Benton County, Oregon - Biographical sketches, 1885 (part 1 of 3)

south end of King's Valley, where he owns six hundred and seventy-seven acres of good land. Mr. A. has held several county and State offices. He was first appointed by Gen. Lane, one of the first County Commissioners of Benton county, and at the same time was appointed Justice of the Peace, and in the latter office he had the honor of administering the oath of office to the first county officers of Benton county, thereby setting the first county government in motion. In 1862, he was elected Sheriff of Bent op county and in 1868 to the State Legislature.

JAMES P. ALFORD - Was born in Chariton county, Missouri, August 10, 1849. When but an infant his parents with a family of nine children crossed the plains to Oregon, arriving in Linn county in the fall of 1850. In 1875, our subject came to Benton county, and in 1880 purchased his present farm three-fourths of a mile south of Monroe. In the spring of 1884 he was elected County Assessor of Benton county.

HON. JOSEPH C. AVERY, (deceased). - There are few names that appear more frequently in the pioneer annals of the Great Northwest, than that which stands at the head of this short memoir. This old pioneer, after a long life actively spent among the early trials and vicissitudes incident to the development of Oregon from a wilderness to civilization, finally yielded to the march of time, and answering to the call of the Dark Angel, passed into the shadowy unknown. His death, which leaves but a corporal's guard of that old pioneer phalanx to Benton county in 1845 behind, occurred June 16, 1876. Mr. Avery was born in Lucern county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 181 7 ; he was educated at Wilksbarre, the county seat of his native county, and in 1839 came west to Illinois. In 1841 he was married to Miss Martha Marsh, and in 1845 came across the plains arriving in what is now Corvallis, Benton county, the spring of 1846, and at that time located his claim at the junction of the Willamette and Mary's rivers. In the winter of 1850 he laid out a town site upon his land, which was called Marysville and afterwards changed to Corvallis. In 1849, ne bmlt a store building and engaged in the mercantile business which he continued for twenty-three years. Mr. Avery figured prominently in the politics of the county for a quarter of a century. He was a member of the first Territorial Legislature for Oregon, serving for several terms, and was Postal Agent under the administration of President Buchanan. The early residents of the county remember him as being noble and generous, he had warm and true friends and few enemies ; while his deeds of charity and acts of kindness and hospitality towards suffering emmigrants in early days will ever be held in grateful remembrance.

NAPOLEON B. AVERY, D.D.S - In the gentleman whose name heads this sketch wehavea descendant of one of the very first residents of Benton county. Mr. Avery is the son of Hon. J. C. and Martha (Marsh) Avery. Our subject first attended the common schools of Corvallis until the fall of 1876 when he was placed in the Bishop Scott Giammar School, of Portland, and afterwards attended DeFrance & White's Business College. On the completion of his studies he returned to Corvallis where he entered upon the study of dentistry for one year. In the fall of 1878 he went to Philadelphia and there entered the Philadelphia Dental College, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1880, when he returned to his home in Corvallis and entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he is very successful.

HON. WALLACE BALDWIN - Was born in Portage county, Ohio, May 20, 1845, where he received a common school education, and afterward attended for one year a college in Lake county. In August, 1862, then in his eighteenth year, he enlisted in Company D 103d Ohio Infantry, and served with that regiment until January 6, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. In May, 1864, he again answered to the call, this time enlisting in Company H 150th Ohio Volunteers, for four months. On the expiration of his time he again returned to his home and entered Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in Cleveland. On the completion of his studies he followed different occupations until February I, 1866, when when he came via Panama to Oregon and direct to Corvallis, where he found employment in the general store of Watters & Clark. July 6, 1868, Mr. Baldwin was appointed Postmaster of Corvallis, a position he held for 2H years, in connection with which he kept a general store. Mr. Baldwin has ever since been engaged in the mercantile business, and in 1877 formed a partnership with Mr. M. S. Woodcock, under the firm name of Woodcock & Baldwin, which is now the leading firm in the hardware line in Benton county. Mr. Baldwin held the office of County Treasurer for two years and Mayor of Corvallis one year, and January 24, 1883, w js appointed State Fish Commissioner, an office he now holds. He was married in 1868 to Miss Adelaide G. Brownson; by this union they have four living children and one deceased, viz : Carrie A., Cora G., Lester A., Arthur J. deceased) and Charles B.

JAMES W. BALL - Was born in Polk county, Missouri, May lS, 1841. In 1751 he, with his parents, crossed the plains to California, where Mr. Ball followed mining, and afterwards learned the blacksmith's trade at Santa Rosa, where he lived until 1867, when he came to Oregon, first taking up his residence and opening a blacksmith shop in Eugene City, where he remained for ten years. In 1880 he came to Newport, Benton county, and opened up his present popular resort. Mr. Ball is also Deputy Sheriff of Benton county. He was married August 1, 1866, to Miss Nancy Kelley, and by this union they have two daughters, viz : May F., now Mrs. S. G. Irvine, and Mary.

NEWTON R. BARBER - Was born in Orleans county, New York, July 13, 1835. Four years later his parents moved to Michigan, where a short time after Mr. Barber suffered the irreparable loss of lx)th his father and mother. In 1852, then in his seventeenth year, he set out to cross the plains to California, and lived in the Golden State until 1864, when he came to Oregon, coming direct to Corvallis where he engaged at his trade of carpenter, until 1876, when he received the appointment of Postmaster of the city of Corvallis, a position he still holds.

JAMES E. BARCLAY - Was born in Boon county, Missouri, August 4, 1827, where he was brought up on a farm, May, 1847, he enlisted in the 3rd regiment of Missouri Volunteers, and served for 18 months in the Mexican War, when he returned to his home and took up his former occupation until the spring of 185a He then crossed the plains to Oregon, spending the first winter in Polk county. In the spring of 185 1 he came to Benton county and located as a donation claim of 320 acres on which he now lives. In October, 1855, our subject enlisted in Munson's company and took part in the Indian war at Walla Walla, returning to his home in 1856.

WILLIAM BARCLAY. - This venerable gentleman and pioneer to Oregon of 1850 was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, September 19, 1805, and with the exception of two years lived in his native State until the spring of 1850, when he. with his wife and seven children, started to cross the plains. On arriving at the Piatt river he suffered the loss of his wife, when he was left in charge of their seven children, the eldest of whom was 13 years and the youngest three months 'old. After a long and weary journey they arrived in Yamhill county, where Mr. Barclay passed the 6rst winter. In the spring of 185 1 he came to Benton county and located his donation claim where he now lives and has spent the past thirty-five years.

JAMES R. BATLBY, M.D. - The subject of this sketch who has been a resident of Oregon for over thirty-two years, during which time he has been closely identified with its progress, and to-day is a man who commands the esteem and respect of all who know him, and one who stands high in his profession. The Dr. was born in Clark county, Ohio, in 1819. Receiving an academic education at Springfield, his younger days being divided between town and countr) life. He began the study of medicine in 184 1, and was admitted to practice three years later. Graduating from the Ohio Medical College he at once began the practice of his profession at his old home at Springfield, where he resided for the next four years. He then located in Cincinnati, where he enjoyed a successful practice for seven years. In 1852 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Harpole, of Green county, Ohio, and came to Oregon in 1855, first locating in Polk county. Two years later he came to Corvallis, Benton county, where he opened an office in connection with which he carried on the drug business. He was a member of the Territorial Council in 1856 and 1857, and has twice been elected Judge of Benton county. He was State Senator from Bentoh county in 1866 and 1868, and was appointed Supervisor of Internal Revenue in 1869, serving until 1873. Since that time he has devoted himself to the practice of his profession in Corvallis and Newport, Yaquina Bay, where he now spends his summers and owns valuable property. He also has a beautiful home in Corvallis. Dr. Bayley is a Thirty-second-degree Mason and Past Grand High Priest and Past Grand Master of the Masonic jurisdiction of Oregon and has been a prominent Odd Fellow.

RANSOM A. BELKNAP. - The subject of this sketch, one of the pioneers of Benton county, was born in Hart county. Kentucky, December 16, 1820, but when seven years of age he was taken by his parents to Licking county, Ohio, where they remained eight years. His father now moving to Van Buren county, Iowa, they there resided for a like period, and on Apiil 17, 1847, our subject, with his wife and two children, also the families of Samuel Starr and L. D. Gilbert, started to cross the plains with ox-teams to Oregon, where they arrived without any especial adventure in November of the same year. After passing some time in Marysville (now Corvallis) Mr. Belknap took up his claim on the place which now bears his name, about two miles and a half west of Monroe, and where he has since resided. His original property of six hundred and forty acres he has increased to seven hundred and fifty, which he has under general farming. In Mr. Belknap we have a man of sterling worth whose word is his bond, while in his dealings with men he is a pattern of rectitude and uprightness. He married in Van Buren county, Iowa, September 29, 1842, Mahala, daughter of Jeremiah Starr, and a native of Highland county, Ohio, by which union there have been nine children, viz : Lucinda J. (deceased), Sarah M. (deceased), Keziah B., Webster C, Lewis Franklin (now of Salem), Adeline and Angelina (twins), Samuel G. (deceased), Edward H. (a graduate of the Willamette University). An excellent view of Mr. Belknap's residence will be found in this work.

WILLIAM BENNETT - Born near Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, November 15, 1834. At the age of 12 years his parents moved to Muscatine, Iowa, and two years later moved to Knox county, Illinois, whence, in 1850, he, with one brother started across the plains to Oregon, arriving in Linn county in the fall of that year, where he lived until 1854, when he came to Benton county, and took up a donation claim four miles south of Philomath. In 1879 he purchased his present farm of 334 acres, ten miles west of Corvallis. Mr. Bennett also owns a farm two miles from Corvallis, and a valuable farm in Wasco county, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising.

HON. ROYAL A. BENS EL - Was born in Cassville, Wisconsin, and is now48 years of age. His father, Dr. Bensel, was born in Pennsylvania and a graduate of the Pennsylvania State Medical University, and in early days emigrated to Wisconsin. When our subject was but a mere child his parents moved to Clayton county, Iowa, and at the age of 13 he became "devil" on the Clayton Co, Herald and there spent three years at the printer's trade. In 1849 Mr. Bensel's mother died, and in 1854 he, with his father, crossed the plains to California, where he followed mining for seven years. He then enlisted in Company D. Fourth California Infantry, and with his regiment came to Oregon and followed a soldier's life for three years. On his discharge, in 1864, he came to Yaquina Bay and embarked in the milling business.

In 187 1 he was appointed Inspector of Customs for Yaquina Bay. In 1868 he was elected to the State Legislature, and again elected to the same office in 1876.

HON. COLBERT P. BLAIR - This well known and highly respected resident of Corvallis, a native of Burke county, North Carolina, born January 30, 1805, is the son of Colbert and Jane (Murry) Blair. His boyhood was passed in his birth-place until 18 years of age; his parents then moved to Kentucky and afterwards to Illinois, Mr. Blair learned the trade of engineer, in which capacity he ran steamers from St. Louis to Natchez. In 1837 he located in Lee county, Iowa, from whence, in 1853, he emigrated with his family to Oregon, coming direct to Benton county, where he has since resided. In 186a Mr. Blair was elected to the State Legislature. Although now in his 80th year and on the sunset side of life, he is as hale and hearty as the majority of men at 60. He is genial, kind and generous, and one whom it is a pleasure to meet. He now has lived to see forty grand children and nineteen great grand children. It is our sincere wish that he may live to see these numbers doubled.

THOMAS J. BLAIR - Was born in Bond county, Illinois, June 11, 1830, but at the age of six years went with his parents to Lee county, Iowa, where he resided and engaged in farming until the spring of 1853. Mr. Blair and his wife now crossed the plains to Oregon, arriving in October of that year; but in March, 1854, he removed from Oregon City to Benton county, and first settled on the South Fork of Mary's river, on land now owned by Mr. Spears. While residing on this claim our subject found the country in the throes of a civil war, and like every patriotic citizen he determined to contribute towards the maintenance of the Union, therefore, in 1864 he enlisted in Company A., First Oregon Infantry, and whh that corps served nearly two years. Upon obtaining his discharge he disposed of his farm, removed to Yaquina Bay and there dwelt for thiee years, when, transferring his residence in 1878, to the city of Corvallis, he engnged in a warehouse and grain-storing business. In the spring of 1884 Mr. Blair was elected to the office of Treasurer of Benton county on the Republican ticket, and is still the able and efficient holder of the position. Married in Lee county, Iowa, in 185 1, Miss Lucinda J. Montgomery, who died June 30, 1881, and had a family, viz: Martha N. (now Mrs. F. H. Sawtell), Nellie and Clara.

WILLIAM BLODOET - After whom the beautiful little valley that now bears his name was called, is a native of Jefferson county, New York, born October 8, 181 1. In 1847 he was one of the hardy pioneers that braved the dangers of a trip across the plains to Oregon. In the spring of 1848 he came to Benton county, and a short time after located in what is now known as Blodget's Valley, where he has since resided and followed farming.

WILLIAM T, A. H. BOLES - Was born in Indiana, February 20, 1840, and resided in that State until i860, when he came west to Kansas. September 20, 1861, he er.listed in company B, of the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, with whom he served and followed the fortunes of his regiment for three years and two months. He then, on his discharge, returned to Kansas, and in the fall of 1878 came to Oregon and the following spring came to Philomath, where he is now a respected resident, and in 1884 was elected Recorder of that city.

JAMES W. BRAS FIELD - Was born in Piatt county, Missouri, January 16, 1840. His father Thomas W. R. Brasfield, was a pioneer of 1821 to Missouri. At the age of fourteen our subject entered his father's store where he received his early education in the mercantile business. In i860 he went to St. Joseph, where he clerked for two years ; he then joined a party of young men to seek their fcrtune in the Golden State, but on arriving near Fort Hall their route was changed and they came to Oregon. In 1863, Mr. Brasfield went to Harrisburg and entered the employ of Hon. Hiram Smith, and one year later was admitted as a partner under the firm name of Smith & Brasfield. This firm continued for ten years, when Mr B. sold out and started a store in Junction City where he did business until 1881, when he sold out and selected Yaquina Bay as his future home and at that time opened his present general store in Newport. In 1883 he purchased the well known Seal Rock property, one of the most delightful places to be found on the Pacific Coast, a description of which will l>e found in its proper place in this work. Mr. Brasfield was married in Harrisburg, Linn county, January I, 1865, to Miss Lydia Owens, a native of Kansas, and a daughter of Col. Henry Owens, of Topeka ; by this union they have an interesting family of five children, Arthur S., Hiram, Thomas W. R., Sank O. and Sadie.

OEORQE S. BRIOOS - Is the proprietor of a large fruit orchard located one mile east of Toledo on Yaquina Bay is a native of Medina county, Ohio, and born October 27, 1834. When two years of age his parents moved to Racine county, Wisconsin, where they lived until 1850, when they moved to Fayette county, Iowa, where Mr. Briggs lived until coming to Oregon. February 28, 1864, he enlisted in Co. F. 9th Vet. Vol. of Iowa, with whom he served until June, 1865. He then returned to his home in Iowa and in 1870 came to Oregon and remained in Portland until 1876, when he come to Yaquina Bay and purchased his present farm consisting of three hundred and ninety acres, on which he has an orchard of over six thousand trees four thousand of which are Italian Prunes.

SOLOMON K. BROWN. - This venerable pioneer, is a native of Ohio, where he was born February 6, 1810, and is therefore five years beyond the allotted three score years and ten. Having resided respectively in Clark, Miami and Spaulding counties, all in Ohio, until the spring of 1847, at tnat time, with his wife and three children,' he set out to cross the plains to Oregon with ox teams from Independence. After a journey occupying six months and seventeen days Mr. Brown arrived where now we have the city of Corvallis, and after a few days delay, took up the donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, now occupied by Mr. Porter. In 1849, our subject proceeded to the gold mines of California, but two months hard work was sufficient to convince him that the yield of gold was not commensurate with the labor expended, he therefore took passage to Portland from San Francisco in a brig, which ultimately made Astoria after a voyage of seven weeks, whence the remainder of the voyage was accomplished in an Indian canoe. Our subject now returned to his home in Benton county and there remained until April, 1850, when selling his claim he purchased the farm of seven hundred and fifty acres, located two miles and a half southeast of Philomath, which he now owns. About ten years ago Mr. Brown moved into the town of Philomath where he now resides, enjoying the well earned repose which a long life of activity entitles him to. Mr. Brown has never been an aspirant for office, although he was once elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, but never qualified.

MAJOR JAMES BRUCE - Was born in Harrison county, Indiana, November 3, 1827. Five years later his father moved to New Albany, Floyd count) , same State, and engaged in the mercantile business, where they resided until 1839. In that year his parents moved to Adams county, Illinois, when, a short time thereafter, his father died, leaving a family of wife and seven children. In 1846 his mother and family returned to New Albany, where our subject started to learn the black, smith's trade. In 1847 he joined a train bound for Texas, remaining there until 1849, when he returned to Illinois and engaged in boating on the Mississippi river. In the spring of 1850 he again joined a train, this time bound for Oregon, but on the plains the route was changed, and after a trip of six months they arrived at Hangtown (now Placerville), California. Mr. Bruce immediately proceeded to the mines which he followed with good success until fall of 1851 ; he then took up a ranch in Scott's Valley, Siskiyou county, California. In 1852 he sold out and came to Oregon and began merchandising in Jacksonville. On the breaking out of the Indian war of 1853 Mr. Bruce enlisted as a private, from which he was promoted for meritorious service to Captain, and at the close of the second Rogue River war, in 1856, had been promoted to Major, an office he filled with distinction, as^there were but few who took a more active or braver part in the Indian wars than Major Bruce as will be seen by the perusal of the Indian wars embodied in this work. On the close of hostilities and the removal of the Indians to the

Siletz Reservation our subject took the contract to plow and fence pait of (he Reservation. He then followed different occu. pations until 1862 when he engaged. in the stock trade, and while in that business in 1864 he accomplished a feat that is seldom equaled in driving a drove of hogs from the Umpqua Valley, Douglas county, to Boise Basin, Idaho, a distance of over 700 miles, a venture which proved very successful, as he sold the most of them at $1 per lb. He then returned to Benton county and purchased his present farm of 320 acres, ten miles south of Corvallis, where now this well known veteran is enjoying the comforts of a peaceful home. In the spring of 1857 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Kinney (now deceased) daughter of Col. James Kinney, an early pioneer to Oregon.

Wl IjLTAM H. BRTJNK - Was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, November 13, 1845, and is the son of Harrison Brunk, an honored pioneer of Polk county, this State, in 1849. Our subject came with his parents to Oregon in the above year and remained under the parental roof in Polk county until grown to manhood, he then found employment in the mines and on different railroads until 1883, when he came to Corvallis where he now resides.

PEBJtEN BRYANT - Was born in Garrett county, Kentucky, in 1824. When he was nine years of age his parents moved to Missouri where our subject lived until spring of 1853, when he, with his wife and one child, crossed the plains to Oregon, and first settled in Lane county. In 1862 he came to Benton county and purchased his present farm and built the well known Yaquina House, located six miles east of Little Elk post-office, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

HENRY P. BUTLER - Was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, August 11, 1826, and there lived with his parents until March, 1850, when he, with his wife, moved to Arkansas, for one year, when he again moved to Berry county, Missouri, and remained in that State until 1856, when he took up his residence in Adams county, Illinois, and resided in that county until April 28, 1864, when he, with his wife and six children, crossed the plains with ox-teams to Oregon, arriving at the Grand Ronde, September 27th of the same year. The following August he came to Benton county, locating on Yaquina bay, where he owns 300 acres of valuable land and engaged in farming, two miles east of Toledo. Was united in marriage in Overton county, Tenn., to Miss Juda E. Smith, a native of that State ; by this union they have six children.

HON. JOHN BURNETT - Was born in Louisiana, Pike county, Missouri, on the 4th of July, 1831. His father died when the subject of our sketch was 15 years old, leaving a widow and five children with but little of this world's goods. Young Burnett sat about helping his mother (for whom he had a strong affection) support and raise the family. He first engaged with E. Draper & Brothers, merchants in Louisiana, to tend in their store. After remaining with them about a year he became tired of the confinement in the store aud hired out to work on a flat boat on the Mississippi river, boating wood to St. Louis and giving his earnings to his mother. In the spring of 1849 he was offered an outfit to California by a relative, and though he was less than 18 years of age, he gladly accepted the offer and started across the plains to seek his fortune in the gold mines. He engaged in mining and soon earned enough to pay for his outfit, which he sent back to his friend the first opportunity. He followed mining for about two years with fair success for a boy, when he returned to his native State, and in the spring of 1853 again crossed the plains with a band of cattle. After selling his cattle he engaged a second time in mining in Nevada county, California, where he worked for about two years, when his health became very much impaired and he gave up mining. In the spring of 1858 he came to Oregon and settled in Benton county, where he has resided ever since. The next year after reaching Oregon he was married to Miss Martha Hinton, and about that time he commenced reading law with Colonel Kelsay, of Corvallis. By hard study and close application he was enabled a year afterwards to pass an examination of a committee composed of Col. Kelsay, Hon. J.C. Powell and Hon. Richard Williams, and was admitted to practice law in the Second Judicial District by Hon. R. E. Stratton, Judge of said District. He soon afterwards opened an office in Corvallis and engaged in practicing law, where he has enjoyed a lucrative practice for years. He is a democrat in politics, of the Jackson Benton school, has always opposed the Calhoun Doctrine, and has always been ready to give a *' reason for the faith that is in him," however unpopular it might be. In 1868 he was elected a democratic Elector for Seymour and Blair, upon the same ticket with Hon. James H. Slater and Hon. S. F. Chadwick. In 1870 he was elected County Judge of Benton county. In 1872 he ran for Congress but was defeated by Hon. Joseph Wilson by a small majority. In 1874 he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State and ex-officio Judge of the Second Judicial District as an independent contesting candidate, with his former tutor, Hon. John Kelsay and also Hon. L. F. Mosher. In 1878 he was elected State Senator from Benton county for four years and was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which he resigned in 1880 to accept the democratic nomination to the Supreme Bench. In 1882 he was appointed by Governor Thayer Judge of the Second Judicial District, to fill out part of an unexpired term of Hon. J. P. Watson, Since the expiration of his appointment he has been engaged in practicing his profession. Judge Burnett's services on the Bench and in the Legislature, and his efforts at the bar and on the hustings have made his name familiar throughout the State. He has been engaged in a great number of murder trials for the defense, and his success as a criminnl lawyer has been equal, perhaps, to any in the State. It is claimed by his friends that his efforts in behalf of L. D. Miller, James McCabe, Charles Williams, Frank Reid, Wm. Skelton, Wheeler. Wm. Abrams and Asa Burbank in their several trials for murder, as well as other notable murder cases, place him in the front rank of advocates.

HON. WILLIAM R. CALLAWAY - Was born in Sussex county, Delaware, December 3, 1826. In 1831 his parents moved to Illinois. When 21 years of age his father gave him a farm in Scotland county, Missouri, from whence in 1849 he crossed the plains to California. In 1851 he returned East, and in 1864 came to Oregon; in 1866 to Benton county and purchased his present beautiful farm of 1285 acres. In I877 Mr. Callaway represented Benton county in the State Legislature.

ALEXANDER H. CAMPBELL - Born in Canada, near the present town of Peel, September 12, 1835. When but three years of age his parents moved to Noble county, Illinois, where our subject resided until 27 years of age. He then crossed the plains to California, where he spent three years in the mines. In May, 186 1 he came to Oregon and the following

Augim came to Benton county and began farming, which he followed until 1877 when he engaged in his present dray and transfer business in Corvallis.

HON. DANIEL CARLILE - Is one of those who crossed the plains in 1851, the year that tried the souls of men upon the emigrant road. * Cholera and famine walked side by side along the trail, and claimed their victims from the plains to the ocean. Those numerous graves scattered for a thousand miles from The Dalles to the eastward, could they speak, would tell tales of anguish and despair that would moisten the eyes and rent the feelings of any but a heart of stone. Hundreds of emigrants perished. And few now live, who traveled the route that year, but carry in their memory scenes and events painful to recollect and sadder than tears. The arrival in Oregon did not end their trials, for nearly all were poor and provisions were scarce. To such privations and through such a gauntlet, the subject of this brief sketch reached Oregon in 185 1. Mr. Carlile is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio. "Born June 24, 1833, when but an infant his parents moved to Richland county, same State; where he resided and learned the carpenter's trade until the spring of 1851, when he came west to Iowa and there joined a train bound for Oregon, arriving at The Dalles October fourteenth, of that year. In January, 1852, Mr. Carlile came to Benton county and the following spring went to the mines in Jackson county, and there in 1853, took part in tne Rogue River War, as a member of Capt. John F. Miller's Company. In 1855, he went to California and in 1856 went via, steamer to his Ohio home where he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Miller, and took up his residence in Mansfield. In 1859 he removed to Warsaw, Indiana, and engaged in merchandising until the spring of 1863 » ne tnen sent his wife and two children via. Panama to Sacramento, California, and he again came across the plains to that place. In 1865 he again came to Oregon and, in 1866, took up his homestead on the Yaquina river a short distance from the present town of Elk City. While living there, and during a threatened outbreak of the Indians on the Siletz, Mr. Carlile was commissioned Captain of State Militia. In 1873 he sold his farm and moved to Corvallis, where he now resides engaged in the general mercantile business. In 1868 he was a candidate for Legislative honors but was defeated by a small majority ; but in 1870 he was again placed in nomination on the Democratic ticket and elected to represent Benton county in the State Legislature. Mr. Carlile has also held the office of Mayor of Corvallis, Justice of the Peace of Elk precinct, and from 1882 to 1884 filled the same office for Corvallis. He is a man that always takes a deep interest, in any enterprise that tends to benefit the community in which he lives, and in politics is, and always has been, a strong, faithful and consistent democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Carlile have a family of four children, viz : Alonzo, Katie, Girty and Claude.

HON. TOLBERT CABTER - Is one of the earliest residents of Benton county, having now lived for almost forty years within her borders. Born in Morgan county, Illinois, March 6, 1825, and is the son of John and Catherine (Barrett) Carter. He resided in his native State until 1841, when they moved to Holt county, Missouri, where, in 1842, Mr. Carter suffered the irreparable loss of both his parents. He then continued on the farm until the spring of 1846, when with his youngest brother (Smiley, now deceased,) he joined what was known as the Vanderpool train and came across the plains to Oregon, and in the fall of that year settled on the land where he now lives, consisting of five hundred and ninety acres. In 1872 Mr. Carter was selected to represent Benton county in the State Legislature and in 1878 was re-elected to the same office.

SAMUEL CASE. - A prominent resident of Newport, was born in Lubec, Washington county, Maine, May 31, 1831, and receiving a liberal education at the East Maine Conference College of Bucksport, afterwards was employed as teacher. April 5, 1853, he came ?na. the Nicaraugua route to California, where he engaged in mining and teaching school for four years, he then paid a visit to his Eastern home and, in 1858, returned to California. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 4th Inft. California Volunteers, and came with that regiment to Oregon as orderly sergeant of his company. He served with that regiment until November, 1864, when he received his discharge. He then was employed as superintendent of farming on the Alsea Reservation for four years. In 1866, Mr. Case came to Yaquina Bay and located the land on which the city of Newport now stands, since which time he has made that place his home, and where he owns large interests on the Bay.

ALONZO CASE - Was born in Lubec, Maine, November 13, 1844, and there resided until the fall of 1863, when he enlisted in Company A 7th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was afterward, in 1864, consolidated with Company F 1st Main Vet. Volunteers, with which he served until June, 1865. At the battle of Spotsylvania, on May 12, 1864, Mr. Case was wounded by the bursting of a shell, by which he sustained the loss of one eye and a partial loss of the other, which are honorable evidences of his bravery while fighting for the Union. On his return to his home Mr. Case followed different occupations until 1875, when he came to Oregon and, in April, 1876, came to Yaquina Bay, where, in 1881, he started his present general merchandize store. Mr. Case is married and has a family of six children.

JE9SE H. CATON, Deceased. - This pioneer, the son of Noah and Frances Caton, was born in Carroll county, Missouri, December 10, 1819. In his early boyhood his father moved to what was at that time Bates county, and settled on a stream called Maunaton. He remained with his father most of the time, assisting in the cultivation of the farm, until the spring of 1843, when he started for Oregon in company with the Applegates, Dr. Whitman and Col. Nesmith. He helped to bring the first wagon down the Blue Mountains. The first three years he passed in Oregon he was employed in Oregon City and Forest Grove, at whatever employment he could obtain, making his home with Alvin T. Smith of the latter place. At Almond Hill's, on WapatoLake, in that neighborhood, he worked one hundred days and received therefor.two Spanish cows, these animals being then valued at fifty dollars per head. In the fall of 1846 he located the first claim in what has since become known as the Belknap Settlement. In the spring of 1847 he moved with thirty head of cattle and one horse to his new home, Jacob Hammer and wife keeping house for him during the first twelve month. Mr. Caton was married, December 31, 1848, to Miss Precious Starr, Rev. J. Starr officiating. In 1856 he visited his old home in Missouri, his wife and child accompanying him, and returning to Benton county in the following year, bought a residence in the city of Corvallis, where his family still dwell. April 26, 1863, he started for Eastern Oregon purposing to be absent a few weeks, but after a few hours sickness died in Union county, June 15, 1863, leaving a widow and four children, two boys and two girls, who still own the farm in the Belknap Settlement. He was a member of Barnum Lodge, No. 7, I. O. O. F., also of the Methodist Episcopal church in Corvallis.

JAMBS F. CAUTHORN. - This well known and highly respected giain merchant of Corvallis is a native of the "Sunny South." Born in Essex county, Virginia, July 7, 1838, in 1840 his parents moved to Missouri, where our subject grew to manhood, and found employment in his father's store until 1865, when he, with his parents, crossed the plains to Oregon, and to Benton county. The first three years of his residence in Benton county were spent in teaching school. In 1868 he was elected County Surveyor, and in 1870, embarked in his present extensive warehouse, commission and shipping business. Mr. Cauthorn was twice married, first, in 1862, in Missouri, to Miss Frankie Payne; secondly, to Miss Martha Mulkey, daughter of Johnson Mulkey, a pioneer of 1844, by which union they have two children - Maude and Paul.

HON. THOMAS B. CAUTHORN - One of the leading merchants of Corvallis, was born in Mexico, Missouri, August 31, 1849, where his father, A. Cauthorn, carried on a large and successful mercantile business, until the breaking out of the war. When that event occurred their little city became the scene of many depredations and, during the years following until 1865, Mr. Cauthorn lost all of his property, and in the spring of that year, with barely enough to secure an outfit, he started with his family of wife and five sons to cross the plains to Oregon. Arriving in Corvallis after a journey of six months, our subject found employment at different occupations until 1875, when he with his father started the present well known merchandize house of A. Cauthorn & Son. In June, 1882, Mr. Cauthorn was selected by the people of Benton county to represent them in the State Senate for a term of four years, a position he ably fills. In 1883 he served as Mayor of the city of Corvallis. He was married in Polk county, December, 1870, to Miss S. L. Jeffreys ; they have three daughters - Mary, Gertrude and Frankie.

GEORGE W. COLLINS - Was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, April 23, 1823. In 1846 he, with his parents, moved to Adams county, Illinois, from whence, in 1850, jur subject crossed the plains to California, where he followed mining until 1853, when he came to Jackson county, this State, when he took part in the Rogue River wars. In 1857 he came to the Siletz Reservation and, in i860, was appointed Indian Agent for the Alsea Reservation, which position he held until 1868, when he was relieved by Lieutenant Beatty. In 1871 he located on his present farm near Seal Rocks, where he is engaged in farming.

HON. MILTON J. CONNOR. - This well known resident of King's Valley was born in Shelby county, Indiana, September 25, 1845. * n March, 1852, he, with his parents, four brothers and one sister, crossed the plains to Oregon, first settling in Linn county, where he resided on his father's farm until he was 21 years of age. Mr. Connor then came to Philomath, Benton county, and engaged in farming. The spring of 1874 he opened a general merchandise store in King's Valley, whtch he run for the following nine years. He then purchased his present valuable farm consisting of 200 acres, located in the center of the above valley. In the spring of 1884 Mr. Connor was elected Representative from Benton county to the State Legislature. He is married and has one son, Frank.

JAMES COOPER - Was born in Franklin county, Virginia, July 2. 1824. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Hendricks county, Indiana, where they remained until 1841, when they took up their residence in Piatt county, Missouri, where our subject was married to Miss Scena A. Evans and resided until spring of 1852. He then, with his wife and one child, started to cross the plains to Oregon. After a trip of six months they arrived in Clackamas county, where they sojourned for one season. He then moved to the Waldo hills, Marion county. In the summer of 1854 he came to Benton county, locating a claim in King's Valley, on which he lived for four years. His next move was to the vicinity of Philomath. In 1866 Mr. Cooper purchased the farm on which he now resides which certainly is one of the most beautiful farms to be found in Benton county, consisting of 320 acres, two and one half miles west of Corvallis, on which he has erected a nice farm residence, a view of which appears in this book. Mr. Cooper has a family of five children: Thomas H., Francis M., George W., Robert E. and Mary F.

WILLIAM 0. CRAWFORD - A leading jeweler of Corvallis, was born in Washington county, Arkansas, May 13, 1850, and there resided until 1870, when he came to Oregon and, in 1S72, came to Benton county, and entered the State Agricultural College, from which he graduated in 1874. In 1875 he opened his present business of watchmaker and jeweler. Mr. Crawford owns some valuable real estate in Corvallis.

JACOB M. CURRIER. - The well-known pioneer, the subject of this memoir, was born in Orleans county, Vermont, February 12, 1827, but at the age of five years was taken by his parents to Lowell, Massachusetts, whence in 1842, they moved to the State of New York, and in the fall of 1844 to Andrew county, Missouri, where during the following year he had the great misfortune to lose his father and mother. In May, 1846, with his two sisters and a brother-in-law, Hon. A. L. Humphrey, Mr. Currier started with ox-teams to cross the plains to Oregon, there being also in the party the Baker family and Joseph Alexander. Arriving where now stands the city of Corvallis, December, 5, 1846, after meeting with many casualties, they there remained a short time, when Mr. Currier proceeded to the present site of Dallas, Polk county, and there took up his abode uutil the fall of 1847. In November of that year he enlisted in Captain John Owen's company and with it took part in the Indian war that raged at that time to the east of the Cascades. At the end of six months he returned to Corvallis, but in the fall of 1848 went to the gold mines of California, but came back to Oregon in the spring of 1849. In 1850 he took up his donation claim where he now resides, and to which he has since added until he now owns one thousand six hundred acres, located about ten miles south of the county seat, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. At an* early day Mr. Currier served as one of the County Commissioners of Benton, while it may be truly said of him that his enterprise and ability have done much good towards raising the section in which he resides to the proud position it holds. Is married and has seven children, viz : William A., Manly C, Laura (now Mrs. John Belknap), Elizabeth II., John B., Sarah and Eva.

CALEB DAVIS. - This highly respected pioneer of the Pacific Coast is a native of Center county Pennsylvania, born September 20, 1826. He resided in his birth place until 18 years of age, and then went west to Lee county, Iowa, and remained until the spring of 1850. He then concluded to seek his fortune in the gold fields of California, and crossed the. plains to the new ElDorado. After one year in the mines he, in the fall of 1851, paid Oregon his first visit, coming down the Willamette Valley as far as Lebanon, when he again returned to Yreka, and for the next three years was engaged in merchandising. He then returned via the Isthmus of Panama to his home in Lee county, Iowa. In 1864 he again, with his family, started across the plains to Oregon, and located in Jackson county for two years; then after two years spent in the Napa Valley, Cal.,he again returned to Oregon and Benton county, and lived for three years in Philamoth, when he purchased his present valuable farm of 326 acres, located four miles southwest of Corvallis, and in 1879 built his present beautiful residence, a view of which appears in this work. Mr. Davis held the office of County Commissioner for Benton counly two terms, being elected in 1880 and reelected in 1882. He was united in marriage in Lee county, Iowa, August 29, 1855, to Miss Eliza J. Henkle, daughter of Zebediah Henkle, who settled in Benton county in 1867; by this union they have ten living and two deceased children, viz: Z. H., Ella N. (now Mrs William D. Washburn), Thomas, George W., Frank, Mary G., Caleb A., Bertha B., Fred Oliver, Walter and Lillie G., the two latter deceased. And now, after many changes from his early home in Pennsylvania, Mr. Davis is safely anchored in a pleasent home and prepared to take the comforts that always attend a well spent and prosperous life.

LEMUEL E. DAVIS. - This early pioneer to Oregon, and now a resident of South Newport, was born in Stark county, Ohio, September 5, 1832. When he was five years of age his parents moved to Marshall county, Indiana, and there our subject resided with his parents on a farm until March, 1847. He then, with his parents, came across the plains to Oregon with a train of forty-seven wagons, known as the Captain Davis train. They came the southern route to Lane county, where they located a farm two miles north of Eugene City. In 1866 Mr. Davis came to Yaquina Bay and purchased his present property on the south side of the Bay, where he now resides. Mr. Davis also owns the steam ferry from Newport to South Newport, and a most desirable farm of 134 acres on Beaver creek.

ZBBA. H. DAVIS - Is another of the enterprising young business men of Corvallis. Mr. Davis whs born in Lee county, Iowa, June 4, 1856, and came to Oregon in 1864, and to Benton county in 1868. In March, 1883, he began the general merchandise trade in partnership with Mr. Henkle, under the firm name of Henkle & Davis, both being representatives of of the best families in Benton county.

EZRA L. DIXON. - The genial landlord of that popular hotel the Dixon House, Philomath, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, March 26, 1851, and made that place his home until 1872, when he came to Oregon and first settled on the Yaquina river. In 1882 he moved to Philomath and engaged in the hotel business in connection with which he runs a livery stable and blacksmith shop. Mr. Dixon married Miss Emelia, daughter of G. W. Bethers, a pioneer to Oregon of 1847, an< ^ by this union has four children : Louella, Alda E., Nathaniel and Una.

JOSEPH DIXON - Was born in Ray connty, Missouri, in 1828. When about seven years of age his parents moved to Lafayette county, where he lived until the spring of 1853, when he, with his wife and two children, started to cross the plains to Oregon. On arriving in this State he located six miles west of Portland, and in 1854 moved to Linn county, and in 1865 came to Benton county, and at that time purchased his present farm of 410 acres located on Oak creek, four miles west of Corvallis, where he is engaged in farming.

WLLIAM F. DIXON - This very worthy pioneer of Benton county was born in Worcester county, (now Wyoming)* Maryland, February 20, 181 f. Having resided on the homestead of his father until he attained the age of twenty-two years, at that epoch in his life our subject started out to meet the bufferings of the world and carve his way to independence. First emigrating to Dearborn county, Indiana, he located on a farm, which he left, however, at the end of six years, for Clark county, Missouri, and there dwelt until the spring of 1845. At that time, with his wife and two children, Mr. Dixon started to cross the plains to Oregon in ox-teams, forming a portion of a large train bound to this then little known portion of the United States. The perils encountered and hardships endured need not be recounted in this place, the story has been told elsewhere and was much the same for each and all of those heroic men and women who first planted civilization in the far Northwest* It is sufficient to say that six months after first starting the lovely valley of the Willamette was reached, when Mr. Dixon came to what has since become Benton county, and took up a donation claim. This tract of land is that on which the northern portion of the city of Corvallis has since been located, the division into town lots having been made in 1851-52, and forty acres of which he deeded to the county for the purpose of founding the fown of Marysville. In 1848 Mr. Dixon constructed a house near where the Willamette is crossed and at this point established the first ferry across that stream above Salem. The subject of our sketch is one of those men that bring honor upon a community. He has never aspired to office, although frequently urged by his fellow-citizens to put himself in nomination* He has contented himself with doing good in other spheres of labor, and now enjoys a green old age, being respected by all. He has been twice married, in the first instance, in Indiana, to Miss Julia A. Round, who accompanied him to Oregon in 1845, an< ^ afterwards became the first white lady to reside in Corvallis. By this union there were seven children, four of whom now survive, viz : James, Mary Ann (Barber), Cyrus (the first white child born in Corvallis), and William. Married, secondly, Mrs. Martha A. Eglin, who died in 1883.

OU ST A VU 8 H. DODELE - Was born in Brussels, Belgium, March 27, 1820. In 1855 ne came t0 America and took up his residence in Rock Island county, Illinois, where he lived until 1868, when he crossed the plains with his family to Oregon, coming direct to Benton county, he purchased his present valuable farm of 750 acres adjoining Wells Station. Mr. Dodele has a family of three sons and two daughters, viz : Felix, Eugene, Paul, Matilda, now Mrs. Columbia Read, and Honora, now Mrs. Chas. Read.

THOMAS EOLIN - Is one of the substantial business men of Corvallis, where he has lived for the past twenty years, during which time he has collected through his own industry and correct business principles a fair share of this world's goods, and through fair dealing with his fellow man has won the regard and friendship of the residents of Benton county. Mr. Eglin was born in Oxford, Canada, Oct. 8, 1828, and came to Oregon in 1861, and in 1864 took up his residence in Benton county, engaged in farming. Later on he opened his present livery and feed stable, in connection with which he carries on his farm, located just north of the city limits. He also is the proprietor of the stage line from Albany to Corvallis. Mr. Eglin was married in Porter county, Indiana, October 29, 1848, to Miss Phebe Blachly, a native of Ohio, by which union they have William C, Thomas N , John B., Mary A., George F. and James.

JACOB 8. FELGER. - The subject of this sketch, a view of whose premises will be found in this work, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 1, 1824, and where he resided until 1845, in which y*ar he proceeded to La Salle county, Illinois, and maintained a residence there up to 1851, having in the meantime learned the trade of miller. In the spring of the last mentioned year he joined a train bound by way of the plains to Oregon, and on the fifth of September arrived at Foster's Ranch* There selling his stock he went to the mines in Humboldt county, California, but at the end of six months returned to Oregon, took up his residence in Polk county and worked at his trade. Mr. Felger subsequently was employed at Santiam for about six weeks when, returning to Polk he was engaged by General Nesmith. In the fall of 1852 he transferred the scene of his labors to the Jones grist mill at Cloverdale, Lane county, and taking up a donation claim was there married, September 25, 185s, to Nancy E., daughter of O. S. Mitchell, an early pioneer of that section. Having continued his domicile in that county till 1867, he then disposed of his property, removed to Benton county, purchased his present estate - the well-known Felger Mills on Mary's river, a description of which is given elsewhere, and in 1881, built his residence adjacent to the mill site. Mr. Felger has a family of six children, viz : Columbus G , Mary F. (now Mrs. Albert Rice), Elizabeth L. (now Mrs. James M. Reader), Benjamin F., Olive A. and Amy M.

ERNEST W. FISHER. - We have here in the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch an example of what a man with energy and perseverence combined with business ability can do. On entering the confines of Benton county Mr. Fisher was almost destitute and his first night, spent on the banks of Mary's river, his small stock of provisions was stolen from him, but coming from a country where there is known no such word as failure Mr. Fisher concluded to seek his fortune in the gold fields of Vreka, reaching the latter place in the fall of 1851. There he followed mining for one winter and then, in the spring of 1852, returned to Corvallis where he opened a saddle and harness shop, having learned the saddlers trade previous to his leaving Germany. He then manufactured the first harness and saddles ever made in Benton county. He continued at his trade until 1856, when he returned, via. Panama, to the East, where, after a sojourn of three months, he again come to Oregon and opened his former business in Corvallis, and one year later, married Miss Amelia, daughter of Joseph Dillard, and at that time purchased his present farm where he now resides, two and one-half miles north of Corvallis, consisting of four hundred and eighty acres. A view of his residence will be found in this work. He also owns the well-known Fisher block in Corvallis, together with other valuable property, until now he is the second largest tax payer in Benton county. Mr. Fisher was born in Saxon Germany, May 25, 1815, emigrated to America in 1849 and crossed the plains to Oregon in 1851. He has a family of eight children, viz : Annie, Lena (now Mrs. R. Raber), Charles, Frank, Emma, Mollie, Clara and John.

JOHN FOSTER. - This highlyjrespected pioneer of Benton county, a brief sketch of whose life we now give to the reader, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, March 3, 1822, where he resided until he reached the age of 13 years, when he accompanied his parents to Platte county, Missouri, where he remained until the spring of 1845, when his father, mother, one sister and two brothers started with ox teams to cross the plains to Oregon. Upon arrival in the fall of that year, Andrew Foster, the father, took up his donation claim about eight miles southwest of the present site of Corvallis, and there resided until his demise. In the spring of 1846 our subject located on his present farm, a claim of 640 acres, to which having added, he now owns 2200, on whieh he is engaged in general farming, and largely so in stock-raising. He married in the spring of 1846, Miss Mary A. Lloyd, who crossed the plains to Oregon in 1845 and died in 1853. Married, secondly, Miss Eliza Buchanan. His family consists of five children, viz: William, Jasper T., Mary A., Thomas W., Ella, and Emma (deceased.) Mr. Foster is one of the "solid " men of Benton county, and is now able, after long years of toil, to surround himself with the con forts which his integrity and uprightness entitle him to.

ANDREW OALLATLY.- Was born in Scotland and at the age of 15 years emigrated to America and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1863. He then went to New York where he took passage on board the steamer and came via Panama to the Golden State. After a residence of eight years in Nevada county he came to Benton county, Oregon, and purchased his present valuable farm of 400 acres, located 2 # miles west of Philomath. Married in Dane county, Wisconsin, to Miss Isabell Lyle; by this union they have a family of eight children.

GEORGE M. GERHARD. - This well and favorably known young man of Corvallis, is a native of Benton county, born August 12, 1858, and is the son of Joseph Gerhard, who now resides five miles south of Corvallis. When fifteen years of age George left the parental roof to do for himself since which time he has followed different occupations and at the present time holds the position of night guardian of Hamilton, Job & Co.'s bank. He yet enjoys single blessedness.

HON. JAMES GINGLES - Was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1819, and there resided until 1838, when his parents moved to Mercer county, Illinois, from whence our subject, in the spring of 1850, crossed the plains to Oregon. Coming direct to Benton county he took up his present farm as a donation claim, on which he has sioce lived, consisting of six hundred and foity acres, one mile south of the Polk and Benton county line, now Wells station. Mr. Gingles is a representative man of Benton county. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1864 and 1868 and again in 1876, also serving in the called session of 1865, and for ten years was a member of the Board of County Commissioners for Benton county.

WILLIAM GIRD. - There are few residents of Benton county but what know this veteran of the "Turf field and farm." He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 4, 183a When twenty-one years of age he left home and crossed the plains to Oregon, arriving at Oregon City in September 1851. In 1853 he came to Benton county, and in 1857 purchased his present farm consisting of five hundred and forty acres, which, in early days, was known as the Twelve Mile House, as it was formerly Used as a stand for the Oregon and California stage line, and twelve miles south of Corvallis.

JOHN GRAHAM (deceased) - The subject of this short memoir was a native of county Donegal, Ireland, and coming from that restless clan of Grahams, what wonder that he should inherit his ancestors dispositions and seek to lay the foundation of a family in some more favored country. In 1826 Mr. Graham set sail for America in company with several members of his family. On arriving in the land of the free he immediately proceeded to Ohio, where he lived for twenty-nine years. In 1855 he removed with his family to Kansas, and while there took an active part in defending the free State from the depredations of the Missouri raiders of 1856-57, and was often brought in contact with the celebrated John Brown. Nine years residence, however, convinced Mr. Graham that Kansas was not a farmer's paradise, so in 1864, he sold most of his property and, with his wife and nine children, started with one team of five yoke of cattle, one four-mule team and one two-horse hack with a drove of eighty head of cattle to cross the plains to the far west. On arriving in Eastern Oregon he sojourned for a short time and then came to Corvallis, Benton county, and in 1867, moved to Yaquina Bay, and took as a claim the land where the town of Toledo now stands, and in early days built the residence where his daughters now reside, a view of which will be found among the illustrations of this work. Here he lived in the love of his family and honored and beloved by his fellow men until his death which occurred, February 16, 1883.

JOSEPH D. GRAHAM - Was born in Carroll county, Ohio, February 1, 1847. When nine years of age his parents moved west to Wapello county, Iowa, where after a short residence, they moved to near Lawrence, Kansas, and resided until 1864, when be, with his parents and eight sisters, started with ox and mule teams and a band of stock to cross the plains to Oregon, where they arrived after the usual trip of six months, and first settled on the Grand Ronde. The fall of 1865, they came to Corvallis, Benton county, and one year later, to Yaquina Bay, where our subject's father located on the land on which the town of Toledo is now situated. Mr. Graham was engaged for a number of years in the mercantile trade at Toledo, during which time he was post -master of that place. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining the town on which he now lives, is married and has two sons, William and John.

THOMAS GRAHAM - Was born in Summersville, (Monroe) now Nobles county, Ohio, January 23, 1839. A short time thereafter his parents moved to Sandusky, and twelve years later he, with his parents, moved to Sparta, Tennessee, where our subject was educated at the Sparta Seminary, and in 1855, with his parents, moved to Douglas county, Kansas, where he made his home until 1864, when he started across the plains to Oregon, but on reaching Boise City he concluded to locate, when he purchased a drug store and remained there until 1867, when he came to Corvallis and engaged in his present business of drugs, medicines and books, and is now one of the leading houses in Benton county. From 1876 to 1880 Mr. Graham was County Treasurer of this county. He was married in Corvallis in 1872 to Miss Mary F. Hamilton ; by this union they have two children, Richard H. and Donald H.

JOSEPH GRAY - Was born in Banffshire, Scotland, June 30, 1828, and remained in his native land until 1850. He then went to Australia, where he resided for the following ten years. October 5, i860, he was married and returned to his home in Scotland, from whence he sailed for America, coming via New York and Panama to San Francisco. In February, 1861 he came to Benton county, Oregon, and in May, 1862, purchased his present farm, the former donation claim of George E. Nolton, consisting of 330 acres, three miles west of Philomath. Mr. Gray has a family of two children, Isabel and Alexander.

ROBERT D. O. G RIMS LEY, Deceased. - This early pioneer was a native of Indiana, and came across the plains to Oregon in 1847, and took up his donation claim where his son now resides, seven miles north of Monroe.

MOSES GREGSON - Was born in Lancashire, England, March 4, 1836, and at an early age started to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he mastered, and at the age of 20 years, emigrated to America, first settling in Lockport, New York, where he resided until 1863, when he moved to Michigan, from whence, in the spring of 1877, he came to Oregon and direct to Benton county, and first took up a claim near Mary's Peak, where he remained until 1880, when he purchased 35 acres of land near the Custom House at Yaquina City, and moved to that place, where he is now engaged at his trade of carpenter and joiner, having a shop at Oneatta. Mr. Gregson is married and has one daughter, Cora B. -

JOHN B. GOODMAN - A well-to-do resident of the Belknap Settlement is a native of Cooper county, Missouri, born March 15, 1834, and resided in his native county until spring of 1852, when he, with his brother J. H., joined a train and came across the plains to Oregon, arriving in Salem, September 15th of that year. Two years later our subject came to Benton county and took up a donation claim, now owned by Mr. Nichols. In 1881 Mr. Goodman purchased his present valuable farm of 238 acres, located four miles west of Monroe, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

JACOB HAMMER. - This worthy pioneer was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 6, 1816. In 1825 he was taken by his parents to East Tennessee ; but in 1832 he accompanied them to Madison county, Indiana, and subsequently, in the winter of 1836, to Hamilton county, in the same State. Here our subject married Miss Hannah Cox, and resided until the spring of 1842, when, with his wife, he removed to Missouri. After maintaining a residence there for two years, until 1844, at that time Mr. Hammer fitted out an ox-team and with his help-mate and three children started to crossthe plains to Oregon. After a pleasant trip of six months* duration, the Tualatin Plains were reached, and here our subject remained until November, 1847, when he removed to what is now Benton county, located on the claim in the Belknap Settlement, on which he still resides, and passed the first year in a log cabin with Jesse H. Caton, afterwards moving on to his present place, on which he constructed a "rail pen," and in it dwelt for several months. Mr. Hammer has held the office of Justice of the Peace for two terms, the duties of which he performed with much judgment. In religion he *as reared as one of the Society of Friends, but is now a communicant of the sect known as the United Brethren. To his wife and himself have been born fourteen children, nine of whom survive, viz: Ai, Millisia (now Mrs. William Mitchell), Goldsmith, Josephine, Amos, Lorenzo, Noah, Jeremiah and

WILLIAM HAMMOND - Was born in New York, September 9, 1826, and there resided until the spring of 1852, when he took passage on board the steamer Ohio bound for San Francisco, California, arriving in the latter place in March of the above year, and engaged in mining, which he followed until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. D, 4th Reg. California Volunteers, and came with that regiment to Oregon. Serving for three years he was discharged at Vancouver, Washington Territory, October 15, 1864. He then came to Yaquina Bay, where he has since resided and been engaged in hotel and store-keeping most of the time. Mr. Hammond owns considerable property in Benton county, and is a member of the city council of Newport, his present home.

JOHN W. HANSON. - This leading merchant tailor of CorvalHs, is a native of Lane county, Oregon, born December I 5» *S55. In 1870 he went to San Francisco and entered the merchant tailoring establishment of his uncle where he spent the following five years. In 1875 ne returned to Lane county and engaged in business for himself in Eugene, until 1880, when he came to Corvallis and opened his present tailor shop in connection with which he runs a general store. Mr. Hanson was married in Lane county to a daughter of C. W. Young, one of the most prosperous farmers of that county.

JOHN HARRIS. - In the gentleman whose name heads this brief memoir, we have a leading and worthy citizen of Benton county. He is one of the men whose success »'n life has been mainly achieved in the county in which he now lives, by the exercise of economy, industry and business integrity, guided by intelligent financial ability; he is now in good circumstances, and twenty-five years ago was a poor man. What he has, came gradually through those years as the result of correct business calculations and not by chance of the favorable turn of fortune's wheel. Mr. Harris was born in October, 1827; was married March 12, 1848, to Jane Buchanan, in St. John's church Liverpool. On April 16, 1850, he sailed from Liverpool for California, arriving in San Francisco November sixteenth, following - proceeding direct to Hangtown (now Placerville) and embarked in mining which he followed in the different mining camps until June, 1852, when he concluded to engage in agricultural pursuits and selected Oregon for his future home, coming direct to Benton county in the above month and year. A short time after his arrival he purchased three hundred acres, a part of his present farm, it being the donation claim of Mr. Wm. Bragg, to which he has since added by purchase some three hundred acres more located eight miles southwest of Corvallis, where in 1875 he built his present beautiful residence where he now lives enjoying the comforts that attend a well spent and industrious life. Mrs. Harris left Liverpool for Oregon in October, 1852, and arrived at her present home January 26, 1853, having made the trip alone to join her husband in his new home. Their family consists of one daughter, Mary J., a young lady of more than ordinary intelligence and one who has been educated not to look upon life as the idle drones upon the honey stored for them by the working bees in the hive, but as a period blocked out of time in which she is to accomplish something by her own acts that will not be a discredit to herself (and her native State). To Mr. Harris and men of his kind, Benton county and Oregon owes its present prosperity and future success,

ELDRIDGB H ARTLESS, deceased. - The subject of this sketch, a highly esteemed pioneer of Benton county, was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, February 22, 1816, but at an early age was taken by his father to West Virginia, where he was left an orphan. When twenty years of age he removed to Indiana. At the age of twenty-seven he was married and two years later removed to Missouri, whence, in the spring of 1846, he joined a party coming to Oregon. Having first settled in Oregon City, in 1848 he came to Benton county, located the claim on which he died, September 1, 1882, and during life was remarkable for his public spirit and energy. Save a few trips to California, Idaho and Montana on business he never left the county of his adoption. He married in Lowell, Massachusetts, July 27, 1857, Miss Emily C. Bates, by which union there were nine children, five of whom now survive, viz : Sarah J., Virginia, William, Eldridge and Clara.

LEONIDAS H. HAW LET 1 - Was born on the farm where he now resides, five miles west of Monroe, October 24, 1 851, and is the son of Chapman Hawley, who emigrated from Licking county, Ohio, to Oregon in 1848. Our subject has always been a farmer, and now owns the north half of his father's donation claim, to which he has added until now he owns 1300 acres. Mr. Hawley is married and has one child - Earl Vincent.

JOSEPH A. HAWKINS - Is a native of Indiana, born March 3, 1843, and there resided until 1856, when his parents moved to Greenwood county, Kansas, where our subject lived until 1876, when he came to Benton county, Oregon. In 1878 he returned to Kansas, but being so favorably impressed with Oregon, he again, in 1880, returned to Philomath where he now resides and where he owns and operates a saw-mill, one mile west of town. Is married and has a family of five children, viz: James E., Ruth I., Nora A., Hugh G. and Frank S.

JAMES HAYES - A capitalist of Corvallis, was born in Albany, New York. When quite young his parents moved to Cook county, Illinois, where he was brought up on a farm. In the spring of 1852 he paid $100 to a company to allow him to ride in their train across the plains to Oregon, arriving in Jackson county in the fall of the above year, where he engaged in farming. In 1858 he went to Frazer river and embarked in mining until 1859, when he returned to Jackson county and entered the employ of Thomas Cavenaugh, to work on his farm. One day, while in search of a lost mule, Mr. Hayes discovered the well known "Gold Hill" mines, which has since proved a bonanza for some of the residents of Jackson county. A short time after Mr. Hayes sold his interest in the mines and came to Benton county, where he has since resided. Mr. Hayes took part in the Rogue river war, being a member of Maj. Brace's company. He is married and has two sons and three daughters.

IC HAB OD B. HENKLE - The subject of this sketch, a view of whose premises will be found in this work, was born in Pendleton county, West Virginia, October 10, 1810, but when quite young was taken by his parents to Payette county, Ohio, where he resided until the year 1839, at which time he moved to Lee county, Iowa. In 1849 ne transferred his abode to Appanoose county in the same State, and there engaged in farming. April 4, 1853, with his wife and four children, Mr. Henkle started with ox terms to cross the plains to the great Northwest, and after a journey occupying about six months, arrived at Butte creek, Clackamas county, Oregon, there halting in October, 1853. In November of the same year he arrived in Benton county, took up the donation claim on which he now resides, situated four miles west of Philomath, where he has three hundred and sixty acres of land, and on which is a saw-mill. Mr. Henkle was one of the original incorporators of the Corvallis and Yaquina Bay Wagon Road Company, and afterwards became a director in the Willamette Valley and Coast Railroad, the predecessors of the Oregon Pacific Railroad Company. In Mr. Henkle we have one of those men of push and energy who do honor to a community. He married, firstly, in Fayette "county, Ohio, January 20, 1831, Miss Mar> A. King, a native of Delaware, by which union there have been seven children, only three of whom survive, viz: Jessie, Jeremiah E. and Helena (now Mrs. Thomas W. Girton, of Idaho Territory.) Secondly he espoused, in Appanoose county, Iowa, April 28, 1852, Miss Elizabt th, daughter of John Conger, who was born in Ohio, and had six children, four of whom survive, viz: Julia A. (now Mrs. John H. May, of Washington Territory), John A., Jacob and Charles J.

JAOOB HENKLE - Was born in Fayette county, Ohio, October 1, 1825, and there lived until fifteen years of age. He then, with his parents, moved to Lee county, Iowa, and embarked in farming. In 1853 he crossed the plains with his family and took up a donation claim three miles west of the present city of Philomath, where he followed farming until 1877, when he came to Philomath and purchased an interest in the general merchandise store of J. E. Henkle & Co., a business he still continues. Mr. Henkle is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Philomath College.

JEREMIAH E. HENKLE - Is one of Benton county's leading merchants, and a resident of Philomath. Mr. Henkle was born in Lee county, Iowa, November 18, 1843, an( l ls tne 5011 °f Ichabod Henkle, one of the most respected residents of Philomath precinct. In the summer of 1853 he, with his parents, crossed the plains to Benton county, Oregon, his father then taking his donation claim where he now lives. Our subject received his education at the Philomath College. In 1872, in partnership with J. L. Shipley, he purchased the general merchandize store of T. J. Connor, under the firm name of Shipley & Henkle. This firm prospered until 1877 when it was disolved by the death of Mr. Shipley. The firm's name was then changed to J. E. Henkle & Co., under which they have a large and ever increasing trade. As a citizen, Mr. Henkle is respected by all ; as a business man his integrity is unimpeached, as a suave, courteous and generous gentleman, with whom to do business or meet socially, he has no superior in the county and but few equals anywhere. A view of his beautiful home accompanies this work. Mr. Henkle is married and has a family of three children.

HON. JOHN A. HENKlJS - Is a native of Benton county, born November 16, 1854, and is the son of Ichabod Henkle, a respected pioneer of Benton county. He resided on his father's farm, four miles south of Philomath, and was educated at the Philomath College. In 1876 he went to Iowa, where he remained until 1878, when he returned to Oregon and accepted a position in the mercantile house of J. E. Henkle & Co., of Philomath. This position he filled for six years, until 1884, when he resigned to attend the session of the State Legislature, to which he had been elected, to represent Benton county, a position he filled with credit and ability. In October, 1880, he was married to Miss Mary E. Gant, daughter of Ruben Gant, of Yamhill county, and a pioneer of 1845. They have two children, viz: Robert E. and Zella.

JOSEPH HENKLE. - The subject of this sketch was born in Lee county, Iowa, January 10, 1843. When quite young he suffered the loss of his father In the spring of 1853 he came with his grandfather, Hon. C. P. Blair, to Oregon and Benton county. At the age of fourteen years he started to do for himself and went to the mines of Southern Oregon and California, afterwards visiting Idaho. In 1870 he returned to Benton county, and in 187! was appointed by Sheriff J, S. Palmer, Deputy Sheriff of Benton county, an office he filled until 1877. He then went to Eastern Oregon and engaged in the stock business, in which he has been very successful. He is now a resident of Prineville and Deputy Sheriff of Crook county. Mr. Henkle was married in Lafayette county, Missouri, November 18, 1883, to Miss Mattie G. Bradford.

WILLIAM HENKLE - Was l>orn in Fayette county, Ohio, May 15, 18 19 Residing in his birth-place until twenty-one years of age, he then, with his parents, moved to Lee county, Iowa, from whence, in 1853, they crossed the plains to Oregon and came direct to Benton county, locating four miles west of Philomath. Four years later our subject went to Jackson county and followed farming until 1863, when he removed to Polk county and lived until 1869, when he returned to Benton county and engaged in farming until a few years ago, when he purchased his present home one mile' south-east of Corvallis, where he has retired from the active pursuits of farming. Mr. Henkle was married in Lee county, Iowa, in 1841, to Miss Nancy J. Walker ; they have one daughter.

HUGH HERRON - Is one of the prosperous farmers of Benton county, and was born in County Down, Ireland, September, 1839. At the age of eleven years he, with his mother, emigrated to America, and lived in the Eastern States until spring of 1862, when he crossed the plains to Oregon. Coming direct to Benton county he leased a farm near Monroe. In 1866 he purchased the former donation claim of Harlow Bundy, to which he has since added until now he has a beautiful farm of 750 acres, five miles north-east of Monroe, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Herron is married and has a family of five children.

WESLEY HINTON - Was born in Gasconade county, Missouri, January 10, 1837, where he resided with his parents until 1846, in which year he crossed the plains to Oregon with his father, mother, sister and two brothers, the party including the well-known pioneer Dr. Aaron Richardson. Having passed the first winter in Yamhill, in the spring of 1847 the family came to the present county of Benton, located on the farm adjoining what has since became the town of Monroe, and has ever since been engaged in farming there. For ihe past two years Mr. Hint on has been a member of the mercantile firm of Starr, Wilhelm & Hinton. Is married and has one child named Esther.

GUSTAVTJS HODES - Was born in Prussia, Germany, January 23, 1826, and in 1855 emigrated to America. Coming direct to the Pacific Coast he first settled in San Francisco, and two years later came to Portland, Oregon, where, after a short sojourn, he came to Corvallis and opened his present gun store, located on Main street, opposite the Vincent House.

JAOOB HOLGATE - Was born in Luzern county, Pennsylvania, in 1828*. In 1833 his parents moved to Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1850. He then, with his wife and accompanied by his brother, came across the plains to Oregon and located on his donation claim in the Alsea valley, which he still owns. In 1880 he moved to Collinsville, at the mouth of Alsea Bay, where he now resides and is the present postmaster of that place.

F. A. HORNING - This influential and wealthy farmer and early resident of Benton county, is one of those who came to this State with small means, but through industry and correct business principles, has accumulated a fortune sufficient to retire from the active pursuits of agriculture. Mr. Horning was born near Berlin, Prussia, in 1824, When he was nine years of age his parents, with their family of eight children, emigrated to America, locating in St. Clair county, Illinois, and five years later moved to Jackson county, Missouri. May 12, 1850, our subject, with his wife and one child, started with ox teams to cross the plains to California, but on the plains they were induced to change their route on account of the scarcity of feed for their stock, and consequently came on to Oregon, arriving at Oregon City October 26, 185a In December of the same year Mr. Horning came to Benton county, and purchased his present valuable farm, consisting of 375 acres, one mile and a half west of Corvallis, where he is largely engaged in fruit farming. The incidents that have come under Mr. Homing's observation, and in some of which he took a part, would not be least among the mass that constitute the advance guard of civilization west of the Rockies. Theie are hundreds, yes thousands, of similar experiences, varying only in the kind of danger or misfortune that hovered along their trail. With one it was sickness, and another poverty, while a third met starvation or the Indian onslought, and a record of them in full would make another Alexandrian library. Does not a pioneer deserve all the benefits that fortune has dealt out to him, and in many cases much that the fickle goddess has withheld? In connection with his home farm he owns residence property in the city of Corvallis. Mr. Horning was married in Jackson county, Missouri, to Miss Mary A. Johnson. She died May 22, 1868, leaving a family of eleven children, all of whom are living. A view of the place where Mr. Horning resides is placed among the illustrations of this work.

, GEORGE W. HOUCK - Was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1830, In 1832 his parents moved to Tiffen, Seneca county, Ohio, where our subject attended school until fourteen years of age ; he then started to learn the shoemaker's trade, which calling he followed for five years. October 30, 185 1, he left his home in Tiffen to seek his fortune in the gold-fields of California. Coming via. the Isthmus of Panama he arrived in San Francisco January 1, 1852. He immediately proceeded to the northern mines and for the next four years followed mining. In August 1856 he came to Oregon and, in May, 1857, settled in Corvallis, engaging in the stock business until 1869, when he opened a livery stable in the above place, which he conducted for over three years. He then purchased the George Belknap donation claim, two miles south of Monroe, to which he has since added until now he has a stock farm of nearly four thousand acres, a view of which appears in this work. He also owns a valuable farm nine miles south of Corvallis. Mr. Houck is one of the most enterprising and laigest stock-raisers in Benton county, in which he is ably assisted by his three sons, Jesse, George and Ambrose. Mr. Houck was married in Benton county, to Miss Deliah Young, a native of Missouri.

L. H. HOUCK. - This young and enterprising merchant of Monroe was born in Seneca county, Ohio, where his boyhood was passed until twenty -one years of age. He then came west to Des Moines, Iowa, where he engaged in business and resided until 188 1. He then came to Oregon and purchased an interest in his uncle G. W. Houck's, store in Monroe, with whom he was connected until April, 1884, when their store and stock of goods were entirely lost by fire. L. H. then rebuilt his store on the same ground, and a few months later was joined by his brother Albert, since which time they have transacted a large general merchandise business under the firm name of L. H. Houck & Co.

WALTER 8. HUFFORD. - At present the only representative of the legal profession on Yaquina Bay, was born in Charleston, Lee county, Iowa, September 7, 1853. In the fall of i860, he, with his parents, came to California where our subject was educated and resided until 1872, when he came to Oregon, locating in Corvallis, and there began the study of the law in the office of Judge Chenoweth, being admitted to the bar in December 1875. He then practiced his profession for a short time in Corvallis, when he removed to Yaquina Bay and opened an office at Newport, where he now resides enjoying a lucrative practice and the confidence and esteem of the comunity in which he resides. Mr. Hufford married Miss Graham, a daughter of John Graham, an early pioneer of Toledo by whom he has three children, viz : Edwin, Walter and Jessie.

DAVID W. INMON - Was born in East Tennessee, March 26, 1830. When two years of age his parents moved to Kentucky, and in 1840, to Indiana. Five years later, moving to Missouri they remained until April, 1852, when he with his parents crossed the plains to Lane county, Oregon. In the spring of 1853, our subject went to the southern mines and while there took part in both of the Rogue River wars. In 1869, Mr. Inmon came to Benton county and purchased the now wellknown Inmon saw mill, located ten miles west of Monroe. Mr. Inmon married a Miss Richardson, of Lane county; they have two living children, Benjamin T. and Harley A.

JOSEPH R. K. IRVIN - Was born in Holmes county, Ohio, August 29, 1835. When but one year of age his parents moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where our subject passed his boyhood, until 185 1. He then with his parents crossed the plains to Linn county, Oregon, locating near the present site of Oakville. February 14, 1863, Mr. Irvin enlisted in Co. A. 1st Oregon Cavalry, and served in the adjutant's office in Vancouver, Washington Territory. He remained in the service until March, 1865, when he came to Corvallis and opened an auction house. In 1876 he removed to Portland and started the well-known auction house of Gilman & Irvin. In 1880 he returned to Benton county and leased the Ocean House in Newport which he conducted for several years. He then purchased sixty-five acres in South Newport where he now resides.

SAMUEL O. IRVIN. - This enterprising young man is a native of Oregon, born in Linn county. When about eight years of age his parents moved to Corvallis where he was educated at the common schools and the State Agricultural College, and in 1872, went East and entered the Monmouth College at Monmouth, Illinois, graduating from that institution in 1873. He then went to Freeport, Illinois, and remained until 1881, when he returned to Oregon and accepted the Principalship of the East Portland school. In 1882, he came to Yaquina Bay for the benefit of his health and being so favorably impressed with the climate and general appearance of the county concluded to locate there, when he engaged in the hotel business for a time and, in the fall of 1883, opened his present real estate office under the firm name of Irvin & Buckley. In 1882 Mr. Irvin filled the position of Clerk of the House of Representatives at Salem. He was married in 1884, to Miss May

RICHARD IRWIN - Was born in County Cavan, on that Isle that gave birth and fame to a Burke, a Curran and O'Coknell, June 1 1, 1813, and there resided until the age of 19 years. He then, with his mother (his father being dead), one brother and two sisters, emigrated to America. Our subject first found employment in a mercantile store in Lockport, New York ; four years later he was sent by his employers to Ohio to take charge of a branch store. Mr. Irwin then followed mer chandising in Ohio, Illinois and Iowa, until 185a In the spring of that year he started from Fairfield, Iowa, with his bride of one day and an outfit costing five thousand dollars, and an abundant supply of provisions, but being of a generous disposition, qualities which he still retains, he was too free to give to the needy wh^m he met on the plains, and consequently before arriving at The Dalles, our little party found their supply of provisions exhausted, and then began sufferings and privations which only those who have been placed in like situation can understand. He then came to Portland and engaged in business until 1 85 1, when he came to Corvallis and opened a store. In September of the above year he located 640 acres as a donation claim, where he now resides, to which he has since added until he now has 922 acres of Benton county's most fertile real estate. It is indeed a fortunate locality that reckons among its citizens such men as the subject of this sketch, McCauly, Porter, the McBees, John Harris, John Foster, Maj. Bruce, John Rickard, and many others of equal high standing, for the country where they live can never stagnate. Mr. Irwin was united in marriage in St. Louis, Missouri, to Miss Louisa Korapp, a native of Germany. By this union they have, Francts J., now Mrs. Joseph McBee, James C. and Richard S.

JOSEPH D. JOHN SON - Was born in Jackson county, Missouri, August 9, 1843. In l $S° ne came with his parents across the plains to Oregon. At Ash Hollow, on the North Piatt, his mother died, and two days later one of his sisters passed away. October 26, 1850, his father took as a donation claim the farm where our subject now resides. Married Miss Mary Graham, daughter of Dr. Graham of Corvallis. They have three sons.

HON. WILLIAM P. KEADY - Was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1850. When but an infant his parents moved to Iroquois county, Illinois, when his father started the Iroquois Times, and when quite young our subject entered his father's printing office, where he received the major portion of his early education. In June, 1866, being then but sixteen, he enlisted in the army and served until April, 1867, when he was discharged at Atlanta. He then returned to his home and followed his trade of printing, until the connection of the Union Pacific with the Central Pacific, when he crossed the plains on the first through train to California. In May, 1872, he came to Oregon and accepted a position in the State Printing office at Salem, afterwards becoming the business manager and city editor of the Salem Statesman. In 1879 Mr. Keady came to Corvallis, and in partnership with W. B. Carter published the Corvallis Gazette, Mr. Carter at the time being State Printer, which office he filled until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1880, when Mr. Keady was appointed State Printer, serving until the following fall. He then engaged in the real estate and collection business in Corvallis. In June, 1882, Mr. Keady was elected to represent Benton county in the State Legislature, and again in 1884, was re-elected to the same office, and at the last session held the honorable position of Speaker of the House. Mr. Keady was married in Salem, June 4, 1874, to Mrs. Julia G. Crump ; by this union they have three children, viz: William F., Fannie G. and Lynn Y.