The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 59

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

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WILLIAM H. SHELLEY. General farm- ing and stock-raising engage the attention of William H. Shelley, who owns an attrac-, tive ranch of two hundred and fifteen acres seven miles north of Creswell. He was born in Lane county, on the 6th of April, 1872, and is a son of John and Margaret (Park) Shelley. The father, whose birth occurred in the state of Illinois on the 7th of Septem- ber, 1827, is still living at the venerable age of eighty-five years. Together with his wife and family, John Shelley crossed the plains from Iowa to Oregon in 1852, locating in Lane county. Upon his arrival here he filed on a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, a portion of which was cleared, in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, and there he has ever since resided with the exception of one year. He has disposed of all of his ranch with the exception of one hundred and sixty acres, one hundred acres of which are under cultivation. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Shelley numbered twelve children. our subject being the eleventh in order of birthi. The others are as follows: Thomas J., who is ranching at Greer, Idaho; one who died in infancy; Pascal N., who was a farmer, now deceased; Caroline, the deceased wife of John Waring; Weston P., a resident of Con- don, Oregon; Ann, the wife of E. P. Lattin. a ranchman at Pleasant Hill, Oregon; Leroy L., who lived in Mayville, this state, but who is deceased; Leona, the wife of T. S. Winfrey. of Eugene; Eva, who married P. L. Bristow. of Sheridan, Oregon; Zora E., the wife of John West, of Eugene; and Ira G., of Salem.

The entire life of William H. Shelley has been passed in the vicinity of his present home. He was educated in the district schools and when old enough began assisting his father about the ranch. Upon attaining his majority he rented the home place and began ranching on his own account. He continued to rent from his father for nineteen years and during that time he bought one hundred and fifty-eight acres of the old homestead and a tract adjoining it containing one hun- dred and fifty-six acres. His holdings at that time aggregated three hnudred and fourteen acres, ninety-nine of which he has since sold. Seventy-five of the two hundred and fifteen acres he now owns are planted to grain and the remainder of his ranch is in pasture

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and brush. His property is entirely free from incumbrance and is one of the best improved and equipped as well as most attractive ranches in the community. Mr. Shelley makes a specialty of raising hogs, goats and cattle for the market in connection with the culti- vation of his fields and is prospering in his undertakings.

On Christmas day, 1901, Mr. Shelley was united, in marriage to Miss Myrtle Buchanan, the eldest of the six children born to James and Ida M. (Rutledge) Buchanan. In order of birth the other members of the family are as follows: Faith, the wife of Jake Bartch, of Alberta, Canada; Malva, who married Forest Drudy, of Marcola, this state; Claude, who is a resident of Alberta, Canada; Leta, the wife of Albert Evans, of Medford, Ore- gon; and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Shelley have four children: Myron L., who was born June 21, 1903, and is now at- tending school; John Franklin, whose birth oc- curred on the 18th of July, 1905; Clarence H., whose natal day was June 3, 1907; and Elmer C., who was born on the 10th of June, 1909.

The parents are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Shelley is a member of Pleas- ant Hill Camp, No. 271, W. O. W., and in politics he is a democrat. He is leading a life of activity and business enterprise and is meeting with a corresponding degree of prosperity.

FELIX M. GREEN. The productiveness of the region along the boundary line between Oregon and California is well demonstrated in the success that is crowning the efforts of Felix M. Green, ranchman, who, though making his home in New Pine Creek, Ore- gon, owns eleven hundred acres of land on the California side in Modoc county. His labors in its development are being attended with excellent results and show that progressive methods bring gratifying returns. Mr. Green is a native of Colusa county, California, born February 14, 1857, and. is a son of William and Harriet (Holland) Green, who were na- tives of Illinois, where they were reared and married. In 1856 they crossed the plains to Colusa county, California, and in 1872 removed to Oregon, settling in the Willamette valley. The mother now resides in Lakeview, but the father passed away in Colorado in 1887, when sixty years of age. He had devoted his entire life to ranching. In his family were eight children: Felix M .; Joseph, a miner of Colorado; William; Charles of Colorado; Carrie, the wife of William Struth- ers, of Junction City, Colorado; Hattie, the wife of Lee Bell; James of Sacramento, Cali- fornia; and Annie, the wife of H. Westmore- land of Washington.

Felix M. Green was reared in Chico, Butte county, California, and accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Eugene, Oregon, being then a youth in his teens. In 1878 he went to Lakeview and has since resided in Lake county. In April, 1911, he located at his present place of residence and while he has his home in New Pine Creek on the Oregon side of the boundary line, his resi-

dence being a beautiful and commodious one, his ranch lies in Modoc county California. It comprises eleven hundred acres and is im- proved with good buildings, including an at- tractive dwelling and all barns and sheds necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. The ranch is owned by Mr. Green and his father-in-law, W. P. Heryford, of Lakeview. and is known as the Heryford-Green ranch. Mr. Green engages in the cultivation of grain, hay and fruit and raises some stock. He has five orchards, fifty acres being planted · to fruit, and in 1911 he harvested over ten thousand bushels of grain, including barley and wheat, and cut over eight hundred tons of hay, including both alfalfa and timothy. His farming interests are as is thus indi- cated extensive. The success which he has attained is the merited reward of persistent. earnest labor, intelligently directed. In ad- dition to his ranch interests Mr. Green is a director and stockholder in the Lakeview Mercantile Company and is president of the Sunshine Mining Company of New Pine Creek, owning what is reputed to be the best gold mine in this section.

In 1894 Mr. Green was married to Miss Cora Heryford, who was born in Shasta county, California, May 6, 1873, and is a daughter of William P. Heryford, of Lake- view. Their children are Clarence, Nellie, William and Fay. Felix M. Green votes with the democratic party and for two years served as deputy sheriff of Lake county. His fraternal connections are with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks. He has always been a resident of the west and the spirit of progress which has brought about the wonderful development of the Pacific coast country is manifested in his life rec- ord. He has recognized and utilized the op- portunities presented by this section of the country and is among those whose labors are an important element in bringing about the change that is converting it from an arid and undeveloped region into one of the richly cultivated and prosperous districts of the northwest.

WILLIAM T. WRIGHT has been a resi- dent of Oregon since pioneer times, having come to this state with his parents when he was only four years of age. He has spent practically his entire life here and dur- ing its course has gained prominence in polit- ical, fraternal and business circles. He is assistant cashier and a director and stock- holder in the Roseburg National Bank and is prominently connected with several other representative enterprises. He was born in Linn county, Missouri, on February 8, 1848, and is a son of J. M. and Emily (Simmons) Wright, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. He crossed the plains with his parents in 1852, being at that time only four years of age. He was reared at home and educated in the public schools of Oregon and when he had completed his studies followed general farming, as assistant to his father until he became of age. From that time until 1876 he engaged in general

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

agricultural pursuits for himself discontinu- ing this occupation in order to accept the position of county treasurer to which office he was elected upon the democratic ticket. His first majority was by two votes only but he carried his two successive elections with large majorities. Mr. Wright later filled the position of deputy county clerk, doing able and efficient work in this capacity. In 1883 he engaged in the mercantile business as bookkeeper for an important firm in Oak- land, Oregon, and in 1884 went to California where he spent nearly a year in traveling. In 1885 he returned to Oregon and spent one year upon his farm after which he again was appointed deputy county clerk. After serving for one year and a half in this office he was appointed in 1888 chief clerk in the registry department of the Portland, Oregon, postoffice where he remained for seven months resigning at the end of that time on account of ill health. After one year's rest he ac- cepted a position as bookkeeper and cashier for the Transfer Company, operated by Cook & Kiernan and was successful in this occu- pation for a year and a half. He began his banking career in 1891 when he accepted the position as cashier of the First National Bank of Roseburg and for thirteen years held this office, managing the affairs under his charge ably and efficiently during that time. He was obliged to resign finally on account of failing healthı but eventually resumed his active career, accepting the position of assist- ant cashier of the Roseburg National Bank, an institution which was organized in 1907 and which opened for business in January of the following year. He is still active in this capacity and is also a member of the board of directors and a stockholder in the institu- tion. He has acquired considerable wealth which he has invested in California real es- tate. He was treasurer of the Second South- ern Oregon Agricultural Society from 1893 until 1905 and held the same position in the County Agricultural Society. He has been treasurer of the Building & Loan Asso- ciation for a number of years and has been a prominent factor in the success of that enterprise. He sold his farm when he moved to Portland and has not been actively identi- fied with agriculture since that time.

Mr. Wright has been three times married. His first wife was Miss Amanda E. Williams, of Looking Glass, Oregon, whom he married in November, 1867. They had one child who has passed away. In 1872 Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Marietta Williams, by whom he had four children: W. W., who is in business in Portland; Myrtle E., who married L. E. Belfils, cashier of the Estacada State Bank; Pearl, who resides in California; and Lester, who has passed away. On July 14, 1883, Mr. Wright wedded Miss Fannie A. Wright, of Clinton, Illinois, and a daughter of Dr. John Wright of that city. Her parents lived during the latter part of their lives in California and both have now passed away. Our subject and his wife belong to the First Presbyterian church and Mr. Wright is treas- urer and trustee of that organization.

William T. Wright gives his political alle- giance to the democratic party and has al- ways taken an active and intelligent interest in public affairs, serving his fellow citizens when called upon to do so with ability and efficiency, never seeking to evade obligations of citizenship. He is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in Philetarian Lodge, No. 8, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and is its treasurer; he is also secretary and treasurer of the Odd Fellows Hall com- mittee. He is treasurer of Alpha Lodge No. 47, Knights of Pythias, and holds a similar position in Oak Camp, No. 125, Woodmen of the World and Union Encampment, No. 9, and Canton Robertson, No. 13, all of Rose- burg. He also holds membership in Roseburg Lodge, No. 16, Ancient Order of United Work- men and is treasurer of the Douglas County Odd Fellows Association. He lias gained success as a banker because his methods have always been practical and consequently pro- ductive of good results. He understands the principles of lis ocupation and the details of modern finance and has won a gratifying measure of success by his ability and system- atic work.

JOSEPH B. STRAVENS, who is residing upon his two hundred and fifty-five acre farm three miles northeast of Gervais, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on the 22d of Novem- ber, 1853, his parents being Martin and Kath- ryn (Blystine) Stravens, both of whom were natives of Germany. Their marriage occurred in Kentucky, where they resided for three years previous to removing to Minnesota where they lived fourteen years. They then removed to Oregon in 1872 and settled near Woodburn. At that place the father's death occurred in 1900 but the mother is still living in Gervais, at the age of seventy-eight years. At the time of the former's death lie was the owner of two hundred and fifteen acres of valuable land, the improvement and cultiva- tion of which was practically dependent upon his own exertion and efforts. To them nine children were born: Joseph B., who is the sub- ject of this sketch; Peter, of Colfax, Wash- ington; Mrs. Kathryn Lentz, who is living in Marion county; Margaret, who is the wife of Alexander Moison, also a resident · of Marion county; Martin, who is a priest and missionary in New York; Mrs. Elizabeth Assman of Portland, Oregon; Theodore, of California; Mrs. Lena Vogel, who is living in Alaska; and Therese, deceased.

At the age of twenty-six years Joseph B. Stravens started in life on his own account by farming. on the land which he purchased from the home property. He has made this his home ever since and during the last few years has purchased the remainder of his father's farm so that lie is now the owner of two hundred and fifty-five acres of highly improved land, one hundred and forty acres of which has been highly productive. Orig- inally this property was covered with heavy timber but through the efforts of its various owners it has been cleared and is now as pro- ductive as is the greater part of the soil in this rich agricultural district. Mr. Stravens

J. B. STRAVENS AND FAMILY

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has carried on farming according to modern and scientific methods and has so arranged his labor that he is receiving the greatest returns.

On the 11th of November, 1879, Mr. Strav- ens was married to Miss Annie Hagenauer, whose birth occurred in Austria. She came to America with her parents when she was but eighteen years of age. They first settled in Wisconsin, where they remained for five years previous to removing to Oregon in 1874 and locating in Marion county, which was their home until their deaths. To them seven children were born: Wensel, of New- port, Oregon; Mrs. Barbara Gulden, who is residing in Marion county; Frank, of Tacoma, Washington; Mrs. Stravens; Mary, the wife of Joseph Schentz, of California; Peter, a resident of Seattle; and John, who is living in Marion county. To Mr. and Mrs. Stravens eight children have been born, namely: Joseph, whose birth occurred on the 8th of August, 1880, and who is now living on part of the homestead; Matilda, who was born January 19,1883, and is the wife of Peter Kahut, of Marion county; Marie, a resident of Port- land; John, who was born in 1888 and is liv- ing at home; Annie, whose birth occurred on the 19th of May, 1889, and who is the wife of Charles Spalding, of Watkins, Minnesota; Frank, whose birth occurred. in July, 1891, and who is residing at home; Helen C., who was born on the 22d of November, 1894, and is also living at home; and Albert, who died at the age of two and one-half years. These children have all received a good common- school education, their father realizing that his had been invaluable to him and hence desiring to fit his children as well for their start in life as he had been equipped.

In politics Mr. Stravens gives his support to the democratic party but has never sought office. In religious faith he and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church. His life has been lived in accordance with the high principles which he has always held in regard to moral, social, religious and politi- cal activities. He is accounted one of the active workers and progressive farmers of his district and has the unqualified confidence and esteem of the entire community.

EDWARD KELLER is of that class who recognize and utilize opportunities and in so doing contribute to public prosperity as well as to individual success. He has been the chief promoter of various enterprises and interests which featured prominently in the growth and upbuilding of this state and he never falters in the accomplishment of any task to which he sets himself, if success may be gained by persistent endeavor and. honorable effort. He lives at New Pine Creek and is the treasurer of the Pine Creek Water Company. also president of the Eureka Min- ing & Milling Company and a stockholder in . several of the banks of this district. He has not always been a resident of the far west. although he has ever resided west of the Mississippi. His birth occurred in Buchanan county, Iowa, January 10, 1858, his parents being Morris and Crecensia (Gruman) Kel-

ler, both of whom were natives of Germany, born in 1814 and 1816 respectively. They were reared and married in that country and with the desire to enjoy better business op- portunities came to the United States in 1840, settling first in Wisconsin. They were afterward pioneers of Iowa, removing thither about the time when the state was admitted to the Union. In 1866 they went to Nebras- ka and in 1882 became residents of Alameda county, California, where their last days were passed, the mother dying about 1895 and the father in 1899. The latter had long been a farmer and in early life was a cabi- net-maker. In his family were nine sons, of whom one died at the age of fifteen years, while eight are now living. He also had two daughters. The living are: B. H., a resident of Columbus, Nebraska; John, of Richland, Nebraska; Christine, the widow of Henry Foster, of Clearwater, Nebraska; J. J., of Newport, Nebraska; H. W., living in David City, Nebraska; Richard, whose home is in Oakland, California; M. J., of Seattle, Wash- ington; Amelia, the wife of C. M. Taylor, of New Pine Creek; Edward, of this review; and Albert, of Alaska.

Edward Keller remained with his parents until 1881. In 1877 the family went to the Black Hills of Dakota and later the parents came to the coast, Mr. Keller joining them the following year. He resided in San Fran- cisco for ten years and then came to New Pine Creek, where he has since made his home. He performed the different ser- vices incident to the development of the ranch when at home and after starting out independently in life he worked with cattle for two years. After his arrival on the coast he engaged in clerking in a store in Alameda. Subsequent to coming to New Pine Creek he engaged in merchandising here for three years and in 1893 he entered the flour milling establishment, of which he took personal charge in 1895. This has been his principal activity since and he has developed a large trade, for he manufactures flour according to modern processes and the excellence of his product insures a ready sale. In various other fields, too, his labors have constituted an element for public progress here. In 1905 he became the first president of the Califor- nia & Oregon Light, Heat & Power Company and has since remained its chief executive officer, giving his entire attention to its inter- ests during the first year of its existence. He was one of five men who put up the first telephone system here, called the Lakeview & New Pine Creek Electric Company, Inc. Mr. Keller was one of the directors but later disposed of his interest in the business. He is the treasurer and was one of the incor- porators of the Pine Creek Water Company and since its incorporation has been president of the Eureka Mining & Milling Company. He was one of the original stockholders in the First National Bank of Lakeview and the Lakeview Savings Bank and is still connected with those institutions. His investments in property, too, have been extensive. He has one hundred and twenty acres of timber and three hundred and seventy acres of farm

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land in Goose lake valley and he raises more grain than any other man in the valley. He also has one of the pleasant homes here, which is situated in the east side of the vil- lage, at the foothills of the mountains, near his mill, the power for which is generated by the water from New Pine creek.

In 1892 Mr. Keller was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Dick, who was born in Mono county, California, in 1874, a daughter of Morris Dick, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have three children, Richard, Elsie and The- resa, all born in California, near New Pine Creek. The state line runs through this town but Mr. Keller's home is on the Oregon side. It is a beautiful and attractive resi- dence, which he erected in 1906. He owns here seventy-four acres, on which stand his home and his mill. A part of the tract is on the mountain side, while a portion is within the corporation limits of the city. Mr. Keller is a republican but has never held public office, always declining to accept positions of political preferment. He recog- mizes what is necessary in town building and in his business career has labored to anticipate and meet the needs of the public. At all times he is actuated by a spirit of loyalty to the community at large and yet is not. without that laudable ambition which is ever the spur to industry, causing a man to push beyond the point to which he has already attained and reach the heights of success.

E. H. AMSDEN, M. D. The qualities which contribute to success in the practice of medi- cine and surgery are possessed in large degree by Dr. E. H. Amsden, as is evidenced in his excellent work as a representative of the profession since locating in New Pine Creek, where he makes his home. He was born in Walden, Caledonia county, Vermont, May 4, 1857, a son of Bert B. and Amelia (Walcott) Amsden, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. The father died at Greensboro Bend, Vermont, in 1905, at the age of seventy-nine years, and the mother is still living there at the age of eighty-four. The father was engaged in farm- ing, was in the insurance business, practiced law to some extent and for many years was justice of the peace. In fact, he was a very active man along many lines.

Dr. Amsden was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight children, of whom three are living. When fifteen years of age he left home after having been graduated from the high school at Hardwick, Vermont. He lived for a short time at Manchester, New Hamp- shire, and then entered the West Point Mili- tary Academy but while there suffered an injury which necessitated his leaving the school. In 1877 he entered the Eclectic Medical College in Maine and was graduated therefrom in 1884. He devoted the year 1887 to the mastery of a post-graduate course in Bellevue College of New York and he then entered upon his professional career in Bos- ton, where he practiced for a year. He next sailed as ship's physician on a whaling ves- sel, three months being consumed in the voy-

age and then traveled extensively through South and Central America and British Co- lumbia. Coming to Oregon he remained a resident of Portland for fifteen years. He was identified with the Gold Ridge Mining Company of Portland for a number of years but since 1905 has engaged in practice in New Pine Creek, where his ability has been recognized in a liberal patronage.

In March, 1898, Dr. Amsden was married to Miss Agnes Plumer, a daughter of Fremont Plumer, who was a grandson of Lord Fre- mont of England. They became parents of two children: Ellis, who was born February 15, 1899; and Carroll, who died at the age of eleven months. The wife and mother passed away February 10, 1906, and on the 7th of March, 1908, Dr. Amsden married Bertha Charlton, the widow of Oliver Charl- ton. She was a school-teacher for five years in Lake county and by her first marriage. had four children.

Dr. Amsden was a member of the Oregon State Militia for five years, being connected with a Portland battery. He is widely known in fraternal organizations, holding membership with the Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen, the Foresters, the Druids and the Masons. His political support is given the republican party but he has no desire for office, preferring always to concen- trate his energies upon his professional duties, which have been of an important character and are constantly growing in volume. He never regarded his professional education en- tire with the completion of his college course but has remained throughout all these years a close and discriminating student of the prin- ciples and practice of medicine, and that his knowledge is broad and his judgment sound is evidenced in the excellent results which follow his administrations to the sick.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 59

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