The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 126

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

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all the early pioneer preachers of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and at one time the opposing candidate of Abraham Lincoln for the state legislature.

Barzilla Clark Dunn, the father of the gentleman, whose name introduces this re- view, was born in. Ohio, where he grew to manhood and was by occupation engaged in farming. While still a young man he removed to Illinois, where he engaged in mining near Galena. In 1849 he emigrated to California and while there was occupied in gold mining. There he remained for a period of three years, being very successful in his ventures. He afterward returned to Illinois and later removed to Douglas coun- ty, Kansas, where he filed on a government claim. On this place he established his home and continued to reside for the suc- ceeding sixteen years. In 1876 he came to Lane county, Oregon, and for several years was engaged in farming as tenant of a rent- ed farm. He later purchased a fine property two miles south of Eugene. Here he con- tinued his occupation as a farmer and was also identified with the stock business. He was married in the year 1852 and passed out of this life in September, 1900, when seventy-two years of age.

Frank B. Dunn was reared at home and educated in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof until he was twen- ty-two years of age. At that time he home- steaded a most excellent piece of land in eastern Washington and was engaged in its development for twenty years following, making a specialty of wheat and stock. In 1900 he removed to Eugene, where he be- came identified with the bakery business, acquiring an interest in a bakery with his brother, Harry W., becoming after two years sole proprietor of the establishment and re- maining as such until 1911. At that time he formed a partnership with his son-in- law, Frank E. Price, under the firm name of Dunn & Price. This establishment does a very extensive business not only in the city of Eugene but ships its goods to all parts of the surrounding country. The firm has the most modern and perfect equipment required in their business, and a large force of employes is necessary to handle the grow- ing volume of their trade, four professional bakers being required to look after their daily output.

As a companion, and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Dunn chose Miss Mary M. Masterson, a daughter of William Mas- terson of Lane county. To this union seven children have been born, as follows: Ina M., the wife of F. E. Price; Ada Claire; Grace; Marguerite, the wife of G. F. Houghton, of Eugene; Ruby; Ray; and Frederick. Fra- ternally Mr. Dunn is identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Farmington Lodge, No. 25, of Washington of which he is the past grand master, and to Wimawhal Encampment No. 6, of which he is past chief patriarch. He is also a mem- ber of Eugene Camp, No. 115, W. O. W. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Frank B. Dunn

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is one of the successful men of his part of Oregon. His business establishment is one of the best and most favorably known throughout his portion of the state. He is one of the citizens of Eugene always to be counted upon for his ready and efficient help in the advancement of any meritorious cause affecting the business and moral interests of his community.

SAMUEL N. WARFIELD, now efficiently serving as county recorder of Benton coun- ty, is one of the county's native sons and a representative of a family which was es- tablished here in pioneer days. He was born on a ranch in the Alsea valley, Sep- tember 8, 1870, a son of William Thomas and Lovely (Tom) Warfield, both of whom came across the plains to Oregon in early childhood with their respective parents. The father's family located in Linn county, near Tangent, while the mother's parents took up their abode in Polk county. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Warfield, had come from Missouri and after his arrival in this state saw active service in the Indian wars. He gained considerable local fame as the slayer of the noted Indian chief Pu Pu Mox- amox, whose scalp he retained in his posses- sion for many years. His vocation was that of farming, which he followed throughout his lifetime. He was married twice and reared a large family. His was a long and useful life, covering eighty-six years, his death occurring at Lexington, Oregon, in 1908. His son William Thomas, the father of our subject, also followed the occupation of farming as his life work, but his career was cut off in its prime, his death occurring at the comparatively early age of forty- eight years. His wife survives, however, and resides on the old home place in Alsea val- ley, Benton county.

Samuel N. Warfield was the second in order of birth in a family of nine children born anto his parents, and was a youth of eighteen years when his father was called from this life. Being the eldest son the re- sponsibilities of the head of the house nat- urally fell upon him and, in addition to as- suming the supervision of the farm work, he aided his mother in the rearing of the younger members of the family. He re- mained at home, giving her the benefit of his assistance for many years. He now owns a farm, adjoining the old homestead, upon which he makes his home, and when not en- gaged with the duties of his public office he carries on general farming, in which line he has met with substantial success.

Mr. Warfield was married, December 29, 1899, to Miss Lucy J. Seely, who was born in Illinois, August 16, 1876, and when a maiden of thirteen years came with her parents to Oregon. Her father died soon after his arrival in this state and the mother's death occurred about fifteen years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Warfield has been born one daughter, Edith Bell. Mr. War- field is well known in fraternal circles of Corvallis, belonging to the Modern Wood- men of America, the Knights of Pythias and

the Grange. He has been particularly in- terested and active in the affairs of the lat- ter order, serving for four years as steward of the state grange, while at the present time he is acting as county deputy of that organization. He gives his political support to the republican party and has been a stal- wart champion of the cause of education, serving as a school director for twelve years. in Alsea, and was influential in consolidat- ing the country districts and in erecting the high school at that city. In 1910 he was elected to the office of county recorder, and no better evidence of his popularity and the efficiency of his service in that of- fice can be given than the fact that he is now the nominee for reelection to that posi- tion on both the democratic and republican tickets. Compelled to take up the responsi- bilities of life at an early age, the prin- ciple of self-reliance, which he adopted as a youth, has been one of his prominent char- acteristics and has carried him through many difficulties into a place of prominence among his fellow citizens. He has many friends in the county in which his entire life has been spent, and his career is in contradistinction to the old adage that "A prophet is never without honor save in his own country."

ELBERT KEEBLER, an agriculturist re- siding three and a half miles north of Le- banon, is the owner of a tract of three hun- dred and twenty acres and devotes his at- tention to farming and stock-raising with excellent success. His birth occurred in Tennessee in 1844, his parents being James and Katherine (Crouch) Keebler, who were likewise natives of that state. They had three children, as follows: Joseph, who is liv- ing retired at Lebanon, Oregon; Mary, de- ceased; and Elbert, of this review.

Elbert Keebler started out in life for him- self as a youth of seventeen years, for when still very young he lost his father, who had gone to California as a pioneer. In 1862, our subject made the journey across the plains with ox teams and settled in the Grande Ronde valley of Oregon, where he worked for others during a period of five years. He then came to Linn county and here operated a rented farm in association with his stepfather for two years, at the end of which time the latter passed away. Re- maining on that place, he purchased the property in 1874, and cared for his mother until the time of her demise, in 1878. He still owns that tract. His farm embraces three hundred and twenty acres, and two hundred and fifty thereof, are under cul- tivation. He devotes his attention to the cultivation of grain and hay, principally, and also raises stock, having one hundred head of sheep. His is a commodious and at- tractive residence and his farm is well im- proved and equipped.

Elbert Keebler has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Margaret Smelser, who was born in Missouri and by whom he had ten children, six of whom survive, as fol- lows: Otis, an agriculturist residing at Leb- anon; Georgia, the wife of Lincoln Coney,

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

of Alberta, Canada; Mamie, the wife of B. B. Doughton, a farmer of Lebanon, Ore- gon; Cleveland, who assists his father in tlie operation of the home farm; Samuel, at home; and Bernice, the wife of Robert Wal- lace, an employe in the paper mill at Le- banon, Oregon. Mr. Keebler's first wife was called to lier final rest in 1903, and two years later he was again inarried, his sec- ond union being with Miss Pearl Shearer, a native of Kansas and a daughter of Joseph and Amy (White) Shearer. Her father passed away in Missouri, in 1889, and her mother came to Oregon in March, 1883. To Elbert and Pearl (Shearer) Keebler, a daugh- ter, Esther, was born on the 21st of De- cember, 1905.

Elbert Keebler is a stalwart democrat and has always taken an active part in commun- ity affairs. He has held school offices and has ever discharged his public duties in a commendable and acceptable manner. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masons and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. The period of his residence in this state covers a half century, and in his home community he enjoys an enviable reputation as a lead- ing agriculturist and respected citizen.

HIRAM S. EDDY, who has been engaged in the real-estate business in Sandy, Clack- amas county, since 1909, was born in Haldi- mand township, Northumberland county, Can- ada, on the 12th of February, 1854, his par- ents being Hiram Alexander and Narcissa (Drinkwalter) Eddy. The father was born in Manchester, England, and was one of four- teen children. At the time of his father's death four survived but since all have passed away. The mother was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and was one of ten children, name- ly: Allen, deceased; James, deceased, who was married and had one child, Benjamin, now living in Canada; Lyman, deceased, who was survived by three children; Harry, de- ceased, who was married and had four sons; and Albert, Julia, Lydia, Mary, Narcissa and Maria, all of whom have passed away. Mr and Mrs. Eddy were married in 1837 and Hiram S., our subject, is the only child born to their union.

After completing his education and having engaged for a short time in agricultural pur- suits by assisting his father, Hiram S. Eddy started out for himself at the age of eight- een years. For one year he was em- ployed on a farm in Wisconsin and at the end of that time departed for the northern part of the state, where he was employed as a lumberman for seven years. After dis- continuing that pursuit he removed to Iowa, where he purchased a farm, which he cul- tivated until 1893. He at that time disposed of this property and accepted a position with the Illinois Central Railway as immi- grant agent in the Yazoo valley, Mississippi. For eleven years and ten months he was thus engaged before coming to Oregon. After arriving in this state he spent two years in eastern Oregon, where he was engaged in the lumber business. Subsequently, in 1907, he removed to Portland and almost imme-

diately afterward came to Sandy, where he has since made him home. Upon arriving in this town he engaged in the real-estate business and by hard work and constant application he has built up a good patronage and during the three years in which he has conducted this business he has handled more than four thousand acres of farm and tim- ber land, a great part of which was sold to original settlers. He also owns considerable property in his own name. His advice is frequently sought by those intending to either purchase or dispose of property be- cause it is well known that his judgment is based upon a good knowledge of land values and that in aiding prospective patrons to decide he considers their side of the ques- tion as well as his own.

On the 15th of December, 1876, in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, Mr. Eddy was mar- ried to Miss Delia E. Armstrong, whose birth occurred on the 27th of August, 1857, and who is a daughter of Sanford and Louisa (Kemp) Armstrong, who were the parents of six children. To Mr. and Mrs. Eddy three children have been born. Clarence, the eldest, was born April 9, 1881. He attended the district schools of Iowa and subsequently was a student in the high school of Fayette county, Iowa. After completing these courses he entered Jennings College at Des Moines and studied to become an electrician. He is at present the, owner of a farm at Parma, Idaho. He has been twice married. To his first union three children were born, Cather- ine McBride, Clarence A. and Noel H. By his second union he has one son, Charles H. Warren H., the second in order of birth in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Eddy, was born August 21,. 1885. After completing his high-school education he fitted himself for the position of railroad engineer and is following that occupation in Iowa. He is in the employ of the Illinois Central Railway. He is married and has three children. Lula, the youngest of the family, was born April 21, 1892. She attended a business college in Iowa and is at present residing with her parents.

Mr. Eddy casts his vote with the prohibi- tion party. He holds membership in the Baptist church and is also a member of In- dependence Lodge, No. 87, A. F. & A. M., of Independence, Iowa. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Commercial Club, of which he was president. He is interested not only from a business point of view but also be- cause of his altruistic spirit in the develop- ment of Sandy. Since its incorporation as a town in 1911 he has been one of its most active promoters and enthusiastic citizens.

JOHN H. MCDERMOTT, SR. A third of a century's service in the army well en- titles John H. McDermott, Sr., to the life of rest which he is enjoying. On the field. in camp and in the fort he has met the ex- periences of army life in active campaigns against the Indians on the frontier, and now he is living retired in Hammond. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, October 16, 1846, and comes of Irish ancestry. £ His

MR. AND MRS. HIRAM S. EDDY

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father, James McDermott, was a native of the Emerald isle and in young manhood came to the new world, first settling in New York. He afterward made a trip back to Ireland and following his return to America was united in marriage to Miss Mary O'Grady, who was born in Ireland and came with her parents to the new world when six years of age. She, too, had visited her native land before her marriage. They lived at various times at Boston and New York until the father's death, which occurred in the former city when he was forty-nine years of age. The mother continued to make her home in Boston until she started on a visit to her son John, who at that time was a member of the Sixth United States Cavalry, located at Fort Richardson, Texas. Just be- fore the mother started on the journey he was sent on relief work to the Seventh Cav- alry of Kansas and was on his way to Kan- sas when his mother arrived at Waco, Texas. Greatly disappointed at not seeing her son as she had anticipated, Mrs. McDermott be- came ill and died there without the knowl- edge of her son. Her remains were interred in Waco and Mr. McDermott of this re- view never saw his mother's grave until three months later. In the family were five children, of whom John H. is the eldest and the only one living. The others were George, Frank, Edward and Honoria.

Reared under the parental roof, John H. McDermott attended school until sixteen years of age and made his home with his par- ents until twenty years of age, when his mil- itary spirit was aroused and he enlisted as a member of the Sixth Cavalry of the regular army, devoting his life to military service until he was retired in June, 1905. He has since resided at Hammond, Oregon. The de- tailed and more specific account of Mr. Mc- Dermott's military experience is most in- teresting. He became a member of Com- pany K, Sixth United States Cavalry, in 1867 and was discharged on the 16th of October, 1872, at Meridian, Mississippi. On the 1st of April, 1873, he reenlisted and was discharged at Fort Reno, Indian Ter- ritory, April 5, 1878, when serving with Company I, Sixteenth Infantry. On the 1st of that month, however, he had reenlisted with the same company and regiment, witlı which he continued until honorably dis- charged, March 31, 1883, at Fort Davis, Texas, with the rank of first sergeant. The following day he again enrolled and was discharged March 31, 1888, as post quar- termaster sergeant at Fort Hancock, Texas. Again on the day following he reenlisted and was discharged March 31, 1893, as post quartermaster sergeant at Fort Warren, Massachusetts. His service covered active campaigning against the Comanche Indians as a sharpshooter and he sustained a gun- shot wound in the left knee. One of the most thrilling chapters in all American his- tory concerns the Indian warfare on the western frontier. The troops were never drawn up in battle array for they could not fight the Red men as they would the representatives of the white race. They had

to do with a foe who was skulking, treach- erous and wild, and perforce they must study his methods and meet him upon his own ground. It requires the greatest cour- age and valor to venture into a district where every stone and bush may shelter a foe. Such experiences of warfare Mr. Mc- Dermott well knows. Still the fighting spirit was not quenched within him and on the 1st of April, 1893, he reenlisted for another five years' term, which was terminated by his honorable discharge March 31, 1898, in Montana, where he was serving as post quartermaster. The following day again saw him enrolled with Uncle Sam's defenders for a three years' enlistment which termin- ated at Fort Stevens, Oregon, March 31, 1901. Again on the following day he placed his name on the roll of the United States soldiers and was discharged as quartermas- ter March 31, 1904. His character was ex- cellent in all his discharges. His service covered active duty in the Spanish-American war and with his regiment he went to the Philippines, participating in the battle of Manila, August 13, 1898. He was also in the assault upon and capture of Jaro and Iloilo on the 11th and 12th of February, 1899. He took part in the battle near Jaro river, March 16, 1899, and was also in the third expedition to the Philippine islands. As a soldier he was industrious and willing -a handy man in the company and brave in time of danger. He certainly deserves the rest which has come to him, having devoted thirty-seven years of his life to the service of his country.

In 1868 Mr. McDermott was united in marriage to Miss Mary Colahan, who was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was one of a family of six children, two of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. McDermott became the parents of five children. Charles S., born January 25, 1869, is a graduate of St. Mary's College, of San Antonio, Texas, and is at present engaged in business in Hammond. Like his father he saw active service in the Spanish-American war, cover- ing sixteen months, and was honorably dis- charged in 1899. He enlisted on the 13th of May, 1898, and held the rank of corporal in Company C, Eighteenth United States Infantry. He made an excellent record while at the front, displaying the same spirit of valor and loyalty which ever characterized his father. John H., born December 1, 1871, was married December 16. 1896, to Miss Charlotte Cranney, a native of Montana, and they have two children: Alice C., born August 11, 1897; and John E., born August 9, 1898. John H. McDermott, Jr., is a part- ner in business with his elder brother at Hammond. Mary is the wife of Robert Marsden, of New York city. James M. died at the age of twenty-nine years and H. P. is living in Canada. The family is of the Catholic faith.

Mr. McDermott gives his political alleg- iance to the republican party. He has made an exemplary record as a soldier and stands as a splendid type of that American citizen- ship which finds joy in serving the country

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

and following the starry banner wherever duty leads. He knows all the varied ex- periences of campaigning-the quiet life of the forts of the east; the arduous service on the western plains; and active duty in the Orient-and never has been known to fal- ter in the performance of any task assigned to him.

ALBERT STEPHEN DOWN. When death called Albert Stephen Down on the 12th of December, 1911, he was residing on a ranch two miles south of Lakeview. His life rec- ord is an interesting one for he had visited many parts of the civilized world and had had varied experiences as a seaman and miner before becoming identified with ranching in- terests on the Pacific coast. He was born in Hastings, England, July 9, 1837, his par- ents being John and Mary (Stace) Down. The mother lived until October 8, 1895, passing away in Hastings at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. Their son Al- bert was the eldest of four children. A daughter, Mrs. Mary Ann Clark, died at Hastings, August 16, 1912, while the other members of the family passed away some time ago.

From the early age of ten years Albert Stephen Down was dependent upon his own resources. He went to sea on board a fish- ing boat on which he remained for four years and then shipped on a merchant vessel as common seaman. He visited his old home at Hastings, for the last time in 1855 and thence went to Gotenborg, Sweden. The following year he visited Constantinople, be- ing in the Turkish capital when peace was declared between Russia and the allied pow- ers. From that city he sailed on a voyage to different parts of the world, visiting both civilized and uncivilized districts, but in 1858 left the sea to engage in mining in Australia. He became interested in many mines in that country but at length determined to try his fortune in America and sailed for San Fran- cisco, California, reaching his destination on the 25th of March, 1866. He then left his ship and went to Sonoma county, where for four years he worked in the redwood for- ests.

Mr. Down was married, on the 23d of Feb- ruary, 1870, to Miss Carrie Elizabeth Bal- lard, a native of Atchison, Missouri, who crossed the plains in one of the old-time moving wagons with her father, reaching Sonoma county in 1862. She is a daughter of Smithfield and Delina Ballard and by her marriage became the mother of six children: Effie, who is the wife of S. P. Vernon, and resides on a ranch adjoining the old home- stead; George, who married Myrtle Grimes, and resides seven miles south of Lakeview; Mary, the wife of Flint Vernon, a brother of S. P. Vernon, residing five miles south of Lakeview; James, who died in 1886. at the age of seven years; Anna, the wife of Homer Pollard, of Oakland, California; and/ Stephen, who resides with his mother and is operating the home ranch.'

For some years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Down resided in Sonoma county,

California, and in 1878 removed to Colusa county, that state, but in the spring of 1879 came to Goose Lake valley, Oregon, set- tling eleven miles west of Lakeview. Albert S. Down purchased the home ranch in 1896, becoming the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of arable land, much of which he brought into a high state of cultivation. He planted an orchard, cultivated the grains and vegetables best adapted to soil and climate, and at one time owned a large flock of sheep but later disposed of them, turning his attention to the raising of cattle and horses. He was thus engaged at the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-four years of age. The ranch work is now being carried on by his widow and son and the land is largely devoted to hay and the raising of stock. Fraternally Mr. Down was connected with the Masons, belonging both to the lodge and the Eastern Star chapter. He exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft and was al- ways loyal to its teachings. His remini- scences of early days, when he followed the life of a sailor enriched his conversation and made him an interesting companion, for he visited many ports, sailing almost around the world, and he learned much concerning strange people, their manners and customs. For forty-five years he was identified with the life of the Pacific coast and his sterling traits of character won him the warm re- gard of those with whom he was associated.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 126

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