Benton County, Oregon - Biographical sketches, 1885 (part 2 of 3)

JOHN KEESEE, deceased - Was born in White county, Tennessee, April 17, 1828. When young his parents emigrated to Indiana, thence to Illinois, and later moved to Missouri, where he resided until 1852. In the spring of that year he started across the plains to Oregon, locating in Polk county that fall. In 1864 he came to Benton county, and purchased a farm of 160 acres, four miles from Corvallis, where he lived and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the whole county until his death, which occurred March 9, 1883, leaving a family of wife, one daughter and one son, Andrew T., now an enterprising young business man of Corvallis. Mr. Keesee, at the time of his death, was a Master Mason of Corvallis lodge of A. F. and A. M.

HON. WILLIAM J. KELLY 1 - Was born in Monroe county, Indiana, September 4, 1818, and there resided until the spring of 1840, when his family moved to Missouri and lived in that State until the spring of 1853. He then, with his sister Eliza, joined a train bound for Oregon, arriving at Foster's ranch, September 25, 1853. A few months later they came to Benton county, and took up their residence in Monroe, where he has since resided, in the full enjoyment of the confidence and esteem of the whole community in which he lives. Mr. Kelly twice represented Benton county in the State Legislature, first in 1870 and again in 1874, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for Monroe for three terms. He is now, with his sister, engaged in the hotel business in Monroe, where he owns considerable real estate.

COL. JOHN KEL8AY - In all animate life there are grades of intelligence so plainly marked that the difference is evident at a glance. Between this, gradation is so distinguishable and universal that attention has only to be called to the fact to secure its unquestioned recognition. Among the Australian bushmen, or in the court circle of kings, the genius of a few men lead while the many follow. These are but truisms, facts old as the human family; still, it is not out of place to call attention to them, and the additional truth that it is not infrequent for many, who follow some distance in the rear, to forget, when tne smoke of battle has passed, that they were not in the van. Nature designs some men for active service, and for such to fall short of becoming an important element in the progressive operations of whatever sphere circumstances place them, would be something they could not do. It would be impossible for comprehensive minds to dwell upon that which failed to possess the charm of intricacy or magnitude, something beyond the ordinary; and those possessing such faculties move off in the advance, plan and execute, where others hesitate and fail to act. Every community has within it characters of this kind, more or less marked, who are termed the leading men or minds. West of the Cascades there are a few of this class, who stand so far in the van of progress that their names have but to be mentioned to elicit universal approval of the assertion from all except their personal enemies or the envious, whose opinions are of little value. We now refer to Judge Kelsay, as there are but few names in Oregon that stand out with more prominence than the one at the head of this sketch. He was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, October 23, 18x9, of Scotch-Irish paientage, and is the son of Alexander and Jane (Kelley) Kelsay. At the age of ten years in 1829, his parents moved to Cooper, subsequently Morgan county, Missouri. He lived in that country when scholastic education was one of the most difficult things for a youth to obtain; but his mother being a woman of rare attainments, added to a fund of comprehensive and practical sense, he gained his first knowledge of books from her. To that mother's early teachings, moulding of life's aims and character, the Judge owes much of the favorable results crowning the efforts of his after life. At the age of 21 years he began the study of law, and in July, 1845, was admitted and licensed in Missouri, where he practiced until 1853. At the age of 18 he was commissioned a Captain of Militia and two years later promoted to Major. In 1844 he was elected to the State Legislature of Missouri December 23, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Monroe, daughter of Gen. Monroe, a leading citizen of the above State, and in 1853 crossed the plains to Oregon, arriving in Benton county in September, and immediately began the practice of his profession in Corvallis. On the breaking out of the Rogue river war Col. Kelsay organized a company with which he went south, where he took an active part against the Indians, accounts of which will be found in the history of the Indian wars in this work. In 1857 he served as chairman of the Military Committee in forming the State Constitution, and in 1868 was elected Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. We have only mentioned in this brief way, the more important transactions of this man in the country, that readers might know that we have not improperly denominated him as one of those whom nature created to lead among his fellows. Judge Kelsay stands today in the front rank of Oregon's best men. He is broad and liberal in his views, strong in his convictions, and thoroughly in earnest in whatever he undertakes. His is a mind well and richly stored with the golden cream of literature, and his library at his home in Corvallis is a marvelous collection of the choicest works of the world, besides the large law library he possesses. November 20, 1854, at her home in Corvallis, Mrs. Kelsay passed away with that dread disease, consumption. January 5, 1864, Col. Kelsay married a second time to Miss Countner, by which union they have two children, Annie and Lyman P.

COL. JBHIAL 8. KENDALL. - One among the very first to settle in Benton county is the gentleman whose name heads this short sketch. Col. Kendall was born in Rochester, Vermont, January 10, 1816, his father, Nathan N. Kendall, being a tanner and currier of that place. When our subject was twenty-one years of age he came west to Bloomington, Illinois, where he was employed for five years in driving a stage. He now moved to Linn county, Iowa, when he joined a company to fight the Indians and with which he came out to the Missouri river, where he located and resided until the great overflow of 1844, which swept away his entire possessions. In the spring of 1845 he joined a train captained by John Stewart, and came across the plains to Oregon. On reaching Yamhill county, Mr. Kendall walked to the present site of Corvallis, and the fall of that year, 1845, located the claim where he now lives. On the breaking out of the first Cayuse war he enlisted in Captain Martin's company with which he served for six months. On June 5, 1854, he was appointed by Governor Curry, Colonel of the 7th Regiment, in obedience to an election held on that day. The Colonel was married in 1853 to Mrs. Mary A. Matt, the widow of Charles Matt, by which union they have no issue.

DAVID L. KB YES - A view of whose place will be found in this work is one of Benton county's most successful and wealthy farmers. Mr. Keyes is a native of (formerly Carter) Johnson county, Tennessee, born December 19, 1822. Residing in his birth-place and engaged in farming until the fall of 1868. when he, with his family, came via New York and Panama, to Oregon, and direct to Benton county. In 1870 he purchased his present valuable farm consisting of 378 acres, three miles south-west of Corvallis. Mr. Keyes was married to Miss Susan J. Ward in his native State in 1849 » she died at her home near Corvallis February 20, 1881, leaving a family of five children, viz* John W., Orena C, Jane R., James and Margaret C.

GEORGE KING - Is a native of Yorkshire, England, born March, 1844. In 1867 he emigrated to America, first settling in Michigan and afterwards in Minnesota, where he found employment in the mills. In 1871 he came to Oregon, and in the fall of that year came to Yaquina Bay, and was employed on the building of the Yaquina Head light-house, and afterwards at the Cape Foul weather light-house. For the last four years Mr. King has been in the government employ as engineer on the Yaquina Bay improvements. Mr. King has a delightful home on the south side of the bay, where he owns 100 acres of land.

JOHN KING. - The subject of this sketch was born in Yorkshire, England, August 21, 1839. He there resided and learned the trade of engineer until 1859, when he emigrated to America, first settling in Michigan. In the spring of 1876 he came to Oregon and direct to Yaquina Bay, where he purchased property and has since resided. Mr. King, together with Mr. Charles Smith, are the proprietors of the town site of Oyster City, besides some 400 acres he owns at different points on the bay. Mr. King at present is engineer at Parker's saw-mill and is as yet unmarried.

SOLOMON KING - The present efficient Sheriff of Benton county, is the son of Naham and Serepta (Norton) King, and was born in Madison county, Ohio, February 26, 1833. When a boy of eight years his parents moved to Franklin county, same State, and, in 1841, moved to Carroll county, Missouri. In the spring of 1845 ms fother concluded to move west, being induced to do so by the waters of the Missouri river overflowing their banks the previous fall and submerging his entire farm. He selected Oregon as his destination and started with his family of wife, five sons and five daughters to cross the plains. At St. Joseph they joined a train of 64 wagons under the command of Captain TeVault, but on arriving on the South Piatt the train divided, Mr. King's party joining that division under the command of James McNeary. After an arduous and long trip, the incidents of which would fill a chapter of this work, they arrived at The Dalles in November, 1845. Our subject's family suffered the loss of one brother (John) and his wife and three children, and one sister. At The Dalles they constructed a raft on which they placed 13 wagons and 35 or 40 people and descended the Columbia river to the Cascades, where they took boats and proceeded to the town of Linton, finally settling near the present site of Forest Grove, where they spent the first winter. In April, 1846, Mr. King, Sr., selected the valley that now bears his name as his future home, and with the families of Roland Chambers and Lucius Norton settled in King's Valley, 20 miles north-west of Corvallis. Mr. King, however, resided there but a short time, when he spent several years in Portland, and again returned to Benton county, this time locating on the farm now owned by James Robinson, and there, in 1856, our subject's father passed away. Mr. King then remained on the old homestead until 1872 when he moved to Corvallis and engaged in the livery business, which he followed until 1883 when his large livery stable was burned. In 1876 he was elected Sheriff of Benton county, a position he has been re-elected to every two years since, and is the present incumbent, and it is safe to say that no man stands higher in his official capacity in Oregon to-day than Sol. King. He owns a valuable farm of about 1200 acres, one mile west of the city of Corvallis, on which he has a beautiful home residence, a view of which appears in this work. Mr. King was united in marriage in Benton county, to Miss Annie Maria Allen ; by this union they have five children - Annie, Lucy, Ely, William and Abe.

JOHN A. KNIGHT - The subject of this sketch, the leading furniture manufacturer of Benton county, is a native of Germany, born July 16, 1824, where he learned the cabinet-maker's trade. In 1847 he emigrated to the United States, and in 185 1 came to California, residing in San Francisco until 1857, when he came to Corvallis, Benton county, and opened his present extensive furniture factory. Mr. Knight is married and has one daughter - Alma.

WILLIAM KNOTTS, deceased - Is another of those early honored pioneers who has passed over to the silent majority. Mr. Knotts crossed the plains from Iowa in the summer of 1845, and in 1849 came to Benton county and located his donation claim of 640 acres, three and a half miles north of Corvallis, where his son now resides. Here, on the porch of Mr. Knight's house, was had the first term of court ever held in Benton county, with our subject serving in the capacity of County Clerk. He there resided until his death, which event occurred October 1, 1855, leaving a family of wife (now Mrs Keesee, of Corvallis), and five children.

HON. H. C. T. LEWIS - This early pioneer of Oregon and Benton county was born in the city of New York, January 30, 1805, of poor but honest parents. At an early age he was thrown on his own resources. At the age of 14 he went to sea, which calling he followed for five years. He then learned the trade of ship's carpenter, at which he worked in most of the principal points on the Atlantic Coast. In 1838 he moved west to Missouri where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1845, w hen he came with ox teams to Oregon, and driving a band of stock. On arriving at The Dalles he left his wagons and proceeded on to Benton county with his stock, and early in the fall of 1845 to °k U P n ^ claim, two and a half miles north of the present city of Corvallis, where he has since resided and owns a large estate. Mr. Lewis is now past 80 years of age, forty of which have been spent on his present home in Benton county. If all the events and experiences of this pioneer could be chronicled they would make interesting reading for the occupants of the happy homes that now dot the country which he found a wilderness and inhabited by little else than the savages and wild beasts. Suffice it to say that now that his labors are nearly ended, let the thronging thousands who shall enjoy this beautiful land remember that his strong arms helped to subdue this far western wilderness and prepared it for civilized man. Mr. Lewis was a member of the Constitutional Convention, and has always been a strong adherent to the democratic faith. - He was married in Missouri to Miss Moore, by whom he has a family of four daughters and three sons.

JOHN H. LEWIS - A view of whose home in Corvallis is placed among the illustrations of this work, was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, July 23, 1837. When but an infant his parents moved to the Piatt Purchase, Missouri, from whence in 1852, he, with his father and brother and four sisters, crossed the plains to Oregon in a train of thirty-two wagons, of which our subject's father, Wm. P. Lewis, was captain. The first winter was spent in Dallas, Polk county, where, in 1854, his father embarked in the milling and mercantile business. In 1855 our subject enlisted in Company B, Capt. Burch, of the Oregon Volunteers, and went to the Vakama Indian war, in which he served for six months, returning home in May, 1856. In 1859 Mr. Lewis began to do for himself by purchasing a band of horses which he took to California, where he disposed of them to good advantage and again returned to Dallas, where he embarked in the livery business, which he followed until 1866, when he came to Benton county and engaged in the stock business for ten or twelve years. In 1 876 he purchased his present home, and at that time engaged in the dray and transfer business in which he still continues. Mr. Lewis has held the office of Deputy Sheriff of Benton county for eight years, and for the same period has been a member,of the City Council of Corvallis, both offices which he still fills to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of the county and city in which he resides. Mr. Lewis was united in marriage April 27, 1864, to Miss Martha A. Meanes, by which union they have five children.

ELIJAH LIGGETT. - This gentleman, one of the earliest and most respected pioneers of Benton county, is a native of the State of Arkansas, where he was born in the year 1827. When an infant he was taken to Missouri by his parents, and there our subject resided until 1845, in the month of May of which year, accompanied by his father, Alexander Liggett, his mother, five sisters and one brother, he started with ox-teams to cross the*plains to Oregon. At The Dalles, where he arrived October 12, 1845, he suffered the loss of his mother. Hence, after a short delay, the party made the journey down the Columbia to the Cascades on rafts, and thence by boats to the mouth or the Willamette. They now proceeded up the beautiful valley, located in what is now Benton county, and Mr. Liggett, Senior, took up the tract now known as the Perman Henderson claim, but soon after removed to a situation on Mary's river. In 1846 our subject settled on the farm now owned by S. K. Brown, and in 1849 purchased his present place comprising three hundred and seventeen acres, located abou* a mile south east from Philomath, where he is engaged in general farming. Married in Benton county, Miss Mary E. f daughter 8f the late James L. Mulkey, whose biography appears elsewhere, by which union they have three surviving children, viz : Louisa J. (now Mrs. James Fisk), Frances J. (now Mrs. Peterson), and Emma.

SAMUEL A. LOGAN - Was born in Putnam county, Indiana, December 16, 1840. When about six years uf age his parents moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, and one year later, removed to Marion county, Iowa, where they resided until 1862, when he, with his wife and parents, crossed the plains to Oregon. In 1866 he moved to Yaquina Bay, and in February of that year, located the place of 168 acres where he now lives, on the south side of the Yaquina river between Toledo and Elk City. Mr. Logan also owns 280 acres at Oysterville and is engaged in farming. Married in Iowa, and has three children - Clara A., Yaquina O. and Allen M.

JOHN K. McCORMIC - Was born in Dixon county, Tennessee, February 19, 1827. In 1831 his parents moved to Morgan county, Illinois, where he resided until 1851, when he crossed the plains to Oregon and followed mining in Jackson county until 1852. He then came to Benton county, and located a donation claim eight miles west of Corvallis. In 1857 he moved to the Alsea valley and purchased the farm on which he now resides of 32 s acres.

WILLIAM MACKAY.- The subject of this sketch was born near Ottawa, Canada, August 18, 1842, where he lived until 1865, when he, with his wife and one child, came via Panama to Portland, Oregon. January, 1866, he moved to Yaquina Bay, locating on his present farm of 147 acres, opposite Toledo, where he is engaged in logging and farming. Mr. Mackay was appointed the first Postmaster of Toledo on the bay. He was united in marriage in Canada, April, 18631 to Miss Tressa McGrath, by which union they have eight children.

JAMES MARTIN - Was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1822. In 1847 he emigrated to America, and until 1852, lesided in the Eastern States. In the above year he crossed the plains to Oregon and came direct to Benton county, and located his donation claim where he now resides, five miles north-east of Monroe, to which he has since added by .purchase until now he has an estate of 900 acres. Mr. Martin is married and has two children - Ida and John L.

PROF. EDGAR A. MILNER. - There is scarcely a resident of Benton county, who does not know E. A. Milner. Ever since grown to man's estate he has taken an active part in the affairs of the community where he lives. His is one of those aggressive, go-ahead dispositions that believe in themselves. Hope or ambition as a purely sentimental attribute does not enter into his composition, but are replaced by the sterner qualities of self-reliance and courage - both moral and physical. He is an example of the time honored adage that "God helps those who help themselves," and his whole life has bristled with instances of this belief. He is a man of strong convictions and honest prejudices, scorning the hypocrisy of policy, and dealing by his friends as his friends. In fact, he possesses one virtue above all others, in dealing with the world, everybody, whether friend or foe, knows where he may be found when wanted. His nature is positive in its character, and when he has once settled in his mind that he is right, nothing can swerve him from his course. Such a character must succeed. Prof. Milner was born in Benton county October I, 1852. When nine years of age he was placed in the Sisters' College at Vancouver, where he remained until 1865, when he was transferred to the Santa Clara College, California, where he spent the following two years. He then returned to Benton county, and one year later he entered that well-known educational institution the Notre Dame University of South Bend, Indiana, from which he graduated in 1871. He then returned to his first Alma Mater at Vancouver, and was then employed for one year, as one of the faculty of the college. Then he returned to Corvallis and was appointed principal of the Public Schools of that place, a position he has held for the past thirteen years, which in itself is sufficient proof of the high esteem in which Mr. Milner is held in that city. He has held the office of County Superintendent of Schools for Benton county in 1874, 1882, and 1884.

J. P. H. MORRIS - Is the son of Charles A. F. Morris, the Chief Engineer of the Southern extention of the Oregon and California Railroad, and was born in Illinois, February 22, 1854. In 1857 his parents moved to Minnesota where he lived until 1882, when he came to Oregon and accepted the position of general time-keeper in the southern division of the O. & C. R. R., a position he held until the following year. Then after a short time spent in Seattle he came to Yaquina Bay and purchased Hunsacker's store at Oneatta. In the fall of 1884, he moved to Newport where he opened his present drag and millinery store. Married, and has one son, Edwin L. ^

ALBERT O. MULKEY.- In the gentleman whose name heads this sketch we have a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families to Oregon. Albert G. is the son of James L. Mulkey, and was born in Buchannan county, Missouri, October 18, 1838. In the spring of 1844 his father (his mother being dead) and eight children started across the plains to Oregon. After a long and weary journey they arrived at Walla Walla in the fall of that year. There they spent the first winter, and in the spring of 1845, came to North Yamhill, and in 1846, came to Benton county, and in the fall of that year located on the place where our subject now resides, a view of which appears in this work. Here for nearly forty years has Mr. Mulkey lived, and there are few names in Benton county more respected than that of A. G. Mulkey.

HON. JAMBS L. MULKEY, Senior, deceased. - The subject of this sketch was born February 19, 1797, in the State of Tennessee, near Nashville, was the eldest child of John and Polly Mulkey, and had in his veins the sturdy admixture of Scotch- Irish blood . During the eighteen years that he resided upon his father's farm with his parents he acquired the rudiments of a common school education, accomplishing this only by the greatest industry and self-denial - snatching a few moments now and again from the labors of the field, and at night, when the day's work was done, by pouring over the most primitive hooks, unaided by teacher or light, save such as was afforded by the historic pine-knot fire. At about the age of eighteen Mr. Mulkey, left home to attend a private school, where he performed manual labor to defray the expenses of his board and tuition. Here, although the terms were of short duration he mastered Murray's Grammar and Syke's Arithmetic, the analysis and solution of every example of which he wrote out in full, as is shown by papers still preserved as an heirloom by his descendants. At the close of his pupilage our subject was employed to teach in Nashville, Tennessee, where he successfully and successively taught for a period of about eight years, when proceeding to Randolph county, Alabama, he followed for a time the same vocation, and there espoused Miss Mary Dinsmore. Thence, Mr. Mulkey transferred his residence to Missouri, still engaging in the instruction of the young, in Chariton, Jackson and Cole counties, in the last of which he was elected to the position of County Judge, and filled the office with credit for several consecutive terms, Court being held in Jefferson City. From Cole county he went to the "Platte Purchase," settling in Buchanan county, near Bloomington, in or about, A. D. 1836. Here he engaged in clearing and improving a farm until the spring of 1844. In February, 1842, Mr. Mulkey lost his wife, by death, a misfortune that so unnerved him that he longed to get away from the place and its sorrowful associations. Under this state of mind the glowing pictures of western explorers and the enthusiasm of Fremont, Linn and Benton - with the last of whom he maintained a personal friendship - were more than sufficient to settle him into a determined resolution to emigrate to far ofT Oregon. In the spring of 1844, with a family of nine motherless children, he bade adieu to home and kindred and launched forth upon the long and hazardous journey before him. Spring, summer and autumn passed ; winter closed in and he had not yet reached the promised land where "rolled the Oregon," but was compelled, with nine other families, to go into winter quarters ten miles above the old Whitman Station on the Umatilla. In the succeeding spring the journe) was continued and the North Yamhill reached. In the fall and winter of 1845, * n company with Johnson Mulkey, the country now forming Benton county was penetrated. Here, in or about December, 1845, our subject located his claim, cut and hauled logs for his cabin, and erected a - camp" or 'Chanty." This location is about two miles northwest from the present city of Corvallis. Returning, he wintered on the Yamhill and in March, 1846, moved his family to his claim in Benton county. On this farm he resided during the remainder of his life, engaging in general farming and stock-raising, he having brought across the plains a few head of excellent cattle and a small band of the finest horses he was able to procure in Virginia and Kentucky. Mr. Mulkey filled several important positions of public trust in Benton county, having served her in the first Legislature under the Territorial organization. He also took the census of Benton county in 1850, as the deputy of J. C. Avery, and performed the entire work on foot. He was a man of conservative thought ; of stern and inflexible integrity. His hospitality was generous and free, often beyond his means. In his intercourse with men he was more retiring than obtrusive; seeking and attracting as well as being attracted by the better class, among his friends he counted such men of distinction as Rev. A. F. Waller, Judge O. C. Pratt, General Lane, and Hon. M. P. Deady, who frequently were visitors at the old pioneers h jme. In religion Mr. Mulkey was liberal. Never having attached himself to any sect, yet he was a firm believer in the religion of Christ. In politics he was a Ife-long democrat of the Free soil, Jacksonian stamp - A hater of slavery he equally detested Abolitionism - a lover of justice, he believed in the Reign of Law. He died April 25, 1855.

A. NEWTON - This old and respected pioneer of Benton county was born in Hampton county, Massachusetts, August 8, 1806, and lived in the Eastern States until 1837, when he came west to the then Territory of Iowa, where he remaiued until 1848, when he continued his westward journey across the plains to Oregon, and came direct to Benton county and took up his donation claim where he now resides, where he has a large and valuable farm nicely located, and is surrounded in his declining days with all that goes to make up the complement of earthly comfort and enjoyment. Mr. Newton was married in Harding county, Kentucky, to Miss Rachael Garlinghouse, and by this union they had eight children, six of whom are living.

O. O. NEWTON - Born in Licking county, Ohio, November 7, 1839, and came to Oregon with his parents in 1848. In 1850 they located where our subject now lives, where he and his father owns 375 acres, four miles west of Corvallis. In 1884 he was elected County Commissioner. Married in Benton county October 26, 1862, Miss Susan Wood, daughter of Rev. Jesse Wood, who emigrated to Oregon from Iowa in 1852, and is now a respected resident of Philomath precinct.

HON. HENRY B. NICHOLS - Was born in Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, January 13, 1821, receiving his education at the Wesleyan University, at Middletown in that State. In 1845 ne proceeded to the Sandwich Islands, but six months thereafter returned to his native place, where he engaged in school teaching and followed that occupation for upwards of twenty years. In June, 1847, Mr, Nichols started westward, and for five years had charge of a seminary in Muscatine county, Iowa. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, made his first location in Benton county, began teaching in the Belknap Settlement, was so occupied nine years* and took up the three hundred and twenty acre donation claim on which he now resides, but has increased his possessions from time to time until he now owns one thousand two hundred acres, situated four miles to the west of Monroe. Mr. Nichols was a member of the Constitutional Convention and a member of the last Territorial and three first sessions of the State Legislature; besides which he has been clerk to School District No. 26, for over thirty years. Mr. Nichols married in Iowa, but lost his wife in 1883. His family consists of three surviving children, viz: Alfred C, Richard J., and Carrie E.

J, M. NOLAN - Although a very recent arrival in Benton county, however, it is but few of our many readers but what is acquainted or have transacted business with the subject of this sketch, as it is not in Mr, Nolan's composition to run a business and not let his "light shine," as he does through the medium of printer's ink, aided by his own business qualifications. Mr. Nolan is a native of the "Green Isle beyond the sea," and was born in 1847, and emigrated to the United States in 1873, arrived in Oregon in 1877, and came to Corvallis, Benton county, in 1884, and opened his present large mercantile establishment, thereby adding one more to the list of enterprising men of Corvallis. Mr. Nolan was married at Vancouver, W. T., in 1 88 1, to Miss Mary J. Callahan; by this union they have two children, Thomas J. and Mary K.

JOHN OLSSON - Is a native of Sweden, born in Guttenberg, March 20, 1838. At the age of fourteen years he went to sea and for the following fifteen years followed a sea faring life. Finally arriving in San Francisco, he came with Captain Winant to Vaquina Bay, to work at the oyster business, in 1864. January, 1866, he located 112 acres on the north side o^ the bay, where he now lives. In 1882 he had his estate divided, placing part as an addition to the city of Newport and the balance he gave the name and started the town of Fredericksburg, which is certainly one of ihe most desirable locations on the bay. Mr. Olsson is married and has one son - 1 awrence O.

JOHN M. OSBURN - This influential and wealthy resident of Benton county, and present Mayor of Corvallis, is a man whom nature fitted in her happy mood with a combination of qualities that could hardly fail to guide its possessor to success - qualities which especially fit him to deal with men. With manners suave, a disposition to accommodate, and generous promptings toward his fellows, he greets the stranger, the customer, or the friend, in that peculiar way which carries with it an impression of a kind wish implied, which seldom fails to leave a desire with the recipient to do him a favor if he can. It is a happy faculty, and it gives the possessor what he deserves, a friendship and respect among men that is bounded only by the extent of his acquaintance. Such are the qualities of the gentleman of whom we write. Mr. Osburn is a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and first saw the light of day September 1, 1828. He resided in his native state until 1852, when he started ida Panama for the "Golden State," where he followed mining until March, 1854, when he returned to his Eastern home and embarked in the stock business. During the desperate battle of Gettysburg Mr. Osburn had a large drove of cattle a few miles to the rear of the Union forces, and which represented almost his entire wealth; he being unable to get his stock out, was compelled to await the conclusion of that desperate conflict, as the safety of his entire band depended on the victory of the Union arms, for had General Lee won the day, all his stock would have been captured. In March, 1864, Mr. Osburn, with his family, started via Panama for Oregon, arriving in Corvallis the following April, where he leased what is known as the Johnson Mulkey donation claim and engaged in the stock business. One year later Mr. Osburn purchased the farm consisting of 1004 acres, located three miles west of Corvallis, where he is extensively engaged in the stock business, in which he is ably seconded by his sons James L. and David A. Mr. Osburn has a pleasant home in Corvallis, where he resides, a view of which together with the view of his farm, appears in this work. He was united in marriage in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1850, to Miss Phcebe Jones, by which union they have four children, viz: Floras C, James ^L., David A., and Mary L., now Mrs. Jessie Houck.

HON. ALLEN PARKER - Was born in Ross county, Ohio, in the year 1828. He remained in his birth place and attending school until 15 years of age. His parents moved to Iowa, where he lived on a farm until the spring of 1852, he then crossed the plains to Oregon, first settling in Linn county, where he afterwards became a prominent farmer, warehouse and mill owner. In 1872 Mr. Parker was elected Sheriff of Linn county, and Mayor of Albany in 1876; he was also elected in the latter year by the State Legislature, Lock Commissioner of the Willamette falls. In 1878 he came to Benton county and purchased his present large property at Oneatta, on Yaquina Bay, where he has since resided, mostly engaged in running his large sawmill at that place. In 1880 Mr. Parker was selected to represent Benton county in the State Legislature, and again in 1882 was returned to the House of Representatives. Mr. Parker, therefore, has had his share of political glory. He has left an untarnished name and has made a large number of staunch and admiring friends. In every office Mr. Parker has filled he has always used his best endeavors for the advancement of his county and for the benefit of the State at large. It is no flattery to say he filled them with credit, satisfaction to his constituents and honor to himself.

A8HBT PBARCB - Is the son of Philip Pearce, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in the latter part of the last century, and is a direct descendant of some of the first settlers in America. Our subject was born in Harrison county, Indiana, June 30, 1821 ; when fifteen years of age his parents moved to Knox county, Illinois, where he followed farming. March 29, 1847, he joined what was known as Nathaniel Brown's train, and came across the plains to Oregon, arriving at Oregon City in the fall of that year. In October, 1847, he came to Benton county and located on the land now owned by Caleb Davis, remaining there, however, but a short time, when he went to Linn county. In 1848, he enlisted and went north to fight the Indians in which he was engaged for six months. In 1849 he went to the gold mines of California for a short period, when he returned to Albany, Linn county, and for the next ten years followed clerking in different stores in the latter town. He then retired to his former donation claim seven miles south of Albany. In 1866 he purchased his present valuable farm located at the Albany Ferry in Benton county, consisting of five hundred and thirty acres. And at that time purchased the above ferry which he has since operated. A view of Mr. Pearce's home will be found in this History.

WILLIAM PEARSON - A former pioneer of Benton county, but now a wealthy farmer of Marion county, was born in Indiana, January 19, 1820. In the spring of 1852 he, with his family, left Union county, Indiana, with horse teams and came across the plains to Oregon, first locating at Oregon City. In the fall of 1853 he came to Benton county and took up the place now owned by Jasper Newton. He lived in this county, engaged in farming and milling, until 187 1, when he moved to Waitsburg, Washington Territory, where he resided for ten years. He then came to Marion Station, Marion county, and purchased a valuable estate of eight hundred and fifty acres, where he is a well known dealer in Norman horses. Mr. Pearson was married in Indiana, to Miss Francis F. Webb, a native of that State and has four living children, viz: M. Cerilda (now Mrs. Henry H.Pearson), Mary A., wife of Rev. E. C. Wyatt, of Philomath; Otto H. B. and William O.

EDWIN C. PHELPS - Was born in Hebron, Grafton county, New Hampshire, September 20, 1843. In the spring of 1851 his parents, with their family, came to Cincinnati, where they purchased wagons and had them shipped from Hannibal, Missouri, where they outfitted, and with a team of eight wagons started across the plains to Oregon and settled in Linn county. Our subject, in 1861, was apprenticed to the printer's trade with the Hon. James H. Slater, at that time the propnetor of the Corvallis Union, a profession that Mr. Phelps has since followed at different places on the coast until 1874, when he took up his residence in Newport where he now resides. Married in Linn county to Miss Mary Ross, by which union they have seven children.

WILLIAM M. PITMAN - Was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, January 12, 1827, and at the age of thirteen years commenced an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, an occupation he afterwards followed, combined with farming, in his native State. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Pitman started to cross the plains to California, but on arrival at Salt Lake altered his course for Oregon and in May of that year took up his residence in Benton county. Having from that time resided in King's Valley, in 187 1, he removed to Corvallis, worked at his trade until 1875, ano< built his sash and door factory. To this gentleman is the honor of having sawed the first plank of lumber in Benton county - in 1851, in the mill of Hartless & Matzger. During the year 1868-69, Mr. Pitman held the office of Fire Commissioner in Corvallis.

JAMES S. POLHEMUS. - To the ability and engineering skill of the subject of this sketch does Yaquina Bay owe much of its present and future prospects. Although a young man he has taken a deep interest in the work on which he has been employed, and we doubt if the Government could have found a more capable man to take charge of the improvement of the Yaquina Bay, a detailed account of which appears in this work. Mr. Polhemus was born in Astoria, Queens county, New York, March 26, 1852. When sixteen years of age he was sent to the Lehigh University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1872 as a Civil Engineer. The following years until 1880, Mr. Polhemus was in the Government employ as engineer on some of the most important works in the Southern, Eastern and Middle states. In the above year he was selected Chief local engineer, to build the jetties at the mouth of Yaquina Bay, a work that he has s^nce been engaged upon and in which he has been eminently successful. Mr. Polhemus was united in marriage in Portland, the fall of 1884, to Mary C. Daly.

NEWTON POOL - This early settler of Yaquina Bay, was a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, and born June 5, 1835, In 1856 he came across the plains to California, and in 1865 to Benton county, Oregon, and at that time located on Yaquina Bay, where he engaged in the oyster trade. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres located on Pool Slough; is married, and has one daughter. Since writing the above we have learned of the sad death of Mr. Pool.

ISAAC W. PORTER. - The subject of this sketch a view of whose residence appears in this history, is the son of William Porter, a pioneer of Benton county of the year 1848, was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, in 1847, a °d when one year old was brought across the plains to Oregon. His parents first located near the place now owned by Mr. Foster, but in 1883, our subject purchased the farm on which he resides, and known as Spring Hill, which is situated about three quarters of a mile north from Monroe, and comprises three hundred and fifty acres. Besides being engaged in general farming Mr. Porter is also concerned in a livery business in Monroe.

McCAULEY PORTER - This pioneer of Benton county, a view of whose residence appears in this work, was born in Todd county, Kentucky, November 29, 1829, but when six years of age he was taken by his parents to live in Montgomery county, Illinois, and there remained eleven years, being brought up a farmer. In 1846 they removed to Linn county, Missouri, where, in the spring of 1848, in company with his brothers, William G. and John E., and their families, they started to cross the plains with ox teams to Oregon, our subject being chiefly engaged en route in driving sheep. At the end of five months he reached Foster's ranch, hired out for a short time and then followed his brothers to Benton county. In the spring of 1849 he proceeded to the California gold mines, where he remained three years, returning to Oregon in the fall of 1852, and the following spring took up his present farm as a donation claim, to which he has since added until he now owns 1500 acres. Mr. Porter is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He married in Benton county, April 7, 1853, Miss Martha Winkle, a native of Alabama, who crossed the plains in 1848, in the same train with her future husband, by which union they have Samuel H., John F., Jessie, Isaac and Mark M. P.

LEVI N. PRICE - Was born in Boone county, Indiana, August 4, 1835. When 13 years of age his parents moved to Dis Moines, Iowa, where they engaged in farming. In the spring of 1853 his parents, with a family of eleven children, crossed the plains to Oregon. After a short sojourn in Albany, Linn county, they moved to the Umpqua Valley, near the present site of Oakland, Douglas county, where our subject remained for four years. He then moved to Polk county, and in 1873 came to Benton county, locating in Corvallis. In 1875 ne moved to the Belknap Settlement, anil in 1879 came to Philomath and purchased his present homestead, a view of which appears in this work, where he has since lived. Mr. Price for the past five years has been the financial agent of the Philomath College, a position he now holds. Mr. Price was united in marriage in Dou^Hs county, to Miss Elizabeth J. Applegate, and by this union they have two children; Sarah M. and William I.

W I LLARD L. PRICE - Is one of the best known res'dents of King's Valley, and a native of Oregon, born in Clackamas county, April 21, 1850, and is a son of Hon. Larkin Price, a pioneer to Oregon of 1845. He resided with his parents in his native*county, and afterwards in Marion until 187 1, devoting most of his time to teaching school. In the above year he was United in marriage to Miss Sarepta Norton, a daughter of Lucius Norton, also a pioneer of 1845. He then took up his residence in King's Valley, where he now owns a valuable farm of 480 acres, in connection with which he runs a general merchandise store.

ALBERT R. PYGALL - The.present efficient Marshal of Corvallis, is a native of New York State, born in Rochester, July 23, 1851. In 1858 his parents moved to Fondu Lac, Wisconsin. In 187 1 our subject went to Minnesota, where he lived until the spring of 1877, when he came to Oregon and direct to Corvallis, where he engaged and followed the dray business until 1879, when he was elected City Marshal, an office he has since held. The citizens of Corvallis are to be congratulated in securing the services of Mr. Pygall, for his well-known reputation as a public servant, coupled with qualifications that are necessary to the fulfillment of the duties of that office, are a sure guarantee of peace and order being maintained.

GILBERT W. QuiVJfiY - The subject of this sketch was born in Meggs county, Ohio, July 8, 1840. When but an infant his parents moved to Dane county, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1853 he, with his father William Quivey, crossed the plains to Oregon and took up a donation claim ten miles south of Corvallis, where his father died in 187 1. Our subject for five years was a school teacher in Benton county. In 1862 he went to Portland and learned the printer's trade and from 1864 to 1871 Mr. Quivey was a resident of Idaho. In the latter year he returned to Corvallis, and for the following six years published the Benton County Democrat. He then sold out and established the River Su/e, now the West Su/e, at Independence, which he ran for three years. He then returned to Corvallis and embarked in his present business as dealer in all kinds of agricultural machinery. In 1884 Mr. Quivey was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace for Corvallis, an office he at present fills to the entire satisfaction of the residents of that city.

A. M. RAINWATER - This early pioneer, was born in North Carolina, August 29, 1820. When quite young his parents moved to Tennessee, and later to Missouri, from whence, in 1847, with ox teams, he crossed the plains to Oregon and came direct to Benton county, at that time locating his present valuable farm of 200 acres, directly opposite Albany, where he is engaged in farming and fruit-raising.

THOMAS M. READ - The well known and prosperous farmer, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, is one of the very first settlers in Benton county. Mr. Read is a native of New Hampshire, and was born in the year of 181 2. In October, 1834, he located in Ottawa, Illinois, where he remained but a short time, removing to Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1836, and followed different occupations in that State until the spring of 1845. He then crossed the plains and arrived in Oregon October 15 of the above year. In April, 1846, he first arrived in Benton county, and a short time thereafter located the place where he now resides, some five miles north of Corvallis, where he owns a large and valuable estate. Mr. Read is one of the substantial men of the county, and has made his money since he came here. He believes in improvements and the advancement of the community in which he lives, and is one of those who spend time and money freely in that direction. In Benton county, Oregon, November 10, 1846, Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Nancy White, a native of Ohio, and by this union they have a family of four sons and two daughters, viz: Therese, Perry, Clara, Columbia, Sumner and Charles.

COLUMBIA READ - Is the son of Thomas M. and Nancy (White) Read, who were among the earliest pioneers to Oregon. "Clum," as he is commonly called, was born on his father's donation claim, about seven miles north of Corvallis, in December, 1853, and remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority. At the age of twenty-one he started out to do for himself - with what success may be seen in the valuable farm he now possesses, consisting of 406 acres, located in one of the garden spots of the beautiful Willamette Valley, two miles south of Wells Station, on which he has built himself a fine residence, a view of which appears in this work. Although yet a young man he has through his energy and business ability secured a comfortable competency, and is a fit subject for other young men to imitate. Mr. Read was united in marriage in Benton county to Miss Matilda Dodele, and by this union they have one son - William.

SAMUEL READER - A resident of Monroe and proprietor of the Monroe grist mill, was born in Warwickshire, England, where he remained until 1870, when he emigrated to America. Coming direct to Benton county he purchased his present mill property which he now opperates.

JOHN RICK A RD - A view of whose home accompanies this work, is one of those, who coming to this valley without capital, has gained a reasonable competence through his own industry. Mr. Rickard was born in Ruan county, North Carolina, November 7, 1827. When he was eight years of age his parents moved to -Pike county, Indiana, where our subject followed farming until spring of 1853. He then, with his wife and one child, accompanied by his two brothers, Andy and Casper, started across the plains to the Pacific Coast. After an unusual long trip they arrived in Lane county. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Rickard came to Benton county and located the place where he has since lived, and owns 640 acres of valley land, beautifully located for farming and stock-raising, 12 miles south of Corvallis. In conclusion we would say of these two, Mr. and Mrs. Rickard, that the fortune, which, in the autumn of life, surrounds them, has been gathered by worthy hands, and properly rewards the life labors of two pioneers of this county. It is not unfrequent, that those who struggle less and are favored according to their efforts, are envious of those who succeed. In the wandering to seek a favored spot for a life home, these have woven into their history some strange adventures and narrow escapes, but to detail these would require more space than is admissible in this work.

DAVID RUBLE - Was born in Virginia, December 11, 1831. When he was four years of age his parents moved to Wabash county, Indiana, and there lived until the spring of 1853. At a very early age Mr. Ruble learned the trade of miller, which he has followed mostly since. In the spring of 1853 he started with his wife, a bride of but one day, to cross the plains to Oregon. After a six months* trip on the plains, with an ox-team, they arrived at Salem. In 1872 he came to the Alsea Valley, Benton county, there engaging m the flour mill business, and later erected a saw-mill, accounts of both of which will be found in this work.

JAMBS H. RUSSELL - Born in Bath, England, September 7, 1837. In 1841 his parents emigrated to America, * first locating in Jackson county, Wisconsin, and embarked in farming, In 1845 they returned to England where they remained some seven years, when they again came to the United States, this time taking up their residence in Minnesota, where our subject engaged in farming until 1871, when he, with his wife, came to Oregon, and the Alsea Valley, where he now lives on his farm of 184 acres, located at the head of the Alsea Valley. To Mr. Russell's father, Thomas Russell, belongs the greater share of credit in securing a post-office for the Alsea valley. He also being the first postmaster.

S. L. RYCRAFT - Was bom in Butler county, Ohio, in 1828. Two years later his parents moved to Tippacanoe county, Indiana, where he remained until 1850. He then started with several others and with horse teams to cross the plains to California, arriving in Placerville in the middle of August. He then followed mining in the Golden State until February,

1851, when he came north to Yreka, and found employment in a butcher's stall under an oak tree, and owned by O. F. Clark, then a resident of Benton county. He afterwards followed freighting until the summer of 1851, when he was joined by his brother George, who had crossed the plains that season. In 1852 he came to Oregon and then went to the "Sound Country," but not liking that place again returned to Oregon, and in 1853 located a donation claim in the Alsea Valley, and with David and John Fudge and Henry Clark, built a saw-mill on the south prong of the Alsea river. In i860 Mr. Rycraft disposed of his mill property, since which time he has paid all attention to farming and stock-raising, and is now the most prominent farmer in the Alsea valley* In August, 1858, he was married to Miss Sarah J. Hawley. They have a family of ten living children and one deceased, viz: Alma May (now Mrs. John Wren), Emma F., George H., Joseph C, John H., Leona B., Leonidas H., Mark P., Ethal (Edna H., deceased), and Mildred.

ROBERT SCHWAIBOLD - Was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, January 7, 1842, and in 1869 came to America and lived in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, for a time. He then came to Omaha, Nebraska, where he lived until 188 1, when he came to Oregon and to Yaquina Bay, and established his present industry, the Newport brewery, which he now conducts, and manufactures an excellent quality of beer. He is married and has three children - George, Annie M. and Louise.

PRIBR SCOTT - One of the very early pioneers to Benton county, was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, January 18, 1825. When 16 years of age Mr. Scott started out to do for himself, and in 1 841, came west to Polk county, Missouri, where he spent four years at the blacksmith's trade. May 10, 1845, he joined a train bound for Oregon, arriving in Benton county some six months later. In 1848 Mr. Scott spent a short period in the mines of California, when he again returned to Oregon, a short time thereafter purchasing his present farm of six hundred and forty acres, one mile south-west of Corvallis. In 1847 Mr. Scott opened a blacksmith shop in Corvallis, it being the first started in Benton county. He was united in marriage in Benton county, to Miss'Mary Jones, and by this union they have eleven children.

JOHN J. SCR AFFORD. - The subject of this sketch was born in Albany county. New York, August 3, 1817 When twenty-five years of age he, with his wife and two children, emigrated west to Delevan county, Wisconsin, and engaged in iarming until 1861, when he moved to Cedar county, Iowa. April 23, 1866, he, with his family, started across the plains to Oregon, arriving in Benton county in the fall of that year, and purchased his present farm consisting of one hundred and eighty acres, 2>£ miles south-east of Wells Station, where he is engaged in general farming. Mr. ScrafTord was married in Albany county, New York, to Miss Martha Richardson, who died at her home in Benton county, January 10, 1879, leaving a family of four sons and two daughters. -

MILTON SHANNON - Was born in Henry county, Indiana, April 27, 1823, and there resided until the year 1836 when he accompanied his parents to Knox county, Illinois, where he engaged in agriculture until 185 1. In the spring of that year he sailed for Oregon via the Isthmus of Panama, and in April settled in Salem, there residing until the spring of 1867, and being elected the first County Judge of Marion county after the admission of the State into the Union. Mr. Shannon also served as Sheriff of the county during the regime of the Territorial Government. In 1867 he came to Benton county, and until t he spring of 1877 was engaged at Monroe in mercantile pursuits, since when he has retired from the active affairs of life. He has also held the office of Justice of the Peace for Monroe precinct for two terms.

CHARLES L. SHAW. - The subject of this sketch is a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, born April 24, 1853. When but an infant his parents moved west to Illinois, where he was raised and received his education until 1876, when he came to Oregon, locating in Albany, Linn county. In 1881 he moved to Yaquina Bay, and in 1883 opened up his present hardware store in Newport, where he now resides. Is married and has one son - Gladys.

MARSHALL W. SIMPSON. - This early pioneer of Oregon and well-known resident of Benton county, was born in Lawrence county, Kentucky, July 13, 1838. Early in the spring of 1844 his parents moved to Jackson county, Missouri, and one year later, the spring of 1845, w * tn h* s father and mother, one brother and one sister, and ox-teams he joined a small train and started to cross the dreary and almost unknown plains from their home to the Pacific Ocean. After many severe trials they were finally guided safely into The Dalles by that famous guide Steve. Meeks. They came on direct to what is now Polk county, and there began farming. Our subject resided with his parents until 1859, when he was united in marriage, in Polk county, to Miss Joice A. Bevens. He then engaged in farming for himself until 1866, when he came to Benton county, and located the land on which is the present town of Elk City, where he has since liued, and at the present time owns a large estate and is now the proprietor of the Simpson House, postmaster and store keeper of Elk City. He has a family of two sons and two daughters, viz : Hattie, Owen C, Olive M. and William E.

CHARLES SMITH - Was born in Seidelinghousen, Westphalia, Prussia, in 1843, and when a young man followed the trials and tribulations of a commercial traveler, which he followed until 1867, when he concluded to emigrate to America, spending his first year in Galena, Illinois, and then moved to Sioux City, Iowa, from whence, in 1872, he moved to San Francisco, and while in that city was well and favorably known as the proprietor of that popular resort, St. Ann*s Rest, located on Eddy street. In 1880 he sold out and came to Oregon, and after a short time spent in Portland he came to Yaquina Bay, locating at Oneatta, where he opened up his present business together with speculating in the valuable real estate bordering the beautiful Yaquina Bay.

GREEN BERRY SMITH - Few lives have been more full of adventure than that of the subject of this sketch, who was born in Grayson county, West Virginia, September io, 1820, and is the son of George and Nancy (Hamilton) Smith. At the age of 16 years his parents removing to St. Joseph county, Indiana, he accompanied them thither, assisting in the cultivation of the farm until 1840, when he emigrated to Platte county, Missouri, and there remained until the spring of 1845. At this period, accompanied by his brother Alexander (who died at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, in 1851), Mr. Smith joined a train, composed of sixty-six wagons, at St. Joseph, Missouri, and under the command of Captain Te Vault, commenced the difficult journey across the plains. After successive changes in the leaders of the party, that well known veteran, Stephen Meek, undertook to conduct them into the Willamette valley by the old Columbia route, but, unfortunately, when at the place since called Silver Lake, located west of the Blue Mountains, the guide found himself at fault, and declared himself to be absolutely lost, upon which the immigrants became so incensed that they affirmed that Meek must hang, a determination which so alarmed him that he made his escape at dead of night, leaving his wife behind under care of the late Nat. Olney. It now forced itself upon their minds that the Columbia route lay to the northward, but such was their distress for lack of water that this knowledge availed them little. Scouring the desert to the east of the present Prineville for five days, they found none, therefore they turned to the northward and after one day and night's travel discovered that with which to slake their parched throats. Their supplies, too, had gone, thus their cattle were slain and their flesh eaten without salt or other comestible. After traveling by day only, the vicinity of the waters of the Deschutes was reached, and here the party were met by Black Harris, a mountaineer, who had learned from Indians that there were immigrants lost in the country. Harris led them to the river, opposite what is now known as Tygh Valley, Wasco county, where water was had in abundance. It now became necessary to cross the Deschutes, but the Indians had given them to understand that it was a difficult feat, either for man or beast. Undeterred, however, the wagons were unshipped from the wheels and tightly caulked; but yet another difficulty presented itself - how was a guy rope to be conveyed to the opposite bank? Happily there was a young man in their midst whose courage was equal to the hazardous task. In him we find that worthy resident of Benton county, Prier Scott, who volunteered to swim the stream, an exploit he accomplished, and thus wagons and supplies were ferried over; the beasts were made to swim and not a thing was lost. Not long after they arrived at The Dalles, where they obtained a supply of provisions from the Methodist Mission, then under charge of Rev. A. F. Waller, and here; building a raft and shipping their wagons and goods upon it, they went with the current to the Upper Cascades, while the cattle were driven along the southern shore of the Columbia to the same point. Here Indians were hired to assist in swimming the beasts across the river, which being successfully accomplished, the route was again taken to the Lower Cascades, the line of travel being that now traversed by the Northern Pacific Railroad, where they were assisted by men and boats from the Hudson Bay Company's fort at Vancouver, where they were furnished with clothing and provisions by Dr. McLaughlin. Having wintered at the mouth of Washougal some fifteen miles above Fort Vancouver, in the month of March, 1846, Mr. Smith and his brother came to Benton county and he took up his residence in the Luckiamule valley, about twelve miles north of Corvallis, and embarked in farming and stock-raising. His original claim of 640 acres he still owns. In 1862 ho became domiciled in Corvallis, but at the end of four years removed to a farm to the south of the city, where after sixteen years, he returned in 1883, to Corvallis, of which he is now a most respected citizen. Mr. Smith is now one of the most prosperous of Benton county's residents. He owns no less than 8000 acres of land located within her confines and that of the neighboring county of Polk; while he is considered to be a man of superior intelligence and marked individuality of character. He has been twice married,in the first instance in 1849^0 Miss Eliza Hughard, a native of Missouri, who died two years after. By this union there is one son, Alexander; and secondly in 1851, to Miss Mary Baker, a native of Tennessee, by whom he has one son - John.

TYRA W. B. SMITH - Was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, January 23, 184a In October, 1852, he, with his father, came via New York and Panama to Oregon, and direct to Benton county, his father taking up a donation claim on Soap creek, where they resided until 1857, then moving to Lane county, and two years later to Douglas county. In 1865 our subject returned to Benton county and purchased his present large estate of seven hundred acres, eight miles south of Corvallis, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is recognized as one of Benton county's most prosperous farmers. In 1870 Mr. Smith was elected County Assessor, an office he filled for one term.

FRANCIS SPENCER - Was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, August 9, 181 1. In 1832 he moved to Indiana and, 1838, to Putnam county, Missouri, where he followed farming and resided until 1864, when he crossed the plains with his family and spent the first winter in Walla Walla. In the summer of 1865 came to Benton county and purchased his present homestead of eighty acres, seven miles west of Philomath, on the Alsea road. Mr. Spencer is married and has a family of seven children, viz : James, Harriett, Jesse, William, Sarah, Francis M. and Eli.

JESSE SPENCER. - The well-known proprietor of "Spencer's Tonsorial Parlors and Bath Rooms" is a native of Missouri, born in Putnam county, November 13, 1846. Residing in his birth-place until 1864, he then, with his parents, crossed the plains to Oregon, and first settled seven miles south-west from Philomath. In 1875, ne came to Corvallis and engaged in his present business. Mr. Spencer was married in 1878 to Miss Ida L. McLagan, a daughter of Wm. McLagan, a respected citizen of Corvallis and its present City Treasurer, by which union they have two children - Hattie and Victor Cleveland.

JEREMIAH STARR. - Among the best known of the pioneers of Benton county is the subject of this sketch who was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, September 21, 1794. When but six years of age he was taken by his parents to Pike county, Ohio, but when he attained the age of twelve years he accompanied them to Illinois, and subsequently to Iowa. Settling in Van Buren county our subject there resided until the spring of 1847 when he crossed the plains to Oregon, took up a donation claim in the Belknap Settlement, and has since resided thereupon. The exemplary life led by this venerable gentleman is one that the youth of the county would do well to have in remembrance. At the ripe age of four score years he is looked up to with reverence and none have aught to say but good of his actions throughout his long life.

LEVY H. STARR - Was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, November 28, 1845, and a * three years of age crossed the plains with his parents to Oregon, arriving in Benton county in November, 1848. Is a member of the mercantile firm of Starr, Wilhelm & Hinton, of Monroe. Mr. Starr is married.

JAMBS H. STEWART - Was born in Fountain county, Indiana, June 19, 1823, and there resided until nineteen years of age. His parents then moved to Polk county, Missouri, where he followed farming until 185 1, when he, with his mother, wife and two children, came across the plains to Oregon, arriving in Corvallis September 28th of that year. A few months later he took up as a donation claim the farm where he now resides, two miles north of Corvallis.

JOHN STB WART, (deceased). - The well-known and highly respected citizen of forty years residence in Benton county, was born in Knox county, Virginia, February 12, 1799, and died at his home near Corvallis in February, 1885. When he was quite young his parents moved to Indiana and, in 1842, to Missouri. In 1845 our subject joined a train, of which he was elected captain, and came across the plains to Oregon. In this train were many of the prominent citizens of Benton county. Mr. Stewart on his arrival in Benton county in the spring of 1846 located on the place where he died, consisting of six hundred and forty acres.

WILLIAM STBVBNS - A resident of Caledonia, Benton county, Oregon, wasborn in Stuben, Maine, April 8, 1810, and came west to Wisconsin in 1847, and arrived in Benton county, Oregon, December 16, 1873, and has since followed farming. Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Anna Leigh ton in Stuben, Maine, March 20, 1834. They have five children : Judith (now Mrs. H. W. Vincent), Lucy, George, Mary A. and Mary L.

W. B. STOUT - Is Justice of the Peace and Notary Public of the city of Newport, Yaquina Bay, and is a gentleman of high standing in the community where he resides. Mr. Stout was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, March 29, 1853, and arrived in Oregon September 9, 1861, and came to Benton county in October, 1876, at that time taking up his residence in Newport, where he now lives. Mr. Stout was united in marriage in Linn, county, Oregon, November 8, 1868, to Miss Mary J. McFadden, a native of Linn county. By this union they have a family of five children, viz : Anna M., Hannah E., Laura W., Etta M. M. and Claude M.

JOSEPH THOMPSON. - The subject of this sketch was born in Huntington county, (now Blair county,) Pennsylvania, in 1832, and there resided until 1852, in the mean time learning the printer's trade. In the spring of the above year he joined what was known as Morrison's train, at Dubuque, Iowa, to cross the plains to Oregon, coming all right until they reached Tule lake, there they were surprised by a band of one hundred and fifty Modoc Indians, and wheu, after a desperate fight, with the loss of two guides and one packer killed, and our subject wounded, they were finally rescued by a party from Yreka. Mr. Thompson on his arrival at Yreka began mining for a short time and then went to Sacramento and San Francisco, where he worked at his trade, and at one time published a paper at Nevada City. In 1869, he came to Oregon, and direct to Yaquina Bay, and located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the new town of Caledonia, and one mile from Toledo, *here he has since made his home, but spent most of the time working at his trade on the daily papers of Portland. Mr. Thompson was married in Nevada City, California, to Miss M. V. Herbert - they have five children, viz : Morris, Daisy, Joseph, Lillie and Harriet.

COLLINS VAN CLE VB - Was born in Morgan county, Illinois, August 26, 1833. His fa *her Dr. John VanCleve, was an eminent minister of the Methodist denomination, consequently, owing to the many changes the ministers of that faith are subject to, Coll. lived in several different places until he was nine years of age, when he quit the parental roof, since which time he has done for himself. At the age of fourteen he started to learn the printer's trade, which he followed until the breaking out of the war. On the first call being made in i860, our subject was then running a newspaper in Bellville, Illinois. He immediately began the organization of a company, with which he served until 1862, when he was discharged on account of sickness. He then, on regaining his health, started west, to Fort Benton ; thence to Lewiston, Idaho, where he published a paper for a time, and finally came to Portland where he worked on the Oregonian and the Portland Times. In 1868, Mr. VanCleve, came to Albany, Linn county, were he founded the Albany Register, which he continued to edit until 1882, when he was appointed Custom's Collector for the Yaquina District with his office at Yaquina City, where he also in the latter year started his paper the Yaquina Post. Mr. VanCleve was at one time Mayor of Albany. He is married, and has six children.

LAZARUS VANBBBBR. - Among the many pioneers of Benton county, there are none more highly respected than this early argonaut of King's Valley, having arrived in that beautiful place where the whole valley lay in its virginity and the feet of white man had hardly tread upon it - his was among the first to press it Mr. Vanbeber was born in Clayborn ctounty, Tennessee, February 27, 1807. At the age of twenty-one years he emigrated to Illinois, where he followed farming until the spring of 1846, when, with his family and mule teams, foe crossed the plains to Oregon, and to Benton county, taking up his donation claim in King's Valley, where Morris Allen, now lives. He now owns a farm of three hundred and fifty acres in the south end of the valley where he now resides.

H. W. VINCENT - A merchant and mill owner of Caledonia, on Yaquina Bay, was born in Watertown, NewYork, April I, 1832. In 1851 he moved to Wisconsin and, July 3, 1874, arrived in Benton county, Oregon, and first located in Corvallis, when a few years ago he moved to Yaquina Bay, and in 1885, founded the town of Caledonia, where he now resides. Mr. Vincent was married in Ripon, Wisconsin, October 31, 1865, to Miss Judith Stevens, a native of Gouldsborough, Maine ; their children are, Frank, Fred and Georgia.

HON. P. M. WADSWORTH - Is a native of Ohio, born December 14, 1836. When quite young his parents moved to New York State, where our subject resided until 1861. In April of that year he enlisted in Company I, 28th New York Volunteers. He followed the fortunes of his regiment until August 9, 1862, when at the battle of Cedar Mountain he received a wound in the right lung, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. He then returned to his home at Niagara Falls, from whence in 1865 ne » with ms family, came to Oregon, locating in Albany, Linn county, where he engaged in business for twelve years. In 1882 Mr. Wadsworth came to Benton county, and in February, 1883, was appointed agent of the Siletz Indian Reservation, a position he ably fills at the present time.

CAPT. 8. L. WASS - Was born in Addison, Washington county, Maine, May 15, 1817. At the age of 17 years he went to sea, and for twenty-five years followed a sea-faring life, the last ten years being master of the vessels in which he sailed. In 1866 he quit the sea, when he engaged in the mercantile trade in Boston, Massachusetts, where he resided until 187 1, when he came to Portland, Oregon. In 1873 he was appointed Assistant Light-house Keeper at Cape Hancock, a position he held until 1875, wnen he was appointed Keeper of the Light-house at Cape Foul weather, in Benton county, a position he now holds.

CHARLES B. WELLS - This well known pioneer of Pleasant Valley is a native of Platte county, Missouri, born July 22, 1841, and with his parents came to Oregon in 1852, at that time locating on the place where our subject now lives. Here, in 1865, n > s father, Charles Wells, died, at the age of sixty -five years, leaving a widow an& six children, the former having reached the advanced age of almost four score years and ten. Mrs. Wells was born in Barron county, Kentucky, April 2 7i 1797» and is a lady of more than average intelligence and possessed of a remarkable memory.

CHARLES H. WHITNEY - A merchant of Corvallis, is a native of Ohio, born February 15, 185 1, where he resided until 1868. He then started west, and in 1873 came to Oregon and engaged in business in Multnomah and Marion counties until 1882, when he came to Corvallis and opened his present large dry go<»ds store.

JOHN WILES - One of Benton county's largest stock-raisers, was born in Surry county, North Carolina, August 18, 1822. When 8 years of age his parents moved to Henry county, .Indiana. In the fail of 1882 our subject started out to do for himself and came west to the Platte Purchase, Andrew county, Missouri, where he lived until May, 1847, when he came with his former friend and neighbor to Benton county, Oregon, and at that time located part of his present farm, to which he has added until he now has an estate of 2500 acres, located three miles west of Wells Station. Mr. Wiles was married in Benton county, to Miss Martha A., daughter of Joseph T. Hughard, a pioneer to Oregon in 1845; by tn * s union they have six children, viz: Mary J. (now Mrs. W. A. Wells), Bridget A. (now Mrs. Henry Brinkley), Eliza J. (now Mrs. Thomas Kirkpatrick), Walter T., Edward L. and Lucy G.

ADAM WILHELM - Was born in Germany, on the Rhine, December 10, 1846. When two years of age his parents emigrated to the United States. On arriving in New York they came west to Wisconsin where our subject lived until 1872 ; he then paid a visit to Oregon, but returned to his home the same year. In 1873 ne again came to Oregon and selected Monroe for his future home, and engaged in the general merchandise business which he still continues as head of the firm of Wilhelm & Looney. A view of Mr. Wilhelm's property is placed in this history. Our subject has ever had great confidence in the future of the Willamette Valley and kept purchasing land from time to time until he now owns an estate of nine hundred and thirteen acres of valuable land together with a large amount of property in the town of Monroe. Hospitable and generous a visit to Mr. Wilhelm's place is always one of pleasure to friend or stranger. In 1867 he was married in Wisconsin, and has a family of eight children, viz : Adam, Mathias, Louisa, Bernard, Louie, Lawrence, Agnes and George.

C. H. WILLIAMS. - This well-known merchant and postmaster of Newport, was born in Columbia county, New York, September 15, 1828, residing in that State until 1858, when he came west and followed farming for eighteen years. In 1876 he came to Oregon and direct to Yaquina Bay, where he opened a general merchandise store in connection with which he keeps the post-office, he being appointed Postmaster January I, 1877.

BUSHROD W. WILSON. - This most popular resident and pioneer of Benton county, was born in Columbia, Washington county, Maine, July 18, 1824, but in 1830, his parents moving to New Brunswick, Middlesex county, New Jersey, he accompanied them thither, to once more move, in 1833, to New York City, where our subject dwelt until June, 1840. At this period the family transferred their habitation to Kane county, Illinois, but at the end of a two years* residence there, Mr. WiU son determined to face the world on his own account. Choosing a sea-faring life he passed the first three years in the North West seas and the coast of Alaska, and altogether was among those ** who go down to the sea in ships n for the space of eight years. In the meantime gold fields had been discovered in California, and to them Mr. Wilson started in 1849, via Cape Horn, landing in San Francisco, July 3, 1850, After a season passed in the mines in October, he came to Oregon, first landing from the brig Reindeer^ at the mouth of the Umpqua river. In the following month he found his way to the Willamette valley, took up a claim seven miles southwest from where the city of Corvallis now stands, being now owned by Messrs. Henkle and Armstrong, and engaged in carpentering and contracting, occupations he followed until 1857, when he took up a domicile in Corvallis. Our subject now embarked in the trade of a carpenter both at home and abroad, and was the first to put a ferry boat on the Snake river, where since the town of Lewiston has grown. Upon his return to Corvallis he passed the first winter in running a keel boat between that point and Oregon City, on the Willamette ; he subsequently engaged in the warehouse and pork packing business which he followed until June, 1864, when he was elected County Clerk of Benton county, and to which office he has ever since been re-elected, an honor that has never elsewhere been experienced by any individual of any political creed. Mr. Wilson has been also actively interested in the railroad to Yaquina Bay, having held the positions of president as well as secretary, while he is also one of the original incorporators of the line. Mr. Wilson has ever identified himself with the welfare of the city of Corvallis ; has from time to time served her in a civic capacity ; while he ha* always strenuously maintained a strong and willing fight in the cause of education. As long ago as 1853 he was the County Superintendent of Common Schools ; indeed, in whatever walk of life Bush Wilson has trod he has left a fame that should be an example to those that follow after. No more able adviser, courteous official, genial acquaintance, or thorough friend lives than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Wilson is married and has nine children.

WILEY WINKLE. - The subject of this sketch, an old^ptoneer of Benton county, was born in Madison county, Alabama, in the year 1828, and there resided until 1846, when he accompanied his parents to Missouri. In the spring of 1848 his father, mother, six sisters and a brother left for Oregon by way of the plains, arriving in November, and coming direct to

Benton county, the first mentioned took up the donation claim on which our subject resides. Here Mr. Winkle, Senior, died several years ago. The patrimony has by judicious management on the part of the present occupant been increased to seven hundred and fifty acres all of which is in a good state of general cultivation. Mr. Winkle is married, and has three children, viz: Isaac N., John G. and. Percy C.

OAPT. JAMBS J. WIN ANT. - There are few names more indelibly connected with the history of Yaquina Bay than the one that heads this sketch. Capt. Winant was born in Richmond county, New York, April 12, 1838, where he resided until 1856, when his brother, Mark, who came to California in 1849, returned to his Eastern home on a visit, and on his return to the Pacific Coast our subject accompanied him arriving in San Francisco in the fall of the above year. They began the oyster trade in San Francisco Bay and they are the real pioneers of the oyster business on the Pacific Coast ; later on they extended their operations to Shoal water Bay, and then in 1862 or 1863 began the oyster trade on Yaquina Bay. On the completion of the Central Pacific Road they brought from the East several car loads of eastern oysters, planting one car load in the Bay of San Francisco, and the other in Yaquina Bay, from both of which the brothers reap a rich harvest. Capt. Winant several years ago sold his business, since which time he has followed a sea-faring life and is now one of the most popular Captain* from Portland to San Francisco. He married in June, 1883, in Alameda county, California, to Miss Amy A. Peck ; by this union they have one child, Anita.

HON. ALFRED M. WTTHAM. - The reminiscences of the early pioneers of the Pacific Coast must ever possess, a peculiar interest for the Oregonian. Green in their memory will ever remain the trials and incidents of early life in this land of golden promise. These pioneers of civilization constitute no ordinary class of adventurers. Resolute ambitions and enduring, looking into the great and possible future of this western slope and possessing the sagacious mind to grasp true conclusions, aud the indomitable will to execute just means to attain desired ends, those heroic pioneers, by their subsequent career, have proved that they were equal to the great nHssion assigned them, that of carrying the real essence of American civilization from their eastern homes and planting it upon the shores of another Ocean. Among the many who have shown their fitness for the tasks assigned theraiione merit this tribute more fully than the subject of this sketch. Mr. \Vitham was born in Union county, Indiana, September 18, 1822, and resided in his native Stale until the spring of 1847; he then, with one sister, started for the Far West. At St. Joseph, Missouri, he joined a large train of seventy wagons and coming via. the Southern route first arrived in Jackson county, but making no delay he pushed on to Benton county and first settled on the place now owned by S. K. Brown; later on he took uptheplace now occupied by Sam. McClain, near Philomath, and, in 1849, pre-empted six hundred and forty acres where he now resides, to which he has since added by purchase until he now has one of Betiton county's most valuable farr^, consisting of one thousand one hundred and sixty acres, located three miles west of Corvallis. A view of his place will be found in this history. In 1861, Mr. Witham was elected to represent Benton county in the State Legislature and, in 1866, was elected to the State Senate, and again, in 1874, Benton and Po.k counties did themselves honor in returning him to the Senate as Joint Senator. Mr. Witham has retired from the active persuits of farming after having amassed a fortune, however noi gaining it by miserly conduct, nor by oppressing the poor ; not by taking advantage of the necessities of his fellow-men, but by strict observance to business principles and a careful management of his own affairs. He is married and has a family of eight children.

M. 8. WOODCOCK - The subject of this sketch is the son Martin Woodcock and Amanda J. Woodcock, whose maiden . name was Amanda J. White. The rather was of German descent and the mother Scotch. M. S. Woodcock was born

" in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, near the present city of Milwaukee, on the 9th day of May, 1849, who on the 24th day of February, 1853, then not quite four years *>ld, with his parents and accompanied by his two uncles, Horace and W. C. Woodcock, and other friends, in an emigrant train, with ox teams laden with their all, turned their faces toward the setting sun in search of the land of protaise, the then but little known Oregon. They arrived after the long and toilsome journey across the plains, on the 24th day of September in the same year. After looking over various parts of the Willamette valley for lands subject to location under the donation act, the family settled on a donation place consisting of 320 acres of wild land, about fourteen miles west of Eugene City, Lane county, Oregon. In 1859, after a new home had been built up in the wilderness and the title to the donation had been completed, the place was sold, and the family moved ro Monroe, in Benton county, where the father, being a wagon-maker, engaged in the manufacture of wagons and in the general merchandise business with his brother, W. C. Woodcock, where M. S. Woodcock grew to manhood, during which time he attended school and part of the time clerked in his father and uncle's store. In the year 1865 he entered the wagon shop of his father for the purpose of learning the wagon maker's trade, where he worked until January, 1869, and completed learning the trade. About this time the

% father and uncle having concluded to retire from the merchandise business, sold the stock of goods to the firm of Foot A Sinsheimer, who conducted the business until the end of March, 1869, when M. S. Woodcock, then not quite twenty years old (being comparatively without financial means, having less than one thousand dollarsH>ought the stock of goods from them on time, agreeing to pay them for their goods in one year. From then forward he became actively engaged in the general merchandise businesss turning his exclusive time and attention to the prosecution of that work, but having little capital he labored under such difficulties and disadvantages as all me^do who undertake to do a large and extensive credit business without capital. He carried such embarrassments and difficulties as would naturally arise under such circumstances, and conducted the business successfully and alone, without help, doing all of his own work until the early spring of 1872. By hard labor and constant attention to $he store he had gained financially, when he sold a half interest in the store to his uncle, W. C. Woodcock, and former partner of his father in the same business. After this time the business was greatly enlarged, and in this manner was conducted until March, 1874, when M. S. Woodcock sold the entire business to his uncle and partner, and on July 20, 1874, he moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where he has ever since resided. While yet engaged in the merchandise business in 1870 he began the study of law and pursued those studies quite regularly, reading at night time after the day's labor in the store was over. After moving to Corvallis he completed the course of law, and at the July term of the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon for 1875, was admitted by that tribunal to practice law in all of the courts of the State, after which he began the practice of his profession at Corvallis. On the first of January, 1877, an opportunity offered as a financial investment in the merchandise business, and he bought the interest of J. R. Bayley in the hardware, stove and agricultural implement house with Wallace Baldwin, at Corvallis, which house has ever since been conducted under the firm name of Woodcock & Baldwin, the latter having the management of the house in detail. In April, 1881, M. S. Woodcock bought an interest in the Corvallis Gazette^ which paper he has up to this time continued as its editor in chief, and practicing law when opportunity offered. On the 8th day of May, 1879, he was married to Miss Emma J, Simpson, daughter of Rev. Anthony Simpson, then of Benton county, Oregon. A view of Mr. Woodcock's residence in Corvallis appears in this work.

WILLIAM 0. WOODCOCK - Was born in Tompkins county, New York, July 17, 1831. In 1838 his parents moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and there lived on a farm until spring of 1853, when he came to Oregon and first settled in Lane county. In 1858 he came to Benton county and engaged in the mercantile trade in Monroe, until 1877, when he purchased the farm v»here his son now resides, six miles west of Monroe. In 1883 he bought the place where he now lives in the Belknap Settlement, and has in all an estate of eight hundred and seventy-five acres. January 11, i860, he married Miss Rachel Belknap, a daughter of Orin Belknap, a pioneer of 1847. They have five children: Norris F.. Vernon M., Homer B., Maggie M. and Addie L.

HON. BLIAS WOODWARD - Was born in Springfield, Windsor county, Vermont, October 29, 1837, where he resided until 1855, an( * W2U > educated at the Chester Academy. He then, at eighteen years of age, removed to Wisconsin, located in Waukesha county, attended school and afterwards taught for four years. In the spring of 1859 he crossed the plains to California, took up his residence near Downieville, Sierra county, and engaged in mining until 1864. At this time Mr. Woodward came to Oregon, finally located in Benton county on a farm on the Salem road about six miles north of Corvallis. He subsequently was engaged in teaching school for two years on Soap creek, and afterwards was for a like time attached to the Philomath College and also for a twelve-month in Corvallis. During a great portion of these latter years he was County Superintendent of Schools, serving from 1866 to 1872. In July, 1869, he purchased a one-half interest in the drug store, with which he is now connected, from Mr. Souther. In 1880 Mr. Woodward was elected State Senator from Benton county, an office he filled with much credit. He owns seven hundred and fifty-six acres of good farming land in the vicinity of Philomath, where he married in June, 1869, Miss C. Allen, a native of Benton county, and a daughter of Hiram Allen, a pioneer of the State, and has one son named Downie.