The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 47

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

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In politics Mr. Randleman keeps himself independent of party lines, preferring to vote according to his personal convictions. He never seeks public office although he is in- telligently interested in the welfare and growth of his section. He is a member of the State Grange. He does not hold mem- bership in any church, preferring the broad range of universal brotherhood to set doc- trines and dogmas. He deserves much credit for his success as an agriculturist for in a large measure he planned and enforced his

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own prosperity. His agricultural knowledge and experience have been directed and guided by his keen business insight and sagacity until he is now numbered among the representative and successful men of his section.

HON. F. M. SPENCER. Various business interests have claimed the time and energies of Hon. F. M. Spencer, nor has he been un- known in connection with political activities in Douglas county. He is now identified with the Umpqua Cooperative Packing Com- pany, engaged in the canning of salmon. He was born in Maine, June 8, 1843, and is a son of Joseph and Jennie (Huntley) Spen- cer. The mother died in Maine when her son was but four years of age and in 1855 the father came to the Pacific coast by way of the Isthmus route. He was engaged in mining in California until 1866 when he re- turned eastward as far as Michigan and there spent four years. About 1870 he came to Oregon where his death occurred fifteen years later.

F. M. Spencer was reared at home acquir- ing his education in the common schools and from the age of twelve years he has prac- tically made his own way in the world, When his father went west to California F. M. Spencer was left with a neighboring fam- ily who were to board and clothe him and send him to school in exchange for his work in the hotel which the family conducted. This contract was for three years but after a year and a half his employer failed to send him to school and fell short of the con- tract in other ways so Mr. Spencer ran away and from that time on was dependent en- tirely upon his own resources. He was em- ployed at various occupations until after the outbreak of the Civil war at which time he enlisted for active service, becoming a member of Company D, Fourteenth Regiment of Maine Volunteers, in November, 1861. He was wounded in the battle of Baton Rouge and was discharged on account of his in- juries in October, 1862.

In the spring of 1863 Mr. Spencer came west with California as his destination and the following spring made his way north- ward to Gardiner, Oregon, where he has lived for the past forty-eight years. Dur- ing this long period he has been identi- fied with various business interests in Gar- diner and in 1910 he was one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Umpqua Cooperative Packing Company for the can- ning of salmon, the new canning factory be- ing built a half mile east of Gardiner on the Umpqua river. Mr. Spencer was made fish cook in which capacity he has since served. The business is a growing one, and its success already makes it one of the valued enterprises of this district. Mr. Spencer, moreover, owns two hundred and seventy acres of good ranch land and a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres. His son, Frank A., is at present using the ranch for stock-raising purposes.

In 1869 Mr. Spencer was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Wade of Scottsburg, a

daughter of John Wade. They have be- come the parents of six children of whom five are still living: Belle, the wife of Jolın Black who is engaged in the real-es- tate business in Portland; Eva, the wife of Thomas E. Bloodsoe of Portland; Eugenia, the wife of George Shelley of Myrtle Point, Oregon; Mary, the wife of Henry Bell of Carlton, this state; and Frank, who is a ranchman on Smith river in Douglas county.

Mr. Spencer is a republican in politics and in 1880 was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature in which he served with distinction to himself and with credit to liis constituents, laboring earn- estly to promote the welfare of the state at large. He holds membership in George E. Wright Post, G. A. R., of Portland, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. At all times he is as true and loyal to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag on south- ern battle fields. He is likewise a busi- ness man whose record is a credit to the community and his energy and enterprise are bringing to the concern with which he is connected a satisfactory degree of success.

EUGENE ROY FISHER is a native of Douglas county and a son of an Oregon pio- neer. He is a prominent stock-raiser and has extensive interests along that line, car- rying on his operations upon three hundred and sixty-one acres of land on the Ump- qua river, near Kellogg. His property con- stitutes one of the valuable ranches of that section. Mr. Fisher was born in Kellogg, May 21. 1884. and is a son of William H. and Mary J. (Maupin) Fisher, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ore- gon. In the early days the father crossed the plains to California and spent some years in that state. He served in a Cali- fornia regiment during the Indian war. Af- terward he came north to Oregon, locating in Gardiner. and found employment in the Gardiner Mills. He spent several years thus engaged and finally bought a farm on the Umpqua river, near Kellogg. where he en- gaged in stock-raising and in general farm- ing for sixteen years, after which he made his home with his sons. He died in 1904. His wife was born in Eugene, Lane county, and is a daughter of Garrett Maupin, of whom more extended mention is made else- where in this work. She is still living and resides in Oakland, Oregon.

Eugene R. Fisher was reared at home and received a common-school education. In 1900, in partnership with his brothers, Wal- ter and William, he removed to the Thomas Maupin ranchi and there followed farming in conjunction with Mr. Maupin for some time. At the end of a year William Fisher dis- posed of his holdings, while our subject and his brother Walter continued their coopera- tive management five years longer. During this time Eugene R. Fisher added to his lim- ited education by attending school in Scotts- burg for one winter and for an equal length of time in Albany. In 1906 he left the Mau- pin farm and came to his present ranch,

F. M. SPENCER

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buying in partnership with his brother Wal- ter eight hundred and twenty acres. Eugene R. Fisher had very little money at first and his operations upon the ranch which he pur- chased were conducted without much capi- tal for some time. The enterprise, however, was successful and the partnership contin- ued until 190S, when it was dissolved and the land divided. Mr. Fisher has been pros- perous since the beginning of his independent career. He is entirely responsible for his success and has made his fortune by indus- try and intelligent activity. He owns three hundred and sixty-one acres of land and has improved and developed this along modern lines. He is an expert stock-raiser, special- izing in the breeding of sheep and hogs, which he sells in the Oregon markets.

On November 3, 1909, Eugene Roy Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Jennie L. Hager, a daughter of Charles Hager, who is a resident of Culdesac, Idaho. To Mr. and Mrs. Fisher has been born one child, still in its infancy. Our subject is a democrat and is actively interested in the welfare of the section in which he resides, although he never seeks public office. His wife affiliates with the Saints church. He is an enterpris- ing and progressive citizen. He has been a constructive force through his stock-raising activities and on account of his business ability and originality has attained a dis- tinct and substantial success.

JOHN AND LAWRENCE NEUNER. The future of any country is in the hands of its young men. Among those who are doing much to contribute to the prosperity of Glen- dale in the present and to its future prom- inence are John and Lawrence Neuner, who are not only active in business circles but are doing everything in their power to ad- vance the welfare and progress of the sec- tion in which they live. They are sons of George and Margaret Neuner, natives of Germany. The father crossed the Atlantic in 1885, becoming a resident of British Columbia, where two years later he was joined by his wife and children. The parents remained in Canada for two years and then removed to Fresno, California, where they engaged in the hotel business until 1895. In that year they came to Douglas county, Oregon, and are still residents of Rose- burg. Unto them were born five children, George, John, Lawrence, Louis and Frank. The eldest and two youngest are still living with their parents in Roseburg.

The other two sons, John and Lawrence, are partners in business in Glendale. The former was born in the village of Wesehafelt, Ger- many, March 14, 1882, and the latter on the 16th of October, 1884. They acquired their education in the public schools of British Co- lumbia and California and in later years John Neuner attended business colleges. The family came to Oregon in 1895 and the broth- ers remained with their parents in Roseburg until 1907, when they came to Glendale. Here they established a livery business in connection with a garage and are meeting with success in this undertaking. They con-

duct their interests under the name of the Central Livery & Glendale Garage and the enterprise is one of the largest of its kind in the city. In addition to their livery busi- ness John and Lawrence Neuner own much valuable property in Glendale and are ac- tively connected with the commercial devel- opment of their community.

On the 29th of November, 1911, Lawrence Neuner was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Harmon, a native of Oregon, and both are well known in the social circles of Glendale, where they are popular with their many friends. The political allegiance of the brotli- ers is given to the republican party and since coming to Glendale John Neuner has taken a very active part in politics, holding the offices of mayor and recorder. While residing in Douglas county he has filled vari- ous positions of trust and honor, the duties of which have been promptly, capably and faithfully discharged. The record of both brothers has been at all times creditable and they are regarded as a valuable addition to the business circles of their adopted city.

ROLAND V. LEEP, M. D., one of the most practical, efficient and prosperous young physicians of Coos county, is a native of Oregon and is the third representative of his family to live in this state. He was born in Baker county, in 1887, and is a son of Dr. K. A. Leep. His father was born in Kentucky and came to Oregon with his par- ents in pioneer times, settling in Pine valley, in eastern Oregon, where the grandfather of our subject resided until his death. Dr. K. A. Leep moved to Myrtle Point in 1891 and has been practicing his profession in that district since that time, gaining a gratifying and well deserved success.

Dr. Roland V. Leep was the only child born to his parents. He received his education in the public schools of Myrtle Point and is a graduate of the Agricultural College at Corvallis. He later took a course in phar- macy, completing his studies along this line in two years, and then went to Portland, where he entered the medical department of the State University, graduating with the degree of M. D. on the 1st of May, 1911. After completing his education he spent one vear as interne in St. Vincent's Hospital in Portland, gaining a personal experience in the different phases of the practice of medi- cine. He located in Bandon for practice on January 11, 1912, and since that time has been very successful and has gained a repu- tation for efficiency and ability. He brings- to his professional duties a practical equip- ment in its scientific details, guided by busi- ness judgment and common sense, and the high quality of his work has increased his patronage during the short period of his activity and made him prominent and suc- cessful as a general practitioner. He has re- cently opened a hospital in the business sec- tion of the city and gives a great deal of his time and attention to its management and direction. He specializes in surgery and has many successful operations to his credit.

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Dr. Leep is independent in his political convictions and has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his undivided energies to the conduct of liis increasing prac- tice. He is a member of the Alpha Kappa fraternity and prominent in the affairs of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He bas been active in his possession in Bandon for less than one year, but has already gained a gratifying measure of success by reason of his ability and scientific efficiency. His capable work ranks him among the leading members of his profession and his scientific knowledge of the many technical and diffi- cult features of general medicine and sur- gery entitles him to recognition as an en- terprising, progressive and able physician.

HON. HENRY BECKLEY. On the roll of the honored citizens of Douglas county ap- pears the name of Henry Beckley, who dur- ing his, lifetime figured actively in connec- tion with business affairs and with public interests that have constituted elements in the growth and prosperity of the state and in the establishment of its political status. Mr. Beckley came to the Pacific coast from the middle west, his birth having occurred in Switzerland county, Indiana, January 4, 1833. He was seven years of age when, in 1840, his parents removed to Polk county, Missouri, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. In 1853 he came west to Oregon, crossing the plains with an ox team. On his arrival in this state he located at Yon- calla, Douglas county, but the following win- ter was spent in the mines at Yreka, Cali- fornia, where he met with fair success.

In 1864 Mr. Beckley was united in . mar- riage to Miss Mary M. Woodson, a native of Benton county, Missouri, and a daughter of Jesse and Verlena (Linn) Woodson, who crossed the plains to Oregon in 1850 and spent the succeeding winter in Portland, whence they removed to Douglas county in the spring of 1851, locating at Yoncalla. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beckley they began their domestic life on a ranch near Elkton, on the Umpqua river, there residing until 1895, when Mr. Beckley retired from active business and took up his abode in the city of Elkton. For many years he had capably and successfully carried on farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale. In business matters his judgment was sound, his discrimination keen and his enterprise un- faltering. As the years passed he won a gratifying measure of prosperity, his judi- cious investments making him the owner of twenty-five hundred acres of valuable land. In 1873 he organized a stock company capi- talized at twenty thousand dollars and built the Elkton Saw & Flouring Mills. Subse- quently he became sole owner of the mills, which he operated very successfully until they were destroyed by a flood. In 1870 he was elected county commissioner of Douglas county and was instrumental in securing many needed improvements for the county during his term of office. In 1876 he was chosen to represent his district in the Ore- gon state legislature, serving for one term

with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He carefully considered every question which came up for settlement and his support of any measure indicated his firm belief in its advocacy as a factor for good government or public improvement. In 1892 he was nominated and elected to the state senate and at the close of his term was reelected for a second term, this vote indicating his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by the general pub- lic. He was a stanch democrat in politics and for years was an influential factor in the councils of his party. For several years he held the office of postmaster at Elkton and discharged the duties of that minor position with the same fidelity and prompt- ness that characterized his work as a legis- lator. While residing in Elkton he also engaged in merchandising, controlling commer- cial interests in addition to his extensive landed interests.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beckley were born thir- teen children, ten of whom still survive, namely: John W .; James H .; Verlena M., who married Philip Pinkston; Charles L .; Pitzer W .; Mary J., the wife of Orange Mat- toon; Jesse L .; Clyde P .; Claude R .; and Orval S. Mrs. Beckley resides in a hand- some residence in Elkton and is very prom- inent socially. She is a member of the Christian church and is a lady whose many excellent traits of character have won her high and enduring regard. Mr. Beckley died at The Dalles, Oregon, while en route to Missouri, on the 17th of September, 1898. Through all his life he left no duty undone, no task neglected. He realized and met his responsiblities and his obligations to his fam- ily, to his friends and to his country. There was nothing spectacular in his entire career but his faithfulness and fidelity to every trust were features that made him one of Oregon's most honored citizens.

WILBUR W. CAMERON is one of the rep- resentative and successful agriculturists of the state of Oregon, owning in one body three hundred and fifty acres of land, also an additional eighty acre tract. He was born in this state on the 23d of Decem- ber, 1867, and is one of seven children born to Wm. and Emma (Sturgess) Cameron. He was reared in his father's home and edu- cated in the public schools. He resided with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. On starting in life independently he located on a ranch near Jacksonville, which he rented for a number of years. This ranch comprised three hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, the soil and to- pography of which admirably adapted it for alfalfa growing. Shortly after having moved upon this ranch and tested its adaptability to grains and forage plants Mr. Cameron came to the conclusion that no better in- vestment could be made in that part of Ore- gon than that of acquiring the property. He accordingly purchased the ranch and here he has built his beautiful home and devotes his time and attention to the growing of alfalfa and the raising of red Mexican beans.

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His experience with these commodities has justified his original opinion as to the value of the land as an investment. He realizes a handsome net return for all labor and money expended in its operation.

Mr. Cameron was married to Miss Dora Bostwick, a native of California, with whom he resides on his farm near Jacksonville, Jackson county. In politics Mr. Cameron is a republican and always interested in all affairs pertaining to the best interests of his community. He is one of the most suc- cessful farmers in Jackson county and is highly respected and well known throughout this portion of his native state.

FLOYD W. BOOTH, who owns nineteen hundred acres of valuable land in Douglas county in association with his brother, Rob- ert Roy Booth, is engaged with him in the stock business, their interests being mutual. A native son of Oregon, he was born in Drain, Douglas county, on the 7th of June, 1887, his parents being Robert A. and Clin- tona (LaRaut) Booth, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of Rob- ert Roy Booth. Floyd W. Booth received his early education in the public schools of Grants Pass and the Eugene high school and later entered the University of Oregon at Eugene, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1909. He then came to Douglas county and joined his brother on the ranch in the stock business. In the conduct of their interests the young men have dis- played excellent business ability and sound judgment and have already won a place among the prosperous and representative · citizens of the community.

On the 1st of September, 1910, Mr. Booth was united in marriage to Miss Edith Eliza- beth Prescott, of Eugene, who graduated from the University of Oregon with the B. A. degree. She likewise graduated from the Thomas Normal Training School and also studied and received her musical education under Maurice De Vries of the Michigan Conservatory of Music of Detroit, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Booth have one child, Robert William Prescott. Mr. Booth is a republican in politics, believing the principles of that party to be most conducive to good govern- ment. He belongs to Eugene Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

EDWARD E. OAKES is prominent in real- estate and insurance circles of Bandon, Ore- gon, and by his insight and sagacity has built up a business along these lines which ranks him as a force in civic expansion. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, and is a son of Theodore and Annie (Olstetter) Oakes, . both natives of Iowa. His father was a con- tractor and builder by trade and followed this occupation in Wisconsin until his death. He was survived by his wife for three years, her death occurring when our subject was

thirteen years of age. They were the par- ents of three children, Edward E., Oliver and Alexander. Oliver and Alexander are married, have families and reside in Racine, Wisconsin.

Edward E. Oakes was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native town and pursued his studies until after the death of his mother. Being left an orphan at that time . he was obliged to earn his own livelihood and went to work upon a farm in Minnesota for one summer. In the fall he went to Minot, North Dakota, where he worked in the em- ploy of a large contracting firm which was in charge of the construction of the Great Northern railroad. He remained with that company only a short time and resigned his position in order to work in a restaurant. His next line of activity was as cabin boy upon a boat, and he later went to Montana where he worked at various occupations for seven years. In 1893 he came to the Pacific coast and settled in Coos county. Oregon, where he hunted and trapped in the woods for a short time. After his marriage in 1900 he removed to Parkersburg where he operated a broom factory for three years. He then spent four years in the employ of various lumber concerns and in 1907 estab- lished his residence in Bandon. He imme- diately engaged in the real-estate and insur- ance business which has occupied his attention since that time. He has been a leading factor in the growth of the town of Bandon. In his capacity as real-estate agent he has added the Oakes' addition to the city and platted it off into town lots and sold them at a good profit. He owns a large two- story building in the business section, and has invested extensively in improved and un- improved farm lands. There is scarcely a line of activity in the city in which he is not prominent and active. He is assistant cash- ier of the First National Bank and was one of the organizers of that institution on April 20, 1910. His financial career has been dis- tinguished by honesty and systematic atten- tion to banking conditions, and has been a valuable force in the growth of the city along this line.

On October 28. 1900. Mr. Oakes was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Perkins. a native of Oregon. and a daughter of William and Francis (Hamblock) Perkins, who are among the oldest settlers in the state. Mrs. Oakes' grandfather settled on the Rogue river at an early date and died in Bandon in 1911. Mrs. Oakes is the only child born to her parents. She and her husband have three children: Wallace, born October 21, 1901, who is now attending school; Gladys, who was born in 1903; and Maxine, whose birth occurred in 1905.

In his political affiliations Mr. Oakes is a progressive republican but has never sought public office. He is a member of the Masonic order and is treasurer of the Bandon organi- zation. He also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America and is clerk of that body. He possesses a keen intelli- gence which directs and controls his long experience as a judge of land values. His

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thorough honesty which never allows him to take advantage of his enstomers is well known, and finds its rich reward in his un- qualified snecess.

JOHN CHAPLIN LOGAN. The name of John Chaplin Logan has long been elosely as- sociated with the development of the educa- tional system of the state, for through nine- teen years he was a successful teacher in Oregon, entering upon his work here with a thorough experience that had come to him previously as a teacher in the middle west. He was born in Ohio, in 1845, a son of John T. and Mary A. (Loutzenhisar) Logan. The father was of Scoteh and Irish descent but was born in Pennsylvania. He was a son of Charles Logan and a direct descendant of James A. Logan, who was secretary to Wil- liam Penn.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 47

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