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CHARLES A. HAINES
Charles A. Haines,
deceased, was one of the prominent business men of Burns and
Narrows, where for many years he was identified with the cities as a
representative of various important business interests. No man was
ever more respected and no esteem in which he was held. In his
lifetime his many friends throughout Central Oregon, recognizing his
merit, rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he
attained, and since his death they have cherished his memory, which
remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. Honorable in
business, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought, kindly in
action, true to every trust confided to his care, his life was the
highest type of Christian manhood.
Charles A. Haines was born in Indiana in 1870, a son of
John A. and Eliza W. (Jennings) Haines. He received his education in
the public schools of his native state and came back to Oregon in
1892. He made his initial step into the business world as a clerk in
his brother's store in Harney county and at an early date evinced
marked business ability. He soon started into business on his own
account, erecting a building at the Narrows, and by his innate
ability, backed by strict integrity, built up the most successful
trade in that section of the state. Within a short period Mr. Haines
rose to a position of prominence in the community and did much to
develop and improve the general welfare. For some years he occupied
the offices of justice of the peace and postmaster and holding that
every public office was public trust he carried out the duties of
those offices to the best of his ability. In financial circles he
was a well known figure as vice president of the First National Bank
at Burns, and he founded the telephone company at the Narrows. His
astuteness in business was considered marvelous and at the time of
his death in 1916, he had acquired a fortune of three hundred
thousand dollars, which he bequeathed to his widow and children.
That fortune he had accumulated in less that a quarter of a century
and it was the result of self deprivation, sacrifice and unceasing
toil.
In 1896 occurred the marriage of Mr. Haines to Miss
Annie Comegys, a daughter of Nimrod and Siralda Comegys, whose
parents were of old Wisconsin pioneer stock, having lived originally
in Virginia. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Haines: Hazel,
Wilbur and Marie. Hazel is now the wife of J.D. Leonard, who is a
student in the medical department of the University of Oregon. Mr.
Leonard was a volunteer in the World war, serving in France as a
member of the coast artillery. He was honorably discharged on the
11th of March, 1919, as sergeant in the medical corps; Wilbur, who
is a graduate of the Hills Military College, is now manager of his
mother's six thousand acre ranch in Diamond valley. He married Miss
Mary Jenkins, a daughter of J.R. Jenkins, a well known sheep man;
the youngest member of the family, Marie, is a student at St.
Helen's Hall, Portland, where her sister was graduated. Mrs. Haines
is a woman of much ability and a model mother. Her large holdings
are being carefully conserved for her children.
Mr. Haines was prominent in the Masonic circles of the
state. He had attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite
and was a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He was one of the public
spirited men of Burns, always ready to give assistance in promotion
every movement that meant the betterment of local conditions or the
advancement of community interests. Because of a well balanced mind
and a sterling character he was able to see the silver lining to
many a cloud that to others would have looked hopelessly black, and
he overcame obstacles which to many would have seemed
insurmountable.
History of Oregon, Chicago: Pioneer Historical
Pub. Co., 1922
©Shauna Williams |
JAMES JOHN DONEGAN In August, 1921, James
John Donegan was appointed by President Harding receiver of the
United States land office at Burns, and he is now serving in that
capacity, much to the satisfaction of the people of central Oregon,
who have the greatest respect and confidence for him. "Jimmy"
Donegan, as he is affectionately called by his many friends, is a
native of Oregon and has for many years been prominently identified
with its political and commercial life. He was born in Jacksonville,
Oregon, on the 29th of August, 1872, a son of Patrick and Margaret
(Lynch) Donegan. His father, who was a blacksmith by trade, came to
the Pacific coast from New York in 1849 and the following year
located in San Francisco, California. He resided in that state a
year and then came to Oregon and settled in the mining camp at
Sterling, where he engaged in his trade of blacksmithing. He removed
to Jacksonville upon its founding in 1855, opened a little
blacksmith shop there, and did an increasing business, remaining in
that camp until his retirement from active life in 1910. In that
year he removed to San Diego, California, where he died October
17th, 1919. "Jimmy" Donegan's mother passed away when he was two
years of age and when he was twelve years of age his father married
a second time, taking for his wife, Mary Fleming, a native of
Ireland, whither Patrick Donegan had returned in the later '70s, for
a visit.
In the acquirement of his education "Jimmy"
Donegan attended the public and high schools of Jacksonville and
upon putting his textbooks aside located in Harney county, where he
remained for one year before returning to his birthplace. His father
at that time owned a large tract of some five thousand acres on the
Rogue river and James John Donegan and his elder brother, Hugh, now
a civil engineer in San Francisco, traveled to their father's
holdings and engaged in the occupation of sheep ranching until 1894.
In that year "Jimmy" came to Harney county and until 1896 worked for
William Hanley upon his ranch. The next ten years he spent in the
conduct of a mercantile business in Burns, achieving substantial
success, and becoming a prominent and representative business man he
subsequently drifted into politics. In 1908 he was elected county
assessor and was re-elected to that office, serving in all for a
period of eight years. He has been a clerk in the legislature and in
the senate of Oregon and enjoys great popularity among members and
ex-members of both houses. Mr. Donegan is what is termed a good
mixer. He is sociable and friendly, a keen observer of passing
events and is well versed on the questions and issues of the day. In
1911 he became associated with Samuel Mothershead in the conduct of
a real estate, insurance and abstract business, establishing
officers in the Masonic building, and they represent some of the
best old-line companies in the state and have gained a reputation
for capable business methods. He is land and tax agent for many
large interests, among them being the Eastern Oregon Land & Live
stock Company, the Clerf Land & Live Stock Company and the William
Hanley Company.
In 1896 occurred the marriage of Mr. Donegan to Miss
Mary L. Smyth, a daughter of John Smyth, the first white child born
in Harney county. Her father and mother were Harney county's
earliest pioneers and were killed in the Bannock Indian war in 1878.
Mr. and Mrs. Donegan have three children: Carmen, the wife of Nels
Elfving of Portland; Patrick H., a law student in the University of
Oregon; and Frances Mary. The youngest daughter is also a student in
the University of Oregon and is majoring in journalism. She is
evincing much talent along that line and is local correspondent for
the Oregonian.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Donegan has
given his allegiance to the republican party and is a member of the
republican state central committee from Harney county. He has always
been active in civic affairs and during the World war was chairman
of the second and third Liberty Loan drives and of the Victory Loan.
He was likewise chairman of the Red Cross drives and a member of the
draft board and of the United War Work. He is president of St.
Joseph's Hospital Building Association and is a member of the
executive committee of the Y.M.C.A. Fraternally he is identified
with the Elks. "Jimmy" Donegan is placed by public opinion among the
influential and leading citizens of Harney county and is a man whose
character and business integrity entitle him to be numbered among
the most desirable and use citizens of the state.
History of Oregon, Chicago: Pioneer Historical
Pub. Co., 1922
©Shauna Williams |
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GEORGE ABBOTT SMYTH
The demise of George Abbott Smyth, which
occurred in September, 1917, lost to Burns one of her representative
citizens. He was a native son of Oregon, born at Eugene in 1863, a
son of George C. and Margaret (Dent) Smyth. His parents were early
pioneers of this state and took up residence in Harney county when
George A. was nine years of age. The father met his death while
participating in the campaign against the Piute and Bannock Indians.
In Harney county George Abbott Smyth received his
education and at an early age put his textbooks aside and engaged in
business. In partnership with a brother, Prestley Smyth, he took up
land in the Diamond valley and he was active in that association
until his death. The firm of George A & Prestley Smyth became well
known throughout Central Oregon, is still conducted by Prestley, and
owns some eight thousand acres upon which high grade cattle are
raised. The brothers won a reputation for integrity that is not
confined to Oregon but extends to every cattle market in the United
States. Much of the success of the firm may be attributed to the
innate business ability and magnetic personality of George A. Smyth.
He was prominent in the financial circles of the community as vice
president of the First National Bank of Burns and identified his
interests with those of the county, contributing in a large measure
to the improvement and development of the general welfare.
In 1891 occurred the marriage of George Abbott Smyth to
Miss Classie Seaweard, a daughter of Thomas and Cordelia Seaweard,
natives of Missouri, who later removed to Harney county, Oregon,
where they were well known residents. One son, Fred W., was born to
this union. He is a graduate of the Oregon Agricultural College and
is successfully engaged in stock raising in Harney county.
In the Masonic circles of Oregon, Mr. Smyth was well
known, being a thirty second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic
Shrine. For some time he was a member of the school board and served
as county commissioner. Mrs. Smyth is a past worthy matron of the
Eastern Star and a woman of more than ordinary ability. She was a
close companion of her husband and stood shoulder to shoulder with
him throughout their years together. Mr. and Mrs. Smyth won many
friends in Central Oregon, all of whom feel a great loss in the
passing of Mr. Smyth.
History of Oregon, Chicago: Pioneer Historical
Pub. Co., 1922
©Shauna Williams |
