The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 86

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

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Creswell and is now vice president and a director of the same.

On March 25, 1862, Mr. Gilfry was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Hazleton, a daughter of R. H. Hazleton, of Cottage Grove. Her parents were pioneers in Ore- gon, having emigrated to this state in 1852. In their family were the following children: Thomas P., Frances M. and Mary J., all of whom are deceased; Amanda, who became Mrs. Gilfry; William T., deceased; Harrison H., of Alturas, California; John W., of Seattle, Washington; and James H. and L. H., both of Spokane, Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilfry was born a daughter, Nellie M., who received a business college education and later was a student in the University of Oregon at Eugene. She married A. W. Irvin, who is the proprietor of a cafe at Salem, Oregon. Mrs. Gilfry passed away on the 22d of August, 1883, and on August 24, 1889, Mr. Gilfry wedded Mrs. Louisa M. Cooley, the widow of William Cooley, and a daughter of John and Mary (Balkey) Tun- ell. Mr. and Mrs. Tunell had a family of five children: Mary and Henry, both de- ceased; John, of Creswell; Minnie, the wife of William Lane, of Creswell; and Louisa M., now Mrs. Gilfry.

Although democratic in his political views Mr. Gilfry is popular with men of every political faith and has always taken an act- ive part in public affairs. Both he and his father were charter members of the first Odd Fellows lodge, which was organized in Cres- well, July 1, 1903, the lodge being named in honor of the father. Mr. Gilfry is active in educational affairs, having been school di- rector and clerk in his home district for a number of years and he also helped to or- ganize the first public school in Creswell. He has long since been recognized as one of the leading citizens of Creswell and Lane county.

JACOB BEUSCH. For thirty-one years Jacob Beusch was a resident of Oregon and throughout his life he manifested many of the sterling traits of the Swiss people, whose loyalty, courage and honesty have won for them the admiration and esteem of the world. He was born in Switzerland in 1822 and was reared in the faith of the Calvin Baptist church, his parents being very strict church people. When a young man he left the land of the Alps and came to the United States, settling first in Wisconsin. He afterward brought his parents to this country and their last days were spent in Minnesota, in which state he resided for some time.

Jacob Beusch was married in Minnesota, in 1850, to Miss Marie Catharine Elizabeth Splitter, who was born in Mecklenburg- Schwerin, Germany, July 7, 1831, and at the age of fifteen years came to the new world, joining her father in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was a daughter of William and Sophia Splitter, who afterward removed with their family to Minnesota, where their last days were passed. In the old country her father had been a Lutheran school teacher but in Minnesota he purchased land and engaged

JACOB BEUSCH

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

in farming, becoming one of the respected and representative agriculturists of his dis- trict. In his family were three children: Mrs. Beusch; William, of Kansas; and Caro- line, deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Beusch began their domestic life in Minnesota, where they remained for fifteen years after their marriage and then came to Oregon by way of the Isthmus route. They were shipwrecked on the island of Jamaica and sailed from Panama on the Am- erica, which was later shipwrecked. They were just one ship ahead of the Juniper, which was sunk. They thus seemed to have marvelous escapes, for they reached their destination in safety and at length settled in Portland. Mr. Beusch afterward became proprietor of a store at Columbia City and later removed to Beaver valley, where he en- gaged in farming until the time of his death, which occurred on the 17th of April, 1896. His widow continued to reside upon the farm for two years and then removed to Paisley.

To Mr. and Mrs. Beusch were born six chil- dren: Jacob, deceased; William, residing in Columbia county, Oregon; Wilhelmina, who. was a twin of William and died at the age of eleven years and seven months; Min- nie, the wife of Dr. A. A. Whitham, of Cali- fornia; Mary, who died at the age of one year; and Catharine, who died when twenty- eight years of age. Mrs. Beusch is today the oldest lady residing in Paisley. For thirty years she has been a Spiritualist, which was also the belief of her husband. They were in perfect harmony in their religious views as well as in other matters, and theirs was a congenial and happy marital relationship. Mr. Beusch had reached the age of seventy- five years when called to his final rest and his death was deeply deplored not only by his family but also by many friends.

THOMAS B. STEWART, who was . a farmer of broad experience later became a prominent citizen of Springfield, Oregon, and a wealthy land owner, bearing a most ex- cellent reputation in the community. He was born in Vermont, March 22, 1851, a son of James and Mary (Rouark) Stewart. The father was a native of Scotland and the mother was born in Ireland. They were married in Vermont. In their family were ten children, as follows: William, an attor- ney of Fairfield, Vermont; Thomas B., of this review; James, a farmer of Salem, Ore- gon; Frances, deceased; Henry, residing in Kansas City, Kansas; Nicholas, of St. Al- bans, Vermont; John, also of that city; Dora, who passed away in infancy; another daugh- ter whose death also occurred in infancy; and Mary, the wife of Henry Stoltz, of Min- nesota.

Thomas B. Stewart received his education in his native state where he remained until he attained the age of twenty years, when he and his brother James removed to Wis- consin. He began to make his own way in the world at the age of eleven years when he left home and began working for various farmers of the neighborhood. He was in- dustrious and saved the money he made so

that at the age of twenty-four, when he was married, he could buy eighty acres of land in Wisconsin, upon which he lived, cultivat- ing the soil and improving the farm, for five years. He then sold that property and re- moved to the northern part of Minnesota, where he took up a homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres. He later sold his Minnesota homestead and was given charge of a very large railroad farm in another part of the same state, which he managed for five years. He then followed teaming as a business for one year and then selling his teaming business, again purchased land in southern Minnesota and after living on that farm for some time sold out and removed to Wisconsin, remaining there for one year. He then removed to South Dakota, where he pur- chased two hundred acres of land upon which he lived one and a half years, when he sold cut and went back to southern Minnesota and bought two hundred acres of land, upon which he lived for ten years. This farm he cultivated in an industrious and able man- ner, placing upon it needed improvements and making of it a fine agricultural prop- erty. At the end of ten years he sold his farm in southern Minnesota and removed to Oregon in October, 1902, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres a short distance east of Springfield. A little later he pur- chased fifty-eight acres adjoining. This land he improved with his usual enterprise and skill, bringing his place under a good statè of cultivation and making of it a valuable property. The growth of Springfield a little after he purchased his land justified him in subdividing sixty acres lying nearest the city and a large portion of that subdivision he sold before his death. Since his demise his widow who still owns one hundred and five acres of the original one hundred and sixty acres purchased by her husband, has sold a goodly portion of the subdivided land. The land which she retains adjoins the city lim- its of Springfield and is worth about five hundred dollars an acre.

Mr. Stewart was married, in Hudson, Wis- sonsin, the 7th of May, 1874, to Miss Har- riet Cooper, a native of New York, but as her parents, William and Maria (Chapman) Cooper, removed to Wisconsin soon after her birth she was reared and educated in the lat- ter state. Her father was a native of Can- ada while her mother was born in the Em- pire state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were born five children as follows: Mary, the wife of Constantine McLaughlin, of California; Dora and Lucy, both deceased; Mrs. Stew- art; and Laura, who married Elias Taylor, of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart became the parents of the following children: George, a resident of Goshen, who was born in 1875, is married and has two children, Harold and Lucille; Robert, who was born in 1879, has one son, Robert, and is employed by the city of Portland, Oregon; Tillie. the wife of Willis Warner, of Springfield, and the mother of three children, Sidney, Madge and Donna; Alice, the wife of John Seavey, of Springfield, by whom she has one daughter. Hazel; Jessie, who married Fred Larison, of

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Portland, and has two children, Harry and Stewart; Francis, of Springfield, who is mar- ried and has one son, Irwin; Fred, who re- sides on the homestead with his mother and is a member of the Second Company, Ore- gon Coast Guards; Irl and Allen, both at home and pupils of the high school.

Mr. Stewart in his political views was a socialist. He was public-spirited and al- ways took an active interest in the upbuild- ing of the communities and neighborhoods in which he lived during his lifetime. He was a man of intelligence, energy and abil- ity and was without exception a leader in the various communities in which he resided. He was an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grange, and took great interest in the affairs of those organizations. By his death, which occurred on the 18th of June, 1909, Springfield lost one of its most valuable, best beloved and most prominent citizens. To the widow who survives him is left the responsibility of car- ing for a large and valuable estate and in the management of it she is measuring up to the demands placed upon her.

DR. J. A. CHASTAIN is living retired, having reached the age of seventy-eight years. At the present time he has put aside business cares of every nature and is enjoy- ing a well earned rest. His life has been in many respects a serviceable factor in the world's work, for he has ever ably per- formed the duties that have devolved upon him. He was born in Meigs county, Ten- nessee, April 3, 1834, his parents being Wil- liam and Mary Ann (Frie) Chastain. The father's birth occurred in Simpson county, Kentucky, February 11, 1809, and the mother was born in Blount county, Alabama, October 16, 1814. A portion of the parents' youth was passed in Meigs county, Tennes- see, where they were married, and in Octo- ber, 1839, they removed to Lawrence county, Missouri, where they reared their family. At length they sold their interests there and went to Howell county, Missouri, where Mr. Chastain passed away January 24, 1866. His widow afterward established her home in Baxter county, Arkansas, where she died at the age of sixty-seven years. The father had always followed farming and blacksmith- ing and had thus provided for the support of his family, numbering six children, name- ly: J. A .; Martha J., deceased; Joseph J., who is living in Norfolk, Arkansas; Elijah L., who died at the age of three years; Mary Katharine, who has passed away; and Eliza- beth, living in Baxter county, Arkansas.

J. A. Chastain resided with his parents until twenty-two years of age, at which time he turned his attention to merchandis- ing with a partner at the Grandy lead mines near Joplin, Missouri, where he remained for two years. There he engaged in the drug business and also studied medicine at Sher- wood, Missouri. He afterward became post- master of Sherwood, which position he oc- cupied for three years. At length his medi- cal studies prepared him for practice and for thirty years he was an active representative

of the profession. At different times, how- ever, other activities have also claimed a part of his time and energies. He was en- gaged in newspaper publication as proprietor of the Boone County (Ark.) Record for about six years but at length disposed of his prop- erty at Bedford and in 1875 made the jour- ney to Oregon with ox teams, using five and a half months in crossing the plains and mountains that lay between his old home in the Mississippi valley and his new home upon the Pacific coast. At length he located in Jackson county, Oregon, where he entered upon the practice of medicine and in 1888 he established his office in Bonanza, where he successfully followed his profession until about twelve years ago, when he retired. His practice called him into various sec- tions of Klamath county and his ability was evidenced in the excellent results which fol- lowed his labors. He was very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and his judgment concerning the outcome of disease was rarely if ever at fault. He also conducted a hotel and feed barn at Bonanza for a number of years and likewise had a homestead claim but has since disposed of all of his invested interests save his home.

On the 4th of March, 1861, in Carthage, Missouri, Dr. Chastain married Miss Sarah T. Boyd, who died at Sarcoxie, Missouri, August 30, 1862, leaving a son, William S., who is living in Farmington, New Mexico. On the 1st of March, 1866, Dr. Chastain was again married, his second union being with Mary J. King. Their children are ten in number: Charles, who died at the age of two years; George, of Klamath Falls, Oregon; Cora and Price, both deceased, who died at the age of nine and sixteen months respec- tively; Ada, who passed away at the age of eight years; Ann, the wife of Arthur Lang- cll, of Bonanza; Etta M., the widow of Roy I. Kilgore, of Bonanza; Claude, of Klamatlı Falls, who is assistant cashier of tlie Amer- ican Bank & Trust Company; Sarah J., the wife of Robert Goss, of Bonanza; and John K., who resides at Bonanza.

Dr. Chastain votes with the democratic party and has held some local offices. He served for one term as deputy sheriff of. Jasper county, Missouri, was the first city recorder of Bonanza, which position he filled for six years, and for a number of years was justice of the peace, in which connection he discharged his duties in a prompt and able manner, his decisions being fair and impar- tial. For over a half century he has been a member of the Baptist church and his carnest, consistent Christian life has gained for him the high regard and the veneration which should ever be accorded one of his years.

JOSEPH W. STEWART. One of the most prominent and influential business men of Springfield was the late Joseph W. Stewart, who for forty years was identified with the commercial interests of the city. He was a man of much energy and determination of purpose and achieved success in his under- takings through following a well defined line

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

of action. As he always conducted his busi- ness in accordance with a policy that com- mended him to the confidence of the people he built up a large patronage and was one of the best known pioneer merchants of Lane county.

He was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, on the 13th .of September, 1835, and was a son of Elias and Elizabeth (England) Stewart, the father of Scotch-Irish and the mother of English extraction. Elias Stew- art was a native of Virginia, whence he re- moved to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he met and married Miss England, who had been born and reared in that county, and there they passed the early years of their domestic life. They subsequently decided upon removal to the northwest, being in- fluenced by the better opportunities it af- forded and, disposing of their interests in Illinois, they joined together with their six children an emigrant train and started to Oregon with an ox team. The journey was fraught with sadness, as the mother suc- cumbed to cholera when they were crossing the plains and was laid to rest on the west- ern prairies. Upon their arrival in this state the father filed on a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres on the Willamette river, located between Springfield and Eu- gene. Later he traded his holding to Char- nel Mulligan for a tract of the same size, upon a large portion of which the town of Eugene is now located. The first college built in Lane county was erected on this ranch, the site subsequently becoming known as College Hill. It was a denominational institution and was under the control of the Presbyterian church. There were eight chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, our sub- ject being the eldest of the family.

The early education of Joseph W. Stewart was acquired in the common schools of his native state and completed in the college that stood on his father's ranch at Eugene. He was early trained to agricultural pursuits and remained on the home place, assisting his father with its operation until he was twenty-two. Five years later the father presented him and his brother John with two mules and they went to Boise, Idaho, and prospected in the mines for a year. During that time Mr. Stewart cleared up about eighteen hundred dollars, which was the first money he had ever earned for himself. Upon his return to Eugene he engaged as clerk in the general mercantile store of Meyer Rosen- blat, and after a few months together with his brother and Mr. Rosenblat engaged in business. They came to Springfield and, on the 5th of November, 1863, purchased the mercantile establishment belonging to the late Frank B. Dunn. They were associated in the conduct of this enterprise until 1873, when Mr. Stewart bought out the interest of his partners and continued the business alone. He was an alert, enterprising man, possessing much foresight and sagacity and met with success in the development of his interests. His close application, earnest ef- fort and honorable methods of conducting his transactions brought him well merited

success, and upon his retirement in 1902 he controlled practically all of the business of this section on the east side of the Wil- lamette. He was one of the representative pioneer merchants of the county and one of the most substantial citizens.

Mr. Stewart was married twice. His first union was with Miss Julia Walker, a native of Greene county, Missouri, who came to Oregon with her parents in 1854. They lo- cated in Eugene and there Mr. Stewart met and married the daughter. She passed away on August 16, 1874, at the age of twenty- seven years, leaving two children: Henry W., of Eugene; and Hattie, the wife of O. A. Wheeler of Portland, whose father form- erly owned and operated a saw and grist mill at Springfield. On the 2d of December, 1875, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Eliz- abeth M. Evans, who was born in Balti- more, Maryland, March 17, 1852. She is a daughter of Francis B. and Mary Ann Evans, the father a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and the mother of Baltimore. The parents both passed the entire period of their domestic life in the latter city and there the mother died in 1858, and the father in 1859. He was a member of the Episcopal church and a master in the Masonic frater- nity and he also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. After the death of her parents, Mrs. Stewart came to Oregon and lived with her brother, James H. Evans, who was a surveyor in the employ of the government. At that time he was located in the land office at Eugene but was subse- quently transferred to Lakeview, this state, assuming his duties there in 1878. He was registrar in the office at that point until his death, which occurred in 1880. Mr. Evans was a Mason and was the first member of the fraternity in Oregon to become a Knight Templar, having been admitted to this branch of the order in Portland, this state, in 1876. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Francis B. Evans, of whom Mrs. Stewart is the only one now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart there were born three children. James E., who was born on January 5, 1877, is an employe of the Southern Pacific Rail- road Company at Springfield. He married Miss Hazel Walling, a native of Michigan, and they have one child, Louis. Mary Ethel married James L. Clark, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Springfield, and they also have one son, Joseph E. Harry M., the youngest member of the family, is engaged in the mercantile business in this- city. For his wife he chose Miss Elsie C. Boutin of Bayfield, Wisconsin, and they have one daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth.

Mr. Stewart was not identified with any religious organization, although as a child . he attended the Methodist Episcopal church in which his mother held membership. Polit- ically he was a democrat and held various local offices. For many years he served as a school director and he represented his dis- trict in the state legislature for two terms, while he had the unusual distinction of serv- ing as postmaster under both a republican and democratic administration. His office

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was never inspected until he resigned, after eight years service, and his accounts were then short only two cents. The postoffice was robbed once while he was in charge and his store was robbed on seven different oc- casions. He was a most estimable man and. was widely known throughout this section of the state, where he had many friends of long years' standing. Public-spirited in mat- ters of citizenship, honorable and upright in all business transactions and thoroughly re- liable and faithful to every trust imposed in him, he well merited the respect and es- teem he was generally accorded by all who knew him. His death was a calamity to the entire community as his loss was deeply felt not only in his immediate family but in the social and business circles of the town.

DR. B. A. OWENS-ADAIR (Autobiogra- phical). I was born February 7, 1840, in Van Buren county, Missouri, second daugh- ter of Thomas and Sarah Damron Owens. My father and mother crossed the plains with the first emigrant wagons of 1843, and settled on Clatsop plains, Clatsop county, Oregon, near the mouth of the great Colum- bia "River of the West," within the cease- less roar of the mighty Pacific. I was then very small and delicate in stature and of a highly nervous sensitive nature and yet I possessed a strong and vigorous constitu- tion, and a most wonderful endurance and recuperative powers. These qualities were inherited not only from my parents but my grandparents as well. My grandfather Owens was a man of exceptional financial ability. He owned a large plantation in Kentucky and had many slaves and many stores throughout the state. He was a grandson of Sir Thomas Owens, of Wales, of historic fame and my grandmother was of German descent. Small in stature but executive, she took full charge of the plan- tation in my grandfather's absence which was most of the time. She was the head of her household as well. Everything came un- der her capable control. She was the mother of twelve children. All grew to maturity, married and went on giving vigorous sons and daughters to the young and growing republic.

My grandfather Damron was of equal worth. He was a noted Indian fighter. He was employed by the government as a scout and spy during the wars with the Shawnees and Delawares. He performed many deeds of bravery and daring. He killed that noted Indian terror "Big Foot." He shot him in "Cumberland Pass;" but the most daring feat of bravery was his rescue of a mother and her five children from a band of Shawnees. For this the government presented him with a silver mounted rifle valued at three hun- dred dollars. Grandmother Damron was of Irish descent and noted for her great beauty.

My father was a tall, athletic Kentuckian, served as sheriff of Pike county for many years, was appointed as deputy at sixteen. It was said of him, "Tom Owens was not afraid of man or devil." Mother was of

slight build but of perfect form. She weighed ninety-six when married at sixteen. Mother inherited her father's courage and bravery. She was the mother of twelve children and lived to have passed her four score years and ten (ninety). Brother Flem' was my constant companion. He grew rapidly and soon overtook me in size; but I was tough and active. Not until I was twelve did he ever succeed in throwing me. One day he came in with a broad grin on his good-na- tured face and said, "'Pop' told me to go to the barn for two bundles of oats for the horses. Now the first one down will go for the oats." Instantly the dish cloth was dropped and we clinched. I had noticed for some time that he had been gaining on me but I could not take a "dair" and he had not yet thrown me. Round and round the room we went, bending and swaying like two young saplings, till seeing his chance he put out his foot and tripped me. I fell and my mouth struck on the post of a chair which broke off a piece of one of my front teeth. Poor brother picked up the fragment of tooth, burst out crying and ran off for the oats. He had just learned this new accom- plishment in wrestling which he had kept secret from me to his life-long regret, for in those times and parts dentistry was al- most an unknown art. It was eighteen years before I could find a dentist who could repair the injury. Dr. Hatch, of Portland, did the work for ten dollars. I was more than glad to have the ugly gap filled with shining gold. It remained for thirty-five years and was perfect when extracted. I have saved it for a souvenir in remembrance of that particular tussle with my good brother, not the last by any means. We were constant companions and I was a veri- table "tom-boy" and gloried in the fact.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 86

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