The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 17

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

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WILLIAM R. HARRIS has lived upon the farm in Coos county near Myrtle Point which is still his home since 1902. and through the intervening period has made many improve- ments upon the place. He was born in Can- ada, November 4, 1835. and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey. His parents were George and Han- nah (Brooks) Harris, the former a native of

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Canada, born in 1795, while the mother's birth occurred in New York in 1801. In their family were thirteen children, but only five are now living: Hannah, who is the widow of James A. Reynolds, and resides in Lockford, California; Elizabeth J., who is the wife of Isaac Dietderich, of Vancouver, Washington; Nancy, the wife of Alfred Keagle, California ; Olive, who married Andrew Brown of Sunny- side, Washington; and William R.

The last named was only seventeen years of age when his father died, and the next spring he purchased an interest with his brother in a sawmill which he operated for seven years. He was practically empty handed when he started in the business world, but he made plans that enabled him to become a factor in industrial circles. At length, however, he put aside business and personal considerations, joining the Union army in Iowa. He served for three years and ten months, making a creditable record as one whose loyalty was ever above question. At the close of that time he was honorably dis- charged. He then married and purchased land in Missouri, where he lived for a year, after which he returned to Iowa and spent the succeeding year. He next came to Oregon by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and after remaining in Portland for a time went to Polk county where he cultivated a rented farm for two years. He then took up a homestead near Vancouver, upon which he lived for three years, when he removed to Tulare county, California, where he entered land and also purchased railroad land. For twenty-seven years he followed farming in that state and in 1899 returned to Oregon, where in connec- tion with his son he took up a homestead near Myrtle Point. He also rented land and conducted a dairy business near Myrtle Point. His son filed on his homestead in 1902 and Mr. Harris has since been with him. They have made great improvements on the place, planted an orchard and are adding to the ranch all the modern equipments and acces- sories. Mr. Harris is still a busy worker although he has passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey.

In early manhood he was married to Miss Louisa Reed, a native of Ohio, and a daugh- ter of Thomas and Maria (Jones) Reed, in whose family were ten children although only three are now living: Mrs. Harris; Mary, the wife of Amos Pierce of Des Moines. Iowa; and Maria, the wife of Michael Reed of Myrtle Point. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harris was celebrated in Marion, Iowa, August 3, 1865, and they have become the parents of four children. Henry H., the eldest, obtained his education in California and is now a dairy farmer of Myrtle Point, owning a ranch of twenty acres. He is married and has four children: Dolphus, Giles H., Lucile and Lois. William is a salesman living in Lodi, Cali- fornia. He is married and has two children: Kayrl and Edwin. Mary is a professional nurse and makes her home with her parents. Edwin H. also lives at home and devotes his time to farming, owning the place upon which his father now resides.

Mr. Harris has taken an active interest in politics and for many years was a stalwart republican. In 1890 however, he retired from that party and joined the populists. At one presidential election he supported William Jennings Bryan but his sympathy is now with the socialist party. He has never been an office seeker and has always regarded it as a sacrifice of his personal interests to accept public positions. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with the boys in blue. As one of the veterans of the Civil war he de- serves the honor and gratitude which should ever be accorded an old soldier. His life has been characterized by unfaltering diligence. He early realized that work is the basis of all honorable success, and day by day he has given his time and energies to the duties that have devolved upon him in his business affairs and in a public way. Wherever known he is widely esteemed and he has an exten- sive circle of friends in the county where he now makes his home.

HENRY SNOWGOOSE is the owner of one hundred acres of land on the Klamath river, adjoining Keno, of which half is under culti- vation, and in addition to raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he has given considerable attention to live-stock in- terests, making a specialty of the breeding of jacks. He dates his residence here from 1891. He was born in Parke county, Indiana, September 8, 1842, a son of Henry and Selma (Wendel) Snowgoose, both of whom were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married. They came to the United States in 1839, settling in Indiana, where both died. The father had devoted his life to merchan- dising. The only survivor of the family is Henry Snowgoose, his sister Louisa, who was his junior, having died in early life.

Henry Snowgoose resided in Indiana until twenty-one years of age, devoting his time largely to the acquirement of an education and to the work of the fields. He began teaching when twenty years of age and after a year went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he entered the Iron City Commercial College, from which in due time he was graduated. For about twenty-five years he successfully engaged in teaching in the district schools of Iowa, proving himself a capable educator who imparted clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had obtained. In 1891 he came to Keno, where he has since resided. He owns one hundred acres adjoining the town and lying along the Klamath river. Of this he has about fifty acres under the plow and his methods of farming are modern and progressive. He makes a specialty of rais- ing jacks, having brought a carload here from Iowa when he came. He also conducts a feed stable and he has a boat-landing at his place. In addition to his other property he owns four city lots and two dwellings and his realty possessions are the visible evidence of his life of thrift and energy.

In Iowa, in 1865, Mr. Snowgoose was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Frances Taylor, a native of Indiana, who died in Iowa in 1868, leav-

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ing two children: Daniel, whose home is in Jerome, Arizona; and John, living in Mono county, California. In Iowa, in 1871, Mr. Snowgoose was again married, his second union being with Amanda Perkins, a native of New York. They have one son, Charles, of Klamath Falls.

Mr. Snowgoose was reared in the faith of the democratic party but afterward became a populist and is now independent. He has served for three terms as justice of the peace and for six years held that office in Iowa. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial and he lias made a most creditable record in this connection. Laudable ambition prompted him to come to the new and growing Pacific coast country, where he believed that better opportunities could be secured. Gradually he has worked his way upward undeterred by obstacles and difficulties in his path and his energy and persistency of purpose have feat- ured largely in the attainment of the success which is now his.

ELDER SAMUEL S. BARKLOW. In the history of moral progress as well as material development in Coos county mention must be made of Elder Samuel S. Barklow, one of the founders of the German Baptist church at Myrtle Point. A life of great usefulness and of far-reaching influence ended when on the 17th of December, 1897, he was called to his final home, at the age of fifty-six years. He was a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, born July 27, 1841, and in 1848 he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Stephenson county, Illinois. He was a son of James and Anna Barklow, both natives of the Keystone state, where they lived until going to Illinois, where the father died. The mother afterward removed to Iowa, where she made her home until 1872, when she came to Oregon, settling in Coos county. Thereafter she made her home with her son David until she died at the age of eighty-one years. Samuel S. Barklow was one of a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, all of whom passed away before his death save his sister, Mrs. Sarah Hickson, who at the time of Mr. Barklow's demise was in her seventy-seventh year but has since passed away.

Mr. Barklow spent his boyhood and youth largely in Stephenson county, Illinois, and in 1858, when in his seventeenth year, united with the German Baptist church. From that time forward he never ceased to labor un- tiringly for the upbuilding of his denomina- tion, using every effort to promote its teach- ings and extend its influence.

In 1861 Mr. Barklow was married to Miss Mary Studebaker, who died in March, 1866, leaving two sons, J. H. and J. S., the former now a resident of Coos county, Oregon, where for several years he was county superintend- ent of schools, while the latter became a physician and died on the 1st of June. 1889, at the age of twenty-five years. On the 9th of September, 1867, Elder Barklow was again married, his second union being with Miss Anne Miller, who, was born in Pennsylvania in September, 1845, a daughter of Jacob W.

and Catharine (Walter) Miller, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where the father followed the occupation of farming until his death in 1872. He had long sur- vived his wife, who passed away in 1860. In their family were twelve children, of whom only four are living, Mrs. Barklow being the youngest. The others are: A. W., a resi- dent of Nebraska; John B., of New Paris, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Julia Holsopple, of Penn Run, Pennsylvania. Those who have passed away are Eli W., Mrs. Mary Rodgers, Elizabeth, Mrs. Sarah M. Rouser, Henry W., Martin, Nathan and Jane. Unto Samuel S. and Anne (Miller) Barklow were born seven children: Sarah E., who is the widow of J. L. Randleman and lives in Bandon; Nathan E., of Myrtle Point; John D., of Arago; Mrs. Mary L. Broadbent, whose husband is con- ducting a creamery at Myrtle Point; Mrs. Bertha M. Snell, of Covina, California, who has a daughter, Neva Susie; S. Willie, who was accidentally killed when twenty-six years of age; and Alta Annie, who is the wife of Ira M. Abbott, who is conducting a barber shop at Myrtle Point and they have one son, Gale R., born in January, 1909.

After his marriage Samuel S. Barklow took up the occupation of farming, which he fol- lowed throughout his entire life. He also engaged in preaching the gospel from 1871 until his death. In that year, in company with twenty others, he came to Oregon and settled on the Coquille river, where he met the usual experiences and hardships that are features of frontier life. He faltered not, however, in the arduous task of developing a new farm, nor did he hesitate to give active aid in the work of public improvement. He and his brother David introduced the German Baptist religion into this valley and began the work of building up a strong church of that denomination. There were originally but eight members, the three brothers, David, John and Samuel Barklow, their wives, their mother and Miss Betsy Snyder. By 1873 the church had increased in membership to twenty-one and at that time a church or- ganization was effected that has long since numbered more than one hundred members, David Barklow presiding as elder until his death in 1889, after which Samuel S. Bark- low became elder and as such was the direct- ing head of the church to the time of his demise. He was also elder over the churches at Coquille, Moscow, Idaho, and Oysterville, Washington. He was ever an able and earn- est worker in behalf of the church of his faith and gave liberally of his time and means for its advancement.

At the time of his death Elder Barklow was the owner of forty-three acres of land, although at one time he had more than two hundred acres. While he sought to provide a comfortable living for his family, the de- sire for wealth was never paramount with him. In fact, he sought first the Kingdom of Heaven and put forth earnest and effective effort to spread the teachings of the gospel according to the interpretation of his de- nomination. His influence was of no re- stricted order and his memory remains as

MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL S. BARKLOW

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an inspiration and blessed benediction to many who knew him. Mrs. Barklow, surviv- ing him, makes her home in Myrtle Point, where she has a wide circle of friends.

MRS. MARY JANE PERKINS owns and conducts the Hotel Perkins at Drain and mani- fests excellent business ability in her man- . vany. In 1906 Mrs. Perkins built the present agement of this and other enterprises and undertakings. She has been a lifelong resi- · dent of Oregon, her birth having occurred on a donation claim that was taken up by a Mr. Reed and afterward purchased by Mrs. Perkins' father. Upon this land has since Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have been born five children: Nellie B., who is employed at office work at St. Helens, Oregon; Leona R., who occupies a situation in an office at St. Helens; Effie E., at home; William Benja- min, who is in charge of the commissary department of the McCormack Lumber Com- pany at St. Helens; and George H., at home. been built the town of Leona. Mrs. Perkins is a daughter of Newton and Elizabeth (Davis) Mulvany, the former a native. of Tennessee and the latter of Illinois. They were married in Oregon, the father when a young man having driven a team of oxen over the plains in the same wagon train with which the Davis family came to the north- Mr. Perkins is a member of the Woodmen of the World and his wife belongs to the auxiliary lodge known as the Circle. Mrs. Perkins is also a member of the Christian church, loyal to its teachings and liberal in its support. She owns one hundred and fifteen acres of land adjoining her town property, on which she has a herd of Jersey cows. She is a lady of excellent business ability, saga- cious and far-sighted, energetic and. capable, and in the management of her interests it is evident that she carries forward to successful completion whatever she undertakes. west. This was in the year 1852. The grand- father Davis and three of his sons, Elisha, James and Aaron, died on the journey. The grandmother continued her way with her six children, four daughters and two sons. The elder son, John Davis, took up a donation claim in Yamhill county and there the mother settled with her family. The children, how- ever, were young men and young women grown at that time. After reaching Oregon Mrs. Davis became the wife of Samuel Laugh- lin and both she and her husband spent their remaining days in Yamhill county. Eliza- beth Davis became the wife of Newton Mul- vany on the 26th of December, 1852, and for three years thereafter lived in Yamhill county. In 1855 they left that county with California as their destination. The Indian war, how- ever, was then in progress and Mr. Mulvany, leaving his wife at Leona, enlisted in the serv- ice against the Indians. After the close of hostilities he settled at Leona, where he pur- chased of Samuel Reed his donation claim and thereon made his home to the time of his death, which occurred in 1889, when he was fifty-six years of age. For many years he operated a sawmill, building the first mill of that kind in Douglas county. Parties came from Salem, Eugene and many other points from a territory many miles for their lumber in those early days and Mr. Mulvany had a wide acquaintance among pioneer settlers. His labors, too, were of a character that con- tributed to the upbuilding and prosperity of the community as well as to individual suc- cess. Unto him and his wife were born three children, of whom two are now living: Henry, who is a mining prospector of Alaska; and Mary J., now Mrs. Perkins. Mrs. Mulvany still survives and makes her home with her daughter.

Mrs. Perkins was reared at Leona and edu- cated in the public schools. On the 8th of March, 1882, she became the wife of Leonard M. Perkins, a native of Kansas, who came to Oregon in 1878 with his parents, settling in Oakland, Douglas county. Following their marriage Mrs. Perkins and her husband took up their abode at Roseburg, where he engaged in railroad work. A year later they removed

to Latham and when another year had passed established their home in Comstock, where they resided for five years. In 1889 they removed to the Mulvany farm which Mr. Per- kins has since cultivated. It is a tract of four hundred acres which is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Perkins and her mother, Mrs. Mul- commodious hotel at Drain which she has since conducted and it has the reputation of being the best managed of any country hotel along the Southern Pacific railroad between Portland and San Francisco.

H. S. ODEN has for a quarter of a century resided upon the ranch that he now occupies in the Pine Flat valley of Klamath county, having preempted one hundred and sixty acres, while a purchase of eighty acres has increased his holdings to two hundred and forty acres. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 11, 1852, and is a son of Philip and Sarah (Daniels) Oden, natives of North Caro- lina and of Sandusky, Ohio, respectively. They were married at Dresden, Ohio, and at the first call for troops in the Civil war the father left his family, enlisting for three months. He took part in the first battle of Bull Run and later reenlisted for three years but upon the expiration of that term of service was honorably discharged because of physical disability. He died in Muskingum county, Ohio, February 26, 1868, and for almost four decades was survived by his wife, who passed away in Missouri, April 8, 1906, in her eighty-fourth year. They were the parents of six children: William, of Missouri; Joseph, of Illinois; Elias, de- ceased; H. S .; Wesley, living in Illinois; and Etta, the wife of Matt Booth, of Missouri.

H. S. Oden resided at the place of his birth until fifteen years of age and then went to Illinois, where he worked for three years in a blacksmith shop. He afterward followed his trade at different places in Illinois, Kan- sas, Missouri, Iowa and Idaho, and in June, 1887, he turned from industrial to agricul- tural interests by locating on his present ranch in the Pine Flat valley of Klamath county. He secured a preemption claim of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he

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has since lived. On his farm, now two hun- dred and forty acres in extent, he lias placed one hundred and fifty acres under cultiva- tion. He lias made a specialty of stock-rais- ing, principally horses and cattle, and is re- garded as an excellent judge of stock, so that his investments have been judiciously made and his sales have brought him a good profit.

Mr. Oden was married in Missouri, in 1875, to Miss Harriet Louise Thrasher, who was born in Indiana in 1854, and is a daughter of William and Eliza Thrasher. Mr. and Mrs. Oden have become parents of ten children: Philip, who resides upon a neighboring ranch; Willie, who was born November 7, 1878, and died September 26, 1880; Della, who is the wife of Alonzo De Carlow, of Susanville, California; Ray, who was born April 26, 1884, and died September 28, 1887; Claude, who was born November 13, 1886, and died June 2, 1888; Wade, living in Reno, Ne- vada; Elsie, the wife of J. H. Dean, of Reno, Nevada; Gerald, Harry and Zelma, all at home.

Mr. Oden votes with the republican party and desires the welfare and progress of his community yet never seeks nor wishes for public office for he feels that his business affairs need all of his time and attention. That his hours are profitably employed is indicated by the excellent appearance of his place, which is one of the well cultivated and improved ranches of the district. He is the fourth oldest settler in Pine valley and now the oldest in years of continuous residence here.

GIDEON STOLZ, who is president of the Gideon Stolz Company, was born in Colum- biana county, Ohio, on the 9th of December, 1844, being one of ten children born to his parents, Jacob and Mary Stolz. They were natives of Germany, the father being born in Wurttemberg near Stuttgart. He came to America in 1832 at an early age and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Columbiana county. Subsequently he secured govern- ment land in Scioto valley upon which he resided before removing to Montgomery county near Dayton. That place was his home until the time of his death which oc- curred when he was eighty-six years of age. His wife also died near Dayton at the age of seventy-eight years. They were both members of the Lutheran church. Of their family five sons and one daughter reached maturity. Dr. John Stolz, the eldest, was a surgeon in the Ninety-fourth Ohio Regi- ment during the Civil war and was a prac- ticing physician in Reading, Pennsylvania, for many years, and is now deceased. Jacob, the second eldest, was a member of the Ninety-third Ohio Infantry and was killed in the battle of Murfreesboro. David, who joined the Fifteenth United States Infantry for three years' service, was captured at the time of Rosecrans' retreat at Chicamauga, and was in the Andersonville prison for eleven months where his death occurred. Gid- eon, the fourth son, is the subject of this review. William G. is living retired at Day-

ton, Ohio. Mrs. Mary Kuhn, the daughter, is residing at Galion, Ohio.

Gideon Stolz pursued his education in the public schools and in May, 1864, when he was but nineteen years of age, volunteered for service in the Union army, with Com- pany B, One Hundred Thirty-first Ohio In- fantry. He was mustered into service at Columbus and immediately stationed at Bal- timore. He received an honorable discharge the following September but the next month reenlisted. His second enlistment was in the quartermaster's department and his duties were carried on principally in the vicinity of Memphis, Tennessee. In 1865, at the close of the war, he was mustered out and returned to his home where he re- mained for several years, engaging in the dairy business at Dayton. In 1873 he dis- posed of his interests there and came to Salem. When he arrived in this city he possessed only one hundred dollars, indomit- able courage and a desire and ability to work. He turned his attention to garden- ing, conducting the old Dickenson seed gar- den under contract for six years. At the expiration of that time, in 1879, he began to deal in cider and vinegar, conducting his place of business at the corner of Trade and Cottage streets. It was not long before he had built up a profitable business and in 1886 it was incorporated under the name of the Pacific Vinegar & Pickle Company, Mr. Stolz becoming its president. He conducted this enterprise until 1891 when, on account of the majority of stockholders living in Portland, the plant was removed to East Portland. Mr. Stolz, not caring to give up his residence in Salem, continued to reside there. In 1894 he disposed of his share in the Pacific Vinegar & Pickle Company, but after the inauguration of President McKin- ley when he recognized the change in the financial prospects of the country he be- lieved that the period of prosperity which would ensue would be a fortunate time for him to again engage in business. Conse- quently, in the spring of 1897, he began the manufacture of cider and cider vinegar and extended his business until it was an im- portant industry. This business was in- corporated under the firm name of the Gid- eon Stolz Company, and John B. Hileman became vice president and general manager. Mr. Stolz' son, W. T. Stolz, became secre- tary and C. D. and E. W. Purvine were the two remaining stockholders. The latter two were associated with Mr. Stolz for three years when he bought their interests and his son, W. T. Stolz, became vice president and manager. The business has been greatly enlarged since and the manufacture of fruit spray has been added to their activities, while they also operate a branch house at The Dalles. Their factory is well equipped and devoted to the manufacture of cider, vinegar, apple butter, pickles and jelly and fruit spray. They also bottle mineral waters. The management has changed somewhat in recent years but Mr. Stolz is still presi- dent, and at the present time his son, W. T.

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Stolz, is vice president and C. L. McNary is serving as secretary.

In Dayton, Ohio, in 1868, Mr. Stolz was married to Miss Margaret Whittinger, whose birthi occurred in Chillicothe, Ohio. To their union two children were born: W. T., who is in business with his father; and Senta D., who is the widow of W. G. Westacott.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 17

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