The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 122

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 122

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).

and Abel. The mother of these children died and James Bristow took for his second wife Miss Betsy Clevenger and they became the parents of a large family, some of the chil- dren of their son Wesley having become residents of Oregon. Elijah Bristow was reared in the state of his birth but in his early manhood he went to Kentucky, going from there to Illinois. In 1845 he crossed the plains to California and the next year he became a resident of Oregon. He erected the first house built in Lane county, which was located in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, where the chimney still stands. He had the added distinction of being the first post- master of the first postoffice in Lane county and he also organized the first Christian church in the northwest, and donated land for the first district school in the county in district No. 1. He was early recognized as a leader of men and was intensely patriotic and apparently absolutely fearless, and was known far and wide because of his bravery as well as his wonderful marksmanship. He went to the front during the War of 1812 and also during the Black Hawk Indian war, and was asked to take the command of a regiment during the latter conflict, but pre- ferred to go as a private. His death occurred on the 19th of September, 1872, at the venerable age of eighty-four, his natal day being the 28th of April, 1788. Mr. and Mrs. Abel K. Bristow had seven children as follows: Samuel E .; Mary Jane, who died in infancy; John H .; Alice H., the wife of L. J. Cornelius, a farmer of Pleasant Hill; Isabel G., the widow of William Robinett, of Creswell; William L., our subject; and Delilah A., the wife of Aurelius Todd, of Mexico. Mrs. Almira Bristow, the mother of our subject, was born on the 30th of May, 1826, the elder of two daughters born to Samuel and Ruth (Powers) Gooch, her sis- ter's name being Malvina. Mrs. Almira Bris- tow was born in Illinois where in after years Beardstown was founded. She was the sec- ond white child born in those parts. Her paternal grandparents were of English and Irish birth respectively, and in 1801 came from England to America. Her father, Sam- uel Gooch, was born on the very day they landed on American soil. He passed away after a lingering illness on June 19, 1838, and her mother died November 9, 1859. Mrs. Almira Bristow with her husband removed to Oregon in 1848, making the trip by ox team. They took up a donation land claim on Pleasant Hill the following year. Abel K. Bristow died May 31, 1881, but the mother still lives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. William Robinett, of Cres- well, on a part of the old homestead, and in the same house in which she has raised her family. She is eighty-six years of age, yet is well and active and her hearing and eyesight are excellent for one of her age. She leads a Christian life in the best implied sense of the word and seeks inspiration from her Bible, which she reads through once every year and has done so for years past.

804

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

The boyhood and youth of William L. Bris- tow were passed in very much the same manner as those of other lads who were reared in Oregon during the pioneer period. He remained at home assisting with the cul- tivation of the ranch until he was twenty- one and then joined a party of United States surveyors in the capacity of chain man. He followed this occupation for two years dur- ing the spring season, while in the winter he attended the normal school at Monmoutlı. In 1883, he began teaching vocal music and at the same time he was employed on a farm. In the spring of 1884, he began his commercial career as a clerk for Dr. Scar- brough, but he withdrew at the end of a year, in order to assume management of his mother's farm. He operated this for four years and in the spring of 1889 became clerk in a general mercantile store. The next year he was married and about the same time he took a position with J. D. Matlock, who was also engaged in the general mer- cantile business. In August, 1891, he re- turned to Pleasant Hill and opened a store, which he conducted with very good success for seven years, and during that time he also served as postmaster. Believing that Creswell was a better location, he, in 1898, removed there and continued his mercantile pursuits. The next year he disposed of his store and went to Polk county, where he was engaged in business for seven years. In 1906, he returned to Lane county and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He still owned his portion of the old homestead, consisting of one hundred acres, and to this he added another hundred by purchase. Sixty acres of the latter was cleared and under cultivation and he now devotes eighty of his two hundred acres to the raising of grain. Mr. Bristow takes great pleasure in the quiet farm life, and enjoys the privilege of living in the country, after serving the public for many years and meeting many people in commercial life.

On the 23d of July, 1890, Mr. Bristow was united in marriage to Miss Luella Handsaker, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Cannon) Handsaker. The father was born in Hatten, England, November 19, 1831, and was one of ten children born to his parents. The pa- ternal grandfather died from a dog bite, when his son Samuel was a child of only three years, and the mother, who was left in impecunious circumstances, met with much difficulty in rearing and educating her large family. In his early manhood Mr. Hand- saker emigrated to the United States and in 1853 he crossed the plains from Edwards- ville. Illinois, to the northwest. The fol- lowing spring he located in the Napqua val- ley in the vicinity of Oakland, where he re- sided for seventeen years. At the expira- tion of that time he came to Lane county and bought a ranch near Dexter and later he also engaged in the mercantile business operating both his ranch and store until 1887. He next removed to Yaquina and opened a store, but the next year he dis- posed of this and came to Pleasant Hill and purchased his son's mercantile business. In

1891, he withdrew from active commercial pursuits and went to Eugene, where he lived retired until his death on the 4th of Octo- ber, 1909. Mr. Handsaker was one of the widely known and highly esteemed pioneers in this section of the state. He was a well read and widely informed man and carly recognized the wonderful development that must ultimately take place in the northwest. During his latter years he wrote a most en- tertaining and valuable account of pioneer conditions, which was published under the title "The Pioneer Life." It was really a narrative of his early experiences and those of his associates and because of its intimate, personal nature and simple style had an ex- tensive circulation throughout the state. He is survived by the mother, who crossed the plains from Iowa in 1854 and was married to Mr. Handsaker on the 27th of November, 1856. Eight children were born to them: George W., whose birth occurred October 10, 1859; Mary S., who was born on the 30th of October, 1861; Edward B., born December 13, 1863; Martha E., whose natal day was the 20tlı of August, 1866; Mrs. Bristow, who was born February 5, 1868; Henrietta, born Jan- uary 17, 1871; Thomas S., born on the 31st of May, 1873; and John J., whose birth oc- curred on the 29th of December, 1875. The mother is now residing in Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. Bristow had four children. Arlo B., who was born August 31, 1893, and is going to enter the ministry, will continue his edu- cation in the Oregon Agricultural College, taking his theological course in the Bible College at Eugene. Elda G., who was born June 24, 1897, and Morton L., whose natal day was March 21, 1899, are both attend- ing the public school. Dwight L. was born February 12, 1909, and died on the 16th of March, 1910.

The family are active workers in the Christian church. Fraternally Mr. Bristow belongs to Pleasant Hill Camp, No. 271, W. O. W., and also carries a policy in the Bankers Life Company. In politics he is a republican. Both he and his wife are held in high esteem in Pleasant Hill, where they have been known from childhood and have many close friends.

HON. W. LAIR THOMPSON, whose posi- tion as a distinguished attorney is indicated by the fact that he has the largest law practice in southern Oregon, is perhaps equally well known as a leader in politics and as one who has. marked influence in promot- ing legislation of value to the entire common- wealth. Close and discriminating study of the issues of the day has led to his indorsement of various important measures looking to the development of the state and the utilization of its natural resources. Hc is a native of Oregon and is vet a young man for his birth occurred on the 1st of January, 1880, on a farm in Linn county. His parents, Rufus and Adaline (Hill) Thompson, werc natives of Tennessee and Kentucky respec- tively, the latter coming to Oregon, in 1852, with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. R. C. Hill. Rufus Thompson arrived in 1854 and in Linn county was married. The parents live in

805

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Albany, the father having retired from the ranch, to which he devoted his energies for a long period. In his family were three sons and three daughters: Reuben C., a teacher in the University of Nevada; Fred H., a practicing physician of Salem, Ore- gon; W. Lair; Mary, the wife of F. N. Par- ent, of Portland; and Cassie and Ruth, both at home.

During the period spent under the pa- rental roof, W. Lair Thompson attended the public schools and later began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Al- bany Herald, where he remained for three years. Recognizing the value of education as a factor in success he availed himself of the opportunity to continue his studies, entering McMinnville College in 1897. There he completed a classical course by gradua- tion in June, 1902, when the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. Dur- ing his college days he won first place in the state oratorical contest in 1900. Following his graduation he returned to the Albany Herald which he managed for a short time, its editor having been made state printer. It was Mr. Thompson's desire, however, to enter upon the practice of law and with this end in view he began reading, being admit- ted to the bar in 1904. The following year he was made chief clerk in the house of rep- resentatives and again served in 1907. This brought him intimate knowledge of the work that was being done in the legislature and proved of much value to him when he was subsequently called to represent his district. In December, 1905, he was elected city re- corder and police judge of Albany and thus served until May 1, 1907, when he came to Lakeview. The same year he was chosen city attorney and capably filled that position until May, 1912, when he resigned. He has a very extensive private practice, his success being based upon his comprehensive knowledge of law and accurate application of its princi- ples. He is thorough and painstaking in the preparation of his cases and his arguments show convincing logic and strong reasoning.

All through the years Mr. Thompson has continued a factor in political circles and in 1910 was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, taking his seat in the session of 1911. At the present writing he is the republican nominee for the state senate from the seventeenth senatorial district, and there is practically no doubt of his being elected. He was the leader of the republican forces on the floor of the house in 1911 and was an influencing factor in legislative mat- ters. Through his efforts the bill (later vetoed by the governor) was passed to re- claim the beds of the lakes of the state of Oregon, where practical, use the water for irrigation and the lake beds for agricultural purposes. He is a close student not only of politics as relating to the science of gov- ernment, but also of all questions which have to do with the material welfare and progress of the people at large. He worked for four years in securing the vote of the people to support the question of bonding the town

in which he lives in order to build a sewer system. It is well known that he ever stands for progressive movements and meas- ures and his efforts are productive of sub- stantial results.

On the 19th of September, 1906, at Eu- gene, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Hobbs, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Hon. J. W. Hobbs, of Eugene. They became parents of two children, Har- old Douglas and Alice Lair, but the former died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson make their home in Lakeview.

Mr. Thompson owns some ranching prop- erty in this part of the state. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge at Lakeview, of the Elks lodge at Klamath Falls, and of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Albany. At- tractive social qualities render him popular and he has an extensive circle of warm friends not only in southern Oregon but throughout the state, wherever he is known. He is a self-educated and self-made man in the highest and best sense of the terms. Recognizing the value of education he made possible his own college course and he has ever followed in the path where laudable ambition has led the way, bringing him into professional and political prominence.

WILLIAM JAMES is one of the prosper- ous business men of North Bend, Coos coun- ty, Oregon, where he is successfully engaged in the contracting and building business. He was born in Quaker Hill, Canada, and is a son of John and Rachel (Widdefield) James, both of whom were natives of Cana- da. The paternal grandfather, Ezekiel James, was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and was one of the early settlers of Quaker Hill. He was careful and well versed in business affairs and upright and just in all his dealings with his fellow citizens, and was looked upon as a leader among his Quaker friends and neighbors. At the time of his settlement at Quaker Hill he brought with him a number of Quaker families, who also established their homes at that place. After a long life of usefulness Ezekiel James passed away at the home of his son John, at Quaker . Hill, in 1872. John James pur- chased a farm at Quaker Hill near the farm owned by his father and there established his home. His brother, Isaac James, was killed near Quaker Hill by a man who worked for his father. The motive for this deed was the hope of escaping with a fine team -- the envy of all who saw it-which he had stolen from Isaac. The thief and murderer was caught and he was the first man hung in the city of Toronto. To John James and his wife ten children were born. Henry, deceased, was engaged in missionary work at Vancouver, British Columbia, and in the interest of that cause expended over ten thousand dollars. He was a man of noble character and was an effective force for good in that community. He established homes for the unfortunate and his work is now carried on by his wife, who survives him. Alonzo is married and also resides in British Columbia, and he and his wife are

806

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

interested in missionary work and are able assistants of Mrs. Henry James in that field of labor. Rachel is the widow of Chauncey Connor, of Vancouver. William is the sub- ject of this review. The other members of the family are all deceased.

William James was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age. As a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade and starting in life for himself he en- gaged in the blacksmithing and manufactur- ing business. He later moved to Toronto, Canada, where he engaged in the real-estate business and is there known as the "Father of Toronto Junction." He lived at that place for nine years, after which he moved to Montreal, where he lived for five years during which time he built up Montreal Junc- tion. Finally he sold all of his interests in Montreal and moved to British Columbia, where he was engaged in mining for a year. He then went to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he remained for six months, after which he came to San Francisco, California, and there continued to live for three years. He later moved to Oakland and purchased a machine shop in that city and continued to give his attention to that business for three years. In 1899 he settled at Myrtle Point, Coos county, and purchased a farm on which he lived for two years and then took up con- tract work with the L. J. Simpson Lumber Company. He later established himself in the contracting and building business at North Bend, and has since continued in that business, having met with gratifying success.

On June 21, 1872, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Euphemia Johnston, a

daughter of Jabez and Hannah (Lundy) Johnston. The parents were Quakers and residents of Pine Orchard, Ontario, Canada. The father was one of the leading and in- fluential men of his community and his family numbered five children: Euphemia, who became Mrs. William James; Harriet, deceased; Mary Ann, the wife of Duncan McFarland, of Manitoba, Canada; Priscilla, who is the widow of Chauncey Connor, Jr., and resides at Newmarket, Canada; and Washington, deceased. Mrs. James died May 10, 1909. She was the mother of six children: Mary Ann, who became the wife of William Wilson, of Toronto, Canada, and is now de- ceased; Hannah Rachel, the wife of C. B. Blair, of North Bend; Eli Wilton, of Myrtle Point; George Washington, of Santa Rosa, California; Edwin Arthur in the employ of the street railway company at San Francisco, California; and Sarah Ella, who is the wife of John Orr, of Metrolus, Oregon. The chil- dren of this family all received the benefit of a high-school and business-college educa- tion and Hannah graduated with highest honors.

William James is affiliated with the re- publican party but is not an office seeker. He is a member of the Quaker church and maintains his residence on Mead street, be- tween Washington and Virginia streets, at North Bend. He is one of the substantial, enterprising citizens of North Bend and is

a man highly esteemed for his consistent life and unquestioned integrity in all matters of business.

JEFFERSON DAVIS BENHAM. The state of Oregon is among the foremost fruit-pro- ducing sections of the country and Coos county is one of its important orchard dis- tricts. It has attained this distinction through the individual efforts of many men, prominent among whom is Jefferson Davis Benham, who has ten acres of fertile land planted to fruit trees and is accounted one of the most successful orchardists in his dis- trict. Mr. Benham was born in Missouri, March 18, 1864, and is a son of Peter and Nancy J. (Casteel) Benham. The father was born in Tennessee and the mother in In- diana. They were the parents of eight chil- dren: Francis A., deceased; Malinda, who married B. B. Teaters, of Fairview, Oregon; Eliza J., the widow of J. M. Reid, of Lake county; Juliette, who married John F. Mun- ford, of Arago, Oregon; William E., of Lake county; Jefferson, the subject of this sketch; Nancy E., who married Howard Collver, of Coquille; and Peter S., a resident of Lake · county.

Jefferson Davis Benham was educated in the public schools of Oregon, his parents having settled in the Willamette valley in 1864. His father purchased a small farm after arriving in the northwest and fol- lowed agriculture in the Willamette val- ley for five years. He later sold out and moved to California, where he lived for seven years, following farming. He eventually returned to Oregon, settling in Coos county, where he purchased a home- steader's rights and farmed until the time of his death. This occurred shortly after his purchase and his wife was obliged to prove up his claim. The elder Mr. Benham died on July 22, 1882. His son our subject, was at that time only eighteen years of age but the entire responsibility for the development and improvement of one hundred and sixty acres of land which comprised the homestead rested upon his shoulders. He later purchased the place from his mother and made it his home for a number of years. He spent five years in sheep and stock-raising in Lake county and returned to his father's homestead, two and a half miles from Fairview, Oregon, in 1902. Here he is carrying on scientific or- chard farming and gardening. He has ten acres planted to fruit trees and is success- ful in their cultivation.

On October 31, 1888, Mr. Benham was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Edda Brownson, a native of Iowa and a daughter of H. H. and Melissa L. (Woodruff) Brown- son, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Illinois. To her parents were born ten children: Carrie E., the wife of our sub- ject; Harriette D., the wife of Hiram Hatcher of Bridge, Oregon; Kittie L., who married P. S. Benham, a brother of our subject and a resident of Lake county; George and Solo- mon, both living at Bridge; Amelia, the wife of Charles Hill, of Coquille; Henry, of Bridge; Eugene, deceased; and Elmer and

MR. AND MRS. J. D. BENHAM

809

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Harry, whose homes are in Bridge, Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. Benham have been born six children: Nancy L., whose birth occurred on August 14, 1889, who was educated in the district schools of Coos county, and is living at home; Myrtle Irene, born May 24, 1891. who is the wife of Charles Holverstott, of Fairview, by whom she has one child, Curtis, H .; Thomas Henry, born January 25, 1893 who is at home; Raymond David, whose birth occurred on February 19, 1895; Edda Amanda, born February 15, 1897, who is at- tending school and living with her parents; and Elmer Ernest, born on the 14th of Sep- tember, 1904, attending school.

Jefferson Davis Benham is a consistent democrat and is interested in educational affairs. He has held several school offices and is now clerk of his school district. He belongs to the Christian church, in which his wife also holds membership. His career is representative of one of the principal indus- tries in the state of Oregon and has been distinguished by an intelligent grasp of local conditions and by a business discrimination of a high order which have resulted in his owning the finest orchard in Coos county and have made his private property a public re- source.

H. A. COX is living retired in Langlois after an active and useful life spent in worthy enterprise. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout the entire period of hostilities and has spent most of his time since his discharge from the army in Oregon. He is well known in business circles in Curry county. He was born near Hennepin, Illinois, September 23, 1840, a son of William and Michel (Wilson) Cox, the former of Scotch ancestry and the latter of Welsh descent. The parents were married in Ohio and later moved to Illinois whence after a few years they returned to Ohio where the mother of our subject passed away. The father later farmed in Illinois and died upon his holdings in that state.

H. A. Cox is the only living member of a family of four children. He received his education in the public schools of Illinois and when he was nineteen years of age started to earn his own livelihood. He worked upon neighboring farms by the month until 1861, when he enlisted in Com- pany F, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and served until the end of the war. He acted as non-commissioned officer on several occasions and did a great deal of scout work. He was present at many of the important en- gagements of the war, seeing the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and the siege of Vicksburg. He was honorably dis- charged at the close of hostilities and returned immediately to Hennepin where he farmed for four years, moving at the end of that time to Missouri. After a year and a half spent in that state he returned to Illi- nois and purchased a small farm which he improved and developed for a number of years. Afterward he went to Nebraska where he took up a homestead claim and for ten years carried on general agricultural pur-

suits. In 1891 he sold his property and came to Douglas county where he farmed and ranched for six years before he went to Coos county. There he conducted a dairy and raised high-grade stock for the market until 1900 when he moved to Idaho where he spent two years. Returning to Coos county he opened a grocery store in Bandon and was successful in its conduct for a num- ber of years. At the end of that time his wife's health failed and he was obliged to go to southern California where he spent two years. Upon his return to Oregon he set- tled . in Curry county and here he again established himself in the grocery business, operating his store for two years, at the end of which time he retired and made his home with his son at Langlois, where he now resides. He is interested financially in the Langlois Hotel and is well known in the city.

In March, 1861, Mr. Cox was married in Illinois, to Miss Mary J. Cramer, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union were born four children. George, the eldest son, owns a sawmill in Bandon. Frank is asso -. ciated with his father in the conduct of the Langlois Hotel. He married Mrs. Neil, a native of Oregon, and the widow of Top Neil, by whom she had four children: Ina; Una, the wife of Douglas Cook, of Langlois; and Thomas and Edward, who live at home. Frank Cox and his wife have two children: Frank H., who was born September 12, 1903; and LaVerne, whose birth occurred on the 21st of April, 1911. The two youngest chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox were Elizabeth and Bertha, both of whom have passed away.

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 122

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