Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 89

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 89

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In Marshfield, Ore., Dr. Culin was united in marriage with Edith J. Taylor, who was born in Dalhousie, India, a daughter of Raynsford Tay- lor, a native of England, and a captain and pay- master in the English army. In 1875 Mr. Tay- lor gave up his army career and came to the United States, locating in Cuba, N. Y., where he entered the Congregational ministry. He after- ward had a charge in Grand Rapids, Mich., and in the interests of the church went to Humboldt county, Cal., eventually settling in his present home in San Francisco. Two children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Culin, Erminia and Alice. Dr. Culin is health officer of Coquille and is examin- ing physician for several insurance companies. Fraternally he is a member and past master of Chadwick Lodge No. 68, A. F. & A. M .; the Eastern Star: the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was first past chancellor of Lycur- gus Lodge No. 72, K. of P. In politics he is a Republican.

More than passing mention is due Stewart Cu- lin, brother of Dr. Walter Culin, who, until re- cently, was director of the Museum of Archeol ogy and Paleontology of the University of Penn- sylvania. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Culin has been one of the prime promoters of scientific investigation in Philadelphia for a scorc of years and his particular ability has resulted in his appointment of curator of ethnology to the Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Culin has served as secretary of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society since 1881, and was one of the founders of the Oriental Society in 1888, and has been its secretary ever since. He is also a member and officer in many other scientific organizations in the state. In 1892 he was appointed director of the new mu- seum of archeology and paleontology at the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, and later succeeded

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Prof. Daniel J. Brinton as curator. He was sent to Spain the same year to represent the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania and other Philadelphia in- stitutions at the historical exposition held in Madrid. At the same time he served as secretary to the United States commission to the exposi- tion, and brought back with him to Philadelphia many valuable collections. At the World's Fair held in Chicago, Ill., in 1893, he had charge of one of the departments of anthropology, and has in the meantime taken a keen interest in prepar- ing collections for famous institutions. He is an honorary and corresponding member of the Royal Academy of History of Spain, and many other famous societies of Europe. More than forty books bear his name as author, and have been translated into many foreign languages.

JOHN W. WELLS. It is said that to gain success one must not wait for opportunity to come his way, but must go opportunity's way, and John W. Wells, having followed this course, was bound to find results satisfactory to his taste. Having for many years devoted his ener- gies to stock-raising and ranching, it is not sur- prising that he is today considered a very im- portant man in Klamath county, Ore., where his splendid ranch is situated in the Sprague river valley, near Bly. Starting with three hundred and twenty aeres of unimproved land, Mr. Wells has by careful management and labor increased his property until he today owns no less than ten hundred and twenty acres, finely cultivated and fenced in. and upon this ranch he has one hundred and eighty head of the finest mules ob- tainable in California, making a specialty of rais- ing them.

Of Welsh-English descent, John W. Wells had a distinguished father, Giles Wells by name, who was born in South Carolina in 1798 and came west during his life, serving during the 'Gos as a member of the legislature, elected by the Democratic party from Jackson county. While a young man he had moved from South Carolina to Kentucky, thenee to Illinois and later to Van Buren county, Iowa, which was his home until he went west in 1853. At that date he crossed the vast plains by way of the Apple- gate route to Oregon, settling in Jackson county, where he took up a squatter's claim of six hun- dred and forty acres three miles south of Ash- land. This place was the residence of Giles Wells until his demise in 1894. when he left a wife and children to mourn hin. The former was before marriage Miss Martha Fruit, born in 1806, near Mammoth Cave, Ky., in which state she was also married. A more extended sketch of her life will be found in W. F. Songer's biography in another part of this history. She .

survived her husband one year only, departing this life in October, 1895. Of their eight chil- dren, Erastus, the eldest, and Giles, the fifth, have been elaimed by death; those living are Elizabeth, the widow of the late G. W. Dean of Grants Pass, Ore .; Cecilia, wife of W. F. Songer, of Ashland; Joseph, residing in Illinois ; Martha S., widow of the late William McCon- nell of Yreka; John W., of Bly ; and James, also of Ashland.

John W. Wells was born in Bonaparte, Van Buren county, Iowa, October 25, 1843. After changing their place of residence a number of times, his parents finally located in Jackson county, Ore., where John W. was educated. When he had attained manhood he entered an apprenticeship to learn the blacksmith's trade at Yreka, studying that for one year, after which he started out for himself. After engaging at his trade for seven years he began sheep raising near Ashland, continuing this for seventeen years. Trading sheep for his brother Giles's mule interest in Klamath county, in 1884 he came to this county and bought his place. Of the three hundred and twenty acres of his orig- inai purchase, but one hundred and twenty aeres were fenced in and the sole improvement was a log cabin. Great changes wrought by Mr. Wells have converted the place into a ranch of great value, improved and up-to-date in all re- spects.

In 1878 Jackson county was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Wells and Mrs. Phebe Jane Walker, the latter born in Illinois in 1847, a daughter of Henry Erb. Coming to Oregon in 1864 the latter located in Washington county, but three years later came to Jackson county and lived on a farm one and a-half miles south of Ashland until his demise. One son, Spratt, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Wells and he is still at home. Politically Mr. Wells is a Democrat, but was elected county commissioner of Klamath county by the Populists, serving from 1894 to 1898. Seemingly always successful, Mr. Wells' prosperity can well be attributed to his zeal and industry and to his honest labor.

WILLIAM WILSON KENTNOR. No bet- ter representative of the substantial, respected and well-to-do citizens of Ashland can be found than William Wilson Kentnor, who is now living re- tired from business cares at his pleasant and attractive home, which is located in the heart of the city. Distinguished as a pioneer settler of Jackson county, and as a veteran of the Rogue River Indian war of 1853, he has always been a conspicuous factor in the development and ad- vancement of the material interests of his com- munity, and for more than forty years was active-

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ly identified with its industrial interests as a car- riage manufacturer. A son of John B. Kentnor, he was born November 27, 1828, in Columbia, Monroe county, 111. He comes of German an- cestry, his paternal grandparents having both been born and bred in Prussia, Germany, whence they emigrated to America, locating in Pennsyl- vania.

Left an orphan when a child, John B. Kent- nor was brought up by his father's brother, from whom he learned the trade of a tanner and currier. Removing to Monroe county, Ill., in 1816, he established in Columbia a tanner's shop, which he operated for some time. He was sub- sequently employed in lead mining in northern Illinois, from there going to Potosi, Grant coun- ty, Wis., where he continued work in the lead mines until his death, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Nancy Alexander, who was born in Kentucky, of Scotch parentage, but brought up in Chillicothe, Ohio, where her father improved a homestead. She died in Monroe county, Ill., in 1837. Of the five children, four sons and one daughter, that she bore her hus- band, two of the sons only are living.

The oldest child of the household, and the only one to come to the Pacific coast, William Wilson Kentnor is a typical representative of the self-made men of today, having made his own way in the world since nine years of age, when his mother died, and the home was broken up. Until about seventeen years old, he worked in the lead mines of Grant county, Wis., after which he served an apprenticeship at the wagonmaker's trade in Potosi, Wis., and then worked as a journeyman in Galena, Ill. In the latter place he joined a party about to start for California with a train of ox-teams. At Oskaloosa, Iowa, however, the company dissolved, and in the division of stock Mr. Kentnor came into pos- session of a pair of oxen, which he there traded for a horse. With one of his companions, he then proceeded to Council Bluffs, lowa, where he sold his horse, and paid his passage across the plains. Ninety-two days after leaving Coun- cil Bluffs, he arrived in Yreka, Cal., where he at once embarked in mining and prospecting, which he followed for eight years before he was fully satisfied with the results of his labors. While in Yreka, in 1853, he served in the Rogue River Indian war, under Captain Rhoades, in the regiment commanded by Gen. Joseph Lane. He took part in the different engagements with the savages, being in the final battle at Evans creek, where they defeated the Indians, and General Lane made the treaty that was ratified at a gathering of chiefs on the north side of the Rogue river, near what is now Bybee ferry. Locating in Ashland in 1860. Mr. Kentnor opened a wagon shop on the banks of the creck, off the plaza, and

successfully followed wagon and carriage mak- ing for many years thereafter in this city. In 1900 he retired from active pursuits and has since lived in Ashland, his house being one of the first residences built west of the creek.

In Ashland Mr. Kentnor married Sarah Mil- lion, who was born in Lafayette county, Wis., a daughter of Bennett Million. Further ances- tral history may be found elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of W. B. Million. Mrs. Ida Ward, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Kentnor, resides in Oakland, Cal. For forty-seven years Mr. Kentnor has been an Odd Fellow, having united with the order in Yreka, Cal., and is now a member of Ashland Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand, and has served many times as delegate to the Oregon Grand Lodge. He also belongs to the Encampment, of which he is past chief patriarch and ex-representative, and has served as an officer in the Grand Encampment. Taking great interest in civic affairs, he has served two terms as councilman, being elected each time by the Republicans, with whom he affiliates in po- litical matters. He is a member, and ex-presi- dent, of the Jackson County Pioneer Society, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder for many years.

HON. EUGENE A. SHERWIN. As pres- ident of the First National Bank of Ashland, Hon. Eugene A. Sherwin is actively associated with one of the leading financial institutions of southern Oregon. He has been a resident of many different cities and states of the Union, and wherever he has lived he has identified himself with the best interests of the place. In the development of industrial and business activities he has taken a prominent part, and in the intellectual and moral progress of the city, county or state he has ever been liberal with his means and his personal encourage- ment. Of sturdy New England ancestry, he was born October 13, 1848, in Hartland, Vt., which was also the birthplace of his father, P. A. Sherwin. His grandfather, Capt. Asa Sher- win, a life-long resident of Reading, was a farmer by occupation, and for many years served as captain of a company of militia. Continuing in the vocation to which he was reared, P. A. Sherwin carried on general farm- ing during his active career, being quite suc- cessful. Ile married Angeline Hawkins, who spent her entire life in Weathersfield. Vt., where her parents, Jonathan and Mary (Dud- ley) Hawkins, were born, lived and died. Two children were born of their union, one son, E. A. Sherwin, and one daughter, Mrs. Adell May Lewis, of Plains, Mont.

ALVA CONDIT

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Completing his education at the age of four- teen years, Eugene A. Sherwin began learning the drug business, working first in a store in Perkinsville, Vt., then in Felchville, Vt., and from there going to Holyoke, Mass., as a drug clerk. Removing to Tomah, Monroe county, Wis., in January, 1878, Mr. Sherwin opened a drug store, and there established the largest and most complete retail drug business outside of Milwaukee. He was subsequently engaged in business in Viroqua, Wis., the home of Jerry Rusk, of national fame. Going from there to Idaho in 1887, Mr. Sherwin estab- lished the first drug store in Wallace, Idaho, and was actively identified with the develop- ment of that city. He was one of the prime movers in the building of the electric light plant, and served as secretary and manager of the Wallace Manufacturing Electric Light and Water Company. In municipal affairs he was influential and prominent. While he was serv- ing as mayor of that place, the town was de- stroyed by fire, and rebuilt largely through his instrumentality. Leaving Idaho during the strikes of 1890, Mr. Sherwin, with his family, removed to Portland, Ore., where he was lo- cated for two years, being engaged in buying and selling property in different parts of the state.

Coming to Ashland, Jackson county, in 1893, Mr. Sherwin organized the Ashland Drug Company, of which he became secretary and treasurer. They built up a thriving business and later sold out to W. M. Poley & Co., in which he now owns a half interest. In 1901, with A. McCallen and others, he engaged in a general banking business, organizing the First National Bank of Ashland, of which he has been president since its incorporation. Mr. Sherwin is likewise interested in other valu- able properties, owning, with Mr. Van Zant, the Vendome Hotel, and the Sherwin-Van Zant block, which is two stories in height, with a frontage of sixty-seven feet. He has built a pleasant residence in this city, and owns considerable valuable property in Ash- land and Portland, Ore.

At West Salem, Wis., in 1885, Mr. Sherwin married Miss Bay Ladd, who was. born in West Salem, of New England ancestry, both of her parents having been natives of Ver- mont. Taking a keen interest in local affairs, Mr. Sherwin has been superintendent of the Sunset Telegraph line since its establishment in 1898, and president of the Board of Trade. He is a steadfast Democrat in politics, and was elected as a representative to the state legislature in 1898. He served in the special session of that year and in the twentieth bien- nial session, in which he was chairman of the

committees on federal relations, drugs and medicines, and had the honor of securing the first appropriation made for the Southern Ore- gon State Normal School. At the age of twenty-one years, in Cavendish, Vt., Mr. Sher- win was made a Mason, and has since been identified with the order. While living in Wisconsin he was for a number of years mas- ter of Tomah Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is now a member of Ashland Lodge No. 23. At Sparta, Wis., he was made a Royal Arch Mason, and a Knight Templar, and is now a member of Siskiyou Chapter No. 21, R. A. M., and Malta Commandery No. 4, K. T., of which he is past eminent commander. He joined the Wisconsin Consistory at Milwaukee and since coming to Oregon has affiliated with Oregon Consistory No. I, of Portland. He likewise belongs to Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. Mr. Sherwin has been a leading member of the various Masonic bodies with which he has been connected, and has served as secretary of all the organizations excepting the Eastern Star. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past noble grand; the Encampment; the Knights of the Maccabees; and to the Fraternal Broth- erhood.

PHILIP CONDIT. An active and well- known business man of Seaside, Philip Condit is identified with the mail service of Clatsop county as a contractor, taking contracts, which he sublets. For many years he was closely as- sociated with the agricultural progress of this part of the state as an extensive and successful farmer, and is now a large landholder, owning valuable timber tracts. An adopted son of the late Alva Condit, he was born at Skipanon, Clatsop county, February 27, 1850, and on the death of his mother, nine days later, was legally adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Alva Condit.

A native of Pennsylvania, Alva Condit was born in Mercer county, March 19. 1799, and died on Clatsop plains, Ore., January 2, 1884. After his marriage he removed to Illinois, where he cleared land, and was engaged in farming for six years. From 1839 until 1845 he lived in Missouri, having a ranch near St. Joseph. Leav- ing there in April, 1845, he crossed the plains with ox-teams, driving five yoke of oxen. Arriv- ing at The Dalles in October, he proceeded by canoes to Oregon City, getting there just before Christmas. Coming to Clatsop county in the sping of 1846, he settled near Astoria, renting Colonel Taylor's farm, which he managed sev- eral seasons. Subsequently taking up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, about four miles north of Scaside, in township 7, range 10,

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containing parts of sections 33, 34 and 35, he was there employed in general farming and stock-raising until his death, being exceedingly prosperous. He assisted in building the first Presbyterian church in the state of Oregon, was one of its charter members, and for many years one of its elders. In 1825, in Washington county. Pa., the birthplace of his bride, he mar- ried Ruth Axtel, who was born .April 17, 1804, and died, on the home farm, in Oregon, April S, 1888. Both she and her husband were buried in the rural cemetery at Morrison, on Clatsop plains. Although they had no children of their own, they adopted six children, all of whom as- sumed the family name, and four of whom sur- vive, Aldrich Condit and Philip, the special sub- ject of this brief sketch, living together, in Sea- side.

Brought up in the family of his adopted pa- rents, Philip Condit was a pupil in the first pub- lic school established on Clatsop plains, it be- ing held in the new Presbyterian church build- ing. Reared on a farm, he became a tiller of the soil from choice, and was successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1891. Since that time he has been identified with the mail service of this section of the state, taking con- tracts, which he sublets. He has a very pleasant home in the city, and is the owner of four hun- dred and eighty-seven acres of valuable timber land in Clatsop county.

Mr. Condit married Ida Luce, who was born December 20, 1869, in Humboldt county, Cal., and they are the parents of three children, name- ly: Elvira, Ray and Ruth. Politically Mr. Condit is an carnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has held public of- fices of importance, serving eighteen years as school clerk and two years as justice of the peace, and since taking up his residence in Sea- side has been police judge and city recorder. Fraternally he belongs to the Artisans, being a member of Seaside Lodge, No. 53.

SAMUEL J. HUBBARD. An active, capa- ble and honored business man of Scaside, Samuel J. Hubbard has been associated with various industrial enterprises since coming to Oregon to live, and is now prominently identified with the real estate interests of Clatsop county. Energetic, progressive and public-spirited, he is deservedly popular in political, fraternal and social circles, and is held in universal respect as a man of probity and sterling worth. A son of Charles T. Hubbard, he was born April 5. 1864, in Wayne county, N. Y.

Of German-English ancestry. Charles T. Hub- bard was born and brought up in New York state, where he learned the carpenter's trade,

which he subsequently followed, in connection with contracting, for a number of years. In 1871 he removed with his family to Barry county, Mich., where he bought a farm, although he never carried it on, engaging in trade in- stead during his residence in that state. Accom- panied by his oldest son, Samuel J. Hubbard, he came to the Pacific coast in 1888, intending if he liked the country to remain here permanently. Locating in Seattle, Wash., he was so pleased with his prospects that he sent for the remainder of his family, who joined him in that city in 1889. In partnership with his son, he embarked in business on Jackson street, opening a furni- ture storc, which he conducted successfully until the big fire, when he lost everything, having no insurance on his stock, which was large and varied. Leaving Seattle with his family, he settled in Portland, Ore., where he resumed work as a carpenter, builder and contractor. being thus successfully employed for some time. He is now living in Seaside, somewhat retired from active pursuits, although he is but sixty- four years of age, his birth having occurred July 25, 1839. He married in New York state Fanny Seaman, who was born in that state July 15. 1841, and of their family of eight children five are now living, namely: Samuel J. ; Charles S., of northern California ; George W., of Spokane, Wash .; Hattie A., wife of F. M. Ryerson, of Port Orchard, Wash .; and Jessie, living at home.

Going with his parents to Michigan when seven years old, Samuel J. Hubbard was edu- cated in the public schools of Barry county, and as soon as old enough began working with his father, from him learning the carpenter's trade. In 1888 he went with him to Seattle, was there associated with him in the furniture business, and with him, and the other members of the family, went to Portland after the Seattle fire. Leaving Portland in 1897, Mr. Hubbard en- gaged in business for himself in Seaside, Clat- sop county, as a carpenter and contractor. Re- turning to Portland in 1899, he was for fourteen months foreman in Hale & Kern's shipyard. Subsequently entering the employ of the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company, he was em- ployed in bridge building near The Dalles for one year. Moving to Seaside, Clatsop county, in the fall of 1900, Mr. Hubbard has since built up an extensive and lucrative real estate business in this locality and has acquired considerable property, owning city lots and some residence property besides.

In Portland, Ore., in 1894, Mr. Hubbard mar- ried Edith White, who was born in Corvallis, Ore., September 22, 1876, a daughter of Major White, a pioneer settler of Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are the parents of two children, Ilazcl and Cecil. Politically Mr. Hubbard takes

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a keen interest in local matters, and is now serv- ing as councilman and school director. Fra- ternally he is a member of Seaside Camp, M. W. A., and is a member and manager of the Royal Neighbors of America. Both he and his wife arc valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

CHARLES HORTON. About seventeen miles east of Klamath Falls and eight miles to the west of Bonanza, Ore., the sightseer will view with pleasure one of the finest and most extensive stock ranches in this county, contain- ing fifteen hundred acres in one body all on the north side of Lost river. This is the magnificent country home of Charles Horton, one of the most successful young stockmen in this county, and although it is true that he is also inter- ested in other fields of effort in a public and semi-public way, it was in the stock business that fortune first began to smile on him, and in this business he has been engaged since he was a mere youth. His rise to fortune, therefore, is a very good study of what effort concentrated in a single channel will accomplish.

The father, William Harrison Horton, was a native of the Prairie state, and crossed the great plains at an early date, locating in Clackamas county. Ore., and it was there that he lost his beloved wife, who died in 1867, leaving one child, Charles. Two years later the father went to Klamath county, took a homestead claim and engaged in farming pursuits and stock-raising. He was quite successful and at one time owned four hundred and eighty acres, a part of the fine ranch previously mentioned. His second mar- riage united him with Miss Elizabeth Poe, the ceremony being performed at her home in Clack- amas county. Her father was one of the fore- most settlers of Klamath county and Poe valley was named for him. Mrs. Elizabeth Horton dicd in 1875, leaving four children: Anne, Jackson, Ella (now deceased), and Birdie, the latter he- ing the wife of L. D. Burke of Bonanza. The eldest daughter married J. O. Hamaker and re- sides in the same city, and the brother is also a resident of Klamath county. The father of these children was among the first to engage in the stock business as a vocation, but subsequently left the farm and engaged in the livery business at Klamath Falls, where he conducted a success- ful business for a couple of years, and in 1884 passed to his final rest. Some time prior to his death he had contracted a third matrimonial al- liance, this time being united with Mrs. Ham- aker.

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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 89

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