"Newsmakers," during the 1900's, Klamath County, Oregon *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Todd Kepple, ************************************************************************************* The following list (published by the Herald and News of Klamath Falls, Oregon, on Dec. 31, 1999) contains some of the top newsmakers in the Klamath Basin during the 1900s. Dates of births and deaths are listed for people who have died as of this writing in December 1999. Names with no dates indicate people who are still living as of this writing. J. Frank Adams — March 3, 1855 - September 1929. Pioneer settler in Merrill area. Leader in developing pre-project irrigation system. Owner of large dredge that operated throughout the Upper Klamath Basin at turn of 20th century. Memorial marker placed in 1972 at Malin Community Park describes Adams as "Master of horses and man, Conquerer of deserts, protector of the poor, and pardonable egotist." Abel Ady — d. Sept. 26, 1915. Farmer in Lower Klamath Lake area. President of Klamath Water Users Association. Made repeated trips to Washington, D.C., in 1910s to lobby Congress on water issues. Bernie Agrons — Manager of Weyerhaeuser Co. operations in Southern Oregon from 1973 until retiring in 1981. Served as state representative from Klamath Falls from 1983 to 1989. Frank Alderson — Former Klamath County district attorney who took initiative to close houses of prostitution in Klamath Falls. His investigation in 1954 uncovered the "City Improvement Fund" that used "revenue" collected from houses of prostitution and card rooms to fund various city programs. Oliver Cromwell Applegate — June 11, 1846 - Oct. 11, 1938. Large-scale ranch owner in 1870s and ’80s. Credited with dissuading many Modoc Indians from joining Captain Jack's revolt. Superintendent of Klamath Indian Reservation from 1898 to 1905. Later worked in real estate and devoted time to recording history of area. Edward B. Ashurst — Nov. 7, 1889 - April 20, 1971. Assertive circuit court judge in late 1930s who criticized corruption in local government. Frequently made headlines for his conflicts with local officials, and gained nationwide attention for fist fight with court clerk on Sept. 19, 1938. George Baldwin — Jan. 21, 1855 - June 4, 1920. Prominent businessman in Klamath Falls at turn of the 20th century. Built four-story building that was tallest structure in town for many years and which now serves as a county museum. Died while serving as state senator. Maude Baldwin — Aug. 8, 1878 - May 1926. Took hundreds of photos in Klamath Basin at turn of the century. Her images preserved view of farming, logging and community life. Harry Boivin — Feb. 7, 1904 - March 15, 1999. Served 25 years in Legislature, both in House and Senate. Elected speaker of the House and president of the Senate. Helped promote establishment of vocational school in Klamath Falls. Murray "Red" Britton — d. Aug. 28, 1997. Sheriff of Klamath County for 25 years, from 1951-1976. Monsignor T. P. Casey — March 18, 1904 - April 26, 1993. Parish priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 1937 to 1969. During his tenure the church built an addition to the rectory, constructed a parish hall and gymnasium, added on to Sacred Heart Academy and created St. Pius Catholic Church in the suburbs in March 1957. Edison Chiloquin — Widely known for his refusal to accept payment for land after Klamath Indian Tribe's reservation was terminated. He would have received about $250,000. Instead, he received a permit in November 1980 for use of tract of land beside the Sprague River where he continues to host an annual Indian encampment. Alfred "Cap" Collier — Dec. 14, 1892 - Sept. 6, 1985. Founded Collier State Park and Logging Museum. Promoted improvement of highway system in Klamath County and major streets in Klamath Falls. Andrew Collier — Nov. 5, 1890 - June 30, 1981. Owner of Klamath Ice and Cold Storage, leader in civic activities. Served three terms in House of Representatives. With his brother, "Cap" Collier, donated land to form Collier State Park. Marshal E. Cornett — 1898-1947. Automobile dealer who became influential legislator and who, many said, was destined to become governor. Died in plane crash that killed Gov. Earl Snell on Oct. 28, 1947. David Wade Crawford — July 11, 1894 - Oct. 28, 1977. Served as superintendent of Klamath Indian Reservation from 1933 to 1937. Reportedly was the first Indian ever to serve as superintendent of his own tribe's reservation. Ran for Congress in 1937. Helped draft the law that terminated the Klamath Tribe. Robert A. Emmitt — May 29, 1850 - May 2, 1937. Arrived in Klamath Basin in 1875. Despite naysayers, experiment with growing wheat. His success led others to consider the Klamath Basin as farming country. Served as county commissioner 1886-88. Sent to Legislature in 1900 to represent Klamath, Lake, Crook and Wasco counties. Robert Ellingson — June 13, 1892 - Oct. 30, 1980. Sawmill operator in Klamath Falls from 1923 to 1950s. Moved his base of operations to Baker in 1939. Twyla Ferguson — 1888-1954. Appointed superintendent of Klamath County schools in 1919, at which time there were more than 40 small districts throughout the county. Advocated creation of the Klamath County School District, and became the new district's first superintendent following voter approval of consolidation in 1922. Elementary school on Homedale Road named in her honor. Ed Geary — d. Oct. 19, 1974. With three brothers, reclaimed farmland in Wocus Marsh, became large-scale producer of bentgrass seed, used extensively on golf courses around the country. Served three terms in Oregon House, including one term as speaker. Henry Gerber — 1904 - 1974. Rancher, irrigation developer in hill country east of Bonanza. Led development of first grazing district to be implemented on public lands under the Taylor Grazing Act. Active in local, state and national cattle organizations. Frank W. Gilchrist — 1903-1956. President of Gilchrist Timber Company, which in 1938 built a sawmill and company-owned town in northern Klamath County. The company eventually acquired 100,000 acres of timberland, which were managed on a long- rotation harvest schedule. Steve Harper — Commander of Kingsley Field from July 1984 to July 1993, during which time base operations were significantly expanded. Initiated Klamath 2002 community planning program. After retirement managed Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. Elected to Oregon House of Representatives, served 1999 term as House majority leader. Devere Helfrich — 1902-1981. From his base in Klamath Falls, traveled throughout the west as rodeo photographer. Edited Klamath Echoes series of historical books on Klamath Basin. Dick Henzel — Sept. 10, 1908 - June 8, 1997. Partner in establishing Tulana Farms, one of the Basin's largest farming operations with up to 34,000 acres in 1947. Active in many civic affairs. Conducted extensive study of weather patterns, which led him to raise dikes around Upper Klamath Lake 50 percent higher than was commonly believed necessary. Ralph Hill — Dec. 26, 1908 - Oct. 17, 1994. Henley High School graduate won the silver medal in the 5,000-meter run at Los Angeles Olympics on Aug. 5, 1932. The high school renamed its football field in September 1992 after Hill and Olympic gold medalist Dan O'Brien. After college Hill made a career of farming in the Henley area. J.D. Howard — d. Dec. 15, 1961. Traveled by foot around Tule Lake exploring and photographing key features, including petroglyphs. Discovered and named most of the well-known caves at Lava Beds National Monument. Known by some as the "father" of the Lava Beds. Early advocate of using geothermal resources for heating purposes in Klamath Falls. Carroll Howe — Sept. 25, 1910 - June 21, 1998. Superintendent of Klamath County School District 1948-1960. Served as state representative 1961-1973. Prolific author of Native American and pioneer history. Captain Jack — 1839-1873. Gained nationwide attention for leading small group of Modoc warriors in a prolonged war against U. S. Army. Hanged Oct. 3, 1873, with two other Indians at Fort Klamath for carrying out the massacre in which Gen. E.R.S. Canby was killed near Tule Lake. Vera (Moore) Jones — March 21, 1911 - Feb. 10, 1993. With her husband, Mart Jones, operated several theaters in the area. Took over management of Baldwin Hotel in 1951, operating it until it closed in 1977. Resisted developers who wanted to raze the historic four-story hotel, which now serves as a museum. Vaclav Kalina — Sept. 18, 1905 - Feb. 21, 1998. Operated insurance firm in Malin for 68 years. Also operated theater and dance hall. Active in many civic affairs, including ZCBJ Czech Lodge. Jackson Kimball — 1873-1944. Forester with Weyerhaeuser Co. Conducted early forest fire prevention experiments using small burning methods. Helped develop state forest protection laws. Promoted selective harvest methods. Kimball State Park near Fort Klamath is named in his honor. Darryl Kollman — Established Cell Tech, largest algae producer in the Klamath Basin. Nell Kuonen — First woman to be elected to office of commissioner in Klamath County. Chaired Klamath Compact Commission. Wilfred Lamm — May 20, 1886 - Sept. 23, 1947. Came to Klamath in 1912. In 1916 established Lamm Lumber Co., which operated sawmill at Lelu, later known as Modoc Point. Later established Deschutes Lumber Co. at Mowich in northern Klamath County. Modoc Point mill closed in 1944. Also involved in timber operations elsewhere in Oregon. Large contributor to Modoc Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Alfred L. Leavitt — Oct. 17, 1859 - Aug. 29, 1934. First mayor of Linkville. Held numerous public offices, including county clerk from 1888 to 1896, police court judge from 1905 to 1921, and circuit judge from 1922 to 1929. During term as county clerk, while economy was in a depression, he accepted as payment for his fees "everything from hay to hides." John Liskey — d. 1971. Prominent rancher in Klamath Basin, moved to Lower Klamath Lake area in 1933. Lloyd Low — Aug. 4, 1888 - Oct. 9, 1963. Served as Klamath County sheriff for 24 years, retiring in 1948. Son of Charles Low, who also served as county sheriff. Charlie Mack — Jan. 24, 1908 - Sept. 1, 1990. Left floral shop to serve as Klamath County judge from 1956-59. Appointed in 1959 by Gov. Mark Hatfield to the state tax commission. Later appointed by Gov. Tom McCall to Department of Revenue board of directors. Eventually became director of Oregon Department of Revenue. Active in many local civic groups. Willis Mahoney — June 13, 1895 - June 2, 1968. Ambitious and frequently controversial mayor of Klamath Falls, serving two terms in 1930s. Described by upstate media as "the fighting young mayor of Klamath Falls." Won first term as mayor in 1932 on a write-in campaign, having lived in city less than a year. Made unsuccessful bid for Democratic gubernatorial ticket in 1934. Also lost race for U.S. Senate. Moved to Washington, D.C., in 1944, and spent most of his life in Japan. Nathan S. Merrill — Aug. 26, 1836 - April 14, 1923. The native of New Hampshire moved to California in 1869, headed north to Washington in 1881 and finally moved to the present townsite of Merrill in 1890. Merrill bought a ranch in the spring of 1894 and laid out part of the town, which was named for him. Charles S. Moore — Jan. 8, 1857 - July 20, 1915. Came to Klamath in 1874. Financed construction of first electric plant and water plant for Klamath Falls in the 1890s. First president of board of trustees for city of Klamath Falls. Served as county judge from 1894 to 1898. Elected state treasurer in 1898. Rufus S. Moore — March 7, 1855 - Nov. 6, 1931. With his brother, Charles S. Moore, operated lumber mill along Link River from 1897 to 1904. Prominent property owner. Donated land for city park. Won election to county surveyor by one vote, which he claimed was his own vote. Clara Moore — Served on city council, elementary school board and numerous other bodies. George Nurse — 1820-1895. Founded Linkville in 1867. Registered first official plat of town in 1878. Served as postmaster and hotel keeper. Moved to Yreka in 1882. Dan O'Brien — Henley High School graduate won a gold medal in the decathlon in 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. O'Brien also held the world record in the decathlon for nearly seven years. John D. O'Connor — d. Feb. 8, 1982. Native of Ireland took up ranching in Spring lake area after World War I. Named first Agri-Businessman of the year by Klamath County Chamber of commerce. Fred Peterson — d. Jan. 4, 1957. Helped draft legislation providing for countywide school districts in Oregon. Served as superintendent of Klamath County School District from 1924 to 1946. Killed by gunman who opened fire in county courthouse. Donald A.W. Piper — d. March 5, 1998. Longest sitting judge in Klamath County, serving from 1961 to 1993. Harry Poole — d. June 7, 1939. Owner and operator of several theaters in Klamath Falls, including the magnificent Pelican Theater. Entangled in sex scandal shortly before he died. Rose Poole — May 27, 1880-July 10, 1963. Assumed management of theater business following death of her husband, Harry Poole. Company's holdings included the renowned Pelican Theater. First woman to be elected a state representative (1945) from the Klamath area. Winston Purvine — First president of Oregon Vocational School, which was eventually renamed Oregon Institute of Technology. Served as president for 29 years. Fought efforts by Legislature to move institute to Portland. Ross Ragland — d. Nov. 6, 1986. Longtime educator, arts patron and community activist after whom the renovated Esquire Theater was named. Louis Randall — Langell Valley farmer who won wide recognition for conservation efforts, including pasture rotation on leased grazing lands and protection of riparian areas and wetlands. Henry Semon — Nov. 3, 1884 - Oct. 9, 1958. Represented Klamath County in Legislature for from 1933 to 1955. Sold first carload of commercial potatoes to be shipped from Klamath Basin. First president of Klamath Potato Growers Association. First to raise alsike clover, formerly an important rotation crop in potato operations. Laurance Shaw — July 11, 1908 - Feb. 26, 1998. Founder of Modoc Lumber Co. in 1945. Promoted conversion of former Klamath Indian Reservation to a national forest. Founded Shaw Historical Library at Oregon Institute of Technology in 1982. Joe Obed Short — June 2, 1857 - Oct. 18, 1928. Credited with being first person to grow potatoes commercially in Klamath County, in 1890s. Farmed in Midland area. Became known as "Potato Short." Moved in 1909 to Tulare, Calif. Mike Stastny — Feb. 10, 1889 - March 16, 1975. Prominent potato, grain farmer. Credited with starting Malin Irrigation District in 1919. Helped form Malin Community Park district, serving on its board for 25 years. Orson A. Stearns — Jan. 9, 1843 - July 29, 1926. Served in Army at Fort Klamath, homesteaded in Klamath Basin in 1867. Established first dairy near Linkville. Served as justice of the peace and legislator from what was then Lake County. Retired from ranching in 1909, and moved to Klamath Falls. Elementary school on Crest Street is named in his honor. William Steel — Sept. 7, 1854 - Oct. 21, 1934. Leading promoter of designating Crater Lake a national park. Considered to be "father" of park. Buena Cobb Stone — Oct. 20, 1896-Sept. 30, 1972. Teacher at Fremont Junior High School from 1943 to 1966. Author of several books on local history. David R. Vandenberg — July 11, 1899 - Dec. 20, 1964. Longtime Klamath County Circuit Court judge. Served as county's only judge from 1940 to 1961. Charles "Scott" Warren — Dec. 15, 1906 - Feb. 13, 1978. Algoma area rancher, leader in seed potato industry. Served as county commissioner 1966-70. Served on various county boards, leader in 4-H. Richard Wendt — Founded Jeld-Wen Inc. in 1960. Company that makes doors and windows eventually became Oregon's largest private company, with more than 11,000 employees worldwide. Longtime board member of Merle West Medical Center. Promoter of welfare- to-work programs. Merle West — d. Dec. 20, 1983. One of the owners of Big Lakes Lumber Co. and the Elk Hotel, later known as the Winema Inn. Served on Klamath Falls City Council during the Great Depression. Established scholarship fund. Donated a million dollars to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, which was later renamed in his honor. Bryant Williams — May 1, 1907 - Oct. 10, 1994. Sheep rancher. County commissioner. Retirement home developer. Teller of tall tales. Winema (Tobie Riddle) — d. Feb. 18, 1920. Advised against meeting of Gen. E.R.S. Canby with her cousin, Captain Jack. Ignoring her advice, Canby became first U.S. general to die in conflict with Native Americans. Winema won favor of white community for her loyalty to them. She was also awarded a federal pension. A descendant of Modoc chiefs, she married T.F. Riddle, a white man. Sam Wong — Aug. 26, 1895 - June 1, 1976. Native of China settled in about 1935 in Merrill area, where he became prominent potato grower and shipper. Wendell Wood — Environmental activist for the Oregon Natural Resources Council. Spearheaded ONRC's efforts in the Klamath Basin, eventually moving to Klamath Falls. Veterans monument in Klamath Falls, Oregon