The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 30

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

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On the 24th of December, 1886, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Mae Parsons, a dauglı- ter of W. W. and Phoebe (Walton) Parsons, who were pioneers of Oregon. Their family numbers six children: C. L., who is living in

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Eugene; W. E., a resident of Creswell; Mrs. Scott and Belle, who were twins, the latter being now the deceased wife of R. W. Veatch of Cottage Grove, Oregon; and R. H. and W. W., both of whom are living in Creswell. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have become the parents of four children. Louise, who is a telephone operator in Creswell; Surena, the wife of E. C. Phillips, of Montana, by whom she has two children, Loyal and Frank; Loyal who has a business college education and is now an employe of the Southern Pacific Railway Company at Creswell; and Belle, at home. Liberal advantages for intellectual progress have been given the children, all of whom have been students in the Creswell high school.

In his political views Mr. Scott is a repub- lican and for two years held the office of supervisor, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He has done good work for education as a school director and at all times is interested in behalf of progress and improvement. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. A lifelong resident of Lane county, his ster- ling traits of character have gained for him the confidence, good-will and high respect of all who know him.

JOHN WESLEY REED, who is a well known contractor and builder in Estacada, Clackamas county, was born near Cleveland, Ohio, November 11, 1863, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Calhoun) Reed. The parents, both natives of Ohio, were married in that state, and a few years later removed to Iowa settling in Mahaska county, where the mother passed away in 1874. About eight years later the father removed to Norton county, Kansas, where he resided until his death in 1907. In their family were eight children, the two eldest of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity are: Florence, the wife of David Rowley, of Nor- ton county, Kansas; Albert Clinton, who died in Kansas, at the age of thirty-five years; John Wesley, of this review; Ida, the widow of Edward Dobbe of Norton, Kansas; George P., of Billings, Montana; and Charlie E., ot Norton county, Kansas.

John Wesley Reed acquired a common- school education, and at the age of eighteen started out in life on his own account by working on a farm in Iowa, for three years. He then moved to Wisconsin, where he took up the carpenter and contracting business, which he followed ten years. Subsequently he operated a barber shop for a number of years, and afterward returned to the con- tracting and building business, remaining in the same until 1901. He later farmed for two years, and in 1903 came to Oregon, settling at Estacada, where he purchased the two first lots of the city, and built its first building. He has erected one third of the buildings now in the town of Estacada, which has a population of over five hundred. At one time he operated a furniture store there and also was interested financially in a gen- eral merchandise store. He erected and stocked the largest general merchandise store

in Clackamas county and opened and con- ducted a drug store in Estacada. He was one of the charter members of the State Bank of Estacada and was president of that institution until it changed owners in 1906. He was one of the active organizers and is the manager and leading shareholder of the Estacada Telephone and Telegraph Company. He owns much real estate in Estacada, some timber land and several tracts of farm land adjoining the town.

In 1893 Mr. Reed wedded Miss Lucy M. Oakley, who was born in Monroe county, Wisconsin, a daughter of Henry and Lucy (Barlow) Oakley. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Wiscon- sin, and they were married at La Crosse, Wis- consin, where the mother passed away, and where the father is yet living. In their family were seven children: Nola, who is a school teacher; Mrs. Reed; Clinton and Affa, of Wisconsin; Mary E., a teacher; Milton G., of Newburg, Oregon; and June, who is also a school teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have become the parents of five children: Rachael, who was born in 1895, and is attending high school; Russell, born in 1899; a child who died in infancy; Mary Alice, born in 1906; and Florence June, born in 1908. Mrs. Reed is an educated lady, and for nine years previous to her marriage taught school.

In his political views John Wesley Reed is republican, has always taken an active part in local party affairs and served as mayor for three terms. He has given active and helpful service in educational movements, and has been a member of the school board for six years. Both he and his family are earnest workers in the Congregational church. Mr. Reed has led a busy and useful life and is accounted one of the good substantial resi- dents of Estacada.

F. L. BEARD, enjoying an enviable repu- tation as one of the leading merchants of Yoncalla, is successfully engaged in business as the junior member of the firm of Hol- dredge & Beard. His birth occurred in Scio, Linn county, Oregon, on the 16th of Feb- ruary, 1879, his parents being Andrew F. and Rachel (Prior) Beard, who were born, reared and married in Davis county, Iowa. In 1865 they crossed the plains to Oregon with ox teams, locating on a farm in Linn county. Andrew F. Beard subsequently removed to Scio, where he was variously engaged in business. He conducted a livery stable for a time, later was known as the proprietor of a hotel for a number of years and also engaged in merchandising. At the present time he is living retired in Scio, having won a comfortable competence during the years of his active business career. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy and, though not an office seeker, has been an active worker in the local ranks of the party.

F. L. Beard remained under the parental roof until seven years of age when he resided with his sister, Mrs. Holdredge. His education was acquired in the common schools of Scio. In 1897 conditions were favorable for an

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appointment to West Point Military Acad- emy but no vacancy occurred until two years later and at that time he did not care. to go. When twenty-one years of age he began his career as a locomotive fireman on the South- ern Pacific railroad. Six years later, in 1906, he was promoted to the position of engineer, running an engine for two and a half years: Soon after assuming his duties as engineer the Southern Pacific installed their heavy engines and to him was assigned the task of running the new locomotives. He was in the service of the railroad at the time of the San Francisco earthquake and pulled the first train of soldiers from the north into Rose- burg, their destination being San Francisco. In 1906 he bought a third interest in the mercantile establishment of O. E. Holdredge, of Yoncalla, and in 1907 obtained a ninety days' leave of absence, came to Yoncalla, and acquired a full half interest in the con- cern. Since that time he has devoted his attention to merchandising as a member of the firm of Holdredge & Beard and in this connection has won a gratifying measure of prosperity, being widely recognized as a man of excellent business ability, reliable, straightforward and up-to-date.

On the 22d of May, 1901, Mr. Beard was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle B. Spaugh, of Looking Glass, Oregon. He is a demo- crat in politics and was a candidate for nomination to the office of sheriff in 1910 but failed to secure the nomination. In 1912, though importuned by his friends and party to allow his name to be used for the office of sheriff or for representative, he declined to again become a candidate. He has served as a member of the town council and for one term acted as mayor of Yoncalla. Frater- nally he is identified with the following or- ders: Laurel Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M .; Alpha Lodge, No. 170, I. O. O. F. of Yon- calla; Union Encampment, No. 9, of Rose- burg; Yoncalla Camp, No. 480, W. O. W .; and Yoncalla Lodge, No. 1331, M. B. of A. Of the last named lodge he was the first president. His wife is a devoted and consis- tent member of the Baptist church in Rose- burg. Mr. Beard was appointed a delegate to the Northwest Development Congress, which met at Seattle, June 5th to 8th, 1912, but was unable to attend on account of the pressure of business cares. He has done a great deal of journal work for advertising circulars which are sent broadcast through the United States. He has qualities which win enduring friendship and is a young man who has already made a creditable record in business circles by his consecutive and hon- orable progress.

WILLIAM JOHN MASSEY. The well im- proved and highly cultivated farm belonging to William J. Massey comprises two hundred acres of land located on Catching creek, Coos county, Oregon, and in its productiveness and fertility ranks among the important agri- cultural enterprises of the district. Mr. Mas- sey was born in South Dakota, March 14, 1871, and is a son of George Washington and Ann Eliza (Gipson) Massey. The father was

a native of Indiana and the mother of New York. They were married at Strawberry Point, Iowa, and went at once to South Dakota, where the father bought land and engaged in agricultural pursuits for twelve years. At the end of that time, in Decem- ber, 1878, they came to Oregon and settled in Coos county. Here George W. Massey bought one hundred acres of land and upon this he resided until his death in June, 1891. His wife is still living and resides upon the old homestead. They became the parents of five children: Fred, who is a resident of Coos county; Charles, who lives in the same section; William J., the subject of this sketch; George, who is the owner of seventy- five acres of land near his father's farm but who makes his home with his mother; and May Jane, the wife of Charlie Pendleton, the owner of two ranches near Coquille, Oregon.

William J. Massey was reared at home and educated in the public schools of Coos county. He became acquainted with agriculture by working on his father's farm. He now owns two hundred acres located on Catching creek in Coos county, and to this he gives his ener- gies and activities and has at present brought it to a high state of development and culti- vation. He farms along the most progressive and modern lines and pursues a constant policy of expansion and improvement. Be- sides the farm which he operates he also owns an interest in his father's homestead and is a member of the Farmers' Cooperative Educational Organization & Union of America.

Politically Mr. Massey is a republican but takes little active interest in affairs of a public nature, preferring to devote his time and attention to his farm. He and his par- ents affiliate with the Christian church. He is numbered among the enterprising and rep- resentative men of Coos county and is well known as a farmer who is interested in agri- culture as a scientific occupation and success- ful in it along practical lines.

LEWIS S. FULLER, who has retired from his fruit farm and is residing in Monmouth, was born May 23, 1848, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, his parents being Jacob and Catherine (Shank) Fuller, who were born in Maryland and Indiana respectively and both of whom died in Pennsylvania after residing there for the greater part of their lives. The father was a mason and bricklayer by trade. To him eight children were born, namely: Mary Ann; William, who enlisted for service in the Civil war in a Pennsylvania regiment and was killed while at the front; Lewis S .; Andrew; Sarah Jane; Alex; Archi- bald, deceased; and Elinor.

Lewis S. Fuller spent his youth in In- diana county, Pennsylvania, and attended the common schools there. When the troops were enlisting for service in the Civil war, in 1864, although he was only sixteen years of age, he joined Captain John Wilson's in- dependent company and remained at the front until the close of the war. After being mustered out he immediately returned to Pennsylvania and engaged in agricultural pursuits, an occupation in which he continued

GEORGE WASHINGTON MASSEY

MRS. ANN E. MASSEY AND CHILDREN

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until 1898, when he removed from his native state to Oregon and purchased a fruit farm of thirty-eight acres, southwest of Monmouth. He cultivated that farm successfully until he retired from active business and took up his residence in Monmouth.

In 1869 occurred Mr. Fuller's marriage to Senith Smith, who was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1848. She is a daughter of John and Martha (Borland) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, and is one of eleven children born to them, all of whom died in infancy excepting Senith, Mary Eliza- beth, Milton B. and William H. To Mr. and Mrs. Fuller eleven children have been born, namely: Ida C. and Luetta, deceased; Nora A .; John S .; Millie Delphina, deceased; Edward Jennings; Alpfa, Merle and Stella, deceased; Cleopatra; and Cecil Pansy, de- ceased.

In politics Lewis S. Fuller is a stanch re- publican and has often been elected to office by that party, having been justice of the peace in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, for six years and having served as a member of the school board for several years. In these offices he discharged his duties in accordance with his high standards of right and justice and for the general welfare of the community which he served. He is a member of the Indiana county post of the G. A. R. and both he and his wife are members of the Evan- gelical church, through which organization they find many opportunities to give vent to their friendly and benevolent inclinations. Mr. Fuller has always enjoyed the regard and esteem of his fellow citizens, who find lim conscientious and trustworthy and who enlist his support to any uplifting project, knowing that his cooperation is both actively and passively effective.

ROBERT E. CAMPBELL, the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of well im- proved and highly cultivated land located three miles east of Eugene, where he is now living retired, has passed sixty-one of the eighty-one years of his life in Lane county. He was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, September 4, 1830, and is a son of Henry and Nancy W. (Ashburn) Campbell. The father was born in 1799 and the mother in 1797, both natives of Kentucky where they were also married. They later removed to Missouri and were numbered among the pio- neer settlers of Lafayette county. There the father acquired one hundred and sixty acres of government land and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits during the remainder of his life. He prospered in his undertakings and extended his holdings until he held the title to nine hundred and sixty acres, the greater portion of which he acquired for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. It was all brought under cultivation and highly im- proved, being one of the valuable properties of that section. The father passed away at the age of seventy-five, but the mother sur- vived him for many years and had passed the ninetieth anniversary of her birth at the time of her death. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, five are still living, as follows: Henry, who is a resident of Lafay- Vol. IV-9

ette county; Aaron, who lives in Lexington; Robert E., our subject; Grace Elizabeth, who married Givens Mastison of Lafayette county; and Nancy, the wife of Alfred King, also of Lafayette county. Those deceased are as follows: Joshua, who died in 1856; George T., whose death occurred in 1884; William, who died in 1886; Susan, who was the first wife of Givens Mastison, and who was twenty-three when she passed away in 1862; Boshann, who died in 1865; John, who was twenty-four at the time of his death; Nancy, whose death occurred in 1847; and Melinda Harriet, who married Alfred Masti- son.

The boyhood and youth of Robert E. Camp- bell to the age of twenty years was passed on the farm where he was born. He left the parental roof in 1851 and began his in- dependent career as an agriculturist. He followed farming in his native state for about one year, and at the expiration of that time, in 1851, he came to Oregon, locat- ing in Lane county. During the first year of his residence here he worked in a mill race, but in 1852 he purchased a donation right from Jerry Sweet. Under this he acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land and once more engaged in farming and stock-raising, diligently devoting himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his ranch during the remainder of his active life. He has given his children tracts from his original holding and still retains the title to one hundred acres. This has all been brought into a high state of productivity with the exception of twenty acres that is in timber. His ranch is well improved and equipped and is numbered among the valu- able properties of the county, while he is known as one of the prosperous citizens of his community. In the early days of 1852 Mr. Campbell hauled goods from Portland to Springfield and in 1859 together with John Bovard and Alexander King built a flat boat and took thirty-five tons of flour to Portland receiving two dollars and seventy-five cents per barrel for the same.

Mr. Campbell has been married three times. His first union was with Miss Ruth Campbell, a native of Missouri. They were married in 1850 and Mrs. Campbell passed away in 1858. Two children were born to them: Harvey V., who was born in 1850 and died in Oregon at the age of forty-two years; and Eliza, whose birth occurred in 1853, the wife of Isaac Stev- ens, of Eugene. In 1861, Mr. Campbell mar- ried Martha Delzell, who was born on the 13th of May, 1840, and died in 1865. They were the parents of one child, Henry D., wlio died at the age of two years. Mr. Camp- bell was married to his present wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Hutchison, in May, 1867. Mrs. Campbell was born in Grundy county, Missouri, in 1848, and is a daughter of Jackson and Theodosia (Snelling) Hutchison, the mother a native of Kentucky and the father of Missouri. They were mar- ried in Kentucky but subsequently removed to Missouri and in that state the father died in 1867 while the mother passed away in 1870 in Lane county, Oregon. She is the

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eighth in order of birth in a family of nine, all of whom are now deceased with the ex- ception of one sister, Gertrude, the wife of Elias Williams, of Trent, Oregon, and her- self. Those deceased are as follows: Sarah J., the wife of Alexius Miller, who died at Flor- ence, Oregon; Jemina, who became Mrs. Hines; Robert and William; Isabelle, who became Mrs. Joseph Meador; one who died in infancy;and Mary A., who was living in Missouri at the time of her death. To Mr. Campbell and his third wife there were born two sons, George E., who was born on Feb- ruary 22, 1876, is married and lives at Ore- gon City. He also has two sons: Wells O., whose birth occurred on November 5, 1898; and Robert G., whose natal day was the 1st of July, 1908. Ernest E., whose birth oc- curred on the 22d of July, 1878, graduated from Kimball College at Salem and entered the ministry. He married Miss Bertha Wal- ker of Salem and they now live at Randall, Washington.

Mr. Campbell is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and Mrs. Campbell affiliates with the Baptist denomination. In politics he is a democrat, but often casts an independent ballot at local elections. For many years Mr. Campbell applied himself tire- lessly to the cultivation of his vast holdings, thereby accumulating a substantial com- petence and in addition to his fine ranch he is the owner of residence property in Oregon City and has various other financial inter- ests. He is one of the highly respected pioneer citizens of this section and has many friends throughout the county of long years standing.

LLOYD T. LITTLEPAGE, who is one of the younger business men of Gresham, Mult- nomah county, owns and operates a garage there. He was born in that county, March 2, 1890, a son of Clarence and Maud (Holt) Littlepage, the father a native of Kansas and the mother of Maine. The parents were married in Oregon, in which state they are yet living, the father having been brought here by his parents when he was eleven years of age. In their family are three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. The others are: John, of Portland; and Basil, of Nevada.

Lloyd T. Littlepage received his education in the common schools and at the age of sixteen started out in life for himself by becoming engaged in electrical work. He remained at work in that occupation until 1911, when he started in Gresham the garage which he is now operating.

In 1910 Mr. Littlepage wedded Miss May Allder, who was born in Oregon in 1891, a daughter of George and Marie Allder, who reside in Multnomah county. Mrs. Little- page is the third in the order of birth, of four children, born to her parents. The others are: Mrs. Pearl Hayden, of Bridal Veil, Oregon; and Alta and Carl, of Trout- dale. Lloyd T. Littlepage is practical and systematic and although yet a young man, is very capable and reliable in his business relations, always displaying those traits of

character which everywhere awaken respect and admiration. Both he and his wife are representatives of well known families in that section of the country and are much esteemed there.

A. C. WRENN has throughout the greater part of his life been identified with the print- ing business, starting in that line when but fourteen years of age in connection with the Corvallis Gazette. He was born in Benton county, Oregon, May 1, 1866, and is a son of George P. and Frances (Caldwell) Wrenn. The family comes of English ancestry, trac- ing the line back to Sir Christopher Wrenn, and the American branch was founded in Virginia during colonial days. George P. Wrenn was born in Washington, D. C., in 1822, and in early childhood removed with his parents to Columbus, Ohio, where he re- sided until 1848, when he came to Oregon by way of the water route around Cape Horn. He settled in Portland, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land now included within the present boundaries of that city. There he remained until 1852, when he returned to Ohio and the following year brought his wife and two children to Oregon. They were also accompanied by his brother John, who settled in Linn county and there reared a large family. George P. Wrenn drove ox teams to Ohio and back again to the northwest and soon his family was com- fortably established in Portland. When he first settled in that city lie engaged in the manufacture of plows. Before leaving for the east he gave a lawyer the power of attorney to sell a portion of his property at a certain figure. On his return to the north- west he found that the lawyer had disposed of his entire holdings and had left for parts unknown. It was necessary, therefore, that Mr. Wrenn begin business life all over again. About 1854 he removed to Benton county and took up a homestead of three hundred and twenty acres ten miles west of Corvallis. It was upon that place that A. C. Wrenn was born. The family remained upon the ranch until 1870 and then removed to Corvallis, where the father engaged in contracting and building, following that pursuit until ·1878. He also served as sheriff of Benton county for one term and was filling the position of justice of the peace for the second term at the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1880. He had been the organizer and was the chief of the fire department of Corvallis, and was killed while attending a fire. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and for much of his life he held membership in the United Brethren church but later he became a member of thic Presbyterian church. He was very active in the former in early years and was one of its local preachers. Fraternally he was a Mason, holding membership in Corvallis lodge and attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the consistory. George P. Wrenn was twice married. About 1843 hc wedded Frances Caldwell, who was born in Ohio, about 1822, and died in Benton county, Oregon, in July, 1866. She was the mother

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of six children, as follows: Eugene, Ernest and Belle, all of whom are deceased; E. F., a resident of Fruitvale, California; Alice M., who has passed away; and A. C., of this review. In 1867 Mr. Wrenn wedded Miss Lizzie Freele, who died in 1881, and the five children of that marriage are Eva, Myrtle, R. E., Rena and W. A.

A. C. Wrenn spent his youthful days on the old home ranch and in Corvallis, where he attended the public schools. He began work- ing at the printer's trade here when a youth of fourteen years, being employed on the Corvallis Gazette, with which he. was con- nected for two years while attending school. For six months he received a salary of only a dollar and a half per week as a printer's devil. In 1881 he took a position with the Southern Pacific railroad during its construc- tion between Roseburg and Redding. He then went to California, where he again took up the printing business, which he has fol- lowed most of the time since. For eight or ten years he was an editor in California, being thus connected with the Pleasant Times, the Clovis Herald and the Madera Mercury. He also held the position of foreman and of superintendent in large printing offices in California. For the past two years he has resided in Klamath Falls, where he first ac- cepted a position with the Klamath Chronicle, soon afterward becoming editor and manager of that paper. Later he took charge of the Morning Express, which at that time had eighty subscribers. He changed its name to the Pioneer Press, under which style he con- ducted the paper until March 1, 1912, when the paper was sold to Samuel M. Evans, who soon changed the name to the Klamath Falls Northwestern. Mr. Wrenn remained as superintendent of printing in both job and newspaper departments and in this respons- ible position is thus closely associated with the business interests of the city.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 30

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