The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 20

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 20

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).

On the 5th of February, 1893, Mr. Schroe- der was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Symons, a native of Coos county, Oregon, and a daughter of Thomas and Susan (Rack- leff) Symons. Mrs. Schroeder is one of a family of four children, the others being as follows: Rose, the wife of Frank Sowash, of Woodburn, Oregon; Laura, the wife of Syl-

vester Huntley of Warrentown, Oregon, and George, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have five children, namely: Eugene A., who was born on the 9th of December, 1893, and who obtained his early education in the dis- trict schools of Coos county, subsequently pursuing a course in the high school at Cen- tralia, Washington; Mabel, born December 12, 1895, who is attending school and study- ing music; Marion, whose birth occurred on the 27th of June, 1898, and who is attending school and likewise studying music; Rosanna, who was born on the 17th of October, 1904, and attends school; and Ruth, whose natal day was December 8, 1908.

Mr. Schroeder is a democrat and was re- cently elected school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives within the borders of Coos county and have an extensive circle of warm friends here.

F. W. BROADSWORD, who in 1903 estab- lished a hardware store in Bonanza, has made continuous advancement along business lines and now has a large and gratifying trade. He was born in Jackson county, Oregon, in September, 1864, and is a son of Levi and S. M. (Erb) Broadsword, natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively. They were married in the latter state and came by way of the isthmus to the Pacific coast about 1862. After spending a year in California they re- moved to Jackson county, Oregon, and re- mained upon a farm during the greater part of their lives. In 1884 they took up their abode in Langells valley, where they lived until their removal to Bonanza. The father died here on the 11th of December, 1907, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years and six months. Throughout his entire life he had followed farming and stock-rais- ing. His widow still survives and now makes her home with her son F. W. Broadsword. They were married in November, 1862, and became the parents of but two children, the younger being a daughter, Edith May, now the wife of A. H. McClelland, of Montague, California.

F. W. Broadsword always remained with his parents and his filial devotion and care has rewarded them for their love and atten- tion to him in the period of his childhood. He engaged in ranching until nine years ago, when he established his present hardware store in Bonanza. However, he is still the owner of a ranch, comprising a half section of land, in Langells valley, which he now leases. He carries a large and well selected line of shelf and heavy hardware and his enterprising business methods constitute the basis of his growing success.

Mr. Broadsword is likewise prominent in community affairs and has frequently been called upon to fill public offices. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and upon its ticket has been elected city recorder, which position he has filled for four years. He was county supervisor of roads in his district for one term and is now serv- ing as deputy, in which connection important

132

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

work devolves upon him as much is being done for the improvement of the highways in this part of the state. Ile is a member of the Klamath County Pioneers Association and of the Klamath Falls Chamber of Commerce and is in hearty sympathy with its efforts to exploit the resources of this part of the state and promote the growth and improvement of the district. He recognizes the opportunities here offered and knows that with the exten- sion of irrigation projects this section of the state must become thickly settled, for its land when well watered is rich and arable and the section is capable of supporting a large population. He is, therefore, working earnestly to advance the interests of the locality and is recognized as one of the pro- gressive citizens as well as successful busi- ness men.

JOSEPH DUNN BRADFORD LEE. Dur- ing the seventy-two years which made up the span of his life J. D. B. Lee attained a great degree of prominence in farming cir- cles of Coos county and his death deprived that district of a . valued and rep- . resentative citizen. He was born in Iowa, December 11, 1830, and was the only surviving member of a family of nine chil- dren born to his parents. He resided in the state of his nativity until he came to Oregon. His history is intimately connected with the carly development of that state and he was among the many pioneers who crossed the plains with ox teams and were influential factors in the upbuilding of the American northwest. Mr. Lee located first in Polk coun- ty, Oregon, where he made his home with his brother for one year. At the expiration of that time he removed to Douglas county and later to Jackson county. He finally located in Coos county, Oregon, and made this section his home from 1874 until his death, which occurred December 24, 1902. He took up a homestead claim and was prominent in agri- cultural circles during his entire active life, with the exception of a short period when he operated a harness business. Even then he made this enterprise subservient to his farming. He was constantly adding to his holdings during his life and finally became the owner of four hundred acres of fine ranch land near Myrtle Point. His harness shop was still in operation at the time of his death but has since been sold by his widow. The agri- cultural interests of Coos county are the principal source of its wealth and prosperity and the life of Mr. Lee was a contributing factor in farm development. He was an ex- pert agriculturist, keenly interested in mod- ern ideas along this line and thoroughly versed in the details connected with his activities. His early days were spent among pioneer conditions but his later life was crowned with a degree of success which his labors justified. He served in the Indian war of 1855 and 1856 and his services merited the pension which his widow now receives.

On June 8, 1856, Mr. Lee was united in mar- riage to Miss Marilla Huntley, whose birth occurred in one of the central eastern states. Her father was among the pioneers of Ore-

gon and crossed the plains with ox teams in 1847. Her stepmother died during the jour- ney and is buried near Willow Springs. By the father's first marriage nine children were born, of whom Mrs. Lee is the only one now living. By his second union was born a son, who is now living on a ranch on the north fork of the Coquille river. Mr. and Mrs. Lee became the parents of four chil- dren: Sylvia C., who passed away in the twentieth year of her age; Alva, born Jan- uary 12, 1859, who is now managing and operating the home farm; Milton R., of Myrtle Point; and one who died in infancy.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Lee has dis- posed of his harness shop and given the home- stead over to the management of her son. She herself has bought a very fine home in Myrtle Point and is now living in that dis- trict, where she is well known and widely respected.

Politically Mr. Lee gave his allegiance to the republican party and was always intelli- gently interested in the affairs of his com- munity although he never sought public of- fice. He was a member of the Christian church and an active worker in religious circles. He labored diligently during his life and his ef- forts were rewarded by continuous and rapid success. Since his death others have followed where he led the way, and the agricultural resources of Coos county have gained by his activities, and his many friends in the district are richer by the memory of the life he lived.

WILLIAM WIGHT owns and cultivates the farm of three hundred and twenty acres which was preempted and homesteaded by him and he now carries on general agricul- tural pursuits and stock-raising upon this place. He was born in Ontario, Canada, De- cember 6, 1854, and is a son of James and Agnes (McKinley) Wight, the former born at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, June 22, 1822, and the latter in Campbelltown, Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1832. Both crossed the Atlantic to Canada in early life, the father being about nine years of age when he made the trip with his parents to the new world. Mrs. Wight died in Ontario when her son William was twenty years of age. Some time afterward the father removed westward to California, where his last days were spent. He had always followed the occupation of farming. In the family were seven sons and seven daughters, ten of whom reached years of maturity while eight are now living, four of the number being residents of Klamath county.

William Wight was about twenty-eight . years of age when he left his native province and came to the United States, making his way to California in 1883. He had been reared to farm life and had pursued his education in the schools of Ontario. For five years he continued a resident of California and in 1888 came to Yonna valley, where he has since resided. He has always engaged in ranch- ing and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres which he secured by pre- emption and homesteading. He carries on general farming and has made the raising

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH D. B. LEE

135

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

of live stock a principal feature of his place for many years. Both branches of his busi- ness have proven profitable and his enter- prise and determination are such that he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Mr. Wight has been married twice. In 1883 he wedded Margaret Jane Chisholm, who -was born in Ontario and died in California in 1885, leaving one child, William Alexander, who after the death of his mother went back to Ontario, Canada, to make his home with his grandparents. In October, 1898, Mr. Wight married Jessie Anderson, who was born in Ontario in 1858, and became a resi- dent of California in 1894. Her parents were Peter and Catherine (Ferguson) Anderson, na- tives of Scotland, where they were reared and married. They emigrated thence to the new world and spent their remaining days in Ontario. They had seven daughters, six of whom reached womanhood, while three are now living, including Mrs. Wight.

In his political faith Mr. Wight is a demo- crat and upon matters of public moment he keeps well informed. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith and for many years was identified with that church but now has his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He has never regretted his deter- mination to establish a home and seek his fortune upon the Pacific coast, for he has here found good opportunities and has grad- ually worked his way upward until he has won for himself a creditable and enviable position as a ranchman and stockman in the Yonna valley.

CREED L. CHENOWETH is the junior member of the firm of Stearns & Chenoweth, well known hardware merchants in Oakland, Douglas county. A native of Oregon, his birth occurred near Roseburg on March 18, 1866. He is a son of John and Melinda (Dixon) Chenoweth, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. The parents celebrated their marriage in Mis- souri into which state the mother had re- moved with her parents, and in which the father had settled during the early days of his manhood. In 1853 they crossed the plains with ox teams to Oregon and located in Douglas county, east of Roseburg, where the father took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres to which he added at various times until he owned over sixteen hundred acres of farm and ranch land at the time of his death which occurred October 25, 1872. The mother died March 4, 1890. The father was for many years a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Creed L. Chenoweth was reared at home, received his early education in the common schools and was later a student in the Uni- versity of Oregon. At the age of twenty years he established himself in the hardware business in company with A. F. Stearns, under the firm name of Stearns & Cheno- weth. On December 11, 1886, the firm opened their hardware store in Oakland and have since prominently figured in the business cir- cles of that city.

Mr. Chenoweth was united in marriage April 19, 1888, to Miss Minnie M. Smith, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James B. Smith who came to Oregon from Missouri in 1852, the father being the first hardware merchant ' in the old town of Oakland. The store original- ly established by Mr. Smith was the parent of the one in which Mr. Chenoweth is now in- terested. To Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth one child, Ruth, has been born. She has passed through the lower grades of the common school and is a graduate of the Portland high school and of St. Helen's Hall at Port- land.

Creed L. Chenoweth is affiliated with the democratic party. He served continuously for nine years as mayor of Oakland, and, not- withstanding the urgent appeal of his con- stituency, refused longer to be an incumbent in that office. During President Cleveland's second administration he was appointed post- master of Oakland and in that office served one term. He was at various times a mem- ber of the Oakland school board and is at present acting in that capacity. In May, 1912, he was appointed a member of the state board of education, in which office he is now serving. He is a member of Oak- land Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., Oakland Chapter, No. 91, O. E. S., Umpqua Lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F., Home Lodge, No. 24. A. O. U. W. and Oakland Lodge, No. 150, United Artisans. Mrs. Chenoweth is a member of the Episcopal church.

C. L. Chenoweth is a man whose business record and enterprising public spirit have placed him among the highly esteemed citi- zens of Douglas county, and he is known to be a man whose assistance is readily given to the advancement of every enterprise which tends to improve the conditions of the peo- ple in his county and state.

EDWARD L. DETLEFSEN, residing on the Coquille road, four and three-fourths miles from Myrtle Point, is widely known as a successful dairyman of Coos county. He was born in Germany in the year 1886, his father being Thomas Detlefsen, also a na- tive of that country. His brothers and sisters are as follows: Martin, Mary and Emma, who reside in the fatherland; James and Her- man, who live in California; Chris, of Port- land, Oregon; and Paul, Nicholina, Henry and Thomas, all of whom make their home in Germany.

In 1901, when a youth of fifteen, Edward L. Detlefsen left his native land and emigrated to the United States, working for wages in California during the following four and a half years. He then rented a farm and con- ducted a dairy for four years. On the ex- piration of that period he came to Oregon, settling in Coos county and purchasing sixty acres of land near Norway, which he is now clearing. In the meantime, however, he also has cultivated a rented farm of four hundred acres and has been engaged in dairying, milk- ing eighty cows, fifty-five of which he owns. These cows will bring him an average income of one hundred dollars each, this year, and in the future will average ninety dollars an-

136

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

nually. He feeds all the grain which he raises and as a dairyman and farmer las al- ready won a measure of success that augurs well for the future.

On the 20th of October, 1908, Mr. Detlef- sen was married to Miss Margaret Reitz, a native of Germany and a daughter of John and Anna (Traboldt) Reitz, who reared ten children: Helen, Catherine and Jacob, resi- dents of California; Marie, the mother of two children and the widow of Robert Dean of Norway, Oregon; George and Adolph, who live in California; Mrs. Margaret Detlefsen; and Hans, Bartlett and John, all living in California. Mr. and Mrs. Detlefsen have two children, namely: Paul Thomas, who was born on the 17th of April, 1910; and Ray- mond A., whose birth occurred April 23, 1911.

Mr. Detlefsen gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought nor desired public office as a reward for party fealty. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Coming to the new world so that he might take advantage of the opportunities offered in a land unhampered by caste or class, he has already won a credit- able measure of prosperity for one of his years and has gained the esteem and good- will of his fellowmen.

J. F. MASSEY. Seven miles beyond Myrtle, Point, on the south fork of the Coquille river, is located the fine farm operated by J. F. Mas- sey and owned by him in conjunction with 'his wife. He has resided upon this tract, which comprises six hundred and twenty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land, since 1904, and during the eight years of his occupancy has gained a reputation through- out Coos county as an expert agriculturist. He was born in South Dakota, in 1867, and is a son of George W., and Ann E. (Gipson) Massey, more extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.

J. F. Massey received his education in the schools of South Dakota and Oregon. His residence in Coos county dates from 1878, in which year his father took up a tract of land and engaged in agriculture. This gave J. F. Massey the opportunity of assisting him and studying farming in all of its details. When he was still a child he was well acquainted with the best methods of tilling the soil, planting and harvesting the crops. He has been identified with this line of work during his entire active life. When he was twenty- three years of age he took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Coos county and after he had proved up his title he began its cultivation. He was successful from the beginning, his land being productive because his methods are practical. He added to his holdings from time to time and now in conjunction with his wife owns six hun- dred and twenty acres highly improved and efficiently developed, which constitutes one of the most important farms in this section. He resided on his original homestead claim for eight years and for nine years afterward rented the farm which he now occupies. It then consisted of three hundred and forty

acres and with this as a beginning he has built up his present large enterprise. He has never disposed of his original holdings and the homestead which he acquired in the early days of his career forms now one of the im- portant sources of his income.

On December 9, 1890, Mr. Massey was united in marriage to Miss Lenora Wigant, a native of Coos county, Oregon, where her birth occurred on February 11, 1874. She is a daughter of Henry and Annie Wigant, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Iowa. They were married in Coos county, Oregon, whither the father had come among the earliest pioneers. The mother's residence in this state dates from her girl- hood, when she came to this section with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Wigant resided in Coos county for many years. The father fol- lowed farming near Rural, on the Coquille river, and was successful as an agriculturist until his death, in 1907. He had survived his wife since 1893, in which year her death occurred. Mrs. Massey is one of seven chil- dren born to her parents: William, who now lives in Coos county; George and John who are deceased; Lenora, the wife of our subject; Charlie, who is also a resident of Coos county; Etta, the wife of Leon Gregory, whose farm is near Coquille, Oregon; and Mary, who married Al Gartin, of Coquille City, Coos county. Mrs. Massey received her education in the public schools of her native section and remained at home until her mar- riage. She and her husband are the parents of five children: Sarah, born November 20, 1891, who was educated in the public schools of Coos county and who is now living at home; James A., born November 5, 1893, who is still with his parents; Elbert, whose birth occurred in 1897 and who is now attending school; Chester Storey, born in 1900, who is also pursuing his studies; and Edna L., whose birth occurred in 1906.

In his political affiliations Mr. Massey is a consistent republican but has never sought public office, preferring to devote his atten- tion to his private affairs. He has advanced with the scientific progress of agriculture and by his prosperity in a modern enterprise conducted along progressive lines has proved the efficiency of system in promoting pro- ductiveness.

ANDREW J. RADABAUGH, the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in Coos county, devotes his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits with excellent success. His birth occurred in Darke county, Ohio, on the 9th of December, 1860, his parents being John and Nancy (Mack) Radabaugh, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. In 1875 the family came to Oregon and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land near Norway, just halfway between Coquille and Myrtle Point, and our subject and his brothers assisted their father in clearing the land and digging out the stumps. The only road of any description was a nar- row trail from the north fork of the Coquille river to Empire, which was then the county seat. Andrew J. Radabaugh and his brothers

137

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

helped to build the only wagon road that the district boasted for many years. The home farm is now owned and operated by Henry Radabaugh, a brother of Andrew. John Rada- baugh passed away April 3, 1898, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1900, the community thus losing two of its valued pio- neer settlers. Their children were six in num- ber, namely: Joseph H., a ranchman of Arago, Oregon; Andrew J., of this review; Albert S., who is deceased; Sarah M., the wife of Barney Owen, a ranchman of Walker, Washington; Henry J., who is a ranchman residing at Norway, Oregon; and Mary, de- ceased.

Andrew J. Radabaugh, who was a youth of about fifteen when he came to this state with his parents, remained at home until he had attained his majority and then started out to earn his own living and to assist in the support of the family. He was employed at farm labor for two years and subsequently worked in logging camps for eleven years. After the death of his parents he went to live with his younger brother, Henry, who resided on the home place. He now owns a well improved ranch of two hundred and forty acres and has forty acres thereof under cultivation, raising principally oats, barley and hay. It is his intention to raise both sheep and horses in the future and to be a stockman as well as farmer. In the com- munity which has been his home for more than a third of a century he is well known and respected as a representative agricultur- ist and worthy citizen.

In politics Mr. Radabaugh is a stanch re- publican and for three years served in the capacity of road supervisor. He laid the foundation for the roadbed which is now be- ing built with crushed rock throughout Coos county, having opened the rock pits and used the rock from the quarry now being worked. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belong- ing to Coquille Lodge. The salient qualities of his life have ever commended him to the confidence, good-will and friendship of those with whom he comes in contact and he has always enjoyed the warm regard of a host of friends.

L. L. BILLINGS. Six miles above Myrtle Point, Oregon, on the middle fork of the Co- quille river is located the attractive and prosperous farm belonging to L. L. Billings, one of the prominent agriculturists in this region. It comprises one. hundred and seven- ty-three acres of the most fertile and pro- ductive land in Coos county and is operated and controlled by a man who understands all the scientific principles which make for prosperity in the cultivation and tilling of the soil. Mr. Billings is a native of Missouri, in which state his birth occurred in 1856. His parents, John and Adelia (Snyder) Billings were born in Ohio and married in that state. They immediately afterward moved to Mis- souri and settled in Raleigh where the mother died. John Billings afterward came to Coos county in 1872 where he operated a produc-

tive farm until his death in the fiftieth year of his age. He was the father of seven chil- dren: L. L., the subject of this review; Katherine, who now resides in Oklahoma; John H. C., who has passed away; Stephen of Coos county; and three children who died in infancy.

L. L. Billings received his early education in the public schools of his native state and completed his studies in Oregon where he came with his parents when he was a boy. At the age of twenty he started to gain his livelihood, operating his father's homestead with gratifying success for several years and obtaining in this way a knowledge of the details of agriculture which was productive of good results because it was eminently practical. He worked at various occupations although he was principally engaged in farm- ing until his marriage in 1881 and for three years later. In 1884 he proved up a home- stead claim on the south fork of the Coquille river and was successful in the operation of a rapidly prospering enterprise for five years. At the end of that time he discontinued farm- ing in order to take up his residence in Myrtle Point where he lived for some years before he bought another farm in the vicinity which he directed and controlled with practical skill for some time. He brought this tract of land to a high state of cultivation and then disposed of it at a good profit. He gave his attention to dairying for five years, operating a large ranch and keeping a high-grade herd of cattle for this purpose. Eventually he bought the farm which he now owns, com- prising one hundred and seventy-three acres of highly cultivated and improved land lo- cated on the middle fork of the Coquille river six miles above Myrtle Point. He has given his entire time and personal supervi- sion to the scientific cultivation of this prop- erty. He is interested in all modern develop- ments along agricultural lines and has equipped his farm with the most approved labor-saving machinery. He believes in scien- tific methods and keeps himself abreast of the times in every way. His farm is one of the attractive features of the land and is a valu- able addition to the resources of Coos county.

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 20

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