The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 147

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

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

were natives of Sweden, died in that country early in life, when our subject was but a child. He emigrated to America with his older brother at the age of seven years- in 1872. To his father's family six children were born, of whom all are deceased but our subject. Mr. Mason resided with his brother until 1897. During that year his brother started for the Klondike country, Alaska, and was overcome by the hardships of the journey and died on his way to that land of the far north. Mr. Mason continued to re- side in his brother's home until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he filed upon a government homestead of one hundred and twenty acres near Acme on Duncan slough. He at once moved upon that property, where he continued to live for nine years following, after which he sold his homestead at a handsome profit and re- moved to his brother's farm, to which he had fallen heir after his brother's death. This property consists of two hundred and twenty acres of choice agricultural land, and to its care and operation Mr. Mason is giving his undivided attention.

In the year 1889 Mr. Mason was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Cikaski, who is a na- tive of Germany and who emigrated to America with her sister in 1885, her mother coming later to this country-in 1911. The father died in Germany many years ago. Mrs. Mason and her sister, on reaching America, settled first in the Dakotas, where they continued to live until 1887 and in that year they removed to Lane county, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Mason four chil- dren have been born: Roy A., in 1891; How- ard A., in 1892; Hilda J., in 1895; and Oscar E., in 1898. All of the children are at home with their parents.

Mr. Mason is a republican, giving his sup- port consistently to that party in its na- tional and state campaigns. He has served for twenty years as a member of the school board of the district in which he lives. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Florence and in that lodge has filled all the chairs. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Luth- eran church, while his wife and children be- long to the Christian church. His home is located fifteen miles up the river from Flor- ence and his postoffice is Point Terrace, Lane county, Oregon. John A. Mason is num- bered among the most successful farmers of Lane county and is regarded as one of the enterprising and valuable citizens of that part of the state of Oregon. He is a man to be relied upon to do his part in the ad- vancement of any public. measure looking to the welfare of the people.

BEN F. BULL is the owner of an improved farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres in Josephine county, near Wilderville, where he has for many years made his home. He was born, March 17, 1861, a son of Ben F. and Bridget (O'Brien) Bull, the former a native of Wisconsin and the latter of Illi- nois. The parents were married in California

and in 1856 came to Oregon, settling in Josephine county. The father's death oc- curred June 8, 1910.

Ben F. Bull, one of a family of seven chil- dren, was given a common-school education and remained at home until he attained the age of twenty-five years. He then removed to Silver Lake in Lake county, and for six years followed the life of a cowboy. At the end of that period he returned to Josephine county and homesteaded the farm upon which he now lives, which comprises one hundred and fifty-three acres. He improved the tract, brought it into a high state of culti- vation and made of it, a very desirable prop- erty.

On August 18, 1892, Mr. Bull was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Jackson and to them, three children have been born, Ora, Bird and Gladys, all of whom are at home. Ben F. Bull is a socialist and is greatly interested in political affairs. He is well known in the community in which he lives, holds to high standards of morality and char- acter and is by all regarded as an exemplary citizen.

JOHN LONG. The success that usually crowns persistent, earnest and honorable ef- forts came to John Long, making him the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of good land which constituted one of the well developed farm properties of Coles valley. He was in the fifty-ninth year of his age when death called him, his birth having occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 8, 1838, his parents being Phillip and Philapena Long. When a boy of sixteen he ran away from home and for a time was employed on a Mississippi river steamboat. Later he went to Chicago, where he learned the marble cut- ter's trade. Subsequently he sailed around Cape Horn for California and following his arrival in that state engaged in mining until 1865, when he came north to Oregon, set- tling in Douglas county. After reaching this county he worked at stone cutting for a num- ber of years but eventually turned his at- tention to farming at first settling on a tract of rented land. A year later he took up a homestead of eighty acres in the French settlement and there lived for five years, after which he purchased in 1876 one hundred and sixty acres of the present home farm in Coles valley. To this place he removed in 1877 and afterward extended the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase of one hun- dred and sixty acres of railroad land, so that his holdings embraced a half section, upon which he resided to the time of his death, on the 11th of September, 1897. The diligence which he displayed in conducting his farm the practical methods which he utilized in its development and the enterprise which he manifested in planting and harvesting his crops all combined to make him one of the representative farmers of the district.

On the 15th of August, 1870, Mr. Long was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Grach. a native of Prussia, Germany, who came to the United States in 1867 and spent six months in Minnesota. She afterward resided

MR. AND MRS. JOHN M. LONG

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for three years in Bloomington, Illinois, and in 1870 came to the west coast, traveling by team to Marysville, California, and thence to Douglas county, Oregon, by stage. It was not long after her arrival here that Anna M. Grach gave her hand in marriage to John Long and they began their domestic life on a rented farm, but soon they had a home of their own. As the years passed they became the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living: John T., a practicing attorney of Roseburg; Rosa Emma, the wife of Carl Ohman, of Roseburg; Frank P., who is living in the same town; William H., who operates the home farm; Fannie Lottie, the wife of R. O. Goff, a ranchman living near Sutherlin, Oregon; Conrad C., who is living in Portland; and Anna Malissa who is the wife of Frank Conn and resides with Mrs. Long.

John Long was a democrat but never sought nor desired public office. He was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Lutheran church. His wife is a member of the Catholic church. His was a well spent life, characterized by devotion to honorable principles. In business he displayed the sa- lient qualities of energy and industry, that always point the way to success.

JOSEPH LYONS. Drain is one of the pros- perous and progressive towns in Oregon. It is growing and expanding with discernible rapidity and no city can develop thus with- out the firm backing of solid business, finan- cial and industrial interests as a factor in its upbuilding. Drain has all of these advantages and owes them to the energy and alert capability of her enterprising citizens. Possessed of unusual ability in a business way, Joseph Lyons gained recognition dur- ing the long period of his residence in Drain as a constructive factor in its business and banking progress. He has now left this city and has taken up his residence in Reeds- port, where he is bringing his splendid busi- ness qualities and his organizing powers to the civic exploitation of the village.

He was born in Bloomfield, Indiana, May 3, 1862, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Gaston) Lyons, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Their marriage occurred in New Lisbon, Ohio, where the father had removed as a young man. Immediately following the wedding they located in Bloomfield, Indiana, where Joseph Lyons, Sr., became prominent in local poli- tics and for some twenty years filled the offices of county auditor and county treasurer with an ability and competency of a rare order. He was a man of unusual and re- markable business talents. He became ex- tensively interested in real estate in Indi- ana and was at one time a large landowner. He engaged to a large extent in cattle and stock-raising and became so prosperous in this field of activity that the town of Lyons, Indiana, was established as a shipping point for his stock. It is now a thriving city of five thousand people and stands as a monu- ment to the constructive and expanding powers of the elder Joseph Lyons. During the years of his splendid prosperity Mr. Vol. IV-40

Lyons became associated with Hughes East in the pork-packing business with headquar- ters in Indianapolis, Indiana, and this as- sociation had an unfortunate result. Mr. East attempted to corner the oats market in Chicago, using for his operations the firm's money and working under the firm's name. As a consequence of his activities the copartnership failed and went into debt for a large sum of money. Mr. Lyons with innate honesty and hatred of obligation at once set himself to pay off the debt which he had unknowingly incurred and before his death, in 1873, had fulfilled every obligation and had regained his fortune to the extent of being able to leave his family in comfort- able circumstances. His passing marked the end of a remarkable and thoroughly honest business career and his life was representa- tive of everything worthy and honorable in the commercial world. His wife remained in Indiana until 1893, when she joined her son in Drain, Oregon, where she is now residing.

Joseph Lyons was reared at home and ac- quired his education in the public schools of his native state. He later attended the Normal School at Bloomfield, Indiana, and supplemented this by a course in pharmacy. He spent five years in a Bloomfield drug store, being active in this capacity until 1887, in which year he removed to Oregon, locating immediately in Drain. Here he es- tablished himself in the drug business, open- ing the first exclusive pharmacy in the town. His constructive talents did not allow him to limit himself to the one line of occupation. He established the first bank in the city, opening a private financial enterprise known as the Joseph Lyons Bank. He continued in business in Drain up to 1904 and gained wide recognition as a man whose expanding and developing business talents actively aided municipal upbuilding. In 1904 he sold out all of his interests in Drain and moved to Portland, where he engaged in the real-estate business and in the manufacture of mining machinery for seven years. In 1911 he came to Reedsport, where he now resides, and dur- ing the year in which he has been established in that city has done successful work along lines of municipal improvement. He has made application for a postoffice in the village and expects to become postmaster when the government complys with his re- quest. He also intends to open a general merchandising store in Reedsport.

In June, 1889, Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Lee Smith, a daugh- ter of John H. Smith, now deceased, who was at one time a prominent attorney of Linn county, Oregon, where he also engaged in agriculture. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have been born two children, Daniel B. and Mary E. Kinney Lyons, both of whom are still at home.

In his political affiliations Mr. Lyons is consistently democratic and has always been actively interested in local affairs. In 1898 he was elected county judge of Douglas county and after serving efficiently and ef- fectively for two and one-half years resigned his office. He was appointed postmaster of

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Drain in Cleveland's first administration and served for nine and one-half years with con- spicuous success. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Mountain Lodge, No. 103, I. O. O. F., holding his membership in Drain. He also belongs to Roseburg Lodge, No. 236, B. P. O. E. He is one of the foremost men in Douglas county and is an epitome of the western spirit of "hustle," which is making villages grow into cities and cities into thriv- ing metropolitan communities in northwest- ern America. He is possessed of a construc- tive and keenly alert mind, which has been developed along business lines since his child- hood and is now centralized in the ambi- tion to promote his individual success and to ensure the greatness of the country in which he resides and the village to the ex- pansion of which. he is giving his construc- tive talents.

JESSE JAMES BEARD, a successful and enterprising farmer and stockman of Wash- ington county, is the owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, four and one- half miles north of Banks. His birth oc- curred in Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 21st of June, 1853, his parents being P. S. and Julia A. (Reed) Beard. The father, a native of New York, removed to Iowa about 1850 and two years later was married in that state, where he followed the carpenter's trade. In 1859 he made the overland jour- ney to California by ox team, reaching his destination at the end of five months and fifteen days. He started out with three yoke of oxen and at the end of the journey had but one steer remaining, having traded the others for the use of other cattle, with which to finish the trip. In the winter of 1859 he mined at Pine Grove, California, and thence removed to Marysville, Yuba county, where he worked as a carpenter and mason until 1870. In that year he made his way to Mendocino county, California, and subsequently took up his abode in Humboldt county, following his trade in both places. In 1872 he came to Washington county, Ore- gon, entered a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and resided thereon for about four years. Disposing of that prop- erty, he purchased another tract of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity and devoted his attention to its further cultiva- tion and improvement throughout the re- mainder of his life. His demise occurred in May, 1893, while his wife passed away at the home of our subject in 1899. Their children were seven in number, five of whom are still living, namely: Jesse James, Luther M., William, Platt and Walter. Those de- ceased are Mrs. John Watkins and Mrs. Johann Mead.

Jesse J. Beard, who was a lad of five years when he crossed the plains with his parents, obtained his education in the public schools of California. He first worked at teaming in Mendocino county, purchasing a team and being engaged in that business for a period of seventeen and a half years or until the advent of the railroad. Subsequently he came to Washington county, Oregon, took up

a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres four and a half miles north of Banks, made all necessary improvements and cleared twenty-five acres thereof. He has resided thereon to the present time and in connection with the production of cereals devotes some attention to stock, owning twenty head of cattle and five head of horses.

Mr. Beard has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Barthenia Budd, a daugh- ter of Judge E. R. Budd, of Mendocino county, California. To them were born four children, as follows: Jesse, who passed away when a youth of seventeen; Emma, the wife of I. Brush; Stella, who gave her hand in marriage to Frank Scott; and Jennie, who is the wife of William Browning. For his second wife, Mr. Beard chose Miss Susan Shoemake, a native of Mendocino county, California, and a daughter of Luther and Elizabeth Shoemake, by whom he had five children, namely: Ruth, who died when five years of age; Mabel, the wife of George Howell, of Washington county; Clarence, living in California; and Pearl and Nellie, both at home.

At the polls Mr. Beard supports the men and measures of the democratic party but has never sought nor desired office as a re- ward for party fealty. His faith is that of the Christian church, to which his wife and children also belong. The salient qualities of his life have ever commended him to the con- fidence, good-will and friendship of those with whom he comes into contact and he has always enjoyed the warm regard of a host of friends.

CLARENCE F. WATERMAN. In thirteen years of scientific and prosperous cultivation of three hundred and twenty-two acres of land located on Myrtle creek, nine miles above Bridge, Oregon, Mr. Clarence Waterman has gained for himself a prominent place among his fellow agriculturists. He was born in Lincoln county, Kansas, on January 7, 1875, and is a son of Azariah and Eliza- beth (Scofield) Waterman, both natives of New York state. They were married in the Empire state and lived there for a short time before moving to Illinois and later to Iowa. They resided for some time in Kan- sas and came to Oregon in 1888, settling on the east fork of the Coquille river near Dora, where the father bought a farm and was successful in its operation until his death in ' the fifty-fifth year of his age. He had sur- vived his wife by three years. Mr. Waterman is one of six children born to his parents. The others are: Jane, the wife of E. E. Weekly of Coos county; Emma, now Mrs. Otis of Spokane, Washington; Mrs. Loretta Young, a resident of Dora, Oregon; Della, deceased; and Raymond, a resident of Coos county.

Clarence F. Waterman received his edu- cation in the public schools and pursued his studies until he was eighteen years of age. By a wise use of every opportunity along this line he fitted himself for teaching and was active in this occupation for three school terms. He taught in the public schools

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of Coos county and gained wide recognition for ability and thoroughness. He eventually abandoned this occupation to take up farm- ing. He rented land in Coos county and operated it successfully until 1899, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres on Myrtle creek, a few miles above Bridge and began its cultivation. Since that time his prosperity has been rapid and continuous. He farmed along scientific principles and cul- tivated his land in a progressive and modern way. At different times during his career he added to his holdings and now owns be- sides his original one hundred and sixty acres the one hundred and sixty-two acre home- stead which adjoins. He makes a specialty of stock-raising and is known as an expert in this line of activity. He is at present enlarging his dairy facilities with a view to making this branch of his occupation an important factor in his enterprise.

In March, 1898, Mr. Waterman was united in marriage to Miss Etta Hardman, a native of Douglas county and a daughter of Elisha and Mary E. Hardman, who came to Oregon in the early days of its settlement and have lived on a farm near Reston in Douglas county ever since. Mrs. Waterman is one of eight surviving children, born to her par- ents as follows: Mila, who is a resident of Roseburg; Rilla, residing in the same city; Etta, the wife of our subject; Mark, who makes his home in Bancroft, Oregon; Mrs. May Graf, of Reston, Oregon; Benjamin, who resides in the same city; Joseph, of Toledo, Oregon; and Belle, who resides in Appleton, Coos county, Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have been born seven children: Clyde, born in 1899; Elvin, born in 1901; one child, who died in infancy; Perry, whose birth occurred in 1904; Echo, born in 1906; Irene, born in 1908; and Grace, whose birth occurred in 1911. Mr. Waterman and his family affiliate with the Presbyterian church and are active workers in its religious move- ments.

Mr. Waterman in his political views is consistent republican and although he

a takes an intelligent interest in public affairs he has never sought office. His agriculture has been progressive and valuable in all its aspects and has been productive of excellent results not only by resulting in individual prosperity but by adding to the development of one of the largest sections of America and making Coos county more prosperous and flourishing.

CHARLES E. JOHNSON is one of the well known farmers on North inlet, Coos county, Oregon, where he is successfully engaged in the cultivation of one hundred and fifty- two acres of rich land. He was born in Finland, May 24, 1870, and is a son of John and Bertha Johnson, both of whom were natives of Finland where the father died many years ago and where the mother still maintains her home at the age of seventy years. Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson were the parents of seven children, four of whom are yet living, our subject and one brother, John, being the only members of the family

who came to this country. Jolin died in Portland at the age of twenty-eight years.

Charles E. Johnson was reared at home and received his elementary education in his native land. He emigrated to America in 1888 and settled in Mendocino county, Cali- fornia, , where he remained for two years. He then removed to Coos bay and there worked for some time in the logging camps. Later he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres, two miles north of the upper landing of North inlet, in Coos county and on that property has since devoted him- self to farming, making a specialty of rais- ing potatoes and other vegetables which find ready sale in the open markets. He is gradually working into the dairy business for which his farm is particularly adapted.

Mr. Johnson was united in marriage in 1892, to Mrs. Annie Brown who is the widow of John L. Brown and also of John Stine- burg. To Mrs. Johnson, by her first marriage, three children were born: Oscar, who resides at home; Lydia, the wife of Henry Carlson of Bonneville, Oregon; and Charles, at home.

Charles E. Johnson is affiliated with the socialist party, but has never been a candi- date for public office. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church. He is one of the well known agriculturists of Coos county and a man who is interested in every measure which tends to improve con- ditions in the community in which he lives.

ALEXANDER H. SPARE, living in the southern part of Cottage Grove and own- ing a farm of more than two hundred acres adjoining the city limits, was born at Rich- mond, Kentucky, in 1832, a son of Philip and Harriett (Mayers) Spare. In the family of his parents were two children, the sister of our subject being Sarah, who married G. W. Murphy, a resident of Kentucky, and who passed away in 1910, leaving, several chil- dren. There was also an adopted son, Ben- jamin Thomas Grey, who made his home in Kentucky and there passed away in 1892, also leaving several children. The parents died in Kentucky when Alexander H. Spare was only four years of age, their deaths be- ing caused by cholera.

After the death of his parents the subject of this review was taken into the home of a Kentucky family named Dowdell. He re- mained with them until he attained years of maturity and in 1851 he drove an ox team across the plains as pay for his own trans- portation. On arriving in Oregon he began working in the mines, engaging in black- smithing and various other pursuits for a time, after which he built a blacksmith shop which he conducted for one year. After selling his shop he again obtained employ- ment in the mines of southern Oregon, where he worked about twelve years, during that time receiving only moderate wages. In partnership with a Mr. Arnold he purchased six hundred and forty-two acres of land for four thousand dollars. Afterward his part- ner sold his interest to O. P. Adams and when he and Mr. Spare divided the land, a tract of over two hundred acres was the

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share of Mr. Spare. His farm adjoins the city of Cottage Grove, his residence being within the city limits. When he selected the site for his present home there were very few houses within a radius of ten miles and many Indians were roving about the country. He has witnessed the development of this region from a veritable wilderness to a finely developed farming and residence section. In addition to the valuable agri- cultural property which he owns he has five gold and silver claims on Sharps creek, in the Bohemia district, to which he has been on frequent prospecting tours.

In his political faith Mr. Spare is a demo- crat but has never been an office seeker al- though he has been importuned to accept nominations or appointments for political positions. He has been a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, having been master for several years of Cottage Grove Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M., a member of Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. and also a Knight Templar. He is popular among his neighbors and the citizens of Cottage Grove and takes great pride in the growth and development of this section and the advancement of his city. Beginning as a poor boy, orphaned at the eagly age of four years and being compelled to make his own way in the world, he has made a success of life, acquiring a comfort- able competence and a wide acquaintance among all classes of people in Cottage Grove and vicinity. He has labored hard and faith- fully and undertaken some difficult tasks, but by the exercise of indomitable will, industry and economy he has succeeded in overcoming the obstacles in his business pathway and is now in a position to enjoy a well earned rest.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 147

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