The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 29

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

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Mr. Laird votes with the democratic party, believing that the principles of its platform contain the best elements of good government. He is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias and both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star and the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Laird has filled all of the chairs in the orders mentioned and is loyal to their teachings and purposes, so that his is a well spent life, commanding for him the confidence and good-will of all with whom he comes in contact.

EDWARD WATSON, M. D., was the first physician of North Bend, Oregon, and is today the most prominent practitioner in the town and its surrounding districts. He was born in New York, in August, 1868, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Myre) Watson, natives of Baden, Germany. His father came to America when a young man and settled in Ohio with his family where he lived only a short time before he removed to Des Moines, Iowa. He operated the first tannery in that city and was active in that line of business until his death, at the age of ninety-seven. His wife survived him but a short time, dying at the age of eighty-nine years. They were the parents of fourteen children, three of whom are yet living. Dr. Edward Watson was the only one of his family to leave Des Moines for Oregon.

Dr. Edward Watson received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Des Moines and was graduated from the high school of that city. He immediately entered the medi- cal department of Drake University, of Des Moines, Iowa, and was graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. He practiced medi-

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cine in Des Moines for four years and realizing the value of a thorough and efficient educa- tion as a foundation for a medical career he entered Belleville hospital in New York where he remained for two years, gaining practical experience in hospital work. He later spent two years in the medical depart- ment of the University of Michigan and at- tended Rush Medical College in Chicago for a like period of time. With this education as a foundation for medical practice he went to Aberdeen, Washington, where he remained for eight years. At the end of that time he moved to North Bend, Oregon, and has prac- ticed his profession in Coos county ever since. He was the first doctor in North Bend and also conducted the first drug store in that town. During the nine years of his activity in Coos county Dr. Watson has accomplished more real good than any other professional man in the district. For many years he was the only physician in North Bend and was obliged to make numerous sacrifices of per- sonal ease and comfort in order to attend the sick and suffering of the newly opened district. His patience and a constant en- deavor have gained him the reward of a large and continually growing practice and he is today one of the foremost physicians in Coos county. He has amassed a comfortable for- tune which he invests judiciously. He owns various properties in North Bend and a val- uable ranch on the north lake front of Ten Mile lake, Coos county, where he makes his summer home. He has faith in the future of the district in which he lives and has always given his cooperation to any movement cal- culated to promote its growth and welfare. He owns some valuable properties in Aber- deen, Washington, and possesses an ex- tensive timber claim in Louis county in the same state.

Dr. Watson is a democrat and takes an intelligent interest in political affairs, al- though his duties as a physician prevent his accepting public office. He belongs to Camp No. 264, Modern Woodmen of America in Iowa and is prominent in the affairs of the Owls. He is one of the physicians who be- lieve that professional success can be attained only by constant endeavor and unremitting work. He is the pioneer doctor of North Bend and takes an almost fatherly interest in the health of the community. His pro- fessional career has been distinguished by personal sacrifice in the interest of his prac- tice, a practical knowledge of medicine and surgery and a keen appreciation of the re- sponsibilities which his calling entails.

JUDGE JAMES C. FULLERTON, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Doug- las county, opened an office for the practice of law at Roseburg in 1885 and is still active- ly engaged in the work of the profession. He has served as circuit judge from the sec- ond judicial district for six years and also represented his county in the state senate during two sessions. His birth occurred in Butler county, Ohio, on the 16th of Decem- ber, 1848, his parents being John and Jane (Rolf) Fullerton, who were born, reared and

married in the Buckeye state. In 1851, in company with James F. Gazley, Jolın Fuller- ton came to Oregon via the Isthmus route and for several years was associated with Mr. Gazley in mining ventures in California. The two gentlemen located donation claims in Douglas county, Oregon, on the South Umpqua river, Mr. Fullerton remaining in charge of both claims, while Mr. Gazley returned to Ohio for the purpose of bringing his family and also that of his partner to the west. The party left Independence, Missouri, with ox teams in April, 1853, and after a long and tedious journey across the plains arrived in Douglas county, Oregon, in the following September. The train was comparatively small and there were only twenty men in the party but the Indians did not molest them. .John Fullerton remained on his donation claim until 1858, at which time he was elected sheriff of Douglas county and took up his abode in Roseburg, serving in his official capacity for five years. On the expiration of that period he returned to his farm and con- tinued to reside thereon until within a few years of his death, spending his remaining days in honorable retirement at Roseburg, where his demise occurred in 1897. He was a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which fraternity he had joined in Ohio sometime in the '40s. In his passing Douglas county lost one of its honored and respected pioneers and one who had aided materially in the work of upbuilding and de- velopment here. Mrs. Jane (Rolf) Fullerton was called to her final rest in 1896.

James C. Fullerton was reared under the parental roof and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1873 he was made receiver of public moneys in the United States land office in Roseburg, ably serving in that capacity for twelve years. In 1876 he began the study of law and three years later was admitted to the bar. He did not begin the active practice of the profession, however, until after leaving the land office in 1885, in which year he opened an office at Roseburg. In 1889 he was elected to the state senate from Douglas county and dur- ing two sessions ably represented the inter- ests of his constituents in that legislative body. In 1892 he was honored by election to the office of circuit judge from the second judicial district, remaining on the bench until 1898. The legal profession demands not only a high order of ability but a rare combina- tion of talent, learning, tact, patience and industry. The successful lawyer and the competent judge must be a man of well bal- anced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general information, possessed of an analytical mind and a self-control that will enable him to lose his individuality, his personal feelings, his prejudices and his peculiarities of dispo- sition in the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and liberty must look for protection. Possessing these qualities, Judge Fullerton justly merited the honor which was conferred upon him by his elevation to the bench. During the past fourteen years he has been continuously en-

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gaged in the general practice of law, being accorded an extensive and lucrative clientage.

On the 16th of December, 1874, Judge Ful- lerton was united in marriage to Miss Clara Bunnell, of Roseburg, her father being Dr. N. P. Bunnell, who came to Oregon from Wis- consin in 1872. Our subject and his wife lave two children: Nathan, a prominent drug- gist of Roseburg; and Kate, the wife of Thomas W. Graham, of Minneapolis, Minne- sota.

In politics Judge Fullerton is a republican. He has served as a member of the city school board for several years and is now the presi- dent of the city council of Roseburg. His fraternal relations are with the following organizations: Laurel Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M .; Laurel Chapter, R. A. M .; Roseburg Com- mandery, K. T .; and Philetarian Lodge No. 8 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Since he was brought to Douglas county at the early age of five years Judge Fullerton has remained within its borders and has become well known and highly esteemed as one of its leading and respected citizens.

ALEXANDER MATSON. The rich farming land that lies adjacent to Marshfield affords excellent advantages and opportunities to the progressive agriculturist. Alexander Matson is numbered among those who have made good use of their opportunities here and is now the owner of five hundred and seven acres of rich and productive land, much of which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. In addition to producing crops best adapted to soil and climate he is also engaged in dairying and in all of the farm work has ever had the assistance and coopera- tion of his family, who well deserve mention as among the representative citizens of Coos county. Mr. Matson was born in Finland, June 17, 1845. His parents both died in that country but one brother came to the new world, where some time later he was acci- dentally drowned. Another brother is still liv- ing in Finland, while the other children of the family have passed away.

Alexander Matson remained a resident of his native land until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He then determined to try his fortune in the new world, hoping that the opportunities here offered would enable him to rise more quickly in business circles than he could hope to do in the land of his birth. He reached New York on the 29th of September, 1872, and for two years thereafter was a resident of Michigan. He next came to Oregon, settling on Coos bay. He was a ship carpenter, following that occupation from the time he reached the age of seventeen years. On coming to the Pacific Coast country he continued at his trade, being thus engaged until 1909. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings until he was enabled twenty-three years ago to purchase a farm of five hundred and seven acres, upon which lis family have since lived, cultivating the land and converting the place into one of the highly improved farm properties of the dis- trict. It is pleasantly and conveniently situ-

ated about nine miles from Marshfield and gives every evidence of the supervision of the owner and .the care and labor which are bestowed upon the fields. General farming is there conducted and a dairy business is also carried on. Mr. Matson has concentrated his energies upon his farm since abandoning his trade and he employs the most progressive and scientific methods in his dairy and also in the cultivation of his crops.

On February 19, 1878, Mr. Matson was united in marriage to Miss Fredrika Ront- jeroe, who was born in Finland and came to America in 1877. Her parents and the other members of the family all died in that coun- try save two of her sisters who crossed the Atlantic, one now living in Astoria and the other in Portland, Oregon, and a brother and sister who are still living in Finland. Mr. and Mrs. Matson have become the parents of eleven children, of whom nine survive. Albert, born September 19, 1878, who is mar- ried and lives at Allegany, Oregon; A. Aug- ust, born in August, 1881, John F., born May 23, 1882, and Elmer, born March 22, 1884, all of whom are at home; Esther J., who is the wife of Fred Stone, of Blue Mountain, Ore- gon; Selma, who died at the age of four months; Ernest, who was born June 18, 1889, and is still at home; Otto, who passed away when four months old; Carl V., born May, 15, 1892, Ira, born August 21, 1896, and Lena F., born in 1899, all of whom reside with their parents. To his children Mr. Matson has given good school advantages and the family are a credit to his name.

In 1903 Mr. and Mrs. Matson celebrated their silver wedding in I. O. O. F. hall in Marshfield, the Rev. E. F. Bengtsen officiat- ing. The worthy couple were surrounded by their nine living children and of the ten persons who had witnessed the ceremony a quarter of a century ago there were five present to see the silver anniversary observed. On this occasion Mr. and Mrs. Matson re- ceived the sincere wishes of the entire com- munity in which they have made their home for so many years. The year 1912 was an eventful one of their lives, for on the 10tli of May of that year they left on an extended trip to their old home in Finland and this was their first visit to their native land since they left its shores many years ago for America.

Mr. Matson is a republican and gives his allegiance to the Lutheran church. His has been an active and useful life, which demon- strates how forceful are the qualities of energy and determination in this land where opportunity is open to all. He is the owner of a valuable farm property and is justly classed with the representative agriculturists of this part of the state.

WILLIAM AHLSKOG is one of the well known farmers on North Inlet in Coos county, Oregon, where he is successfully engaged in the cultivation of a ranch of two hundred acres of valuable Oregon farm land. He was born in Finland, April 17, 1869, and is a son of Marcus and Anna Ahlskog, botlı of

ALEXANDER MATSON AND FAMILY

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whom were natives of Finland, the mother having died in her native land in 1901. The father is living and has reached the advanced age of eighty years. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living, the subject of this review being the only member of his father's family who emigrated to America.

William Ahlskog came to America in Au- gust, 1887, and settled first on Coos bay, in Marshfield, and for four years was engaged as a farm laborer. He then rented a farm for two years after which he worked in a rock quarry for several years. He later pur- chased two hundred acres of land located one half mile from the upper landing of North Slough on which he established his home and has since continued in the cultivation of the soil. Fifteen acres of his land are highly improved and his place is one of the most advantageously located properties in his dis- trict.

Mr. Ahlskog was united in marriage May 11, 1901, to Miss Marie Dahl, who was born in Finland, May 13, 1869, and is a daughter of August and Brita (Liasa) Dahl. She emi- grated to America in 1898, reaching the shores of the new world on the 11th day of October of that year. Her mother died in her native land many years ago. The father is living and has a family of three children of whom Mrs. Ahlskog is the only member who came to America. Two sisters are living in Fin- land.

William Ahlskog is a member of the Owls. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is one of the well known men in his part of Coos county and is in every way entitled to be numbered among the enter- prising and useful citizens of the community in which he lives.

CLAUDE H. DAGGETT, serving for the second term as county treasurer of Klamath county and well known as a progressive and representative business man, figuring promi- nently in industrial, commercial and financial circles, was born in Lawler, Iowa, July 24, 1878. His parents, Morris H. and Rose E. (Pomeroy) Daggett, were reared and married in Iowa, and in 1885 made their way to Washington, settling at Ritzville. In 1888 they removed to California and in 1893 came to Klamath Falls, where Mrs. Daggett passed away in 1908 at the age of fifty years. Mr. Daggett, who has engaged in the drug busi- ness during the greater part of his life, is now living in Lake county, Oregon. In their fam- ily were three children: Claude H .; Edith, who is the wife of George Rockwood, of Yuma, Arizona; and J. F., living in San Francisco.

Claude H. Daggett resided with his parents until 1896 and was up to that time a pupil in the public schools, being graduated from the Klamath Falls high school in that year. He afterward worked for wages until 1899, when he formed a partnership with Fred Schallock for the conduct of a grocery busi- ness under the firm style of Schallock & Dag- gett. This was continued until 1909, when Mr. Daggett sold out. The previous year he had been elected county treasurer and so ac-

ceptably did he fill the office that he was re- elected in November, 1910, and in 1912 was renominated for a third term. His personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him are indicated in the fact that he has been elected on the democratic ticket, although the county gives a normal republican majority of one thousand. His fellow townsmen have the utmost confidence in him and his loyalty and he is spoken of in terms of high regard in connection with his business career. He is one of the stockholders and the secretary of the American Bank & Trust Company of Klamath Falls, is a director and the manager of the Klamath Falls Warehouse & Forward- ing Company and in connection with that company built the first ice and cold storage plant here. He assisted in organizing this company, which has been an important ele- ment in the business development and prog- ress of the community.

In 1902 Mr. Daggett was married to Miss Floy R. Schallock, a native of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and a daughter of H. F. Schallock of Grants Pass. Mr. and Mrs. Daggett have a hospitable home always open for the re- ception of their many friends, and he is well known as a charter member of the Elks lodge of Klamath Falls, of which he was the first treasurer. He has spent much of his life in the northwest and is a thorough believer in the country and its future.

CHARLES CROSBY, who passed away in Coos county in 1903, was a factor in the pioneer development of this state along agri- cultural lines and his name therefore figures in its early history. He was born in New York in the year 1837, and in 1855 when eighteen years of age, came west across the plains. He spent three years in the gold mines of California and accumulated consid- erable wealth. Coming to the Willamette valley, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Linn county and there car- ried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. Subsequently he took up his abode near Woodburn in Marion county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and thirty acres which he operated for ten years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and came to Coos county in 1884, settling near Elk Creek on the east fork of the Coquille river. A short time later he removed to Spokane, Washington, and resided in that vicinity for five years, while subsequently he made his home in Sacramento, California, for several years. Returning to Coos county, Oregon, he spent the remainder of his life with his daughter, Jennie, in whose home he passed away in 1903. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy but neither sought nor de- sired office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith was that of the Christian church, while fraternally he was identified with the Masons.

It was in Linn county, this state, that Mr. Crosby wedded Miss Jennie Florince, a native of Virginia, by whom he had eight children, as follows: Albert, who is a. resident of Woodburn, Oregon; Charles, living in Fair-

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view, Oregon; Mary, deceased; Mrs. Martha Bly, of Portland, Oregon; Arthur, also of Portland; Walter, who makes his home at Heppner, Oregon; Jeff Lee, of Gravel Ford, Oregon; and Jennie, the wife of William Cotton, of Fairview, Oregon.

Jeff Lee Crosby, who owns and operates a farm of two hundred and fifteen acres four miles from Gravel Ford, near the home of his father-in-law, Isaac T. Weekly, is one of the enterprising and representative agri- culturists of Coos county. He was but five years of age when his mother died. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Ona Weekly, a daughter of Isaac Taylor Weekly. Unto them have been born five children, as follows: Arthur M., whose birth occurred on the 5th of Feb- ruary, 1896; Iva, who is deceased; Mertie, whose natal day was December 24, 1900; Clifford, who was born on the 2d of January, 1905; and Zelma, born March 19, 1907.

JOHN H. BARR, SR., is the owner of a well cultivated ranch located two miles south- east of Springfield, which he has been oper- ating for about five years with success. He was born in Georgia in 1834, and is a son of James H. and Nancy (Anthony) Barr, who were likewise natives of Georgia, where they always lived, the father passing away in 1883 and the mother in 1885. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Barr numbered six.

Reared on a farm, John H. Barr laid the foundation for an agricultural career while still in his boyhood by assisting with the work of the fields and care of the stock. He received a common-school education and remained a member of the parental house- hold until he had attained his majority. When he left home he began farming for himself and for two years thereafter en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in his native state. At the end of that time he went to Alabama and farmed until the breaking out of the Civil war. He enlisted as a private in the Confederate army and went to the front as a member of the Twenty-second Alabama regiment, remaining in the service until the close of hostilities. He partici- pated in a number of notable conflicts, re- ceived one slight wound and was discharged with the rank of second sergeant. When mustered out he returned to Alabama and resumed farming, continuing to reside in that state until 1869, when he removed to Texas. From there he went to Washington in 1886 and four years later became a resi- dent of Oregon. He located in Eugene, where he bought some property, but as he had al- ways been in the country he was not satis- fied to reside in town and the following year, in 1891 he traded his city property for a ranch on the Mohawk river, in Lane county. He lived on this land for several years, then selling it and buying seventy- five acres two miles south of Springfield where he has ever since made his home. Mr. Barr has attained the venerable age of sev- enty-eight years but has always led an active life and continues to look after his property and business interests.

In Texas, in 1874, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Barr and Miss Caroline E. Price, whose birth occurred in Arkansas. She is a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Waits) Price, the mother a native of Georgia and the father of Illinois, but they were mar- ried in Arkansas and moved from there to Texas in 1863. In 1887 they came to the northwest, locating in Chehalis county. After residing there for three years they returned to Texas, where the mother passed away in 1901. The father is living at the venerable age of ninety-one years and con- tinues to reside in Texas. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Price, five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have six children: Adelia, the wife of A. W. Dugan, of Marcola, this county; Georgie C., who married Curtis Hayden, of Springfield, Ore- gon; John H., Jr., who is a resident of Cloverdale, Oregon; Joseph R., who is a physi- cian of Springfield, Oregon; William C., who is engaged in the mercantile business in Springfield; and Lola E., who is living at home and attending high school.

The family are members of the Baptist church and the political support of Mr. Barr is given to the democratic party. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance among the citizens of his community, where he has always conducted his transactions in such a manner as to entitle him to the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has had dealings.

JOHN R. SCOTT is now living retired in Creswell, although for many years he was closely identified with farming interests in Lane county. He today occupies a com- niodious and beautiful residence in the town and derives a substantial income from care- fully placed investments. He was born near Creswell and is the son of W. J. J. and Surena J. (Robinson) Scott, of whom men- tion is made elsewhere in this work. He was reared to farm life and during his youthful days remained on the old home- stead with his parents, assisting in the culti- vation of the fields and the care of the crops. After his marriage he removed to a home of his own, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land to which he afterward added a tract of one hundred acres. Upon this he lived and farmed until 1908, when he sold it to parties who subdivided it in small tracts. He removed to Creswell, where he is now enjoying rest from further labor. He had developec: his farm according to modern progressive methods and as the country be- came thickly settled the land became very valuable. In Creswell he erected a large and beautiful residence of modern style of archi- tecture, which stands in the midst of well kept grounds covering four lots. In addition to this he was the owner of the Central hotel and also owns twenty acres of timber land.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 29

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