Cass County MI
Biographical Sketch of Henry P. Tietsort
Henry P. Tietsort, born on October 14, 1829, in Cass County, Michigan, exemplified the spirit of the western pioneers. After a challenging youth, he journeyed across the plains to California in 1859, engaging in freighting and mining before settling near Nyssa in 1892. Tietsort contributed to local agriculture by developing his 43-acre farm and participated in the Pitt River and Selay Indian Wars. He married Lydia Carman in 1880, raising several children. Tietsort’s life reflects resilience and dedication to the frontier.
Biographical Sketch of George M. Stanclift
George M. Stanclift, born April 25, 1837, in Erie County, New York, navigated numerous challenges as a pioneer, ultimately becoming a respected citizen of Harney, Oregon. After experiencing the hardships of mining in California and the loss of his partner to Indian hostilities, Stanclift moved to Douglas County in 1871, focusing on stock raising. He settled in Harney Valley in 1876, enduring extreme conditions with few settlers. His family, including three children, lived through these trials, marking him as a dedicated and resilient figure in the region’s history.
Biography of Edward P. Ashby
Edward P. Ashby, a successful agriculturist and stockman in Union County, arrived in 1871 with limited means. After several years in the Willamette Valley, he returned to Union County, where he ultimately acquired a well-improved farm and a residence in North Powder for better educational opportunities for his children. Born in Michigan in 1855, Ashby partnered with his father in stock raising until he took over the homestead in 1893. He married Francelia Hewitt in 1879 and has nine children. Ashby is respected for his integrity and community involvement.
Biographical Sketch of C. G. Beckwith
C. G. Beckwith, born in Dowagiac, Michigan, on April 19, 1870, was an accomplished electrical engineer. He studied at the University of Michigan and married Belle M. Norton in 1895. Beckwith held various supervisory positions in electrical engineering and construction from 1888, including roles in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. He became the superintendent and electrical engineer of the City of Cleveland Municipal Plant in 1910, a position he still held at the time of this writing. He was also an active member of several professional organizations.
Biographical Sketch of John C. Skeel
John C. Skeel, a building contractor born in Sterling, New York, in 1846, was the son of Truman C. and Sarah M. Cooper Skeel. He married Carrie P. Stockwell in Dover, Michigan, in 1889, and they had five children. Skeel served two years in the Civil War with the 110th Regiment, New York State Volunteers. He held leadership roles in several companies and was an active member of various Masonic organizations, the Cleveland Builders Exchange, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Biography of Kelita Davis Shugart, M. D.
Dr. Kelita Davis Shugart was a key figure in the establishment of Riverside, California, having moved there in 1870 as part of the Southern California Colony Association. He was instrumental in selecting land for the colony and planting the first citrus trees and olive trees in Riverside. In addition to his horticultural pursuits, Dr. Shugart was an active community member, involved in organizing schools and participating in politics. A respected physician, he also made significant contributions to the local medical society and was a devoted family man.
Biographical Sketch of Ross Beardlsey
Ross Beardsley, born on July 7, 1856, in Cass County, Michigan, pursued farming before relocating to California in 1876. After various occupations, including a barber shop in Walla Walla, he settled in Arlington, Oregon, in 1884, where he opened a barber shop and later managed the Grand Hotel. Beardsley has been actively involved in local governance, serving as city councilman and mayor, with notable re-elections demonstrating his commitment to public service and the wellbeing of his community.