The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 114

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

USA > Oregon > The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912 > Part 114

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).

In 1860, in London, England, Mr. Flatman wedded Miss Mary A. T. Thompson, who was there born on the 24th of December, 1843. Ifer parents, George and Mary Thompson, were likewise natives of England and cele- brated their marriage in that country. Mrs. Thompson passed away when her daughter Mary was but four years of age, leaving a family of three children, as follows: George, whose demise occurred in the Bermudas, West Indies; Mrs. Flatman; and Robert, who is also deceased. Unto our subject and his wife were born six children, namely: George, a native of London, England, who now re- sides at Hammond, Oregon; Charles W., who was likewise born in England and now makes his home at Grand Rapids, Michigan; Arthur, a native of London, England, who now re- sides at Mill City, Marion county, Oregon; Frank, who was born in Michigan and now lives at Hammond, Oregon; Robert, who is deceased; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Flatman gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty. He is an Episcopalian in religious faith and fraternally is identified with the Red Men at Hammond. In the community where they re- side both Mr. and Mrs. Flatman are well known and highly esteemed as people of gen- uine personal worth.

JOHN B. COFFEY, occupying a position of leadership in the ranks of the republican party in Oregon and known in business cir- cles of Portland as an enterprising and suc- cessful merchant tailor, has throughout his entire life been identified with the interests of the state. He was born in Salem on the 13th of September, 1867. His father, James Coffey, a native of Massachusetts, became a member of the United States army and came to Oregon with Captain Augur, after- ward brigadier general, about 1852. He re- mained for some time at Fort Hoskins, but subsequently went to Corvallis and after- ward to Salem, where he spent his remain- ing days engaged in the furniture business. He was police judge and justice of the peace for about fourteen years in that city, which service won him the title of Squire Coffey. His decisions were strictly fair and impar- tial and that his incumbency in office was satisfactory to his fellow townsmen is indi- cated by his long retention in the position. He died December 31, 1888, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Harrigan, removed from Massachusetts to California. Like her husband, she was a native of Ireland, both having come to the new world in early child- hood days. Their marriage was celebrated at San Francisco and Mrs. Coffey is still liv- ing in Portland at the age of seventy-three years. For a considerable period and at the time of his death he was a member of the Pioneer Society.

John B. Coffey was educated in the public schools of Salem and in Willamette Uni- versity and entering business life occupied the position of telegraph operator at Salem until the 14th of September, 1886, when he

752

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

was transferred to Portland. Here he con- tinued in a similar position until 1887, when, feeling that the opportunity for advancement in that direction was limited, he turned his attention to the clothing business, in which he was associated with A. B. Crosman until 1899. In that year he opened his present merchant tailoring establishment, to which he has given the greater part of his attention since. He continues one of the leading mcr- chants of this character in Portland and draws his patronage from among the best residents of the city.

In other fields Mr. Coffey has become widely known. He is a leading member of the Portland Lodge of Elks, of which he is a past exalted ruler, while at the present writing he is filling the office of treasurer. He has remained in office continuously for nine years. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Knights of Columbus and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He, moreover, cooperates in the movements in- stituted by the Commercial Club for the de- velopment of Portland's interests and the promotion of her growth.

In political connections Mr. Coffey is per- haps even more widely known. He is rec- ognized as one of the efficient workers in the ranks of the republican party and in 1906 was elected to represent his district in the state legislature. The following year he was a candidate for mayor and ran sec- ond among four contestants. Still higher honors awaited him, however, for in 1908 he was elected to the state senate for a term of four years. He gives to each question which comes up for settlement his earnest consideration and his indorsment of any measure is an indication of his honest belief in its efficacy as a feature of good govern- ment or as an element in the promotion of the best interests of the commonwealth.

Mr. Coffey was married in Portland, No- vember 8, 1893, to Miss Marie Boire, a daugh- ter of Ludger Boire, of this city. They have four children: Genevieve, fifteen years of age; Marian, aged fourteen years; Valiere, nine years; and James, seven. The family residence is at No. 449 Benton street. The advancement of Mr. Coffey either in business or political circles is not due to any fortu- nate combination of circumstances but is the direct and legitimate result of his own ef- forts and ability whereby he has come to be known as one of the foremost residents of Portland.

HON. BENJAMIN HUNTINGTON, Jr., is one of the foremost business men of Drain and is also active in the educational and political life of Douglas county. He is a native son of Oregon, having been born in Scotts Valley, Douglas county, on September 22, 1881. His parents were Benjamin and Mary (Miller) Huntington, of whom more extended mention is made on another page in this work.

Benjamin Huntington Jr., spent his early life at home and acquired his education in the public schools of his native state. He later attended the Central Oregon State Nor-

al School at Drain and was graduated from this institution with the class of 1901. He immediately took up the study of pharmacy, entering the drug store of Joseph Lyons. He spent two years acquiring the details of this science and during the same period acted as assistant postmaster of the city and was prominently identified with one of its bank- ing institutions. In the fall of 1903 he entered the State University of Oregon, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1908. Mr. Huntington has always been an earnest student, a lover of good books and a deep reader. The efficient educa- tion which he has obtained was entirely the result of his efforts. Although he had the privilege of drawing upon his father for funds in order to pursue his studies, he never made use of this advantage, preferring to make his way independently. He worked his own way through college and made such a brilliant record in his work that upon his graduation he was offered the chair of United States history and civics in the Eugene high school, Eugene, Oregon. When he accepted the position he was put in charge of classes in his two special subjects and was also ap- pointed coach of the debating team. He did such successful work as a teacher that in the second year of his connection with the school he was appointed assistant principal, still retaining, however, his position as instructor in debating. He severed his connection with the Eugene high school in 1910 and came to Drain in June, of that year. In the May previous to this, he with his brother, C. P. Huntington, and his father had purchased the drug business of E. R. Applegate and upon Benjamin Huntington's arrival in Drain he took in charge the entire direction of a most flourishing enterprise. He has since retained the active management of the busi- ness and under his control and policy it has developed and grown into one of the largest pharmacies in Douglas county. The interests in the business which his father and brother hold are purely financial and the entire charge of the enterprise rests with Benjamin Hunt- ington. He carries on his business along progressive and scientific lines. He is an expert pharmacist and well acquainted with the chemical combinations of drugs. His knowledge is accurate and he is rapidly ob- taining a reputation throughout the city of Drain as a careful and conscientious worker in his chosen field. He has, however, never slackened in his interest in education and has done remarkable work in this line. He is a member of the county educational board and in connection with his duties in this respect is the author of the supervisory law which provides for deputy superintendents of schools in counties having more than fifty districts. This law has done more good in Douglas county than any other one enactment passed in the last five years and has been a domi- nating influence in the promotion of general education throughout the state.

Politically Mr. Huntington gives his alle- giance to the republican party. He is a stanch supporter of the local organization and has been prominent in public affairs of

BENJAMIN HUNTINGTON, JR.

755

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

his county and state for several years. In November, 1910, he was one of six candi- dates for the nomination for state repre- sentative on the republican ticket. He was elected by a large majority over his nearest competitor. His public life was distinguished by marked ability and a political sense which is rare and which always makes for its possessor a brilliant public reputation. His influence was always given to the cause which he believed to be just and in all his political career his actions were influenced by a careful regard for the wishes of the people he served.

Fraternally Mr. Huntington holds member- ship in Drain Camp, No. 259, W. O. W., but beyond this has no connections of this kind. He is a member of the Christian church of Drain and is a well known figure in its af- fairs. As a politician and as an educator he does the real and active work of his life. Intelligent ability and a broad tolerance mark his public service. His work on the educa- tional board has been distinguished and emi- nent and he may be ranked among the men whose careers have been conspicuously useful in raising their fellow citizens to a broader and more liberal educational life.

ABRAHAM VAN ZILE is among the widely known and highly respected citizens of North Bend, Coos county, where he is successfully engaged in the banking busi- ness, being at the present time the pres- ident of the First National Bank of North Bend. He was born in 1854, in New York city, and is a son of Abraham and Harriett (Armour) Van Zile. The father's people were of Holland origin and the founder of the family settled in America in 1620. Abraham Van Zile, Sr., was an expert ship carpenter and at one time was in the employ of Commodore Vanderbilt. His wife was a sister of the late Philip D. Armour of Chi- cago. To them were born six children, as follows: Samuel, a furniture dealer of North Bend; Abraham, of this review; Charles, en- gaged in the timber business at North Bend; William, postmaster at Crandon, Wisconsin; Nelson, residing in Ancordis, Washington; and Harriett, the wife of N. J. Cousins, of North Bend. Both the father and mother of this family died many years ago.

Abraham Van Zile was reared at home and received his early education in the pub- lic schools. He remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age and then engaged in logging in Wisconsin, in com- pany with a partner, and continued in that business for ten years. He next opened a merchandising business in Crandon, Wis- consin, having some time previously received the appointment of postmaster. On April 6, 1903, he removed to Oregon and settled in Roseburg, where he remained for a short time and then came to Coos bay, where he later purchased property at North Bend. He was one of the organizers of the First Na- tional Bank of North Bend and is the holder of the first stock certificate issued by that corporation. He has been a member of the board of directors since the bank was es- tablished and in 1910 was elected president.

On settling in North Bend he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business and pur- chased twelve thousand dollars worth of land as an initial investment and has since con- tinued to operate in property in that city and in Coos county. He organized the Coos Bay Tide Land Company, of which he is president, and also organized the Oregon Trust Company, of which corporation lie is also the president. He is the owner of many valuable business properties and uses all his private funds for investment purposes at North Bend.

Mr. Van Zile was first united in marriage to Miss Arika Parsons, a native of New York, who removed with her parents to Wis- consin at an early day, where she celebrated her marriage and died in 1890. She was the mother of one child, Harriett, who is the widow of the late E. Le Roe of Seattle, Washington. Mr. Van Zile was later united in marriage to Miss Caroline Parsons, who is a cousin of the first Mrs. Van Zile. She is a native of New York and they are the parents of two children. Ethel, who is em- ployed by her father, has an excellent busi- ness education, and graduated from the commercial course at Mount Angel Academy of this state. Eva Van Zile is attending school.

Mr. Van Zile is affiliated with the repub- lican party and held the offices of constable, county supervisor, county treasurer, assessor and county commissioner and served on the school board for fifteen years in Wisconsin. During his residence at North Bend he has been a member of the school board for three years and councilman for two years and for business reasons refused to run for the of- fice, of mayor. He was formerly identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious sym- pathies are with the Presbyterians and Lutherans. Abraham Van Zile is a man of unquestioned integrity and one of the most enterprising citizens of this portion of the state.

HORACE M. MANNING is engaged in the general practice of law in Klamath Falls. He was born in Jacksonville, Oregon, Sep- tember 20, 1879, and is a son of J. W. and Belle (Galloway) Manning, the former a na- tive of Ohio and the latter of Mississippi, both of whom crossed the plains at an early day with their parents and later were mar- ried at Jacksonville. In 1883 they came to Klamath county, where they now reside. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living.

Horace M. Manning was reared in his par- ents' home and received his early education in the public schools. In 1897 he was grad- uated from the high school at Klamath Falls and from 1897 to 1898 he was a student in the State Normal School at Ashland. In March, 1898, he went to Chicago, where he remained until 1899. He then entered the law department of the Northwestern Univer- sity at Evanston. from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1908 and

756

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

later admitted to the bar of Illinois. In

March, 1909, he returned to Oregon and was admitted to the bar in this state and has since continued to be actively engaged in the practice of law at Klamath Falls. He and John Irwin have their law offices in common but their interests in the practice of law are entirely separate.

Mr. Manning was united in marriage in 1903 to Miss Emily Louise Pooley, a native of Columbus, Ohio. She is a daughter of Dr. Pooley, who was the founder of the Toledo Medical Institute. Mrs. Manning was a graduate of Bucknell University of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Manning two children, have been born: Elizabeth, who is eiglit years of age; and James Wesley, seven years of age. The mother of this family died May 1, 1910. Mr. Manning is affiliated with the republican party and served in 1911 and during a part of 1912 as city at- torney of Klamath Falls. He has also served as assistant district attorney and is still acting as one of the attorneys of Klamath county. He has already acquired that de- gree of success in the practice of his profes- sion which places him among the represen- tative members of the bar in his portion of the state. He is known to be a man to whose care the interests of his clients may be safely entrusted.

CHARLES S. WINSOR has for many years been among the most active and successful men of North Bend, in which city he re- sides and is engaged in the banking busi- ness, being at present the president of the Bank of Oregon. He was born in Pennsyl- vania, July 15, 1865, and is a son of Wil- liam and T. C. (Whyte) Winsor, the former a native of New York and the latter of Eng- land. The father emigrated to Oregon with his family in 1871, making the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. During his early life in Oregon he did volunteer service in the Indian wars. He had a family of four children: Anna, the wife of William Gauntlett of Seattle, Washington; Mary, who married A. H. Gauntlett, of Gold Beach, Oregon; Charles S., the subject of this. re- view; and Harvey, deceased.

Charles S. Winsor, with his parents, emi- grated to Oregon when he was a child of six years. He was reared at home and received his elementary education in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he engaged in work for R. D. Hume, who was the owner of an extensive salmon-canning business. Mr. Winsor con- tinued in the employ of Mr. Hume for a period of twenty-three years, during which time his first work was that of putting fish into cans and later he was promoted to the position of manager of the entire business. At the time of this promotion he was only eighteen years of age. In that position he continued to serve for a period of twenty- one years. during which time he lived at Gold Beach and also at San Francisco and had charge of three canneries, one in Alaska, one on Rogue river and one on Klamath

river. Each establishment had connected with it a general store and Mr. Winsor had entire charge of all the business connected with both the canning and mercantile inter- ests of Mr. Hume. Upon the organization of the Bank of Oregon he accepted the posi- tion as cashier and later was elected to the presidency, in which position he has served for the past eighteen months. The Bank of Oregon was organized with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars and has since done a growing business. The present officers and directors of the bank, all of whom are stock- holders, are as follows: C. S. Winsor, pres- ident; L. J. Simpson, vice president; Henry Hewitt, Jr., and Seymour H. Bell, vice pres- idents, residing in Tacoma, Washington; and E. H. Jones, cashier. In addition to the above C. R. Smith and Captain A. M. Simp- son are stockholders in the bank.

Mr. Winsor was united in marriage, in 1892, to Miss Kate Anthony, a native of Cali- fornia. They are the parents of two chil- dren: C. Joseph, who is attending school in North Bend; and Helen Charlotte. Mr. Win- sor is affiliated with the republican party and has been city treasurer of North Bend for the past four years. He is now in the midst of his second term. He was also port commissioner for one term. His fra- ternal relations are with the Masonic order, in which he is a thirty-second degree Mason and also a Knights Templar of Marshfield, Oregon. He is among the well known, in- fluential men of Coos county and is in every way entitled to be numbered among the enterprising and desirable citizens of this part of the state.

H. A. CLODFELTER, commercial traveler for the Mitchell, Lewis & Stover Company, of Portland, Oregon, is a native of Iowa, and a son of a pioneer of that state. He was born in Albia, February 19, 1873, his parents being N. O. and Clara E. (Scott) Clodfelter. On both sides the family is of German extraction and his father was for some time a surveyor in his native country. The father came as a pioneer to Iowa when the entire state was prairie land and most . of the inhabitants were Indians. The sec- tion in which he settled was infested with rattlesnakes which, however, formed only one of the many dangers of those early times. With the sturdy determination which distinguished the first settlers in the state, N. O. Clodfelter developed his land and gradually became successful as a general farmer. At the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services to the Federal govern- inent as a member of the Seventeenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and remained in that regiment until honorably discharged. He came to Oregon October 2, 1885, and the latter years of his life were spent in Port- land, Oregon. He was an employe of the postal department of the United States un- der the civil service act. He died July 21, 1908. His wife is still living and her father D. H. Scott, is also a veteran of the Civil war, having served as lieutenant of the Forty-third Indiana Volunteers.

757

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

After completing the collegiate course at Monmouth, Oregon, H. A. Clodfelter began his business life as an employe of Klemsen & Clodfelter Brothers at Talmage, Oregon in the flour milling business. Soon after- ward he became connected with the Mitchell, Lewis & Stover Company, of Portland and bas acted in their interest in various capaci- ties for many years. Through successive stages he worked his way upward becoming first superintendent and finally commercial traveler in which capacity he acts at the present time. His position is one of respon- sibility and trust and he has proven himself fully able to meet its demands. His in- tegrity, enterprise, and progressive spirit have been well tested and they have brought him the confidence and esteem of his employ- ers and the respect of his many friends.

At Independence, Oregon, January 4, 1893, Mr. Clodfelter was united in marriage to Miss Minnie O. Johnson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Johnson, of Wauconda, Illinois. Mrs. Clodfelter's father died when she was very young and her mother after- ward married Mr. S. O. Darrell, of Wau- conda, who was a volunteer in the Civil war, serving during the entire period of hostil- ities. Mr. and Mrs. Clodfelter have two children, V. Lucille and Nolan A. Mr. Clod- felter has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1903. His grandfather was a whig for many years and joined the republican party upon its organi- zation. Loyalty to its principles has be- come a tradition in the family through the generations and Mr. Clodfelter is an earnest upholder of republican doctrines although never active as an office seeker.

ANDREW ANDERSON has been identi- fied with agricultural interests on North lake since he took up a homestead claim in that section in 1905. He learned the de- tails of his occupation in his native country of Finland where his father was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born in 1866. His parents were natives of Finland and had twelve children, six of whom are living: Jack, who resides in Finland; Alex, a resi- dent of. Michigan; August, who makes his home in his native country of Finland; Mary, of Michigan; Annie, who also resides in Michigan; and Andrew, the subject of this review.

Andrew Anderson received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Finland and left his native country in 1887. When he was twenty-one years old, he came to America and settled in Michigan where he worked in the copper mines for one year and a half. At the end of that period he removed to Astoria, Oregon, where he followed the occupation of fishing for about two years. He then came to Coos bay and worked in the coal mines and in the. timber woods for about fifteen years. In 1905 he took up a homestead claim on North lake near Lakeside and is still en- gaged in active operation of one hundred and eight acres of land in that section. He uses scientific and intelligent methods in farming and his dairy, to which he gives special at-

tention, is conducted along modern and sani- tary lines. He makes system and sanitation his principal considerations and is very suc- cessful.

In 1904 Mr. Anderson was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Hannah Stonelake, a native of Finland. She was the widow of Matt Stone- lake and had five children by her first mar- riage: Stanford, who is attending school and living at home; and Victor, Emma, Mathew and Esther, who are living on the home farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Anderson have been born five children: Edna, whose birth occurred in 1906; William, Arthur and Ernest, who are living with their parents; and Andrew, who has passed away.

Andrew Anderson gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has never sought public office, preferring to give his entire attention to dairying and farming.

GEORGE M. JONES. All honor is due to the pioneer settlers who braved the hardships, trials and dangers of frontier life and planted the seeds of civilization in hitherto undevel- oped and unimproved regions. To this class belongs George M. Jones, "a big-hearted pio- neer stockman," who stands high in the re- gard of his fellow citizens. He is the owner of about forty-three hundred acres of land and his success has been honorably won through his own labors. He was born July 3, 1838, in Cooper county, Missouri, a son of Abraham and Matilda (Crum) Jones, who were natives of Kentucky and Virginia re- spectively. They went to Missouri in child- hood with their parents, were married there and both died in that state, the mother pass- ing away when her son George was about eighteen years of age, while the father died at the age of eighty-four. He had married again and there were two children by the second marriage, while four sons and one daughter were born of the first marriage.

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.

The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 114

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