The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 127

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

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JAMES A. HAINES. Five hundred and sixty acres of land, well fenced, equipped and improved, are the contribution which James A. Haines has made to the agricul- tural wealth of Oregon. He is a son of Alfred and Sarah (Nixon) Haines whose pioneer labors in the early days of the set- tlement of this state have been described on another page of this work. He was born in Albany, Whiteside county, Illinois, October 16, 1859, and came with his father to Ore- gon in 1862. He was reared in this state and acquired his early education in the pub- lic schools. His advantages along this line were extremely limited and he had no school- ing after his twelfth year and very little before, being obliged to work on his father's farm, assisting in the cultivation and im- provement of the land, which was wrested from the virgin forest. On the death of his mother in 1879 the home which belonged to her was left to James A. Haines and his two brothers, Edward and Lewis. Soon after- ward Edward and James purchased their elder brother's interest in the farm and oper- ated it in conjunction with each other for ten years, being aided in their activities by early experience and knowledge of the best methods of agriculture. They bought other land, from time to time, and eventually had acquired eight hundred acres of the most productive 'soil in Douglas county. They then divided this property and each has since carried on an individual agricultural enterprise. James A. Haines, now owns five hundred and sixty acres of highly improved

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

and well developed land and is giving his entire time and attention to its furtherance.

On October 2, 1881, Mr. Haines was united in marriage to Miss Anna Rapp, a daughter of Godfrey Rapp who came to Oregon from Kansas in 1876 and died in this state on March 17, 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. Haines have been born two children, Myrtle A., and Grace V., both of whom are living with their parents on the home farm. Mr. Haines is a republican but never seeks public office. He is a member of Elkton Camp, No. 5786, M. W. A., and he and his wife and daugh- ters, affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church. His work has always been repre- sentative of the most scientific methods and has been characterized by an intelligent un- derstanding of local conditions and the utili- zation of favorable opportunities.

JOSEPH OSCAR WATTS is one of the leading and most successful optometrists in western Oregon. He was the first local prac- titioner of this school in Eugene, where his splendidly equipped offices offer the very latest, scientific treatment to people having defective eyesight. Dr. Watts was born in Missouri, Davis county, March 31, 1846, and is a son of Dr. John George and Dulcena (Jones) Watts. Dr. John G. Watts was born in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, and was a graduate of the medical college at Lexing- ton. Soon after his graduation, he removed to Missouri, settling in a portion of the state at a time when he, together with all the rest of the people in the county, were justly numbered among the early pioneers. Here he practiced his profession, using his horse and saddle-bags as the only convenient method of travel in rendering his services to the afflicted public. His medical sup- plies he purchased in St. Louis, and for the want of railroads, he was compelled to go on horseback between his field of labor and that city, to obtain the necessary remedies, then in general use among physicians. After spending some years in Missouri, he removed to Indiana, where he established himself in practice and continued to be so engaged for only a short period. Eventually retiring from pursuit of his practice, he engaged in the business of watchmaker and jeweler and later moved to Osceola, Iowa, in which city he opened a jewelry store and continued to give his attention to the care of this busi- ness until his death.

Joseph Oscar Watts was reared in his father's home and educated in the public schools, learning at the same time the trade of the jeweler and watchmaker in his fa- ther's store. After attaining his majority, he engaged in business for himself in Linn- ville, Iowa, where he continued to live until May 1, 1884. During that year, he moved to Eugene. In this city, he opened a retail jewel- ry establishment. Here he was successful in building up a large business, from which be is now gradually retiring. In the fall of 1892, he began privately to pursue the study of optometry, continuing in this line of study for the immediate four years follow- ing, during which time he completed the

required studies in that profession and was graduated from the Chicago College of Oph- thalmology in the class of 1896, with the degree of doctor of optics. He was later graduated from the Northern Illinois Col- lege of Ophthalmology and Otology in 1902. Having completed his studies in this profes- sion, he became the first trained optometrist in Eugene. From the time he first opened his office for business, he has been uniformly successful and now has a very extensive practice throughout the county, people traveling from great distances to receive the benefit of his scientific skill in the treat- ment of defective vision. His offices are equipped with all the latest scientific ap- paratus for testing the eyes and all the necessary machinery for grinding lenses. He has the most complete surface grinding plant in Eugene, and being so thoroughly pre- pared for the work, he is able to grind any combination of lenses in his own office. Dr. Joseph O. Watts was united in wedlock to Miss Hepsie A. Buffam, a daughter of A. G. Buffam, of Le Roy, Iowa. To this union four children have been born, two of whom are living: Mary, the wife of Charles Wil- lis of Red Lodge, Montana; and Charles H., who was born in 1881 and received his early education in the public schools and also in the University of Oregon, and since becom- ing of age has been associated with his father in business.

Dr. Watts is a member of Helmet Lodge, No. 33, K. P., in which lodge, he has passed all the chairs and of Spencer-Butte Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past noble grand. He is a member of Eugene Lodge, No. 357, B. P. O. E .; and of Lodge, No. 15, A. O. U. W. Dr. Watt's extensive practice has made him one of the most popular and widely known men in his profession in west- ern Oregon. He is in every sense a public- spirited man, giving the support of his in- fluence to every worthy cause, seeking the improvement and advancement of the com- munity in which he lives.

JOHN BUCHNER, a prosperous agricul- turist and representative citizen of Linn county, is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and seventy acres situated halfway between Albany and Lebanon. His birth occurred in Wisconsin in 1858, his par- ents being Conrad and Elizabeth (Smith) Buchner, natives of Germany. They emi- grated to the United States in early life, settling in Wisconsin with their respective parents. In 1877 Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Buch- ner came to Oregon, locating at Millersburg, Linn county. In 1902 they took up their abode in Albany and there spent the re- mainder of their lives in retirement. Mr. Buchner passing away in 1906 and his wife in 1905. Their children are nine in num- ber, namely: Christina, who is the widow of Jacob Farlow and resides at Albany, Ore- gon; Paul, a resident of Jefferson, Oregon; John, of this review; Charles W., of Salem, Oregon; Emma S., who resides at Albany, this state; William A., of Corvallis, Oregon;

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

and Edward S., Lillian and Clara J., all of whom are residents of Albany.

Jolın Buchner, who was nineteen years old when he came to Oregon with his parents, remained at home until twenty-seven years of age. Tlien, in association with two of his brothers, he rented a farm of nine hun- dred acres and was engaged in its operation for three years. On the expiration of that period lie removed to Spicer and there cul- tivated a rented farm of five hundred acres for four years. Subsequently he was mar- ried and took up liis abode on the farm of Samuel Hardman, having charge of the place for twelve years. Later he purchased the tract of two hundred and seventy acres which is now in liis possession and on which he has resided continuously since. He erected a commodious and modern residence, as well as all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and his is one of the model farming properties of the community. His land is practically all under cultivation and is devoted, principally to the raising of clover and oats. Mr. Buchner also raises horses, cattle and sheep to some extent and has met with success in all of his under- takings, by reason of his untiring -energy and capable management.

In 1894 Mr. Buchner was united in mar- riage to Miss Serena E. Hardman, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Powell) Hardman. Mr. and Mrs. Hardman had three children, namely: Ma- tilda J., deceased; Mrs. Serena Buchner; and one who died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Buchner have been born three children, as follows: Velma May, who is pursuing a commercial course in the high school at Al- bany; and Merle C., and Mertice B., twins, both of whom are attending school. John Buchner is a republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. In Linn county, where he has re- sided for more than a third of a century, he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends who entertain for him the utmost regard and esteem because of his excellent traits of character.

MILLARD O. LOWNSDALE. The student of Oregon pioneer settlement and develop- ment does not carry his researches far with- out encountering the name of Lownsdale, which has been honored and esteemed in the business and agricultural life of the state since before the foundation of Portland. One of its most worthy and progressive represen- tatives, Millard Oregon Lownsdale, died in that city July 24, 1911, and his death marked the passing of one of the most successful men in this part of the state. All over Oregon he was known for his able work in scientific horticulture, since he was perhaps one of the greatest individual forces in the horticultural development of the Willamette valley and more especially the standard authority upon everything connected with the cultivation of apples. The name and endeavor of Millard O. Lownsdale are connected with the pioneer era in Oregon. He was born in Portland,

November 21, 1851, and is a son of Daniel H. Lownsdale, one of the earliest pioneers in the state and part owner of the original town site of Portland.

Mr. Lownsdale of this review was educated in the old Portland Academy and completed lıis studies at Willamette University. It was while lie was still a pupil that he became widely known for the remarkable beauty of his voice, which was highly approved by the best teachers and judges. This gift was a source of great pleasure to him through his life and in his early years he appeared many times on the concert stage with great suc- cess, but he was never ambitious for an operatic career. For some time he studied law and was admitted to the bar but never engaged in active practice. Upon the death of his father he inherited large property in- terests and in 1890 purchased an extensive tract of land in Yamhill county and began the development of what became in time the finest orchard property in the Willamette valley. Always a close and earnest student, he devoted himself to a minute study of apple culture and the methods evolved by him came to be the standard of scientific apple growing in the state. To him more than to any other individual belongs the credit for the present state of prosperity of the Oregon apple in- dustry.

In November, 1910, Mr. Lownsdale's fail- ing health compelled his retirement from active business and he sold his orchards to an eastern syndicate for two hundred and sev- enty-five thousand dollars. He did not, how- ever, give up his interest in the theory and science of horticulture. He was a prolific writer and his papers on fruit culture are considered models of their kind and are con- sulted still as the standard authority. Being an eloquent speaker, he was called upon at different times to address practically every large organization of orchardists in the state and, in fact, throughout the entire American northwest. Thus it may be seen that he had not only a close and detailed knowledge of the scientific aspects of the work in which he was interested but also the rare faculty which his great talents gave him of impart- ing his knowledge to others in an effective way. He was happy in being able to make practical his years of study and to give to others the fruits of his experience, and thus he made his work widely useful in promot- ing the wealth, resources and, consequently, the growth and advancement of the great state of Oregon ..

In December, 1890, Mr. Lownsdale married Miss Lois Allen, a native of Yamhill and of Oregon. Mr. Lownsdale's death occurred in Portland, July 24, 1911. The Morning Ore- gonian two days later spoke of him thus:

"To the remaining few-relatively speak- ing-who were in at Portland's beginnings the name of Lownsdale stands for enterprise, integrity and public spirit. The fortunes of the family were in a measure wrecked some years ago in the shiftings of townsite rights, but were in a great part recovered by the industry and persistence of its representa- tives. The name will always hold a place

MILLARD O. LOWNSDALE

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

of honor in the archives of Portland and through the efforts of the last survivor of the original family of Daniel H. Lownsdale, who has but now passed away, it will hold an important place in the horticultural devel- opment of the Willamette valley.

"Not great. men in a political sense; not masters of finance who were able to leave great wealth to their posterity, the Lowns- dales were yet prominent and important fac- tors in the growth of this city and the state. For these things and for other activities em- bodied in the term 'good citizenship' their name firmly stands. The death of the last of the trio-father and two sons-has caused a sensation of profound regret and touched a cord of tender memory in many hearts."

SAMUEL MORROW, president of the Phoenix Iron Works, of East Portland, was born near Belfast, Ireland, February 26, 1849. His parents were William and Ann (Barkley) Morrow, both of Spanish descent. The ancestors of the Morrow family are traceable back to Spain, whence they re- moved to Scotland at an early period. The later generations have been born in Ireland, where Mr. Morrow's parents spent their en- tire lives. William and Ann (Barkley) Mor- row were the parents of ten children, five of whom are still living, namely: two sisters who still reside in Ireland; Samuel; James B., of Milford, Delaware; and Mrs. Ann Mc- Keown, of Portland, Oregon.

Samuel Morrow was born in Ireland and remained in that country until the age of seventeen. In June, 1866, he emigrated to America, first settling at Wilmington, Dela- ware, where he lived until 1881. He there served his apprenticeship as an iron molder, a period covering four years. Removing to Portland, Oregon, he worked at the Wil- lamette Iron Works for four years in that capacity, when he was placed in charge of the Wolff & Swizker Iron Foundry, a posi- tion which he held for three years. Sub- sequently Mr. Morrow and Mr. Wolff, a part- ner of the former company, organized and incorporated what is now known as the Phoenix Iron Works, situated at Third street and Hawthorne avenue, the foundry being located on the corner of Union avenue and Stevens street. This institution is at pres- ent the largest of its kind in point of capa- city in East Portland and in their plant are manufactured all kinds of heavy machinery, castings and wrought iron work.

On the 2d of January, 1873, Mr. Morrow was married to Miss Katherine M. Carr, a native of New Jersey and a daughter of William and Susan (Stogdon) Carr, both of whom were born in New Jersey, where they spent their entire lives. Mrs. Morrow is one of a family of nine children, of whom three are still living, those beside Mrs. Mor- row being, Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. Crammer, both of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have become the parents of eleven children. William and Annie both died in infancy. W. Carr, born November 6. 1876, is married and resides in Tacoma, Washington, where he is engaged in the practice of law in part-

nership with Benjamin Grosscup, of Chi- cago: Samuel was born August 2, 1878, and died in 1899. James B. was born November 8. 1880, and died on the 2d of December, 1901. Benjamin S., who was born in 1884, is a civil engineer. He is married and re- sides in Portland. Ann Barkley, who was born in 1885, is still at home. Osborn B., who was born in 1889, is attending Leland Stanford University, of California, Susie S., who was born in 1890, is married to William F. Jones, who is a geologist. Wilbur E., who was born in 1894 is attending high school. Benjamin, who completes the family, died. in infancy.

In politics Mr. Morrow is a prohibitionist, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Morrow's present prominent relationship in the manu- facturing and business world is due entirely to his lifelong habits of close attention to business, thrift, economy and dependency. He has thus achieved a well earned reputa- tion for being a reliable business man and is widely known in all circles in Portland. As president of the Phoenix Iron Works he directs the operations of that concern with ability and much skill and under his direc- tion it is doing a large and constantly in- creasing business.

JONATHAN W. BURKHART, a native of Oregon, has here won a gratifying measure of success as an agriculturist, owning a valu- able and well improved farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, two miles north of Lebanon. His birth occurred in 1851, his par- ents being Raymond S. and Eliza (Wassom) Burkhart, the former a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and the latter of Iowa. Ray- mond S. Burkhart removed to Iowa at an early date and in 1846 crossed the plains to Oregon, arriving in Linn county in Febru- ary, 1847, and settling four miles north of Lebanon. He took up a donation land claim of six hundred and forty acres and continued to reside thereon until 1871, when he divided the place among his children and purchased another farm of one hundred and eighty acres, where he spent the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in 1888, while the mother of our subject was called to her final rest in 1861. Raymond Burkhart was twice married and by his first wife had twelve children, three of whom are living, namely: Edwin M., who is a ranchman residing near Albany, Linn county, and who is the father of six children; Adelia F., who makes her home in Duarte, California; and Jonathan W., of this review. Of the children born to Mr. Burkhart and his second wife, four are living, as follows: Almira, the wife of Thomas Donnelly, of California; Laura, a resident of Los Angeles; Arthur, living in Linn county: and Emma. the wife of Walker Lovall. of Bellingham. Washington.

Jonathan W. Burkhart assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until twenty-two years of age and then took charge of the property. He was married in 1875 and remained on the old homestead for four years longer. In 1879, in association

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with his brother-in-law, he purchased a livery business in Lebanon and was engaged in its conduct for ten years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he lias resided to the present time. The property is two miles north of Lebanon, on the main Albany road. There were some improvements on the place when Mr. Burk- hart took possession, but he has since erected a liandsome residence and in many other ways has enhanced the value and at- tractiveness of the farm. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with success, and in his home community he is known as a substantial and respected citi- zen. He is a stockholder in the First Na- tional Bank of Lebanon.

Jonathan W. Burkhart has been married twice. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Bilyeu, was a native of Mis- souri and crossed the plains with her parents when quite young. She became the mother of three children, as follows: Maggie, the wife of Fred Weldon, of Portland, Oregon, by whom she has two children; Frances, the wife of O. R. Keebler, a ranchman of Linn county, Oregon, by whom she has two chil- dren; and Ruth E., who gave her hand in marriage to A. H. Shaw, of Portland, Ore- gon. For his second wife Mr. Burkhart chose Miss Stella K. Fronk, a native of Ore- gon, and a daughter of John W. and Sarah J. (McKnight) Fronk. John W. Fronk crossed the plains in 1852, and while en route lost his wife, who died of cholera. He afterward married Miss Sarah J. McKnight, by whom he had eight children, namely: Joseph D., who is a resident of Lebanon, Oregon; William, also living at Lebanon; John H., of Seattle, Washington; Ruby, the wife of George W. Wyer, of California; Mrs. Stella Burkhart; Emma, the wife of B. F. Simonds, of Lebanon, Oregon; Mary E., de- ceased; and Monna M., the wife of E. E. Parr, of Brownsville, Oregon.

Jonathan W. Burkhart is a democrat. He has served as a member of the city council in Lebanon and made a creditable record in that connection. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Masons, being a worthy ex- emplar of the craft. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in the Sunset state and are well entitled to representation among its worthy and esteemed residents.

WILLIAM T. STUDLEY operates a hay and grain ranch of five hundred and forty acres, the greater part of which is devoted to the production of crops, which is the property of S. J. Studley, his father. Wil- liam T. Studley was born on the 27th of January, 1888, and is a son of Silas J. and Mary Jane (Stanley) Studley. His father is a native of Maine and was born in Wal- doboro, Lincoln county, on March 17, 1844. His parents were Thomas and Hannah (Gil- christ) Studley, the former of whom was born on the ocean, while his parents were traveling from England to America. The grandmother of our subject was a native of Maine and she and her husband resided in

that section until their deaths. Silas J. Studley was educated in the public schools of his native section and for a while worked in the shipyards of Maine. At the age of twenty he made his way to the Shasta val- ley, California, having traveled by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He spent some time in San Francisco, where he engaged in min- ing, following this line of occupation later in Yreka. He was engaged in stock-raising in Adin until 1869, when he assisted in driv- ing the first herd of cattle to the Big valley from Yreka. He came to Oregon in 1876, locating on the site of the present town of Lakeview. Here he operated a ranch, which he improved and developed until 1881, when he disposed of this property and purchased land in the same section, upon which he re- sided until 1909. He was one of the largest property owners in Lakeview, being pro- prietor of thirteen hundred acres of land in three different tracts, all well improved and productive and engaged extensively in stock- raising and kept a fine herd of graded cattle. On the home place is a fine modern ten-room residence, two good barns and other sub- stantial outbuildings. Silas J. Studley has also a tract planted in orchard in Sonoma county, California, raising fruits of different kinds. On September 11, 1873, he married Miss Mary J. Stanley, a native of Yreka, California, where her birth occurred on June 16, 1855. She is a daughter of William and Johanna Stanley, pioneers in the settlement of Oregon, who crossed the plains with ox teams in 1853. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Silas J. Studley were eight children: Jerome, who died at the age of fifteen years; Harry, who died at the age of twenty-one; Bertha, who passed away at the age of three years; May, who died when eighteen months old; Chester, who is living in Sonoma, Cali- fornia; William T .; Alsy, the wife of E. F. Converse, of Sonoma; and Oscar, who is also living in Sonoma.

William T. Studley was brought up to farm life and the occupation to which he was reared he has chosen to make his chief pursuit. For the past two years he has lived upon his present place, giving his at- tention to the further development and im- provement of the ranch, the condition of which indicates his care in its attractive ap- pearance. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World and he has those substantial qualities which in every land and clime beget con- fidence and regard. In October, 1908, lie was united in marriage to Maude Ross, who was born in Nebraska, on October 6, 1890, and is a daughter of F. L. Ross.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 127

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