Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies
Every Wednesday, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County & Morrow County, by Colonel William Parsons and W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Spokane, WA, (1902), p. 542-543.
HON. JOSIAH S. BOOTHBY. The venerable Civil War veteran, pioneer citizen of Oregon and able politician and statesman, whose career it is now our task to present in brief outline, was born in Brown county, Ohio, in October, 1824, his parents being Josiah and Mary (Rounds) Boothby. His mother died when he was two weeks old, and at the age of six he was deprived by death of his father also. He then went to Illinois to live with an older brother. At a very early age he began the struggle of life as a cabin boy on the Mississippi River, and at the age of nineteen he began learning the trade of an engineer. In 1849, he went to Kansas, whence he was driven by the drouth(sic). His next place of abode was in the vicinity of Alexandria, Missouri where he continued to reside until the outbreak of the war in 1861. He then moved his family to Illinois and himself enlisted in Company F, Seventh Missouri infantry. During his four years of service he fought under Colonel Stevens, General Logan and General Grant, participating in twenty-two regular battles. As illustrating the danger of the service in which he was engaged we may say that out of the twelve hundred enlisted men who constituted his regiment, only one hundred and thirty-four were left at the end of the war.
At the close of the hostilities, Mr. Boothby returned to Illinois. Subsequently he went to Kansas, locating in Howard county where for a number of years he was engaged in farming and milling. He ultimately moved to Leavenworth county, whence in 1879 he came to Monmouth in the Willamette valley, and he states that at the time of his arrival there his worldly wealth consisted of three nickels. He set to work vigorously to retrieve his lost fortune, achieving at least fair success in the effort. In 1883 he came to Lexington, took land and engaged in raising wheat and cattle, and to these kindred occupations he has devoted himself continuously since.
In 1894 our subject's public spirit and abilities received a fitting reward in his election to the state legislature. While endeavoring to faithfully represent his constituency he felt it incumbent upon him to throw his influence in favor of the coinage of America's silver on a basis which would, in his opinion, keep it on a par with gold. He made a hard fight to have the Columbia river opened by the state so that farmers of the Inland Empire might be relieved of excessive freight charges. He also sought energetically and successfully to defeat the re-election of Senator Dolph.
Mr. Boothby was married first in Illinois in 1844, the lady being Elizabeth Peyton, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1867, leaving four children; Samantha, now deceased; John C., a resident of Kansas; Mary J. in Spokane, Washington and Josiah T., a farmer near Lexington.
In 1867, in Coles county, Illinois, he a second time took upon himself the bonds of matrimony, the lady being Susan J. Yates, a native of Illinois. To this union there have been born three children, namely; Grant, in Missouri; Luella B., wife of Charles Beymer, but now deceased; one infant that died. In 1899, he sold his farm to his son and moved into Lexington, where he bought a comfortable home and is spending the golden years of his life. It was through his influence that the Methodist society of Lexington was organized and he has been one of the leaders in the enterprise of erecting the commodations(sic) and tasty church edifice that they now occupy. He and his wife are leading members of this church and are highly respected and beloved by all.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies
Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies
Every Wednesday, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County & Morrow County, by Colonel William Parsons and W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Spokane, WA, (1902), p. 335-336.
HON. JOHN S. GURDANE. - It is with pleasure that we incorporate in this volume an epitome of the career of the substantial citizen and worthy gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, and whose life of activity and enterprise has been so filled with interesting incident and stirring adventure that it is a matter of regret that we are unable, on account of lack of space, to more fully detail the same. Especial note should be made of the excellent record that Mr. Gurdane made during the late Civil War, making sacrifice to offer his service in defense of the country and then demeaning himself with such courage and intrepid valor that few equal and none exceed his brilliant military career.
Mr. Gurdane is the son of John Sylvester and Elizabeth (Batie) Gurdane, natives of Scotland, and was born on the sea off Sandy Hook, while his parents were en route to the United States, the date being May 4, 1824. His early days were spent in New York and Canada, and while but a small child was adopted by Thomas and Elizabeth Lundy, and at the age of fifteen took up a seafaring life. Thirty years were spent in this occupation, during which time he visited every port of any consequence in the world at that time. In 1846 he enlisted in the United States navy, serving there for five years and four months. He filled all of the offices in the merchant marine, and at one time owned a half interest in a good vessel, being captain and manager of the same. In the heavy gales of 1859 the ship and all of its cargo went down, entailing upon Mr. Gurdane the entire loss of everything he possessed in the way of worldly goods. Following this disaster he borrowed from a friend, J. I. Case, sufficient money to keep his family and then repaired to Mobile, Alabama, working as captain on a lighter of $125 per month until the war broke out, leaving there on the last mail steamer that sailed for the north. After visiting his family in Racine, Wisconsin, he took service as first mate on the Sweepstakes, continuing there at a salary of $80 per month until September, 1861, at which time he resigned this position and enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry, officered by Captain Waldo, Colonel Wood, Lieutenant Colonel Messmore and Major Hancock. His first fighting was skirmishing at Fort Donelson, and the first heavy battle was at Shiloh, where they suffered heavy loss, Captain Waldo being killed and the other officers wounded. Following this he participated in the siege of Corinth, then fought at Iuka, and in the fall of 1862 was two days in the battle of Corinth, and then a few weeks later did valiant service in the battle of Cold Water in the Mississippi valley. The following year he fought in the battle of Port Gibson, also in the battle of Raymond, Champion Hills, and a Black River. He was in the heavy charge at Vicksburg on May 22nd, when his company went in with three hundred and seventy-seven men and ten minutes later came out with a loss of one hundred and seven men, he being wounded. In November, 1863, he re-enlisted in the veteran service, taking place in the same company. After a thirty days' furlough at home, he went to Lookout Mountain, participating in all of the heavy battles to Big Shantee, being able to hear the musketry and cannonading for ninety days thereafter. On July 22, 1864, he was in the battle of Peach Creek, was on Leggitt Hill, with General Leggitt in the Seventeenth Army Corps, near where General McPherson was killed, the brigade commander being also badly wounded in that fight. Here his gun was shot out of his hands and a bullet struck his cartridge box, shocking him pretty badly, but he secured another gun and continued in the fight. Following this they marched to Eastport, and after the fall of Atlanta they proceeded to Jonesboro and fought a heavy battle, and then joined Sherman's forces to the sea, where he was put in charge of the pontoon construction, assisting to lay them all of the way. Following the fall of Fort McAllister they marched from Savannah to Raleigh, North Carolina, skirmishing much of the way, as the crossing of every stream was contested. After this they went to Alexander and prepared for the grand review at Washington. He was mustered out at Mobile, Alabama, in the fall of 1865.
Returning to his family, he remained for two days, and then shipped as first mate on the William Vanderbilt, laying her up on December 5, in Buffalo. Returning home, he immediately engaged to ship wagons for Mitchell, Lewis & Company, and the following March removed to Shelby county, Missouri, and took up farming, it being his first experience in that occupation. He followed this and railroading until the spring of 1882, when he organized a company and crossed the plains to this county, landing in Pendleton on August 18, 1882, and camped where Byers' warehouse now stands. Late he settled on a place in Little Potts, using his soldier's right to gain title from the government. Here he continued for seventeen years, raising cattle and feeding stock sheep in the winter, until recently, when he sold his place and bought a residence in the Riverside addition to Pendleton, where he now resides.
Mr. Gurdane has always been active in the political realm, having frequently served in the state conventions an nearly all of the county conventions, and is at the present time state central committeeman from this county, being allied with the Republican party. In 1894 he was elected to the state legislature, where he made a commendable record and so wrought for the interests of his constituency that they
rewarded him by electing him as his own successor, and he was enabled to give another term of efficient and faithful service.
He was married on October 15, 1856, to Miss Janette, daughter of William and Ann (Cavin) Smith, and they have been blessed with the advent of the following children: Ann Jane, Douglas C., Nettie A., John W. (deceased). On may 20, 1866, Mrs. Gurdane died.
On October 9, 1867, Mr. Gurdane contracted a second marriage, the lady then becoming his wife was Miss Celia McBroom, and from this union one child has been the issue, Thomas B. Mr. Gurdane is a member of the Methodist church, South, and is especially active in the support of its interest, being an ardent advocate of the faith which he has embraced. He also affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. Mr. Gurdane has shown himself a worthy and typical man in every relation of life, manifesting rare ability and sterling integrity throughout.
Every Wednesday, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County & Morrow County, by Colonel William Parsons and W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Spokane, WA, (1902), p. 335-336.
HON. JOHN S. GURDANE. - It is with pleasure that we incorporate in this volume an epitome of the career of the substantial citizen and worthy gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, and whose life of activity and enterprise has been so filled with interesting incident and stirring adventure that it is a matter of regret that we are unable, on account of lack of space, to more fully detail the same. Especial note should be made of the excellent record that Mr. Gurdane made during the late Civil War, making sacrifice to offer his service in defense of the country and then demeaning himself with such courage and intrepid valor that few equal and none exceed his brilliant military career.
Mr. Gurdane is the son of John Sylvester and Elizabeth (Batie) Gurdane, natives of Scotland, and was born on the sea off Sandy Hook, while his parents were en route to the United States, the date being May 4, 1824. His early days were spent in New York and Canada, and while but a small child was adopted by Thomas and Elizabeth Lundy, and at the age of fifteen took up a seafaring life. Thirty years were spent in this occupation, during which time he visited every port of any consequence in the world at that time. In 1846 he enlisted in the United States navy, serving there for five years and four months. He filled all of the offices in the merchant marine, and at one time owned a half interest in a good vessel, being captain and manager of the same. In the heavy gales of 1859 the ship and all of its cargo went down, entailing upon Mr. Gurdane the entire loss of everything he possessed in the way of worldly goods. Following this disaster he borrowed from a friend, J. I. Case, sufficient money to keep his family and then repaired to Mobile, Alabama, working as captain on a lighter of $125 per month until the war broke out, leaving there on the last mail steamer that sailed for the north. After visiting his family in Racine, Wisconsin, he took service as first mate on the Sweepstakes, continuing there at a salary of $80 per month until September, 1861, at which time he resigned this position and enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry, officered by Captain Waldo, Colonel Wood, Lieutenant Colonel Messmore and Major Hancock. His first fighting was skirmishing at Fort Donelson, and the first heavy battle was at Shiloh, where they suffered heavy loss, Captain Waldo being killed and the other officers wounded. Following this he participated in the siege of Corinth, then fought at Iuka, and in the fall of 1862 was two days in the battle of Corinth, and then a few weeks later did valiant service in the battle of Cold Water in the Mississippi valley. The following year he fought in the battle of Port Gibson, also in the battle of Raymond, Champion Hills, and a Black River. He was in the heavy charge at Vicksburg on May 22nd, when his company went in with three hundred and seventy-seven men and ten minutes later came out with a loss of one hundred and seven men, he being wounded. In November, 1863, he re-enlisted in the veteran service, taking place in the same company. After a thirty days' furlough at home, he went to Lookout Mountain, participating in all of the heavy battles to Big Shantee, being able to hear the musketry and cannonading for ninety days thereafter. On July 22, 1864, he was in the battle of Peach Creek, was on Leggitt Hill, with General Leggitt in the Seventeenth Army Corps, near where General McPherson was killed, the brigade commander being also badly wounded in that fight. Here his gun was shot out of his hands and a bullet struck his cartridge box, shocking him pretty badly, but he secured another gun and continued in the fight. Following this they marched to Eastport, and after the fall of Atlanta they proceeded to Jonesboro and fought a heavy battle, and then joined Sherman's forces to the sea, where he was put in charge of the pontoon construction, assisting to lay them all of the way. Following the fall of Fort McAllister they marched from Savannah to Raleigh, North Carolina, skirmishing much of the way, as the crossing of every stream was contested. After this they went to Alexander and prepared for the grand review at Washington. He was mustered out at Mobile, Alabama, in the fall of 1865.
Returning to his family, he remained for two days, and then shipped as first mate on the William Vanderbilt, laying her up on December 5, in Buffalo. Returning home, he immediately engaged to ship wagons for Mitchell, Lewis & Company, and the following March removed to Shelby county, Missouri, and took up farming, it being his first experience in that occupation. He followed this and railroading until the spring of 1882, when he organized a company and crossed the plains to this county, landing in Pendleton on August 18, 1882, and camped where Byers' warehouse now stands. Late he settled on a place in Little Potts, using his soldier's right to gain title from the government. Here he continued for seventeen years, raising cattle and feeding stock sheep in the winter, until recently, when he sold his place and bought a residence in the Riverside addition to Pendleton, where he now resides.
Mr. Gurdane has always been active in the political realm, having frequently served in the state conventions an nearly all of the county conventions, and is at the present time state central committeeman from this county, being allied with the Republican party. In 1894 he was elected to the state legislature, where he made a commendable record and so wrought for the interests of his constituency that they
rewarded him by electing him as his own successor, and he was enabled to give another term of efficient and faithful service.
He was married on October 15, 1856, to Miss Janette, daughter of William and Ann (Cavin) Smith, and they have been blessed with the advent of the following children: Ann Jane, Douglas C., Nettie A., John W. (deceased). On may 20, 1866, Mrs. Gurdane died.
On October 9, 1867, Mr. Gurdane contracted a second marriage, the lady then becoming his wife was Miss Celia McBroom, and from this union one child has been the issue, Thomas B. Mr. Gurdane is a member of the Methodist church, South, and is especially active in the support of its interest, being an ardent advocate of the faith which he has embraced. He also affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. Mr. Gurdane has shown himself a worthy and typical man in every relation of life, manifesting rare ability and sterling integrity throughout.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies
Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies
Every Wednesday (still traveling), the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000605
WILSON, Joseph Gardner, (1826 - 1873)
WILSON, Joseph Gardner, (cousin of James Willis Nesmith), a Representative from Oregon; born in Acworth, Sullivan County, N.H., December 13, 1826; moved with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1828 and later to a farm near Reading, Hamilton County; attended the district schools until 1840 and Cary’s Academy from 1840 to 1842; was graduated from Marietta (Ohio) College in 1846; professor in Farmer’s College, near Cincinnati, in 1849; was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1852 and was admitted to the bar; moved to Oregon Territory in 1852 and commenced the practice of law in Salem, Oreg.; clerk of the Territorial legislature in 1853; first secretary of the Willamette Woolen Co. when it was established in 1854; prosecuting attorney of Marion County 1860-1862; associate judge of the State supreme court 1864-1866 and 1868-1870; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1870 to the Forty-second Congress; resumed the practice of his profession; elected as a Republican to the Forty-third Congress and served from March 4, 1873, until his death in Marietta, Ohio, July 2, 1873; interment in Pioneer Cemetery, The Dalles, Oreg.
Every Wednesday (still traveling), the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000605
WILSON, Joseph Gardner, (1826 - 1873)
WILSON, Joseph Gardner, (cousin of James Willis Nesmith), a Representative from Oregon; born in Acworth, Sullivan County, N.H., December 13, 1826; moved with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1828 and later to a farm near Reading, Hamilton County; attended the district schools until 1840 and Cary’s Academy from 1840 to 1842; was graduated from Marietta (Ohio) College in 1846; professor in Farmer’s College, near Cincinnati, in 1849; was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1852 and was admitted to the bar; moved to Oregon Territory in 1852 and commenced the practice of law in Salem, Oreg.; clerk of the Territorial legislature in 1853; first secretary of the Willamette Woolen Co. when it was established in 1854; prosecuting attorney of Marion County 1860-1862; associate judge of the State supreme court 1864-1866 and 1868-1870; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1870 to the Forty-second Congress; resumed the practice of his profession; elected as a Republican to the Forty-third Congress and served from March 4, 1873, until his death in Marietta, Ohio, July 2, 1873; interment in Pioneer Cemetery, The Dalles, Oreg.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies
Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies
Every Wednesday (we're late!), the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000552
WILLIAMSON, John Newton, (1855 - 1943)
WILLIAMSON, John Newton, a Representative from Oregon; born near Junction City, Lane County, Oreg., November 8, 1855; attended the country schools; attended Willamette University, Salem, Oreg.; moved to Prineville, Oreg., and engaged in livestock raising; sheriff of Cook County 1886-1888; member of the State house of representatives 1888-1898; served in the State senate 1900-1902; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-eighth and Fifty-ninth Congresses (March 4, 1903-March 3, 1907); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1906; engaged in stock raising and agricultural pursuits; appointed postmaster at Prineville, Cook County, Oreg., March 21, 1922; reappointed on May 18, 1926, and served until June 30, 1934, when he retired to his farm in Central Oregon; died in Prineville, Oreg., August 29, 1943; interment in the Masonic Cemetery.
Every Wednesday (we're late!), the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000552
WILLIAMSON, John Newton, (1855 - 1943)
WILLIAMSON, John Newton, a Representative from Oregon; born near Junction City, Lane County, Oreg., November 8, 1855; attended the country schools; attended Willamette University, Salem, Oreg.; moved to Prineville, Oreg., and engaged in livestock raising; sheriff of Cook County 1886-1888; member of the State house of representatives 1888-1898; served in the State senate 1900-1902; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-eighth and Fifty-ninth Congresses (March 4, 1903-March 3, 1907); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1906; engaged in stock raising and agricultural pursuits; appointed postmaster at Prineville, Cook County, Oreg., March 21, 1922; reappointed on May 18, 1926, and served until June 30, 1934, when he retired to his farm in Central Oregon; died in Prineville, Oreg., August 29, 1943; interment in the Masonic Cemetery.
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