The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 67

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

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In his political views James C. Hervey is liberal, supporting men and measures rather than party and ever placing patriotism above partisanship. The honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him, as his time has been fully occupied in the conduct of his private business interests. His Christianity is not restricted by sect or creed and in his daily life he endeavors to heed the admonition of the Golden Rule. He was for- merly identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at present is identified with the Farmers Union. The period of his residence in the Sunset state covers almost a half century and he is therefore largely fa- miliar with its annals from pioneer times down to the present.

WILLIAM T. MILLER, who at the time of his retirement from active life had attained an enviable position in agricultural circles of Coos county, Oregon, by reason of his long continued and intelligent activity is the owner of a large and efficiently managed farm, was born in Cole county, Missouri, on June 8, 1839. He is a son of Madison and Mary (Hunter) Miller, natives of Tennessee. The parents were married in Missouri and resided in that state for a number of years. In 1852 the father went to California and never re- turned. The mother remained in Missouri until 1872, when she came to Oregon, land- ing in Jackson county in October of that year. She married her second husband in this state and subsequently went to Kentucky for a visit and died while there. Her husband returned to Eugene, Oregon, where some time afterward his death occurred. William T. Miller is the eldest of four children born to his parent's, the others being: Joseph, who died while he was serving in the army; F. M .. of Fishtrap Creek, Oregon; and Eliza, who is deceased.

William T. Miller received his education. in the public schools of Missouri but his advan- tages in this respect were extremely limited, owing to the inadequate school conditions. He remained at home until 1862, in which year he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Mis- souri Cavalry, under Colonel Albert Sigel. and remained as a member of this regiment until the end of the war. He received his

discharge on April 6. 1865. He was present at various important engagements and was never wounded but his health was entirely broken down when he returned home. Fol- lowing his discharge he engaged in carpenter- ing and contracting and also did general farm- ing in Missouri until 1871, when he came to Oregon and settled in Jackson county. In 1873 he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land six miles above Coquille on Fishtrap creck, in Coos county, and for thirty-seven years developed and improved his property. He carried on agriculture along the most modern and progressive lines. constantly add- ing to his holdings until at the time of his retirement he was the owner of four hun- dred and forty acres of fertile and productive land. His activity in this regard entitled him to be numbered among the citizens whose careers have influenced the development of the county and state. Mr. Miller is now living in Bandon, Oregon, where he has be- come extensively interested in real estate. He has abandoned farming and gives his en- tire attention to the management of the business connected with his seventeen town lots. He owns a beautiful and comfortable home in Bandon and has many friends in this city.

In September. 1871. Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Orvilla Robison, who was born in Missouri, August 10, 1841. a daughter of S. L. and Lucina (Lampson) Robison, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born five chil- dren: Wirt, who passed away at the age of twenty-seven years; Mary. who was the wife of Clarence Edmunds and who died at the age of thirty-two years, leaving two sons. Arthur and Rollin; George G., who lives in Curry county and who married Miss Cora Ransier, by whom he has three children, Wil- liam Loren, Harley and Arvilla; Orvis Nile, who resides on Fishtrap creek and who is married to Effie Hammock and has two sons, Wallace Tyrrell and Orvis; and Mar- tha, the wife of Albert Paull, of Bandon, by whom she has two children, Alden A. and Lyle. Mrs. Miller passed away on March 2, 1901, and is buried in the family lot in the cemetery at Fishtrap. Mr. Miller affiliates with the Brethren church and is well known in Bandon as a man of exemplary character. During his career as an agriculturist he was numbered among the farmers who influenced to a large extent the growth of the state of Oregon by cultivating the soil with an intelli- gent efficiency which is the basis of success. He is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens and enjoys the respect of his many friends for his well deserved success, so honorably attained.

CHARLES D. SEXTON. There are many valued natives of Oregon for whom the natural advantages of this state have such charm that although they have reached ma- ture age their homes have always been here. As an example Charles D. Sexton, who resides on a finely improved farm of four hundred acres in the Rogue river valley, near Hugo.

WILLIAM T. MILLER AND FAMILY

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Josephine county, may be cited. He was born on the farm on which he resides, September 27, 1859, a son of David H. and Caroline (Stumbo) Niday Sexton, natives of New York and Iowa respectively. The father crossed the plains in 1847, with ox teams, and settled in Portland when there was but one log house on the present site of that popu- lous city. In the spring of 1850 he removed to California and after remaining there one year returned to Oregon and settled in Josephine county, where until 1853 he fol- lowed mining. He took part in the Indian wars in 1853, 1855 and 1856 as a volunteer. He was married in 1856 to Mrs. Caroline Niday, the widow of Hiram Niday, who was then residing on the old donation claim taken up by Mr. Niday in 1854, a property which comprises three hundred and twenty-seven acres and is now owned by the subject of this. review. On this farm, David H. Sexton passed away on the 2d of February, 1906, at the age of eighty years, the mother surviving him until May 20, 1910, when she had reached the age of eighty-five years.

Charles D. Sexton, an only child, remained with his parents until their death, receiving a good common-school education, and a col- lege course. He has since made his home on the old homestead and now owns four hun- dred acres of fine land situated in the lower Rogue river valley.

Mr. Sexton was married in 1884 to Miss Mary Adams, of Salem, Oregon, and to them were born two children: Frank H., born De- cember 16, 1885, on the homestead; and Ada T., born March 2, 1890, who is the wife of J. D. Everton, of Grants Pass. Mrs. Sexton died in 1892 and in 1897 Mr. Sexton was again married, his second union being with Miss Tarris Drayer, a native of Nevada. To this union two children were born: Dia- dama T., whose birth occurred August 15, 1898; and Fred Fay, born May 4, 1900. Mr. Sexton is a democrat and lias served as school director and road supervisor. He is at pres- ent master of the Grange in his locality, an organization in which he takes an active in- terest. He is one of the public-spirited citi- zens of Josephine county, taking a lively in- terest in public affairs, and lending his aid and influence to the furtherance of those pro- jects which in his opinion are likely to prove of benefit to the community. He is a capable business man. honorable in all his dealings, and has the respect and esteem of a large number of people in the county and elsewhere with whom he is acquainted.

W. B. CURTIS is the popular postmaster of Marshfield, this state. His birth occurred at Searsport, Maine, on the 19th of August, 1853, his parents being Samuel and Eliza Jane (Griffin) Curtis, the former a native of Leeds, Maine, and the latter of Stockton, that state. Samuel Curtis was a sailor by occupation and for many years before his retirement was a licensed sea captain. They were the par- ents of ten children, as follows: Mrs. Ella Nickels of Maine; Henry G .. who is likewise a resident of that state; W. B .. of this re- view; Everett B., of Myrtle Point. Oregon :

Clifton, a sea captain who resides at San Francisco; Lida J., of Maine; and Benjamin F., Lizzie, Samuel, first of the name, and Samuel second, all of whom are deceased. Samuel Curtis, the father of this family, passed away at the age of fifty-six years, while the mother lived to attain the age of seventy-four.

W. B. Curtis was reared at home and edu- cated in the public schools of Maine, later completing his education at Bucksport Semi- nary, after which he was engaged in teaching for one year and then at the age of eighteen he shipped as ordinary seaman and followed the life of a sailor for four years, retiring from that occupation at the end of that period holding the position of first mate in the service. In 1875 he removed to California and settled in Solano county, where for one year he was engaged in farming. He then removed to this state and located on the Siuslaw river at a point near the present site of Florence. Here he remained for two years and then removed to Coos bay, where he was engaged in work on a ranch located on the Coos river. He then obtained the posi- tion of clerk in the Hotel Blanco at Marsh- field, in which occupation he continued for seventeen years. In 1898 he received the ap- pointment as postmaster of Marshfield and to that office has since continued to devote his attention. He is the owner of a beauti- ful residence property in Marshfield in which he resides.

In 1886 Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Rosetta Hirst, a native of Oregon and a daughter of William and Mary Ann Hirst, who were pioneers of Oregon and are now both deceased. Mrs. Curtis is one of the six living members of her father's family, the others being: Mrs. Emma Nasburg, of Marsh- field, Oregon; Mrs. Mary Cody, of San Fran- cisco, California; John W., who is a resident of Sunnyvale, California; Mrs. Alice Richard- son, of Fresno, California; and J. B. Davis, a half-brother of Mrs. Curtis, who resides at Marshfield, Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. Curtis four children were born: Edward N., who passed away in childhood; William B., Jr .. who was born in 1890, was educated in the public schools of this state, later completed a college education and is at home; Alice E .. who was born in 1891, is a graduate of the high school who resides with her parents; and Frank, born in 1896, a pupil of the pub- lic school.

Mr. Curtis is a member of the republican party and has served as councilman in the city of Marshfield. He and his family are affiliated with the Episcopal church. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masons. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, all of Marshfield, and in the local organizations of the three last named orders has filled all of the chairs. WV. B. Curtis is recognized as one of the foremost and useful citizens of Marshfield. where he has for many years served as the efficient and popular postmaster. He is a man of recognized integrity in all business trans- actions and his influence for good in the

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

social and religious life of the community is one of his marked characteristics. He is well known throughout Coos county as one of the most influential men in this section of the state of Oregon.

D. W. VANDERBURG is one of the suc- cessful farmers of Lane county, this state. His birth occurred in Dubuque county, Iowa. in 1859, his parents being Jolın K. and Emily (Culver) Vanderburg, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Ohio. They were united in marriage in the state of Iowa, where they maintained their residence until the year 1864, at which time Mr. Vanderburg with his family crossed the plains to Oregon and settled at Marshfield, Coos county, where he purchased a body of land on which he settled with his family and continued to reside un- til 1880. He then moved to the Siuslaw river country in Lane county and filed upon a gov- ernment claim of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived for a number of years, after which he sold the property and lived a retired life until the time of his death. His demise occurred in 1888, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1906. Unto them were born ten children, five of whom are still living, as follows: Winfield, who is a resident of San Francisco, California; Mrs. J. J. Clink- enbeard, of Coos county; D. W., of this review; Charles, a resident of Lane county ; and Mrs. Charlotte Hawley, who resides in Crook county, this state.

D. W. Vanderburg at the age of five years, in company with his parents, crossed the plains at the time of their emigration to this state. He was reared in his parents' home and received his early education in the pub- lic schools of the district in which he lived. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age when he engaged at various occupations until 1885. He filed upon a government homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and in due time, by proof of oc- cupancy, received his title from the govern- ment to the property, after which he pur- chased an additional forty acres and after a period of some years he disposed of his entire holdings and later purchased three hundred and thirty-seven acres five miles from Flor- ence on the Siuslaw river, upon which he established his home and is now engaged in dairy farming.

In 1891 Mr. Vanderburg was married to Miss Emma Karnowsky, who is a native of Germany and emigrated to America with her parents in 1882, the family home being estab- lished on the Siuslaw river in the year 1885. She was reared at home and educated in the public schools of this state and remained under the parental roof until the time of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Karnowsky the following children were born, namely: Albert. of Lane county. Oregon; Arnold, who now re- sides on the old homestead in Lane county; Mrs. Emma Vanderburg; and Mrs. Amelia Morris, of Chicago. Both parents of this family have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Vanderburg five children have been born: Raymond. at home. born October 20. 1891; Ralph. also at home. born May 23, 1893;

Leona, born May 5, 1895; Alice, born April 23, 1898; and Warren, born July 30, 1906. Leona and Alice are attending public school. The mother of this family is an accomplished linguist, having a thorough knowledge of both the English and German languages.

Mr. Vanderburg is affiliated with the social- ist party and has for many years been a mem- ber of the school board of his district. D. W. Vanderburg is one of the substantial and use- ful citizens of Lane county. He is devoted to the interests of his family and engaged in giving his entire attention to the development and cultivation of his farm. He is known throughout Lane county as a man ready to give the benefit of his influence to any pub- lic measure having for its object the welfare of the people throughout the county and the community in which he lives.

W. W. S. ADAMS erected the first store and dwelling in the town of Malin and estab- lished The Pioneer Grocery Store but also handles a general line of merchandise. He was born in Redwood City, California, March 16, 1862, and is a son of George and Sarah Ellen Adams, of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of J. Frank Adams on another page of this work. He is the youngest of three children and was reared by his parents in Sacramento until twenty years of age. He was for twenty years alto. gether in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, working for sixteen years in the rolling mill and for four years in the foundry. On coming to Klamath county. Ore- gon, he worked with his brother J. Frank Adams on his irrigation project and after that was sold to the United States govern- ment. W. W. S. Adams continued with them for about two years. On the 1st of July, 1910, he came to Malin and erected his pres- ent store and dwelling. which was the first building in the town. Here he opened a stock of groceries and a general line of merchandise and has since carried on the business success- fully. He was also appointed the first post- master of the town on the 21st of September, 1910, and on the 24th of June. of the same year, was appointed the first notary. When he came here he lived in a tent. which was. pitched in the midst of the sagebrush, until he could erect a dwelling. He brought his wife and baby with him and they were the first settlers on the town site. Now four- fifths of the surrounding country is cleared of sagebrush and under cultivation. A Bo- hemian colony has settled here. the families just taking up their abode in this district at the time of the arrival of Mr. Adams. In ad- dition to his other interests he owns a ranch two miles west of Merrill and his labors are contributing largely to the upbuilding of this district.

On the 14th of April. 1908. Mr. Adams was married to Miss Gladys Ellen Chamberlin, a native of Oregon. and a daughter of Mrs. May E. Barton. Her father died before her birth and her mother afterward married again. Mr. and Mrs. Adams now have one child. Frances Ellen, and they also lost a son. George Chamberlin, who was the first boy born in

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

this settlement but died at the age of one month.

Mr. Adams gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as justice of the peace. He was reared in the Episcopal church and while residing in Sac- ramento he was active in fraternal affairs but is now concentrating his energies upon his business interests and the upbuilding of his district, his labors proving an effective force here in promoting the progress of the town.

MRS. MARY J. TYLER. Among the prom- inent residents of the Rogue river valley may be mentioned Mrs. Mary J. Tyler, a woman who for years has given her services to the alleviation of human suffering and to those who require the aid of skilled and soothing hands to carry them through the crisis when sickness overcomes them. Mrs. Tyler resides in Merlin, Josephine county, where she owns several pieces of property, having sold her homestead of one hundred and fifty acres which she settled upon and obtained a patent for, many years ago. She was born in Knox county, Illinois, a daughter of Hiram and Katherine Simpkins, both natives of Penn- sylvania. The family removed to Ohio at an early date and later settled in Knox county, Illinois. The father fought in the Black Hawk war, rendering valuable service to the state in that connection. The family removed to Josephine county, Oregon, in 1872 and there the father passed away at the age of eighty- seven years, while the mother's death oc- curred when she was ninety-one years of age. They were the parents of nine children, three of whom survive.

Mrs. Mary J. Tyler received a common- school education and when the family had become established in Oregon, took up a home- stead on the Rogue river, upon which she re- sided until she obtained a patent for her land from the government. Comparatively early in life she took up the profession of nursing and in years past journeyed on horseback all over Josephine county on her missions of mercy, frequently riding as far as sixty miles on horseback to attend a sick person. Some time ago she disposed of her homestead of one hundred and fifty acres and in 1909 re- moved to Merlin, where she owns several pieces of property.

Mrs. Tyler has four children: Henry and Hiram. residents of California; Catherine, the wife of Milt Mason; and A. F., at home. Mrs. Tyler is well known and favorably re- garded in Josephine county and her services as a skilled nurse are in great demand. She is highly esteemed by a large number of per- sonal friends and is regarded as one of the valuable residents of the community.

GEORGE W. HEDRICK is prominently identified with farming in its modern and progressive aspects and in his operation of a fine farm of five hundred acres in Douglas county. Oregon, which he owns in partner- ship with his brother-in-law. is doing effective work in scientific agriculture. He is a native son of Oregon and was born in Drain. Douglas

county, on January 12, 1859. His parents were John and Louisa (Jackson) Hedrick, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Iowa. The father went to the latter state as a young man and his marriage occurred there. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Ore- gon, making the journey as a member of a wagon train belonging to Charles Drain. He spent the first winter in Oregon City and in the following year came to Douglas county, where he took up a donation claim upon the site where the town of Drain now stands. The Central Oregon Normal School building occupies a portion of his original holdings. He was successful from the beginning and subsequently added to his activities by farm- ing three hundred and twenty acres of land which he bought as a settler's donation claim. About 1864 he traded this land for a three hundred and twenty acre tract in Linn county, near Lebanon, and to this he re- moved and became active in its operation and successful as a general agriculturist for three years. He spent one summer in Jackson county and at the expiration of that time returned to Douglas county, where he bought a ranch in the Hard Scrabble district, where he spent the remainder of, his life. He died about 1904 and was survived by his wife until 1909.

George W. Hedrick was reared at home and received his education in the public schools of Douglas county. Upon reaching manhood he began farming for himself. He owns about five hundred acres of fertile and productive soil in Douglas county conjointly with his brother-in-law, Horace Putnam. It constituted the original home of Mr. Hedrick's father- in-law, Charles F. Putnam, and is one of the finest tracts of land in Oregon.

In 1888 Mr. Hedrick was united in mar- riage to Miss Susan Putnam, a native of Douglas County, where she was born upon the farm on which she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Hedrick have three children, Maud, Joseph and Harry, all of whom live at home. In his political views Mr. Hedrick is a consistent re- publican and always votes the party ticket. He is a member of Drain Camp, No. 59, W. O. W., and is also identified with the Oregon State Grange. His wife is a devout adherent of the Christian church. Mr. Hedrick pos- sesses a keen intelligence which has directed all his labors and as a result he has met with unqualified success. He is distinctively a representative citizen of Douglas county and a native son whose record is a credit to his community.

AUGUST A. LISKEY cultivates a ranch and also conducts a livery barn at Midland. He is yet a young man, who is meeting with success in his undertakings. He was born in Berlin, Germany, August 2, 1880. and is a son of John and Caroline (Banks) Liskey, who were natives of the fatherland. In 1881 they crossed the Atlantic and made their way to Westfall, Nebraska. For three years they there resided, after which they came to Swan Lake, Klamath county, Oregon and still live there. The father is the owner of a large stock ranch and runs an extensive

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

number of horses and cattle over the range. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Liskey have been born eight children: Charles, a resident of Horn- brook, California; Mrs. Mary Thompson, of Reno, Nevada; August A .; Fred, living in Merrill, Oregon; John, Daniel and David, all of Swan Lake; and Emma, the wife of Riley Wood, of Bonanza.

August A. Liskey was brought by his par- ents to the northwest and was reared here upon the frontier. He resided at home until twenty-seven years of age, when he sold his interest in the old home property to his brothers and for a year thereafter engaged in buying cattle. He has since dealt in cat- tle and horses. Coming to Midland, he leased three hundred and thirty acres from Abel Ady, and also leased a livery barn. He now conducts both branches of his business, buy- ing and selling horses quite extensively and also handling other stock. He has learned to quickly recognize the good points of a horse and has thus been able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales.

Mr. Liskey is a republican, interested in the success of his party but without aspira- tion for office. He holds membership in the Baptist church of Bonanza and is well known among his circle of friends who hold him in high regard for an active, useful and well spent life. Whatever success he has achieved is well merited because it has been honorably earned and his industry gives good promise for the future.

JOHN HENRY. One of the well known residents of Beaverton was the late John Henry, who for many years was engaged in the cultivation of a fine tract of land, a portion of which lay just within the city limits. He was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1832, and there he resided until he was thir- teen years of age. In 1845 he came to the United States, locating in Oregon, where for fifteen years he engaged in gold-mining and prospecting. During that period he acquired sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a fine tract of land containing fifty-three acres, adjoining Beaverton and partly within the city limits. It was mostly beaver dam land, very fertile and most productive, and Mr. Henry met with excellent success in its cultivation. During the long period of his occupancy he wrought many and extensive improvements on his property, bringing the land under high cultivation, continuing its operation until his death, in March, 1908. He was one of the progressive and capable agriculturists of the county and introduced into this section of Oregon the horseradish industry, which proved to be a very lucra- tive undertaking, and he was awarded many premiums at the state fairs on his product.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 67

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