The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 23

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

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In his political views Mr. Weekly gives a general allegiance to the democratic party but often votes independent of party affilia- tion on public questions of a local character. He takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of his community, but has never sought pub- lic office. He is now in the possession of one of the most productive and fertile farms in Coos county and each year of scientific and careful cultivation brings him more abun- dant harvests and adds to the value of his land.

B. H. HATHAWAY is the owner of three hundred acres of highly improved land in Tillamook county in the cultivation of which he met with such gratifying returns that he is now able to live retired. He is a native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred in Lewis county, on May 5, 1831, and is supposed to be the only living mem- ber of a family of eight born to I. and Rebecca (Higby) Hathaway. His parents were also natives of the Empire state, where they spent their entire lives.

Mr. Hathaway was reared at home, receiv- ing his education in the common schools. When he was nineteen years of age he left the paternal roof, to seek, as did many others at that period the greater possibilities the west offered, and went to Wisconsin. After re- maining there for three years he removed to Minnesota, where for twelve years he engaged in farming, with the exception of a period of service during the Civil war. When the call came for troops during the time of the nation's need in the '60s he responded, en- listing and going to the front with Company F, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in 1861 and among the battles that his regiment was engaged in were Vicks- burg; Jackson, Mississippi; Champion's Hill, Black River, Lookout Mountain, Missionary

Ridge, Altoona Pass, and many others. He served with General Grant until the latter was made commander of the Army of the Po- tomac, when he came under the command of General Sherman and took part in his march to the sea. He spent three years and three months in the service, participating in thirty- two engagements but was never wounded. Re- ceiving his discharge at Savannah, Georgia, on December 22, 1864, he returned home, resum- ing life as a farmer. He continued to reside in Minnesota for some years thereafter and then again started westward, with Oregon as his destination. Upon his arrival here he filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land, to the cultivation and improve- ment of which he immediately turned his energies. He met with such success in his agricultural pursuits that he was later able to increase his possessions until he ultimate- ly acquired three hundred acres, all of which is well improved and in a high state of pro- ductivity. Mr. Hathaway always used intel- ligence in the direction of his undertakings and, a man of progressive ideas, was prac- tical in his methods of application. Such suc- cess as came to him in the course of his active career was the direct result of capably and definitely directed effort. His plans were always carefully made and executed for the accomplishment of one purpose and his progress always permanent and orderly.

Mr. Hathaway has been married twice. His first union took place in New York state to Miss Nancy Smith and to them were born two children: Catherine, who is deceased; and J. H., who is a resident of Tillamook county. Mrs. Hathaway passed away in 1878 and in 1880 Mr. Hathaway married Mrs. E. R. Wilson, the widow of J. C. Wilson, who lost his life in the Civil war.

His political support Mr. Hathaway gives to the republican party, but he has never been an aspirant to office. Both he and Mrs. Hathaway hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Tillamook. He is now en- joying the ease and comfort assured by his comfortable competence and the income from his large ranch, both acquired by means of many years of hard work.

JOHN W. WISE. After many years of successful business life John W. Wise is liv- ing retired in the city of Yoncalla, Douglas county, Oregon. He was born in Audubon county, Iowa, October 27, 1855, and is a son of George and. Lucy Ann (Crewson) Wise. the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. The parents were mar- ried in Illinois and some time later removed to Iowa. In 1857 the father and his family crossed the plains with horse teams to Cali- fornia and settled in Sonoma county, where he maintained his residence for four years. In 1861 he removed to Oregon and purchased a farm located two miles east of Drain, in Douglas county. He lived on that property during the remaining years of his life and both he and his wife died there. Their son

B. H. HATHAWAY

MRS. B. H. HATHAWAY

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

William now owns and lives on the old homestead.

John W. Wise at the age of six years came to Oregon with his parents and in Douglas county received his early education, having had to ride from six to eight miles to reach the school where as a boy he took up the elementary studies. At the age of eighteen he started in life for himself, accepting any employment in which he could make an hon- orable livelihood. For three or four years he was engaged as a clerk in a store in Drain. In 1880 he purchased a farm of fifty-two acres adjoining the town of Yoncalla and engaged in the stock-raising business. He later added to that property by purchase until at one time he owned three hundred and twenty acres in a solid body adjoining the town. He afterward purchased seven hundred and twenty acres in Scotts valley, which some years later he gave to his sons. During his years of active life he ranked among the prominent and successful stock- men of his portion of the state. He recently sold all his land adjoining Yoncalla except forty acres which he has set out to select fruit. He is living a retired life in Yoncalla after many years of honorable and successful business.

Mr. Wise was united in marriage in 1877 to Miss Josephine Ambrose, of Yoncalla, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Ambrose. Here parents were among the early settlers of Douglas county. Both are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Wise four children have been born: John Alva. a stockman of Benton coun- ty, Oregon; Lloyd. who is engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising in Douglas county; Mamie B., at home; and Claude, who is also at home. Mr. Wise is affiliated with the republican party but has never sought politi- cal preferment. He is a member of Alpha Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Drain, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Woodmen of the World. He is widely known throughout that portion of the state and by a consistent business life has gained the respect of his friends and associates, who place him among the influential and useful citizens of Douglas county.

ROBERT W. LONG, a leading agriculturist of the Yoncalla valley, owns a tract of land of six hundred and forty acres, comprising one of the most attractive and productive farms in Douglas county. It was on this place that his birth occurred on the 7th of January, 1862, his parents being John and Minerva (Smith) Long, who were born, reared and married in Tennessee. From that state they removed to Missouri and in 1846 crossed the plains to Oregon with ox teams, the journey consuming six months. Locating first in Polk county, the father there acquired a farm and built a log cabin which is still standing. In 1849 he came to Douglas county and took up donation claim No. 46, compris- ing six hundred and forty acres in the Yon- calla valley, three miles south of the town of Yoncalla, where he spent the remainder of his life. As the years passed he acquired other lands adjoining his claim and at one Vol. IV-7

time owned over fourteen hundred acres, a portion of which he gave to his children prior to his demise. He passed away in 1890, when about eighty years of age, while his wife was called to her final rest in March, 1908, being at that time also about eighty years old. They were both consistent and devoted members of the Baptist church.

Robert W. Long was reared at home and received his education in the common schools. When not yet twenty-one years of age he began operating his father's farm as a renter and continued its cultivation until 1884. In that year he removed to Scotts valley in Douglas county, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and seventy-three acres, re- siding thereon for four years. On the ex- piration of that period he disposed of the property and bought two hundred and eighty- five acres of land a mile south of Yoncalla, remaining on that farm for nineteen years. He sold the place in 1907 and in the spring of 1908 purchased six hundred and forty acres of the old home farm, on which he has resided continuously since. He has erected a handsome modern residence and is justly proud of the fact that his is one of the most attractive and valuable farms in the county. In his undertakings as an agri- culturist he has prospered from year to year and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a successful farmer and substantial citizen.

In 1883 Mr. Long was united in marriage to Miss Lena Ambrose. Her father, Alfred T. Ambrose was one of the pioneers of the Yoncalla valley, arriving here in 1851. He was born in Clark county, Missouri, Septem- ber 6, 1822, and passed away at Yoncalla, June 20, 1912, at the age of almost ninety years. In May, 1846, he wedded Miss Vir- lena Woodson, who preceded him in death several years. Their union was blessed with seven children, two of whom are deceased. Those surviving are: Nathan Ambrose, of Portland; James Ambrose, E. Ambrose, Mrs. J. W. Wise and Mrs. Long, of Yoncalla. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long were born four children, two of whom still survive, George Cody and Carl D., who are yet at home.

Mr. Long is a democrat in politics but has never been an aspirant for public pre- ferment, though importuned to allow his name to be presented to the voters as a candidate for the office of county commis- sioner. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and both he and his wife are members of the Degree of Honor. His standing in both business and social circles well entitles him to a place among the representative citizens of the state in which his entire life has been spent.

EDWIN P. S. ABERNETHY, who lives on the old family homestead near Dora in Coos county, is the proprietor of a sawmill and has been engaged in business along this line since 1903. His birth occurred near Portland, Oregon, on the 29th of September, 1875, his parents being William and Sarah F. (Gray) Abernethy, the former a native of New York and the latter of this state. George

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Abernethy, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was the first provisional governor of Oregon. It was in 1891 that William Abernethy removed with his family from Portland and took up his abode near the old Dora postoffice, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the east fork of Coquille river. The family home was there maintained until 1906, when Mr. Abernethy removed to Forest Grove, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. He rents the old home farm to his son-in-law, M. C. Miller, who operates it in connection with an adjoining tract of three hundred and twenty acres which he owns. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Abernethy were born ten children, as follows: Annie, the wife of B. W. Starr, of Tacoma, Washington; Caroline, who is the wife of H. F. Burges and resides at Sunnyside, Washington; William, Jr., of Washington; Edwin P. S., of this review; Violet, the wife of Bennett Swanton, of Marshfield, Oregon; Daisy, twin sister of Violet, who is the wife of Archie Hahn and resides at Monmouth, Iowa; Pearl, the wife of M. C. Miller, of Mckinley, Oregon; Frances, the wife of A. T. Hahn, of Portland, Multno- mah county; Camilla, who lives at Forest Grove with her parents; and Mizpah, the wife of Virgil Waterman, of Welches, Oregon.

Edwin P. S. Abernethy, who was a youth of sixteen when he came to Coos county with his parents, has remained within its borders continuously since. In 1903 he be- came the proprietor of a sawmill and has operated the same for the past nine years, cutting the timber from his father's place. His undertakings in this connection have been attended with success, and his reputation as one of the substantial and enterprising citi- zens of the community has been well won.

In politics Mr. Abernethy is a republican but his aspirations have not been in the line of office holding. A genial and kindly dis- position has won him many friends and he has the regard and esteem of all with whom his business or social relations have brought him in contact.

CARY W. CULY is the fortunate owner of fifty acres of choice land near Buncom, Ore- gon, on which he resides with his family. He was born in California on the 4th of July, 1883, and is one of nine children born to G. C. and Pamelia (Faughn) Culy. When but a child of six months he was brought by his parents to Jackson county, Oregon, the fam- ily locating at Steamboat. Cary W. Culy was reared at home and received a common- school education. When sixteen years of age he was employed as a laborer on a ranch near his father's home for a few months and then returned home, where he remained work- ing with his father in the development of the family farm for a period of two years. He afterward was employed in agricultural pursuits for two successive years.

As a companion and helpmate on the jour- ney of life Mr. Culy chose Miss V. McKee, a native of Oregon, by whom he has three children, Omar, Helen and Louis. Mr. Culy takes pride in his beautiful home property,

its location being one of the most desirable ones in the community and its soil being of the best and richest of Oregon's productive land. Confining himself to the growing of hay and grain, he has become an expert in taking from the soil the maximum amount of cereals and forage plant growth, and for these products he finds a ready market. Cary W. Culy is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Buncom, Oregon. He is enterprising and progressive and always quick to use his influence in support of social and political issues affecting the best interests of his county and state. He is a socialist and, in common with many representative men of this country as well as the members of his political party, he believes that the science of government has not yet attained perfec- tion here but can develop and improve in many ways.

WARREN NEAL, a retired blacksmith and wagonmaker, residing in Monmouth, was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania, April 2, 1842. He is a grandson of Barney Neal, who was a farmer, and a son of Henry and Mary (Williams) Neal, the latter of whom lived to be ninety years of age. The father, who was born in Jefferson, Greene county, Pennsylvania, was a blacksmith and followed that trade until he was killed by a horse in 1850, when at the age of forty-eight years. He had the following children, namely : Susan; William, deceased; Elizabeth; Han- nah; Minerva; Benjamin; Thomas, who served in the Civil war; and Warren.

In 1862, at the age of twenty years Warren Neal enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company A, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Captain William C. Lindsey, at Waynesburg. He saw much active service and was very fortunate not only in that he was neither captured nor wounded and ivas never detained in a hospital, but also as lie was one of only ten survivors of one hun- dred and thirteen who enlisted with him. Aside from fighting in many skirmishes he participated in the following battles, many of which were decisive: Hanover, Gettys- burg, Franklin, Hunterstown, South Moun- tain, Boonsboro, Hagerstown, Williamsport, Arnettsville, Culpeper, Winchester, Brandy Station, Stevensberg, Wilderness, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, Strawberry Hill, Bottom Ridge, Hanover Court House, Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp, Winchester, Summit Point, Charleston, Front Royal, Waynesboro, Limestone Ridge and Cary Station.

Upon his return from the front Mr. Neal engaged in blacksmithing in Virginia for three years and then removed to Kansas, where in addition to following his trade he also took up wagon building. He remained in that business until 1894, when he came to Oregon and located in MeMinnville, Yam- hill county, where until his retirement from active business fourteen years later, he suc- cessfully engaged in both blacksmithing and wagon building.

In 1881 Warren Neal was married to Elna Pickering, in Arkansas City, Kansas. Mrs. Neal was born in Fulton county, Illinois,

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March 13, 1863, and is a daughter of Joseph E. and Martha (Sparks) Pickering. Her father is a blacksmith by trade and in 1878 went to Kansas, where he still resides. MI. and Mrs. Neal are the parents of four chil- dren, as follows: Mabel, born April 8, 1882, who married C. F. Grover; Joseph W., who was born August 25, 1884, and died in 1904; William, born July 22, 1887, who married Alma Atkins; and Clara, who was born July 11, 1899, and is a student at Monr.outh. Mr. and Mrs. Grover have both been engaged in teaching at Gaston, Oregon, for the last two years and previous to that time taught in the Philippine Islands.

Warren Neal is a stanch republican. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In his war service he was faith- ful and untiring and gave his country the substantial aid it needed to preserve its unity. Throughout his life he has been a diligent and persistent worker, giving his careful attention to the trade in which he has engaged and proving that, in that, as in all other occupations, success is the reward of intelligent and constant labor.

CHARLES EDWARD CREE, who is promi- nent in Fairview Station as a carpenter and contractor, was born in Kentucky, December 10, 1871, a son of Thomas and Fannie (Waite) Cree. The father's parents were of Scotch descent and the mother's of English lineage. The father's birth occurred in Ohio January 30, 1836, his parents being William and Phebe (Morris) Cree, both of whom were na- tives of Ohio. When Thomas Cree was but five years of age his parents removed to West Virginia, where for five years the father was engaged in operating a brickyard. After that he returned to Ohio where he lived for five years before removing to Covington, Kentucky, where his death occurred when he was sixty-eight years of age. The mother also died there when she was seventy-two years of age. To their union nine children were born, all of whom are deceased except- ing Thomas. Thomas Cree began earning his own livelihood by working as a cabin boy on a steamer. Subsequently, in 1861, he was made pilot and served in that capacity for many years. He was very successful, never had an accident and never lost a life. He was obliged to give up this work because of failing eyesight and hearing. In 1885 he removed to Kansas and resided there for five years before coming to Oregon, which state he has since made his home. He ac- cumulated considerable money and property and he and his wife live retired, making their home frequently with their children. The mother is a daughter of Dr. and Mary (Louis) Waite, also natives of Ohio, and the grandfather was founder and builder of Hillsboro College at Hillsboro, Ohio. She was the youngest of three children born to her parents, the others being Charles E. of Covington, Kentucky, and Mary, who is the widow of Martin E. Ellis of Scotts, Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cree, whose mar- riage occurred in 1867, ten children were born:

Frank, deceased; Charles E., who is the sub- ject of this sketch; Kate, who is the wife of Charles Clark of Linn county, Oregon, and who is the mother of seven children; Dora, who is the wife of Harry Bartholomew of Pendleton; Arthur, of San Francisco, Cali- fornia; George, of Linn county, Oregon, who is married and has one child; Louis, deceased; Mabel, who is married to Harrison Hadley, of Linn county, Oregon, and has one child; Jessie, also a resident of Linn county; and Lottie, who is the wife of Jesse Matthis. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cree are affiliated with the Methodist church, and in the Independent. Order of Odd Fellows, of which Mr. Cree is- a member, he has filled all the chairs.

Charles E. Cree received a very meager education, being the eldest living son of a large family, and at the age of fourteen he found it necessary to aid in the support of the younger members of the family. He ac- cepted work on a farm after his family had removed to Kansas and subsequently, when he was eighteen years of age, he came to Oregon and settled in Linn county, near Albany, where he rented a farm. He subse- quently severed his connections with agricul- tural pursuits and took up sawmill work in which he was engaged for several years before entering permanently into the carpen- tering and contract business. He continued thus for a few years in Albany but after his marriage removed to Fairview where he went into business on his own account. He has been conducting this enterprise since, and the highly remunerative returns his labor has received are in some degree shown by quoting the figures which have marked his success. His business operations cover from thirty to forty thousand dollars annually and he owns twelve lots well improved, including a new house which was erected at a cost of four thousand dollars. He also owns a blacksmith shop, a carpenter shop and business property.

On the 13th of October, 1894, Mr. Cree was married to Miss Mary Ellen Downing, whose birth occurred May 5, 1873, and who is a daughter of George W. and Sarah C. Down- ing. She is one of eight children born to her parents, the others being: John, a resident of Kansas, who is married and has five chil- dren; William, who is residing in Mill City, Oregon, and is married and has seven chil- dren; Orville of Gresham, Oregon, who is mar- ried and has two children, Everett and Clar- ence; Minerva, who is the wife of Roy Davis of Kansas, and the mother of two children; Mattie, who is married to Ben Kingman of Delevan, Kansas, and who has two children; .Georg Ann, who is the wife of William Boaz, a railroad engineer of Harrington, Kansas; and Effie, who is the wife of George Rodgers, a prominent stockman of Linn county, Ore- gon. To Mr. and Mrs. Cree five children have been born, namely: Willis, who was born September 19, 1895, and is attending public school at Fairview; Louis, who died at the age of nine years; Ada, whose birth occurred June 16, 1902, and who is attending public school; Collin, who was born March 5, 1909; and Lois, whose birth occurred on the 15th of March, 1911.

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Mr. Cree gives his political support to the

On October 15, 1878, Mr. Jefferson was mar- republican party but has never sought office . ried to Miss Lavina M. Howland, a daughter as a reward for party fealty. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In social, business and fraternal relations Mr. Cree has always shown himself to be a man of the most resolute and upright character, and the many friends he has made prove the general consensus of public opinion regarding him. of John and Elizabeth (Howe) Howland, and who was born on the 20th of March, 1858. Her parents were both natives of England, but came to America before their marriage which occurred in St. Louis in the early '40s. Subsequently they removed to Oregon in 1842, and during the gold excitement in 1849 set- tled in California for a short time. How- ever, the father returned to his donation land claim in Clackamas county and resided there until his death which occurred in 1887, his wife having died previously at the age of forty-four years. To them twelve children were born: Alfred, who is living in Oregon City on a part of the donation claim; Ella, who is married to Austin Newell of Clacka- mas county, Oregon; Mrs. Jefferson; Maggie B., of Uniontown, Oregon; Mrs. May Baultice of Union county, Oregon; John B., who is also residing on part of the homestead in Oregon City; Edward, of Oregon City; Anna, who was the wife of James Partlow, and who died at the age of thirty-three years; Lenora Sholts, whose death occurred when she was fifty-six years of age; Henry, who passed away at the age of eighteen years; Charles, who died at three years of age; and Cornelia, who died when an infant of but eighteen months. To Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson eight children were born: Clifford, who was born February 28, 1880, and who died in 1882; Raymond C., who was born November 24, 1883, and who is residing at home; Earl R., whose birth occurred on the 29th of October, 1885, and who is residing in Clackamas county, Oregon; Chester Clyde, born October 6, 1889, and living at home; Mabel, whose birth occurred June 3, 1891, and who is the wife of Lawrence W. Bower and the mother of one child, Henry Levi, born March 21, 1910; Bernice Leota, who was born July 18, 1893, and who is living at home; and Agnes Julia and Irene Viola, born June 14, 1900, and October 3, 1903, respectively.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 23

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