The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 140

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

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Henry Gross was reared at home and re- ceived his early education in the district schools of Pennsylvania, remaining under the parental roof during the early years of his life. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company M, of the Second New Jersey Cavalry, and continued with his com- mand in service for one year. In 1865 he removed to California, where he remained for one year, and then he proceeded to Seat- tle, Washington, at which place he resided for a brief time only, and then to Josephine county, where he homesteaded two hundred and eighty-eight acres, upon which he estab- lished his home and continued to live for thirty-five years. He later sold his home- stead and went to Glendale, where he lived for two years, after which he purchased forty acres of land located on Ciota creek, where he now resides.

Mr. Gross was united in marriage, in 1908, to Mrs. Sarah (Reeves) Neeser, the widow of William Neeser, by whom she was the mother of two children, Edwin, a resident of British Columbia; and Cora, the wife of C. E. Gordon, of California. Mr. Gross is affiliated with the republican party, and fraternally is a member of the Masonic order. He is a highly respected and industrious citi- zen of Josephine county, in which he resides, and where he is engaged in the cultivation of his valuable ranch, located on Ciota creck.

A. C. BONNETT engages in general farm- ing and stock-raising four miles northeast of Eugene, where he owns a valuable ranch of three hundred and twenty acres. He has passed practically his entire life in the vicin- ity of his present home having been born on a ranch five miles northeast of Eugene, on the 7th of February, 1857. His parents, S. J. and Annis Bonnett, were born and rcared in West Virginia and married in Iowa, whence they removed in 1854 to Ore- gon. They located in Lane county, where the father took up a donation claim, and here they passed the remainder of their

lives, the father passing away at the age of ninety years and the mother at eighty-nine.

Having been reared on a ranch, A. C. Bonnett was early trained to agricultural pursuits and on starting out to earn his own living, he sought employment as a farm hand. He thus acquired sufficient means to become a property owner and after the death of his father increased his holdings by the purchase of the old homestead. At one time he was the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of land in this county, but he has since disposed of a portion of this, and now has three hundred and twenty acres. It is well improved and fifty acres has been brought into a high state of productivity. Mr. Bonnett is an energetic man, who di- rects his undertakings with foresight and sagacity, and in appreciation of the value of system and method in the development of any enterprise. In addition to his fine ranch he owns together with his brother a fourth interest in a brick business block in Eugene.

In 1890, Mr. Bonnett was united in mar- riage to Miss L. A. Simons, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Lybert and Almeta (Munger) Simons, who came to Oregon in 1882. Here for many years the father en- gaged in contracting and building, but he has now retired from active business, and he and the mother are living in Eugene. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bonnett, Ermine E., on the 25th of February, 1896. She is attending high school in Eugene and is also taking music lessons.

Mr. Bonnett is a member of the. Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held all of the chairs, and he also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. In politics he is a republican and has held the offices of justice of the peace and road supervisor, both of which he filled most capably. Mr. Bonnett is one of the highly esteemed citi- zens of his community, in the development of which he has substantially assisted through his progressive and enterprising ideas and diligent methods, as manifested in the operation of his ranch.

J. M. PINKERTON is one of the highly respected and useful citizens of Josephine county, where he is engaged in farming and fruit growing. He is also justice of the peace and postmaster of Wolfcreek, Oregon. He was born in Canada, May 3, 1877, and is a son of F. W. and Margarct (Grafton) Pinkerton. both of whom were natives of Canada. They removed to Jackson county, Oregon, in 1911, and established their home at Ashland. where they now reside. They became the parents of five children, three of whom are now living.

J. M. Pinkerton was rcared at home and received his early education in the public schools of the district in which he lived and later completed a college course and was graduated with honors. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age and at that time started in life for him-

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self as a railroad employe and continued in that occupation for seven years. In 1904 he removed to Louisiana, where he remained for two years and in 1906 he came to Ore- gon and settled at Klamath Falls, in Kla- math county, where he continued to reside for the two following years. He then pur- chased a ranch on Wolfcreek, in Josephine county, upon which he established his home and has since continued to reside, a portion of the land being set out in apple and pear trees, now in bearing. His orchard is one of the best of its kind in this part of the county.

Mr. Pinkerton was united in marriage in 1899 to Miss Lillian Neitzel, who is a na- tive of Wisconsin and to this union two children have been born: Neta L. and Frank- lin M. Mr. Pinkerton and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Pinkerton is affiliated with the re- publican party and in 1909 he received the appointment of postmaster of Wolfcreek and was also elected to the office of justice of the peace, in which position he is now serving. He is one of the highly respected men of Josephine county and a man, who readily gives the benefit of his influence to the promotion of all matters of public in- terest seeking the advancement of the people.

R. B. BANISTER is a pioneer of the west, having crossed the plains in 1852 with ox teams, the trip consuming six months' time. He now resides on a ranch in Josephine county near Merlin, where with his son, Lyndon K. Banister, he is passing his de- clining years. He was born in the state of New York, August 20, 1829, a son of Ben- jamin and Bathia (Axtel) Banister, both na- tives of Vermont. In 1844 the parents re- moved to McHenry county, Illinois, after- ward taking up their abode in Kansas, where both passed away. In their family were eleven children, four of whom are now liv- ing: J. J .; R. B .; Sarah, the widow of E. Isom and a resident of Illinois; and S. N., of Washington.

R. B. Banister received a common-school education and in 1852 crossed the plains to California with ox teams, the trip requiring six months. He purchased a tract of land and resided in that state for seven years, or until 1859, when he removed to Josephine county, Oregon. At the end of two years he went to Jackson county and purchased a homestead on Applegate creek, upon which he lived for twenty years. He then dis- posed of his homestead and returned to Jo- sephine county and with his son is now liv- ing upon a ranch near Merlin.

In 1858 Mr. Banister was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Bradford. a native of Ohio and a daughter of Ward and Margaret Bradford. To Mr. and Mrs. Banister ten children were born, eight of whom are now living. Both Mr. Banister and his wife affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church, being active members of that denom- ination. They are among the highly re- spected residents of the community, where

they have been honored residents for many years.

Their son, Lyndon K. Banister, was born in Josephine county, Oregon, January 26, 1862, and remained at home with his par- ents until he became of age. He received a common-school education and upon arriv- ing at manhood's estate began life on his own account as a railroad employe, an occu- pation which he followed for a considerable length of time. He then engaged in gold mining, at which he worked for nine years, and in 1887 he purchased a one hundred and sixty acre farm on Jump-off Joe creek. He immediately set about improving his land by erecting buildings and other neces- sities and set out fruit trees and vines of many kinds. He has devoted much energy and skill to improving his farm and has made of it one of the valuable agricultural properties of the community. He is en- gaged in general farming and makes a spe- cialty of raising hogs and cattle for the market. With him are living his aged par- ents and to their comfort and necessities he has given much consideration.

In his political views R. B. Banister is a socialist, having devoted a great deal of thought to matters of public interest. Mr. Banister is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Josephine coun- ty and is regarded as a man of good busi- ness ability and wise discrimination. He takes a deep interest in the various public matters, which concern the good of the com- munity, is a man of broad views, and is greatly esteemed by a large number of people.

J. N. MATNEY is the owner of forty- three acres of fertile land in the vicinity of Jacksonville, where he engages in general agricultural pursuits. He is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on the 19th of October, 1874, and is one of seven- teen children born to C. B. and Margaret Matney. The father who passed away in 1906, was one of the first settlers in this valley, having located on the Applegate river in 1852 and there his children were born and reared.

The boyhood and youth of J. N. Matney were passed on his father's ranch and in the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools. He was trained to agricul- tural pursuits from childhood, having early begun to assist with the lighter duties about the home ranch, his responsibilities increas- ing as his strength developed with the pass- ing years. By the time he had attained his maturity he was a skilled ranchman and was fully qualified to undertake the man- agement and development of a place of his own. Mr. Matney's homestead is a portion of his father's old donation claim and through intelligent cultivation the land has been brought to a high state of productiv- ity. He has erected substantial barns and outbuildings and a comfortable residence on his place and it is equipped with such im- plements and machinery as are deemed es- sential to modern agriculture. His fields

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

are almost entirely devoted to the raising of hay, grain and potatoes and as he gives his personal supervision to the tilling of his fields and care of his crops he is annually rewarded with an abundant harvest which brings the market's highest prices. He is recognized as one of the capable as well as prosperous agriculturists of his community and is acquiring a comfortable competence.

On the 26th of August, 1907, Mr. Mat- ney was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Swartzfagen, who was born in the state of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Matney have a little daughter, Marie, whose natal day was the 24th of October, 1908.

Ever since accorded the right of fran- chise upon attaining his majority, Mr. Mat- ney has given his support to the candidates of the democratic party, considering that their policy was best adapted to meet the interests of the American people. Frater- nally he is a member of Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. F. His entire life has been passed in the vicinity where he now lives and among whose residents he numbers many stanch friends of his boyhood days.

J. R. COLEMAN, who is the owner of a productive farm of one hundred acres, situ- ated four miles south of Salem, on the Tur- mer road, was born near McMinnville, in Yamhill county, June 20, 1853, the son of James and Frances Coleman. The father, a native of Franklin, Ohio, was reared in that state and later removed to Iowa, where he resided until 1847, when he crossed the plains and took up a donation claim west McMinnville. 1861 The Marion county and remained there the rest of his life, dying July 10, 1911, at the venerable age of ninety years. He followed the occupation of farming all his life. The mother, who was a native of Ireland, was brought to America when a small child and was reared in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she was married in 1845. She died in 1905 in Oregon and is buried at St. Paul. In their family were eleven children: Anna and John, both of whom are deceased; Mary, the wife of Charles Pelland, of St. Paul, Ore- gon; J. R., of this review; Thomas, of St. Paul; Eliza, who is the wife of Frank Ham- mond. of Portland, Oregon; Stephen and Charles, both of St. Paul, Oregon; Emma, who is the wife of William Murphy, of St. Paul; Louise, who is the wife of John J. Casey, of Butte, Montana; and Frank, of St. Paul, Oregon.

J. R. Coleman received his early educa- tion in the common schools and later com- pleted a three years' course at the Willam- ette University. After his school days he remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when he began farming a part of the home place and later took charge of a farm, where the Home for the Feeble Minded is now situated. Subsequently he came to his present location, where he is engaged in general farming. He has made excellent improvements on the farm and employs up-to-date and scientific methods.

In 1876 J. R. Coleman was united in mar- riage with Miss Eliza Miller, a native of

Oregon, and they have become the parents of four children: Russell, of Coburg, Lane county, Oregon, who is engaged in stock- raising; Molly, the wife of Phil Edminister, of San Francisco, California; Alice, who is the wife of Cecil Rodgers, residing near Turner, Oregon; and Curtis, who is at home.

In politics Mr. Coleman is a democrat, and his fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Woodmen of America at Salem, where he belongs to Cedar Camp. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church and their lives are guided by its teachings. Mr. Coleman is well known in Marion county and justly deserves the high regard which is given him by his many friends, for his life has been one of well di- rected activity and intelligent effort.

BENJAMIN LAFAYETTE SIMPSON. A native of Linn county and a son of a pio- neer in Oregon is Benjamin Lafayette Simp- son, who for over fifty years has been prom- inently identified with agricultural interests of this community. Starting at the early age of fifteen his prosperity has developed with the progress of the country and with the development in him of those qualities which make for success until today he is classed among the enterprising and sub- stantial men of his district. He was born three miles south of Albany, Linn county, in 1855 and is a son of Francis and Mary A. (Corum) Simpson, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Missouri. The marriage of his parents occurred in Missouri and immediately afterward they came to Oregon, making the journey across the plains with ox teams. The trip occupied six months and they reached Portland in 1850 and there settled for a short time, the father building the first sawmill on the Tualitin river in 1851. the following year the family moved to Linn county and Francis Simpson took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, upon which he resided until 1868, when he sold his holdings and bought a farm near Shedd Station. This land he eventually sold and moved to the northern part of California, where he farmed until his death on April 23, 1873. His wife survived him until 1908 and died when she was eighty-five years of age. In their family were eight children: Joseph and Lewis, who reside in Washing- ton; Alfred, a resident of Walla Walla, Washington; Mrs. Mary A. Smith of the same state; T. B., who makes his home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Mrs. Sarah J. New- son, of Prineville; Benjamin Lafayette, of this review; and Riley H., who resides in Pendleton.

Benjamin L. Simpson received a limited education in the public schools of Linn coun- ty and began his active agricultural career when he was only fifteen years of age, work- ing ont upon neighboring farms for five years and then renting land in Linn county. In this capacity he was active for some time but in 1905 bought one hundred and thirty-one acres, half a mile beyond the limits of Lebanon and this farm he has oper-

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

ated since that time. He specializes in the raising of small fruits and garden produce and has already realized a good return upon his investment, the land being worth at the present time over five hundred dollars per acre.

In 1876 Mr. Simpson was united in mar- riage to Miss Jeannette Wheeler, who was born in Oregon, a daughter of L. M. and. Isabel (Miller) Wheeler. Her father crossed the plains in 1847 and settled in Linn coun- ty in earliest pioneer times, taking up three hundred and twenty acres near Scio, as a donation claim. He was successful and six- teen years afterward sold his first holdings and bought land in the same neighborhood, moving eventually to Shedd Station, where he lived for nine years. He spent a sim- ilar period of time on a farm near Lebanon, dying in the latter city at the age of seven- ty. His wife is living with the subject of this review and is seventy-five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Wheeler were the par- ents of six children: George, who has passed away; James, a resident of Washington; Jeannette, the wife of our subject; Bertie, deceased; Melvin D., of Linn county; and A. D., who resides in Albany. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Simpson have six children. Leon- ard L., who was born in 1877, is married and resides in Portland, where he is engaged in the insurance business. V. C., who was born in 1878, resides in Lebanon and is engaged as a barber. Melvin James, who was born in 1880, is residing at home and is asso- ciated with his father in the conduct of the home farm. He was elected state represen- tative of Oregon in 1910, and is still serving in this capacity. Ellis M., whose birth oc- curred in 1886, is married and lives in Salem, where he is engaged as a barber. Francis C. was born in 1889 and makes his home in Lebanon. Benjamin R., the young- est member of the family, was born in 1897, and is residing at home. The family belong to the Baptist church.

The career of Benjamin L. Simpson is a splendid example of what may be accom- plished by recognizing and using opportuni- ties. His early life directed his interests naturally toward farming and even at the age of fifteen, his business acumen told him that agriculture was to be the future source of wealth in Oregon. Acting upon this re- alization and starting with practically noth- ing he has steadily worked his way upward in his chosen field and is classed today among the men who are important enough in farming circles to influence methods and affect standards.

RUFUS LANGDON is manager and owner of two of the most important ferries over the Umpqua river, and in conjunction with his brother, Commodore P. Langdon, is oper- ating a stage and mail route. He is bringing to these activities the same progressive and straightforward characteristics which made him a successful farmer since he was old enough to hold the plow and which influenced and hastened the agricultural de- velopment of the state. Mr. Langdon is a

native son of Oregon and was born in Kel- logg precinct, Douglas county, March 31, 1879. He is a son of Ansel and Leonora (Maupin) Langdon, the former a native of Green Lake county, Wisconsin, and the lat- ter of Greene county, Illinois. Mr. Lang- don's father crossed the plains to Oregon, making the journey from Illinois to this state with the Dimmick family in 1852. The mother of our subject made the trip across the plains with her parents when she was yet a girl. Their marriage occurred in Douglas county, and immediately afterward Ansel Langdon took up a fractional donation claim in the bend of the Umpqua river five miles south of Elkton, and here operated one of the model farms of the district. He later took up a homestead claim and in ad- dition to this bought sixty acres of railroad land, making his holdings aggregate almost five hundred acres. He was an active man in the early years of his life but later suf- fered much from illness. He was one of the early freighters in Douglas county and hauled the first load of freight out of Scotts- burg bound for Yreka, California. He was a veteran of the Indian wars and a man who took an active part in every phase of pioneer development in the section in which he lo- cated. He died in 1892 in his sixty-second year and the event deprived Douglas county of a thoroughly representative, honorable and upright man. His widow is still living and makes her home with the subject of this sketch.

Rufus Langdon was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the public schools of Douglas county. He was but thirteen years of age when his father died but he had been taught the prin- ciples of farming from his early childhood. When he was sixteen years of age he assumed the entire responsibility of the operation of the extensive property which his father left and subsequently purchased the homestead. It comprised at that time one hundred and eight acres, his father having disposed of all the remaining prop- erty previous to his death. Mr. Langdon still retains ownership of this well improved farm and for many years made its cultiva- tion the principal activity of his life. In 1906, however, he secured the contract for the operation of the south ferry over the Umpqua river and was successful in this line . for two and one-half years. In 1910 he added to his activities by contracting to run the Dimmick ferry, in the operation of which he is still successful and active. He has recently joined with his brother, Com- modore P. Langdon, and purchased the Oak- land and Elkton stage and mail route, which they are now running successfully.

In his political views Mr. Langdon is a republican and a progressive and liberal thinker upon public affairs. He has never sought office, preferring to devote his atten- tion to agricultural and business enterprises. He is a member of Elkton Lodge, No. 192, I. O. O. F., and also belongs to Elkton Camp, No. 5786, M. W. A. His business career has been marked by a policy of thorough in-

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tegrity and strict honor. He carries on all his activities along broad and progressive principles which are an heritage from his father and are contributing factors in the development of the American northwest.

THOMAS ANDERSON is one of the well known residents of southern Oregon and Anderson lake, not far from the town of Plush, which was named in his honor. He was born in New York in 1833 and when about three years old went to sea with his father, who was a sailor, and with him he made voyages until ten years of age The father then went upon another ship as skipper and Thomas Anderson followed the sea until 1851, when he made his way around Cape Horn and up the Pacific coast to San Francisco, arriving there on Christmas day. He spent the winter there working on vessels and at other labor, after which he went to the mines of Shasta county, spending four years there. He then began packing from Bluffs to Yreka and other points, being thus engaged until 1865, when he removed to Umatilla, Oregon. In the Rogue river district he hired out to the government, working as a packer during the Indian troubles. He was stationed at different points in eastern Oregon in the em- ploy of the government until the following spring when he went to Sacramento. He then began packing on his own account, making trips from Yreka to Fort Klamath. About 1872 he came to Warner valley but when the Modoc war broke out he went with General Winton as a packer, being thus employed all through the Modoc war. With that commander he proceeded to Walla Walla, Washington, and from there to Fort Kla- math. At length he left the service and re- turned to Warner valley to look after his cattle interests. Here he has since remained and is one of the well known residents of this part of the state. He has two hundred and forty acres of land on Hart mountain, and he also has charge of three hundred and twenty acres divided into two tracts of equal size. He resides near the head of Hart lake and on the lake that bears his name. He has been a stockman throughout the period of his residence here, using the ranch ex- tensively in the conduct of a cattle business. He had twenty-five hundred head of cattle until 1890, but lost heavily during the hard winter, since which time he has given his at- tention to the care of smaller herds. He has now reached the age of seventy-nine years but is still active in business. His life has brought to him many varied and interesting experiences, such as come to the pioneer and the stockman upon the frontier.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 140

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