Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 71

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 71

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Samuel Schmidt, second, was born in Elsheim, Germany, on the picturesque Rhine, in 1823. At- tending the public schools during the days of his boyhood and youth, he afterward worked on the home farm until twenty years old. Emi- grating to America in 1850, he located in New York city, and soon afterward, with the limited capital of $1.75, he embarked in the retail fish trade. Enlarging his operations, he began eur- ing and smoking fish, in 1864 locating at No. 148-150 West Nineteenth street. The business proved profitable, and he continued it until his death, in 1869. He married Eliza Hose, who was born and bred in Homburg, Hesse-Cassel, Germany. In 1851 she came to the United States to join her brother, Henry Hose, who es- tablished a cooper's shop in New York city in 1844, and afterward brewed the first beer manu- factured in that locality. She bore her husband seven children, five sons and two daughters, and these sons are all members of the firm of S.

Schmidt & Co., namely: Samuel, Frederick, Jacob, Charles and Christian. The sons Samuel and Christian reside in Astoria, while the mother and the other three sons are residents of New York city, and have charge of the firm's New York establishment.

After completing the course of study in the Eighteenth Street Grammar School, Samuel Schmidt, third, began to assist his parents in the curing and smoking of fish, his brothers also helping as soon as they were old enough. On the death of his father, in 1869, he and the other boys, although not one had then entered their teens, assisted their mother in continuing the business so well established, and in the course of a few years greatly enlarged their operations. The firm of S. Schmidt & Co. was incorporated, and after erecting a cold storage plant in New York city carried on a large busi- ness in curing and smoking sturgeon, which were obtained in Delaware bay and the Hudson river. When the fish in that locality became scarce Mr. Schmidt came to the Pacific coast, and found that there were plenty of fish of that kind in the Columbia river, but he had no way of shipping them across the continent to the Atlantic coast. Buying a car load of preserved sturgeon in Chicago in 1886, he realized the ad- vantages of freezing the fish, and the following year, in 1887, the senior member of the firm came to Oregon, and, in company with C. B. Trescott, built a plant, and began shipping the fish east by the carload, having them frozen. Between September, 1887, and April, 1888, five or six carloads were shipped to Chicago and New York. Mr. Schmidt, whose partnership with Mr. Trescott was then dissolved, went to the Fraser river in search of sturgeon, the Col- umbia river being depleted, and for two years was engaged in freezing sturgeon there, and shipping them east, being in company with his brothers. As sturgeon became scarce in that locality, he turned his attention to salmon, being a pioneer in freezing them and sending them to his brothers in New York, who in turn shipped them to Germany, being among the first export- ers of this fish. Since 1896 the firm of S. Schmidt & Co. has carried on an extensive busi- ness in packing salmon and in pickling and cur- ing it. Removing from Portland to Astoria, Mr. Schmidt erected his immense cold storage plant in 1898, and ships large quantities of both canned and pickled salmon to the New York house, which disposes of it in the domestic and foreign markets. The products of this firm are favorably known at home and abroad, and on three occasions the firm has been awarded prem- iums, receiving medals and diplomas at the expo- sition held in Berlin, Germany, in 1880; at the Fish Produce Exposition held in London, Eng-

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land, in 1883 ; and at the Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago, in 1893.

In his political affiliations Mr. Schmidt is a stanch Republican. Socially he belongs to the Irving Club, and to the Astoria Progressive Commercial Club; and fraternally is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

JOHN S. PARSON, M. D. The family represented by Dr. Parson, of Ashland, is of English lineage, but has long been identified with our own country. One of the honored members of the family, Rev. George Parson, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., and upon the completion of the regular collegiate course en- tered the Gettysburg Theological Seminary, an institution conducted under the auspices of the Lutheran denomination. After com- pleting the course he was ordained to the Lutheran ministry. Thereafter his life was devoted to the preaching of the Gospel, his field of labor lying in the central part of Pennsylvania. When the infirmities of ad- vancing years rendered continuance in the ministry inadvisable he retired from the pro- fession, but not until his death (which oc- curred at seventy-nine years) did his interest in the work cease. As his earliest ambitions had been toward ministerial work, so his lat- est thoughts were fixed upon the advancement of Christianity. His wife, Emma, was born in Lycoming county, Pa., and now makes her home at Sunbury, that state. She was a daughter of Benjamin Bear, a native Pennsyl- vanian, of German descent, and by occupation a farmer.

In the family of Rev. George Parson there are four sons and two daughters, all now living. One of the sons, Rev. W. E. Parson, D. D., of Washington, D. C., pastor and builder of the Church of the Reformation, was at one time professor of mathematics in the Imperial College of Tokio. and also enjoyed the distinction of making a tour of the world with Prince Kido of Japan. Dr. John S. Par- son, who was third among the six children, . was born in Muncy, Lycoming county, Pa., May 25. 1850, and spent the years of boyhood in his native town. He was sent to Milton high school and Hanover Academy and spent one year in Pennsylvania College. The study of medicine he prosecuted in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1873 with the degree of M. D. During his stay in Philadelphia he had the ad- vantages offered by St. Mary's hospital.

After engaging in general practice in Penn- sylvania for a short time and later holding the

position of surgeon for the Indiana Block Coal Company near Covington, Ind., in 1880 Dr. Parson came to Oregon and settled at Ashland, where he now conducts a general practice in medicine and surgery and also holds the position of district surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Actively associated with organizations connected with his profes- sion, he was at one time honored with the presidency of the Southern Oregon Medical Association, and is also identified with the State Medical Society and American Medical Association. The only local office which he has thus far consented to hold is that of city health officer. Intensely devoted to his pro- fession, he justly deserves the high standing he has gained as a practitioner, for he has been a constant student of the science of materia medica, a thoughtful reader of medical jour- nals and an earnest advocate of modern meth- ods of acknowledged value. In politics he is a firm Republican and in religion, though not a member of any denomination, is a contrib- utor to the Presbyterian Church, with which his wife is connected. After coming to Ash- land he married Miss Belle Drake, who was born in Jackson county, this state, and they have one son, George Frederick.

W. A. PEARCE. Stock-raising in western Oregon has grown to be among the most suc- cessful vocations. The native grasses are so nutritious that cultivated varieties have not been largely introduced. The wild peavine of the mountains and the bunch grass of the plains are invaluable for forage, and furnish abundant pasturage for live stock. Mr. Pearce has followed stock-raising since his twenty- third year, in Douglas county, Ore., of which he is a native. He was born on his father's donation claim, nine miles east of Roseburg, April 9. 1858. His father, John Pearce, was born in England, and, upon emigrating to the United States, settled for some time in New York. In 1853 he crossed the plains into Ore- gon, and took up a claim in Douglas county. For several years he ran a pack-train from southern Oregon to the mines, and did a suc- cessful business. Later he turned his atten- tion exclusively to his farming interests. He married Martha Liggett, who bore him three children, namely, Melissa, wife of John Mc- Kane; W. A., the subject of this sketch ; and Iona, who is deceased.

W. A. Pearce was educated in the common schools of his native county and grew to man- hood on the old home place. Having attained the age of twenty-three years, he embarked in business for himself by renting a farm

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and engaged in stock-raising. Being fairly sticcessful in this venture, he was soon en- abled to buy a farm in the vicinity of Roberts creek, and here he engaged in the same occu- pation. In 1895 he located upon his present farm about two miles east of Roseburg, and from the first he has been successful. His marriage with Bessie Harvey took place in 1896, and they have, as they deserve, the good will and friendship of the entire community in which they live.

JOHN R. NORRIS. A prominent business man of Ashland, John R. Norris is actively associated with its mercantile progress as a member of the well-known firm of Vaupel, Norris & Drake. He is a man of mark, and of recognized worth as a citizen, his ability and integrity being unquestioned and his character irreproachable. As to his private affairs, he is enterprising and progressive, rarely allowing anything that might improve his business methods to escape his notice. A son of Ralph S. Norris, he was born Septem- ber 6, 1862, in Galena, Ill. He comes of Eng- lish ancestry, his Grandfather Norris having been born and reared in England, afterwards emigrating to the United States, and settling in Maryland.

Born in Maryland, near Baltimore, Ralph S. Norris was there reared and educated. As a young man, he took up his residence in Illinois, and was for some time engaged in mining pursuits in Grant and Jo Daviess coun- ties. Making his home in the latter county, he ran a furnace there for a number of sea- sons. Subsequently buying a farm about three miles from Galena, on Hazel Green, he em- barked in agricultural pursuits, continuing thus employed until his death, in 1887, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was active in the management of public affairs, and for four- teen years served as county clerk of Jo Daviess county, being re-elected to the position six times. He married Phoebe S. Wood, who was born in Alabama, and brought up near Gratiot Grove, Wis., where her father, Jeremiah Wood, was a pioneer school teacher.

The youngest child of the parental house- hold, John R. Norris, spent his earlier years in the vicinity of Galena, Ill., acquiring his rudi- mentary education in the public schools. Sub- sequently being graduated from the academ- ical department of Beloit College, in Wiscon- sin, he entered the college as a pupil, and completed the freshman course of study. The ensuing year he worked on the home farm, assisting his father in its care. In 1883 he

came to Oregon, locating in Ashland, where his sister, Mrs. McLean, was then residing. His first employment in this locality was that of chain bearer for the surveyors in construct- ing the railroad addition to the eastern part of the city. For nine years afterwards Mr. Norris was a clerk for J. M. McCall, in the store which is now a part of his own estab- lishment. In May, 1893, forming a partner- ship with Messrs. Vaupel and Drake, he bought out Mr. McCall, and embarked in busi- ness on his own account as a member of the firm of Vaupel, Norris & Drake. Subse- quently buying out D. R. and E. V. Mills, this firm has built up an extensive and pros- perous business, being the leading merchants of Jackson county. The large, double store occupied by this firm is 40x100 feet, and is well stocked with a choice assortment of gen- eral merchandise.

In Ashland, Mr. Norris married Sarah May Drake, a native of Jacksonville, Ore., where her father, the late M. H. Drake, was a pio- neer settler. Born and reared in Steuben county, N. Y., M. H. Drake came by way of Cape Horn to the Pacific coast in 1852, and for six or more years was engaged in min- ing in California, afterwards being in the stock business in the vicinity of Stockton. Coming to Oregon in 1859, he stopped at first in Portland, remaining there until September of that year, when he settled in Jackson county, taking up land, and engaging in the raising of stock, near Jacksonville. Removing with his family to Ashland in 1873, he resided here until his death, in 1893. He served for a time as county commissioner of Jackson county, and was identified by membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Elizabeth Preator, who was born in Ionc, Cal., of English ancestry, both of her parents having been natives of England. Mrs. Drake survived her husband, and is now living in Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. Drake be- came the parents of five children, namely : Frederick M., junior member of the firm of Vaupel, Norris & Drake : Ida, who died in the seventh year of her age; Belle, wife of J. S. Parson, of Ashland; Sarah May, now Mrs. Norris ; and Ella, wife of George S. Calhoun, of Grants Pass, Ore. A native of Jackson- ville, Ore., Frederick M. Drake was educated in the public schools of Jackson county, and for four years after leaving school was a clerk in his father's store. For seven years there- after, he was a resident of Harney county, Ore., being associated with his father in the cattle business. On retiring from that indns- try he engaged in mercantile pursuits with his present partners, becoming junior member of

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the firm. A stanch Republican in his polit- ical convictions, Mr. Norris is a member, and ex-president, of the Ashland school board. He is also a member, and the vice-president, of the Ashland Board of Trade. He is connected with several fraternal organizations, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Woodmen of the World. Mrs. Norris is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

REV. ROBERT BOOTH. This pioneer Methodist preacher, whose name is inseparably associated with the early history of the denomi- nation in Oregon, was born in Lancashire, Eng- land, August 4, 1820, a son of John and Sarah (Seoweroft) Booth, also of English birth and lineage. His father, who was a manufacturer in his native country, brought the family to America in 1830 and settled in Westchester county, N. Y. Six years later he removed to the west via New Orleans and finally settled in Iowa twelve miles above what later became Keokuk. His death occurred in 1838. Of his eight children who attained mature years Robert was next to the youngest, and was ten years of age when the family crossed the ocean to New York. In August, 1845, he was united in mar- riage, in Henry county, Iowa, with Mary Miner, who was born in Henry county, Ind., September 24, 1826, and in 1840 accompanied her mother to Iowa.

During 1850 Mr. Booth made a trip to the California gold fields crossing the plains with an ox-team and arrived at Hangtown on the 3Ist of July. The oxen made what was fast time for those days and were the first team to ar- rive in California that year. By way of Nic- aragua Mr. Booth returned to his home in De- eember of 1850, but encountered severe storms on the Pacific and many hardships during the balance of the trip, so that he did not reach his destination until March 24, 1851. In April of 1852, accompanied by his family, he again started for the west, taking a large outfit with him. The journey consumed six months. In November of that year he arrived in . Yamhill county, Ore., after a trip filled with hardships. In the fall of 1853 he took up a donation land claim near the Grande Ronde reservation. Two years later he joined the Oregon conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1858 was ordained to preach the gospel, his assign- ments being in Yamhill and Washington coun- ties. In August, 1867, he removed to Wilbur, Douglas county, as pastor of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Three years later he went to Ocheco, Crook county, where he followed the ministry and at the same time engaged in the

stock business. Returning to Douglas county in 1872, he bought a farm near Wilbur and while cultivating his land he preached the gospel when- ever opportunity afforded. During two years of the time he was pastor at Monroe, Benton county, for one year preached regularly at Tur- ner and for a similar period was at Jacksonville. His last pastorate was at Grants Pass, but before the expiration of his first year he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. At this writ- ing he is living retired at Grants Pass. In poli- tics he is a Republican. In June, 1868, he was made a Mason in Loyal Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M., at Roseburg. His first wife died in Rose- burg February 1. 1900, and later, at The Dalles, he was united with Mrs. Mary E. Bushong, a native of Ohio.

By his first marriage Robert Booth had twelve children, the four oldest born in lowa, the next six born in Yamhill county, Ore., and the two youngest in Wilbur, Douglas county. When the devoted mother was buried, ten of the children were present at the funeral service. The eldest, Mrs. Mary Lucinda Tony, of Mitchell, was un- able to be present ; and a son, Rev. G. M. Bootlı, D. D., had started for Chicago to be in attend- ance upon the meeting of an important com- mittee and it was impossible to reach him witil the news of his mother's death until after she had been buried. This son, who was the fourthi of the children, is now a presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church at The Dalles. The ten remaining sons and daughters are as follows : Judge John O., of Grants Pass ; Judge William A., of Prineville, Ore., who is a capitalist and ex-county judge; Mrs. Sarah B. Hoekett, of Grants Pass; Hon. Robert A., manager of the Booth-Kelley Lumber Com- pany at Eugene, Ore .: Ida E., wife of Hon. Edward Belknap, living near Monroe, Ore .; Mrs. Jennie A. Mee, wife of a lumber manufacturer of Hilt, Cal .: Amanda Viola, wife of Z. T. Keyes, a prominent stockman in eastern Oregon; Cora B., Mrs. Singleton, of Hilt, Cal .; Hon. J. H., receiver of the United States land office at Roseburg ; and Mrs. Bertha Peterson, of Hilt, Cal

MARTHA MARZEE COOKSEY. Ad- joining Central Point is a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres occupied by Mrs. Martha Marzee Cooksey, whose sixty years have been erowned by much of success, comfort and joy. Observing and ambitious, Mrs. Cooksey has entered heartily and intelligently into both the pioneer and later undertakings of Jackson county, at the same time fulfilling the prime duty of women in making a delightful home and rearing capable children. Among the

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memories which have gathered for safe keep- ing in her brain and heart none are dearer or more satisfying than those surrounding her husband and father, both of whom were men of highest honor, and devoted allegiance to the demands of citizenship.

Born in the state of Arkansas, March 16, 1843, Mrs. Cooksey is a daughter of John In- gram, whose name is enshrined among the pioneers who helped to make this state great, and whose example has inspired many to lives of usefulness and humanity. For many years John Ingram conducted a stage line, flouring mill and farm in Arkansas, and was known as a prominent and influential man of his section. When his daughter Marzee was nine years old, in 1852, he sold his interests in that state, and prepared to emigrate to the west, outfit- ting with ox-teams, wagons and provisions, and finally reaching Salem, Ore., after a com- paratively pleasant journey. Shortly after- ward he settled on a farm near Eugene, Lane county, and while tilling his land held many important political positions, including that of assessor of Lane county for two terms. Sub- sequently he was elected to the legislature on the Democratic ticket, representing his dis- trict with discretion and entire satisfaction. Possessing excellent business judgment and ability, he was called upon in many important capacities, his counsel and opinion carrying great weight in matters of moment. No mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church was more highly honored or more faithfully served, its interests. Generous to a fault, he gave to all worthy causes, and through his willingness to loan money enabled many an unfortunate to regain his self respect and assume an inde- pendent position. His death at the age of fifty was deeply regretted, the more so be- cause men of his kind have been in the minor- ity. A strange coincidence is that his wife, formerly Lauracie Ann Doggett, a native of Springfield, Ill., lived also to be fifty years old.

Martha Ingram recalls her journey across the plains with much pleasure and more mis- givings, for to her childish mind the dangers were magnified, just as are the joys of youth. She attended the pioneer schools near her father's farm, and was taught to be a good housekeeper, skilled in cooking and sewing and other womanly accomplishments. For her first husband she married Joab Rowe, who was very successful as a stock-raiser in the Willa- mette valley. He crossed the plains in 1852, and died at an early age in Sams valley. In 1880 Mrs. Rowe was united in marriage with George W. Cooksey, a native of Missouri, who came to Oregon with his family in 1853, lo-

cating in the Willamette valley. Soon after the marriage the young people moved to Jack- son county, where Mr. Cooksey engaged in stock-raising near Table Rock, and from where he removed to Humboldt county, Cal., con- tinuing his former occupation with great suc- cess. The next home of the family was in eastern Oregon, near Lakeview, where he owned considerable land, and a large herd of cattle. In 1882 Mr. Cooksey returned to Jack- son county and bought a large ranch near Central Point, where also he raised stock, and met with his usual success until his death. He was thoroughly versed in the stock busi- ness and rarely failed in his yearly expecta- tions of a good market. He left the fine prop- erty now occupied by his widow, and what is better, the legacy of a name against which no word of discredit had ever been launched. He was one of those noblemen whose word carries conviction and sincerity, and with whom his fellowmen found pleasure in doing business. Although a shrewd business man, Mr. Cooksey was fair to an unusual degree, and his competence was won by dealings above board and beyond criticism.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rowe: I. M .; J. L .; Irvilla Ann, deceased ; and Rose U., now the wife of G. G. Bartlett, of Portland. Mrs. Cooksey is a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She is popular and well known in her neighbor- hood, and her home is one where her numer- ous friends find unstinted hospitality and good fellowship.

WILLIAM TAYLOR DEMENT. There are few people who have been more intimately associated with the history of Coos county than the members of the Dement family, one of whose well-known representatives is William T. De- ment, of Myrtle Point. A life-long resident of this vicinity, he maintains a loyal devotion to the land of his birth and is an enthusiastic be- liever in its future importance and prosperity. Personally his attention has been almost wholly given to the stock business, in which industry he shows shrewd judgment and keen foresight. It is his good fortune to be an excellent judge both of cattle and of values, both of which are indispensable requisites to success in the stock business.

At the family homestead, on the south fork of the Coquille river, cight miles south of Myrtle Point, William Taylor Dement was born Novem- ber 17, 1869, being a son of Samuel and Louisa (Lovett) Dement. He was the oldest of their family, which consisted of one daughter and four sons. His father, by a previous marriage,

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had two children, one of whom, Russell Cook Dement, is a resident of Myrtle Point. The his- tory of the family will be found in his sketch presented on another page of this volume. Wil- liam was sent to country schools near his home and there acquired a fair education, afterward graduating from the business course of the Ash- land State Normal School, Ashland, Ore. From an early age he assisted at home and in the field, thus gaining an education of even greater value than that afforded by the study of text-books. His first independent venture was during 1894, when he bought some stock. Little by little his herd increased until now he has four hundred head of cattle, a good sized flock of sheep, the largest flock of registered thoroughbred sheep in the county and twelve horses.

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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 71

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