Monroe, Oregon - History

History

This, the chief town of what may be called the Long Tom district, was first started in the year 1853, on the donation claim of Joseph White, who took up the land, or bought it from Joseph Manning, it is not certain which, for the latter never proved his claim. It is a thriving little village, and being surrounded by a large scope of excellent agricultural land and wealthy settlements, makes it an important point. The origin of the town was the building of a saw mill in 1853, on the site of the present grist mill, by Joseph ond David White, and around this much of the business of the district centered. In 1852 Silas Belknap and George Starr opened the first store in the place, in a building since pulled down, that stood on the ground now occupied by Dr. Wortman's drug store, while at the same time other buildings were constructed.

Twenty years ago Monroe was a busy little place. The flour mill, which several years before had succeeded the original saw mill, coutained somewhat rude machinery, and would only grind five bushels per hour, had passed into the hands of Thomas Reader, who by attention to business and the wants of the community, succeeded in improving it. Up to 1866 he had expended eight thousand dollars in extending the buildings and supplying new machinery, resulting in the production of forty-five bushels per hour, the grain and flour being cleaned by the newest and most approved appliances. Modern elevators and new suction fan were introduced, and Monroe flour at once took a prominent position among the other brands of the State. At this period too, there was a good saw mill in active operation, while two stores did a large and increasing business. Considerable money was also made in trading for Long Tom socks. Wool, owing to the increase of factories in Oregon, is finding a better market, and sock knitting is a thing of the past. Women are turning their attention to more congenial duties, and the comfort of home made socks are luxuries of yore.

Since these days the little town of Monroe has much improved, it now consisting of two general mercantile stores, one drug store, two saloons, two blacksmith shops, one shoemaker, one grist mill, two churches, two hotels, one livery stable, one wagon shop, and one tin shop. It population is about one hundred and fifty.

When R. B. Hintou arrived where the village now is, in the fall of 1847, he found living in the vicinity, Aaron Richardson on the place now occupied by his descendants; Nimrod O'Kelly, on land now owned by Major Bruce and Caspar Rickard ; Thomas J). Reeves, then on property now partly in the possession of his heirs and James Edwards; John Lloyd, John Feister and John Luce near to Mr. Reeves, and shortly after Jesse Caton and the Belknap settlement.

Monroe Lodge No. 49, F. and A. M. - This Lodge received its charter June 22, 1870, with the following members: S. B. Cranston, Max Friendly, Jas. Campbell, Joseph Lafferty, John M. Wells, Thomson D. Hinton, Sr., William Owen; the first officers being: S. B. Cranston, W. M.; William Owen, S. W.; James Campbell, J. W.; John M. Wells, Sec; J. M. Lafferty, J. D.; Thomas D. Hinton, Sr., Tyler. The present membership now numbers twenty-eight, the lodge meeting on the first Saturday in each month in their own hall. The officers at present serving are: Benjamin M. Jolly, W. M.; William D. Barclay, S. W.; George M. Porter, J. W.; A. Looney, Sec; Dr. Frank Wortman, Treas.; A. Lamb, Tyler.

Monroe Flour Mill. - This mill which is owned by Samuel Reader, was first started as a saw mill on its present site in 1853, and owned by White & Co. It was subsequently altered into a grist mill. The Corvallis Gazette, dated April 25, 1868, in noticing this enterprise says: "The flour mill of Thomas Reader is supplied with a granary capable of holding fifteen thousand bushels of grain, which is taken from the wagons by machinery, from which time there is no trouble to the miller. The wheat is ingeniously conveyed to the top of the mill and put through an improved suction fan and cleaner, and by the time it arrives at the hopper it is free from every impurity. There are three run of splendid burrs, which are capable of turning out two hundred and forty bushels of the best flour in twenty-four hours. The mill stands on a good foundation of solid rock, has splendid water power, and the establishment commands a large and good district of farming country."

Philomath Precinct has its northern boundary formed by the North Fork of Mary's river where it leaves the Coast Range to a point near the residence of Jeremiah Lilly, and a line produced eastward from that point ; thence it extends south to the southern boundary of township twelve south, a distance of nine miles; thence from Muddy creek and a line produced north from its mouth, extending westward to the summit of the Coast Range, a distance of about twelve miles. Speaking generally, it is bounded on the north by King's Valley and a portion of Soap Creek precincts, on the south by Willamette precinct, on the east by Corvallis precinct, and on the west by Turn Turn precinct.

The North Fork of Mary's river flows along the northern boundary of the precinct, and while its general course is easterly, it makes long bends to the north and south until within two or three miles of the eastern boundary, when it turns abruptly to the south, to a point near the center of the precinct, where it is joined from the southwest by the South Fork of the same stream, thence flowing easterly towards the Willamette. The South Fork has its source in the Coast Range, a little south of Mary's Peak, its course being northeast ; while, Hinkle's creek springs into life on and around the eastern face of Mary's Peak, and running east, joins the South Fork.

That portion of Philomath precinct that lies to the east of the river in the locality where it takes its southward detour, and which is the northeastern corner of the division of the county now under consideration, consists of high bold hills, interspersed with patches of timber and brush, but covered with luxuriant grass which gives unstinted feed to stock ; the land embraced in the bend of the river, raentioued above, is similar in description and comprises the Keys place, now in the possession of John Rickard. South of the river and east of the South Fork is a long ridge whose trend corresponds with the general course of the South Fork, and while its western side is precipitous almost to the waters' edge, its eastern slope gradually descends to Muddy creek. Here are several good foot-hill farms. Along Mary's river are some excellent bottom lands; and on the South Fork the tracts are excellent though proscribed, a goodly portion of the cultivable lands being situated in the foot hills. A large proportion of the lands in the vicinage of this stream is amylacious hence the name "Greasy " by which the South Fork is popularly known. Extending south from the North Fork and westward of the South Fork, is a tract of broken land lying on the flank of the Coast Range and up the side of Mary's Peak, which in places is comparatively level and suitable for reclamation; but the greater portion of it is heavily timbered, the trees being of a small size however, fitted only for rails.

Where the South Fork emerges from its mountain sanctuary there stands the old Huffman mill; while that of Ichabod Hinkle is located on the stream which bears his name; that of Charles Logsdon beiug near the confluence of the North and South Forks. The power used in these is entirely water, the logs being floated down the river.

The road from Corvallis to Newport, on Yaquina bay, passes through the precinct, while that from Alsea valley to the town of Philomath has its course along the South Fork, there being yet another highway going due south from the town. Situated three miles south of Philomath is Independent school-house; besides which there are two others in the precinct, namely, that on the South Fork, the Wrenn school-house with which is joined a portion of King's Valley precinct, the district school at Piloraath, and the College.

Philomath was one of the earliest settled portions of Benton county. The first to take up land within the boundaries of the present precinct was Adam E. Wimple, who in the year 1845 located the property situated some two miles and a half east of the town of Philomath, and at present owned by S. K. Brown. In that year, too, there came Alexander Leggitt and his son Elijah Leggitt; while in 1846 the late Hon. Wayraan St. Clair took up the land which he so long occupied, as did also Nicholas Ownby, Joseph Hughard and mayhap some others whose names are not now remembered. In 1847 William Wyatt came to what is now Philomath precinct, passed his first winter with Mr. St. Clair, subsequently leased land; and finally, in November, 1850, took up the donation claim on which he still resides, one mile from the town, while William Matzger pitched his tent not far off from him. In 1848 the late Eldridge Hartless located the claim on which he died, September 1, 1882, and Jasper Newton and his parents effected a domicile in the section. In 1849 the Beales family took up their residence in the section ; while in 1850 S. K. Brown, having sold his property in what is now Willamette precinct, located two miles and a half southeast from where the town now stands. In the year of 1852 we learn of the arrival of Silas N. Lilly, and in 1853 of William Pearson, Ichabod B. Henkle Jacob Henkle, Jeremiah Henkle and John Akin.

The first school opened in the precinct was taught in the summer of 1849 by Mrs. Matilda Stewart, daughter of John Grimsley, who came to Oregon at the same time as did Mr. Wyatt, in 1847. The vacant house in which instructions was abandoned upon the building of a district school house upon the land now owned by Lou Houck, in 1852, the first teacher being Silas Newcomb. In 1857 the United Brethren erected the hall now the property of the Grange, and in which services were held up till 1873, when it passed into the possession of that Society.

The district known as Pleasant Valley was originally settled by the Ownby family who located on the land now occupied by C. B. Wells, while subsequently Mr. Hanson took up his residence where the Philomath sawmill is now located, and in 1852 a Mr. Knowlton settled where Mr. Gray now resides. In the year following Jacob Henkle went on the place at present the home of Mr. Kittson, and in 1856 the first school in the little vale was opened and taught by J. D. Wood, the building being constructed of logs and stood on the land of Mr. Henkle, near the bank of Mary's river. It was succeeded in 1857 by a frame erection, standing on Mr. Gray's property, and in 1872 or 1873, to its present location.

The town of Philomath derives its name from the erudition of Mr. T. J. Conner, who thus called, we are informed, as it was a " Lover of Learning." It stands on the road from Corvallis to Newport, on Yaquina bay, being seven miles from the former, and half a mile to the north of Mary's river. It has the advantage of being in the line of the Oregon Pacific Railroad, and stands on a gently sloping site.

Philomath was laid out in the year 1865, on the donation claim of David Henderson, which was purchased by the United Brethren church, and a portion of the three hundred and twenty acres partitioned into blocks and lots for building purposes, the remainder being set apart as farm lots of five and ten acres in extent, with this purpose in view, that while persons moving thither to send their children to school, they could at the same time contribute toward their support. A tract of equal size has since been purchased, and similarly laid out, making an eastern addition to the original town ; while it may be remarked that the deeds to property within the limits of the estate of the church prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquors forever.

It is not our purpose here to give a history of the Philomath College ; such will be found on page 359 of this work; suffice to say in this place that it sprung from a proposition made to the United Brethren that the citizens living in the vicinity of the present town would donate the sum of seventeen thousand five hundred dollars towards enclosing a college and erecting a suitable building, if such an institution