The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 160

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

USA > Oregon > The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912 > Part 160

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOHN LEWIS KRONENBERG. One of the greatest individual forces in the com- mercial expansion and development of Coos county is John Lewis Kronenberg, a native son. His administrative ability has directed and influenced the organization and estab- lishment of important industrial and busi- ness institutions and his energies have con- trolled their growth and progress. For well over a quarter of a century his well timed aggressiveness, his shrewd policy, and his business instinct have been directed toward the accomplishment of large ambitions and have made him a power in important affairs. He was born in Coos county, December 9, 1861, a son of John and Catherine (Beekler) Kronenberg, the former a native of Hanover, Germany, and the latter of Baltimore, Mary- land. The father came west to California around Cape Horn in 1849 and the mother came to the same section a few years later. John Kronenberg, Sr., mined in the gold fields of Eldorado county for ten years and gained a comfortable fortune as a reward for his labors. With this money as a working capital he came north to Oregon, settling in Coos county in 1850, one of the early Oregon pioneers. He took up a homestead claim on Hall's creek, near Argo, and upon this prop- erty lived for thirty years. He cleared the land, built a home and rented his farm, re- tiring to Coquille in 1880, in order to rest after an active, eventful, and representative career. He died in that city in June, 1909. He was the father of five children: Emma, the wife of Joseph Blakely, of Lodi, Cali- fornia; John Lewis, of this review; Fred W., of Denver, Colorado; Rachel, the wife of A. J. Marsh, of Curry county; and Ida K., the wife of Dr. C. W. Owens, of St. Louis, Missouri.

John L. Kronenberg, of this review, re- ceived a limited education in the district schools of Coos county and remained upon his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age. Leaving home he went to Parkersburg where he became foreman of a lumber camp and acted in this capacity for twelve years. His business ability gained him rapid advancement and he eventually as -. sumed entire management of the mill and has never severed his connection with it. After the death of the owner the business was incorporated under the name of the Co- quille Mill & Tug Company with Mr. Kronen- berg as director and stockholder. The other men interested in the business live in vari- ous parts of the United States and Mr. Kro- nenberg as the only local stockholder has a position of importance and responsibility

which he fills ably and efficiently. Among his largest business interests may be men- tioned the Bank of Bandon, of which he is president and director and the Coquille Tow Boat Company, which he organized and in- corporated with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars. He is now its president and manager and also one of the largest stockholders. He is extensively interested in river traffic and also freight traffic on the Pacific ocean between ports on the coast and has directed his activities along this line for many years. He was responsible for the building of the ship Oregon, plying along the Pacific coast and owns a large amount of stock in this vessel. He is prominent and well known in the logging business and lias extensive interests along this line, being at the head of a company which handles twelve million feet of lumber every year. Among the other important enterprises with which he is connected may be mentioned the Ban- don Hardware Company, which he organized and the Bandon Dry Goods Company, of which he is president and a stockholder.

On October 29, 1887, Mr. Kronenberg was united in marriage to Miss Ottilie K. Par- ker, a native of New York and a daugliter of Captain Judah Parker, one of the pioneer ship captains on the Pacific coast and promi- nent in the Pacific mail service for a number of years. He died May 20, 1909. In his fam- ily were four children: Georgia A., the wife of William Poley, a druggist, of Ashland; W. C., of Prosper; Allen, who has passed away; and Ottilie, the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Kronenberg have three sons: John, born in November, 1897, who is a pupil in the high school and is of a mechan- ical turn of mind; George, whose birth oc- curred April 15, 1904, and who is attending school; and Harry Parker, who passed away at the age of twenty years, on the 21st of June, 1908.

Mr. Kronenberg gives his allegiance to the democratic party but his absorbing busi- ness interests prevent his taking an active part in political life. Preeminently a man of large affairs he has made his career a great force in industrial development of his native section. He possesses the power of making his varied interests separately ef- fective and has the keen discernment, cour- age, and initiative which make the true type of modern business man. His ability has commanded many opportunities which his public spirit has made factors in the general welfare.

AHAZ WASHINGTON BRYAN is a very busy and industrious man, owning five hun- dred and sixty acres on Clover flat, in Lake county. for he not only carries on general agricultural pursuits but also conducts a blacksmith shop. He was born in Mercer county, Missouri, December 16, 1858, lis parents being Daniel Boone and Mary Jane (Farley) Bryan. The father was born in Tennessee, April 10, 1828, and the mother in Ohio,, March 1, 1839. They became resi- dents of Missouri at the age of twenty-two and ten years respectively and were married

1034

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

in Mercer county, that state, there residing until the spring of 1864. when they followed the many bands that had already crossed the plains to the northwest. With ox teams they started on the journey and after six months' travel reached Yamhill county, Oregon, where Mr. Bryan secured a homestead claim, upon which he lived during the greater part of the time until 1880, when he came to Lake county. He died at the home of his son, A. W. Bryan, July 6, 1911, while the mother resides on a ranch two miles south of her sou's ranch on Clover flat. He followed farming in early life but in 1861 became a member of the State Militia of Missouri, with which he served for one year, when he was disabled and discharged. After coming to the northwest he resumed agricultural pursuits and also carried on stock-raising to some extent. His religious faith was that of the Christian church. In the family were five children: Ahaz W., Amanda Ellen, the wife of C. F. Strohm, of Yamhill county; David Morgan, who is with his mother; Lucy Jane, the wife of H. E. Reed, of Rose- burg, Oregon; and Mary Helen, the wife of George Sherman of Lake county.

Ahaz Washington Bryan was a lad of six years when he crossed the plains with his parents and he remembers many inci- dents of the journey over the long stretches of sand and across the mountains. He came with his parents on their removal from Yamhill to Lake county and secured a homestead two miles south of his present place in 1887. This he improved and he re- sided thereon until 1902. It comprised one hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns. He next bought his present place, a ranch of five hundred and sixty acres, upon which he has made many modern improvements, hav- ing here a good residence and substantial outbuildings. He also built a blacksmith shop and does work of that character not only for himself but also for his neighbors. His ranch is situated twenty-three miles from Lake View and nineteen miles from Paisley on the main road and was the sta- tion until two years ago, during which period he had accommodated many travel- ers with entertainment, for there was no regular hotel or stopping place for a distance of seventeen and a half miles on the south with no place to the north. Mr. Bryan had the sub-contract for carrying the mail from Lake View to Paisley from 1898 until 1902 and then secured the contract direct from the government for a period of eight years, thus carrymg the inail for twelve years over a route of forty-five miles in length. In 1910 he purchased a small sawmill which he put up and operated until it was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1911.

On the 24th of June, 1892, Mr. Bryan was married to Miss Jennie M. Moss, who was born in Modoc county, California, June 7, 1872, and has resided in Lake county since six months old. She is a daughter of the Hon. S. P. and Susie (Casteel) Moss. of Lake View. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan are Bessie Eleanor, Tressie Hazel, Aunie Laurie and Vaneta Fay. Mr. Bryan

is a member of two different fraternal or- ganizations, the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party, which he has always supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has never been afraid of la- bor-earnest, persistent labor-and in this is found the secret of his progress and his success.

ALFRED S. MILLER, whose property holdings embrace nine hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Gold Beach, Curry county, was born in Marion county, Oregon, January 13, 1862, a son of William C. and Permelia (Turner) Miller the former a na- tive of Ohio and the latter of Missouri. The year 1847 witnessed the arrival of the father in the Sunset state and five years later Permelia Turner also came to Oregon, settling in Oregon City. They afterward lived in Marion county being for several years honored and worthy pioneer residents and valued citizens of that district, whence they removed to Curry county in 1868. There the father died in 1892, while the mother passed away in 1896. In their family were six children, of whom four are yet liv- ing: Alfred S .; John R., a merchant of Port Orford; Eva, who is at Roseburg, Ore- gon; and Elva, the wife of R. H. C. Wood, of Roseburg.

Alfred S. Miller was a lad of about seven years when the family home was established in Curry county, the father securing a tract of government land, upon which the subject of this review was reared. He started out to provide for his own support when a young man of twenty-two years, securing a pre- emption claim and engaging in stock-raising. He ran his cattle on the open range previous to this time and later herded his cattle on his range, but after several years sold his first place. He then purchased the old family homestead of seven hundred and sixty acres, together with two hundred acres adjoining, all pasture and dairy land, and his wife owns three hundred acres adjoining Gold Beaclı. Mr. Miller is now engaged in dairying and stock-raising, and careful management and intelligently directed effort have brought him a gratifying measure of success. He keeps high grades of stock and his dairy products, because of their excellence, find a ready sale on the market.

In 1886 occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Eliza Cuuniff. a native of Gold Beach and a daughter of Dennis and Mar- garet (McCaffery) Cunuiff, in whose family were three children: Dennis. living at Gold Beach; Margaret, the wife of John M. Howell, of Chetco, Oregon; and Mrs. Miller, who by her marriage has become the mother of eight children. These are: Pearl the wife of Wal- ter Custer, of Albany. Oregou; Sylvia. who is the wife of Charles Doyle, of Wedderburn, and has one child Blanche; Ethel, the wife of Edward Huitt. of Wedderburn, and the mother of two children, Irene and Stephen; Georgia, who is attending school; and Carl. Gladys, Howard and Robert. also in school.

1035

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Politically Mr. Miller is numbered with the progressives and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He believes that government affairs should be administered for the benefit of the majority rather than of the few and gives his aid and cooperation to all movements that he believes will bring about needed reform and improvement. He has never held office save that of stock inspector which position he filled by appointment for two years. He holds membership with the Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His home is situated four miles up the river from Gold Beach, on the north side of the stream, near the Bagnell ferry. He is now pleasantly situated and is enjoying the fruits of his toil, for he is now well established in business and has promoted his interests to such a point that they are proving profit- able.

REUBEN HENRY WHITE was a lifelong resident of Klamath county save for a few months spent in Siskiyou county, California. He was born in Klamath Falls, February 26, 1871, and passed away at Yuma, Ari- zona on the 15th of February, 1912, when almost forty-one years of age. His parents were Henry and Katharine White. The father was a native of Missouri and mar- ried a full-blooded Klamath Indian. He became closely identified with the interests of the northwest and was accidentally killed at Klamath Falls. In the family were two children: Rosa Bell, the wife of William Skeen, who resides on Klamath marsh; and Reuben Henry. After losing her first hus- band the mother became the wife of Wesley Cole, who is now in the Soldiers' Home, while Mrs. Cole resides at Fort Klamath. There were two children of that marriage: John Cole, who is with his mother; and Mag- gie, the wife of Harry Pearson, of Keno, Klamath county.

Reuben Henry White was reared in Kla- math county and after arriving at years of maturity was married, in 1890, to Miss Mar- garet Moody, who was born in Siskiyou . county, California, October 1, 1865, and is a daughter of William and Nellie (Gwin) Moody. . Mr. Moody was a white man while his wife was a full-blooded Indian. He died in Keno, August 8, 1890, while Mrs. Moody now makes her home in Klamath Falls. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. White were four children, Ethel, Eva, Ruby and Beulah. The eldest is the wife of John Copeland, of Fort Klamath and they have two children, John and Jesse. Mr. White was in Arizona for his health when death claimed him. Mrs. White acquired her education in Jacksonville, Oregon. She was reared in Siskiyou and Jackson counties and never resided on the reservation until she was married. Mr. White devoted his entire life to stock-raising and had charge of eight claims on the Klamath reservation-his own, his mother's, his wife's and those belonging to his children. Mrs. White still has charge of these eight claims. each one of which comprises one hundred and sixty acres. of land and is valued at twenty-

five thousand dollars. In their management Mrs. White displays excellent business abil- ity and keen discrimination and her enter- prise and progressive methods are winning for her and her family substantial success.

GEORGE W. SMITH. Strong proof of the popularity and ability of George W. Smith is manifest in the fact that since July, 1902, he has been continuously elected to the office of county clerk of Curry county, in which position he is still serving. In late years he has not sought reelection to that position but it has come to him unsolicited, showing that his fellow townsmen regard him as splendidly qualified for the duties of the office. He was born in Jackson county, West Virginia, and is one of thirteen chil- dren of David and Sarah E. (Chapman) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia respectively. Eight of the family are still living: George W .; Emma, the wife of C. S. Hulin, of Newburg, Oregon; Lottie, the wife of William Kennedy, of Montana; Mary, the wife of John Barr, of Cottage Grove, Oregon; Walter, of Agnes, Oregon; Susie. the wife of Moses Gumm, of Irving, this state; Mabel, the wife of William Barr, of Springfield, Oregon; and Ada, the wife of Dr. Randolph Barr, also of Springfield.

During the early boyhood of George W. Smith his parents removed from West Vir- ginia to Minnesota, where he was reared upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors incident to plowing, planting and harvesting. On attaining his majority he engaged in teaching school, which profession he followed for ten years. Having come to Oregon in 1889 he settled in Lane county, where his parents had pre- viously located. For three years he engaged in teaching school at Acme, and then came to Coos county, living at Porter, near Marsh- field, for a year. He next removed to Curry county and for seven years followed the pro- fession of teaching at Langlois. Turning his attention to commercial pursuits he was em- ployed in a store there for three years and in July, 1902, was called to public office when elected to the position of county clerk. He has been elected at each successive term since, but in 1912 refused to accept the nomination in order that he might become the nominee for the office of school su- perintendent. His name was not even placed on the ballot and yet he was elected. What higher testimonial of public confidence could be given-for public confidence is al- ways the recognition of fidelity and capa- bility on the part of the individual. He has ever remained an interested friend of the cause of education and was chairman of the board of school directors at the time the new schoolhouse at Gold Beach was begun. In politics he is a republican and is one of the recognized leaders of the party al- though not a politician in the usually ac- cepted sense of the term. In addition to his professional and political services he has become known in Curry county as the owner of a sawmill at Agnes and of considerable timber land.

1036

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

On the 5th of April, 1899, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Marian B. Rus- sell, a daughter of J. P. and Nancy (Looney) Russell, both of whom were natives of Ten- nessee. Mrs. Smith, who was born in Curry county, is one of thirteen children, twelve of whom yet live. By lier marriage she has become the mother of three sons and a daugh- ter: Marshall, born October 20, 1901; Homer, January 15, 1903; Harold, May 22, 1904; and Nancy, November 26, 1907. The fam- ily residence is a pleasant home in Gold Beach which Mr. Smith owns. He holds membership in the Woodmen of the World and is a popular citizen in fraternal, politi- cal and professional circles, possessing genial qualities and sterling worth, which have gained him high regard.

F. J. BOLTER, who was the owner of valu- able land in Marion county, Oregon, was born in Northhampton, Massachusetts, in 1852, his parents being G. T. and Julia (Mayer) Bolter, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Massachusetts. After their marriage in the Old Bay state the parents took up their residence there until 1854, the year in which they came west and located in Jackson coun- ty, Oregon, making the trip to San Francisco by way of the isthmus. From that city they set out for Crescent City and subsequently crossed the mountains to the Illinois River mining country, where the father mined for gold and also operated a sawmill. He en- gaged in thesc occupations for two years before removing with his family to Salem. He made that city his home until 1863, when he removed to Portland, where he resided until 1874. In the latter city he engaged in the broom and brush business, a trade which he had learned in his youth. This was most successful but lie soon removed to Monmouth, where he operated a store for a few years before trading it in part payment for a farm in Polk county, which he cultivated for seven years. At the end of that time he removed to Los Angeles, California, and is still residing there with his son, at the age of eighty-four years, while the mother is eighty years of age. They became the par- ents of seven children, five of whom survive, as follows: Mrs. McQuerry, who is residing in Portland; E. C. and Mrs. Stewart, both of whom are residents of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia; W. E .; and Mrs. Webb, of northwest- ern Oregon.

F. J. Bolter started out upon his independ- ent career at the age of sixteen years. For five years he accepted employment at various occupations but at the end of that time he started farming on the property of two hun- dred and forty acres which he still owned at the time of his demise. Realizing that this is an age of specialization, he departed some- what from the lines of general farming and specialized in hop raising, becoming one of the most extensive hop growers in his neighbor- hood. Throughout the active years of his life he exercised cvery means at his com- mand to meet with success in his chosen oc- cupation. Industry, energy and careful study were among his most valable assistants and

are responsible for much of the success with which he met. He passed away on the 14th of February, 1912, leaving the impress and influence of a well spent and helpful life.

In 1874 Mr. Bolter was married to Miss Philomenia Moisan, who was born in Marion county and was a daughter of Thomas and Harriet Moisan, the father a native of Can- ada and the mother of Vancouver, Washing- ton. The latter came to Oregon with the Hudson's Bay Company in pioneer times and the father arrived in 1840. They were mar- ried in this state and have always resided in Marion county. The father passed away in

1888 but the mother is still living at the age of eighty-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Bol- ter nine children were born: Frank H., who was accidently killed at the age of thirty- two years while employed as a locomotive engineer; George H., who is a locomotive engineer residing in Roseburg; Mrs. Emily M. Decker, of Santa Paula, California, who never made use of the education she received for teaching but engaged in the merchandising business; A. M., who was formerly a railroad engineer but is now living in Marion county ; R. J., who was employed by a railroad in Vancouver but is now managing the home farm; Ernest B., a railroad brakeman; and two daughters and one son who passed away in infancy.

In politics Mr. Bolter gave his support to the republican party and, although he took an active interest in the issues of the day and was enthusiastic in his support of the party, he never sought office. In the localities in which he was a property holder he was looked upon as a man of stability and integrity and because of his close attention to the details of citizenship was highly respected and es- teemed.

GEORGE FARRIER has, since he was six- teen years of age, been identified with farm- ing, first in California and later in Oregon. For twenty-six years he has been recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of Curry county and an important force in the de- ·velopment of the section. He owns a one hundred and sixty-eight acre farm three miles south of Langlois which he operates along the most modern and progressive lines. He was born in Arkansas, in 1842, and when he was ten years of age crossed the plains to California with his father, his mother having died in Arkansas, when he was five years of age. Arriving in California the father settled in Mud Springs and there mined for two years subsequently going to Humboldt county in 1864. There he took up a land claim and operated this property until his death in 1874. He and his wife had four children: Sarah, the wife of George Singley. of California; Anna, who married Thomas Cook, also of California; George. of this ro- view : and William. a resident of Mexico.

George Farrier received his education in the public schools of Arkansas and Califor- nia and when he was sixteen years of age started his independent career, Since that time he has devoted his attention to farm- ing and has gained a success in this line of

1041

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

occupation which is the direct result of con- centrated effort and early experience. In 1886 he came to Curry county and bought one hundred and sixty acres which he cleared, cultivated and improved. He has since added eight acres to his holdings and upon his farm carries on a successful dairy business, his able management of the enterprise, placing him among the most successful and repre- sentative mėn of his section.

Mr. Farrier has been twice married. In 1866 he wedded Miss Nancy Counts, a native of California, and they became the parents of twelve children: William, deceased; Louis, of Denmark, who is married and has four children; Evie, who has passed away; Charles, who is married and has one child, and who resides with the subject of this review ; Andrew, of Denmark, who is married and has two children; Walter, who resides in Bandon, and is married and has two chil- dren; Daisie, the wife of Andrew Phinegar, of Bandon, by whom she has four children; A. J., a rancher of Curry county, who is married and has three children; and Geor- gia, Minnie, Rosie, and Robert, all of whom have passed away. Mr. Farrier's first wife died in March, 1886, and some time afterward he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary J. Wood- ruff, who had the following children by her first marriage: Calvin, who resides in Gold Beach, California, and is married and has three children; Nora, deceased; Chancey, of Langlois, who is married and has four chil- dren; Carrie, the wife of Charles Finley, of California, by whom she has three children; and Carnie, who resides in Langlois.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 160

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