Vermont
Biographical Sketch of Hiram S. Stevens
Hiram S. Stevens, born on March 20, 1832, in Vermont, moved to Arizona in 1855 after serving in the U.S. Army. Initially a gambler, he transitioned to a successful trader and became one of the wealthiest men in the territory by 1874. His election as Delegate to Congress was notably marked by his innovative campaign strategy involving the gambling community. Stevens served two terms in Congress, multiple terms in the Territorial Legislature, and two terms as Pima County Treasurer before his death on March 24, 1893.
Biography of Winslow P. Powers
Winslow P. Powers, born on April 8, 1821, in Woodstock, Vermont, was a prominent figure in Wallowa County and a pioneer in the region. After moving to Oregon in 1847, he engaged in various ventures, including farming and carpentry. A leader in community development, he helped establish the first bank in Joseph and was involved in setting up the first gristmill in Enterprise. He was married to Harriet Tower and fathered ten children. Powers passed away on October 21, 1895, leaving a legacy of integrity and service.
Biography of Peter O’Sullivan
Peter O’Sullivan, born in Ireland in 1845, emigrated with his family to the United States, ultimately settling in Missouri. He served in the Civil War and later became involved in politics, serving as town council member and mayor. In 1880, he homesteaded in Wallowa County, Oregon, where he expanded his farm and became the first county judge, earning respect for his leadership and practical judgment during the county’s organization. O’Sullivan was a devoted family man and an active participant in political life, upholding Jeffersonian Democratic values.
Biographical Sketch of Arba Adams
Arba Adams, born on December 8, 1842, in Vermont, became one of the early pioneers of Wallowa County, Oregon. After serving in the Civil War with the Ninth Vermont Volunteers, he relocated to Wisconsin before settling in Oregon in 1876. As a homesteader on Prairie Creek, he engaged in stock raising and farming, eventually expanding his estate to 440 acres. Married to Mary Bickel, he has two children and is recognized as a respected and prosperous citizen with a lineage tracing back to John Adams.
Biographical Sketch of Copeland, Charles P.
Charles P. Copeland, born in 1854 in Vermont, came to Kansas in 1874 and initially engaged in mercantile business until 1878. He started his banking career in 1877 and was elected County Treasurer in 1879, serving multiple terms. A graduate of Eastmans Commercial College, he married Josephine Ackerman in 1876 and has one son, Cecil Edwin. Copeland has held various civic positions, including City Council member and City Treasurer, and he owns 1,920 acres of land, with 600 acres cultivated.
Biography of Mann, Stillman
Stillman Mann, the proprietor of the Russell House, built the stone section of his hotel in 1877, with a combined cost of $7,000 and a capacity for approximately seventy-five guests. Originally from Vermont, Mann arrived in Russell in 1871 as part of the Northwestern Colony. He initially supported his family by baking and selling bread to settlers. Mann held various business roles prior to moving to Kansas and was active in his community, notably in the Congregational Church and local governance.
Biographical Sketch of Ezra Durand
Ezra Durand, born on March 8, 1833, in Seneca Falls, New York, was the youngest of thirteen siblings raised on a farm. Limited by formal education, he worked in musical instrument factories in Massachusetts and Connecticut before becoming a traveling salesman. In 1881, he moved to the Pacific Coast, initially settling in San Francisco, then relocating to Portland in 1882. There, he founded the successful Durand Organ and Piano Company in 1883. He married Jennie Smith in 1881, and together they built a notable home in Portland Heights.
Biography of Tyler Woodward
Tyler Woodward, born in 1835 in Vermont, descended from a military family, pursued education in New England before embarking on a diverse career. He settled in California before moving to Washoe County amid the gold rush, later running a successful business in Montana. After relocating to Portland, he became a prominent real estate investor and participated in various business ventures, including the Trans-Continental Street Railway. A dedicated Republican, Woodward served in local government but was not politically ambitious. He married Mary J. Ross in 1872, and they had one daughter.
Biography of William Strong
William Strong’s legacy is integral to the judicial history of Oregon and Washington, where he served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and held significant roles in the District Courts during their territorial periods. Born in Vermont in 1817, he graduated from Yale and initially practiced law in Ohio before moving to Oregon in 1850. His tenure included pivotal court decisions amidst turbulent political climates, and he contributed extensively to legislative processes. Strong’s rigorous legal practice and principled judicial conduct left a lasting impact on both states’ legal systems. He passed away in 1887, remembered for his dedication and intellect.
Biography of W. S. Ladd
William Sargent Ladd, born in 1826 in Vermont, exemplified exceptional influence in Oregon’s development. Arriving in the nascent state in 1851, he built a successful mercantile and banking career, co-founding Ladd & Tilton Bank. A committed philanthropist, Ladd championed social and educational causes, consistently allocating a portion of his income to charity. Despite his wealth, he shunned political office but upheld moral integrity and fairness, earning respect as a community leader. His life reflected a profound dedication to the welfare of Oregon and its citizens, marking him as a pivotal figure in the state’s history.
Biography of Erasmus D. Shattuck
Judge E. D. Shattuck, born on December 31, 1824, in Vermont, had a distinguished career marked by dedication to education and law. After teaching and studying law, he moved to Oregon in 1853, where he served in various capacities, including county superintendent, probate judge, and delegate to the constitutional convention. A respected judge on the Supreme and Circuit Courts, Shattuck was known for his integrity, analytical skills, and commitment to public service. His political affiliations evolved from Whig to Republican, and later to independent and Democratic allegiances.
Biography of Aaron White
Aaron White, born October 8, 1798, in Boylston, Massachusetts, passed away on April 15, 1886. A Harvard graduate of the class of 1817, he practiced law in Rhode Island and later became involved in banking. An advocate for Governor Dorr, he relocated to Connecticut in 1842. A teetotaler, White was also an avid numismatist, amassing a significant coin collection. His will, detailing his burial wishes, reflects his commitment to human rights. He was survived by his son, who resides in Grafton, Massachusetts.
Biographical Sketch of Alfred F. Green
Alfred F. Green was a prominent resident of San Mateo County, residing there for most of his life until his death in December 1909. Originally from Vermont, he moved to California in 1853, marrying Mary C. Tilton in 1855. Green began his career in the dairy business in San Bruno before relocating to Millbrae, where he partnered with D. O. Mills for two decades. He later supervised dam construction for the Spring Valley Water Company and served thirty years on the Board of Supervisors, as well as a term in the legislature during the 1860s.
Biography of Bridgeman Hapgood
Bridgeman Hapgood, born in 1800, was a prosperous merchant and influential politician in Vermont. He notably served as Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, and Town Clerk, and represented Reading in the legislature. Despite facing financial challenges, he maintained his integrity, refusing to defraud anyone during a bankruptcy crisis. Hapgood was involved in various businesses including starch and woolen goods, and he retired from hardware in Claremont. He married Laura M. Weston and had three children before his death in 1877.
Biography of Charles A. Jefts
Charles A. Jefts, born on January 27, 1853, in Putney, Vermont, is a notable figure from Langdon, New Hampshire. Descended from a family that originated in seventeenth-century England, he is the son of Alphonso M. and Almira Jefts. Educated at Fort Edward College, he returned to manage the family farm, which he now owns, while also engaging in brokerage. Jefts has played a significant role in his community, being elected to various town offices, highlighting the respect he commands among his peers.