The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 103

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1072

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In August, 1881, Mr. Lindberg was united in marriage to Mrs. Frances Lane, the widow of William B. Lane, and a daughter of Sam- uel Barrett. She was born in Kentucky and her parents died in that state when she was still a child. Mrs. Lindberg then went to Missouri with an uncle and in that state her first marriage occurred. She and her husband moved to Kansas where they lived for eight years, going to California in 1877, where Mr. Lane died. Mrs. Lindberg had six children by her first union: James T., of Port Orford; Thomas B., who resides in Coquille; Anna, deceased; Ruth, who died in infancy; and Bertha and Grace, who have also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Lindberg are the parents of two children: Edward A., born in 1885, who resides in Marshfield; and John Harvey, who has passed away. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Lindberg gives his allegiance to the republican party and is intelligently active in public affairs. He has served as county commissioner, road supervisor, and was also for some time constable of Port Orford. He is interested in education and was a member of the local board of education. He manifests his progressive tendencies in the affairs of the Commercial Club of Port Orford, of which he is a member. However, he gives most of his time and attention to the conduct of his large contracting business and has founded a well deserved success upon long experience, efficiency and conservative standards. His methods are modern and progressive, and his business has expanded rapidly, making him one of the successful men of the town.

CHARLES P. COLEMAN is a firm be- liever in the cultivation of the soil by a scientific system and is bringing to the oper- ation of his fine farm and dairy in Coos county the most modern and progressive agricultural ideas. He was born in Mills county, Iowa, in July, 1876, and is a son of William J. and Mary Elizabeth (Meadows) Coleman. His father was born in Ohio and the mother in Iowa. They were married in the latter state, where the mother died when her son was three years of age. A few years later the father went to Colorado. where he prospected for gold for six years. At the end of that period he went to New Mexico and engaged in the same line of oc- cupation in that state and in Mexico. He finally settled on a stock ranch on the Rio Grande river and carried on an extensive

P. J. LINDBERG

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

business in the buying and selling of horses and cattle until the big drought. He then moved to Indian Territory where he leased land from the Indians which he cultivated in cotton and grain for two years. In 1896 he settled in Monmouth, Oregon, later re- moving to British Columbia. Here he re- mained only one year, when he came to Coos county and bought land near Ten Mile lake, where he lived until 1906. In that year he removed to Reno, Nevada, where he died in 1907. He and his wife were the parents of three children: Elizabeth, the wife of D. H. Hallock, owner of a twenty-thou- sand acre ranch in Oklahoma; Lucy A., now Mrs. J. S. Roberts, who lives near her father's home in Coos county; and Charles P., of this review.

Charles P. Coleman after completing his preliminary education entered Tabor Col- lege, at Tabor, Iowa, and after spending some time in that institution attended the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames, where he spent two years gaining a scientific and accurate knowledge of professional farming. After finishing his education he joined his father in business and remained associated with him until 1907. In that year William Coleman died and his son took charge of the homestead in Coos county, in which he had previously owned a half inter- est. Recently he retired from active life, although he still lives on his farm. He gave special attention to the operation of his dairy and was a professional cheese and butter maker. He still takes an interest in this branch of agriculture and owns six hun- dred acres of land recognized throughout the county as the best individual dairy ranch in the district. He is also extensively inter- ested in other properties in Coos county and is a firm believer in the future agricultural development of the state of Oregon. In 1908 he leased most of his land with the exception . of his dairy farm and is now. liv- ing retired. He spent three years in Wyom- ing but returned to Coos county, where he resides five miles south of Lakeside, on Ten Mile lake.

In 1905 Mr. Coleman was united in mar- riage to Miss Mabel Morgan, a native of Kansas, who came to Oregon in her child- hood with her parents, who are still living on Coos river in Coos county. They are the parents of seven children: Mrs. McGee, of Lakeside; Arthur, who resides in Seattle, Washington; Norris, who is married and lives in Coos county; Agnes, of Lane county ; Lucy, of Benton county, Oregon; and Ger- trude and Willie, both of whom are living at home. Mrs. Coleman received her edu- cation in Coos county and after its comple- tion she taught school in that district for two years. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman are the parents of one son, William Norris.

Mr. Coleman gives his allegiance generally to the republican party, but reserves the right to vote for the men whom he con- siders best fitted for the position. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Sheridan, Wyoming, but beyond this has no fraternal affiliation. He is a

member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which faith his wife and family also give allegiance. He has been largely successful in the conduct of his farm and his model dairy and his prosperity is based upon his thor- ough efficiency, his industry and ability along agricultural lines. His success has demon- strated the fact that in the cultivation of the soil, as in other business or professional lines, efficiency and system are sure roads to prosperity.

ALEXANDER CARLSON is one of the sub- stantial and enterprising farmers who are doing much to promote the development of Coos county and the state of Oregon. He owns one of the most productive farms on North lake, five miles above Lakeside. Here he carries on general farming, operates a dairy and does an extensive business in live stock. He was born in Finland, on January 1, 1863, and is a son of Jacob and Annie Carl- son. His parents came to America in 1872 and settled first in Michigan, where they re- mained for ten years. At the end of that. time they moved to Colorado and one year later, January 9, 1883, they came to Oregon and settled in Marshfield, Coos county. They subsequently moved to Ten Mile lake, where the father took up a homestead claim and improved and operated it until his death, in 1905. His wife's death preceded his by some years. They were the parents of four chil- dren, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of the subject of this sketch. Charles and Mary, the latter the deceased wife of Andrew Kino, both died at Marsh- field, while one child died in infancy in Fin- land.

Alexander Carlson received his education in the public schools of his native country and came to America on June 12, 1880. He settled first in Weber county, Michigan, where he worked in the woods for two years, at the end of which time he went with his parents to Colorado, where lie worked upon a railroad for one year. In 1884 he came to Coos Bay, Oregon, and settled in Marshfield, where he lived until 1886. In that year he located at Ten Mile lake and lived in that section with his parents until 1905, when his father died. He then inherited one hundred and sixty acres of land which his father had taken up as a homestead claim. He added to this by purchase one hundred and sixty acres adjoining and he now operates one of the finest farms on the lake. He specializes in dairying and stock-raising and does an extensive business in these two di- rections. He also owns a. tract of land on, Haynes inlet.

In 1902 Alexander Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Belle Krick. She was born in Oregon and is a daughter of Fred and Mary Krick, the former a native of Ger- many and the latter of Missouri. The father of Mrs. Carlson came to Oregon some time before his marriage and was among the . early pioneers of this state. The mother crossed the plains with ox teams when she was a child of only three years, and married Fred Krick in eastern Oregon, where Mr.

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Krick proved up a homestead claim upon which they lived for six years. At the end of that time they moved to California where . care of a large amount of business.

they remained for thirteen years, coming to Coos county in 1901. They settled first at Empire city but later bought land on Ten Mile lake where they are still living and ac- tively operating one hundred and twenty acres. They became the parents of nine chil- dren, William, Belle, John, Charles, Flora, Thadeus, Maud, Ella and Gertrude. Mrs. Carlson received her early education in the public schools of California and came to Oregon some years ago. She and her hus- band are the parents of five children: Mabel, whose birth occurred on March 5, 1904; Ger- trude, who was born on the 23d of June, 1906; Mary, born April 12, 1908; Fred, born January 3, 1910; and Norman, whose birth occurred on the 26th of September, 1911. Mr. Carlson gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought public office although he takes an intelligent interest in local affairs. He and his family are affiliated with the Lutheran church and are active in religious circles. Mr. Carlson gives his entire time and atention to farm- ing, dairying and stock-raising and has been successful in these lines. Agriculture is the principal industry of Coos county and men like Mr. Carlson who carry it on intelligently and scientifically are contributing their full share to the development and growth of this section.

JONATHAN PAUL DUCKWORTH, for twenty-seven years a resident of Lake county, Oregon, has for the past twelve years been engaged in the livery and transfer busi- ness in Lakeview conducting the Lakeview Transfer Company. He was born an Benton- ville, Benton county, Arkansas, July 27, 1862, and is a son of Jonathan Paul and Nancy (Alexander) Duckworth, the former a na- tive of Missouri and the latter of Kentucky. The parents were married in Arkansas and settled on a farm, where they reared their family, residing on one place for more than forty years. Both died in the town of Rog- ers, Arkansas, not far from Bentonville, the mother in 1906, in her seventy-seventh year, and the father in 1908, in his eighty-seventh year. They had seven sons and two daugh- ters: Pulaski Alexander and Marten, both deceased; Joseph W., of San Antonio, Texas ; Mary Frances, the wife of T. B. Vernon, of Lake county; G. A., of Washington; G. W. who is in business with his brother; Jona- than P .; A. J., who died leaving a widow; and Nancy Sarah Dorcas, who died at the age of twenty years.

Jonathan Paul Duckworth spent his youth- ful days in his native state and had the usual experiences of farm life. On leaving home, when twenty-three years of age he came to Oregon, making Lake county his destination. Since that time he has resided in or near Lakeview, working as a farm laborer for several years, although for the past twelve years he has been engaged in the livery and transfer business in connection with two partners under the firm style of the Lake-

view Transfer Company. They have a liberal patronage and are well prepared to take

Mr. Duckworth was married, in 1903, to Miss Mabel Young, a native of San Francisco, who died June 8, 1905, leaving a daughter, Mabel Olive, who was but twelve days old at the time of the mother's death. Mr. Duckworth was for many years a democrat but since Mckinley was presidential candi- date has supported the republican party. He holds membership in the Baptist church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the Foresters. He displays many sterling traits of character, and is widely and favorably known throughout the county where he has so long made his home.

C. E. A. SIESTREEN. The life of C. E. A. Siestreen has been an eventful one. He has traveled extensively in South America and in the United States. He has mined and prospected in all the principal gold districts of western North America and is now engaged in the operation of one of the most modernly equipped dairy farms in Oregon. He is a native of Sweden, having been born in Stock- holm, in 1841. He is a son of Peter and Matilda Siestreen, both of whom lived and died in their native country. His father fol- lowed the sea as captain during the greater part of his life and had been practically on all the waters of the world. He and his wife were the parents of six children, all of whom are living in Sweden with the exception of our subject. They are Edwin G., Awina, Laonilda, Laonaid, Charles of this review, and Almgard.

Charles E. A. Siestreen received his early education in the public schools of his native country. He left Sweden in 1859 and went to South America where he remained for two years. In 1861 he came to the United States and settled in California, where he stayed only one year. At the end of that time he went to Nevada and mined in the gold fields of that state for two years. He then went to Boise City, Idaho, where he re- mained for one summer, prospecting for gold and then came to Umatilla Landing, Baker City, and operated a freight wagon between that point and Boise City. In 1865 he came to Ogden, Oregon, where he again mined for gold a short time. He later located at White Pine, Nevada, and went from there to Ari- zona, prospecting for gold. From Arizona he went to California and then to Jack- son county, Oregon, where he spent one win- ter in the mines of that section. In 1873 le came to Coos county and settled in Marsh- field. He remained in that city only a short time and in the same year came to Ten Mile lake where he engaged in farming for seven years. At the end of that period he proved up a preemption claim on Big creek near North lake. which he improved and operated for some time. He later added a one hun- dred and twenty acre homestead to his hold- ings and at the present time is the owner of two hundred and eighty-eight acres in Coos county. He is engaged in general farm-

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

ing and makes a specialty of dairying, his products being noted throughout the county for their cleanliness and for the wholesome and sanitary conditions under which they are made.

In 1879, Mr. Siestreen was united in mar- riage to Miss Jane E. Jordan, a daughter of James and Jane (Stevens) Jordan, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Coos county, Oregon. Her father came to Oregon in 1853 and settled at Applegate where he lived for several years, following the occupation of mining. When he came to Coos county he settled in Jordan's Cover, to which place he gave his name. He took up a one hundred and sixty acre homestead claim on the north side of North Inlet and here he lived for many years, engaging in farming, trapping and hunting. He sold his holdings eventually and moved to Empire, Oregon, and was one of the founders and organizers of that city. He continued in business for some years but subsequently moved to Ten Mile lake and made his home with his son-in-law, Mr. Siestreen, until his death in December, 1902. His wife had died twelve years prior in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were the par- ents of the following children: Mrs. Susie Waters, who is living in North Inlet; Mrs. Annie Sprague, deceased, who lived in Haines Inlet; George, who has also passed away; Mrs. Jane Siestreen of Big Creek, Coos county, Oregon; and James and Mrs. Minerva Doug- las, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Charles E. A. Siestreen is a native of Oregon and received her education in that state. She and her husband have become the parents of eight children, four of whom are deceased: Edwin, who was born in 1884, and who re- sides in Seattle, Washington; Jane, living at home; James, born in 1891, also at home; Eugene, born in 1893, who occupies the posi- tion of government timekeeper, in Siuslaw, Oregon; and Edwina, Mary, Ida and Leon- elde, all of whom are deceased.

Mr. Siestreen professes the Lutheran faith and his family are all members of the same church. He is a democrat and has served for many years as member of the school board. His history is intimately connected with the development of Coos county and his family were the first white people to settle on Ten Mile lake. Mr. Siestreen is a valuable asset to the future of the great agricultural region with which he is identi- fied and he has influenced the development of Coos county by promoting his individual success.

WILLIAM HENRY NOBLE who died in Coos county in 1910, was a native son of Oregon, having served his state during the Indian wars and devoted his life to found- ing its agricultural greatness. His father was a native of Missouri who, in 1844, came to Oregon in the days of its pioneer settle- ment and the mother came to Coos county with her people when she was a child. She was the first white woman to come to Coos bay, and her daughter, Emma, our subject's sister. was the first white child born in that place. Mr. Noble was a resident of Oregon all

his life. He received his early education in the public schools of that state and when he had grown to manhood bought a large tract of land near Marshfield and Empire. He later sold this property with the exception of a private residence in the town of Marshfield which is still owned by his family. At a later period in his life he purchased a farm seven miles from Lakeside on Hopkins creek and improved and developed this land until his death. He was constantly adding to his holdings and gradually accumulated six hundred and forty acres of the finest farm land in the district where he carried on gen- eral farming. In his younger days he was extensively engaged in the occupation of logging but abandoned this line of activity to make a specialty of his dairy farm.

Mr. Noble was united in marriage at Jacksonville, Oregon, to Miss Mary E. Rhodes, whose parents both died in the eastern states of America. Mr. Noble and his wife were the parents of seven children: H. C. and Richard, both of whom reside in Marshfield, Oregon; Mrs. Bowron, who makes her home in Lakeside, Oregon; C. A., of Marshfield; W. F. of Portland; C. C., who is now operating his father's homestead claim; and J. G., who lives at home. Mr. Noble was a stanch democrat and a firm believer in the principles and policies of that party. He served as sheriff of Coos county for several terms and was constable for many years. He was active in the Indian wars and received a pension for his services in this respect. At the time of his death he was one of the most prosperous and pro- gressive farmers of his district. His career is a fair example of the value of individual success in the development of any section and Coos county is many times the richer by his life and many times the poorer by his death.

JONAS A. KING is one of the proprietors of the Kentucky Saloon at the corner of Water and Bullard streets in Lakeview. He was born in Elk county, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1865, and is a son of Daniel and Elwinia (Humm) King, who were also natives of the Keystone state. Removing westward to Shelby county, Illinois, when their son Jonas was but a year and a half old they took up their permanent abode there. The father was both a carpenter and farmer. In his family were nine children and with the ex- ception of a sister who died three years ago all are yet living.

Jonas A. King, who was the sixth in order of birth, remained with his parents until 1886. Having then attained majority, he went to Kansas, where he worked as a farm hand, but the same year he returned to Illi- fois. In February, 1888, he arrived in Ore- gon and has since made his home at Lake- view. He was a stage driver here for eight years, making trips from Lakeview to sur- rounding points, and in 1896. he entered the saloon business in partnership with Peter Post, with whom he has since been connected. They own and conduct the Kentucky Saloon

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at the corner of Water and Bullard streets. They erccted a two-story brick building there after the fire of May 22, 1900, and have since occupied it. In addition to this prop- erty Mr. King owns six orchard tracts in Modoc county, California, and has three tim- ber claims, while with Mr. Post he owns somnc town lots.

On the 16th of May, 1908, Mr. King was married to Mrs. Emma Reading. He has a wide acquaintance in the town where he has now resided for almost a quarter of a cen- tury. The local organization of the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles claims him as a val- ucd member and the democratic party re- ceives his political support. The only public office that he lias ever held was that of con- stable in 1896, for otherwise he has preferred to concentrate his attention upon his busi- ness affairs.

CAPTAIN ROYAL A. BENSELL, ex-mayor of Newport and twice elected member of the state legislature of Oregon, is one of the most prominent men in Lincoln county and has for many years taken an active and helpful part in promoting the general welfare of this re- gion. He was born at Cassville, Wisconsin, June 4, 1838, a son of Dr. Charles Edward and Juliet (Cottle) Bensell. The grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was also Charles Edward Bensell. He was born in England and was educated as a physician and surgeon. In early manhood he came to America and located at Philadelphia. He was a surgeon in the Revolutionary war and the services which he rendered the wounded after the battle of Germantown were especially ap- preciated by the friends of the patriot cause. He died in Germantown at the age of seventy- eight years. The father of our subject was born in Germantown, July 4, 1800, and re- ceived his preliminary education in the pub- lic schools of that place. At the age of six- teen he made a trip to the Pacific coast on a whaling vessel but returned to his native state and entered the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated, after pursuing a course of three years, with the degree of M. D. He began practice in New Jersey but soon afterward went to St. Louis, Missouri. In 1821 he went up the Missouri river with Captain Ashley's second expedi- tion into the Rocky Mountains. The latter was a noted leader among the fur traders, and Dr. Bensell had charge of a wounded man who was left at the trading post at Council Bluffs. He continued his journey to Fort Laramie in the Rocky mountains, a distance of several hundred miles, and re- turned to St. Louis in the fall of the same

year. Subsequently he became connected with lead mining at Galena, Illinois, and for ten years was interested in mining in Illi- nois and Iowa. He served his country in the Black Hawk war and received as remunera- tion a hundred and sixty acre land warrant. In this campaign lie was quartermaster ser- geant and for a time had charge of supplies at old Fort Dearborn and this was the only time that he was in Chicago, Illinois. He was married to Juliet Cottle in Cassville,

Wisconsin, and afterward took up a gov- ernment land claim in Clayton county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming and also prac- ticed medicine. In 1854 he crossed the plains to California with his family and spent seven years as a miner in Amador county. He came to Benton county, Oregon, in 1867 and finally settled in Lincoln county, where he served for four years as government physician on the Siletz Indian reservation under Ben Simpson, agent for the United States govern- ment. Dr. Bensell was reared in the belief of the Society of Friends and his early train- ing had a marked effect in shaping his char- acter. He died at Summit, Oregon, in 1879. The mother of our subject was born in Con- necticut and removed with her parents to St. Charles, Missouri, when she was a child. She died at Clayton, Iowa, in 1849, leaving three children: Royal A., of this review; Marguerite, who is the wife of W. H. H. Rich, of Toledo, Oregon; and Mary, who mar- ried Joseph Skaggs, a farmer of Summit, Orc- gon.

Captain Bensell possessed very limited advantages of school training, his total at- tendance including only six months at a log schoolhouse. His education has, therefore been gaincd mainly by contact with the world. He lost his mother at the age of eleven years and two years later entered the office of the Clayton County (Iowa) Herald as printer's devil. This position he held for three years. In 1854 he came west with his father and engaged in placer mining in Amador county, California. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted as a private in Company D, Fourth United States Cavalry, and served for thirty- seven months. The company was placed on duty in Oregon at Fort Yamhill, Fort Hos- kins and also at the Siletz blockhouse but saw no real fighting. In 1865, after having received his honorable discharge, Mr. Ben- sell was appointed farmer on the Siletz In- dian reservation and discharged the duties of this office for three years. He associated with two others in building a sawmill at Millville, Oregon, in 1866 and shipped lumber to San Francisco. He began building a schooner on Yaquina bay in 1870, which he finished in 1873, and followed ship carpenter- ing until 1875. He was then appointed in- spector of customs at Yaquina Port, the re- sponsibilities of which office he discharged to the satisfaction of the officials at Waslı- ington for four years, and in 1884 was ap- pointed collector of customs at Yaquina, and served four years. In 1880 he became iden- tified with .the Oregon Pacific Railroad Com- pany and for twelve years had charge of the right-of-way and other interests of that com- pany in this section. He was for a num- ber of years owner of a steamboat which plied between Newport and Elk City and for seventeen years past he lias hield a cap- tain's commission.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 103

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1072

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1072