Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 95

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 95

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

687

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

where he died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of whom Mrs. Hines is the fourth child. The children of Thomas Holt were all educated in the public schools, and Pauline A. was a good scholar, care- fully laying a foundation which has been of good service later in life. She was reared on the farm and taught the innumerable duties which make up the life of helpful women, developing into a strong and self-reliant girl, popular in her neigh- borhood, and a joy to her parents.

Pauline A. Holt married, for her first husband, in 1878, in Josephine county, Ore., John John- son, who was born in Sweden, and came to Ore- gon in the early days. He was an adventurous and successful miner, accumulating a large and valuable property, and gaining a reputation for honesty and integrity which anyone might envy. He was courageous also, and prominently iden- tified himself with the Indian wars which threat- ened the operations of the early miners and ag- riculturists. His death occurred in Jackson county, near Applegate, in 1884, at the age of fifty-one years. There was one son of this union, William, living on the old homestead near Jack- sonville. For her second husband Mrs. Johnson married, in 1890, George Hines, who was born in Washington county, Ore., and for many years operated a livery stable in Jacksonville. His father, Thomas Hines, is at present living in re- tirement in Forest Grove, Ore. Mr. Hines be- came a prominent man of Jacksonville, was in- terested in Republican politics, and was an active member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and of P. P. Prim Cabin, Native Sons of Oregon ; the Artisans, with the degree of honor. Rowell, the son born to himself and wife, is liv- ing with his mother.

GEORGE PIERRE LINDLEY. During his ten years of retirement in Medford George Pierre Lindley has commanded the same honest appreciation and good will which brightened his many-sided business life in the northwest. At the present time he owns four acres of land in the town, upon which has been erected a com- fortable cottage, and he is also the fortunate pos- sessor of a ranch twelve miles east of the city, one hundred and sixty acres in extent, and heavily covered with timber. He also owns a two-story brick building, 25x140 feet, in Med- ford, the same being rented to various parties.

A native of Brooklyn, N. Y., Mr. Lindley was born November 22, 1849, and is the second child of the seven sons and two daughters of Robert and Sarah (Grant) Lindley, the latter of whom was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and came to the

United States with her parents, locating on a farm in New York state. Robert Lindley was born in Lincolnshire, England, and until his twentieth year lived on his father's farm, attend- ing the public schools, and gaining a fair busi- ness experience. He emigrated to America in a sailing vessel, was several weeks on the ocean, and finally settled on a farm near New York city. About 1855 he removed to Monona county, Iowa, purchased a fair-sized farm, and lived there until his death at the age of sixty-eight years, his wife living to be sixty years old. The children in this family were reared to habits of thrift and industry, and were taught the inde- pendence and satisfaction of a life in the country.

At the age of twenty-one George Pierre Lind- ley engaged in stock-raising and farming on his own responsibility in Monona county, Iowa, leav- ing the proceeds of the home farm for the young- er children, fast approaching maturity. In 1888 he followed out a long-thought-out plan and trav- eled to the west, visiting various parts of Wash- ington and the Sound country, and engaging in various occupations there represented. The com- petence which permits him to live in comfort in Medford, as well as his land possessions, indicate the possession of good business judgment, and of wise disposal of the opportunities which have come to him. As a Democrat he has taken a prominent part in town offices, has been a mem- ber of the council for one term, and served two years as county treasurer, being elected in 1898. In Illinois he married Sarah Lindley, a native of St. Louis, two children being born of this union. Cornelia, the only daughter in the family, is de- ceased. George R., in whose career his parents take justifiable pride, is cashier of the Jackson County Bank. The younger Mr. Lindley was born in Iowa and accompanied his parents to Oregon in 1888. He was educated primarily in the public schools, graduating from the Lynden Normal School, and also attending the Lebanon College of Ohio. He is a young man of excep- tional energy and moral courage, and gives promise of continued success as a wide-awake business man.

HENRY J. CLARK. One of the best known and most active citizens of Josephine county is H. J. Clark, the leading contractor and builder of this part of the state. In the pursu- ance of his trade he has been identified with the erection of many of the more important private and public buildings of southern Oregon, and has established for himself an enviable reputation as a workman of skill and good judgment. The lineal descendant on the paternal side of a colo- nial family of New England, he was born Octo- ber 21, 1846, in Boston, Mass., a son of Joseph

688

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

S. Clark. His grandfather, Jonathan Clark, the son of a Revolutionary soldier, was born in New Hampshire, and among its rugged hills spent his entire life, employed in shoemaking.

Born and reared on the parental homestead in New Hampshire, Joseph S. Clark sought broader fields of labor when a young man. Going from the Granite state to Illinois, he worked there as a stone mason and contractor for a short time. Returning to New England, he followed his trade in Boston for a time. Preferring to live in the west, he again went to Illinois, and located in Princeton as a contractor and builder, remain- ing there until 1874. Coming then with his fam- ily to Oregon, he settled in Albany, where he was engaged in contracting and building until his death, in 1896, at the age of eighty years. He married Harriet Richards, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Harry Richards, whose last years were spent in Illinois. She died in Albany, Orc., at the venerable age of eighty-one years. Of the eleven children born of their marriage, nine grew to years of maturity, and seven are now living.

But cleven months old when brought by his parents from Boston to Illinois, Henry J. Clark received a limited education in the pioneer log school-house, with its puncheon floor, and slab benches. At the age of seventeen years, under his father's instruction, he began learning the trade of a brick layer, and also worked at the mason and plasterer's trade. Coming with the family to Albany, Ore., in 1874, he engaged in building and contracting in company with his father, and after his father's retirement he con- tinued in business alone. In 1875 he was fore- man of the work in the construction of the Ore- gon state house, in Salem. He subsequently erected many buildings of importance in Albany, including among others the First National Bank, the Odd Fellows building. Foster block, the Pe- tersen and Semberg buildings, and the round- house of the Corvallis & Eastern Railway Com- pany. Locating in Ashland in 1888, Mr. Clark built the Hotel Oregon and the Ashland Opera House, and subsequently erected the Grants Pass Opera House. Going then to Olympia, Wash., he was engaged in the manufacture of brick for a year. Returning then to Oregon, Mr. ('larl. accepted the contract to build the Rose- burg Opera House and City Hall, after which he built a large and handsome school house in Al- bany, Ore. Removing then to Los Angeles, C'al., Mr. Clark built a large block for Mr. Bul- lard on First street, and erected other buildings. Coming back to Oregon, he erected several build- ings in Eugene, Monmouth and Roseburg. Set- tling in Grants Pass in April, 1902, Mr. Clark has since built the Masonic Temple, Thornton block, a new brewery, an addition to Josephine

Hotel, and a commodious brick residence for himself.

In Albany, in 1881, Mr. Clark married Susan Caroline Boggs, who was born in Albany, a daughter of Thomas Boggs, a pioneer farmer of that section of Oregon, who settled there in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have two children, namely : Juanita C. and Myrden J. Politically Mr. Clark is a Democrat, and fraternally he be- longs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

WILLIAM THIEL was for more than forty years a resident of Douglas county, Ore., and during his useful life was a man of prominence in that section. He became proficient in the art of surveying, which he learned in Germany, his native land, and was several times county sur- veyor of Douglas county. He was a Democrat and an active politician and served his party as justice of the peace for several terms, being chosen also to represent his locality in the state legislature. He was born in Breslau, Germany, April 15, 1837, and when sixteen years old crossed the ocean to the United States. The winter of 1853-54 was spent in New York, and the following summer he came by water to San Francisco and a little later to Douglas county, Ore., settling at Oakland. He took up a home- stead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and worked by day labor on surrounding farms, im- proving his own farm as his other duties would allow. He lived there until 1889, carrying on farming and stock-raising, but subsequently re- moved to about one mile and a half from Yon- calla, where the closing years of his life were spent.

April 9, 1868, Mr. Thiel was united in mar- riage with Mary D. Watkins, who still survives him. Mrs. Thiel, who is a native of Putnam county, Ill., went overland to California in 1852, settling for a few years in Eldorado county. In 1860 her family came to Douglas county, Ore., and settled near Yoncalla. Mr. and Mrs. Thiel were parents of eleven children, and ten are still living. They are: Oscar F., who was educated at East Oakland, and in 1898 was nominated and elected county surveyor of Douglas county, serv- ing two years; Ida, deceased; and Arthur A., May M., Emma E., Ernest P., Willie E., Her- man V., Oto D., Robert P., and Ruth N.

Mr. Thiel died at his home near Yoncalla, June 10, 1903, and in him, Douglas county lost one of her most prominent citizens. His widow still resides on the farm about a mile and a half from Yoncalla. This farm contains three hun- dred acres of fine land. two hundred and twenty- five acres being located in the valley. It is very rich and productive and is in every way a de- sirable property.

691

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

HENRY H. CHAPMAN. Settling in Jack- son county when the country was in its primitive wildness, Henry H. Chapman experienced all the hardships and perils of the frontiersman, meet- ing the dangers that beset him with characteristic bravery and fortitude. Casting his lot with the pioneers ere he reached man's estate, he had narrow escapes from the savages that roamed the country at will, and at one time very nearly lost his life in an encounter with a grizzly bear. The chronicling of such events and hair-breadth escapes furnishes sufficient material for a mod- ern work of fiction, the record in his case, how- ever, being too truly realistic. He was a self- made man in the highest sense implied by the term, having begun the battle of life at the foot of the ladder of success, which he steadily climbed, through his own unaided efforts, and in spite of almost seeming insurmountable ob- stacles. A son of Samuel Chapman, he was born May 28, 1833, on Hudson street, New York City. He was of English ancestry, his paternal grandfather, an extensive stock-grower, having been a life-long resident of England.

Born and bred in England, Samuel Chapman there developed great artistic talent. Emigrating to the United States in 1831, he followed the artist's profession in New York City for awhile. Finding that much interest was shown in blooded stock, he embarked in an entirely new undertak- ing. Going back to England, he purchased some full blooded Durham cattle which he took to Kentucky, disposing of them in Mason county for a fancy price. Encouraged by the results of his venture, he disposed of his New York studio and business and removed with his family to Washington, Ky., where he embarked in the stock and butchering business. Transferring his residence and business interests to Burlington, Iowa, in 1844, he resided there awhile, and then settled in Van Buren county, Iowa, where he remained until his death, at the venerable age of ninety-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Smeed, was born in England, and died in Iowa at the age of ninety years. Twelve children were born of their union, namely: Alfred, now eighty years of age, re- sides in Bonaparte, Iowa; Mrs. Margaret Craw- ford, of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Craw- ford, who died in Bonaparte, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Ann Hilman, of Beloit, Kans .; Samuel, whose death occurred in Talent, Ore .; Daniel, who came across the plains with his brother Henry H. in 1853, and is a resident of Jackson county, Ore .; Henry H., the special subject of this sketch ; William, of Bonaparte, Iowa; Mrs. Amy Whit- more, of Bonaparte, Iowa; Mrs. Josephine Young, also of Bonaparte, Iowa; Victoria, widow of the late Michael Mickelson, of Ashland, Ore .;

and Mrs. Julia Haverman, who died in Iowa in I902.

Spending his early life in Kentucky and Iowa, Henry H. Chapman was reared on a farm, as- sisting his father in the improving of a home- stead. There being very few free schools in those days, he had very limited educational ad- vantages, obtaining the greater part of his knowl- edge of books at the home fireside, studying by the light from a pine knot. In 1853 he and his brother Daniel came with the Walker train to Oregon, paying their way across the plains by driving ox-teams. Leaving Iowa on March 13, they came by way of the southern route, arriving at the Isaac Hill place September 3, 1853. Going that fall to Yreka, Cal., the brothers worked in the placer mines for about six months and in the spring of 1854 returned to Jackson county. Sub- sequently Mr. Chapman helped to build the first wagon road over the Siskiyou mountains, and finally located a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres on Emigrant creek, six miles above Ashland, and began the improvement of a farm. In 1855 and the early part of 1856 he took part in the Rogue River Indian war, serv- ing under Captain Fordyce, in an independent company, and later, in 1856, he was one of a large company commanded by Capt. Giles Wells that cleaned the Indians out of the reservation.

In 1855, while in camp at Fog creek, Mr. Chapman induced Erastus and Joseph Wells to accompany him on a bear hunt. Starting early in the morning, the hunters finally arrived at the summit of a mountain lying about ten miles from Ashland, not having seen any game on the way. Fearing the Indians might discover them, they decided to return to camp, and started down the hill separately, Mr. Chapman being in the center, agreeing to fire a gun in case either of them should meet with danger. As Mr. Chap- man was passing through the heavy brush he suddenly heard a rustling sound, caused, as he first supposed, by Indians. Soon, however, he heard the cry of a bear, and on investigating saw two mother bears and four cubs. Loading his double-barreled shot gun with buck shot, and an extra ounce ball, he pulled the trigger, but, as he was forty yards away, the shot scattered, the ball undoubtedly going wide of its mark. One of the old bears tell over, stunned. Firing the other barrel, the second old bear started up and ran away. Hearing the second shot, the wound- ed, or stunned, bear came to, and started in pur- suit of Mr. Chapman, whose only gun was empty, Left defenseless, he ran for a large tree, but before he reached it the bear had torn his coat from behind. Dodging behind a small sapling. the huge bear followed him, making passes at him with her paws. Thinking to get to a larger

692 .

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tree near by, he turned towards it, but the fierce grizzly reached him, and dealt him a terrific blow on the forehead and not only knocked him down, but bit him in the right thigh, broke his right shoulder, bit him in the right side of his throat, and as he put his right hand to the wound, bit his hand, and then thrust her ugly teeth in the flesh under the left shoulder, piercing his lungs. Hearing his shots, his two comrades rushed to the scene, thinking he had been at- tacked by the Indians. Coming suddenly upon him and the bear, they were so excited that both dropped their guns, and subsequently lost several minutes hunting through the brush for them. In the meantime the bear had nearly eaten her victim up. Finding their revolvers, both fired at the bear, who was on top, and she started for them. Another shot broke the bear's neck, and she was harmless. Mr. Chapman, being con- vinced that his jugular vein was severed, told the boys that his time had come, but Erastus Wells took him up in his arms and proceeded on the way home. Realizing after awhile that if his jugular vein had been really cut he should by that time have been dead, Mr. Chapman told his companions that if they would brace him up he would walk. When horses could be obtained he was tied on the back of one, and after reaching the home of Capt. Giles Wells, he was confined to his bed for six weeks, being tenderly cared for by members of the Wells family during all that time.

Returning to Iowa by the Panama route in 1860, Mr. Chapman located in Bonaparte as a merchant and grain dealer, and was also ex- tensively engaged in the horse business for sev- eral years, and during the Civil war furnished the government with many cavalry horses. Driv- ing a herd of cattle to Colorado in 1879, he dis- posed of them in Trinidad. From there he took the old route for his former home in Ashland, Ore., where he still owned his original claim, being accompanied by his sister Victoria. On arriving in Oregon he found his ranch in a poor condition, but with characteristic energy he be- gan improving it and carried on general farming for a number of years. Greatly interested in the breeding of stock, Mr. Chapman raised draft horses of a superior grade, and fine cattle and hogs, being quite successful in this branch of agri- culture. He subsequently hought land adjoining his farm, and at the time of his death was the owner of four hundred and thirty-seven acres of fine well-improved land, on which he made improvements of a substantial character, having a conveniently arranged house, and two fine harns, one 96x80 feet, and the other 36x36 feet. Renting his farm in September, 1902. Mr. Chap- man removed to Ashland, where he had a pleas- ant home on Oak Street and lived retired from

active pursuits, enjoying the reward of his many years of toil until his death, October 28, 1903, at the age of seventy years. He was always active, and after having been crippled by a horse, and seriously injured in a runaway, so that he had to use crutches all the time, he was often seen working in his garden, and attending to his trees and flowers. During his illness he was tenderly cared for by his sister, Victoria Mickel- son. Politically, Mr. Chapman was a Democrat, but not an office seeker, and socially he was a member of the Jackson County Pioneer Associa- tion.

DANIEL KNIGHT WARREN. In the death of Daniel K. Warren, which occurred September 4, 1903, not only did the immediate family lose a devoted husband and father, but neighbors, friends and citizens were deprived of a considerate friend, wise counselor and deep sympathizer, and the state lost one of its ablest minds. Perhaps no one is better fitted to speak of Mr. Warren's life than Senator C. W. Fulton, and from an article from his pen, which ap- peared in the Morning Astorian, we quote the following: "The death of a good man-of one ever 'pure in his purpose, strong in strife,'-is at all times a distinct misfortune, particularly to those residing in the vicinity of his life's activi- ties ; not alone, nor indeed, chiefly, because of the bruised hearts and broken ties of love and friendship his death bequeathes, but because of the influence for good, for the welfare of society, such a life exerts. Wise in counsel, courageous in action, in misfortune and adversity cheerful and undaunted, Mr. Warren was ever a leader in whom his friends and neighbors had perfect confidence and reposed perfect trust. He was public spirited and generous to a fault. Every public movement in the interests of, and im- portant to, the people found him at its head. The needy and unfortunate never appealed to him in vain. A strong man and a lovable char- acter in every station in life, public or private, it is no surprise to those who knew him that his death has cast so great a sorrow over this com- munity."

The family of which Mr. Warren represented the fifth or sixth generation in this country, was established long before the Colonies hegan to rebel at English tyranny, but the exact date of the British emigrant's departure from the land of his forefathers is clothed in uncertainty. The traveler is supposed to have settled in or near Boston, Mass., where Phineas Warren, the great-grandfather of Daniel K. Warren, was horn about 1745. he heing a first cousin of Gen- eral Warren of Revolutionary fame. Phineas, son of Phincas, and the next in order of birth,

693

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

was born in Marlborough, Windham county,

Vt., October 12, 1776, and married Mary Knight, born in the same locality December 22, 1777. The grandparents had ten children, seven of whom were sons, and of whom Dan- forth, the father of Daniel and the fourth child, was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., Septem- ber 22, 1806. He married in Steuben county, N. Y., December 16, 1830, Amanda Pike, a native of Springfield, Mass., born April 9, 1808. There were four sons of this union, of whom J. F., the oldest, is deceased; P. C. is a farmer in Warrenton, Ore .; G. W. is deceased; and Daniel Knight, born at Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., March 12, 1836, was the youngest of the family. The family, at no time prosperous, were reduced to dire straits upon the death of the father, August 23, 1837, the oldest of the four sons at that time being scarcely six years of age. Mrs. Warren proved herself one of the hero- ically moulded women, and supported herself and children by spinning and weaving. Later Mrs. Warren married a Mr. Baxter and moved to Illinois with her family. Her death occurred in Princeton, Ill., in September, 1881. As a youth of thirteen Daniel K. Warren started out to earn his own living by working on a farm, with the understanding that he was to receive $II per month for his services, a price which at that time was considered a fair remuneration for able-bodied men. For three years he fol- lowed this life during the summer time for board and wages, and attended school during the winter, working nights, Saturdays and mornings for his board and lodging. That he had been faithful and conscientious in his work may be best realized when it is known that at the time of settling up accounts with his em- plover the latter allowed him $12 per month, instead of $II, as was originally agreed upon. In the spring of 1852 he joined his three broth- ers in a trip across the plains. This never-to-be- forgotten journey was well planned, the boys having their own ox-teams, but not being pre- pared to board themselves. They made arrange- ments with Capt. Thomas Mercer to pilot them in safety to the coast country. Each agreed to give the captain $100 and do his share of the work on the ;, and all filled their contract to the letter dly parting from the amiable cap-

tain, ' afterward settled in Seattle, Wash. The company crossed the Missouri river May 24, and soon afterward camped on the present site of Omaha. At this point the company was thoroughly organized, there being fourteen wagons, forty horses and sixty-six men. Reach- ing The Dalles September 2, 1852, they met the first white men who had founded homes in that town, and from there they proceeded on barges down the Columbia river, finally boarding the

steamboat at Cascade Locks, which brought them in safety to Portland, September 9, 1852. In many respects this was a fortunate party, for the Indians were not troublesome, and only one member died of cholera on the way. Mr. War- ren enjoyed good health until reaching Powder river, when he was taken ill with mountain fever, and did not fully recover until after reaching his destination in Oregon. At Port- land the brothers separated, Daniel going alone to the mines in southern Oregon, he being at that time only sixteen years of age. Six weeks in the mountain air served to bring back health and spirits, and he later engaged in mining on the Rogue river. Not meeting with the success he had anticipated, however, he retraced his steps and arrived in Astoria in June, 1853, his available assets at that time being the much worn clothes he wore and $3 in currency. Find- ing employment in a sawmill camp he worked diligently and saved for several months, and in 1855 tried his luck at mining on the Columbia river. Not realizing any better success than on the former occasion he engaged in lumbering until 1859, and in February of that year left Astoria for Panama, and from there went to New York. April 19, 1860, he reached Prince- ton, Ill .. and engaged in farming and other occupations until February 24. 1863, when he married Miss Sarah Eaton, a former school mate, who was born in Salisbury, N. H., July 28, 1840. The marriage was solemnized at eight o'clock in the morning, and at noon the young people started on their long journey for Oregon. Arriving at San Francisco April 26, 1863, a few weeks later found them comfortably settled on a farm thirteen miles above Astoria, with furniture enough to go to housekeeping and with $4 in cash. A philosopher always, Mr. Warren recalled these little hair-breadth episodes with unusual pleasure, for they indicated the distance spanned through industry and good management. The seven years spent on this farm were among the happiest of his life, for although he worked hard from morning till night a steady gain was perceptible, and the struggle had innumerable compensations. From this farm the family moved to Astoria and Mr. Warren engaged in a meat market and mer- chandise business for fourteen years. He was one of the most prominent and influential men of the town and materially promoted its com- mercial well being.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 95

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