The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 119

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

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HENRY B. STEWARD, the efficient and popular postmaster of Myrtle Point, Coos county, not only became a well known fig- ure in industrial circles of this section but is also prominent in politics and well known in fraternal circles of the community in which he makes his home. The width of the continent divides him from the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred in the state of Maine, on the 21st of January, 1859. His parents, Joseph and Sarah Steward, were also natives of the Pine Tree state but in 1876 sought the opportunities of the far west, making their way to Cali- fornia. Upon arriving in that state they took up their abode in Inyo county, which remained the place of their residence throughout their remaining days.

Henry B. Steward, who was the only child born unto his parents, received a good public school education and remained at home until twenty-one year of age, when, determining to seek his own way in the world, he left the parental roof and went to southern California. There he became identified witlı mining and farming operations and was variously engaged in that section of the country for a period of fourteen years. On the expiration of that time lie disposed of his interests in California and came nortlı to Oregon, locating in Coos county, and here took up the occupation of a contractor and carpenter, in which line of activity he met with most gratifying success. He was thus

MR. AND MRS. HENRY B. STEWARD

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

actively connected with the material develop- ment and growth of the county until 1907, when he withdrew from industrial circles to take upon himself the duties of public office.

Early in life Mr. Steward became inter- ested in the politics of the country and, forming his own opinions and rules of con- duct, has given support to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For seven years he served as constable and has occupied the position of postmaster for five years, his reappointment to that office in 1911 indicating his pop- ularity among his fellow citizens and the capable and efficient manner in which he performed the duties that devolved upon him in this connection.

It was in the year 1898 that Mr. Steward established a home of his own by his mar- riage, on the 14th of December, to Miss Estella Volkmar, who was born in Coos county on the 2d of September, 1870, a daughter of William and Wilhelmina (Defenbaugh) Volkmar. Her parents were both natives of Germany, the father's birth occurring on the 19th of April, 1816 and the mother's on June 22, 1830. They crossed the Atlantic in early life, Mr. Volkmar coming to this country when nineteen years of age, arriving in Baltimore in 1834. There he worked for some time at the tinners' trade and later, in connection with his brothers, took large contracts for the cover- ing of stations and bridges belonging to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. He was also employed by Samuel Morse, the in- ventor, in installing the first telegraph line ever constructed between Baltimore and Washington, D. C., and was present when the first message was sent over the line. He was married in Baltimore and in 1859 sailed for California, via the isthmus of Panama, with San Francisco as his destination. He did not long remain in that city, however, but in 1860 came north to Oregon, being a member of the first colony to settle along the Coquille river in Coos county. The party came by boat as far as Port Orford, where they landed, and from which place they made their way up the beach with ox teams, continuing their journey until they reached the Coquille valley. There they procured scows upon which they loaded their effects, and thus they came up the river to their future homes. The journey was not without its perils for on one occa- sion a member of the party was drowned and on another one of the scows sank, causing a great loss of property. Finally, however, they reached their destination and Mr. Volkmar established his home on the south fork of the Coquille river. He had brought with him a millstone and a small . engine, and later he purchased a fifty-two inch saw. He erected a sawmill and also a grist mill, which was operated successfully for some time, and in addition to the lumber which he manufactured for his own use and that of the colony he shipped considerable white cedar lumber to San Francisco, where it sold for twenty-two dollars and fifty cents

per thousand. He continued to reside in that section of the county until 1884, when he came to Myrtle Point and here became identified with the tinning business, while later he added a hardware department. He thus continued until his death, which oc- curred in January, 1909, having survived his wife for seven years, her death occurring in 1902, when she was seventy-one years of age. In their family were eight children, of whom three are deceased. Those living are: J. M., of Oregon City; William F., a resident of North Yakima, Washington; Albert L., a hardware dealer of Myrtle Point; Mrs. Steward; and Henry G., also engaged in the hardware business in Myrtle Point. Those deceased are Carl H., and Tillie V. Greene, and one who passed away in infancy. Mrs. Steward received her edu- cation in Myrtle Point and previous to her marriage was successfully engaged in teach- ing school for a short time. She and her husband have become the parents of three children, namely: Harry B., who was born on November 18, 1899; Melba H., born January 13, 1902; and Darrell C., whose birth occurred on January 16, 1905.

Mr. Steward is a prominent and popular figure in fraternal circles of Coos county, holding membership in the Masonic order and the Woodmen of the World, in both of which bodies he has filled all of the chairs. He has also served as delegate to the grand lodge of Masons and belongs to the Eastern Star, while he is also identified with the local Grange. He and his family live in a fine home situated on six acres of land located partly within the city limits of Myrtle Point. Aside from his home place .he also owns one hundred and sixty acres of timber land on Catching creek and valuable prop- erty in the town of Bandon, while his wife is the owner of thirty-five acres of land on the south fork of the Coquille river. The family is one of the well known and prom- inent families of Myrtle Point, popular in the social circles in which they move, and few citizens are held in higher esteem than is Mr. Steward. He has done much in the past toward the material development of the community and his record in public office has ever been of the highest order, winning for him the confidence and good-will of all concerned.

EMERY ALLEN was for almost four dec- ades identified with the drug trade in Cor- vallis, and the years that covered his active business career chronicled his success as the result of determined and persistent pur- pose and close application, so that he is now able to live retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. The width of the continent separates him from the place of his nativity, for he was born in Ontario, Wayne county, New York, on the 30th of December, 1832. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in a log cabin, which was then the abode of his parents, Henry S. and Annie (Hill) Allen, both na- tives of the Empire state, the former born in Washington county, in 1803, and the lat-

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

ter in Wayne county, in 1805. They were married in the latter county and there reared their family and spent the remainder of their lives. Early in the life of Emery Allen the family went from Ontario, a small town near Rochester, New York, to a small tract of land which the father had pur- chased in Wayne county, containing a log cabin, surrounded by a few acres. The re- moval was made in the winter and the first recollections of the little son were the hard- ships and difficulties encountered during that season, which was an extremely severe one. During the journey, which was made in a wagon, the father lay on a bed, for he had suffered the loss of one leg, a tree having fallen upon it, necessitating its amputation. Thus the brunt of the labor rested upon the mother and her little family, who, how- ever, bore their part nobly. On reaching their new home the family's possessions consisted of a cow, a pig, a little corn and a few potatoes. Some of the corn was fed to the pig until it was fat enough to butcher, and that furnished the meat for the fam- ily during the winter. The rest of the corn was sent to the mill, a bushel at a time on a horse, but whether the proverbial stone was placed in the sack or not Mr. Allen does not remember-he was certain, however, that there was no lack of stones upon the little farm. The snowfall was unusually. heavy that winter, the snow often drifting into the cabin through the top of the win- dows and the doors, and neighbors dug a passage from the house to the shed in or- der that the mother might go to milk and feed the cow. When the father had suf- ficiently recovered from his accident he made himself a wooden leg and was thus able soon to cut firewood, which grew thick all around the cabin. Thus the parents and their five little children passed through that terrible winter, but in the spring conditions became much better. The father cleared his little tract and among the stumps planted an or- chard which within a few years was bear- ing apples as good, Mr. Allen claims, as any he has ever seen in Oregon. As he prospered he bought more pigs and cows and also secured some chickens. The family made their own maple sugar and exchanged butter and eggs in payment for groceries. Thus the parents reared their family, which ultimately numbered eight children, of whom, however, only three now survive, namely: Alonzo, a resident of Charlotte, Michigan; Mrs. Emma Holtam, of Ontario, New York; and Emery, of this review. The father passed away at the age of seventy- eight years, while the mother lived to the ripe old age of eighty-six years. They were earnest, hard-working people, and in spite of hardships and difficulties gave their chil- dren as good opportunities as could be ob- tained.

For three months during the winter sea- sons Emery Allen attended the district schools in order to gain an education, and during the summer he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. By constant study at home he was enabled, at

twenty years of age, to take up the pro- fession of teaching, which he followed for two years in his home locality. During the vacation periods he worked as a farm la- borer, earning fifteen and sixteen dollars per month, while his salary as a teacher was from eighteen to thirty-two dollars per month. Thinking to find better opportuni- ties west, he went to Michigan in 1855, and, locating in Eaton county, continued teach- ing school until the spring of 1859. In the meantime he had heard the call of the far west, which proved irresistible, and, return- ing to New York, he bade adieu to friends and family and embarked on the steamer Northern Light, bound for San Francisco, California. The voyage was made via the Panama route, and upon arriving in the Golden state Mr. Allen found employment on a ranch in the San Jose valley, where he worked until the following spring, during which time he had been able to save three hundred dollars. Again he set sail, his des- tination this time being "God's country," . to use his own terms, and in March, 1860, he arrived in Portland. On the following day he made his way by boat up the Wil- lamette river to Corvallis, reaching the lat- ter city on the same day on which a murder occurred. The murderer was convicted and hung in June, 1860, on the flat river bot- tom land in front of Mr. Allen's present residence. He was the only man ever hung in Benton county. Mr. Allen at first rented a farm and later became the owner of four hundred and ninety acres, which he culti- vated and developed, while during the win- ter months he followed his old profession of teaching school. Thus his time was fully oc- cupied until in February, 1866, when, on account of failing health, he sold his farm and removed to Corvallis, where he pur- chased a half interest in the drug store owned by John W. Souther. Their original location was on the present site of the Oc- cidental Hotel, but after two years they re- moved to Fisher's block and E. Woodward purchased the interest of Mr. Souther. The relationship between Mr. Allen and Mr. Woodward continued for thirty years, and then, when the business was moved to the Kline building in 1899, Mr. Allen bought out his partner and continued alone in business until succeeded by his son John, about 1906. For thirty-nine years he was identified with the drug trade and in that period success in large measure came to him, enabling him now to live in retirement, enjoying all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He is the owner of a fine farm located near Philomath, Oregon, consisting of two hun- dred acres valued at twenty thousand dol- lars, and a brick building at the corner of Second and Adams streets, both of which are a source of a gratifying annual income, while he is also the owner of the fine resi- dence at 738 Third street in which he now makes his home and which he erected in 1882. All of these are but the visible evi- dence of a life of indefatigable industry and earnest endeavor, crowned by success in a substantial measure.

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

It was on the 14th of December, 1862, that Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Barker, who was born in Lee county, Iowa, on the 24th of January, 1846. Her parents, Clement and Christina (Henkle) Barker, were pioneers of Iowa and in 1853 crossed the plains to Oregon as a part of the Henkle train. Mrs. Barker was a daughter of Jacob Henkle, who brought all of his children to this state, and the repre- sentatives of the name are numerous and prominent in the Willamette valley. For many years they have held a family reunion on the 1st of October of each year. Mrs .. Allen's parents are now deceased, the father passing away in Washington and the mother at the home of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have become the parents of six chil- dren as follows: Alonzo W., a druggist of Portland; Ira E., who is employed in the ca- pacity of bookkeeper in Portland; Henry C., a resident of Portland, who has been in the government employ for the last ten years ; Anna, who married Eldred Kuizenga of Bakersfield, California; John F., residing in Corvallis, who is the president of the Com- mercial Club of this city, and his father's successor in the drug business; and Edna, the wife of Charles Shenefield, of Portland. On the 14th of December, 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Allen will celebrate their golden anniver- sary, having traveled life's journey happily together for a half century.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Allen has stanchly supported the republican party, having voted for Fre- mont and all party candidates since that time, while at present he is serving as pres- ident of the Taft Club of Corvallis. He served as a member of the city council for a few years, but otherwise has held no pub- lic office. He was elected county surveyor but did not qualify and has been offered the nomination for state senator but has always declined, preferring to render his service in a private capacity, although deeply inter- ested in the welfare of the party and do- ing everything in his power to further its influence. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, be- longing to all of its various branches. He has watched the growth of Corvallis from an early day, witnessing the organization of many of its important institutions, and has ever felt great interest and pride in the work of development and improvement, do- ing all in his power as a business man or private citizen to further the general up- building. He has been a subscriber for the Oregonian for fifty-one years, of which fact mention was made in that paper in its fiftieth anniversary publication. Oregon numbers him among its representative and valued adopted sons, and he has the esteem and respect of all who know him.

THOMAS L. DUGGER is well known in business, fraternal and agricultural circles of Linn county and has won this promi- nence by active, able and useful work along these lines during his forty-one years' resi- dence in the section. He has been one of

those who have developed Oregon's journal- ism and has devoted much of his time to newspaper work throughout the state, being at the present time the proprietor and pub- lisher of the Lebanon Tribune. His activi- ties have also included work as a schiool- teacher and as .a general farmer and his ca- reer has been useful and valuable as well as upright and worthy. He was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, December 17, 1846, a son of Leonard W. and Sarah Dugger, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Tennessee. Mr. Dugger comes of old Revolutionary stock, his great-great-grand- father having come to the United States from France with General Lafayette and served as a soldier in the Revolution, while his great-grandfather served with General Jackson at New Orleans. His grandfather was one of Illinois' earliest pioneers, hav- ing come to that territory about 1800, set- tling in Madison county, near the present city of Highland, Illinois, and each generation has furnished a large quota of soldiers to the country's various wars. The father fol- lowed farming in Illinois, where he owned two hundred and forty acres of land. He died upon his homestead and the property is still in possession of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Dugger had ten children, four of whom are still living: George W., a resident of Los Angeles, California; Thomas L., of this re- view; Mrs. Mary Hulme, whose home is in southern California; and Samuel B., who re- sides on the old homestead in Illinois.

In the acquirement of an education Mr. Dugger attended the public schools of Ma- coupin county and later attended Blackburn University at Carlinville, Illinois. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Company M, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, in September, 1862, for a term of three years. He served, however, only two years and ten months, being discharged with honor at the close of the war. After he was mustered out he re- turned home and supplemented his early studies by a college course, after which he taught school for two years in Illinois. In 1870 he came west and settled in Portland, Oregon, where for one year he taught in the public schools, coming to Lebanon, Linn county, at the end of that time. Here he took charge of the Santiam Academy and after one year added to his activities by the operation of a tract of land which he has de- veloped and improved at intervals since that time. He, however, kept up his teaching and for four years worked in the public schools of Linn county and also taught vocal music privately. Eventually, he became identified with the Albany Herald, which was estab- lished by Messrs. Pottinger, Barnes & Steele, and was employed in its editorial' depart- ment for several months. Some time after- ward he and O. T. Porter established the Albany Bulletin, in which Mr. Dugger was interested for one year. In 1890 he pur- chased the Scio Press, in Linn county, and this paper he published with much success for seven years, selling out his interests in order to establish the People's Press of Al- bany. Six months later he sold this paper

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

and spent six years upon his farm. In 1904 he returned to Scio and purchased the San- tiam News, which he operated for seven years, selling it in 1911. He came to Leb- anon in January of the following year and here established the Lebanon Tribune, which he is still publishing, doing also job print- ing. During the course of his many years' connection with local journalism he has had a distinct influence upon public thought and action and since he advocated always the highest and soundest doctrines, this influence has tended toward growth and advancement. The Lebanon Tribune is in a flourishing condition both from an edito- rial and business point of view and its large circulation is a tribute to Mr. Dugger's abil- ity and energy. He and his wife own a farm of three hundred and ten acres located five miles from Lebanon and he is the sole proprietor of his large and modern printing plant.

In 1872 Mr. Dugger was united in marriage to Mrs. Georgia A. Henderson, the widow of Philip P. Henderson, by whom she had two children: William J., of Oakland, Cali- fornia; and George C., whose death occurred in Albany. Mr. and Mrs. Dugger became the parents of two children: Samuel W., who was born in August, 1874, and who is now a member of the Naval Station training band at Goat Island, California; and Ella, who died at Scio when she was fifteen years of age. Mrs. Dugger is a native of Illinois and a daugliter of Dr. G. F. Crawford, who came to Oregon in 1852, in pioneer times, and took up a donation claim five miles west of Lebanon, which is still owned by members of the family. Dr. and Mrs. Crawford passed away in Benton county. In their family were five children: Georgia, the wife of our subject; J. G., who is engaged in the pho- tographer's business in Albany; W. W. and O. A., both of whom reside on the old home- stead; and Helen V., who resides in Leb- anon, and who is the owner of fine English walnut and peach orchards. Mr. Dugger was reared in the Methodist Episcopal faith but he and his family are now devout adher- ents of the Spiritualist religion.

Mr. Dugger gives his allegiance to the democratic party but has never been active politically in the sense of office seeking. He is a charter member of Leonidas Lodge, No. 36, K. P. of Scio, and a charter member of McPherson Post, G. A. R., of Albany. Dur- ing his forty-two years' residence in Ore- gon he has won a high place in the respect and esteem of those who are associated with hiim. His work along many different lines has been progressive and useful and his in- fluence one of the important factors in lo- cal development.

JOHN WEST is engaged in general mer- chandising at Westport. Oregon numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Clatsop county, August 13, 1872. His parents were David and Viola (Howe) West. His father and grandfather were among the pioneers of this state, coming to Oregon more than fifty-seven years ago. The

father was born near Quebec, Canada, in 1841, but was married in Westport, Oregon, where he resided until called to his final rest on the 27th of April, 1909. In the early period of his residence here he was owner of a sawmill and logging camp but later turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, con- ducting a general store until his demise. Since his death Mrs. West has removed to Haley; Idaho, where she is living at the age of fifty- six years, her birth having occurred in 1855. In their family were four sons and three daughters: Mrs. Eva A. Smith, a widow liv- ing at Westport and the mother of three children, May, Mabel and Merle; Mrs. Ellen M. Johnson, of Astoria, Oregon; John, of this review; Alonzo D., who is living in Garibaldi, Oregon; and Roy L., Agnes, and Clyde W., all of whom are deceased.

John West started in the business world on his own account when twenty-six years of age. He began dealing in liquor and con- tinued in that line for six years, when he sold out and took up general merchandis- ing in Westport. He has since conducted one of the two largest stores of the town and has built up a good business, being accorded a liberal patronage because he carries a well selected line of goods and meets the demands of his patrons. He owns the store building and also a residence here.

Politically a republican, Mr. West has never sought public office yet he lias served for some years as postmaster of the town and is still filling the position. His grand- father was the first postmaster of Westport and was succeeded by his father, David West, who for many years served in that capacity. John West holds membership with the For- esters of America, Camp No. 8, of Astoria, and he is also identified with Clatskanie Aerie, No. 1795, Fraternal Order of Eagles. From an early period in the history of this state the family has been identified with its material progress and upbuilding, and the work which was begun by his grandfather and continued by his father is now being car- ried on by John West, who is loyal to the best interests of the community.

XAVIER ARZNER, of Lakeview, is a mem- ber of the firm of Arzner Brothers, black- smiths and wagon makers. He was born in Baden, Germany, near the Black Forest, March 12, 1865, and is a son of John and Christiana (Wasmer) Arzner. The mother died in Germany in 1884 and in 1887 the father came to Oregon, his last days being spent in Lakeview, where he passed away in August, 1895. He was a blacksmith by trade in Germany but after coming to the United States lived retired, making his home with his son, whose name introduces this review. In the family were four sons: Ga- briel; Xavier; Joseph; and Jolin, who is a carpenter. All are residents of Lakeview.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 119

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