The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 16

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

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Mr. Flackus has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Viola Godfrey, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Ben- jamin Godfrey, of Bonanza. Mrs. Flackus died, leaving two children: Louisa, the wife of Warren Kilgore, of Langells valley; and Beulah, at home. In 1903 he was again mar- ried, his second union being with Lillie Clark, who was born in Minnesota in 1883 and came to Klamath county fifteen years ago with her parents. She is a daughter of Mrs. H. J. O'Brien, who was married a second time and now resides in the Yonna valley. Three children have been born unto Charles H. and Lillie Flackus: Lyle, Ada and Harold.

Mr. Flackus votes with the democratic party, keeps well informed on the questions of the day and is interested in matters of citizenship but does not seek nor desire office, for he finds that the problems of his business are sufficient to keep him occupied and he is putting forth every effort to provide a comfortable living for his family and win that measure of success which is the merited reward of persistent and intelligently directed effort.

WILLIAM E. RACKLIFF, whose name is closely associated with the history of Coos county and the development of this part of the state, instituted various business en- terprises which have proven of value as factors in the development of the region and at all times his sterling worth demanded the good-will and confidence of those who knew him. He was born near Portland, Maine. in 1834, and his life record covered the inter- vening years to 1908, when he was laid to

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rest in the old family burying ground across the river from Myrtle Point, Oregon. His parents were William and Mary Rackliff. His father was the owner of a farm but was largely connected with the fishing industry for some years and later engaged in naviga- tion, becoming a sea captain. In 1849 Wil- liam E. Rackliff, his father and one sister, Mrs. Mary J. Clarke, now deceased, came around Cape Horn on a small schooner which was owned by his father, and in 1850 arrived in San Francisco. Soon afterward he took up a donation land claim near Scottsburg, Oregon, and also purchased land, while his father became a resident of Douglas county, where he bought land. Subsequently, how- ever, the father removed to Coos county, where he further invested in farm land, mak- ing his home thereon until his death, which occurred in 1879.

William E. Rackliff was one of a family of seven children, all of whom are now deceased. He was a youth of fifteen years when he came to Oregon and after devoting his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits here for some years he built a schooner in connection with his father, using it in the coasting trade between Coquille river and San Francisco. He was thus engaged for a number of years, after which he established a trading post on his farm, in the meantime disposing of the schooner. He owned land in Douglas county and there built a small flour and grist mill, operated by water power. For a short time he engaged in the manufacture of flour and afterward removed to Myrtle Point, arriving in April, 1870. He built a small river steamer, which he used for towing purposes. On disposing of that he removed to near what is now Parkersburg. Oregon, and built a small steam schooner, which he named the Cordelia. This he operated for a year, when he again sold out and once more came to Myrtle Point. Here he invested in one hundred acres of land, which his widow now owns. He opened a store, also built another river steamer, which he ran for several years and then again sold. He became identified with industrial activities here in the building and operation of a grist mill at the forks of the Coquille river and in 1890 he built a sawmill which at the present time is being operated by the Myrtle Point Mill Company. In 1897 his grist mill was destroyed by fire, as was his residence. The latter was rebuilt but the mill was not. The foregoing shows how active and efficient was the life of William E. Rackliff. He was a hard worker and never afraid of arduous labor. He was a fine me- chanic and his ingenuity largely furthered his interests. Whatever success he achieved is attributable to his own labors and was the merited reward of earnest, persistent effort.

Mr. Rackliff was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia Ransom, a native of Indiana, who was brought to the coast country when but four years of age by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. William C. Ransom, the former a practicing physician now residing in Klamath Falls. He has reached the age of ninety years. In his family were six children but only three

survive: Marietta, who is the widow of Benton Haines and lives in Elkton, Oregon; Nannie H., the wife of Daniel Giles, of Myrtle Point; and Mrs. Rackliff. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rackliff were born eleven children. Ed- ward, the eldest, a farmer living near Myrtle Point, Oregon. married Miss Mary J. Roberts, a native of Missouri and a daughter of J. H. and Louisa (Duval) Roberts, who came to Oregon in 1873 and settled near Myrtle Point, where they still reside. Edward Rack- liff and his wife were married in 1888 and to them have been born eleven children: Law- rence, at home; Arthur R., of Bandon, Ore- gon; Sylvia L., a school teacher of Coos county ; Leland R., David, Melvin, Donald and Lowell, all at home; Beulah and Allison, both deceased; and Spencer, at home. The next member of the family of William E. Rackliff was Mary, now deceased. Annie is the wife of Charles Lehmanowosky, of California. William is deceased. Charles is living in Coos county. Ralph R. makes his home at Myrtle Point. George is a jeweler of Myrtle Point. Lyman is living in Coos county. Nelson is deceased. Ellen is the wife of Charles Angel, of Myrtle Point, and Owen is at home with his mother.

In his political views Mr. Rackliff was a republican never an office seeker. Although he had but limited educational priv- ileges, he became a well read man. He was also a self-made man when viewed from a business standpoint, for whatever success he achieved was attributable to his own labors. He worked his way upward by dint of energy and determination, faltered not in the face of obstacles and utilized every op- portunity that he believed would promote his interests along legitimate lines. His labors at the same time were an element in public progress and he was closely associated with the development of this part of the state.

JOEL A. COLE has been a lifelong resident of Oregon. He was born July 28, 1865, in the house which he now occupies in the Calli- pooia precinct of Douglas county, his parents being James and Louisa (Leeper) Cole. The father was a native of Kentucky and in young manhood removed to Missouri. The mother was a native of Tennessee but from her ninth year was reared in Greene county, Missouri, and in that state was married. In 1851 Mr. and Mrs. James Cole started for the northwest, making the long and arduous journey across the plains. The father had previously visited the Pacific coast, however, having been among those who in 1850 sought fortunes in the gold fields of California. On arriving in Oregon they settled in what is now Coles valley and they lived there for more than a year ere Mrs. Cole ever saw another white woman. James Cole was the first white man with a family to locate in the valley, which was named in his honor. He took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres in the head of the valley, comprising property that is now owned by the Shambrook heirs. He subsequently traded that ranch for a bunch of cattle and after

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two or three purchases and removals he bought the Van Riper donation claim, which is now occupied by his son Joel. Upon this place the father and mother spent their re- maining days. The former was a republican in politics and was one of the prominent and influential residents of his section. His fel- low townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to represent his district in the state legislature for two or three terms, and he gave careful consideration to each question which came up for settlement and left his impress upon the legislation enacted while he was still a member of the house. He and his wife held membership in the Christian church. As time passed on he prospered and when death came to him he was the owner of about nineteen hundred acres of rich and valuable land. He died August 4, 1888, and was survived by his wife until January 10, 1896.

Joel A. Cole was reared at home and was a pupil in the public schools. After attain- ing his majority he was associated with his father in farming, receiving an interest in the crops. After the father's death he and his four brothers, W. H., Sidney, Hannibal and James L., succeeded to the land which they operated conjointly.

On the 7th of December, 1893, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Lena Good- man, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of John and Mary A. (Brinegar) Goodman, who came to Oregon in 1874 but afterward returned to Missouri and in 1876 again made their way to this city, where they took up their permanent abode. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cole were born three children, but only two, Elmer Guy and Merle Ann, are living.

Mr. Cole votes with the republican party, intelligent understanding of the political questions and situations guiding him in the exercise of his right of franchise. He is a member of Oakland Lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F., and is one of the substantial and influential residents of Douglas county, interested in all that brings about its welfare and upbuilding.

W. P. SEDGE is a general merchant of the town of Dairy, where he is also serving as postmaster, and he belongs to that class of enterprising citizens who are upbuilding the great west, using every advantage and effort to place it upon a par with the older east. He was born in Meigs county, Ohio, November 8, 1857, and is a son of Alexander and Eleanor (Stone) Sedge, who were na- tives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, re- spectively, while their marriage was cele- brated in Ohio. They spent about twenty years of their married life in that state and afterward removed to the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri. The father died in Missouri, after which the mother came to Oregon and spent her last days at the home of her son, W. P. Sedge, who was the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children. He resided with his parents until fourteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. He worked in Kansas and Mis- souri until 1879, when he made his way west-

ward to California, where he was employed at farm labor until 1881. In that year he married and drove to Sherman county, Ore- gon, where he secured a homestead upon which he lived for seven years. At the end of that time, or in 1888, he removed to Idaho, but in 1891 returned to California, where he lived until 1898. He then came to Douglas county, Oregon, and in 1905 he ar- rived in Dairy, where he has since lived. He liad followed merchandising in Idaho, opened the first store at Leland, Idaho, and was a merchant at Byron, California for seven years from 1891 to 1898. He followed farming and stock-raising in Douglas county and is now a merchant at Dairy, Klamath county, where he also fills the position of postmaster. His line of general merchandise includes farm machinery and his business has been a grow- ing one for he is constantly drawing trade from more extended quarters. He likewise takes care of the stage business, the tele- phone central office and is notary public. All of this makes him indeed a busy man and one whose activities reach out in a con- stantly broadening field of usefulness.

In 1881 Mr. Sedge was united in marriage to Miss Mary Melissa Byer, who was born near Sacramento, California, October 23, 1863, and is a daughter of John R. and Elvira Letitia (Boggus) Byer. The father was a na- tive of Virginia and the mother of Illinois. They crossed the plains to California in 1863 and the mother died in that state. The father now resides at Brentwood, California, where he owns and conducts a large ranch. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sedge have been born four children. Edward B., born September 3, 1882, married Gertrude Jewell and is now in partnership with his father. Anna Pearl is the wife of Alfred E. Davison, living near Oakland, Douglas county, Oregon. Flora died at the age of two years, and Zelma, born in Idaho, May 22, 1891, completes the family.

In politics Mr. Sedge has ever been a re- publican, giving stalwart support to the party. He holds membership with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows at Bonanza and with the Methodist church-associations which indicate much of the nature of his principles and the rules which govern his conduct. He is one of the builders of the northwest and the structure which he and his fellow citizens are rearing is a credit and honor to them and to the community.

MELANCTHON M. DAVIS. Probably one of the best known pharmacists in the state of Oregon for many years, and one who ma- terially assisted in framing and having enacted the initial medical and pharmaceu- tical laws of the state, was Hon. M. M. Davis, who was born in Lane county, near Eugene, Oregon, on September 30, 1851. His parents, Benjamin and Catharine S. Davis crossed the plains and settled about two and one-half miles northwest of the present site of Eugene, in 1847, theirs being the second cabin built in that vicinity.

M. M. Davis was reared on the donation claim of his parents, and acquired his educa-

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tion in the semi-public schools of those early days, and for a time was a pupil in the old Columbia College until it was discontinued, and then attended an academy which was maintained for a time at Eugene under the auspices of the Episcopal church, which was later removed to Oswego, and combined with the Bishop Scott academy. He was one of the early graduates of the first business col- lege conducted in Portland, and commenced his business career in 1868 as a clerk with Avery A. Smith, who was at that time con- ducting a large general merchandise store in Eugene, later clerking in drug stores in Eugene, and studying pharmacy under Dr. H. H. Ellsworth, a pioneer physician and pharmacist of that town. He also read medicine under Drs. George W. Odell and Abram Sharples.

In 1874 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Mary Bushnell, a daughter of George E. Bushnell, who settled in Lane county in 1866. In 1881 with his wife and infant daughter he removed to Newport, then in Benton county, and started a drug store which he conducted until 1884. When the Oregon Pacific Railroad was constructed from Cor- vallis to Yaquina, he removed to Yaquina, where he conducted a store and practiced medicine for some years.

In the great panic of 1893 a large mill- ing corporation on the Santiam river, in which he had made investments, failed and he was appointed receiver to wind up its affairs. In order to do this he removed with his family to Corvallis, where they con- tinued. to reside until all of his four chil- dren had graduated from the Oregon Agri- cultural College. He retained his interests at Yaquina bay, however, and spent the summers there. In 1907 he built a home in Eugene and returned there for permanent residence.

Although a democrat, he was elected to the legislature in 1886 in Benton county, which was then largely republican, and in the ensuing session he supported the first bill to be introduced to regulate the prac- tice of medicine. This bill was bitterly fought being finally defeated by one vote. At that time Hon. John Wilson of Portland had introduced a bill to regulate the pre- scribing for, and sale of, opium, morphine, chloral hydrate and other narcotics, which was much more drastic than the medical bill, and would confine the prescribing for such medicines to regular graduate physi- cians only. This bill had been pigeon- holed in committee, and when the medical bill was defeated, Mr. Davis went to Mr. Wilson and suggested that if he would allow him to amend the bill to permit the licensing of pharmacists to sell those drugs, they would get it recommended and have it passed. This was done, and the bill passed unanimously, none of the opponents of the medical bill suspecting its real purpose. So was enacted the first legislation in Oregon attempting to regulate the practice of medi- cine and pharmacy, this law remaining upon the statute books until long after the pas-

sage of regular laws affecting these sub- jects rendering it unnecessary.

On June 10, 1890, he assisted in organiz- ing the Oregon State Pharmaceutical As- sociation, and was elected its first presi- dent, with H. D. Dietrich as secretary, and Louis G. Clarke as treasurer. Through the efforts of the association a pharmacy law was passed at the ensuing session of the legislature, in 1891, and the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy was created, and Gov- ernor Pennoyer offered Mr. Davis an ap- pointment as a member of the board, which he waived in favor of L. G. Clarke who was appointed, and was elected the first president of the board. The next year upon the expiration of Mr. Clarke's term, the Governor without previous consultation or notice sent Mr. Davis a commission as mem- ber of the board for the full term of five years, which he accepted, and at the ensuing meeting was elected president which office he held for five years, being reelected each succeeding year at all times giving his best efforts for the good of the cause.

His experience as a member of the board convinced him of the necessity for more adequate provision for a school of pharmacy in the state, and together with Professor Shaw (Professor of chemistry in the Oregon Agricultural College) he began negotiations, which the board afterward concluded with the regents, to establish in the Oregon Agri- cultural College the course of pharmacy, which was a success from the start, and which is of inestimable value to the state.

Having great faith in the progress and development of the material resources of the state, after the business matters which had called him to Corvallis had all been satisfactorily settled, he engaged in develop- ing and settling up the uninhabited por- tions of western Benton and of Lincoln coun- ties. With some of his friends and asso- ciates he organized the Coast Land Live- stock Company, which purchased and placed upon the market forty thousand acres of the Corvallis and Yaquina bay military wagon road lands, and sold in tracts to set- tlers, adding materially to the population and prosperity of the sections of the two counties.

While engaged with those lands, he pur- chased on his private account extensive tracts of tidelands on Yaquina bay, and in 1909 built the first dredge to be used on that bay for diking and reclaiming tidelands. He reclaimed his own lands and those of his neighbors, and his land has become one of the finest dairy farms in the state.

SAMUEL PADGETT is the postmaster and a merchant of Keno and is conducting a well appointed store, while his business activities place him with the enterprising citizens of the community. He was born April 22, 1874, in Kansas, his parents being J. L. and Eliza C. (Lissman) Padgett, who were natives of Indiana and were reared and married there. They afterward resided at different periods ·in Kansas and Missouri as well as a num- ber of places in the middle west. In 1891

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they came to Oregon and the father engaged in merchandising at Keno until he retired and removed to Ashland about four years ago. His death there occurred in October, 1910, when he was sixty-seven years of age. The mother is now living in Siskiyou county, Cali- fornia, at the age of seventy-one years. The father had ranch and timber interests and also city property in Ashland and town property in Keno. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served for two years as a member of Company I, Seventeenth Indiana Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. He be- longed to the Grand Army Post at Ashland, and he gave his political allegiance to the republican party although the other members of the family were democrats. For about eight years he served as postmaster at Keno, proving a faithful incumbent in that office. During the greater part of his life he was a devoted member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Unto him and his wife were born two children, the elder being Albert F., of Dorris, Siskiyou county, California.

When only fourteen months old Samuel Padgett was taken by his parents to Mis- souri, where he resided until seventeen years of age. The family then came to Klamath county, Oregon, and Samuel Padgett has since resided in this locality. He continued with his parents until about sixteen years ago, when he married and went to Siskiyou county, California, and settled about twenty- five miles south of Keno. There he secured a homestead on which he lived for seven years, at the end of which time he traded it for a half interest in his present mercan- tile business, making the trade with his brother. They now own adjoining home- steads and each has a half interest in the store at Keno. Mr. Padgett traded his home- stead for his brother's half interest in the store and he has since been identified with the same. The father gave to each of the two sons a third interest in the business and kept a third but Samuel Padgett now owns the whole store building and its ap- pointments and he has a half interest in his father's estate. He was appointed postmaster on March 18, 1910.

In 1896 Mr. Padgett was united in mar- riage to Miss Vina May Pratt, who was born in Klamath county and is a daughter of New- ton and Rebecca Jane Pratt. The former is deceased but the mother still survives. Mr. Pratt was born in New York, March 19. 1833, a son of Jackson and Caroline (Smith) Pratt. They removed to Michigan when their son Newton was a small boy and he was yet quite young when left an orphan, his mother dying in Michigan and his father in Indiana. He was one of four sons, the others being: War- ren and Barney, both deceased; and Morgan, whose home is in lower California. New- ton Pratt resided in Michigan and in Indiana. near Crown Point, until 1853, when he crossed the plains. leaving his old home in April and reaching Oregon late in the fall. He spent two years in and near Salem, where he had a dray line, and in 1855 he went to Siski- you county and worked in the Scott valley until 1857. He then returned to Salem and

in 1859 again went to Siskiyou county, where he had a small vegetable ranch and also a livery stable in Fort Jones until 1862. After selling out he engaged in teaming until he came to Klamath county and he was em- ployed as a teamster by the United States government during the Modoc war. He then located a claim at Teater's landing and after living upon it for two years sold it. He next purchased the McCormick sawmill at Keno, which he operated for five years and through- out the succeeding ten years was engaged in teaming at Klamath Falls, hauling freight from Roseburg to Redding, which were the nearest railroad points at that time. For four years he engaged in ranching in the Poe valley and then again spent two years in Klamath Falls. He next rented and operated the John H. Miller ranch for three years, at the end of which time he removed to Keno, where he died July 30, 1901. Mrs. Pratt con- ducted a hotel in Keno for six years after her husband's death. He had traded for the property in 1891 and had managed the hotel up to the time of his demise. Mrs. Pratt still owns a number of pieces of property here and has displayed excellent business ability in their management. Mr. Pratt was a man of enterprise and perseverance, never afraid of work, and his persistency of purpose was one of the strong elements in his success. On the 6th of February, 1865, he wedded Rebecca Jane Gordon, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, November 16, 1844. She was but eight months old when her parents re- moved to Buchanan county, Missouri. and in 1852 they crossed the plains to Yreka, Cali- fornia. Her father, Daniel Gordon, was a native of New York and when quite young was left an orphan. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Castle, was a native of Virginia and when ten years of age re- moved with her parents to Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gordon spent their last days in Keno, passing away at the ages of ninety-six and seventy-three years, respectively. He was a millwright and cabinet-maker and thus provided for his family. numbering seven children who reached adult age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pratt were born two children: Lin- nie B., the wife of Henry Stout. of Klamath Falls; and Vina May, now Mrs. Padgett.

Mr. and Mrs. Padgett have four children, Arthur Newton. Marion Finley, Victor E. and Erwin F. In politics Mr. Padgett is a re- publican but the honors and emoluments of office have never attracted him. He prefers to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs and their capable direction is winning for him a gratifying measure of success. He now has a well appointed store and as post- master of Keno is widely known.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 16

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