The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 154

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

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Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have been blessed with six children. Lula is deceased. Mabel, born March 9, 1892, has completed a high- school and a commercial course. Lura, born March 16, 1894, has a business education. Marjorie, born March 11, 1901, Jeannette, born May 14, 1903, and Fred E., born May 1, 1907, are attending school.

James E. Blackburn's political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. He was elected road supervisor and filled that office for three terms but has never been an office seeker in the commonly accepted sense of that term. He is well known in various fraternal circles, holding membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs, the Woodmen of the World and the United Artisans. His re -. ligious faith is that of the Baptist church, to which his family belong.

VICTOR STAUFF is one of the most suc- cessful dairy farmers of Coos county. His ranch comprises two hundred acres, located near Cooston, where he is engaged in farm- ing, making a specialty of dairying. He was born in Finland, in 1866, and is a son of John and Mary (Svarver) Stauff, both of whom were natives of Finland, and to them five children were born: Victor, the subject of this review; William, deceased; Emilie. who married Oscar Moore, of Alameda, Cali- fornia, by whom she has three children: Arana, the wife of Harry Yoast, of Alameda, California, and the mother of three children; and Oscar, deceased.

Victor Stauff was reared at home and re- ceived his elementary education in his native country. At the age of thirteen years he started in life for himself, finding employ- ment in a brickyard and continuing in that

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

occupation for a period of two years. At the age of eighteen years he emigrated to the United States, settling at North Bend, Oregon, and found employment in the ship- yards in that place. Ile continued to work as an employe in the shipyards for fifteen years. after which time he purchased two hundred acres of land, upon which he erected a fine residence and other buildings. He has since been engaged in dairy farming, of which he has made a great success. He plants a large acreage of potatoes and is also one of the successful fruit growers of this section of the state.

Mr. Stauff was united in marriage August 9, 1888, to Miss Vendla Smith, a daughter of Ulrik and Beattie (Moore) Smith, both of whom were natives of Finland. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children were born: Ul- rika, deceased; Vendla, the wife of the sub- ject of this review; John, a resident of Wash- ington; Hilda, the wife of Charles C. Johnson, of whom an extended review is published in another part of this work; and Junas and Amanda, both of whom are deceased. . To Mr. and Mrs. Stauff five children have been born. Oscar, born April 23, 1889, is a pupil in the Oregon State Agricultural College at Corvallis. Hugo, who was born August 19, 1891, is also a pupil in the Oregon State Agricultural College, at Corvallis; Violet, born May 21, 1892, who was educated in the Coos county public schools, is engaged in teaching on Larson's Inlet. Gladys, born July 9, 1898, resides at home with her par- ents and is a pupil in the public schools. Ivy, who completes the family, was born October 24, 1900, and is a pupil in the pub- lic schools.

Mr. Stauff gives his political support to the socialist party. He has been a member of the Woodmen of the World and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Stauff's ranch of two hundred acres of valuable land is one of the best improved and most successfully managed farms in his locality and stands as a monument to his ability and industry.

ARCHIE PHILIP is one of the well known and respected citizens of North Bend. where he has charge of the logging operations of the Simpson Lumber Company, which is one of the largest mill and lumber concerns of Coos county. He was born April 4, 1868, and is a son of Robert and Helen (Webster) Philip, both of whom were natives of Scot- land. The father removed with his family to England in 1871, where he later became the manager of the Marquess of Bath's es- tate, which position he held for twenty-one years. At the expiration of that time he was retired on a pension and died in 1894, the mother dying of a broken heart thirty days later. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living.

Archie Philip was reared at home and re- ceived his education in the schools of his na- tive land. He emigrated to America in 1887, at the age of nineteen years, going to Chi- cago, Illinois, where he remained for six months. He then went to Duluth, Minnesota,

and there continued to reside until 1902, when he removed to Idaho and was there employed for a period of five years by the Cordelaine Lumber Company. In 1907 he settled in Coos county, Oregon, and became engaged as a timber cruiser and later had charge of a lumber camp. In 1909 he took charge of all the Simpson Lumber Company's logging operations and to that work he has since given his entire attention. He is the owner of a fine residence at North Bend and in that city he also owns two blocks located in the best portion of the residence district.

Mr. Philip was united in marriage, July 5, 1893, to Miss Nellie Kenyon, whose birth occurred at Sparta, Wisconsin, where she received her carly education. Her father passed away there when she was a small child and her mother died at the same place in 1909. They were the parents of six chil- dren, of whom three are still living: Melvin, a resident of Le Sucur, Minnesota ; George, who resides in San Francisco, California; and Nellie, the wife of the subject of this re- view. To Mr. and Mrs. Philip four children have been born: Percy F., born February 24, 1895, who is an engineer and resides at home; Archie, who was born in 1897, and is attending school; Olive, born in 1900, who is a pupil in the public schools; and Carol, born in 1907. Mr. Philip belongs to the re- publican party but often votes independently, especially in local issues. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal church of North Bend. Mr. Philip is one of the well known, enterprising men of North Bend and is a man highly esteemed for his integrity in business matters and in every way entitled to be numbered among the progressive and useful citizens of this part of the state.

JOSEPH MICELLI. Among the enterpris- ing and active business men of Roseburg Joseph Micelli holds an important position, being a manufacturer of brick and also mayor of the city. Hè is highly esteemed as a man of energy, ability and sterling integ- rity, and is a well known representative of fraternal interests, having at one time been grand master of the grand lodge of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. A native of Italy, he was born October 1, 1864, in Riesi, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Grant Micelli. Born and reared in Riesi, Grant Micelli learned the brick- making trade when young and was there en- gaged in business for a time as a brick manu- facturer and contractor. Coming to the United States in 1872, he located first in Ne- vada, remaining there for three years. In 1880 he went to Hailey, Idaho, where lie es- tablished a brickyard and has since been suc- cessfully employed as a brick-maker and con- tractor. He married Margaret Biancolini, who was born in Italy and was the daughter of an expert wood carver. In 1886 she came with her family to America, joining hier lius- band at Hailey, Idaho. where she has since made her home. Of their children four are living: Mary, whose home is in Idaho; Joseph; Frank, an attorney of Roseburg; and Louis, of Montecristo, Washington.

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Educated in the public schools of Riesi, Joseph Micelli remained in his native city until 1878, when he went to Pettau, Austria, where he continued his studies in the public schools for a time. He subsequently learned the trade of a baker and confectioner in that city and followed it for a number of years, traveling as a journeyman through Austria-Hungary. In 1884 he came with his sister to this country and after his arrival in Hailey, Idaho, attended the common and high schools in the acquirement of the Eng- lish language. On leaving school he entered the employ of the Idaho Forwarding Com- pany which has several stores in different states, becoming a clerk in the store at Hailey. He afterward worked for his father as a brick maker for two years and, having become familiar with the trade, conducted a brickyard at Silver Mountain, Idaho, where he remained in business for a year. Coming to the Pacific coast in 1889 he was employed in the manufacture of brick at Tacoma, Washington, for a year, and in Jan- uary, 1890, he located in Roseburg, buying a tract of land on which he established a brickyard. He has since continued in busi- ness, having about seven acres of land in his yard, and each year he manufactures about a million brick which he ships to coast mar- kets. He has built up a large business in this connection which is now conducted under the firm style of Micelli Brothers, his brother having joined him in 1903. They own a quarter interest in the Hamilton addition of Roseburg, a tract containing twenty-seven acres. In addition to his other interests Joseph Micelli is a director and a member of the finance committee of the Douglas Na- tional Bank and is vice president of the Douglas Abstract Company.

Mr. Micelli was married in Roseburg to Miss Grace Preschern, who was born in Den- ver, Colorado, a daughter of John Preschern, who is now engaged in agricultural pursuits near Roseburg. They have become the par- ents of two children, Victor and Albert.

Mr. Micelli is very prominent in fraternal relations. He belongs to Roseburg Lodge, No. 326, B. P. O. E., and is a member of Rose Lodge No. 16, A. O. U. W. He is perhaps most widely known in his connection with the Odd Fellows. In 1886 he joined Rising Star Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F. at Hailey, Idaho, and withdrew in 1890 to become a member of the Philetarian Lodge, No 8, I. O. O. F., of Roseburg, of which he was noble grand in 1891. In 1892 he entered the grand lodge of Oregon and at its session held in Roseburg in 1898 was appointed grand conductor. The following year he was advanced to the position of grand marshal and in 1901 was elected grand warden. In 1902 he served as deputy grand master and in 1903 at the ses- sion held in Portland was chosen grand master of the grand lodge. In 1904 he finished his term in that position and was elected grand representative of the sovereign grand lodge, attending the sessions at San Francisco and at Philadelphia in 1904 and 1905. He is also a member and past chief patriarch of Union Encampment, No. 9, and a charter member

of Roseburg Rebekah Lodge, No. 41. He likewise belongs to the Kremlin Baku, of Portland, is a member and past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias lodge, for three terms served as its representative to the grand lodge and was representative to the first state convention held by that order. He belongs to the Board of Trade and is a member of the Commercial Club, of which he was. formerly a trustee. Mr. Micelli is equally widely known as a political leader. In 1906 he was elected a member of the city council of Roseburg, representing the third ward, and was appointed chairman of the street committee. Twice thereafter he was elected and retained the chairmanship of that committee during three terms of the council, within which time all of the present street improvements were made, including ten miles of street paving and sewers in three dis- tricts, making Roseburg the best drained city in the country, there being not a single house in that city that is not connected with the sewer. He deserves great credit for this as it is a valuable factor in sanitation and health, as well as cleanliness. In 1911 ne was elected mayor of the city on the demo- cratic ticket for a two years' term, which

' will expire on the 6th of November, 1913. Already during his administration he has accomplished much for the city's welfare and improvement. Though born across the water he is thoroughly American in interest and thought, and is imbued with the spirit of progress that is manifest in all of his con- nections and especially in his service as chief executive of Roseburg.

W. A. BRANSON, much of whose life has been given to public service, was born in Polk county, Oregon, March 24, 1861, a son of Eli T. and Sarah Catharine Branson. The father was a native of . Springfield, Illinois, born May 15, 1829, and spent his youth and early manhood upon a farm, but in 1852 he crossed the plains with ox teams to Port- land. He then proceeded up the Willamette river to Oregon City where he worked in a sawmill owned by Nathaniel Lane, the grand- father of ex-mayor Lane. From there he went to Polk county where he purchased eight hundred acres of land in the northern section, near the town of Sheridan. He ex- perienced the usual hardships and privations of life on the frontier, including service in the Indian wars whereby the red men were forced to abandon their hostile attitude toward the incursions of the white race into this territory. He continued upon the farm which he purchased until 1869, when he sold that property and removed to McMinnville, where he lived retired until 1872. He then went to Sheridan and purchased three hun- dred and twenty acres, one mile and three- quarters west of the town and made his home in that city until 1877. In that year he took up his abode upon the farm, resid- ing on that place until 1899, when he sold the property and once more established his home at McMinnville, purchasing the Nauver farm adjoining the city limits. He rented the property and lived in the town, enjoy-

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

ing well earned rest to the time of his death, which occurred March 8, 1910, when he was about eighty-two years of age. His wife, who was born in Illinois, crossed the plains with her parents at an early date, the family home being established in Yamhill county, Oregon. The town of Willamina was named in honor of her father, as it lies on his old donation claim. To Mr. and Mrs. Eli T. Branson were born five children: W. A. of this review; Edward Baker, who died in 1862 when eight years of age; C. E., who died in 1906 at the age of thirty-seven years, after fourteen years' service as surveyor of the county, during which period he was known as a very successful civil engineer, doing the work of the new Morrison street bridge in Portland; and two daughters who died in infancy.

W. A. Branson was educated in the county in which he makes his home. After complet- ing the common-school course he attended the old Baptist College at McMinnville. He was, moreover, a student of the practical lessons of life. He was reared upon a farm and to the development and improvement of land lie gave his attention until 1899, his la- bors bringing to him substantial results for he brought his fields into a high state of cul- tivation. He then came to McMinnville and was appointed deputy assessor, which posi- tion he lield for four years under Joli E. Hubbard and for three years under the pres- ent assessor, Martin Miller. He has assessed the precincts fifteen miles each way from McMinnville and his work has at all times been thoroughly satisfactory to those under whom he serves. He has held the offices of school clerk and road supervisor. He has ever been a republican, stanchly advocating the principles of that party, yet never be- coming a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term.

In 1880 Mr. Branson was married to Miss Minnie E. Young, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of John L. and Catharine (Bew- ley) Young. Her father was a Civil war vet- eran and took part in many of the famous battles that led to the victory of the Union forces. He served also throughout the Mexi- can war, and stood at the side of Jefferson Davis when the latter was shot in an engage- ment of that conflict. Mr. Young made his home in Tennessee until 1882 when he came to Oregon, settling in Sheridan, where he lived for a number of years. Subsequently the family removed to Portland where both he and his wife died. To Mr. and Mrs. Young were born three children of whom Mrs. Branson is the eldest. Her sister. Mol- lie, now deceased, was the wife of John A. Ingram, who was a railroad man, running out of Portland. He lost his life in a rail- road wreck and his wife passed away a year later. A brother, John Young, lives in Ten- nessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Branson has been born one child, C. R. He was born in Sep- tember, 1891, and attends school, making a specialty of the study of electricity.

W. A. Branson is a member of the Elks lodge at Salem, Oregon. His brother, C. E.

Branson, was a Royal Archi Mason in Mc- Minnville, an accomplished musician and was identified with all of the musical organiza-' tions of the city. In McMinnville and throughout the county W. A. Branson is widely known. His life has been an active and useful one for he has ever been found reliable in business, faithful and loyal in citizenship and true at all times in his friendships.

JACOB C. and NANCY (ORNDORF) SPORES. All credit and honor is due to the worthy pioneer settlers who planted the seeds of civilization in the northwest, braving not only hardships and difficulties but dangers in establishing their homes upon the Pacific coast at a period when this region was much more thickly inhabited by Indians than by representatives of the white race. Among the pioneers were Jacob C. and Nancy (Orn- dorf) Spores, who arrived in Oregon in 1847. The former was born in Onondaga county, New York, July 23, 1795, and the latter in Logan county, Kentucky, in 1812. Mr. Spores was a son of Jacob Spores, a native of Germany, who when very young emi- grated to America, settling on the Mohawk river. He lived to the remarkable old age of one hundred and fifteen years. In the veins of Mrs. Nancy Spores flowed the blood of German, Welsh and Scotch ancestry. Jacob Spores, Sr., followed the occupation of farming and to that pursuit his son Jacob C. Spores turned his attention. He had been educated in the public schools and from New York state he removed to Ohio, when the lat- ter state was practically an unbroken wil- derness. Subsequently he became a resident of Illinois, settling on the present site of the city of Bloomington, where he remained until he came to Oregon in 1847. He arrived in this state in September of that year and took up his abode about a mile south of where the city of Coburg now stands. As the party traveled westward they had no trouble with the Indians, for a Flathead Indian acted as their guide. Mr. Spores was captain of the train and the Indian was the interpreter for the company. Mr. Spores was well qualified to direct the party, for he had previously had some military ex- perience, being a veteran of the War of 1812. He served under General Scott and partici- pated in the battles of Lundys Lane, Sack- et Harbor and other engagements until hon- orably discharged at the close of the war.

At length the journey to the northwest was accomplished in safety and Mr. Spores secured a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, which he at once began to cul- tivate and improve. As the years passed he added to this until he was the owner of two thousand acres, largely devoted to stock- raising, chiefly cattle and horses. The un- settled country offered an excellent open range for the stock and the business was carried on successfully for a long period of years. With the work of general improve- ment Mr. Spores was also connected. He built the first ferry across the Mackenzie

MR. AND MRS. JACOB C. SPORES

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

river and operated the line for many years, this being known as Spores Ferry.

Mr. Spores was married twice. On the 11th of August, 1816, he wedded Eliza Hand, of the state of New York, and to them were born the following named: Cornelia, born April 1, 1819; Eliza, October 1, 1821; Cath- arine, June 9, 1824; John and Esther, twins, September 1, 1826; Electa Ann, July 25, 1828; Jacob, May 17, 1831; Nancy, April 5, 1833; James Madison, May 19, 1835; and Martha J., November 20, 1836. Of these only one is now living, Nancy, who is the widow of William Griffith and makes her home in Dexter. The mother of these children hav- ing passed away Mr. Spores afterward wed- ded Mrs. Nancy (Orndorf) Trimmer, a daughter of Frederic and Mary Orndorf, the former of German and Scotch descent. Her parents were pioneers of Kentucky, whence they removed to Illinois, where both died. Her father was prominent in political affairs, as were his sons in Illinois. One of the sons, William, became a Presbyterian minister. Mrs. Spores was born in Kentucky and ac- companied her parents on their removal to Illinois in early life. By her first marriage she had three children: Caturia, Malinda and William Frederic. The two daughters died in infancy but the son lived to manhood and married, although he has now passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spores were born four children. Lewis, born November 2, 1843, is now deceased. Henry, born February 6, 1846, is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mary E., born November 17, 1848, proba- bly the first white child born in Lane county, is the wife of William Bogard and lives near Coburg. Arminda, born April 25, 1851, was the youngest.

Mr. Spores held membership with the Ma- sonic fraternity when in New York, being one of the first to join that order in the Empire state. His wife was a member of the Presbyterian church. He died in Decem- ber, 1890, at the age of ninety-five and a half years, while Mrs. Spores passed away in March, 1891, aged seventy-nine and a half years. They were, indeed, worthy pioneer people of Oregon, widely known in the state and deserving of much credit for the part which they took in its early development.

CHARLES A. HOXIE is highly re- spected and successful citizen of Josephine county, where he is engaged in general farm- ing and in the successful operation of a shingle mill located near Williams, in that county. He was born in Jackson county, this state, February 22, 1860, and is a son of George W. and Nancy (Packard) Hoxie. The father, a native of Scotland, was born, March 24, 1832, and is a son of O. D. and Eliza (Stevens) Hoxie, both of whom were natives of that country. George W. Hoxie emigrated to America with his father in 1850 and after reaching the shores of the new world they continued their journey by way of Cape Horn to San Francisco. After establishing their home in the Golden State they engaged in mining for two years. George W. Hoxie then removed to Oregon Vol. IV-42

and settled in the Rogue river valley, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he established his home, and later disposed of that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Josephine county, on which he now resides. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Packard, who was a native of In- diana and died in 1875. To Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hoxie seven children were born, Matilda P., William, Charles A., George, Asa, Josiah and Obadiah. In 1876 Mr. Hoxie sold his homestead and later purchased one hundred and sixty acres near Williams, where he now resides. He is a supporter of the republican party, and one of the promi- nent members of the Dunkard church.

Charles A. Hoxie was reared at home and educated in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty- four years of age and in 1884 he started in life for himself and filed upon a homestead of forty acres located in Josephine county near Williams, upon which he established his home, and later purchased an additional forty acres, all of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He also owns and successfully operates a modern and well equipped shingle mill.

Mr. Hoxie was united in marriage in 1884 to Miss Maggie J. Hall, a native of Missouri, and to them nine children were born, William, Charles, Ralph, Edwina, Marvin, Hubert, Belle, Rhoda and James. Charles A. Hoxie is one of the highly re- spected men of Josephine county, where for many years he has been engaged in success- ful agricultural pursuits.

EDWARD LEE CAMPBELL. The com- mercial interests of Eugene find a worthy representative in Edward Lee Campbell, who is at the head of the Campbell-Fellman Com- pany, dealers in house furnishings. He was born in Eugene, July 31, 1865, and is a son of Andrew J. and Mary A. (Luce) Campbell. The father was a native of Virginia, born near Jamestown, and his death occurred in 1870. In early boyhood he accompanied his parents on their removal westward to Oska- loosa, Iowa, and when he was twenty-one years of age he came with his wife and her parents across the plains to Lane county. This was in 1850 and he soon afterward settled in Eugene. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and in this city began to manufac- ture furniture, in which business he continued until he died. His allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was somewhat prominent as a local political leader, holding a number of offices and serv- ing as a delegate to the state constitutional convention which framed the organic law of Oregon. He wedded Mary A. Luce, a daugh- ter of Jacob Luce, who removed with his fam- ily to Iowa when Mrs. Campbell was but ten years of age and established his home on what is now the town site of Oskaloosa. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Campbell were earn- est and consistent Christians, the former holding membership in the Presbyterian church, while the latter was connected with

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 154

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