The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 24

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

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WILLARD J. JEFFERSON. Many of the agriculturists of Oregon who are giving the most valuable assistance to the development of its natural resources are natives of that state. Among these is Willard J. Jefferson, residing nine miles southeast of Gervais, whose birth occurred in Marion county on the 5th of September, 1857, his parents being Delos and Matilda (Apperson) Jefferson. The father was born in New York state on the 15th of April, 1824, and the mother's birth occurred in Missouri on February 20, 1830. They were married in Oregon on November 14, 1850, and made this state their home until their deaths. Mr. Jefferson took up a donation land claim near Salem shortly after his marriage, but a few years later traded it for three hundred and twenty acres of the Pitney donation land claim five miles north- east of Salem. Upon this property he and his wife resided until their deaths which occurred December 29, 1893, and November 9, 1907, respectively. To them eleven chil- dren were born, namely: Mrs. Jane Bell, a resident of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Harriet Heninger, who is living in Oswego, Oregon; Willard J., who is the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Susan Prosser, also a resident of Oswego; John A., who is living in Salem; Julia Ann, who resided in Oysterville, Oregon, until her death on the 2d of April, 1901; Susanna, who was born August, 1854, and who died August, 1855; Anna S., whose birth occur- red in December, 1856, and who died on the 21st of December, 1880; Clara V., whose birth occurred in 1860, and who passed away in 1863; Emma, who was born February, 1862, and who died September 24, 1863; Delos E., who was born March, 1865 and died March 20, 1885.

Willard J. Jefferson spent his boyhood and youth in a manner similar to that of the average country boy in the west; he at- tended the district school for a few years and then assisted his father on the home farm, but at the age of twenty years he started out independently by purchasing one hundred and sixty acres where, with the ex- ception of three years, he has since resided. By hard work and careful study of the needs and possibilities of the soil he has improved fifty acres of this tract to such an extent that it is not only highly productive but also so cultivated that it will prove highly re- munerative in the future. In addition to. his home place he also cultivates fifty-one acres on the old homestead. He devotes the greater part of his time to general farming but has also been engaged in stock-raising to a con- siderable extent, and during the season does clover hulling.

Each community has many men among its citizens upon whom it can depend to con- scientiously and honorably interest themselves in its civic development. In his district Mr. Jefferson is recognized as such a man, and is at the present time serving as road super- visor of the roads of district No. 16, and has also given his service as a member of the school board for a number of years. In politics he is a republican and is an en- thusiastic advocate of the progressive policies of that party. He holds membership in Salem Lodge, No. 118, of the Woodmen of the World, and also in the North Howell Grange, and both he and his family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church where they hold membership. They number among their friends all the members of the community and are held in high esteem and regard by all.

GORDON GRANGER SHEPHERD, one of the enterprising and successful young agri- culturists of Coos county, has spent prac- tically his entire life within its borders. His birth occurred in Nebraska, in October,

MR. AND MRS. W. J. JEFFERSON

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1885, his parents being. Homer and Emeline (Chase) Shepherd, the former a native of Iowa, and the latter of Illinois. Homer Shep- herd brought his family to Coos county, Ore- gon, in 1887, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of partially improved land near McKinley. Twelve acres thereof are now under cultivation and are devoted to general farming. Mr. Shepherd now looks after his property interests in California. They had ten children, as follows: Alma, who is the wife of M. J. Terry, of Oakland, California, and the mother of four children; Mary, the wife of Manuel Cordozo, of Grants Pass, Oregon; Charles, who is an agriculturist re- siding in Mckinley, Oregon, and has six chil- dren; Lillian, who lives with her brother Gordon; Bert and Walter, both of whom are deceased; Violet, the wife of Fred Dorman, of Oakland, California; Verna, who is the wife of H. L. Hanson, of Oakland, Cali- fornia, and has three children; Gordon Gran- ger, of this review; and Archie, who also lives with our subject. All of the children were educated in Coos county, this state.

Gordon Granger Shepherd started out in life for himself at the age of twenty-one and spent three years in the logging busi- ness. He was also employed at other occupa- tions, working for wages until he purchased a tract of eighty acres near his mother's place. He cleared a part of his land and also made some improvements thereon but disposed of the property prior to his father's removal to California. At that time le pur- chased the farm of eighty acres which he has since operated and which he devotes to the raising of grain. He also raises hogs for the market and intends to embark in the dairy business in the near future. His under- takings as an agriculturist have been at- tended with excellent results and his con- tinued success is assured.

In 1906, Mr. Shepherd was united in mar- riage to Miss Ethel Summerlin, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of A. C. Summer- lin. Mrs. Shepherd is one of a family of eight children, the others being as follows: David, who is a resident of Roseburg, Ore- gon; Joseph, living in California; John, resid- ing at home in Lee, Oregon; Wiley and Michael, who are also still at home with their parents in Lee; Chelsea, of Myrtle Point, Oregon; and Arthur, who passed away in in- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have four children, namely: Frances Ethel, who was born in 1907; Alvin Granger, whose natal year was 1909; Edith Lillian, whose birth occurred in 1910; and Vernon Keith, born in 1912. Mr. Shepherd is a republican in politics but has neither sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. The circle of his friends is a wide one, for he has ever displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime win confidence and regard.

PATRICK F. SWAYNE is a representative of the land of the shamrock and the shil- lalah, who cast his lot with many others who left their native land for the new world, and, arriving in America, by brawny arm

and determination attained a degree of suc- cess which justifies their industry and sturdi- ness. He was born in Ireland, January 6, 1862, one of twelve children whose parents were Michael and Annie (Burns) Swayne. He emigrated to America in 1886 and landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia. After remaining there for a short time he went to Ontario, Canada, in the vicinity of which city he farmed for one year. He then removed to Massachusetts and learned the stone-cutter's trade, at which he worked until 1891. Being then convinced that the west afforded unusual opportunities he migrated to Oregon, where he purchased a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres. At the time when he obtained that property it was in a primitive state but he entered upon the work of clearing and improving it with great enthusiasm, and the result of his ardent labor is that he today has one of the most valuable agri- cultural properties of his community.

Mr. Swayne was married in 1899 to Miss Mary Barbara Herberger, who is a native of Jacksonville. To them four children have been born, Hazel, Josephine, Mildred and Lois, all of whom are at home. Mr. Swayne is a democrat. One of the faculties of most sons of Erin is that they readily adapt them- selves to circumstances wherever they may be. Mr. Swayne's career serves to prove the correctness of that statement for in his daily life, though thrown upon his own resources in a land new to him, where none but un- familiar faces are seen and strange environ- ments surround, he performs his work with avidity, and is cheered by the thought that he is building a fortune which, though per- haps modest, will serve to care for him in his declining years and prove a boon to his chil- dren when he passes into that land from which no traveler returns. By industry and integrity he has gained the respect of the community of which he is a member and is held in esteem by a large number of per- sonal friends who have much confidence in him.

HON. OMER M. KEM. Perhaps no life history in all this volume indicates more clearly what may be accomplished through indefatigable energy and sterling worth of character than that of the Hon. Omer M. Kem, who for three consecutive terms was a member of the United States congress. He now makes his home in Cottage Grove, Oregon, where he ranks as a progressive, enterprising business man, being president of the Cottage Grove Electric Company, which is constantly reaching out along broadening lines in control of a business that is of marked value to the locality.

Mr. Kem was born in Hagerstown, Indiana, in 1855, a son of Madison and Malinda (Bulla) Kem. The father was a native of West Virginia, while the mother was born in Indiana. They became the parents of eight children: Melissa and Esther May, both de- ceased; Sophronia, the widow of Joshua Mel- lett, of Indiana; Mrs. Elmira Gray, of In- diana; Ellen, deceased; Edwin and Randolph,

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who have also passed away; and Omer M., of this review.

Inasmuch as the last named began earning his own living at the age of ten years his education was necessarily limited. He was reared on his father's farm, which he made his home until he attained the age of eight- een years. He then began farming on his own account by cultivating rented land, and was thus employed for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed west- ward and acquired a homestead claim of three hundred and twenty acres on the Ne- braska frontier, eighty miles from a railroad. There he carried on farming for eight years and became one of the prominent and influen- tial residents of that district. While living there he filled the position of deputy treasurer in Broken Bow, Custer county, and it was while discharging the duties of that office that he was elected to the lower house of the fifty-second congress. He proved to be a popular, capable and efficient representa- tive of his district and was twice reelected. He left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during that period, seeking always the welfare of the majority rather than the benefit of the few. After his retirement from congress he left Nebraska and removed westward to a ranch near Mont- rose, Colorado, upon which he remained for twelve years. Again his worth as a citizen was recognized in his election to the state legislature, in which he served for one term. Mr. Kem believes he is the first man to in- troduce the initiative referendum and recall now commonly known as the Oregon system into a political convention in the United States. This occurred at the state conven- tion in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1891 or 1892. However, he did not advocate this as a proper method of general legislation but be- lieved it to be a powerful weapon of self- defense to be used only in emergencies, when a public officer had committed some grievous wrong against the people, or when the legis- lature refused to do what the people wanted or did something they objected to. He still believes that any other use of the measure is an abuse of power.

In the fall of 1908 Mr. Kem came to Ore- gon, settling in Cottage Grove, where he pur- chased the electric light plant, taking into partnership with him his son-in-law, C. M. Shinn. Since obtaining possession of this plant Mr. Kem and his partner have doubled its capacity and have made extensive im- provements, making it capable of serving a much wider territory than formerly. More- over, at the present time improvements are contemplated which will more than double its present capacity. It is characteristic of Mr. Kem that in business affairs he has always readily recognized and quickly and wisely used his opportunities and this quality has brought to him a gratifying measure of success.

When nineteen years of age Mr. Kem was married to Miss Leonora Benson, a daughter of Noah and Nancy (Russom) Benson, whose family numbered five children, only two of whom are living. By her marriage Mrs.

Kem became the mother of five children: Edwin, deceased; Maud, the wife of C. M. Shinn, of Cottage Grove; Malinda and Earl, who have both passed away; and Claude J., who is a graduate of Columbia University of Washington, D. C., and is now a druggist of Cottage Grove. He is married and has one son, Julian. In 1882 Mr. Kem was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who passed away on the 29th of October of that year. He later married Miss Alice Lockhart, a daughter of Robert and Rachael (Welch) Lockhart, all natives of Ohio. Mrs. Kem was one of six children of whom two died in in- fancy, the others being: Lilla, the wife of Dr. Crawford, of Paonia, Colorado; Irene, the wife of Jesse Fountain, of Nebraska; and Robert, of Denver, Colorado. Unto Mr. Kem's second marriage were born eight chil- dren: Albert, deceased; Huxley D., of Wash- ington; Iris, the wife of G. B. Corey, of Olathe, Colorado; Myrtle, who is pursuing a four years' course in music in the University of Oregon; Marie, who has passed away; Victor and Kathleen, who are pupils of the public school of Cottage Grove; and Thelma.

Mr. Kem is a broad thinker, a sound reasoner and is liberal in his political views. He has always taken a deep interest in edu- cational matters and while in Colorado was for six years a member of the school board. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias and in religious matters is a non- sectarian, believing that righteous living and just treatment of one's fellowmen meets every requirement of this life or the life hereafter.

In addition to his home property in Cot- tage Grove Mr. Kem is the owner of a forty- acre farm in Indiana. Starting out in life a barefoot boy, working at farm labor, he may truly be said to be one of the self- made men of the country. Although de- prived of many advantages which other boys

enjoyed, he labored to broaden his knowl- edge and to promote his usefulness in various lines. Naturally a leader of men, inspiring confidence and good-will, he advanced stead- ily until he became a prominent figure in the legislative halls of the nation, where he acquitted himself with distinction, his course being highly satisfactory to his constituents Passing through a strenuous political life, which was his life for many years and during which period he not only proposed but sup- ported many bills which have found their way to the statute books of the country, he is now concentrating his energies upon industrial pursuits and is active in promoting a growing and profitable business in Cottage Grove.

OSCAR APPLEGATE. A native of Oregon who has for many years been identified with the agricultural growth of the state, is Oscar Applegate, who was born on September 21, 1863. He is a son of Robert and a grandson of Jesse Applegate, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Our subject's father was born in Missouri in 1839 and was eight years of age when he crossed the plains with his parents.

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He was reared in the Yoncalla valley, Doug- las county, Oregon, and upon reaching man- hood located in the Hayhurst valley on a portion of the William Hayhurst donation claim which had been acquired previously by his father, Jesse Applegate. Here he homesteaded an additional one hundred and sixty acres, bought school, railroad and other public lands and became one of the most ex- tensive land owners. He died in 1893 but his wife is yet living in Douglas county. He was a republican and a prominent figure in his party's councils. He served as county commissioner of Douglas county for a num- ber of years and was active and conscientious as a public official.

Oscar Applegate was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools of Douglas county. When he had attained majority he joined with his three brothers and his father in the operation of extensive farming lands belonging to Robert Apple- gate. In 1894 he established himself inde- pendently upon the homestead owned by his wife. This tract of land is located on Billy creek, Douglas county, and for eighteen years Mr. Applegate gave his entire attention to its improvement and cultivation, bringing it fi- nally into a prosperous and flourishing con- dition. He removed in October, 1911, to the city of Drain, where he has since lived, retired.

On February 18, 1894, Oscar Applegate was united in marriage to Mrs. J. H. Turner, who was in her maidenhood Miss Matilda Peterson, and is a native of Lolland, Den- mark, and a daughter of Peter and Trine Peterson. Mrs. Applegate has two children of her first marriage: Iona Lorena Turner, a graduate of the Central Oregon State Nor- mal school and a teacher in the public schools of Klamath county; and Hiram C. Turner, a ranchman of Big Arm, Montana.

In his political affiliations Oscar Applegate is a consistent republican but never seeks public office. He is a member of Drain Camp, No. 259, W. O. W. and of the local Grange of Drain, Oregon, in the affairs of which he takes an active part. He learned farming by personal activity in various branches of agriculture and his early training has been supplemented by constructive experience gained in the course of a long life. He is ranked among the progressive farmers who are raising the standard and improving the methods of agriculture.

GEORGE BELLONI. Dairying is rapidly becoming an important industry in Oregon and modernly equipped and sanitary estab- lishments of this kind in Coos county are making that section a valuable factor in state resources. Prominent among the men who are identified with this phase of activity is George Belloni who is now operating a large dairy farm four miles above Coquille, Oregon. Mr. Belloni was born in Switzer- land in 1860, and is a son of James and Mary Belloni, both natives of that country where the father died and where the mother is still maintaining her residence. They were the parents of five children: Mary, who resides

with her mother in Switzerland; George, the subject of this sketch; William and John, of Humboldt, California; and Fred, of Co- quille, Oregon.

George Belloni remained in Switzerland until he was thirteen years of age and re- ceived his education in that country. He came to America in 1873 and settled first in San Francisco and worked upon the dairy farms in surrounding districts until 1879. He has thus been identified with the business in which he is now engaged since his boyhood and has acquired a thorough and scientific knowledge of its details. In 1879 he had accumulated sufficient money to start a dairy of his own and this he operated in California until 1896. In that year he came to Oregon, settling in Curry county, where he followed his chosen occupation, operating one of the largest dairies in that section of the state. His business constantly grew and expanded and at one time he was milking daily two hundred cows. He operated this enterprise until 1903 when he sold his stock and came to Coos county. Here he leased a large dairy farm, including fine pasture lands and barns, and stocked it with high-grade cows and is now operating a large and important enter- prise. He milks forty cows every day and sells his products in the markets of the state. He also owns a large farm at Riverton known as the old Orchard farm. It comprises one hundred and fifty acres of fertile and produc- tive land and is a valuable addition to Mr. Belloni's income. He has invested exten- sively in town property in North Bend and Marshfield and his real-estate holdings are constantly increasing in value.

In 1882 Mr. Belloni was united in mar- riage to Miss Celia Ottolini, a native of Switzerland and a daughter of Glon Antonia and Lena Ottolini, who lived and died in that country. Mrs. Belloni is one of nine chil- dren: Fred, of Humboldt, California; Joe, Victor, Peter and Maddie, all of whom reside in California; Celia, the wife of our subject; Rachel, who is still in Switzerland; one, who died in California; and one sister who passed away in her native country. To Mr. and Mrs. Belloni have been born eleven chil- dren: Cora, who is a typesetter and teacher and is living at home; Henry, who is married and follows the occupation of butter making in Coquille, Oregon; Lena, a teacher in the Coos county schools; John, who is married and follows the occupation of dairying and operates a creamery at Riverton, Coos coun- ty; Nettie, who is teaching school and makes her home with her parents; Thomas, George, ~ Masie, Agnes, and Mamie, all of whom reside at home; and Hazel, who passed away when she was fifteen months of age. Mrs. Belloni received her education in the public schools of Switzerland and is a charming and hospi- table woman. All her children have attended the public schools of Coos county and have made judicious use of their advantages in this line.

In his political affiliations Mr. Belloni is a republican but reserves his independence of judgment. He is a member of the school board and is interested in the cause of edu-

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cational expansion. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church. He is representative of a large class of farmers in Coos county whose experience and knowl- edge of agriculture have been directed to a special branch of the industry and whose intelligence and skill, controlled by business discrimination and judgment, are making their private enterprises public assets.

FRANCIS MARION WILKINS, former mayor of Eugene is one of the most highly esteemed residents of the city. Moreover, he is one of the oldest native sons of Oregon, his birth having occurred in Clackamas county, August 10, 1848. Throughout all the inter- vening years which have brought Oregon from its territorial position to a place among the leading states of the Union, he has been greatly interested in its progress and in all possible ways has aided in its improvement and development. His parents were Mitchell and Permelia Ann (Allan) Wilkins, more ex- tended mention of whom is made on another page of this work.

Francis M. Wilkins attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and afterward learned the drug business. He was graduated from the Portland Business College in 1869, and in 1877 embarked in business on his own account in connection with Dr. Shelton, under the firm name of Shelton & Wilkins. A brief period passed and Mr. Wilkins then purchased his part- ner's interest and continued alone in business until 1895. He had a well appointed store which he successfully conducted until the year mentioned, when he retired from active commercial pursuits. He has, however, been much interested in the Commercial Club and its possibilities and opportunities. For the past three years he has been president of its publicity department. In other public con- nections Mr. Wilkins has given equal demon- stration of his worth and his loyalty to the best interests of the community. In 1905 he was elected a member of the city council for two years and was then elected mayor, in which connection he rendered to the city a public-spirited and beneficial administra- tion that was characterized by many needed reforms and improvements, His best work during his term of office as mayor was sign- ing an ordinance for the first paving ever done in the city, one for the purchase of the first land for park purposes and one for a gas franchise and street car, besides the first combination wagon for fighting fire which was purchased during his time. The city's start and uplift along civic lines was largely due to his earnest work and persistent effort. For the past three years he has been presi- dent of the promotion work of the Eugene Commercial Club, which has been largely in- strumental in settling up the community in and around Eugene and in getting families "back to the soil" and promoting ways and means for them to pay for their homes. He is also a member of the board of the Lane County Agricultural Society, which has for its purpose the holding of fairs in Lane county, and he has been a member of the

board of park commissioners for the past six years.

In 1872 Mr. Wilkins was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma Goltra, a daughter of Nelson Goltra. She was born in Lebanon, Linn county, Oregon, in the First Methodist church, which her parents were occupying while her father built the Santiam Academy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins have been born five children: Maude, the wife of Herbert T. Condon, of Seattle, Washington, who is finan- cial agent and manager for the State Univer- sity there; F. L., living in Seattle; Nina, the wife of Lieutenant C. C. McCornack, sur- geon of the United States Army; Lucia; and Gladys. The parents are members of tlie Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally Mr. Wilkins is connected with Spencer Butte Lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., and is also past chief patriarch of Wimawhala Encampment, No. 6. He was a member of the first Knights of Pythias lodge organized in Eugene, and he belongs to Eugene Camp, No. 115, W. O. W., of which he became a charter member. Lodge No. 357 of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks also numbers him among its valued members. He is actuated in all he does by a spirit of progress and ad- vancement and his efforts have therefore been of material value to his state. The terms progress and patriotism might be con- sidered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of business or public interest with which he has been as- sociated and at all times has been actuated by a fidelity to his country and her welfare.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 24

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