The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 152

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

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CHARLES R. LA FOLLETTE, who resides eight miles southwest of Gervais, was born in Marion county, Oregon, July 8, 1880, on the home place, where he is now residing, his parents being A. M. and Margaret (Town- send) LaFollette. The father was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1845, and is a son of David LaFollette, who is of French lineage. At the age of nine years A. M. La- Follette left Indiana with his parents and crossed the plains with ox teams in 1854. After arriving in the west they settled first in Calaveras county, California, where they remained for three years farming rented land. At the end of that time they came to Oregon and located near Dallas, where they again engaged in agricultural pursuits on rented land. Desiring to take up a farm of his own David LaFollette removed to Mis- sion bottom and took up a donation land claim of three hundred and twenty acres, upon which he resided for twenty-five years. During this time he proved himself a suc- cessful agriculturist, and so cultivated his land that it became one of the most highly productive farms in the district. At the end of twenty-five years' work he removed to Salem, where he lived retired for ten years before finally settling in McMinnville, where his death occurred in 1909.

A. M. LaFollette, the father of our sub- ject, was one of seven children, the others being: Irene, who was the wife of George Sopingfind, deceased, and who later married L. T. Griffith, of Weiser, Idaho; Susan, who is the wife of Perry Gobbett of Stockton, California; Ollie, who is married to H. W. Scott of Forest Grove, Oregon; Brant, de- ceased; Emma, the wife of Simon Wall of Gaston, Oregon; and Mary, deceased. Mrs. A. M. LaFollette was the eldest of eight

children, the others being: Josephine, the wife of William Reeves, of Independence, Oregon; Melinda, who is married to John Wickham of Ione, Oregon; Marion, a resi- dent of Portland, Oregon; LaFayette, of Salem,, Oregon; Amanda, who is the wife of G. Lake, who is living in Salem, Oregon; Ann, also a resident of Salem; and Minnie, who is married to John Dimmick of Hubbard, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. A. M. LaFollette were married in Yamhill county, and to this union nine children were born: Joseph W., of Salem, Oregon, who has two daughters; Mary, de- ceased; Perry L., who is a resident of Cor- nelius, Oregon, and who is married and has two children; Marion, deceased; Clyde M., a resident of Amity, Oregon, who is married and has five children; Ina, the wife of Robert Cole of Salem; Charles R., the subject of this review; Elva M., who is married to Brith A. Aspenwall of Brooks, Oregon; and Grace M., who is residing at home with her father and mother.

Charles R. LaFollette started upon his in- dependent career at the age of twenty-three years. For two years he was employed by the month on a farm, but at the end of that time went to Washington, D. C., where he served as messenger in the United States senate. During this service he had the op- portunity and privilege of meeting many of the men who are making our national his- tory. After remaining in this position for three years he returned to the home farm and began making a careful study of the most profitable and advanced methods of agriculture. He soon rented a tract which contained three hundred and twenty acres, of which he has had complete charge for the last three years. During this time he has been unusually successful in raising grain and also in stock-raising. The farm is well equipped with modern buildings and presents an attractive appearance.

On the 22d of November, 1905, Mr. La- Follette was married to Linnie LaChapell of Forest Grove. Her birth occurred in 1885, and she is a daughter of John and Emma LaChapell. Mr. and Mrs. LaFollette are the parents of two children: Charles R., whose birth occurred on the 25th of August, 1906; and Evelyn Frances, who was born Septem- ber 17, 1910.

Mr. LaFollette gives his political allegi- ance to the republican party. He holds mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and also in the Masonic order. He has proven his worth and ability as a farmer, and be- cause of his energy and progressiveness his career promises to be most successful.

SAMUEL BALL is a true son of the Ameri- can northwest and is exemplifying in his life the sturdy qualities which made his parents, when a newly married couple, turn their faces toward the west and, then, when for- tune had been unkind and the ravages of the climate had destroyed their stock, caused them to start over again with no assets other than a great determination and a domi- nating faith. Samuel Ball is a native of Oregon, born in Douglas county, July 5, 1867.

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His parents were Zachariah C. and Amanda (Eels) Ball, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Iowa. Both crossed the plains to Oregon with ox teams and were married at Jeff Chapman's place on Deer creek, Douglas county, about the year 1860. They settled at the head of Oak creek, where they lived for two years and acquired a sinall herd of stock, which was their only fortune. The severe winter of 1861-2 des- troyed their entire herd with the exception of one cow, and they subsequently moved to the South Umpqua river, five miles south- east of Canyonville, where they took up a homestead, upon which the father died No- vember 1, 1898. His wife survived him until March 27, 1905.

Samuel Ball was reared on his father's farm and educated in the common schools of the district. In his boyhood days he worked at ranching, receiving for his labors a small salary. When the railroad was built through Douglas county he worked as teamster in a construction gang and was the first man to drive into the Buck Rock tunnel. In 1887 Samuel Ball settled on a ranch owned by J. L. Clough on the South Umpqua river, operating the same as a renter for two years. He then removed to his father's place near Canyonville and remained there for one year. He spent the next eleven years on the John Arzner ranch, two miles north of the town of Riddle, subsequently moving to the place which he now rents and operates. This property is one of the largest ranches in this section of the country and lies two miles south of Riddle. It is owned by H. Woolen- burg. Samuel Ball owns one hundred and one acres of the richest farm land in Oregon, four miles south of Riddle, near the ranch where he resides. He recently planted thir- teen hundred and twenty-five prune trees upon this tract and takes a keen interest in their cultivation.

On January 12, 1887, Mr. Ball was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Buttler, who came as a child to Douglas county from Illi- nois. They are the parents of seven children: Ralph H., who lives with his wife in Riddle, Oregon; Fred, Elbert R., Ethel and Marvin H., at home; Helen M., deceased, a twin sis- ter of Marvin H., and Juanita M., who lives with her parents.

Samuel Ball is a stanch democrat and a firm believer in the policies of that party. He takes no very active part in public affairs but served for two terms as supervisor of roads. He is a member of Riddle Lodge, F. & A. M. of Azalia Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is active in the affairs of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Samuel Ball loves the out- door life, the great stretches of ranch lands and the cool, bracing climate of Oregon. He knows the west in all its aspects and is the more loyal to it because of that knowledge.

OSCAR A. ERICKSON. Although a young man and just fairly launched in his life pur- suit, Oscar A. Erickson, of Warren, has won enviable standing and gives promise of at- taining high rank in the business world. He is a native of Columbia county, born

March 4, 1887, and can claim descent from good Swedish stock in both branches of the family. His parents are Joseph and Cora Erickson, both of whom were born . in Sweden. The father came to America in 1860 and after spending a short time in Michigan resumed his journey westward and established a home in Colorado. In 1884, believing that conditions were more favor- able in Oregon than he observed further southward, he came with his family to Co- lumbia county and has since engaged in ranching here. There are ten children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Erickson: Joseph, engaged in the mercantile business at War- ren; Anna, who is the wife of G. Olson, of Portland; Ida, who married J. B. Lovegren ; Oscar A., of this review; Otto, at home; Alice, bookkeeper for J. Erickson & Sons; Charles; Walter; Bertha, who is the wife of J. E. Monteith; and Erwin.

Oscar A. Erickson attended the common schools and as he grew to manhood assisted his father upon the liome ranch. However, his interest was attracted to mercantile life rather than farming or stock-raising and he became associated with his brother Joseph in business at Warren under the title of J. Erickson & Sons. The firm carries a gen- . eral mercantile stock, valued at fourteen thousand dollars, the store being one of the most attractive outside of Portland and As- toria in western Oregon. The merchandise is carefully selected and, as the business is excellently managed, the patronage is stead- ily increasing.

On the 28th of May, 1911, Mr. Erickson was married to Miss Pearl Lindsey, who was born in Idaho, a daughter of E. C. and Susan (Drake) Lindsey, both of whom are now living. Fraternally Mr. Erickson is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Improved Order of Red Men, and he is an earnest believer in the principles of those beneficent organizations. Politically he adheres to the republican party as the one best adapted to subserve the interests of the people of the entire country. A young man of pleasing appear- ance and address, he readily makes friends and in their opinion there is no doubt as to his continued advancement in business and social circles.

MARTIN RUSSELL is one of the success- ful farmers of Coos county, his highly de- veloped ranch of eighty acres being located near Cooston, where he is successfully en- gaged in general farming. He was born in Illinois, December 2, 1867, and is a son of John and Mary (Nelson) Russell. The father died in Illinois when the subject of this review was an infant. The parents were natives of Denmark and shortly after their marriage emigrated to America, settling in Illinois. Their family included five children.

Martin Russell was reared at home and shortly after his father's death returned with his mother to her native country, where as a boy of nine years he earned a living by herd- ing sheep and cattle. He learned the black- smith's trade and at the age of sixteen sub-

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

sequently returned to the United States and settled in California, where he was engaged in the pursuit of his trade for many years, during which time he owned his own shop and also was engaged in work for others in various shops in that state. He later removed to Coos county, settling in Marshfield, where he remained for five years, but changed his location in 1898 to Libby, Oregon, where he was engaged in mining until March, 1911, at which time he purchased eighty acres of land located near Cooston, upon which he moved and has since been devoting his atten- tion to general farming and to the opera- tion of a small but successful dairy plant. On May 23, 1896, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Crawford, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Wolf) Crawford. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are the parents of seven children: Martha, who was born July 20, 1897, and is now a pupil in the public schools; Ronald, who was born August 15, 1899, and is at- tending the public schools; Martin, born in 1900, also attending school; Roy, born May 30, 1902; Mabel, born July 7, 1904; Lillian, born June 12, 1907; and Archie, born July 14, 1910.

Mr. Russell is affiliated with the republi- can party and is a member of the Masonic order. He is one of the enterprising men of the section in which he resides and his highly developed farm of eighty acres is among the most valuable of its kind in his section of the state.

EMANUEL EPTON is engaged in the real- estate business in Portland, largely hand- ling his own properties which constitute both business and residence holdings. He was born November 19, 1862, in Canada, and in the years, in which he has been connected with business affairs has gradually made his way westward until he is now perma- nently located on the coast. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Edwards) Epton, who were natives of England, as were also their parents. The father and mother of our subject were married when the former was twenty-three years of age, and immediately afterward they sailed from their native coun- try to Canada, settling near Toronto, where + e father purchased four hundred acres of land and there carried on farming for thirty- one years. He was also engaged in the meat business and lived a life of well directed industry and thrift, but eventually disposed of his farm in Canada and in 1880 went to North Dakota, where he purchased two hundred and twenty acres. There he took up the active work of cultivating the soil and continued to engage in farming in that locality for twenty years. Once more lie sold out and retired to private life, making his home in Neche, North Dakota, until he came to Oregon in 1905. In that year he settled in Portland and purchased city prop- erty, which he occupied until the time of his wife's death on the 5th of March, 1909. He then sold his home and now resides with his children, who live in different parts of the country. To Mr. and Mrs. John Epton were

born eleven children: Samuel, who makes his home at Aurora, North Dakota, and has three children; Mary, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, the wife of John Welch, of Cana- da, and the mother of thirteen children; John, who is married and resides in Seattle; Emanuel, of this review; Carrie, who became the wife of Andy Darling, of North Dakota, and died leaving three children; Alice, the wife of Michael Theodore, of Neche, North Dakota, by whom she has two children; Lucy the deceased wife of Jacob Chopper, of Mani- toba, Canada, and the mother of two children; Eliza, who married James McGregor, of Mani- toba, Canada, and has eight children; Emma, the wife of Alexander McGregor, of North Dakota, and the mother of seven children; and William, of North Dakota, who has six children.

During the boyhood and youth of Emanuel Epton he met the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the lad who is reared upon a farm. He started out in life on his own account at the age of twelve years. He sub- sequently took up a homestead in North Dakota and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, making in all three hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated and im- proved for twelve years. He then became actively engaged in the butchering business and as he prospered, he added to his landed possessions, purchasing in 1895 six hundred and forty acres, which he retained, together with his original farm until after he came to Oregon in that year. He has since sold his property in that state but in 1907 he pur- chased six hundred and forty acres near Manitoba, Canada, which he still owns.

On removing westward to Oregon. Mr. Epton purchased six acres of land at the corner of Burnside and Seventy-third street in Portland, and for two years engaged in farming that tract. He also invested in a large number of lots and turned his atten- tion to the real-estate business. He has made many improvements on his property and has secured a good clientage in his operations in real estate. He today holds property to the value of seventy-five thousand dollars, in- cluding both business blocks and residences. He is thoroughly informed concerning realty values in Portland and his judicious invest- ments have enabled him to make profitable sales.

Mr. Epton was united in marriage to Miss Emma Somerset, who was born October 16, 1860, a daughter of John and Margaret (Daly) Somerset. The wedding was cele- brated June 5, 1886, and to this marriage have been born seven children. Hurl Glen- ville, born November 28, 1887, has had a business-college education and lives at home. Festus Edwards, born in 1890, pursued his education in the public schools, is married and has one child. Myrtle Irene, born in 1891, has studied in the high school and is now at home. Ferdinand E., born August 9, 1893, has had a business- college education and is now employed in the Hibernia Bank at Portland. Chester, born in 1895, has a business-college educa-

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tion. Lula, born in July, 1897, and Seil, born Marchi 9, 1901, are both attending school.

In his political views Mr. Epton has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and while not an office seeker he served for two terms as supervisor of his county in North Dakota. He prefers, however, that his public service shall be done as a private citizen and in many ways he has contributed to general progress. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, to which his wife and children also belong. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, be- longing to the subordinate lodge, the en- campment and the. Daughters of Rebekah. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Foresters. He resides at No. 73 East Seventy-fourth street, in that portion of Portland known as Montavilla.

WILLIAM RICHARD MCKAY. One of the most prominent and successful farmers of Marion county is William Richard Mckay. who resides four and one-half miles north- east of St. Paul, Oregon. Born in 1849, a native of Marion county, he is a son of James and Cecilia (Lawson) Mckay, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Scotland. The parents were married in Scotland and on coming to America they settled in Illinois, but in 1847 they removed to Oregon, locating near St. Paul. The father then went to California, where he accumu- lated a fortune in gold mining, making as much as three hundred dollars per day when he had to retire on account of ill health. He then returned to his family in Oregon, settling on a donation claim, and bought the Old Mission saw and grist mill, which . he operated for thirty-five years. At the time of his death he owned property in a great many of the cities of Oregon. His estate was valued at over twenty-five thou- sand dollars but was really worth much more. Fifteen years before his death he moved to Portland, where he passed away at the advanced age of eighty years. In his family were eight children: James and William, who died while crossing the plains; William Richard, of this review; Mary, who lives in Portland; John, of St. Paul, Oregon; Kate, who is the wife of Jolin McCormick, of Woodburn; James, deceased; and Cecilia, who is the wife of John Kirk, of St. Paul.

William R. Mckay started out in life of his own accord at the age of twenty-one. He went to California and worked for several years on the Glen ranch and then, return- ing home he helped to manage his father's estate. In 1885 he moved to the farm where he now lives and where he has one of the finest homes in this locality. His residence is a large, two-story house, beautifully sur- rounded by shade trees and situated on a tract of eight hundred acres, five hundred of which are under cultivation. He is engaged in raising wheat, oats and hops. He also raises live stock, including horses, Jersey cows, Poland China hogs, sheep and Angora goats.

In 1885, at St. Louis, Oregon, Mr. McKay was united in marriage to Miss Anna Kava- naugh, a daughter of Daniel and Catharinc (Doyle) Kavanaughı. She was born in 1861 and was the second in order of birth in a family of eight children. The others are: Andrew L., of Portland; Sarah, the wife of Elmer Savage, of Salem, Oregon; Edward, of Gervais; Mattie, the wife of A. L. Clarke, of Portland; John P., of Portland, who is judge of the third district court; Henry J., a physician in Albany, Oregon; and Mary, who lives with her mother in Portland. Mr. and Mrs. McKay have become the parents of five children. Stanley J., born in 1886, lives in Portland and is connected with a paving company on street work. He has a college education. Arthur W., born in 1888, is married and has one child. He lives on his farm near St. Paul and is also a college graduate. Stella is a sister in a convent in Oswego, Oregon. Justin L. lives at home with his parents and has a college education. Albert is now in college in Portland.

In politics Mr. Mckay is a stanch republi- can, believing the principles of this party to be most conducive to good govern- ment, and in religion he strictly adheres to the Roman Catholic faith. He has always taken an active interest in educational mat- ters and has given must help toward that end in his community. He is a strong ad- vocate of good roads. He is widely known as a public-spirited man, who has the welfare of the community at heart and may well be called one of the most prominent citizens of his county.

A. J. COLVIN. Everything that is useful in the world is the product of labor, either of mind or body, and too much prominence is apt to be attached to attainment along scientific and professional lines at the expense of those men who have labored earnestly and sincerely in a humble calling and have raised themselves by their own efforts to honored positions among their fellowmen. A man of this class is A. J. Colvin, who began life as a laborer and is now manager of one of the most important box factories in Glendale, Oregon, and owner of a half in- terest in one of the largest hardware stores in that city. He was born in Nebraska on August 16, 1877, a son of Henry and Emma (Nelson) Colvin. His father was a native of Ireland who came to America when lie was a young boy and located in Illinois, where he married. He later removed to Nebraska and died in that state. The mother was a native of Indiana and after her husband's death moved to Oregon and died in Grants Pass. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: R. J., who is a resident of California; Susan, who married O. Ranford, of Vancouver, Washiington; George, who re- sides in Josephine county, Oregon; Henry, who makes his home in Glendale; A. J., of this review; and Ellen, who is deceased.

A. J. Colvin's educational opportunities were limited. He attended the common schools of his district until he was sixteen years old, when he began to work in a box

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factory. He remained with the same firm for fifteen years, learning the business and rising rapidly through various positions un- til at the time of his resignation he was general superintendent. He became well known in manufacturing circles of Glendale, where his uprightness of character and strict integrity won him many friends. At the present time he is acting as manager of an important box factory in Glendale and is also owner of a half interest in a local hard- ware store. He is an extensive owner of real estate and is engaged in business along that line. He owns an interest in a large lumber camp near Glendale and has five acres of farm land under cultivation in Grants Pass.

In 1906 Mr. Colvin was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bartle, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bartle, residents of Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Colvin are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a consistent supporter of the republi- can party and has been active in local public affairs. He is at present mayor of the city of Glendale and is making a remarkable rec- ord as an efficient public servant. Frater- nally he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Grants Pass and his wife holds member- ship in the Order of the Eastern Star and is now one of the conductors in that organi- zation. Mr. Colvin is one of the foremost citizens of Glendale today. He has carved out his own career and has risen from a humble capacity to that of mayor of his city and is a man prominent in its business and social circles.

EDWARD LEE RAYBURN is one of Ore- gon's self-made men who, prompted by laud- able ambition, has wisely used his time, talents and opportunities in attaining the present creditable positión, which he occu- pies in business circles of Multnomah county. He now makes his home in Lents and is numbered among Oregon's native sons his birth having occurred in Corvallis, March 15, 1861. His parents were Stephenson and Jane (Higginbotham) Rayburn, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Iowa. The father left Kentucky when nineteen years of age and thereafter made his own way in the world. He went first to Illinois, where he resided for several years and then removed to Iowa, where he met and married Jane Higginbotham. They began their do- mestic life in Iowa, where they remained for several years and then crossed the plains with ox teams in 1852, settling in Lafayette, Oregon. They remained there for a short time and then went to Corvallis, where the father engaged in carpentering and contract- ing, in which business he continued until his retirement from active life. His death occurred in Idaho in 1905, at which time he was visiting his son, William Francis Ray- burn. He was then seventy-nine years of age. He had long survived his wife, who passed away during the early boyhood of her son, Edward L. They were the parents of twelve children but six died, while crossing the plains to the northwest. Those who reached

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 152

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