The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 58

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

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Mr. Manning was married first to Sarah E. Bellford, a native of Iowa who crossed the plains to Rogue river in the '60s and died in Jacksonville in 1878. There were three children of that marriage: Wata A., the wife of James Fay, of Medford, Oregon; Maggie Bell, the deceased wife of Levi Ward; and John W., living in Klamath county. In 1878 Mr. Manning was again married, his second union being with Belle Gallaway, a native of Mississippi, who crossed the plains with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Gallaway. Her father, who served through the Mexican war and also through the Civil war, is now living in Idaho at the age of nearly one hun- dred years. Mr. and Mrs. Manning have five children: H. M .; George W., a ranchman of Lake county; A. J., of Klamath Falls; Grover Cleveland, who died at the age of

sixteen years; and Frances, the wife of W. H. Wynant, of Klamath Falls. Although Mr. Manning has passed the allotted Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, he is still an active factor in business circles, carefully managing his ranching interests, and what- ever success he lias achieved in life is attribu- table to his own industry, determination and perseverance. His straightforward business dealings have gained him the confidence of his fellowmen and made him one of the valued citizens of Klamath county.

JOHN MERIT WRIGHT. The death of John Merit Wright, who passed away in Roseburg on July 19, 1897, deprived the state of Oregon of one of the sturdy pioneers in its settlement, who defied natural forces, endured hardships, privations and defeat and evolved by their own labor out of an uncul- tivated wilderness and opposing timber for- ests the fertile land and well developed farms which are making the state prominent among the great agricultural regions of Amer- ica. Mr. Wright was among the early set- tlers in Douglas county, his residence in this section dating from 1852. He was born in Kanawha county, West Virginia, June 12, 1826, and moved to Missouri with his parents . in 1834. In 1850 he crossed the plains, going to California, where he remained until 1851, when he returned to Missouri. In the following year he again crossed the plains, this time accompanied by his family. He settled in Oregon in the Flournoy valley, Douglas county, whence, after a short period of residence, he moved to French Set- tlement in the same section and there re- mained until 1889. In that year he removed to Roseburg, where he lived retired until his death. During practically all of his active life he followed general agricultural pursuits and when he died was the owner of one of the most excellent and most intelligently developed farms in French Settlement.

In Missouri, in 1846, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Emily Simmons, who was born in Howard county, Missouri, April 20, 1830. Their marriage occurred in Linn county and Mrs. Wright accompanied her husband to Oregon in 1852. Seven children were born to their union: W. T., cashier of the First National Bank of Roseburg; Cal- vin W., of Marshfield; Lee S., a resident of Portland; Mrs. Rowena L. Jones, of Ronan, Montana; Mrs. L. T. Thompson, of Coles Valley; and Mrs. Alice G. Van Buren and Mrs. Emily Merit West, both of Roseburg. Mrs. Wright passed away at her home in Roseburg in- 1902, at the age of seventy-two years. She was the highest type of Chris- tian woman, kind, sympathetic, companion- able and generous. Acquaintances imme- diately became her friends and admirers, her wholesome nature adding to the irresistible charm of her personality.

Mr. Wright gave his political allegiance to the democratic party but never sought pub- lic office, preferring to concentrate his atten- tion upon the absorbing duties connected with the conduct of his agricultural enterprise. He was a man of sterling worth, honest in

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his convictions and courageous in the sup- port of them. He had few enemies, his rigid adherence to principles of honor and integ- rity gaining him the respect and esteem of everyone who was in any way associated with him. He was a devout adherent of the Baptist church, having joined that religion in 1845, and lived a consistent Christian life.

MERLE SHELLY KILGORE. The agri- cultural interests of Klamath county find a worthy representative in Merle Shelly Kil- gore. Moreover, he is one of the native sons of the county, having been born in Langells Valley on the 16th of April, 1890. His par- ents were Silas Wright and Mary A. (Herrin) Kilgore. The father was one of the pioneer settlers of Klamath county and was long identified with stock-raising here but spent his last ten years in retirement. He was the owner of three hundred acres eleven miles south of Klamath Falls, of which he had one hundred and fifteen acres planted to alfalfa. He also engaged quite extensively in stock-raising and at one time had five hundred head of cattle of the Durham breed. In addition to his home place he owned a section of land in Langells valley and at one time resided thereon. He was born near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, July 18, 1842, a son of James and Mary Ann (Dean) Kil- gore, natives of Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, and Stark county Ohio, respectively. The grandparents of our subject were mar- ried in the latter county about 1837 and Mrs. Kilgore, who was born October 8, 1819, was of German and English descent. On the 11th of April, 1854, they left Ohio and after a difficult and arduous but safe journey reached Ashland, Jackson county, Oregon, on the 1st of October. Two years later the grandfather rented a farm near Central Point and in 1859 removed to the J. F. Miller farm, two miles north of Jacksonville. He pur- chased the property and continued its culti- vation for a number of years but in the spring of 1873 disposed of his interest and removed to Klamath county. While the Modoc war was in progress he was carrying mail from Ashland, Oregon, to Cedarville, Modoc county, California. In 1875 he re- turned to Ashland and purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres adjoining the town. He took up his residence in the town and there lived until his death, December 27, 1887, when he was seventy-six years of age, his birth having occurred in December, 1811. His wife died in Ashland, April 11, 1902. Their children were: Lucetta, deceased; Mar- tha Washington, the widow of Robert Har- gadine; Felix, deceased; Silas W .; Amanda, the wife of G. W. Whitmore; Mary, the wife of Henry Duncan, of Langells Valley; James deceased; Josephine, the wife of A. F. Squires, of Milwaukee, Oregon; and Flor- ence, of Ashland.

When the family settled in Oregon Silas W. Kilgore was a boy of twelve years. He supplemented his education acquired in Ohio by study in Jackson county, Oregon, and in 1862 started out for himself, going to the · mines in the eastern part of the state. In

1864 he returned to Jackson county and in 1869 came to Klamath county, where he se- cured employment as a farm hand on an In- dian reservation under Captain A. C. Knapp. After two years he moved to Langells Valley and located on a farm near the postoffice of that name, taking up three hundred acres at that time. He afterward made a specialty of stock-raising until his retirement and met with deserved success. During the last ten years of his life he resided with his children and passed away July 9, 1911. He wedded Mary Alice Herrin, who was born May 1, 1857, and they became the parents of three children. Roy died at Klamath Falls, Feb- ruary 29, 1911, leaving a widow, a son and three daughters, who now reside at Bonanza, Klamath county. The last few years of his life he was identified with milling at Bon- anza, previous to which time he had been a stockman. Silas Warren engages in general farming and stock-raising near Langells Val- ley. The father left an estate valued at seventy thousand dollars to be divided among his three heirs, including ranch lands, live stock and mills at Bonanza.

Merle S. Kilgore is now residing on a part of his father's estate, having three hundred acres on the Merrill road, ten miles south of Klamath Falls. Here he has made his home for three years and is engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. He has the entire ranch under irrigation, well built ditches en- abling him to drain the water from any part of the place and thus by careful development produce large crops. For a time he worked in the mills but all of the time has given part of his attention to ranching.

On December 29, 1909, Mr. Kilgore was married to Miss Mary Emma Butler, who was born in Ashland, Oregon, November 11, 1891, and there resided until December, 1905, when she came to Klamath county with her par- ents, Joel Wesley and Susan Frances (Bag- ley) Butler. The father died when Mrs. Kil- gore was only thirteen months old. The mother in 1911 returned to Ashland, where she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore have an interesting little son, Silas Shelly.

In his political views Mr. Kilgore is a republican, giving stanch support to the party but never seeking or desiring office. He is a young man, alert and enterprising, thoroughly in sympathy with the spirit of the northwest and doing all he can to pro- mote its progress and improvement. His father was one of the prominent and influ- ential citizens of the community who did much for the material development of Oregon and the work instituted by the father is now being carried on by the son.

JOHN P. ANDERSON is a self-made man not only in the sense that he had no early advantages but in that he conquered his destiny against hampering obstacles. He was born in Sweden, December 27, 1842, and is a son of Charles and Mary Anderson, both of whom lived and died in their native coun- try.

Mr. Anderson was reared at home and was educated in the public schools of Sweden. He

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came to the United States in 1869 and located in Henry county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm laborer for one year at ten dollars per month. He was employed in the coal mines for four years and during this time was able to save enough money with which to purchase eighty acres of land in Webster county, Iowa. He bought this property from his uncle, taking the land upon the latter's word. When in 1874 he removed to Iowa with the intention of locating upon his farm he found that the soil was not fertile and that it would not pay him to cultivate this tract. In 1877, therefore, he came in com- pany with four other men to Oregon, leav- ing his family in Iowa until his fortune was assured. Upon his arrival in this state he selected land on the Umpqua river in Douglas county and homesteaded eighty acres, which was the beginning of his present large and excellently cultivated ranch. He wrote his wife to sell the farm in Iowa and this she succeeded in doing in April, 1878, leaving Iowa in the same year to join her husband. Mr. Anderson then entered a claim to the eighty acres adjoining his original tract and set about its clearing. He built a log cabin with a clapboard floor and a half-window for light. He had no money upon his first com- ing to the state and his success is entirely the result of his energy, ambition and deter- mination. His farm was wild brush land which he grubbed and which evolved his pres- ent improved farm. From time to time he purchased other land until he now owns nine hundred acres and is one of the substantial and representative citizens of Douglas county. He is not only a successful man but also a progressive one and it is his delight to keep his ranch model and attractive in all of its aspects and to operate it along systematic lines.

Mr. Anderson was married in Sweden in 1866 to Miss Clara Christina Abrahamson and of the children born to this union five are now living, all natives of the United States: Harry, whose birth occurred in Sweden and who is farming on Eagle creek, Multnomah county; Ernest, who resides in Alaska; Ann- ette, now Mrs. Roy Walker, of Lebanon, Ore- gon; Hilda, who married William Schultz, a ranchman of Eagle creek; and Emil, at home.

In his political views Mr. Anderson is a republican but has never sought public of- fice. He and his wife belong to the Lutheran church. His early life was filled with hard- ships, which he conquered by energy, deter- mination and hard work. His career has had a tangible success since he has risen from poverty against hampering obstacles to his present substantial condition. He is one of the most successful men of his section but while the conditions of his life are changed there has been no lessening of the stalwart and forceful qualities which have made it prosperous.

J. A. H. KOCH is living retired in a pleas- ant home in Port Orford after an active career in Curry county of almost thirty years. He has been a resident of this section since 1871 and during this period a great deal of

the time has been a general farmer, operat- ing for a number of years attractive land on Elk river which he acquired as a homestead claim.

He was born in Prussia, February 25, 1824, and his parents died in that country when he was a child. He received his education in the public schools of Germany and came to America when he was twenty years of age, having followed the sea for a number of years. He landed in New Orleans in 1844 and for three years sailed out of that port. In 1851 he came to California where he re- sided until 1871, spending his time in min- ing for gold. In the latter year he moved to Oregon and mined in Curry county for two years before he took up stock-raising in which line of activity he engaged for a short time. Eventually, however, he proved up a homestead claim and there lived until his retirement.

Mr. Koch had served for six months in the American army during the Mexican war and in 1887 applied to the government for a pension and for the back pension due him. This was granted in 1890 and shortly after- ward he sold his homestead and came to Port Orford where he erected a comfortable home in which he lives. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party but has never been an office seeker. During the forty-one years of his residence in Curry county he has made many friends in the section, all of whom honor and esteem him for the upright and straightforward qualities of his mind and character.

BURRELL W. SHORT. A good ranch of three hundred and twenty-four acres about six and one-half miles southeast of Klamath Falls pays tribute to the care and labor be- stowed upon it by Burrell W. Short, its owner. Here he is engaged in general farm- ing and he ranks among the progressive citi- zens of the community, whose cooperation can always be counted upon to further ad- vancement along beneficial lines. He was born in Union county, Georgia, November 8, 1875. His father, John A. Short, was born in Carthage, North Carolina, December 24, 1850, a son of B. H. and Mary (Cole) Short, the latter a native of Moore county and the former of Anson county, North Carolina. The Shorts are of English descent and the family was founded in America during Colo- nial days. The parents spent their entire lives in their native state and the grandfather, who was drafted for service in the Confeder- ate army, was killed at the battle of Rich- mond, June 25, 1862. He had three broth- ers in the Confederate army, the youngest being killed at Gettysburg. In the family were five sons, four of whom joined the army while two met death in battle. There were also seven daughters in the family.

John A. Short resided with his mother until her death in 1864. He was the third of four children, the others being: Martha Jane, who is the widow of James Ingham, of Texas; P. W., living in Greensboro, North Carolina ; and J. B., of Poe valley, Oregon. In 1867 John A. Short went to northern Georgia and .

J. A. H. KOCH

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in 1884 came to Klamath county, where he has since resided. He has been a lifelong farmer and success has attended him in his efforts. He preempted and homesteaded land, using both rights on the same place. That property was located near his present home but after a time he sold it and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides. He is engaged in general farming and in addition to his home place he has some town property. In politics he is a stanch democrat and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Baptist church. In 1874 he married Clementine Odom, who was born in Union county, Georgia, Feb- ruary 21, 1855, a daughter of W. W. Odom, who died in Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Short became the parents of four children, of whom Burrell W. is the eldest. Columbus is living on the Merrill road. Mary is the wife of James Dixon, of Klamath county, and Samuel P. resides upon part of the land belonging to his father. All of the children are now married and are prospering.

Burrell W. Short was a lad of about nine years when he came with his parents to the far west in 1884. He resided with them until 1901 and has since followed ranching on his own account. In that year he took up his abode at his present place of residence on the Merrill road, about six miles southeast of Klamath Falls. Here he owns three hundred and twenty acres of land upon which are many good improvements all made by him. He carries on general farming and his well tilled fields return to him good crops. In addition he owns eighty acres of timber six- teen miles east of Klamath Falls and seven lots in the city.

In 1901 Mr. Short was married to Miss Elizabeth Susan Routly, who was born in Lindsay, Canada, May 10, 1881, and in 1889 came to Oregon with her widowed mother. Her parents were Samuel and Margaret Routly. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, Delia, Alton, Dorothy and Mary.

Mr. Short votes with the democratic party and keeps well informned on the questions and issues of the day but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He holds membership with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and in matters of citi- zenship is most public-spirited. The work that he has done in behalf of improving the highways of the state is far-reaching and beneficial and by reason thereof he merits the gratitude and high regard of his fellow townsmen. He was the second vice president of the state good roads league and it is characteristic of him that his influence and aid are always given on the side of advance- ment and improvement whereby the welfare of the community will be promoted.

PAUL R. MEINIG. Among the citizens of Sandy who through their energy, industry and public spirit, reinforced by natural abil- ity, have become prominent in the commercial and civic circles of the city is Paul R. Meinig. His business interests have always been of a character that has contributed not only

to his individual success but also constituted an important factor in general progress. A native of Germany, he was born on the 17th of April, 1869, his parents being F. A. and Bertha Wilhelmina (Fischer) Meinig, both of whom were also natives of Germany. They came to America in 1870, settling at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. After residing there for five years, during which time Mr. Meinig operated a flour mill, he disposed of his mill and the family came to Oregon in October, 1876, settling at Sandy. For the first few years he engaged in agricultural pursuits, having purchased eighty acres of land, but later he bought a small store, which also served as the postoffice. He was the first postmaster of Sandy and served in that capacity for two years. Although he con- tinued conducting this store he also pur- chased a flour mill, which he managed in connection with his mercantile business until the time of his death, which occurred Feb- ruary 22, 1902. The mother is still residing upon the old home place with one of her sons, Otto. To the parents four children were born: Paul R., the subject of this review; Albon O., an agriculturist and mill owner of Sandy, who is married and has one child, Milton; Clara F., who is residing with her mother; and Otto H., who is also living at home with his mother.

Paul R. Meinig received his education in the public schools of Clackamas county, Ore- gon. As he was the eldest son, it was fre- quently difficult for him to find time to at- tend school, his father requiring his assist- ance in the various pursuits in which he was engaged. After the father's death he started in business on his own account and he and his brothers took charge of the mer- cantile store which the father had formerly conducted. Until two years ago he remained in partnership with his brothers but at that time purchased his brothers' interests and has since been sole owner. He has demonstrated his ability to deal with the public and has also shown that he possesses unusual capa- bilities in business transactions. He owns sixty acres of land within the town limits, his store building and residence, a two-story warehouse and the public hall building.

On the 21st of October, 1896, in Marmot, Oregon, Mr. Meinig was married to Miss Marie Aschoff, whose birth occurred in Kansas, September 25, 1873, and who is a daughter of Adolph and Dora (Gein) Aschoff. She was the eldest of nine children, the others being: Ernest J., of Junction City, Oregon, who is married and has one child, Otto, whose birth occurred February 20, 1909; Amelia, who is married to Harry Bramhall, of Troutdale, Oregon, and has two children, Marie and Florence; Otto, a resident of Marmot, Ore- gon; Henry, also of Marmot, who is married and has two children, Virgil and Chester; Emma, the wife of Harry Thomas, of Gresh- am, Oregon, and the mother of two children, Maxine and Clifford; Margaret, who makes her home in Portland; and Carl and Gustav, who are residing with their parents. Mrs. Meinig was brought to Oregon by her parents from Kansas March 16, 1882. Her father

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was a farmer and stock-raiser in Kansas for cleven years. Both he and his wife arc natives of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Meinig three children have been born: Gertrude, whose birth occurred October 1, 1897, and who is at home and attending school in Sandy; and Frances and Alfred, born June 5, 1900, and December 7, 1902, respectively, both of whom are attending school.

In politics Mr. Meinig has always given his support to the republican party and he is one of its most active members in Sandy. He has hield the office of road supervisor and since the incorporation of the town in August, 1911, has served as its mayor. He has also been clerk of the school board for a number of years. He is one of the public-spirited men of Sandy and his interest in its upbuild- ing and growth has been responsible for much of its success. The postoffice is located in his store and he is at present acting as post- master. He holds membership in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the United Artisans. His record measures up to the full standard of honoroble manhood and tliose who know him recognize in lıim a citizen whose loyalty to the public welfare has never been questioned, while his integrity and honor in the private affairs of life are matters familiar to all with whom he has been asso- ciated.

H. S. NEWTON is the owner of eighty acres of land all under cultivation and in addition rents and operates two hundred acres. Every state in the Union has furnished its quota of citizens to Oregon and among those who have come from Texas is H. S. Newton, who is a native of Grayson county. His natal day was December 24, 1851. His parents, Thomas and Eliza (Morris) Newton, were na- tives of Tennessee, where they were reared and married, removing to Texas in 1848. The father was a ranchman and miller and continued to make his home in the Lone Star state throughout the remainder of his life. He operated two large gristmills which were the first in Grayson county and he was closely, actively and helpfully associated with the development and upbuilding of that sec- tion of the state. The father died in 1874 and was survived by his wife for only about a year.

H. S. Newton, one of a family of nine children, resided in Texas until 1878, when at the age of twenty-six years he came to Oregon, settling in Oregon City. He re- moved thence to Klamath county in 1893 and has since lived in this neighborhood. He has always followed farming and stock- raising since he started out in active life and he is now the owner of eighty acres. all of which is under cultivation according to modern and progressive methods. In ad- dition he leases two hundred acres, which he has also developed and in addition to culti- vating the crops best adapted to the soil and climate he is engaged in dairying, keep- ing for this purpose a number of high-grade cows.

In 1874 Mr. Newton was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Miller, who was born in

Grayson county, Texas, in August, 1851, and is a daughter of Thomas Miller, a native of Tennessee. Nine children have been born of this marriage: Almo, living in Kla- math county; Dovie May, who is the wife of Archie Colson, of Klamath county; Thomas W., at home; Maude, the wife of Thomas Short, of Wood river valley; Claudie, who is a twin of Maude and is the wife of John Short, of Wood river valley; Obie H., who is a lieutenant in the constabulary depart- ment-a government position in the Philip- pines; Ethel, the wife of Neil Campbell, of Albany; and Jessie and Ruby, both at home. For nineteen years Mr. Newton has resided in Klamath county and he and his family are widely and favorably known within its borders.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 58

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