mr. Hahn made a trip to the fatherland, visiting the scenes of his childhood, and while on the journey had the advantage of having personal letters from Hon. James G. Blaine, then secre- tary of state, and from United States Senator John H. Mitchell, to present to prominent of- ficials in different European cities.

A sound Republican in his political views. Mr. Hahn has been elected to public offices of importance, and has ever performed the duties devolving upon him in an official capacity with a tact and discrimination that has secured

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him universal esteem and respect. Elected councilman in 1877, he served faithfully for three years. In 1880 he was elected mayor of Astoria for a term of two years, and during that time occurred the disastrous fire, which destroyed the town. Riots ensued, becoming so violent that it was necessary to have a vigil- ance committee organized. In 1888 Mr. Hahn was a representative to the state legislature, where he helped elect J. N. Dolph as United States senator, and was also chairman of the committee on fisheries. Through his efforts, mainly, the Portland water bill, praying that $1,500,000 be exempted from taxation for a period of thirty years, was defeated in that session ; and for that reason, probably, he was not honored with a renomination the fol- lowing term. In 1892 he was elected police commissioner, and served four years, three years of the time being president of the board. In 1900 Mr. Hahn was a candidate for the legislature on the Citizens' ticket, and was elected by a good majority. During the twen- ty-first biennial session of the legislature he was a member of the committee on fisheries, and was successful in getting the fishery bill through the house, creating Bill No. 219. Re- elected on the Citizens' ticket in 1902, Mr. Hahn served in the twenty-second biennial session, and from first to last cast his vote in favor of Charles W. Fulton as United States senator.' He again served on the committee on fisheries, his former experience making it possible for him to do a great deal for one of the greatest industries of the state.

In Astoria, Mr. Hahn married Lena Altha- ber, who was born in Prussia, and came to Astoria, Ore., with her father, A. Althaber, in 1872. Fraternally Mr. Hahn is a member and past noble grand of the Astoria lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past officer of the Encampment. He is secretary and treasurer of the Odd Fellows Land and Building Association, a position that he has filled since its organization. He is also a member and vice-president of the Commer- cial Club, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. Generously interested in everything affecting the public weal, Mr. Hahn has ex- erted a marked influence in city and county.

BENJAMIN HENRY HATHAWAY. A soldier in the Civil war, and for many years one of the most industrious and thorough- going farmers of Tillamook county, Benjamin II. Hathaway has had a long and busy career, and is now living retired from active pursuits in the city of Tillamook. A self-made man

in the fullest sense implied by the term, his life record well illustrates the virtue of pa- triotism, and shows the success to be attained by honest industry and prudent thrift. A na- tive of Lewis county, N. Y., he was born May 5, 1831, a son of Isaac Hathaway. His pa- ternal grandfather, Henry Hathaway, a native of England, emigrated to the United States in colonial days with two of his brothers, and all three served in the Revolutionary war. Henry subsequently settled in Herkimer coun- ty, N. Y., where he became an extensive land- holder, and a successful speculator. While in Albany, N. Y., on business, he died at the home of one of his brothers.

Born and reared in Herkimer county, N. Y., Isaac Hathaway selected farming as his life occupation. Removing to Lewis county, N. Y., he bought land, and was there engaged in tilling the soil until his death. He was a man of unquestioned integrity, and a Quaker in his religion. He married Rebecca Higby, a life-long resident of Lewis county, N. Y., a daughter of Benjamin Higby. Mr. Higby was born in Connecticut, and served in the war of 1812. Becoming a pioneer of Lewis county, he cleared and improved a good home- stead, and there spent his remaining years, an honored and prosperous farmer.

The oldest of a family consisting of three boys and five girls, Benjamin Henry Hath- away received an exceedingly limited educa- tion in the district school. At the age of seven years he was put to work on the farm, driving oxen, and at the age of nine years was doing a man's labor. He was exceptionally dexter- ous with the hoe, and won a great reputation as a cultivator of potatoes. At the age of eighteen years, he began farming on his own account, buying a small tract of land. Hop- ing to materially improve his condition in a newer country, he migrated to Wisconsin, lo- cating in Oshkosh, where he worked for a ycar to pay for a piece of land in Waupaca county. Removing to Minnesota in 1853, he preempted land in Freeborn county, and there improved a homestead. With true patriotic zeal, he enlisted in 1861 in the Fourth Minne- sota Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years or more, his regiment forming a part of the first brigade of the Seventeenth Division. He took an active part in thirty-two engage- ments, including battles and skirmishes, as- sisting in driving the enemy from Champion Hills, being present at the siege of Vicksburg, and following Sherman on his march to the sea. At Savannah, Ga., in 1864, he received his honorable discharge, and immediately returned to his home in Minnesota. Again following the path of civilization westward, he removed

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to California in 1868, and resided there two years. Coming to Oregon in 1870, Mr. Hath- away took up one hundred and sixty acres of land lying three miles north of the city of Tillamook, and by dint of untiring labor and skill improved a fine and productive farm, on which he lived for three decades. Renting his ranch in 1900, he has since resided in the city, where he owns a residence and three de- sirable town lots. During his life in Tillamook county, Mr. Hathaway has had a varied ex- perience, and surmounted many difficulties. Coming here with but $5 in his pocket, his wife ill, and but one hundred pounds of flour to last until spring, he had seemingly sufficient reason for being discouraged. With character- istic bravery and enterprise, however, he cheer- fully set to work to remedy matters, and be- fore many years had passed fortune smiled upon him, so that now through his own ex- ertions he is spending these later years of his life in comfort and contentment.

Mr. Hathaway married first, in Lewis coun- ty, N. Y., Nancy Smith, who died in Tilla- mook, Ore. Of the two children born of their union, one, a daughter, died in infancy, and the other child, John Henry, lives on the home farm. Mr. Hathaway married for his second wife, in Tillamook, Mrs. Rowena (Trobridge) Wilson, who was born in Ohio, the daughter of David Trobridge, a native of Vermont, and one of the pioneer farmers of Ohio. Mrs. Hathaway's first husband, John C. Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, was killed in the Union army, in 1862, near Corinth, Miss., and she subsequently came to Oregon with her son, John C. Wilson, who is engaged in general farming near Tillamook. Politically Mr. Hath- away is a zealous advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and has served as school director and as road supervisor. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Blue Lodge, No. 57, of Tillamook, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public. He belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which he is a trustee.

YELVERTON MATSON LOWE. To the noble and competent man the right to rest from his labors comes only when he has earned it. He likes to feel that he has taken his place and fulfilled the mission for which he was created, and should illness or other catastrophe interfere with the consummation of his plans he feels de- prived of his rightful inheritance. This is es- pecially true of the agriculturist, who is of all men the most loath to lay down his implements and retire from the ceaseless activity which has

filled his days. To this conscientious class of men belongs Yelverton Matson Lowe, who came to Bandon in 1885, and has since been one of its retired, but nevertheless prominent citizens.

Mr. Lowe was born in Baltimore county, Md., June 30, 1826, and is the fourth child in his father's family. Until his twenty-second year he was reared on the paternal farm near Reisters- town, and then removed to St. Louis, in the fall making his way to Hannibal, Mo. This pre- liminary moving was in anticipation of crossing the plains, and he desired to be in touch with the emigrant trains which bade adieu to civiliza- tion at the Missouri river. In the spring of 1849 he crossed the plains in the general excite- ment of that year, working his way as a driver and general helper, and reaching his destination in California without special incident to mar the progress of his journey. During the first winter he mined in Sacramento and Eldorado counties and around Hangtown, now Placerville, and though moderately successful found the years all too long, and looked forward to coming north to Oregon in the spring of 1857. Locating at Port Orford, he came to the Coquille river in 1858, and at the mouth of Beaver Slough took up a homestead of three hundred and twelve acres, where he lived for twenty-four years. He accomplished all that an energetic pioneer can with crude and timbered land, finally placing it under a high state of cultivation, and extensive- ly raising stock and general produce.

The Beaver Slough farm became known far and wide in the county, and the owner present- ed many claims to recognition in his character and general attainments. There was need of men of his calibre in the neighborhood, for sta- bility was lacking, as well as law and order. He served as postmaster four years, and as jus- tice of the peace for many years, and took a prominent part in the deliberations of the po- litical caucuses. In tinie he started what was known as the Half-Way House, a tavern for the accommodation of travelers who found the dis- tances long and the farms far apart. Taken all in all he was unusually successful from a finan- cial standpoint, his standing in the community being such as to command the respect and good will of all who knew him.

In 1882 Mr. Lowe disposed of his farm and bought other property adjoining it, and about 1885 bought town property and built his present residence. He owns seven or eight lots in Ban- con, and three houses, deriving a comfortable in- come from his land possessions. He has taken no particular interest in Democratic politics since coming to town, but he is generous in his con- tributions to worthy causes, and keeps well abreast of current events at home and abroad.

P Evafor

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He was married, in Eldorado county, Cal., May 28, 1857, to Mary Slayback, who was born in Ohio and reared in Montgomery county, III. They are the parents of four children: Viola, wife of Ralph H. Rosa of Coos county; Flor- ence, wife of Charles H. Clough of Washing- ton; Thomas C., of San Diego, Cal .; Clarence Y., a druggist of Bandon, Ore.

PLINN COOPER. Owning and occupying a well-improved farm lying about seven and one- half miles southeast of Roseburg, Plinn Cooper is numbered among the influential and progres- sive agriculturists that have built up valuable homesteads in Douglas county. Although he was recently unfortunate enough to lose his dwelling house by fire, he has a fine set of barns and outbuildings, which, with their surroundings, are highly creditable to him, indicating him to be a man of thrift and industry, who has availed himself of the most approved methods of carry- ing on farming and stock-raising, industries in which he has been eminently successful. Inter- ested in all things pertaining to the welfare of the people, Mr. Cooper was largely instrumental in establishing in Douglas county the first Rural Free Mail Delivery route, an enterprise of ines- timable value to the community. A native of Es- sex county, N. Y., he was born December 19, 1836. His father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1854, while in the prime of a vigorous man- hood.

One of a family of eight children, Plinn Cooper acquired a common school education, remaining on the home farm until attaining his majority. Then, imbued by the restless American spirit of ambition and adventure, he came by way of the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific coast, landing in San Francisco, and going from there to Cres- cent City, Cal. Not finding satisfactory em- ployment there, he walked to Josephine county, Ore., where he followed mining and prospecting for a year. Coming then to Douglas county, Mr. Cooper took up a pre-emption claim about twelve miles southeast of Roseburg, and, erecting a saw- mill, remained there a year or two. Marrying soon after, he rented a ranch not far from his present home, and embarked in agricultural pur- suits. Industrious and economical, he saved some money, which he subsequently invested in land, buying the Rev. T. B. Sanderson donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, which are in- cluded in his present homestead. Continuing in his independent calling, Mr. Cooper made im- provements of value, and, as opportunity oc- curred, added to his landed possessions, having now an extensive ranch of fourteen hundred

and fifty acres, eleven hundred of that amount being in the home place. In addition to general farming, he makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping, principally, Durham cattle, which he considers best for all purposes. Without any ex- ception Mr. Cooper is the owner of as fine a ranch as can be found in any part of Douglas county. He has forty acres devoted to the cul- ture of fruit, and in the season of 1903 he dried nearly fifty-four thousand pounds of prunes. On his ranch is a limestone quarry which he has developed to a considerable extent, furnishing its product for the erection of the State Capitol and the University of Oregon. The quarries produce a good quality of lime, known as Excelsior, which is now being developed more extensively by Port- land parties, who have bonded the property with a view to erecting extensive kilns. There is also evidence of iron ore on his ranch which shows thirty per cent iron on the surface. An abund- ance. of grey building stone is also found on the place which can be easily utilized for building purposes. The burning of his large, modern dwelling house was a serious loss to him, but in the summer of 1903 he rebuilt a modern eleven room house.

In 1860 Mr. Cooper married Hannah E. Kel- ley, who was born in Canada, but was reared in Connecticut. They became the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, namely: El- nora, at home; Mrs. Mary E. Mynatt, of Doug- las county ; Edgar, of Douglas county ; Lorinda, living at home; Miner M., at home; Mrs. Addie Wymer, of Post, Ore .; and Hattie, living at home. While Mr. Cooper has led a busy life he has taken a deep interest in education and has given his children every advantage af- forded to secure a good education, of which he himself was deprived. Two of his daughters are graduates from Drain Normal School, while other members of the family are graduates of Mt. Angel College, Salem Business College and the State Agricultural College. In politics Mr. Cooper is independent, voting with the courage of his convictions for the men and measures he deems best. He represented Douglas county in the state legislature in 1893 and was the father of the wagon road bill. He was also a candidate for sheriff of Douglas county and was defeated by only twelve votes. In Masonic circles he is quite prominent, being a member of lodge and chapter, and belongs to the Baptist Church. He comes of sound patriotic stock, his maternal grandfather, whose surname was Miller, having served as a soldier in the war of 1812, being captain of a company of militia. Since coming to Oregon to reside Mr. Cooper has visited his old home in New York twice, once in 1879, leaving Oregon in April and returning in June; and

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again in 1891. The latter trip was made by the southern route and on the way he visited Los Angeles, Cal., New Orleans, La., Nashville, Tenn., Louisville, Ky., and Memphis, Tenn. On his last trip to the east Mr. Cooper was accom- panied as far as Washington, D. C., by the Hon. Binger Hermann.

LEONARD L. PERDUE. The present ef - ficient postmaster of Perdue, Leonard L. Perdue, has been a life-long resident of Douglas coun- ty, his birth having occurred here in 1858. A sketch of his father, John Perdue, will be found elsewhere in this volume. It was the good fortune of Leonard L. Perdue to receive good educational advantages, his first insight into the realm of books being received in the district schools in the vicinity of his father's homestead. This early training was supplement- ed by a course in the business college at Port- land, after which he returned home, remaining there until his marriage, this event occurring September 1, 1900, and uniting him with Miss Winnie Ranville, a native of Washington. Im- mediately after their marriage the young people went to housekeeping on a part of the old Perdue homestead, in the village of that name, and here they have remained contentedly ever since.

Mr. Perdue lias prospered in his undertakings and has accumulated considerable land, his pos- sessions at this writing aggregating one thou- sand acres. As a general farmer and stock-raiser Mr. Perdue has displayed considerable enterprise and forethought, and in the latter department of agriculture has been especially successful. General merchandising has claimed his attention to some extent, and he has recently erected a large store building in which to carry on the latter line of industry. Without exception, what- ever Mr. Perdue has undertaken thus far in life has met with success, as he is a man of ability and throws his whole heart and soul into every line of work he undertakes, and this naturally accounts for his success in the office of post- inaster.

In politics Mr. Perdue is independent, voting for the man who in his opinion is best qualified to fill the position, irrespective of party name. His ability to serve in public offices has been made manifest at different times by his fellow- citizens clecting him to positions of honor and trust. Fraternally he holds membership in the Odd Fellows. In deportment Mr. Perdue is af- fable and courteous, which, united with honest and industrious habits, has secured him the re- spect and confidence of the people of his vicinity, where he is known as a man of high moral char-

acter. Mr. and Mrs. Perdue are the parents of one child, to whom they have given the name of Dorothy May.

ROBERT COWAN. The Cowan family for many years past has been connected with all the important business projects in the vicinity of Yoncalla, Ore., and when Robert Cowan first lo- cated there, but one other white settler was to be found in that locality, and that was Levi Scott. Mr. Cowan was born in Scotland in August, 1822, and when nineteen years old he left his na- tive country for a home in "free" America. He located for a time in Clay county, Mo., near Lib- crtv, and worked at the tanner's trade. In 1844 he was united in marriage with Caroline Jones, who was born and reared in Missouri. In 1847 they crossed overland to Oregon with ox-teams, starting May I, and reaching Salem, Ore., Sep- tember 25. The same fall they settled for the win- ter in Polk county and in 1848 they came to Douglas county and took up donation claims near the present site of Yoncalla. At that time Levi Scott was the only white man located there. Upon this land Mr. Cowan spent the remainder of his life, and his death took place in 1865. The original donation claims taken up by him and his wife have never passed out of the family, but re- main intact. This land consists of six hundred and forty acres, and is located about two miles southeast of Yoncalla.

When Mr. Cowan crossed the plains, his family consisted of himself, wife and two children. Another child, James, was born in 1849, and he was the first white child born in Douglas county, and now resides at Drain, Ore. Mr. Cowan was a prominent figure among the early pioneers, and his career was an unusually successful one. His widow and ten children survive him.

WILLIAM L. DYSINGER. The develop- ment of the lumber sections of western Oregon heads the industries of the state, and the planing- mills of that section furnish employment for a large number of her citizens. Among those thus employed is William L. Dysinger, who is the ef- ficient manager of the J. G. Flook Co.'s planing- mills at Roseburg, Ore. Mr. Dysinger has had wide experience in this business, having been as- sociated with various planing-mills throughout that section almost constantly since 1881, the date of his locating in Oregon. He was born near Defiance, Ohio, December 24, 1861, a son of Isaac and Nancy E. (Armstrong) Dysinger. His paternal grandfather was also named Isaac, and he was a native of the Keystone state. Later

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in life, he moved into Ohio and spent the balance of his life on a farm in that state. The father of Mr. Dysinger was also a Pennsylvanian by birth, and after the removal of the family to Ohio, he followed, farming near Defiance, in Defiance county. During the Civil war, he enlisted in an Ohio regiment, and while on duty in the south he fell a victim to the measles and died in 1864.

W. L. Dysinger's mother, whose maiden name was Nancy E. Armstrong, was born near New- ville, De Kalb county, Ind., and was a daughter of Samuel Armstrong a New Englander by birth who for many years followed agricultural pursuits in Ohio. After the death of her hus- band Mrs. Dysinger married a Mr. Pope, and, after removing to Oregon, they resided on a farm forty miles west of Eugene until the death of Mr. Pope. Mrs. Pope later became the wife of Thomas Tabor and resided near Eugene up to the time of her death.

William L. Dysinger was the youngest but one in a family of four children. He has two sisters and one brother, as follows : Martha A., now Mrs. John Pope, a resident of Deadwood, Ore .; Alice O., now Mrs. Elias Rhoads, of Roseburg; and George J., who follows mining in the state of Washington. Mr. Dysinger was eleven years old when his mother married again, but he re- mained at home and attended the district school. When he was fourteen years old, the family re- moved to Allen county, Kans., and located on a farm. After attending school there for one term, he began work on the farm.

In 1881 Mr. Dysinger came west to Oregon, and at once entered the planing-mill of W. H. Abraham, at Eugene. Four months later he went to Long Tom Prairie and worked on a ranch from October, 1881, to May, 1882. Re- turning to Eugene, he again worked in a plan- ing-mill, this time for Mr. Midgely, with whom he remained for several years. In 1885 he was taken in as a partner, and a successful business was carried on until 1888, when his partner sold his interest to Mr. Baker, and the firm then became Dysinger & Baker. Six months later the latter died, and, purchasing his interest, Mr. Dy- singer carried on the business alone for four years. Purchasing the whole plant plunged him in debt, but by hard work he managed to pay the widow the remaining $7.000. Then followed the hard times of 1892, which caused him to fail in business. In May of that year, he closed up his affairs at Eugene and came to Roseburg, having sacrificed all his property, which was valued at $26,500. Out of the wreck, however, he was able to save $725. This amount was promptly loaned to the Kitching Planing Company, which also failed, and he lost the entire amount. This was enough to discourage even the bravest, but Mr. Dysinger met the misfortune bravely, and

with willing hands went to work to restore his fallen fortunes. He still clung to his former bus- iness, and worked for a short time for John Hunter, running his mill on a per cent of the profits. In 1894 he entered J. G. Flook Co.'s mill, at Roseburg, as active partner, receiving one-third of the profits. He has remained a member of that company ever since, being at present manager of the company, which is now incorporated under the laws of the state of Ore- gon.

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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 59

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