Biographies for Clackamas County Oregon Genealogy

Lorrin H. Andrews, one of the representative farmers of Clackamas county, residing on a fine farm one and a half miles south of Oregon City, is a native of the State of Ohio, born March 31, 1837. His father, John Andrews, was born in the State of Connecticut in the year 1801, his ancestors being early settlers of New England. His father married Miss Charlotte Moore, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1802. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, eleven of whom were reared to maturity, and all but four are now living. The father was reared on a farm and educated in the Western Reserve College of Ohio, and became a Presbyterian minister and spent his entire life in preaching the gospel of the living God. This good man died in his seventy-seventh year in Iowa, and his wife passed away when eighty-four years of age in Florida, at the home of one of her sons. They left their children the heritage of a good name.
Our subject was the ninth of the family, and was educated at the Hudson College, after which he took a business course, graduating from the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College in Chicago. Since that time his life has been devoted chiefly to farming. His first farm of eighty acres was located in Mason county, Illinois, in addition to which he had town property and a home in Mason City. From that latter place he removed to Iowa, in 1868, and purchased 320 acres in Cass county, which he improved, residing on it for eight years, during which time he made of it a valuable farm. Owing to failure of health he was obliged to sell his property and come to Oregon, making the trip in 1877. After his arrival his first home was at Woodburn, Marion county, where he resided for five years, endeavoring to recover his health. He then came to Oregon City and purchased 145 acres of land, which forms a portion of his present holdings. It was a portion of the old Vance donation claim. Since this time he has added to his possessions until he owns 382 acres at this place, 220 acres near Oswego. At one time he owned the 160 acres tract that is now the town of Tremont, and he still owns 100 lots in the town of Lorrinton, joining the town of Woodstock,-all surban towns of Portland.

In 1865 he was married to Miss Martha E. Phinney, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1840, a daughter of Dr. M.C. Phinney, of Maine. To this union three children have been added: Charles P., at home; Lyman B. and Henry A., at college in Corvallis. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews and children are members of the Congregational Church at Oregon City, in which he is one of the Deacons. He has been a Republican since the organization of the party, but has not been a politician, as he has never sought nor desired office. He and his family are very highly regarded by all their neighbors, while he is esteemed for his integrity and entirely deserving of his prosperity, which has been brought about by his own efforts.

An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon, 1893
©Shauna Williams

Henry Nachand, a highly respected pioneer of Clackamas County, Oregon, now a prosperous citizen of Park Place, was born in Peoria, Illinois, November 7, 1842. His father, John Nachand, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1811, and grew to manhood in his native country. In 1836, he emigrated to New York, and resided variously in Ohio, New Orleans and Indiana, working at the wagon maker’s and carpenter trade. In 1837, he married Miss Catharine Shafer, a native of Alsace, Germany, to whom, in Illinois, were born one child, the subject of this sketch. In the spring of 1847, the father, with his wife and little son, the latter in his fifth year, started across the plains in Oregon. They traveled in a covered wagon, with three yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows, the latter of which were utilized in the double capacity of a team and to provide nourishment for the family. They came with a large company, and, aside from being annoyed by the Indians, who tried to steal their cattle, they had a safe journey. Arriving at their destination, in November, the father settled on a portion of the straight donation claim, located on the banks of the Willamette river, a mile and a half below Oregon City. On this he built a log cabin, and commenced to work his trade. As time passed, and his means allowed, he added to his land, and engaged in the production of vegetables of all kinds, later, adding the production of fruit to his other enterprises, for all of which he found a ready and remunerative market in Portland and Oregon City and in San Francisco. In 1849 the gold excitement took them by land to California, where he worked in the mines for a short time, and in 1850, he was at work at his trade in that State, at Sacramento, when the great flooed of that year drove them out of that city into the country. On September 9, 1849, in Sacramento, their Mary was born, who is now the wife of Mr. Theodore Himmler, and resides on her father’s old homestead, which is a beautiful place, surrounded with the large and productive fruit trees, which were planted by the industrious pioneer of 1847. In 1852, the family returned by sea to Oregon, where the father resumed his former occupation, being greatly prospered in his undertaking, and accumulating an ample fortune for himself and family. In July, 1885, this truly good man died, aged seventy-five years. He was extremely popular with his neighbors and with all who knew him, because of his quiet, industrious and kindly ways, and his death was universally lamented. His worth wife survived him but two years, as if, after a companionship of so many years, she could not survive his loss. She expired in August, 1887, in her eightieth year, sincerely mourned by her family and friends, to whom she endeared herself by the practice of all Christian virtues, heightened by the natural expression of a loving heart.

Their son Henry, the subject of our sketch, was raised on their fruit farm, and attended the Oregon City schools, and, since attaining manhood, has made fruit culture his business.

On December 1, 1871, he was married to Mrs. Lucinda Candel, a highly estimable lady, and the widow of Mr. Frank Candel. Her maiden name was Perkins. They had three children: Henry Edward, Ralph W., and May Isabell. Their happy married life, however, was destined to be of short duration, for on July 4, 1880, the young mother and her sixteen months old baby daughter both died, leaving the husband and father truly bereft. He has since devoted his life to his surviving children, who, by their natural intelligence and activity, bid fair to reflect credit on their father and their state.

He is a Democrat in his political views, and takes an interest in the affairs of his county and State. He has served on the School Board in his native town, discharging his duties in that capacity with ability and integrity.

His whole life has been spent in Oregon, and he is thoroughly wedded to her cause, his faith in her marvelous development and future great destiny being most implicit, which prognostications she bids fair to amply realize.

An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon, 1893
©Shauna Williams

Tom P. Randall, one of the most energetic and prosperous business men of Oregon City, was born in Clackamas county, November 22, 1863, and is the son of Judge Noble W. Randall, an honored pioneer of Oregon (see sketch of his life in this book). The subject of this sketch was the seventh child, and was raised and educated in Oregon City, graduating later at the business college in Portland.

Soon after this he began to handle real estate on his own account in a small way. His ventures proving successful, he tried larger deals, which were also eminently successful, and finally platted two additions to the city of Oregon City, one on the Mt. Pleasant tract, and the other, a tract of sixty-three acres, called the Bolton tract, both of which were desirable, and increased rapidly in value, netting Mr. Randall a fair sum of money. He has since then made various paying investments, among other being a stockholder in the Oregon City Transportation Company, one of the most prosperous enterprises in this vicinity. This company have built two steamboats, the Altona and Ramona, which are making six trips a day between Portland and Oregon City, carrying freight and passengers, and are doing a thriving business.

Mr. Randall has passed all the chairs in the I.O.O.F. He is a member of the Board of Trade and President of the City Council, and is First Lieutenant of Company F, N.G.O., State Militia.

He takes great interest in the welfare of the city in which he was raised, and in the welfare of his native State, being deservedly proud of both, and would go to any laudable length to advance their prosperity. With such ardent champions it ceases to be a matter of wonderment that Oregon should have made such magnificent strides in commerce and the arts, now proudly holding her position in the vanguard of the glorious Sisterhood of States.

An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon, 1893
©Shauna Williams

James W. Roots, one of the most prominent farmers and horticulturists of Clackamas county, was born in Chatham, England, February 18, 1849.

His parents were James and Sarah (Holeday) Roots, both of English descent. In 1853, they emigrated to New York, thence removing to Illinois, where they resided for a couple of years. In 1857, they went to Kansas, where they preempted land, passing through all the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life, besides experiencing the added trouble of conflicts with border ruffians, and Indians, and the ruffians mobbed him off his lands, because of his free-soil principles and his efforts to make Kansas a free State. By his courage and ability, however, he finally secured his land, to which they again returned. On the breaking out of the war, his sympathies were thoroughly aroused, and he offered his services to the Government, enlisting in the Thirteenth Kansas regiment, in which he served bravely and efficiently for two years, or until he became disabled, and in consequence was honorably discharged. In 1865, he sold out his possessions in Kansas and removed to Missouri, where he aided in running the Bushwhackers out of the country.

In 1869 he and his family crossed the plains to Oregon. They had three wagons and several mule teams, and were well armed with guns, revolvers and knives, being prepared to fight their way through, if necessary. His wife and four children comprised the family. On the way they fell in with other emigrants, making eighteen wagons in all. A part of them were attacked by Indians, with whom they had a sharp fight, and who got away with one of their men, from whom they never heard afterward. On arriving at Fort Kearny, they were retained there until other emigrants came up, as it was not considered safe for them to proceed. Their number was increased to forty-five wagons, and all who were not well armed, were supplied by the fort with Spencer rifles. They then pursued their journey, crossing swollen streams without bridges, sometimes using from five to ten spans of mules and horses to one wagon and floating the bed of the wagon up as high as the standards, getting the clothing and provisions wet. It took two days to cross South Platte and the same to cross North Platte, and they had to exercise every precaution against a sudden attack by the Indians. At night when they went into camp, they would form a corral with their wagons, and their animals were pastured until dark and then driven within the inclosure. A guard was diligently kept until day light, when the stock were again driven out to pasture. They were obliged to feel their animals the best they could, as their own safety and final journey depended on their teams’ strength.

On the east edge of the Black Hills a fearful storm overtook them. The wind was something terrific, while the thunder re-echoed among the hills, until the earth fairly seemed to tremble; over all this the lightning came in blinding sheets, the intense light of which was succeeded by appalling darkness. Tents were blown down and covers torn from wagons by the wind, while the drenching rain completed the general devastation. The women were in the tent, while the men outside were trying to hold it down, to keep it from blowing away. On that fearful night a tiny emigrant entered on its worldly pilgrimage, adding its distress to that engendered by the destructive storm. The storm however passed away with the night, and the morning found all injured. Three children were born on this memorable journey to Oregon. Provision became very scarce in the latter part of the journey, and money, too.

On arriving in the State, Mr. Roots and his family settled on land in the Clackamas county, taking possession in the fall of 1869, and on which the father still resides in peace and plenty, in a good home, supplied with all the conveniences that money can provide. He has been thrice married, the present companion of his old age being a nice little lady, who was his first boy love in England, many years ago. He is now in his seventy-fourth year, and enjoys the good will of all who know him, because of his true worth and genial character.

His son, the subject of our sketch, spent the most of his time from twelve till twenty driving team, freighting west of the Mississippi river and experiencing a great many hardships in that capacity. He was in his twentieth year when he crossed the plains. He drove a team from Kansas, and on the journey, after providing for his team for the night, he has on some occasions taken a blanket, and lain down in the tall grass at a distance, being fearful of being attacked and killed by the Indians.

When on the plains, he and a companion left the train at Sinkey creek, to go to the Silver City mines, to see what they could do there. When they arrived there, there was no work and no water to work the mines, and they pursued their way to Canyon City. Two days of this part of the journey was spent without food, the last of which was also devoid of water, there being nothing but sand and sage brush. His feet became a complete blister from walking in the hot sand, and their suffering was intense, and at other times, in the Blue mountains, they had to pick berries to eat to keep from starving. His companion died from the effects of this journey. This is only one of the many instances of hardship which the early pioneers endured, and which have made them richly deserving of all future prosperity.

On arriving in Clackamas, he homesteaded 160 acres of land, located half a mile west of the present site of Clackamas Station. This land was then covered with a dense forest of huge fir trees, some of which were eight feet in diameter and 300 feet high. It was an Herculean task to clean up the property and prepare it for farming purposes, and only those similarly situated can realize the toil and perseverance necessary to accomplish it. After the trees were trees[sic] were felled, they made a dense pile on the ground, which was burned, thus leaving the work but barely commenced; for great stumps remained, the roots of which extended like sinewy ropes, twenty feet and more in every direction, all of which had to be carefully removed before the ground could utilized. All of this was industriously accomplished, and Mr. Roots has today, one of the finest farms in the county.

A short time after he settled on the place, a terrific wind storm blew down much of the timber, strewing the roads and surrounding country with fallen trees. The following year a fire got into this fallen timber, which threatened to destroy everything they had. His family fled for refuge, and he and his neighbors fought the fire, finally succeeding in saving the house, but the fences and all other buildings were destroyed.

Mr. Roots worked for fourteen years in the paper mill of the Clackamas Paper Company, part of the time occupying the position for foreman and millwright. This mill was two miles and a half from his home, which distance he walked, going at noon and returning at midnight, for five years, when he rode back and forth.

He, at first raised only vegetables and hay on his farm, but as soon as possible, began the production of different kinds of fruit, in the cultivation of which he has been very successful, now having one of the finest fruit farms in the State. On commencing life on this place, he was $100 worse off than nothing, and now owns about a thousand acres of choice farming lands, about a hundred town lots, a large and comfortable residence, good barns for his grain and stock, and other buildings, all surrounded by trimly kept grounds, to which is added an orchard, second to none in the country. These are a wonderful tribute to the great thrift of the man, as well as to the productiveness of the soil.

He was married on May 20, 1871, to Miss Eliza Ann Hickey, who crossed the plains in the same train as himself, which goes to show that no journey is too long or laborious for Cupid to undertake. Miss hickey’s father, Hugh A. Hickey, was a highly esteemed pioneer, who died in 1888, leaving a faithful wife and family to mourn his loss. The mother still survives. To this marriage have been born four children, three daughters and one son: Hattie S., Thomas A., Myrtle T., and Amy L., all born in Oregon, and reflecting credit on their native county and State.

Mr. Roots is a prominent Republican in politics, taking a commendable interest in the affairs of his State and country. He is a respected member of the A.O.U.W.

Thus has intelligent and persistent effort been rewarded with prosperity, and what is more desirable, the good-will of all right-minded citizens.

Henan S. Gibson, County Superintended of Instruction of Clackamas county, is a native of the State of Iowa, born in Monmouth, Jackson county, February 2, 1862. His ancestry were Irish and Scotch, who came to Virginia in the early history of that State, and since which time there has been some mixture of English and Dutch blood. His grandfather, Harmon Gibson, removed to the Western Reserve in an early day, engaging there inf arming, but later removed to Iowa, where he continued in the same occupation. He was a Wesleyan Methodist, and lived to be eighty-six years old. The father of our subject, James Gibson, Jr., was the third in a family of nine children. He was married in Iowa Mrs. Emily Garrison in 1861. In 1867 they started across the plains with ox teams, and settled in Clackamas county, three miles east of Eagle Creek. Here Mr. Gibson took a homestead of 160 acres and here he has since resided.

Our subject was five years of age when he arrived in Oregon. He attended the public schools for three months in the year, and the rest of the time, until he was nineteen, he worked on his father’s farm. At this time he went to Pierce Christian College, California, at which he graduated in 1884, accomplishing a five year’s course in three years, standing high in lla(?) his examinations. After leaving school he taught in Colusa county, California, eight months, then returned to Clackamas county, where he has taught thirteen terms, and for two years held the principalship of the Clackamas school.

In March, 1892, Mr. Gibson was nominated by the Republican party as their candidate for Superintendent of Schools. He made a successful canvass, and is now filling the office creditably. Mr. Gibson was married August 4, 1886, to Miss Bertha Martin, a native of Iowa, born April 8, 1865. She was the stepdaughter of Mr. John Glover, an Oregon pioneer of 1847, and she was educated in Clackamas county, where she became a successful teacher. She is now her husbands deputy in the office of Superintendent. Mr. Gibson is a member of A.O.U.W., in which he has been Recorder. Both he and his accomplished wife are people of refinement and education, very unassuming in manners, but enthusiastic in school work and highly esteemed through the entire county.

Newton Phillips (1852-1904)

Newton was one of the first white children born on the shore of Lake Michigan. After the first white woman and man came to that part of Lake Michigan there were no neighbors nearer than White River, excepting the Indians. About six weeks after the first families arrived, Dr. Phillips and his father came to that area. It was a lonesome time for all. The Great Lake on one side and the wilderness on the other side. The Indians were generally friendly and not difficult to get a long with except when intoxicated. They would occasionally get possession of some firewater and then pandemonium was let loose. There were no roads through the woods only Indian trails. At certain periods some family’s only provisions were potatoes and salt.

Children of Newton & Mary (Hills) Phillips:

Almon Ray 1885-1954; Vera Anna 1880-1936; Loranda Emeline 1895-1956; Thomas Verne (1893-1894)