Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 80

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 80

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Alfred W. Freeberg was three years old when the family came west to Denver, and when old enough he was placed in the public schools, completing the course at the grammar school at the age of thirteen. The same energy and faithfulness which had characterized his student life was observable after becoming an apprentice to the jewelry firm of A. J. Stork & Company, of Denver, with the result that he was rapidly advanced, and gained the confidence and friend- ship of his employers. In time he became a member of the firm of W. A. Freeberg & Son, of Los Angeles, and about this time took a rest from business and spent a year in the mining districts of old Mexico. Arriving in Salt Lake City, he found work at his trade with Joslyn & Park, afterward engaging in mining and prospecting in Baker and Grant counties, eastern Oregon. Returning to Salt Lake City, he worked at his trade for a year, moving then to Red Bluff, Cal., and soon after to Santa Barbara. In 1901 he came to Ashland and purchased his present business, which himself and partner have already enlarged beyond recognition, adding many new and modern improvements. New machinery, refrigerators, and slaughter houses at the foot of Oak street, constitute one of the best equipped enterprises of the kind in this part of Oregon. The trade necessitates two re- tail stores, the headquarters on north Main street, and another store on Fourth street. The

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firm manufacture Red pail lard, an especially fine article, and engaged in a wholesale as well as retail business, shipping their goods all over southern' Oregon and northern California. In the city of San Francisco Mr. Freeberg married Lillian Hart, born in Scott's valley, Siskiyou county, Cal., a step-daughter of J. C. Mitchell, partner of Mr. Freeberg, a large cattle man of Siskiyou county. Mr. Freeberg is genial and popular, obliging and considerate of all with whom he has to deal, and has many stanch friends in and out of the business world. He finds fraternal diversion with the Masons, Odd Fel- lows and the Woodmen of the World.

JOHN H. CHAPMAN. Among those lead- ing citizens who have been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising in Douglas county, Ore., and who have gained a comfortable com- petence thereby, is John H. Chapman, the sub- ject of these lines, who owns a six hundred and twenty acre farm upon which he has lived for the past forty-nine years. This farm is located on the east bank of the Umpqua river, eighteen miles east of Roseburg, and is principally de- voted to stock-raising. Mr. Chapman is a native of Gallia county, Ohio, and was born August 15, 1825, a son of George and Daisy (Napier) Chapman. His parents were both natives of

West Virginia, where their marriage took place. Later they moved into Ohio, where they con - tinued to reside until 1832, and during that year, located in Iowa. They took up government land about seven miles west of Iowa City in John- son county, and spent their remaining years there.

Mr. Chapman was reared on his father's farm in Iowa, where he continued to live until the spring of 1854. He then started to cross the country to Oregon, traveling behind a team of oxen. This method was slow and consumed six monthis, and in the fall they arrived in Douglas county, settling on a donation claim, which is today a part of the farm upon which Mr. Chap- man resides. The original donation claim con- tained three hundred and twenty acres, and has never passed out of Mr. Chapman's hands. He was accompanied across the plains by two brothers, George Jefferson and Addison A .; the former of these settled with John H. near Rose- burg, and the latter took up a claim in the vicin- ity of Canyonville. Another brother, Andrew J., had previously come across in 1853 and set- tled near the present home of John H. Chapman.

Mr. Chapman was joined in marriage with Martha Eells and this union has been blessed with eight children, as follows: Almarien, Mrs. Riddle, of Wyoming; George N., a resident of Washington; E. B., who married N. Bailey and

resides near the home farm; Stephen D., who married Mary Halter, and assists his father with the work of the home farm; Alvina, Mrs. Sin- gleton : Effie, wife of Stephen Shrum; Francis L .; and one child who died in infancy.

Politically Mr. Chapman is a stanch Democrat, and in his religious inclinations is a member of the Baptist Church. He is influential in his township, both from his long residence and from his ability to command respect.

MICHAEL MICKELSON. Among the early pioneers of southern Oregon the name of Michael Mickelson is prominent as that of a man who proved his worth as a citizen by giving the best part of a long and useful life to the upbuilding of a western statehood. Of an earnest and practical nature, inherited characteristics from a Norwegian ancestry, he readily found and worth- ily filled the position which came to be his both in the state wherein he first made his home through his father's emigration and that which he himself sought in mature years, with cheer- fui courage bearing the burdens that fell to his lot. He came to be known and loved for his gentle and kindly nature, and his death, October 5, 1894, at the home of Henry H. Chapman, on Emigrant creek, Ashland precinct, removed a man who had the entire esteem and confidence of the people with whom he had so long been associated.

Mr. Mickelson was born nine miles from Christiana, Norway, May 26, 1831, and with his father's family came to America in 1849, settling at the town of Argyle, Wis., which was then a border state. When he was but seventeen years old his father died and the burden of the family fell upon his young shoulders, the duty of caring for his mother, four sisters, one brother and an adopted sister becoming his. He faith- fully fulfilled the trust, for twenty-three years caring for and supporting his mother, taking the trip back to Wisconsin to bring her to his west- ern home, where her death occurred. In 1854 Mr. Mickelson came across the plains to Oregon and settled in Jacksonville, Jackson county, and a year later came to Aslıland and established the first blacksmith shop of the place, becoming well and favorably known throughout the valley in his capacity of blacksmith as well as silversmith. He prospered in his work and five years after- ward, 1860, he returned to Wisconsin and brought back with him to Ashland his mother, brother and two of his sisters. When the town was still but a village Mr. Mickelson bought thirteen acres of land near the center of the site and built upon it one of the most substan- tial residences of the valley. The house has since been moved to another lot-its old site be-

D. H. Miller.

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ing occupied by the Hotel Oregon-and appa- rently is as solid and substantial as when first built. In the early '7os Mr. Mickelson rented his business property in Ashland and for some years was in the mining camps of northeastern Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Nevada, though he always made Oregon his home.

In addition to being an excellent mechanic Mr. Mickelson had the creative faculty well de- veloped, having invented many useful articles, besides those which he had already patented, hav- ing on hand at the time of his death several in preparation for the patent office department, among which were a truck plow, the second of the kind ever used; a hay scales; a sheep counter and separator; a felloe of a carriage wheel, a miner's lock, and others too numerous to mention. During the Indian wars he was the gunsmith of the valley and so great was his ingenuity in repairing that it was said of him that if the hammer was left he could make the gun. Fraternally he was a charter member of Ashland Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., Siskiyou Chapter No. 21, R. A. M., and a charter member of Jacksonville Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and both he and his wife were members of the Rebekahs.

The marriage of Mr. Mickelson occurred in Ashland October 14, 1890, and united him with Miss Victoria Chapman, for a history of whose family refer to the sketch of Henry H. Chapman, which is found elsewhere in this work.

DAVID HENRY MILLER. The associa- tion of David Henry Miller with Medford be- gan November 28, 1883, at which time there were few indications upon which to base the town's present industrial and commercial su- premacy, and he claims the distinction of being the first white man to take up his residence with- in the town. In 1886 he assisted in the incor- poration of Medford, and since then has lent the aid of an enterprising spirit and capable mind to its development. Especially has he promoted clean municipal government, and as a Democrat has filled many of the important offices of the town. He served as postmaster under Cleve- land's administration for five years, has been a member of the city council three terms, has ac- ceptably served as a member of the county and state central committees, and in June, 1902, was elected to his present responsibil- ity as treasurer of Jackson county. The cause of education has found in Mr. Miller a stanch and untiring advocate, and since help- ing to erect the first school house here, he has sought to bring the standard of instruction up to that of older and more settled communities. No name in the town better represents the earnest

and forceful spirit of the western slope, the striving after all that is strong, satisfying and substantial.

In Jefferson county, Iowa, where he was born May 10, 1850, the name of Miller was identified with a large farming enterprise conducted by his father, Henry A. Miller, a native of Pennsyl- vania. The elder Miller left Pennsylvania at an early day, and after journeying overland to Indiana, erected the first cabin upon the site of Logansport. He afterward lived in Illinois for several years, and upon removing to Jefferson county, Iowa, located on a farm twelve miles north of Fairfield. The year 1875 witnessed the departure of himself and family for Oregon, where he settled in Jacksonville, and made that town his home until his death in July, 1881, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, formerly Nancy A. Sears, of Ohio, lived to be seventy-four years old. The parents reared a family of three sons and four daughters, of whom David Henry is the third youngest.

After his marriage in 1871, to Elmira Brous, David Henry Miller settled on a farm in Marion county, Iowa, remaining there until coming to Oregon in 1875. His wife is a native daughter of Marion county, Iowa, her father, James M. Brous, having been born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Brous removed from his native state to Ohio, and from there to Iowa, eventually coming to Oregon, where he made his home with his son- in-law until his death in January, 1896, at the age of eighty years. Upon coming to Oregon Mr. Miller located in Dallas, Polk county, for a few months, and in 1876 engaged in farming near Jacksonville, Jackson county, owning one hundred and sixty acres of land. Coming to Medford in 1883, he started a drug business the following year, and later increased his stock by a complete hardware supply. In this he was seconded by a partner, Dr. Vrooman, of Jack- sonville, the latter of whom managed the drug department, Mr. Miller taking charge of the hardware. The partners finally established a large and paying business, and after the death of Dr. Vrooman the drug department came under the management of Mr. Strang. This was the first business of the kind in Medford, and its success stimulated trade, and in time inspired the zest of competition. May 11, 1891, the partners divided the business, Mr. Miller still retaining the hardware department, which he has since in- creased, from both the standpoint of quantity and the variety of goods represented. He car- ries a complete line of stoves, ranges, paints, guns and ammunition, tinware and plumbing outfits, his stock being valued at about $6,000.

Mr. Miller is one of the promoters of the Med- ford Business College, incorporated in July,

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1903, and is a member of its board of directors. He is fraternally connected with Medford Blue Lodge No. 103, A. F. & A. M., and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.

HON. REUBEN PATRICK BOISE, con- nected for more years than any other man in the state with the jurisprudence of Oregon, and an important factor in the shaping of her splendid destiny, was born in Blandford, Hampden county, Mass., June 9, 1819. His ancestors on both · sides of the family followed the martial fortunes of Washington during the Revolutionary war, and on the paternal side lie is descended from those French Huguenots whose devotion to prin -. ciple made them welcome refugees in any for- cign land. From scarcely more tolerant Scotland members of the Boise family emigrated to the north of Ireland, whence the paternal great-great- grandfather emigrated to Massachusetts, settling on the farm in Blandford. This same farm was the birthplace of the paternal great-grandfather, Samuel. Like his forefathers, Reuben Boise, grandfather of the Hon. Reuben Patrick, was a farmer, and served in the state legislature. He married a Miss Patrick, who lived to be ninety- four years of age.

The father of Judge Boise lived and died on the old Hampden county farm, in the meantime exerting a broad influence in politics and the gen- eral affairs of his district. From Jefferson's time he was a Democrat, and then a Whig, finally subscribing to the principles of the Republican party. He held several offices in Massachusetts, among them being that of county commissioner, and he also served in the state senate and legis- lature. He married Sallie Putnam, who was born in New Salem, Mass., a daughter of Jacob Putnam, soldier at the battle of Bennington dur- ing the Revolutionary war, and relative of Gen. Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. Mrs. Boise, who lived to be ninety-four years of age, was the mother of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom Judge Boise is the third child and only one living. Two of the sons. Jarvis and Fisher Ames, died at the age of twenty-six years, just as they were to be ad- mitted to the bar; and the other son, Stillman, died at the age of fifty.

Judge Boise was educated in the public schools of Blandford, and after preparatory study under Dr. Cooley entered Williams College at the age of twenty-one years, graduating therefrom in 1843, with the degree of A. B. After a year of school teaching in Missouri, he returned to his native state and studied law under his uncle, Patrick Boise, a distinguished lawyer of West- field, being admitting to the har three years later, in 1847. For the following two years he engaged

in practice at Chicopee Falls, Mass., and during that time served as one of the town commission- ers in charge of the schools. In the meantime he had accumulated a great deal of information concerning the west, to which he came in 1850, via Panama, locating in Portland, which was then but a small town. However, shipping and other interests were beginning to create a demand for legal talent, and the promising young lawyer found that he had plenty to do. By the fall of 1852 he was launched upon a fair practice, and his faith in the agricultural possibilities by which he was surrounded led him to invest in six hun- dred and forty acres of land west of Dallas, which he still owns, and upon which he lived about four years. In 1851 the territorial legis- lature elected him prosecuting attorney of the first and second districts, his field of effort lying between Eugene and Washington territory. In 1853 he was elected one of the code commission- ers for Oregon, selected to compile the first code of laws for the territory, the others being the Hon. James K. Kelly and Hon. D. R. Biglow. In 1854 he was re-elected prosecuting attorney, and the same year represented Polk county in the territorial legislature, being re-elected for two years in the latter position. In 1857 he represent- ed Polk county in the constitutional convention, was chairman of the committee on legislation, and in this capacity was instrumental in furnish- ing to Oregon her fundamental laws of govern- ment.

In 1857 Mr. Boise was appointed by President Buchanan one of the supreme court judges of the territory with Judges Williams and Deady, and after the admission of Oregon to statehood he was elected supreme judge of Oregon, with Judges Waite, Stratton and Prim. In 1878, by the constitution of the state, the judges first elected to the supreme court were to draw lots for their terms, one term two years, one four years and two six years. Judge Waite having drawn the shortest term, was by the constitution made chief justice of the supreme court; Judge Stratton at the end of two years became chief justice, and Judge Boise, at the end of four years, became chief justice. For twelve years Judge Boise continued to hold this honorable po- sition, the duties thereof being particularly trying as the supreme judges were also obliged to be circuit judges of their districts. From 1862 to 1864, inclusive, he served as chief justice of Ore- gon, and upon the expiration of his term was re- elected for six years. After being again chosen in 1870 his seat was vigorously contested by Hon. B. F. Bonham, and rather than engage in long and expensive litigation, Judge Boise re- signed his office and returned to the general prac- tice of law. In 1874 he was elected by the legis- lature one of the capitol building commissioners,

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an office which he filled with distinct credit until 1876. The same year he was elected to his old position on the supreme bench. When the legis- lature, as authorized by the state constitution, provided for a separate supreme court and cir- cuit courts, the new supreme court consisted of three judges. Judge Boise was appointed by the governor one of the three judges of the su- preme court under the new system, with Judge James K. Kelly and Judge Prim. Judge Kelly being the oldest in years, became chief justice, and Judges Boise and Prim associates, and cir- cuit judges were appointed from the judicial dis- tricts. These judges, both supreme and circuit, held their offices under the court and the new law creating them, until the next general election, when Judge Boise preferred the nomination for judge of the third judicial district, the same dis- trict from which he had formerly been elected to the supreme bench. He was elected and has held the office ever since, with the exception of six years, from 1892 to 1898. At present he has charge of Department No. 2, and in spite of his advancing years, and the fact that he has been a circuit judge of Oregon for all but eleven years since 1857, he still performs the duties of his office with old-time vigor and enthusiasm.

Judge Boise has been a resident of Salem ever since 1857. Until 1865 he lived on property in the town upon which is now built the convent of the Sacred Heart, and in 1880 purchased the farm which is still his home, and of which he retains sixty acres. During the years much property has passed through his hands, and the old farm taken by him upon his arrival in the territory has been enlarged to twenty-six hundred acres. The first house in Salem was built upon his pres- ent home, and he owns the old mission mill house and grounds, a portion of the house having been built in the early '40s. A part of his farm at Salem has been laid out in city lots, and the North Salem addition is included in this prop- erty. His farm is finely improved and profitable, and has greatly increased in value with the build- ing up of the town. For some years Judge Boise was interested in a woolen factory near Dallas. Especially has he been interested in the develop- ment of the agricultural resources of his county, and as a member, and five times master of the Grange, has had the opportunity to further the interests of the farmers, whom he regards as the backbone of communities wherever found.

Oregon has had no more stanch supporter of her educational institutions than Judge Boise. Twice has he been a member of the board of trustees of Pacific University at Forest Grove, and has held the same position in La Creole Acad- emy, at Dallas, and Willamette University at Salem, serving also as regent of the Agricultural College at Corvallis. Pacific University conferred

upon the judge the degree of doctor of laws. Judge Boise is a member of the Oregon Historical Association and the Pioneer Association, and in this connection treasures his old-time friendships for other founders of the legal structure of the golden west, among whom may be mentioned Judge Kelly, who came to Oregon in 1851, and is now living in Washington; Governor Grover, who came to Portland in 1851; and George H. Williams, who arrived in the state in 1853.

The first marriage of Judge Boise was con- tracted in San Francisco in 1851, and was with Ellen F. Lyon, a native of Boston, Mass., and daughter of Capt. Lemuel Lyon, a pioneer of the Pacific coast. Mrs. Boise, who was a cousin of General Lyon, who was killed at the battle of Wilson Creek, Mo., died in Oregon, leaving two children, of whom Reuben P., Jr., is engaged in the real-estate business in Salem ; and Whitney L. is an attorney in Portland. In 1867 Judge Boise married Emily A. Pratt, a native of Worces- ter, Mass., a daughter of Ephraim Pratt, a manu- facturer of Massachusetts, and sister of Captain Pratt, who started the woolen mill of this town. Of this last union were born two children, of whom Ellen, a graduate of Willamette Univer- sity, was drowned in the undertow at Long Beach, Wash., at the age of twenty-two; and Maria, also a graduate of Willamette University, is living with her father. During his first voting days the judge was a Douglas Democrat, but after the war subscribed to the principles of the Repub- lican party. It is unquestionably true that it was largely owing to the efforts of this early pioneer judge that his state was saved to the Union, for he unceasingly worked to that end, and by sound logic, well delivered, did much to direct public opinion into channels of humanity and broad-mindedness. The career of Judge Boise needs no eulogy. He has been noted for his equitable rulings and lucid exposition of the law ; for his rugged integrity under any and all circumstances; and for his devotion to friends and the interests intrusted to his care.

FRANCOIS XAVIER MATTHIEU. A life replete with interest through intimate association with the events of pioneer days, is that of Fran- cois Xavier Matthieu, who is one of the last sur- viving members of the first emigrant train to cross the plains and give to the upbuilding of the west the hardy and fearless men and women who dared to venture into the dangers and privations of such a journey for the sake of the homes they hoped to make in the rich lands of the great northwest. Probably there is no man living in the Willamette valley to-day who is more conver- sant with the conditions and history of that in-

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teresting period and the events that led up to the statehood of Oregon, than Mr. Matthieu. A late reminder of his first experiences in Oregon oc- curred May 2, 1901, at the unveiling of the monu- ment at Champoeg, where Governor Geer, in be- half of the Oregon Historical Society, presented to him a badge, as a mark of distinction to the last survivor of the fifty-two people who voted for the first provisional government west of the Rocky mountains, May 2, 1843. This badge is of silk, the colors being red, white and blue; a rosette with the seal of Oregon occupies the center, while a pendant medallion represents Ore- gon as a member of the Union. The inscription reads as follows: "Only survivor of the fifty- two persons who voted to organize the first civil government west of the Rocky mountains, at Champoeg, May 2, 1843, known in history as the Provisional Government of Oregon." At that early historical meeting in Champoeg, May 2, 1843, there were present one hundred and two people, many of whom were French Canadians. Mr. Matthieu had used every effort to induce these people to cast their vote in favor of the Americans, and when Joseph L. Meeks asked the party to divide, he was the first to step to the American side.

The birth of Francois X. Matthien occurred at Terre Bonne, near Montreal, Canada, April 2, 1818. He is a descendant of French ancestry, his parents being Francois Xavier and Louise (Danfin) Matthieu, both, however, being natives of the district of Montreal. Being one of seven children, three sons and four daughters, and his parents in rather straitened circumstances, he lacked many of the advantages which :night otherwise have been his, the farm life to which he was reared being the only occupation of his boy- hood years. But few schools existed in the coun- try, and all his education was acquired through association with a neighbor, who had come from the United States and settled there. During the Canadian rebellion, in 1835-38, Mr. Matthieu took an active part by supplying arms to the reb- els. At twenty years of age, Mr. Matthieu left his home and located in the United States; he was then unable to speak a word of the English language. Going to Albany, N. Y., he engaged in carpenter work for seven months, after which he came as far west as Milwaukee, Wis., making the journey by way of Erie canal and the lakes. One month was passed in the last-named city. and he then went to St. Louis, by way of Chi- cago, traveling by wagon and water. Failing to secure work in that city, he engaged, after a like length of time, with the American Fur Company. While in this employ he was sent to what is now North Dakota, in the Black Foot Indian country. there to trade liquor to the Indians for furs. There were thirty men in the company, twenty

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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 80

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