The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 112

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

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

sided on a small tract of thirty-six acres adjoining Yoncalla. His farming interests have ever been carefully and systematically conducted and the success which has crowned his efforts is but the merited reward of in- dustry and perseverance.

In 1881 Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Zadie Richardson, of eastern Ne- braska, by whom he had six children, five of whom still survive, as follows: Frank L., who is a resident of Astoria, Oregon; Julia R., a trained nurse of South Bend, Washington; May, the wife of Luther Daugherty, of Yoncalla, Oregon; Grace, a high school student; and Jasper, who is attending school and is also still at home.

In politics Mr. Bishop is a prohibitionist, being firmly convinced that the liquor traffic should be suppressed as one of the worst evils which menace the country today. He is one of the trustees of the Methodist Epis- copal church, to which his wife and children also belong. His influence has always been found on the side of material, intellectual and moral development and his work has been an element in the advancement of his community.

E. M. NEWMAN. There is no doubt as to the courage and good business sense of thousands of natives of Sweden who have come to America and in a strange country have won honorable positions and also gained financial independence. In this class belongs E. M. Newman, who began near the bottom of the financial ladder after reach- ing the new world and in the short period of eight years has become the owner of a valuable farm which is yielding a handsome annual revenue. He was born in Sweden January 25, 1870, and in his boyhood pos- sessed advantages of education of which he made wise use. At the age of thirty-three years he left the old country and with his family crossed the ocean continuing his journey westward until he arrived at Port- land, Oregon: He made his home in that city for a year and a half and then, believing that the region of Warren held out large possibilities for a man with little capital, he purchased twenty-five acres of land a mile south of town upon which he established his home. He applied himself industriously to the improvement of the place and it is now . nearly all under cultivation and yields hand- some returns for the labor expended. He paid thirty dollars per acre for the land and it is now worth about two hundred dollars per acre. Mr. Newman had only one hun- dred dollars in his possession when he landed at Portland. He belongs to that class of people known as self-made men-a class of whom there are unfortunately too few in the world and who are honored and re- spected in every civilized country on the globe.

Mr. Newman married Miss Matilda Pear- son and they have two children: Freda, who is at home; and Signe, who has passed the eighth grade in the public schools. After becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Newman accepted the principles of the re-

publican party as his guide in politics and he has seen no reason to change to any other political organization. As a public-spirited man he does not shrink from responsibility and he is serving as road superintendent and discharges the duties of that position in a way that meets with the hearty indorsement of the people. He is a man of decision of character-one who commands respect because he deserves it-and the prog- ress he has made reflects the highest credit . upon himself and his chosen state and nation.

ALVA LEE. Three hundred and ninety- six acres of fertile land in Coos county, well drained and scientifically cultivated, are the result of the agricultural activities of Alva Lee in Coos county. He is a native son of Oregon, his birth having occurred in Douglas county, January 19, 1859. His parents were J. D. B. and Marilla (Huntley) Lee, the for- mer a native of Ohio and the latter of Missouri. Both came to California. The mother crossed the plains to California in the late '40s when she was only five years of age and grew up in that section of the country. J. D. B. Lee also left his native state at an early date and settled on the Pacific coast. He came to Oregon before 1860 and farmed in Douglas county until his death on December 24, 1903. He was the' father of four children: one, who died in infancy; Sylvia C., who passed away at the age of twenty; Milton R., who resides with his wife and seven children at Myrtle Point, Oregon; and Alva, the subject of this sketch.

Alva Lee remained with his parents until he was nineteen years of age. He spent his early boyhood working upon his father's farm and gained a detailed knowledge of modern agricultural methods. He became thoroughly acquainted with soil and crop conditions and with the various duties inci- dent to the cultivation of a farm. When he was nineteen years of age he went into the logging camps of northern Oregon and worked in the timber lands in the employ of others for six years. He spent seven years in ranching and later took up steamboat freighting on the Coquille river. He fol- lowed this line of occupation for a number of years and gained a gratifying degree of suc- cess. When his father died Mr. Lee returned to the old homestead and took active charge of the management and cultivation of the three hundred and ninety-six acres. He does general farming and his early experience is a valuable asset to him. He specializes in dairying and keeps twenty-five cows of the highest grade for this purpose. He has one hundred and forty acres of his land under cultivation and is constantly extending the field of his activities. His farm is situated two and one half miles up the south side of the North fork and is one of the model prop- erties of Coos county.

On April 15, 1896, Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Lillie May Hoyte, a daughter of W. L. Hoyte. Mrs. Lee is one of fifteen children as follows: Theodosia E., who resides in California; Richard, who is a

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

resident of the same state; Melvin, who maintains his home in Preston, Oregon; James, of San Diego, California; William, who is in business in Alaska; Annie, who married R. S. Knowlton of Coquille, Oregon; Cora, the wife of John Lindebeck of Califor- nia; Ellen, the widow of John Long of Bay City, Oregon; Edith, who married D. B. Beal, a resident of California; Robert, who resides on the Coos river; Lillie May, the wife of our subject; Wilber, who resides in California; Charles, deceased; O. J., a resi- dent of Brewster Valley, Oregon; and Sarah, who is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been born five children: Harold, who is deceased; Clarice May, born June 28, 1901, who 'is a student in the Coos county public schools; Richard T., born April 18, 1903, who is also pursuing his studies; Verna A., whose birth occurred September 10, 1906; and Joseph M., born November 28, 1907.

Politically Mr. Lee votes the republican ticket, believing in the progressive policy of that party. He keeps himself well informed upon public affairs but has never sought office. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, his only fraternal affiliation. Agri- culture is one of the most honorable occupa- tions open to men; it is the base of not only the wealth of Coos county but in a great degree of national prosperity. Mr. Lee has · contributed his share to the resources of his district by making the farm which he is developing and operating a modern and pro- gressive enterprise.

BENTON MIRES is a true son of the open west. His birth occurred in that section and his childhood was spent in its great outdoors. He was at home in the saddle from the time when he was seven years of age and he ranged over the Oregon prairies and timber lands long before there was a fence in the state. He was born in Milwaukie, Clacka- mas county, Oregon, September 26, 1853, and is a son of John H. and Anna (Deardorff) Mires, both natives of Ohio. His mother was born in that state, September 18, 1817, and moved to Indiana with her parents when she was very young. She was married in that state to Fleming Byers and removed with him to Burlington, Iowa, where her husband died in 1848. In 1851 she was again married, her second husband being John H. Mires, the father of our subject. Two years later Mr. and Mrs. Mires began their journey across the plains. They jour- neyed with ox teams and arrived in Mil- waukie, Oregon, after several months' con- tinuous travel. They spent one winter in that city and in the following spring came to Douglas county, where the father bought Robert Steward's interest in a donation claim. After the father proved up his title he established his family upon his holding and remained in this section and was active in the cultivation of the soil until his death in 1888. In his early manhood John Mires had been engaged in the river traffic, plying on the Ohio and Mississippi with his vessel. In his Oregon life he was successful as a farmer and stock-raiser and acquired almost

one thousand acres of the most fertile land in Douglas county. He was a stanchi repub- lican in politics but never aspired to public office. His wife was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and sur- vived her husband until 1893.

Benton Mires was reared at home upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the common schools of Douglas county. He was a broad and intelligent reader and in this way acquired a practical and thoroughly efficient education. When he was nineteen years of age he began teaching in the Doug- las county schools and followed that profes- sion in eastern Oregon for several years, teaching during the winter months and work- ing upon the neighboring stock ranches dur- ing the summer. His early manhood was spent practically in the saddle and he re- sided in different parts of the state of Ore- gon, where his duty as a stock rancher called him. He became familiar with every inch of ground in the state of Oregon and became an expert in forestry. Beginning in 1890 he served for three years as a member of the National Guards of this state. In 1890 he engaged in the mercantile business with the firm of Hoover, Watson & Company. He remained in Fossil and was active in this connection for three years. In 1895 he came to Drain from Fossil in order to give his children the benefit of a course in the Central Oregon Normal School located in that city. For three years after his removal to Drain Mr. Mires was engaged in the buying and selling of stock. On June 10, 1898, he was appointed assistant forest agent with head- quarters in Idaho. He removed to that state and followed the duties of his office until he was promoted to the position of forest supervisor of the Bitter Root forest reserves in Idaho. He did efficient and intelligent work in this line and his authority was un- questioned in everything that pertained to the trees and forest reserves of the west. In 1904 he established himself in the mercantile business and in the intervening eight years has built up an extensive and rapidly devel- oping business along this line. He is one of the foremost business men in Drain and his activities always have for their object the welfare and progress of his native state. He looks beyond his individual success into the future of Douglas county and the state of Oregon and his undoubted influence is always given to constructive and progressive ideas.

Mr. Mires was twice married. On April 16, 1876, he wedded Miss Ada Putnam, a daughter of Charles F. and Roselle (Apple- gate) Putnam. Mrs. Mires' mother was a member of the prominent Applegate family and was a daughter of Jesse Applegate, one of the leading citizens of Douglas county. Mr. Mires and his first wife became the parents of five children, four of whom are still living: Harris Frederick, a graduate of the Central Oregon State Normal School, who was appointed by President Roosevelt as supervisor of education in the Philippines and is now serving as government auditor of accounts; Anna Roselle, the wife of D.

BENTON MIRES

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

V. Kuykendall, the prosecuting attorney for Lake and Klamath counties, with residence in Klamath Falls; Mary Vivian, who married John M. Cool, cashier of the Drain State Bank; and Velma, who clerks in her father's store. Mr. Mires' first wife died on the 22d of July, 1904. In November, 1910, Mr. Mires was again united in marriage. His second union was with Mrs. Sherwood Burr, formerly Miss Laura J. Warner. Mrs. Mires is promi- nent in the affairs of the Maccabees and is actively interested in this organization. In his political views Mr. Mires is a firm repub- lican and is always actively interested in the policies and principles of that party. On the 14th of September, 1904, he was appointed by Governor Chamberlain as delegate to the third annual convention of the Oregon Irri- gation Association but could not accept on account of the pressure of business duties. He likewise declined the proffered appoint- ment of regent of the State Normal - School. Fraternally he is master of Sunset Lodge, No. 144, F. & A. M., and also holds member- ship in Drain Camp, No. 259, W. O. W. He is one of the foremost men in the city of Drain and his prominence extends throughout Douglas county. His boyhood and early youth were spent out of doors and his rugged and hardy living has influenced his character with all the strength and firmness of an open life. He is a true westerner. His business relations are irreproachable and his- honor and integrity unquestioned. His hos- pitality is warm and spontaneous and his life worthy, honorable and free from preju- dice.

J. H. CARNAHAN, since the 6th of June, 1911, has practiced law in Klamath Falls. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, December 18, 1880, and the following year his parents removed to Little Rock, Arkansas, with their family. The father was a native of Ireland and the mother of Canada. She died in Arkansas in 1887, but Mr. Carnahan still makes his home near Little Rock, where he has always followed the occupation of farming.

J. H. Carnahan remained at home with his father until he was eighteen and one-half years old, when, on the 22d of July, 1899, he enlisted in the regular army as a member of Company L, Second Infantry, with which he served for three years, having arrived at Manila, September 25, 1899, and being hon- orably discharged July 2, 1902, at the Cuar- tel de España, Manila, Philippine Islands. For one year he was connected with the customs service in the Philippines and for three and one-half years with the United States naval service at the navy yard at Cavite, Philippine Islands. In 1907 he went to Washington, D. C., by way of Suez and New York, having practically made the trip around the world since sailing for the Orient. He was employed in the office of the secre- tary of the navy, at Washington, D. C., from 1907 to 1909, and during the time he was so employed, he graduated from the National University in 1908 and from Georgetown University in 1909, receiving his Bachelor of

Laws degree from both schools. He after- ward spent two years as special agent in the United States general land office in Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, and on the 6th of June, 1911, opened an office in Klam- ath Falls, where lie has since engaged in practice.

His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons. He also became a member of Henry W. Lawton Post, No. 1, V. A. P., at Manila, Philippine Islands. He is in thorough sympathy with Oregon and the interests of the northwest and is making steady progress along professional lines, while at the same time he is proving his worth in matters, of citizenship.

HARDY HOLMAN. The residence of Hardy Holman in Oregon covers more than sixty-four years, during fifty of which he has been identified with various enterprises in Polk county. During the long period of his activity he has manifested rare business sagacity in the direction of his affairs, while as a public official he has given most ef- ficient service. The Holman family has been represented in Oregon for sixty-seven years, the first member having located here in 1844. This was John Holman, great-uncle of our subject, who joined a party coming from Missouri to Oregon across the plains, six months being spent on the journey. He lo- cated at McMinnville, Yamhill county, where he acquired six hundred and forty acres of land, which he cultivated until his death. He was joined, in 1845, by his wife and fam- ily, consisting of the following members: Daniel; Woodford; F. Dillard; F. Warren, a practicing physician; M. P. Deady, the first United States judge at Portland; and J. D., whose son Fred V., is a well known at- torney of Portland.

Hardy Holman was born in Missouri and is a son of James S. and Mary (Bowman) Holman. The father was a son of Isaac Holman, a native of Tennessee, who in his early manhood emigrated to Missouri, where he spent his later days. The maternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth Bow- man, who with four of their children crossed the plains to Oregon from Missouri in 1847, locating on a ranch, on a portion of which the town of Dallas now stands, and there they passed away at a ripe old age. Mr. and Mrs. James S. Holman began their do- mestic life on a farm in Lafayette county, Missouri, whence they subsequently removed to the Platte purchase, Platte county, Mis- souri. There they resided until 1847 when they decided to come to the northwest and establish a home. They made the trip in a wagon with an ox team, joining a party composed of a train of fifty wagons of which Nathaniel Bowman, who had crossed the plains in 1844 and 1845, was captain. He held this position until they reached Ash Hollow, when owing to the size of the party another captain was appointed and the train was divided. They spent six months en route and upon their arrival Mr. Holman lo- cated on a donation claim of six hundred

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and forty acres on the Luckiamute river. At that time the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hohnan numbered five, as follows: Nancy; Hardy, our subject; John; Preston; and Nathaniel. The two youngest children, Amos H. and Mary Huldalı, were born in Oregon. Suc- cess attended the efforts of Mr. Holman, who became one of the prominent cattle men of the state. He was a very capable business man, possessed of much foresight and sagacity, and during the mining days made a trip to California with a wagon load of supplies which he sold to the miners at a handsome profit. He was always distin- guished by unusual powers of organization and executive ability and early became rec- ognized as a leader in his community, taking a prominent part in public life. As a mem- ber of the state legislature he most capably represented the interests of Polk county for three terms, his service being marked by a singleness of purpose that characterized his official life at all times. He was sheriff of the county for seven years and filled many minor positions, in each and all of which he fulfilled his duties with a rare sense of con- scientious obligation to the public. In mat- ters of faith he was a Baptist and helped to build the church at Dallas, while he was for many years a trustee of the Baptist Col- lege at McMinnville. He had pronounced views on the liquor question, and was bit- terly opposed to the traffic in intoxicants. In his political views he was a democrat and gave his support to the men and measures of that party until the Civil war, when he gave up his political allegiance, being op- posed to the extension of slavery. He was the type of man that makes a most desirable pioneer settler, his high principles, pronounc- ed views on all questions pertaining to the public welfare, particularly of a moral na- ture, and his strength of character, making him a strong force in the establishment of a community based upon the highest standards of citizenship. During his long period of residence in Polk county he was always a strong factor in promoting the advance of a newer civilization in the development of public interests. His death was deeply lamented not only in his immediate circle but in the county at large, for the interests of which he had worked tirelessly for many years, having the most implicit confidence in its future. Of his immediate family there are now left but his two sons, our subject, and Amos H., the youngest.

As he was only a young lad when his people brought him to Oregon, Hardy Hol- man's youthful recollections are largely cen- tered about the scenes familiar to his man- hood. When old enough to begin for him- self he settled on a hundred and sixty acres of land on the Luckiamute river, but he later disposed of this and turned his atten- tion to commercial pursuits. He established a general mercantile store at Buena Vista, on the Polk county line, which he success- . fully conducted for several years. Next, he engaged in the stock business in eastern Ore- gon, following which he purchased another ranch on the Luckiamute river, while later

he engaged in sheep-raising. A capable busi- ness man, he has never hesitated to with- draw from an enterprise, when he saw an opportunity of doing better in something else, even when the undertaking seemed some- what hazardous. The salient features of his snecess are enterprise and perseverance, and a determination of purpose that invariably enabled him to attain the thing to which he aspired. The capabilities that stamped him as a business man, marked him as one well able to lead, so he has oftentimes been called to public office and for the last four- teen years has been justice of the peace. The decisions rendered by him during the period of his service have been marked by a rare sense of judgment and a breadth of view that well qualify him for the duties of the office.

Mr. Holman was married in 1861 to Miss Margaret E. Allen, who was born in this state on the 10th of December, 1845, being now the oldest native-born lady in Polk county. She is a daughter of James M. Allen, who located in Polk county in 1845 on Salt creek. Later he removed to the vicinity of Salem and there he passed away at the age of sixty-five years. Of his mar- riage there were born seven children, three of whom died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holman there were also born seven chil- dren, as follows: James Milton, who is In- dian government agent at Yainax, Klamath county; Mary E., the wife of F. E. Meyers, who is a farmer; Eva, now Mrs. Woods, the wife of the station agent at Dallas; Addie, who married A. M. Dalrymple, of Salem, Ore- gon; Andrew, who is a resident of Port- land; Alice, the deceased wife of A. S. Lewis; and Meda, the wife of E. Jacobson, of Dallas.

The political views of Mr. Holman coin- cide with the principles of the republican party, on whose ticket he was elected sheriff of Polk county in 1882, serving for two years. He takes a very rigid stand on the liquor question, and is a strong advocate of temperance. He is one of the strong person- alities of the county, whose public career has always been marked by the sound principles and high ideals that have actuated him in all his relations of life.

CHARLES J. VAN ZILE is one of the highly respected men of North Bend, where he is identified with many of the leading busi- ness enterprises of that city. He was born in New York, July 20, 1857, and is a son of Abraham and Harriett (Armour) Van Zile, the latter a sister of the late well known Philip D. Armour, who was one of the lead- ing packers of Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Van Zile six children were born, as follows: Samuel, who is a resident of North Bend, Oregon; Abraham, Jr., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Charles J., of this review; William, postmaster at Crandon, Wisconsin; Nelson, a resident of the state of Washington; and Harriett, who is the wife of N. J. Cousins, of North Bend, this state.

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Charles J. Van Zile was reared at home and received his early education in the pub- lic schools. At the age of twelve years he started in life for himself at farm work. He later went with his parents to Wisconsin, where he remained for some time and then took up work on a stock ranch in the west, where he remained for seven years, after which he returned to his father's home in Wisconsin. The father died in 1872 and shortly afterward Charles J. Van Zile drove a team from Wisconsin to Missouri, where he was engaged in work on a stock ranch for some time and later established an Indian trading post, to which he gave his atten- tion for twelve years. In 1892 he removed to Oregon, settling first at Roseburg, where he found employment with the government as forest ranger for four years. He then engaged in timber . cruising and has the credit of having located for settlers many homesteads and timber claims in Oregon. In 1905 he took up his abode at North Bend, where he has since continued to reside. He was one of the charter members of the First National Bank at the time of its organiza- tion, of which his brother Abraham is now the president, and he also was identified with the organization of the Oregon Trust Com- pany, of which he is a director. He is the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of timber land and also owns six business lots and many fine residence lots.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 112

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