VII.
Indiana to Iowa
(Samuel
Boone Shortridge)
As
related in earlier chapters, Samuel Boone Shortridge was born in
Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1796, one of eight children of Samuel
Shortridge and Sarah Scholl. In 1814, Samuel Boone Shortridge moved
to Wayne County, Indiana in the company of his parents. He later
accompanied his parents and at least one brother (Morgan) and a
sister
(Keziah) with her husband (Samuel Black) to Tippecanoe County,
Indiana in 1822-1823. In 1823, his father, Samuel Shortridge, died
and was buried on land that was owned by Keziah (Shortridge) and
Samuel Black. According to family histories, the mother of Samuel
Boone Shortridge, Sarah Scholl, is buried in the same cemetery (1).
At
some time before 1836, Samuel Boone Shortridge and his family moved
from Indiana to
Muscatine County, Iowa, where their youngest son, William Wallace
Shortridge, was born. The History of Muscatine Iowa,
1911, lists the first settler (James Casey) as having built a cabin
there in 1834 (2). This 1911 history lists Samuel Shortridge as
having arrived in Muscatince County in 1837, but the birth date of
William Wallace Shortridge in 1836 in Iowa suggests that Samuel
arrived with his family prior to that time.
According
to the History of Muscatine, Iowa, organization of Muscatine was
approved by a bill issued on Dec. 7, 1836 and the first election held
the Spring of 1837. Samuel Shortridge was elected Justice of the
Peace with S.L Hastings and James R. Struthers (3). Samuel appears
to have been a member of the Freemasonic fraternity during the time
he lived in Iowa, since he is listed as being present at the adoption
of by-laws of Iowa Lodge number 2, organized on Feb 22, 1841
(4). This Freemasonic membership appears to have been
helpful to Samuel at a later date, after he arrived in San Francisco
without means to to pay for his way back to Lane County (see next
chapter). Also, Masonic markings adorn Samuel Boone Shortridge's
gravestone in Taylor Lane Cemetery.
The
1840 Iowa census shows Samuel Boone Shortridge in Muscatine County,
Iowa, with one male under 10 years old, one male 10-16 years old, and
one female 10-16 years old in his household. These presumably were
William Wallace, James Henderson Shortridge, and Caroline Drennon
Shortridge, all of whom later made their journey to Oregon in
different years. Franklin Boone Shortridge claimed in
the Shortridge history that Samuel Boone Shortridge and Emily Heath
had five children, two of whom were deceased at the time he wrote the
history (5). At the present time, we have not been able to locate
Samuel Boone Shortridge in any census taken in 1850.
In
1841, Samuel took up 160 acres of land in Muscatine County, Iowa,
with John and Stockton Briggs, paying cash for the sale, then
dividing it so that Samuel was granted 80 acres (6).
Life in Iowa forms an important backdrop to the overland migration of
Samuel Boone Shortridge and his relatives to Lane County, Oregon, and
events that transpired thereafter. One item worth noting at this
time is that Muscatine, Iowa, is located near Nauvoo, Illinois, a
city founded by the Mormons in the late 1830's. Nauvoo is a central
site to conflicts of the time between Mormons and their non-Mormon
neighbors (the Mormon Wars) in the late 1830's and early 1840's.
This is important to this narrative because of the historical ties
between the family of Samuel Boone Shortridge with others from the
nearby Mormon community in Illinois.
Several
families living in the region of Iowa and Illinois at that the same
time as Samuel Shortridge are worth noting, namely, the Drury, Adams,
Keyes, and Herrick families. The Dury's were relatives to Samuel
through the marriage of Arnold Drury to Samuel's older sister, Selah
(Sally) Shortridge. The Adams and Keyes/Herrick families traveled to
Oregon and intermarried with Samuel's sons, James Henderson
Shortridge and William Wallace Shortridge.
As
already noted, the paths of the Shortridge and Drury families
converged in the early 1800's in Wayne County, Indiana, where Arnold
Drury married Selah (Sally) Shortridge, the older sister of Samuel
Boone Shortridge. Several Drury family relatives show up in Iowa at
the same time as Samuel Boone Shortridge and his family and records
show that others have also made it to the region. Among these are
Charles Drury who is said to have laid out the town of Moscow (Iowa
Territory) in 1836
(7).
William Drury, Isaac Drury, Silas Drury, and Isaiah Drury are
listed as having arrived in Iowa as early as 1834, but afterwards
returned to Indiana to get their families. By 1850, Squire Thompson
Drury and his family are found living near John Drury, who has also
arrived in the region (8).
Squire Thompson Drury (a son of Arnold Drury and Selah Shortridge)
is significant to our story because he and his family attempted to
migrate to Oregon in the same wagon train as his uncle, Samuel Boone
Shortridge. Unfortunately, Squire Drury and his wife did not make
it to Oregon, having died of Asiatic Cholera early in the trip
(related elsewhere), leaving their five children as
orphans who were brought onto Oregon and adopted out to several
Oregon families. In that regard, it might be remembered that Samuel
Boone Shortridge was not in a position to take care of his orphan
relatives because he, himself, was a widower by this time.
Another
family worth noting at this time is that of John Franklin Adams.
Here, it might be important to mention that two Adams families are
tied into the history of the Oregon Shortridge family and can cause
confusion because of the identical surnames. One is the John
Franklin Adams family (originating in North Carolina) who may have
been acquainted with the Shortridge family much earlier in Wayne
County, Indiana (John F. Adams married Rebecca Hincke in 1820 in
Wayne County, Indiana). The other Adams family is that
of Benjamin Franklin Adams who migrated from Kansas to Oregon between
1873 and 1877 and had three children who married three of the
children of William Wallace Shortridge in Oregon (covered elsewhere).
Again, these two Adams families, despite the same surname, derive
from separate parts of the country and arrive in Oregon at different
times.
The family of John Franklin Adams is intimately tied to the
Shortridge family at least from the Iowa period, if not earlier (eg.
Wayne County, IN). John Franklin Adams became the wagon master of
the train of 1852 in which Samuel Boone Shortridge and William
Wallace Shortridge traveled (related elsewhere). A daughter of John
Franklin Adams was Amelia Savannah Adams who later (in Oregon)
married James Henderson Shortridge (after a courtship in Iowa).
In
Iowa, we also find one of the several Mormon connections to the
family of Samuel Boone Shortridge. John Franklin Adams was married
to Rebecca Hinkle who is a sister of George M. Hinkle, a devout
Mormon and famed leader of the Mormon militia during the Mormon Wars.
George Hinkle is popularly viewed by Mormons today as a traitor to
the Mormon movement because of his decision to surrender the high
church leaders to Missouri militia which sent them to jail. Hinkle
claimed it saved their lives (9). In testimony before the US
Congress, Hinkle admitted his own membership in the Danites, a secret
fraternity that operated behind the scenes, and that individuals
among the Danites raided non-Mormon farms in Missouri for the purpose
of 'consecrating' (re: appropriating by theft) their (gentile)
property to the Mormon cause (10).
Two
devout Mormon families worth mentioning because they are integral to
Shortridge history are those of Lemuel Herrick and Perry Keyes who
were living in Nauvoo, Illinois, in the 1840s. Perry Keyes and
Lucinda Herrick were the parents of Ellen Jane Keyes who married
William Wallace Shortridge in Oregon in 1861. Perry Keyes died of
cholera at 35 years old during the Mormon migration led by Brigham
Young from Nauvoo to Utah in 1850. The widowed wife of Perry Keyes,
Lucinda Herrick, later made her way to from Utah to Lane County,
Oregon, probably in the company of her older sister and husband,
Eliza Ann Herrick and William Henry Harrison Keyes (older brother of
Perry Keyes). Lucinda Herrick married Elias Lane (second marriage)
and was subsequently called “Grandma Lane” by her Oregon
descendants. Lucinda Herrick (aka 'Grandma Lane') died at Cottage
Grove, Oregon, in 1899.
In
the middle of the 1850's, Samuel Boone Shortridge joined the Mormon
church and, in 1858, joined a wagon train for Ogden, Utah, where he
lived for several years before returning to Oregon and living out the
remainder of his life in the household of his son, James H.
Shortridge. This journey will be covered in the next chapter.
VIII.
The Journey to Oregon
(Samuel
Boone Shortridge, James
Henderson Shortridge, William Wallace Shortridge,
Caroline Drennon Shortridge)
As
covered in prior chapters, Samuel Boone Shortridge was born in
Kentucky as a son of Samuel Shortridge and Sarah Scholl and moved
with his parents to Indiana. While in what is now Tippecanoe County,
Indiana, he married Emily Ann Heath and they had two children born to
them, Caroline Drennon Shortridge in 1828 and James Henderson
Shortridge in 1831. Prior to 1836, Samuel and Emily moved from
Indiana to Muscatine County, Iowa, where William Wallace Shortridge,
their youngest son, was born.
Samuel
Boone Shortridge and all of his surviving children traveled to Oregon
via the Oregon Trail in three separate groups in 1851, 1852, and
1866. Some reports claim that Emily Heath died in Iowa while one
family history claims that she died on the journey to Oregon (1).
In
looking at the overland migrations on the Oregon Trail, it may be
important to remember the historical context under which these events
occurred. Significant to the influx of immigrants to Oregon is the
Donation Land Act of 1850 which granted 320 acres of free land for
married couples and 160 acres of land to unmarried individuals on the
condition that they occupy and cultivate the property for four years.
It might have been the passage of the Donation Land Claim Act by
Congress that drew Samuel Boone Shortridge and his family to Oregon
in the early 1850s. James obtained 320 acres on a Donation Land
Claim (DLC) near Cottage Grove, Oregon, and Samuel Boone Shortridge
obtained 160 acres on a Donation Land Claim at what is the site of
Shortridge Park today. The DLC is also attributed to being a primary
cause of the outbreak of Indian wars in the 1850's, the latter parts
of which involved the participation of William Wallace Shortridge.
A
typical trip across the Oregon Trail took five to seven months with
travelers normally leaving in the early spring and arriving in the
Fall. Hardships experienced during the long journey were common.
Some historians have estimated that as much as one of ten people died
while on the Oregon Trail with a large proportion of deaths due to
disease and accidental mishap.
It was common for those who lived at the time to euphemistically
refer to the experience of severe hardships on the Trail as “seeing
the elephant”.
When one person of the time asked another if they 'saw
the elephant',
it was meant to be an inquiry of the hardships they experienced.
Wagon trains were often formed around families
who knew each other with the train named for a 'wagon-master' who was
generally in charge of navigation and decision-making, but was often
someone who was going to Oregon for the first time to settle there.
The
Shortridge migrations started from Mercer, County, Illinois (near the
border between Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois), crossed the state of
Iowa to Council Bluffs (in western Iowa) which is known as a common
jumping off point for the journey (2a).
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Map
(c1907) of the Oregon Trail showing the routes from Council Bluffs
Iowa and St Louis, Missouri.
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Photograph
of James Henderson Shortridge (back), Caroline Drennon Shortridge
(left front) and William Wallace Shortridge (right front), the
children of Samuel Boone Shortridge, each who migrated to Oregon
via the Oregon Trail in different years. The date of this photo
is unknown, but it appears to have been taken in the late 1800's.
This photograph was provided to the author in 1988 by Wilma
(Sutherland) Olds (now deceased).
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James
Henderson Shortridge and 'Miller's Train' of 1851
The
first of the Shortridge name who is known to arrive in Oregon was
James Henderson Shortridge who did so as a bachelor in 1851, leaving
in what was called "Millers Train" from Millersburg (named
for the relevant Miller family), Illinois, on March 13th and arriving
at Santiam City, Oregon, on August 18th, said to be one of the
fastest trips on the Oregon Trail
(James H. would have been 20 years old)(2b).
Santiam City was located a few miles northeast of Albany, Oregon,
but does not exist as a city today, having been abandoned after a
flood destroyed the city in 1861. Miller's Train was named for
several Miller brothers (Isaac, John, and Abraham) traveling in the
company. The Miller family were well acquainted with the Shortridge
family and all settled in (or near) Linn county, Oregon (2c).
Shortly
after arriving in Oregon, James Henderson Shortridge left in a party
taking a thousand cattle to the California gold fields near Yreka,
California (3). It appears that James became stranded in Yreka
during the winter of 1851-1852, which turned out to be a great famine
year in Yreka due to heavy snows that cut off the region from regular
supply trains. James soon returned to Oregon where he was met by
the arrival of his father, brother, future wife, and in-laws, all
traveling in the same (1852) wagon train from Illinois.
Samuel
Boone Shortridge and the 'Adam's Train' of 1852
The year after James H. Shortridge left for Oregon, Samuel Boone
Shortridge and other family members left to cross the Oregon Trail.
Traveling with them were Squire Thompson Drury and his wife Rebecca
C. Newton, and their five children (aged 9, 7, 5, 3, and about 10
months). Squire Thompson and Rebecca Drury were Samuel Boone
Shortridge's niece and nephew (Squire Thompson Drury was the son of
Selah Shortridge (Samuel's sister) and Arnold Drury). On the way to
Oregon, the wagon train was struck with cholera and Squire Thompson
Drury died on July 31, 1852 and his wife Rebecca died on Aug 3, 1852.
A
Drury family history states that Samuel Boone Shortridge took the
orphans on to Oregon (4). The Drury orphans were adopted out to
families in Yamhill County and Madison County, Oregon, but all kept
their Drury names and kept in touch with each other (5), although,
growing up, may not have known much about their other Oregon
relatives (6).
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Photo
of Wells Drury who was orphaned before his first birthday in 1852
while traveling on the Oregon Trail in the company of his
relatives, Samuel Boone Shortridge and William Wallace Shortridge.
This photo of Wells Drury was taken in Virginia City (Nevada) in
1880 and appeared in his posthumously-published book, “An Editor
on the Comstock Lode”, 1936. At eleven years old, Wells Drury
became an Indian Interpreter under Abraham Lincoln, a position
that was arranged by his foster-father, Alfred
Elder, who was a boyhood friend of Lincoln (5).
Wells Drury worked as a news reporter in Nevada for much of his
adult life.
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William
Wallace Shortridge was traveling in this train with his father and
relatives. At the time, he was a young man of 16 years old.
Also
in the wagon train was the family of Amelia Savannah Adams (who
became the wife of James H. Shortridge) which included her father,
Franklin Adams (wagonmaster) and mother, Rebecca Hinkle (7).
Rebecca Hinkle was the sister of George M. Hinkle, renown leader of
the Mormon militia and professed member of the secret Danite (Mormon)
fraternity of religious enforcers.
At
the time of the journey to Oregon, Amelia Adams would have been 17
years old and the seventh of nine children (7). Her older brother,
Abraham Hays Adams (19 yrs old), died of cholera while on the journey
and is said to be buried near Chimney Rock, Nebraska.
Several
biographies mention that James H. Shortridge and Amelia S. Adams were
well acquainted with each other in Illinois (8). They were married
on 7 April 1853 at Santiam City, Oregon.
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Amelia
Savannah Adams in late life. At seventeen years old, Amelia
Adams traveled with her family in the same wagon train company
(1852) as Samuel Boone Shortridge and William Wallace Shortridge.
Ameila's father, Franklin Adams, was the wagonmaster of the
company. Ameila married James Henderson Shortridge at Santiam
City (near Lebanon), Oregon in 1853, a short time after she
arrived in Oregon. They knew each other and courted in Illinois
prior to traveling on the Oregon Trail.
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After
arriving in Oregon, Samuel Boone Shortridge took up a Donation Land
Claim of 160 acres south of what is now the city of Cottage Grove.
Today, a portion of that claim comprises Shortridge Park which lies
on the northeast side of Cottage Grove Reservoir. Cottage Grove
Reservoir is located
about 7 miles South of Cottage Grove on the Coast Fork of the
Willamette River.
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Map
showing the location of Shortridge Park in Lane County, about 7
miles south of the city of Cottage Grove, Oregon. The park lies
on part of the Donation Land Claim of Samuel Boone Shortridge
which he lived upon and cultivated after he arrived in Oregon via
the Oregon Trail. The reservoir was created by damning up the
Coast Fork of the Willamette River in the 1940's. Water now
covers part of the land that Samuel Shortridge occupied in the
1850's.
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Left:
Entrance to Shortridge Park on Cottage Grove Reservoir. Photo
taken by the author in 1988.
Below:
Monument located in Shortridge Park (erected in 1953). The
monument reads: “This marker
stands on the donation land claim of Samuel Boone Shortridge whose
grandmother was a sister of Daniel Boone and who settled here in
1853 while his sons James H. and W. Wallace settled nearby the
same year. His daughter Caroline D. Emmons settled nearby in
1866.”
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Caroline
D. Shortridge (Emmons) and the 1866 Trip to Oregon
Caroline
Drennon Shortridge married James Whitely Emmons on January 4, 1852
which was a year following the Oregon migration of her younger
brother, James H. Shortridge, and just prior to the departure of
Samuel Boone Shortridge and William Wallace Shortridge to Oregon.
The 1850 census has Caroline living in the household of James and
Eliza Yemmons which is reportedly several farms away from the abode
of Tillman Emmons (father of James Whitely Emmons). At this time,
she would have been 22 years old and perhaps serving as a live-in
assistant.
By
the time Caroline and her husband left for Oregon in 1866, she had
four young children (Samantha Jane Emmons, age 13, William Boone
Emmons, age 9, ID Emmons, age 7, and James Freeman Emmons, age 4).
The
oldest daughter of Caroline, Samantha (13 years old at the time),
wrote about the trip later in her life
(9):
"We
left Mercer County, Illinois, (not far from New Boston) April18th,
1866, driving a four horse team, and first ferried the Mississippi at
Muscatine, Iowa, which at that point was a mile wide, and headed
westward with a one wagon train. We had a new wagon, harness and four
good horses and what we called a modern covered wagon. By this we
mean that the bows were perpendicular and did not project forward
like the wagons of the earlier immigrants. We had built a platform
about eight feet wide on top of the wagon bed with three trap doors
In it so we could reach the wagon box below. This platform was used
for sleeping quarters, while the wagon box was used for the other
things we needed to bring with us. We made about twenty-five miles
per day across Iowa, crossed the Missouri River at Omaha, Nebraska,
and went up the north side of the Platte River to Ft. Kearney.
“After
leaving Muscatine, Iowa, we went on to Council Bluffs, Iowa, which
was the first main stopping place after Muscatine. It was here that I
saw my first Indian grave. The Indians would not use coffins. They
just took a box and placed the embalmed body in it, leaving the top
open, and put it in a grave about the same depth as we use now. All
of the Indian's belongings were arranged in the grave around the
sides so as not to cover the body. Later on they made them fill in
the graves, but at that time they did not. I don't know what they
used to preserve the bodies with, but there was no odor and you could
see the body lying there in the box.
“Our
next main stop was at Ft. Kearney, Nebraska, where we were held until
a sufficient number of emigrants had arrived to make up a train to
start our journey across the plains. We had traveled alone until we
reached here and It had rained almost all of the time and the water
was high. Here we were joined by enough emigrants to make up a train
of twenty-two wagons, as it was necessary to have this many in the
train in order to make a corral. There were four wagons pulled by
oxen and the rest by horses. Since the ox teams traveled a good deal
slower than the horses all hands In the morning would get the ox
teams started ahead first and of course during the day we would pass
them and go on ahead and when camping time came we would have things
ready for the ox teams when they arrived. Our Captain had been across
the plains before and knew just what to do, so at night we would all
drive our wagons in a big circle and make a big corral and our stock
was all put inside this corral and we would keep fires burning all
night, and two men stood guard every night. When It came my father's
turn to stand guard, the next day I would have to drive our four
horse team and wagon. I was thirteen years old then and small for my
age. Our Captain knew where all the watering places were and the
distance between these places largely determined the number of miles
traveled each day by the train, which averaged from ten to
twenty-five miles per day.
“At
Ft. Kearney we did not cross the Platte River as many wagons had
mired down In the quicksand and had a hard time getting out, many of
them being lost.
“We
left Ft. Kearney and traveled on the north side of the Platte River
for two or three hundred miles. It was just as smooth as a table, no
ditches or ruts all the way. When we reached Fort Laramie, Wyoming,
there were several hundred Indians being held there to arrange a
treaty. They told us that if we would hurry on through the Black
Hills, they would hold the Indians there until we got through. We did
this, but the next train that came after us was caught and destroyed
by the Indians.
“While
we were waiting at Ft. Laramie some of the Indians came to our camp
and our Captain told us we must give them whatever they asked us for
to keep them friendly. They put a blanket down and put the things we
gave then on it. Everything was so mixed up, sugar, tobacco, flour,
etc., I don't see how they ever got it straightened out. They asked
chiefly for fire water (whiskey) and tobacco, but wanted almost
everything they saw. We had a new wagon (as was everything else we
started out with, an my father would not have anything but the best
to make the trip with) and it was fixed so that we could slide the
wagon sheet back and let in the air and also see the scenery. This
left our gun in sight, which was a single trigger, muzzle loader. I
was sitting on the seat of the wagon and my father was close by. The
leader of the Indians came up and saw the gun and said "Heap
gun. See gun", and reached up his hand for it. In doing so his
sleeve slid back and showed that he was a white man with his arms
painted about half way up. My father told him the gun was loadod and
that he would use it on him if he did not get out. The man said that
he would make the Indians angry and my father said he was not afraid
of them and that he had plenty of rope and he would hang him if he
didn't get out, so he took his crowd of Indians and got out in a
hurry. The renegade white men caused more trouble and did lots more
damage than the Indians and they taught the Indians the white man's
meanness. There were always plenty of renegade whites hanging around
to cause trouble even before the Indians got around to it.
“Our
new wagon had the only water-tight box In the train and at Sweetwater
the river was too deep to ford so we took the box off our wagon and
used It as a ferry boat across the river. They would unhitch from the
wagons and take the beds of the wagons off of the running gears, then
tie a long rope around the neck of one horse and swim him across the
river, tying the other end on the wagon bed and have the horse pull
it across the river with the supplies in It. A rope was also fastened
on the rear of the wagon box and someone would hold onto this to keep
it from going down the river. The stock was all driven across and the
other wagon boxes were put on top ours and ferried across and the
running gears were then pulled across. These also had a rope tied to
the rear end and this was held by someone on the opposite shore to
keep them from drifting down stream.
“These
were the days when the girls and women wore hoops and the Captain
allowed us to wear them until we reached Sweetwater where we had to
ferry across. Here he called us all together and told us that we
would have to discard our hoops and on looking around we saw hundreds
of these hoops hanging on trees where they had been discarded by
women of previous trains.
We
did not bring anything with us but our bedding and clothing and the
supplies we needed to use on the trip. We had our cook stove fastened
on a little platform in the rear of our wagon it having an oven and
two cooking holes as well as an extra one for the coffee pot. We did
not do any cooking over a camp fire.
“In
the Black Hills (probably Rattle Snake Hills, at Split Rock on the
Sweetwater) there were big ant hills and the ants would take all the
little places of glass and beads that the Indians had dropped while
beadding buffalo robes and put these in the hills they built. We
youngsters had a great time finding these beads and I still have some
of them.
“There
were friendly Indians here that sold the buffalo robes and we bought
one of the plain ones as the beaded ones were too expensive.
“While
going through the Black Hills there was practically no timber and the
hills were covered with coarse grass and bushes and all the time we
were followed by an Indian we called Bannock Jim. He rode a big black
horse and looked like a statute. We never saw him move but every time
we would go around a hill there he would be ahead of us watching us.
The Indians wanted the stock we had with us and had him watching for
a chance to steal it.
“Several
times during our trip the guard caught Indians sneaking to our corral
through the grass. They would just point their guns at the Indians
and they would leave. They never had to fire a shot at them. The
Indians were awfully angry because they couldn't get our stock. Two
days before we reached the crossing on the Snake River Bannock Jim
disappeared and we did not see him any more. This made my father and
Captain Cox uneasy and they both said something was wrong or
something was going to happen.
“We
had to cross the Snake River through a narrow canyon and across the
river was a station manned by two soldiers from Illinois. They were
there as guards, as no Indians were allowed in this territory. When
we came to the Canyon my father flatly refused to go through it and
cross the river there. The Captain said "I can't understand you
Emmons, what is the matter with you? You never were contrary before".
My father said that nothing was the matters but he just felt that
something was wrong and he would not cross there. They talked it over
and the Captain decided there must be something wrong too, so we all
traveled about twenty miles up the river to the Black Bridge, near
the Black Foot Mines where the next crossing was. The Snake River
here was narrow, swift and rocky. We came back down to the station on
the other side of the river and found the soldiers here were from
Illinois also, and, as we were the only ones in the train from
Illinois, they went out of their way to treat us nicely. They
certainly were fine to us.
“It
was here we saw the first little pigs we had seen since we left home
and we youngsters chased them never stopping until we each had one in
our arms. It had been a long time since we had seen any houses, or
stock of any kind or any people other than those in the train. We
left there rather early in the morning and before noon one of the men
on horseback from the settlement caught up with us and told us that
the Indians had been camped in the Canyon waiting for us to come
through to cross the river and when they found out we had crossed
some place else they were so angry they went across the river and
killed the two soldiers. They were just young men too. If the
crossing had been made there the Indians would have killed us all
just to got our stock.
“A
few days travel beyond the Black Foot bridge put us In safe territory
and here the train divided, part of them going by Salt Lake City, but
we came on as there was no danger from the Indians from there on. Two
or three of the wagons who had started with us had previously left
the train and gone to Montana. Several years afterward we saw two of
the families in Roseburg who had gone by Salt Lake City.
“Our
next crossing was at Ft. Boise, Idaho, we then went on to the Blue
Mountains, crossing at the regular immigrant road pass. We stopped at
a Catholic station and it was here we heard the first music since we
left home. A daughter of the family had a piano and she had taken
music lessons at The Dalles. The piano had a low fence built around
it so that no one also could touch it. The people in the train would
ask her to play Yankee Doodle and similar pieces and when she played
them her mother would ask her if she was playing Catholic pieces and
the girl told her she was playing what she had learned and, as the
mother did not know one piece from another, she thought she was
playing only the pieces she had learned from the Sisters.
“In
passing through this country we encountered some very steep and
narrow roads. I remember one especially the road leading down into
Grande Ronde Valley where we had to tie logs behind the wagons to
hold them back, as our brakes were insufficient.
“Leaving
the Blue Mountain Pass we followed the well defined immigrant road
down the Umatilla river, through what is now Pendleton, crossed the
Umatilla river about where Echo is now located and thence west fifty
or sixty miles south of the Columbia rivers crossing the John Day
River at a ford and crossing the Deschutes at Shearers Bridge, thence
through the old Barlow Pass down to Oregon City and followed the
river road from Oregon City south through Salem and Eugene to Cottage
Grove.
“We
came from the plains country where distances meant nothing, but we
were much surprised when we camped one night and thought we were
camping at the foot of a hill. The parents sent us children after
fire wood and we had to walk four or five miles before we reached the
trees that looked so close when we camped.
“We
passed lots of new made graves on the way. Some of these deaths were
caused by illness, but the most of them were from fights had by men
in the other trains. The nearest we came to having any trouble was
one day two men in our train who had been having arguments drew their
guns and the Captain and my father stepped between them and told them
they should be ashamed of themselves as good Christian people to be
acting that way. They put their guns away and that was the only
trouble we had on our whole trip.
“We
had one bachelor in our train who decided one day he wanted some
beans, so he filled a four gallon kettle with dry beans and cooked
them. The whole camp had beans that day.
“Our
Captain would not tolerate any whiskey in our train. one man who was
taking a wagon load of liquor to the mines in Idaho attempted to
attach himself to our train, but the Captain would not allow this,
consequently he followed us very closely, always camping as close to
our corral as he dared to. When we stopped at Sweetwater where there
were soldiers stationed, this man gave the captain of the soldiers
some whiskey, and as he had not had any liquor for a long time It
made him funny and he chased little Johnnie Cox around under the
tents on his knees.
“We
arrived at my Uncle James Shortridge's place ten miles South of
Cottage Grove on the last day of August, 1866. The night we arrived
there I had a cousin born who was named Samantha after me.
“When
we arrived at Cottage Grove our wagon sheet was almost as clean and
white as when we started out, as my father was very particular of all
of his belongings. We stopped here at a place owned by some people by
the name of Veatch, an they had a nice vegetable garden and it was
the first we had seen since we left home. My father asked to buy some
of the vegetables and Mr. Veatch looked at us and said "You
folks have been roaming around Eastern Oregon this summer and having
a good time and we stayed at home and worked and raised our
vegetables and you can do the same", so he refused to sell us
any, When my father explained that we had come across the plains and
had just arrived, he apologized and gave us what we wanted.
“No
religious ceremonies were conducted during the trip, although most of
our parents were very strict, devout Christians, We had no doctor In
the train and fortunately none was needed. Such small ailments as we
had were taken care of with home remedies.
“The
strictest discipline was maintained by the Captain of the train
throughout the trips We were up early in the morning and traveling as
soon after breakfast as the train could be made ready. Abundant feed
for the stock was found everywhere. The watering places determined
the length of the day's travel. When we camped early enough in the
evenings to have some daylight left after the evening meal the whole
train would gather around the campfire, play games, sing and
generally have a good visit. As darkness came on, however, the fires
had to be put out and no loud talking, singing or music of any kind
was allowed. In fact the Captain of our train did not like to have
musical instruments played In the evening as the sound would carry
too far and might attract the attention of passing Indians.
“The
family washing and ironing was not done at regular intervals, but
during forced layovers and at points where water was abundant. I
particularly remember we laid over an extra day at the crossing of
the Sweetwater where there were hot springs so that every one could
get cleaned up from the dusty trip from Ft. Kearney. Each family
carried the old-fashioned wash tub and wash-board and sad irons.
"I
have always marveled at the strength and fortitude shown by my mother
on this trip. We had two spring seats in our Wagon but my mother
spent the greater part of her time walking and I can still see her
striding along swinging her slat sunbonnet in her hand. She would
never walk close to the wagon train but would get as far to one side
as she dared to and was always making side trips to see interesting
and different places.
“Started
to Oregon April 18, 1866. Names of the persons in our train:
“Captain
Mignon Cox, Mrs. Catherine Cox, Arthur Cox, Austin Cox, May Cox,
Johnnie Cox, Andrew McConehay, Walter Henderson, Jacob Slaughterback,
Mr. & Mrs. Weller Amanda Weller, Charlie Weller, Archie Weller,
Bob Weller, Joe Wells, Ed Porter, Mary Porter, Mr. & Mrs. Hinkle,
Sarah Hinkle, Eli Hinkle, Amos Hinkle, Jim Hinkle, Belle Hinkle, Lon
Hinkle, Al Hinkle, Etta Hinkle, Mr. & Mrs. Misner, Willis Misner,
Henry Misner, Mary Misner, Arthur Minner, Mr. & Mrs. Miller, Jane
Miller, John Miller, Minerva Miller, Mollie Miller, Rachel Miller,
Mr. & Mrs. Dick Hobbs, John Stringer, Hiram Pelton, Mr. Snyder,
Mr. Wendell, Mr. Dickens, Mr. & Mrs. Walker, Ella Walker, Sarah
Walker, Mr. & Mrs. Allison, Minnie Allison, William Allison,
Johnnie Allison, Katie Allison, Mr. Ball, Mr. & Mrs. Sandrine
Martin, Katie Martin, Mr. & Mrs. Whited, Arilda Whited, Enos
Whited, May Bishop, John Bishop, Mr. & Mrs. James Whitley Emmons,
Samantha Jane Emmons, William Boone Emmons, I. D. Emmons,
James Freeland Emmons.” --
Samantha Jane (Emmons) Dillard
IX.
Other Overland Journeys
(Perry
Keyes, Lucinda Herrick, Samuel Boone Shortridge)
Keyes/Herrick
migration from Illinois to Oregon via Utah
The
journey of Lucinda Herrick to Oregon from Illinois through Utah is
important to the story of the life of Samuel Boone Shortridge and his
son, William Wallace Shortridge, so we will cover her journey here.
Lucinda Herrick was the mother of Ellen Jane Keyes who married
William Wallace Shortridge and became the founding matriarch of a
large group of offspring living in Oregon. Lucinda Herrick was later
known among many of her Oregon offspring as 'Grandma
Lane'
which surname came from a second marriage (to Elias Lane).
The
Herrick and Keyes families were devout Mormons living in Nauvoo,
Illinois at the same time (1840's) as Samuel Boone Shortridge,
Franklin Adams, and other families that were living nearby in Iowa.
Perry Keyes married Lucinda Herrick in 1835 in Ohio, but afterwards
removed to Caldwell County Missouri, then later to Hancock County,
Illinois. They were the parents of seven
children,
one of the younger ones being Ellen Jane Keyes who was born in
Hancock County, Illinois in 1846.
Historical
documents suggest that Perry Keyes and his family were part of a
forced exodus of Mormons leaving Nauvoo, Illinois, led by Brigham
Young to bivouac in Winters Quarters, Nebraska
(a small community outside of Omaha) in 1847. It appears that two
of their young children (Francis and Lemuel Keyes) died during that
exodus or prior to leaving Nauvoo (1).
At this time, Ellen Jane Keyes would have been about a year old.
After
1847 and on into the early 1850s, the Mormon leader, Brigham Young,
was organizing wagon trains from Winters Quarters to the Salt Lake
Valley in Utah where the largest branch of Mormonism is headquartered
today. On 11 June 1850, a company of 100 wagons under the command
of James Pace left the outfitting post at Kanesville, Iowa (Council
Bluffs) for Utah. Traveling in this wagon train were the Keyes and
Herrick families. The wagon company was divided into two groups of
50 wagons each, one under the leadership of Richard Sessons and a
second under the leadership of David Bennett, with the Keyes/Herrick
families traveling in the group led by Bennett (2).
Journals
of the time record several deaths from cholera early in the journey,
with Amanda Herrick (younger sister of Lucinda Herrick) dying on
June 16 (1850), Perry Keyes dying on June 17, and Zenos Keyes (son of
Perry Keyes and Amanda Herrick) on June 26 (2).
This means that Lucinda Herrick lost a sister, her husband, and a
son to cholera, all within 15 days of starting out on the journey to
Utah.
Perry
Keyes is recorded to have died in the morning while en-route in the
wagon, necessitating a short pause of the train at noon to bury him
(2).
Wilma Olds told me (RDS) that 'Grandma
Lane'
(Lucinda Herrick) said that her husband, Perry Keyes, was buried
between two slabs of bark and that his greyhound dog refused to leave
the burial site and had to be left behind (3).
Lucinda Herrick later remarried (second marriage to Elias Lane) and
died in Oregon in 1899 (4).
In
the Journal-list of those traveling in the 1850 James Pace company
to Utah, the following names appear (5). The set of parenthesis in
after the name in the following table show the age of the person at
the time. These ages are from the original record. My own notes
about each person appear on the right:
-
|
Name
(age)
|
Notes
|
|
Herrick,
Lemuel (58)
|
Father
of the family; Eventually settles in Ogden, Utah, where he died
in 1861.
|
|
Herrick,
Amanda (25)
|
Younger
sister of Lucinda Herrick; Died of cholera on the trail one day
before the death of Perry Keyes.
|
|
Herrick,
Lester James (23)
|
|
|
Herrick,
Lucy Jane (23)
|
|
|
Herrick,
Nelson (21)
|
|
|
Herrick,
Diana (17)
|
|
|
Keyes,
Perry (35)
|
Died
on trail of cholera; Husband of Lucinda Herrick and father of
Ellen Jane Keyes (who married William Wallace Shortridge)
|
|
Keyes,
Lucinda (31)
|
Wife
of Perry Keyes and mother of Ellen Jane Keyes. Later traveled to
Oregon, probably in the company of her sister- and
brother-in-law, Eliza Ann Herrick and William Henry Harrison
Keyes (brother of Perry Keyes).
|
|
Keyes,
Sarah Elizabeth (8)
|
First
cousin of Ellen Jane Keyes (dau of Harrison Keyes and Eliza Ann
Herrick); Years later, at 16 years old, she was already the wife
of David Marshall Stuart (32 yrs old), both who were present in
the wagon train with Samuel Boone Shortridge traveling from
Sacramento, California, to Ogden Utah in 1858.
|
|
Keyes,
Ellen Jane (5)
|
Married
William Wallace Shortridge in 1861 and became the matriarch to a
large family in Oregon.
|
|
Keyes,
Mary Elizabeth (7)
|
Sister
of Ellen Jane Keyes; Died in Roseburg, Oregon.
|
|
Keyes,
Zenas (12)
|
Died
on trail of cholera; Son of Perry Keyes and Lucinda Herrick.
|
|
Keyes,
[Brother](Unknown)
|
Listed
this way in the record; Probably Gilbert
Keyes, 1 year old, and the youngest son of Perry Keyes and
Lucinda Herrick.
|
|
Keyes,
William Henry Harrison (37)
|
Older
brother of Perry Keyes and husband of Eliza Ann Keyes, sister of
Lucinda Herrick. After arrival in Utah, he takes his family to
Lane County, Oregon, then later in life moves back to Utah where
he died in 1895.
|
|
Keyes,
Eliza Ann Herrick (34)
|
Older
sister of Lucinda Herrick and wife of William Keyes who is the
older brother of Perry Keyes; Bears two children in Lane County,
Oregon (1854 and 1856); Died in Ogden, Utah, in 1895.
|
|
Keyes,
Alma (10)
|
Son
of William Keyes and Eliza Herrick
|
|
Keyes,
Edward (5)
|
Son
of William Keyes and Eliza Herrick
|
|
Keyes,
Lyman (2)
|
Son
of William Keyes and Eliza Herrick
|
|
Keyes,
Alpheretta Ophelia (infant)
|
Daughter
of William Keyes and Eliza Herrick
|
|
Wimmer,
Peter (68)(76)
|
In
a later journey, at 76 years old, he was present in the wagon
train with Samuel Boone Shortridge traveling from Sacramento,
California, to Ogden Utah in 1858.
|
|
Wimmer,
Ellizabeth Shirley (65)(73)
|
Wife
of Peter Wimmer; At 73 years old, she was
present, years later, in the wagon train with Samuel Boone
Shortridge traveling from Sacramento, California, to Ogden, Utah,
in 1858.
|
Autobiographical
accounts of the 1850 James Pace company contain some interesting
entries. An interesting reminiscence comes from Phil Margetts who,
nearing the end of their journey, left the main group with a couple
of friends to travel on ahead. Later in life, Margetts recalled
that:
“A
few days after leaving the train, as I remember well, having made a
fire of sagebrush and camped for the night, we were treated to the
most unmusical serenade that ever curdled human blood. A pack of
wolves, fierce and hungry, hovered around the camp and made night
hideous, from dewy eve till early morn. The cause of this free
entertainment was not disclosed to us until daylight, when we found
that we had camped where the creatures were expecting to banquet, it
being in the centre of a spot where the remains of fifty or sixty
persons had been interred. These we discovered to our horror and
dismay, were mostly unearthed. It is impossible to conceive of
anything more ghastly than the sight that thus met our startled
gaze.” (6)
Those
who are adept observers of life might notice how so-called 'chance
experience' seems to imitate the circumstance of the time in poetic
metaphor. This particular case is no exception. Experiences of
these unfortunate beings and others in the company suggest that they
were not done with the wolves, it seems, as honest historians will
understand. Years after this particular event, Samuel Boone
Shortridge was lucky enough to escape wolves of the two-legged
variety by being smuggled out of Utah in a wheat wagon bound for
California. Fortunately, he made his escape with his hide intact.
However, it's unlikely that we will ever know the names of many who
didn't live long enough to tell about their own experience with
wolves.
One
traveler described the arrival of the James Pace Company in Utah:
“On the 15th day of September we reached Salt Lake City, a small
village, there were a few log cabins, adobe houses, sage brush and
myriads of black crickets that ate up all the green stuff that grew.”
(5)
At
sometime between 1852 and 1854, William Harrison Keyes and his family
moved from Utah to Lane County, Oregon, where a son, Lemuel Harrison
Keyes, was born (7). I am guessing that Lucinda Herrick and Ellen
Jane Keyes traveled to Lane County in the same company with her
relatives, Harrison Keyes and Eliza Herrick. Lucinda Herrick and
two daughters (Ellen Jane Keyes and Mary Elizabeth Keyes) remained in
Oregon for the rest of their lives, but Harrison Keyes and his family
traveled back to permanently settle in Utah after 1858 (8). A
first-cousin of Ellen Jane Keyes, Sarah Elizabeth Keyes, was in a
company of devout Mormons, including Samuel Boone Shortridge, that
traveled from San Francisco to Ogden, UtahTerritory, in 1858 (see
below).
Journey
of Samuel Boone Shortridge to Utah in 1858
After
living in Oregon for a few years, Samuel Boone Shortridge joined the
Mormon Church and, disposing of his land, joined a company of Mormons
leaving from Sacramento, California for Ogden, Utah. This trip is
mentioned briefly in 'The Cenntenial History of Oregon', but no
further details are given (9).
We get other information about the wagon company from the journal
accounts of Fredrick Michell and Thomas Dowell, travelers in the
company, which accounts are preserved in the historical archives of
the LDS (Mormon) Church in Salt Lake City, Utah (10).
According
to the relevant journal accounts, Samuel Boone Shortridge was
baptized a short time before he left for Utah by Silas Higgins who
traveled with him in the wagon company from Sacramento, CA, to Ogden,
in Utah Territory. Also in the company was the (married) niece of
Lucinda Herrick (mother-in-law of William Wallace Shortridge) and two
others (Wimmer) who traveled in the James Pace Company of Mormons in
1850. These circumstances and others suggest that Samuel Boone
Shortridge knew the Keyes/Herrick families prior to his move to Utah.
Ellen Jane Keyes married William Wallace Shortridge in 1861, a date
that may be tied to the time of return of Samuel back to Oregon.
According
to Michell, the company left from Sacramento, California, on 8
September, 1858, started out with eight men and one woman, these
being:
-
|
Two
missionaries, Fredrick Mitchell and
Thomas Dowell traveling from the Sandwich
Islands to Utah. (Mitchell became the leader of the company with
Dowell as the clerk and historian).
|
|
Peter
Wimmer and his wife, Elizabeth (note that these traveled
in the James Pace Wagon company to Utah along with Perry Keyes
and Lucinda Herrick in 1850 – thus having a common thread to
Samuel Boone Shortridge's future daugher-in-law, Ellen Jane
Keyes. This is in addition to Samuel's connection to Sarah
Elizabeth Keyes who also traveled to Utah in this same wagon
train company [see below]). It's likely that Samuel knew the
Keyes/Herrick families in Lane County, Oregon, prior to leaving
for Utah.)
|
|
E.
L. Brown and his son E. L. Brown (who
arrived in California in 1847 as a member of the Mormon
Battalion).
|
|
Lorenzo
F. Harmon (who arrived in California in 1847 as a member
of the Mormon Battalion).
|
|
“Brother
Samuel Shortridge joined the church in Oregon was Baptized by bro
Silas G. Higgins and when the Elders were called home he got
ready and left and is willing to do the will of Gods servants and
manifests a humble, meek, and quiet disposition striving to keep
the Commandments of God as they are made known unto him
from time to time.” (transcribed
from 1858 journal entry)
|
|
Luther
M. Palmer (returning to Utah after living in California).
|
The
company picked up other travelers on the way from the starting point
in Sacramento. After traveling 26 miles on the first day, the troop
was joined by Silas Higgens and David M. Stuart and his family.
Silas Higgens is mentioned in the journal as the one who baptized
Samuel Shortridge into the Mormon church. The journal also
mentions, in regard to the wife of David Stuart, that:
'”Sister
Sarah Stuart his wife, and daughter of Harrison Keyes[.] she with her
Father and Mother gathered with the Saints to the vallies of the
Mountains in the year 1852 and in the year of 1855 started out for
Oregon and when Bro D. M. Stuart went there on his Mission they came
forward renewed their Covenants then made preparations to leave for
Utah with the Brethren who were returning from their Missions and
came two hundred miles on their journey[.] her Father and Mother then
backed out and returned as it was too tedious to travel therefore
Sister Sarah got the consent of her Parents and Kept on as she was
very desirous of gathering with the Saints to Zion and was willing to
forsake Father and Mother for the Gospel sake[.] she is willing to do
right and be led by her husband in all things.” (1858 journal
entry)
Here,
it might be noted that the dates recorded in the journal appear to be
erroneous. First of all, Harrison Keyes arrived in Utah Territory
(re: 'vallies
of the Mountains')
in the James Pace Company of 1850 rather than 1852. Secondly,
Harrison Keyes must have arrived in Oregon at least a year before
1855, since he had a son born in Lane County a year earlier.
As
mentioned previously, the Keyes and Herrick families
were devout Mormons who migrated to Utah from Iowa/Illinois in 1850.
In 1854, Harrison Keyes and his wife, Eliza Herrick, are found in
Oregon living near Samuel Boone Shortridge and his issue. It's
currently unclear if Samuel Boone Shortridge knew the Keyes and
Herrick families while they were all living in Iowa or if he first
met them after they all arrived in Oregon.
Ellen
Jane Keyes (whose mother was Lucinda Herrick, aka 'Grandma Lane')
married William Wallace Shortridge in 1861. One of the major
questions emerging at this time is how this 1861 marriage date is
related to the time that Samuel Boone Shortridge returned to Oregon
from Utah. Unfortunately, I haven't yet been able to find that
information.
The
wagon company journeying from Sacramento to Utah in 1858 was
disbanded after their arrival in Ogden at 11:00 AM on 26 October 1858
(10). “S. B. Shortridge” was listed by Thomas Dowell,
clerk and historian of the company as having “1 Rifle, 100
Pounds of Powder, 20 Pounds of Balls, 500 Caps.”
According
to a family tradition passed down among the descendants of Caroline
D. Shortridge, Samuel Boone Shortridge left Utah on bad terms with
his Mormon compatriots (11). He apparently was not free to leave
Utah, having had some sort of falling out with the church leaders,
and is said to have escaped Utah by being smuggled out in a wheat
wagon that was bound for San Francisco, California. After arriving
in California, Samuel had no money to pay for a passage to Oregon,
but the driver on a stage was a Freemason who allowed him to ride the
stage back to Oregon. The Utah migration of Samuel Boone Shortridge
was not well-known among my (RDS) side of the family. I am guessing
that Samuel Boone Shortridge did not look back fondly on this part of
his life and so he and his son, William Wallace Shortridge, never
liked to talk about it..
|
Shortridge
gravestones in Taylor-Lane Cemetery, south of Cottage Grove,
Oregon. From left to right are the stones for Ellen Jane Keyes,
James Henderson Shortridge and Amelia S. Adams (JHS and ASA are
combined into a single monument, here seen in the middle/rear),
William Wallace Shortridge, and Samuel Boone Shortridge
(right rear). Inscriptions on the monuments are as follows:
Ellen J. Shortridge, Mar 12, 1846, Apr 9, 1926; William W.
Shortridge, Mar 13, 1836, Apr 29, 1922; James H.
Shortridge, July 18, 1831, Oct. 25, 1916, Amelia S. Shortridge,
Feb. 12, 1835, July 31, 1919;
S B SHORTRIDGE, BORN Sep15, 1796, DIED July 21, 1877.
|
|
Gravestone
of Samuel Boone Shortridge in Taylor-Lane Cemetery which is
located a few miles south of Cottage Grove, Oregon. The upper
front of the gravestone exhibits familiar markings of the
Freemason Fraternity (compass and square) to which Samuel
belonged. The two sons of Samuel Shortridge, William Wallace
Shortridge and James Henderson Shortridge, are buried nearby in
the same cemetery.
|
X.
Biographical Sketches and News Reports
What
follows are some of the published biographical accounts and newspaper
reports on the early Shortridge settlers in Oregon. These are
generally listed in order of person being sketched:
Source:
The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912, Illustrated, Vol
III, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912, pp 299-300.
James
H. Shortridge who is living retired in Cottage Grove, has resided
near that city since 1851 until his retirement in 1906, owning a
three hundred and twenty acre farm which he filed upon as a donation
claim in the year of his arrival in Oregon. He is now residing in a
comfortable home in Cottage Grove. He was born in Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, a son of Samuel Boone Shortridge, whose grand-uncle was
Daniel Boone, the noted Indian scout. The parents were both natives
of Bourbon county, Kentucky, and they were also married in that
state, where they resided for a time, later removing to Indiana.
Still later Samuel Shortridge removed to Iowa, settling in Muscatine
county, where he bought land and occupied it for some time. It was
in that county that his wife passed away, shortly after which Mr.
Shortridge removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where he made his home
until 1852, He then crossed the plains to Oregon, settling about six
miles south of Cottage Grove, where he took up a donation claim of
one hundred and sixty acres upon which he lived for several years,
and then, disposing of that land, removed to Salt Lake City, where he
resided for a few years. On leaving that state, he returned to Lane
county, Oregon, where he lived until his death which occurred in
July, 1876. In his family were seven children, four of whom died in
infancy, the others being: James H. of this review; Caroline D.,
the widow of Hiram Stewart, residing in Eugene; and William Wallis,
making his home near London, Oregon.
James
H. Shortridge received a common school education in Illinois and one
year in advance of his parents crossed the plains to Oregon in 1851
and settled six miles south of Cottage Grove, on a donation claim
which his father's farm later joined, residing upon that farm until
1906, when he disposed of it and retired. During the long period of
his occupancy of his donation claim he labored untiringly to get it
under a thorough state of cultivation, building suitable
improvements, and at the time he disposed of it it was one of the
finest farming properties of the community. With his family he now
resides in a fine home in Cottage Grove, where he is taking a well
deserved rest and spending his declining years surrounded by his
family and friends.
Mr.
Shortridge was married, March 13, 1853, to Amelia S. Adams, who was
born in Vermilion county, Indiana, in 1835, a daughter of John F.
Adams and Rebecca (Hinkle) Adams. Her father and mother were both
natives of Kentucky, their wedding, however, being celebrated in
Indiana where they lived for twenty years. After leaving that state,
they settled in Louis county, Iowa, and resided there for fifteen
years, then crossed the plains by ox teams to Oregon in 1852. The
eldest son died of cholera on the trip but none of the other members
of the family were afflicted with it. Their first settlement in
Oregon was made in Salem Hills, eight miles south of Salem, where the
father took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres
upon which he resided until within a short time of his death, which
occurred in October, 1876. The mother passed away in July, 1876. To
them were born ten children of whom Mrs. Shortridge was the seventh
in order of birth, and S. Rebecca Rogers, of Turner, Oregon, are the
only surviving members. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shortridge were born
seven children, as follows: Emily R., who was born in 1854 and
passed away in 1858; Franklin Boone, who was born in 1856 and is a
miner at Estacada, Oregon; Mary Rosetta, born in 1857, who married
J. W. Harris, of Eugene; William Johnson, who was born in 1858 and
died in infancy; Alice A., who was born in September, 1862, and is
the wife of J. J. Weeden, of Lane county, Oregon; Lillie Jane, born
in 1865, who passed away in infancy; and Sarah O. C., who married
Sam Lacy, of Portland, her birth occurring in 1866.
Mr.
Shortridge in his political allegiance is a republican. He has taken
considerable interest in politics, has served as deputy sheriff of
his county and also for many years filled the office of supervisor.
In his fraternal relations he belongs to the Cottage Grove Grange
while his religious faith is that of the Christian church of which
his family are also members. He is among the earlier settlers of
Cottage Grove and has always been leading and greatly respected
citizen of the community. He is a man of sterling integrity, strong
personality and possesses a strength of character which makes him
greatly esteemed by all who know him. In his official positions he
distinguished himself by the efficient service which he rendered to
the community and both as a public servant and a private citizen he
has always been popular.
----------------------------------------
Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley,
Oregon. Chicago: Chapman Publishing, 1903, pages 1505-1506
JAMES
H SHORTRIDGE
There
are few self-made men who are obliged to start upon their independent
careers as early as ten years of age, yet such was the case with
James H. Shortridge, whose place among the state builders of the west
is undisputed, and is based upon a well directed and successful life.
From time immemorial an interest has centered around the blacksmith.
Mr. Shortridge is a master workman, his little shop on his farm six
miles south of Cottage Grove, being a very busy place. He took up his
present farm in 1853, and at that time had three hundred and twenty
acres.
The
better to trace the career of Mr. Shortridge, it is necessary to go
back to the farm in Tippecanoe county, Ind., where he was born July
18, 1831, and which had been taken up by his grandfather as
government land at a very early day. With the grandparents on their
overland journey to Indiana went their son, Samuel B., who was born
on the home farm in Bourbon county, Ky., in 1798, and who while yet a
boy was apprenticed to a blacksmith, and followed the trade in
connection with farming for the greater part of his life. He was a
relative of Daniel Boone, the great American explorer and colonizer,
and used to hunt with his illustrious kinsman, for he was twenty-two
years old before the latter's death. Mr. Shortridge married Emily A.
Heath, a native of Kentucky, and from Indiana moved to Iowa, thence
to Illinois. His son, James H., having preceded him to the west in
1851, he set out the following spring with ox teams, and accomplished
the long distance in safety and comparative comfort. He came at once
to Lane county. Ore., and took up a claim seven miles south of
Cottage Grove, upon which he lived a few years, after which he made
his home with his son, James H., until his death. He was quite an
active politician, and was a firm believer in good schools, good
roads and good local government. He took a keen interest in church
affairs, and in this was seconded by the wife whom he married in his
youth, and who died before he came to the west. Three of his seven
children are living, James H. being the oldest. William W. lives near
the old place, and Mrs. Caroline D. Stewart is a resident of Goshen.
Beginning
with his tenth year James H. Shortridge worked in a nursery, and
after some years returned home and learned the blacksmith trade of
his father. From Millersburg, Ill., he started across the plains
March 13, 1851, and five months later, after a comparatively pleasant
journey, reached Lane county. Ore., and took up a claim of three
hundred and twenty acres six miles south of Cottage Grove. March 13,
1853, he married Amelia S. Adams, who was born in Indiana, and
crossed the plains in 1852. Mrs. Shortridge entered with zest into
the making of a home in the comparative wilderness, and the little
house took on a semblance of genuine comfort and cheer. Naturally,
Mr. Shortridge wished to make use of his trade, and erected a shop on
the farm, it being the first, and for many years the only one in the
neighborhood. For many years the entire ranch was used for farming
and stock-raising, the genial owner responding to calls at his shop
and gaining a reputation for expert workmanship. Twice fire has
caused Mr. Shortridge great loss. First his barn and all its contents
were destroyed, including grain, lumber and farming implements. About
ten years later his home was burned, while in June 1858, their
four-year-old baby girl was burned to death. These great losses have
made it necessary for Mr. Shortridge to sell a portion of his farm,
so that he now owns one hundred and fifty-nine acres, eighty being
under cultivation.
Republican
politics have profited by the support of Mr. Shortridge, who has held
many positions of trust in the community, and has invariably labored
for the best interests of those who placed him in power. For several
terms he served as deputy sheriff, and during a part of that time his
responsibilities were arduous and exacting. He is a member of the
Christian Church, supporting the same with his attendance and
financial help. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Shortridge, four of whom are living: Franklin B., of California:
Rosetta became the wife of J. W. Harris, of Eugene; Alice married
first, J. P. Langdon, and for her second husband married John Weeden,
of Nebraska; and Olive S. married first, F. M. Jones, of Portland,
and after his death became the wife of S. M. Lacey, of Portland. Mr.
and Mrs. Shortridge have eleven grandchildren and one great
grandchild.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinal, Cottage Grove, Oregon, December 17,
1909.
SHORTRIDGE
PIONEERS KNEW INDIANS
Couple
Has Lived Here 56 Years
(The
Sentinel, Dec. 17, 1909) To have lived for nearly 60 years in one
community with one absence, and that for less than a year, is not the
story of many men and women. Living in the shadow of the big butte
of Cottage Grove only a few miles from their pioneer home, Mr. And
Mrs. J. H. Shortridge are spending their lives.
Mr.
Shortridge came to Oregon in 1851 and his soon-to-be bride the year
following. They were married in the spring of 1853 and went at once
to their cabin six miles above Cottage Grove, where they resided
until a few years ago, when they moved into town and had a pretty
little home, not for from the center of the city, yet near to the
Nature that they had grown to love in the years when they were the
only white couple for miles around.
Mr.
Shortridge came to Oregon in what was known as “Miller's Train,”
leaving Mercer county, Illinois, on March 13, 1851, and arriving at
Santiam City, in the eastern side of the Willamette Valley, on August
18, one of the remarkably quick trips to the west. They crossed by
the Barrow road. The train was not molested by the Indians much on
the way across the plains, but near Bear River, in Idaho, the Indians
stole one of the horses – Sam Jones' mare, “Blue Bonnet”.
It
was the custom of the train to hitch all of the horses together at
night, using small chains. In some way one of the links in “Blue
Bonnet's” chain was broken, and a piece of buckskin was pressed
into service to make the repair. That night an Indian crept through
the lines and cutting the rawhide made away with the animal.
Shortly
after arriving in Oregon, Mr. Shortridge joined party taking a
thousand head of cattle into California to the Yreka gold fields.
That winter of 1851-2 was known as the great famine year in Yreka.
Snow fell almost continuously for days; the regular supply trains
could not get in and food became scarce. Dozens of the miners left
for the long tramp over the mountains for food. Finally a man by the
name of McDermitt brought in 80 mules from the coast with supplies.
Flour was sold at $2 per pound – and not more than six pounds to
the man; Salt was $16 a pound – a dollar an ounce – amd meals
were one dollar each, consisting of boiled beef without salt.
Mr.
Shortridge, too, decided to get out, as soon as he had had his few
biscuits, and he was soon back in the Willamette Valley.
It
was on this trip that Mr. Shortridge had an experience with the
Indians near the Willow springs at Ashland. In taking the drove of
cattle south, it fell to his lot to drive the supply wagon. As they
neared the Willow springs, with the cattle far in advance, he kept
noticing the Indian dogs appearing from time to time along the ridges
on either side of the trail. He knew of course that there were
Indians about, but kept on. Suddenly he was confronted by a small
band of redskins, who demanded whiskey. He told them there was none
to be had, but they insisted that there must be whiskey in the wagon.
There were several guns in the bed of the vehicle, but they were
not loaded, and there was no way for Mr. Shortridge to get at them.
His oxen were fearless beasts, and when he found that the Indians
were not to be shaken off with words, he lashed them forward straight
at the line in front. The Indians held their ground for a moment,
then wavered and stepped aside. Several climbed into the back of the
wagon and threw out flour and bacon. All of them finally left,
without damage to Mr. Shortridge.
Mrs.
Shortridge came through to the west by the Columbia river route in
1852, and in the following year they were married, culminating a
romance begun back in “the states.” Mr. Shortridge had selected
for their home a pretty little prairie not far from the juncture of
the North Fork of the Willamette and the Silk rivers and Mrs.
Shortridge was the first white woman to set foot in that part of the
country.
There
in the spring of the year they set about making a home for
themselves. For the first three weeks all the house they had was the
spreading branches of fir tree, then a little cabin was completed.
The
Indians did not bother the new settlers in this valley, but there
were two or three who lived near the Shortridge home. Indian John
and Sampson boarded at the Shortridge home for years and prepared
many deer hides for Mrs. Shortridge to make chappes. And then there
was Indian Mary who endeared herself to the settlers.
There
was an old Indian named – or rather called – Hollow Tooth. The
gaining of this name was after this wise. One day the Indian came
to the home of a settler on the Long Tom, when the woman of the house
was alone. He demanded food, but the woman told him she had nothing
for him. He insisted and came forward to her as she was stirring the
fire. Suddenly the woman turned and struck the redskin full in the
face with the hot poker knocking out all of his front teeth.
Mr.
Shortridge was a member of the mounted home guard during the Civil
war and met with other members for regular drills and once went with
his company to Eugene and Salem for exhibition drills. All the
soldiers in the little volunteer band supplied their own horses and
uniforms, but never received a cent of pay from the state, nor from
the nation.
Theirs
was no easy task, even if they were far removed from the seat of war.
In fact, the situation was worse than they had supposed at the time.
After the war was over, it developed that the secessionists had been
holding regular meetings in secret, and that on at least two
occasions, one of which was a Methodist camp meeting, they had all
their plans ready for seizing the government, even so far as each
having picked out the man he was to shoot. But for some reason the
guns which were taken to the religious service remained in the
wagons.
Row
River, so Mr. Shortridge tells, gets its name from the fact that one
of its early settlers – a man named Clark – was continually
having trouble with his neighborhood quarrels, and again in lawsuits.
Always in a row.
A
daughter of this Clark was shot through the breast by an Indian while
she was crossing the plains to the west. The arrow narrowly missed
her heart and lungs and protruded from her back, yet the weapon was
withdrawn and she recovered. She came on to Oregon and lived to
raise a family.
Other
interesting tales Mr. Shortridge tells – of Scar Face Charley, and
the Indian wars in which his brother served. He is one of Lane
County's sturdy pioneers, entitled to a full realization of the hopes
of his youth and meriting the thanks of the many who now enjoy a
fruitful land which he helped with the aid of his wife, to win from
the savagery for civilization – Eugene Register.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinel, Cottage Grove, Oregon, February
18, 1910.
CELEBRATES
BIRTHDAY.
Mrs.
J. H. Shortridge’s Relatives Assemble on 75th anniversary.
There was a pleasant gathering of relatives at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. J. H. Shortridge of this city on Saturday last, the occasion
being the celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of Mrs.
Shortridge’s birth. The day was most delightfully spent in social
intercourse and in satisfying the inner man. The Sentinel
acknowledges the receipt of a liberal portion of the birthday cake.
Mrs. Shortridge is one of the pioneer settlers of Oregon, having come
to the state in 1852. She was married the following year, Mr.
Shortridge having preceded her to Oregon
by
one year. Among those present were the following relatives. Their
children: Mrs. J.J. Weeden of Coast Fork; Mrs. Wm. Brown and
daughters, Misses Annie and Ellen of the city. Their Grandchildren:
Mr. and Mrs. O.S. Spear of this city, Misses Aubrey and Arroll
Langdon, Eve, Evart, Dale and Gordon Weeden of Coast Fork, and Master
George Harris of Eugene.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Leader, Cottage Grove, Lane County, Oregon, July
18 1911.
PIONEER
CELEBRATES EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY
On
Sunday, despite the warm weather, the family and relatives of that
esteemed and honored pioneer, J. H. Shortridge, assembled for
the annual family reunion at the home of this aged couple in West
Cottage Grove, and it was a day full of interest and pleasure, the
reunion this year being the more important from the fact that today,
July 18, Mr. Shortridge rounds
out
his four score years. James H. Shortridge was the first white child
born where the present site of Lafayette, Indiana, now is located. He
first seen the light of day, July 18, 1831. He drove an ox team
across the plains to Oregon in 1851 and settled on a donation land
claim six miles south of Cottage Grove, where he resided until a few
years ago when he and his estimable wife moved to this city and
established their present comfortable and pleasant little home. Both
are enjoying good health and are enjoying good health and are
spending their declining years in the community in which they have
resided so long surrounded by a host of kind neighbors and admiring
relatives and friends. The dinner on this 80th anniversary occasion
Sunday was a most sumptuous spread and was highly enjoyed by all
present. Ice cream and lemonade enabled the company to keep cool
during the afternoon. This venerable pioneer couple have the thanks
of the Leader for a generous supply of birthday cake. Among the
relatives present from Eugene were: Dr. J. W. Harris and son George,
Dr, M. C Harris
and
wife, Claude Gray and wife, Prof. W. B. Dillard and Wife, Mrs. S.J.
Dillard, John Dillard, Mrs. Earl Dillard, son and daughter. Those of
Cottage Grove present were: Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Weeden and family,
Misses A. B. Langdon and Arlie Langdon, A. W. Shortridge, S. R.
Shortridge, Mrs. Orville Spear, and F. B. Shortridge of Estacada, Or.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinel, Cottage Grove, Oregon, Tuesday, March
14, 1912.
Have
been Married for 59 Years
Married
the 13th but have good luck
Mr
and Mrs J. H. Shortridge, Probably the Longest Married Couple in
Willamette Valley Celebrate Anniversary of Marriage.
Married
on the 13th day of March, 1853, Mr and Mrs J. H.
Shortridge of this city have spent 59 happy years together.
After spending their younger days in the trials of a pioneer life,
they are enjoying old age in peace and comfort contented as when they
took each other for better or worse with their life ahead of them.
Neither of them were superstitious when they set the wedding day for
the unlucky day of the month and they have not become so since.
Mr
Shortridge came from Mercer Co, Illinois, in 1851, with the Miller
Train, one of the largest ever to cross the plains. He went first to
California and stayed there until starved out in 1852, when he came
to the Willamette Valley, his home ever since. While in California,
he saw salt sell at $16 a pound and flour at $2 a pound. Only a few
pounds of each would be sold to any one person. The poorest kind of
a meal was a dollar. He says there was no high living in those days.
Mrs
Shortridge was Amelia S. Adams of Louisa County, Iowa, and came
across the plains with her parents, long since dead, in 1852, the
family settling near Jefferson. Death stalked abroad on the plains
in that year in every form. One of the Adams boys died of cholera
and was buried in the Platte Valley.
Mr
Shortridge and Miss Adams had been sweethearts back East and married
soon after Mr Shortridge arrived from California and two years to a
day after Mr Shortridge left from the east. Mrs Shortridge was 18
years of age and Mr Shortridge was 21. They immediately took up a
donation claim of 320 acres, now know as the Shortridge place and
located near Cottage Grove. They spent 54 years of their lives on
the place and went through many a hard struggle to clear away the
forest and wrest a living from the earth. They moved to Cottage
Grove five years ago.
The
couple can tell many tales of old Oregon on which they would have
both left if there would have been any means of getting away. They
have since learned to love the beautiful Willamette and think it the
best place next to heaven which they are so peacefully approaching.
In
the old days there were three tribes of Indians living around their
place and it became necessary to learn the Indian jargon. The red
men, while envious of the white man who came to take their tribal
lands away from them, were disposed to be friendly to their pale face
brothers, and the Shortridge's had many warm friends among the bucks
and the squaws, all of whom are now dead with the exception of Jake
Fearne.
In
those early pioneer days the only meat was venison and the settlers
ate that until they got tired of it. The Indians always kept them
supplied if they did not take the trouble to supply themselves. Many
of the clothes were made of deer hide and many a wagon load of
buckskin garments made by the settlers were taken to Portland and
sold. The Indians did the tanning of the skins and their secret
method of dressing the hides to make them soft and pliable died with
them.
Seven
children were born to Mr and Mrs Shortridge four of whom are living.
They are Mrs J.J. Weeden who lives on the old donation claim;
Franklin Boone Shortridge of this city; Mrs J. W. Harris of Eugene;
Mrs S. M. Lacy of Portland.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinel, Cottage Grove, Oregon, Thursday, March
20, 1913 (Transcribed from the Scrap Book, Oregon Historical Society,
page 155).
SHORTRIDGE
REUNION HELD
For
the First Time Since 1875, Family Sleeps Under the Same Roof.
Cottage
Grove, Oregon, March 18 (Special). For the first time since 875,
the James Shortridge family slept under the same roof.
Saturday night the reunion being on the occasion of the sixtieth
wedding anniversary of the parents, Uncle “Jim” and aunt “Millie”
probably the oldest living couple to have been married in the valley
and among the best known pioneers of the early 50's. They were
married in Linn county March 13, 1853, and moved to the Grove county
a few months later, taking up a donation claim.
At
the celebration, 21 children and grandchildren were present. The
children are: Mrs. J. W. Harris, Eugene; Mrs. J. J. Weeden, who
lives on the old donation claim; Mrs. Olive Lacy, Portland; and
Boone Shortridge, Booth.
Mr.
Shortridge is 82 years of age and Mrs. Shortridge is 78. The latter
still insists on doing her own housework, and it was with difficulty
that she could be persuaded to let her children assist her in
preparing the reunion feast.
The
couple is still spry and active and seen frequently upon the streets.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Leader, Cottage Grove, Oregon, Wednesday,
February 17, 1915.
BIRTHDAY
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED
Last
Friday Feb. 12, Mrs. J.H. Shortridge passed her 80th
anniversary of her birth, 10 years more than the age allotted to man.
The occasion was celebrated by members of the family at the
Shortridge home in west Cottage Grove Sunday and a sumptous (sic:
sumptuous) birthday dinner was served.
Among
the members of the family present were: Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Weeden and
family; Albert Shortridge and wife, Boon Shortridge, Mr. and Mrs.
Orval Spear; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Langdon and Misses Arlie Langdon and
Pruda Chesbro.
Amelia
S. Adams was born in Vermilion county, Indiana in 1835, and was
united in marriage to James. H. Shortridge in 1853, having crossed
the plains to Oregon in 1852, her husband having crossed the plains
to Oregon the year before and located on a homestead six miles south
of Cottage Grove.
Seven
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shortridge, four of whom are
living, Mrs. J.J. Weeden, Mrs. J.W. Harris, Mrs. Sam Lacy and Boon
Shortridge.
Mrs.
Shortridge is quite energetic and active for one of her years as she
still attends to her household duties, milks a cow and makes butter
for their use. Uncle Jim who is several years his wife’s senior is
also well preserved, but is less spry owing to his trouble with
rheumatism.
This
venerable pioneer couple is very highly esteemed in this community
where they have resided over a half century. The Leader was kindly
favored with samples of the excellent birthday cake.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinel, Cottage Grove, Oregon, Monday, February
17, 1919.
“Aunt”
Millie Passes Eightieth Birthday Anniversary
“Aunt”
Millie Shortridge celebrated her eightieth birthday anniversary
February 12. She was born on an anniversary of Ole Abe’s birth.
Twenty-nine relatives were present at different times during the day
and seventeen sat down to the sumptuous dinner which “Aunt”
Millie helped to prepare.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinel,
Cottage Grove, Oregon, August 1, 1919 (transcribed from the Scrap
book, Oregon Historical Society, 85, page 76).
FOOTPRINTS
OF OLD PIONEER DAYS
Mrs.
Amelia Shortridge, widow of James Shortridge, was the first white
woman to set her foot on the prairie of the upper Coast Fork country.
That was in May of 1853. The first white men had been there some
time before. James Chapin and Thomas Gibson, two bachelors, had
built cabins in that direction in 1847, being the first settlers of
the Cottage Grove country. The Chapin cabin was built west of where
the tie plant now stands and the Gibson cabin was west of where the
Chambers mill now stands. Mr. Chapin was an uncle of Mrs. I. M.
Thomson and the late D. P. Burton. A Frenchman and two boys were at
about this time living on the place bought by Henry Small in 1854.
The
first white children born here, both of whom are still living, were
John Harms (1854) and F. B. Shortridge (1856).
When
Mr. and Mrs. James Shortridge were attracted here in 1853, they found
the future site of the beautiful and prosperous city of Cottage Grove
covered with grass higher than the backs of their horses. In fact,
that was one of the reasons they came here, bringing with them
nothing but a yoke of oxen, a red-eared pony, and six bits of coin of
the realm, which was something of a small fortune in those early
days. There was little to buy, deer, bear, and cougars furnished
food and clothing and Indians and snakes furnished amusement. There
were few motion picture houses here in that day.
According
to the best information at hand, the record shows that Mrs. Amelia
Shortridge and Wallace W. Shortridge, both of 1853, are the earliest
living pioneers of the section. WW. Arrived with his father, S.B.
Shortridge, April 18,1853, Mrs. Amelia Shortridge arriving in the
same party with her husband, the late James H. Shortridge. They put
in the first garden just east of where the present Herbron bridge now
stands.
Wallace
W. Shortridge and Ellen J. Keyes were the first couple married by the
late Squire Vaughn. Both of them, together with all of twelve
children (six boys and six girls), are still living.
Among
the early settlers were D. B. White (1854) father of N. W. White who
lives on the old place, Hamilton W. Taylor (1854), Captain Oglesby
(1853), Burne Veatch and Ves Veatch (living), Mrs Ves Veatch. Milton
Anderson (1854), who settled at the foot of the mountains at London,
where Levi Greer now lives. Chrisy Johnson (1854) who settled at
London where John Small now lives; the Elder Massey settled just
north of the Johnson place at the same time, James Parish (1854) took
a donation claim where Bob Small now lives and married one of the
Massey girls; Ira Hawley settled at the divide late in the fall of
1852, buying out a couple of bachelors and living in the pole house
the first winter. James Hawley, a son, lives on the old place.
Geore and William B. (living) are also sons. Henry and George Small
arrived in 1854. Henrys cabin was built on what later became the
O.P. Adams place. Gowdyville was in these early days the George
Small claim. Alex and John Small (living) and Wm Currie also arrived
in 1854.
----------------------------------------
Source:
From an old photocopy of a news article in the author's files.
Probably from the CG Sentinel.
“UNCLE
JIM” SHORTRIDGE, PIONEER OF 1857, DIES EARLY THIS MORNING.
Immediate
Cause of Death was Rheumatism. --Was Among Best known of Early
Residents and Life Had Been a Most Active One.
James.
H. Shortridge one of the best known and most highly respected
members of Lane County, died at 12O'clock last night, following a
short illness. Mr. Shortridge had undergone an operation ofr rupture
a week or so ago, but it is thought this did not contribute
materially to his death.
Mr.
Shortridge was one of the first survivors of the earliest pioneers of
the Cottage Grove country, coming her in 1851 when there was little
else but Indians and varmints. He took a donation claim six miles
south of here upon which he resided until retiring in 1906. He was
the first white child born in Lafayette, Tippecanoe county, Indiana.
He was married March 13, 1853, at Santiam City, Marion county, to
Amelia S. Adams.
The
life of Mr. Shortridge was an active one. During the time he was
operating his farm, he served 40 years as head of the blacksmith for
the old California & Oregon stage line, was road supervisor of a
district as large as a good sized county, was a member of the school
board, was senior deacon in the Christian church and also special
deputy sheriff. He also served several years as secretary of the
Union league and was color Sargent of the Coast Fork Rangers, E troop
of the state militia.
Mr.
Shortridge was a grand-nephew of Daniel Boone. He was aged 85 years
3 months and 8 days and had been a reader of the Oregonian since it
was first issued. He remembered paying $6 per year for the weekly
edition.
The
funeral will be held at 1 O'clock Saturday afternoon from the
Christian church.
Surviving
relatives are the wife and the following children: Boone of this
city, Mrs. J.W. Harris, of Eugene; Mrs. J.J. Weeden of this city;
and Mrs. Olive Lacey of Portland.
----------------------------------------
Source:
Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley
Oregon. Chapman
Publishing
Company, 1903. p. 1499.
WILLIAM
W. SHORTRIDGE
dentified
with the agricultural interests of Lane county William W. Shortridge
was also taken a broad view of other pursuits, having served for
fourteen years as postmaster of Wallace. He was born in Muscatine,
Iowa, March 31, 1836, the son of Samuel B. S. Shortridge, a pioneer
of 1852, who was born in Bourbon county, Ky., in 1798, a relative of
Daniel Boone. At a very early age he accompanied his parents to
Indiana, where they made their home for many years. He early learned
the trade of a blacksmith and followed this in addition to farming.
In his young manhood he married Emily A. Heath, "also a native
of Kentucky, and after locations in Indiana, Iowa and Illinois, they
crossed the plains with ox-teams and came direct to Lane county,
where he took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres,
located seven miles south of Cottage Grove, which he improved and
cultivated until 1858, when he took up his residence with J. H.
Shortridge, where he lived the balance of his life. Besides William
W., of this review, he had five children, of whom James H. is a
resident of Lane county, and Caroline D. became the wife of Hiram
Stewart, of Goshen, the others being deceased. The mother died in
Iowa. Samuel B. S. Shortridge was always active in politics and also
as a member of the Church of Christ.
William
W. Shortridge grew to the age of sixteen years in his home in the
middle west, receiving his education in the district schools, and
after the journey west he remained at home until he married and
located on Coast Fork, six miles south of Cottage Grove, where he
lived three years. He then removed to Pass Creek near Divide and
remained for a period of two years, when he bought one hundred and
sixty acres of land eleven miles south of Cottage Grove, upon which
he has since made his home. The improvement and cultivation of these
broad, rich acres have been the pleasure and profit of Mr. Shortridge
in the passing years, and he has bent every effort toward bringing
his farm to a high state of perfection. He has a comfortable home,
one of the best south of Cottage Grove, and has also erected other
buildings which go to improve the value and facilitate the operation
of the farm. In 1883 Mr. Shortridge built a saw-mill on his place and
has since conducted it with success. He now has two hundred acres of
land, eighty of which are under cultivation, carrying on general
farming and stock-raising. In the midst of his pursuits Mr.
Shortridge, like many others, was called upon to defend his home and
adopted state against the depredations of the savages in the Rogue
River war, enlisting February 13, 1856, in Company A, under the
command of Captain Ladshaw. During his service of four months and
nineteen days he participated in the battles at Cow creek and Big
Meadow, and many minor engagements. Upon his discharge he returned to
his work on the farm.
The
marriage of Mr. Shortridge united him with Miss Ellen Jane Keyes, a
native of Illinois, and to them have been born eleven children, all
of whom are now living and named in order of birth are as follows:
William C.; Silas S.; Samantha J., the wife of William Brown; A. W.;
Gilbert L.; Samuel P.; Emily L., the wife of Edward Adams; Lillie S.
married George Sutherland; Lucy Ann married Lyman Adams; Carrie F.;
and Lester A. The two last named still make their home with their
parents, while the others reside in the vicinity. In political
preference Mr. Shortridge is a Populist and has always taken an
active part in public affairs, holding at various times the minor
offices of this vicinity.
----------------------------------------
Source:
From an old photocopy of a news article in the author's files.
Probably from the CG Sentinel, April, 1922.
W.
W. SHORTRIDGE, PIONEER OF '52, IS GONE
Was
One of the First Couples Married by Squire Vaughn and Family of
Eleven.
William
Wallace Shortridge, member of one of the earliest of the pioneer
families, himself a pioneer of 1852 and for nearly three-quarters of
a century a resident of this section, died Saturday at the age of
more than 86 years, being the first to die in the family of which he
was the head. The funeral was held Monday from the family home,
S.B. Kern officiating, and interment was in the pioneer Taylor-Lane
cemetery.
Mr.
Shortridge was a member of one of the first two or three families to
settle on the Coast fork and was for 14 years postmaster at Wallace
(now London). He and Miss Ellen Jane Keyes, also a daughter of a
pioneer family, were the first couple to be married by Squire Vaughn,
who later performed several hundred of such ceremonies. The wedding
was held August 4, 1861, on the pioneer Hawley place and was one of
the earliest weddings of this section. They celebrated their
sixtieth anniversary last year. Mr. Shortridge was a relative of
Daniel Boone and also of United States Senator Sam Shortridge of
California. He was born March 31, 1836 at Muscatine, In, his parents
being Mr. and Mrs Samuel Boone S. Shortridge.
Mr.
And Mrs Wallace Shortridge first located six miles south of Cottage
Grove, moving a few years later to Pass Creek, about the same
distance south of here, later returning and purchasing a place 11
miles south of here (at Wallace), where they lived until moving into
the city a number of years ago. Mr. Shortridge was a farmer and
blacksmith and took and active part in the affairs of the community.
He was a member of Co. A in the Rouge River Indian war and
participated in the battle of Cow Creek and Big Meadow under Captain
Ladshaw (sic).
In 1883 one of the pioneer sawmills was erected on his place but
was long ago dismantled.
Of
11 children born to the union, all are living, all in Cottage Grove
or only a short distance away. They are Alonso, Lester, Samuel,
Clarence, and Sherman Shortridge, all of Cottage Grove, and Lane
Shortridge of Roseburg; Mrs. Wm. Brown, Mrs. Lyman Adams, Mrs . Bud
Thorn, and Mrs. George Sutherland, all of Cottage Grove. All were
present at the funeral.
Grandchildren
are as follows: Mrs. Delbert Wills, Weed, Calif.; Herbert Shortridge
and Norman Adams of Los Angeles, Calif.; Clifford Shortridge of
Honolulu; Mrs. Fred McCoy, Bayfield Colorado; Mrs. Ellen Hunter of
Washington and Ellena, Donald, Harold, Clifton and Claude Shortridge,
and Ada, Claire, Rex, Glen, Wallace, Melvin and Clifton Adams of
Cottage Grove.
----------------------------------------
Source:
From an old photocopy of a news article in the author's files.
News source unknown. The copy appears to be only of part of the
article and it was difficult to read.
(Boone
Shortridge)
".
. . settled down to the chosen profession of a hewer of wood and a
drawer of water?” That question brought forth sort of a withering
look to old Boone's face, that indicated he held no small amount of
contempt for the interviewers idea of “settling down,” as he
turned back to the years that are his _______ continued.
“
______ at ______ Oregon in the spring of 1877, for the Nes Perce
Indian War. In this service I carried a dispatch from General O.O.
Howard, across the Rocky mountains to General Miles, who was at that
time, colonel of the fifth U.S. Infantry. General Miles gave me the
name of Oregon Howard for disobeying an order to retreat. A
detachment was fighting Indians, almost hand to hand, and it was
getting too hot for us, so the General ordered a retreat. I was in a
pretty safe place, which wa more dangerous to get out of than to
stay, so I hung on. I was a volunteer and I thought I had a right
to do my fighting in my own way. They had to send a detachment to
hold the Indians in check until I could make my getaway. As it
happened I killed a big Indian, captured his war bonnet and gun, and
by some friendly influence from other officers, I just missed court
martial. I _________ to Oregon and spent the winter of 1877-8 at
the Christian college at Monmonth. Then I farmed for a year or two,
then I went to southern Oregon and worked in the placer diggings in
Grant county.”
TIRES
OF MINES.
“Tiring
of the mines, I hunted two _____ in Grant county for the marshal. I
then worked on a cattle ranch for several years, after which I took
up stage driving, carrying the United States mail two winters across
the mountains, from Canyon City to old Fort Barney. It was in 188__
that I came home and worked in the sawmills and logging camps, until
1886, when I went to eastern Oregon with a band of cattle, wintering
at Burns in 1887. From when at the first call, I enlisted at
Marysville, for three years, in the war against Spain. I was sworn
into the United States service at Camp Barrett. Five miles south of
Oakland, California. I enlisted again in the United States service
during the Boxer rebellion, in 1900. I was in all the principle
battles in that war and then was transferred to the Philippine
Islands against the Moros, on the island of Mindano. Yes”, said
this soldier of fortune, “that was a war in one against those
fanatics. It was a case of kill or be killed. At the close of my
enlistment I came back to San Francisco, and worked in the union Iron
Works several months, then went to riding after stock again in
Alameda and San Bennito counties.”
SPORTS
RECALLED
Here
our correspondent threw in a question that he had been intending to
spring on this western spirit of pioneer days. “Someone was
telling me the other day that you were an athlete in your earlier
days, Boone, but I told him I didn't believe it—how about it?”
It
was then that old Boone sent out one of those penetrating flashes of
the eye, that, with just any kind of unexpected movement of the hand
would make you feel like getting your “heels to the wall”, and in
a moment said: “Don't believe it, eh? Well, I was from boyhood,
fast on foot. I was the first one to run the hundred in ten seconds
on the Pacific Coast. It gave me the name of 'Flying Webfoot!' I
beat the champion of Oregon, Courtney Weeks, at the state fair.
Jumping hammond, my hop-step jump was 47 feet; my broad jump was 23
and ½ feet. I out ran and out jumped everyone while I was in the
United States service, and I beat the best man in the navy running
and jumping at Mare Island.”
“Someone
was telling me not so very long ago that you used to step some,
Boone, and I think they said . . . (missing)
for
a minute and then said: “Well, let's see. That was in 1875.
Father and several Cottage Grove folks were there. I ran a one
hundred race against a man by the name of Johnson, form New York, who
claimed to be the champion of the United States. I beat him by 12
feet. They held a stop watch on me and gave me a record of 10
seconds flat. I could go some in those days—and my stride was 11
and ½ feet.”
“Who
trained you in those days, Boone?”
HAD
NO TRAINING
“Who
trained me?” said Boone. “Bless you, I never had a trainer in
my life—I just trained myself, and I've worked many a long trying
hour at it. I had two rubber grips, that I always used, ran erect
and my footwear was moccasins, half-calf high, with a very light
leather sole, just enough to hold a very short dirt grip. One race I
was in,” said Boone, with a grin, “they scattered buckshot on my
track for about forty feet down from the score. I just happened to
work over the track before the race was started and discovered it.
I made them sweep the track before I'd run.” Then Mr. Shortridge
checked back to the state fair week, when, “during the same week I
ran a _____ yard race against a man they called Wicks. On Saturday,
the same week, I ran a mile race and won. I also jumped against
Courtney Weeks in _____ -hammond, and beat him, establishing a record
of 47 feet.”
Foot
racing was a very popular sport in those days, in Oregon, and, in
fact for many years later, according to Mr. Shortridge, and he
recalls that “the true names of the foot racers, and the country
was full of them, were second known, nearly every one of the boys
having a racing name. Down at Ashland, some time later,” said Mr.
Shortridge, “I ran against 'Plow Boy' in a 100-yard race and beat
him. I don't know what his correct name was. Just _________ one:
and someone told me he got his racing name when a span of mules ran
away one day, down in California, and he took after 'em and caught
'em.”
“Well
Boone,” said the interviewer, “some of these days I'm going to
worry you until you give me an Indian story, and some of your hunting
experiences.”
Twas
then that Boone Shortridge sent his blue eyes out across the
foothills that rolled back and away from the log we were sitting on
and said, with just a hint of the old time westerner, “Yes, I've
been chased by savages and angry bulls. I've had mix ups with one
grizzly, two cinnamon and one yellow faced-bears, and I got 'em all.
I've been trailed several times by cougars. One of them tried to
crawl my frame. I killed him. I have faced death on the range in a
wild stampede. I've been on the sea and on the battle field; and
where I've been in some places, I'd given something to be out of,
I've someway managed to keep my nerve.”
“Well
Boone,” said the man about town, “your years have been crowded
with the events of the adventurous, that you haven't had time to
enjoy the comforts of a real home, have you?” Then an expression
came over old Boone's face, that made me bite my wagging tongue and
wish I hadn't said it. Twas a sigh that I heard and then -- “I
was married on the eleventh of August, 1917 at Eugene, to Tulen E.
DeWald. I laid my wife in the cemetery on the thirteenth of March,
1927; and so now, I am just waiting for the summons to join her.”
We
arose as one man, and we looked into the deep canyon of the
woodland—for a long time.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinel, Cottage Grove, Oregon, August 1917.
OLDEST
LIVING CHILD BORN HERE IS MARRIED
When
Frank Boone Shortridge and Miss Tulen E. DeWald, both of this
city, were married at Eugene Saturday, there ended for Mr. Shortridge
61 years of watchful waiting for the girl who just suited, although
he is not a watchful waiter in any other way, and will not allow his
marriage to interfere with duty to country should his services be
needed. Mr. Shortridge is the oldest living white child born in
Cottage Grove and a son of those well known pioneers, “Aunt”
Amelia Shortridge and the late James H. Shortridge. He was a well
known athlete and sprinter during his younger years and would still
pass for 20 years less then his actual age. The bride is 45 years of
age and a native of Tennessee, although she has lived here a number
of years. She is a daughter of the late W.V. DeWald. The wedding was
quietly solemnized at the Hotel Osburn, Rev. H.W. Davis, of the
Baptist church, officiating, and Mr. and Mrs. Osburn being the only
other witnesses.
----------------------------------------
|
|
Franklin
Boone Shortridge and Tullen DeWald. This was likely their wedding
picture taken in 1917. Boone Shortridge was the oldest son of
James H. Shortridge and Amelia S. Adams. Boone was the author of
an early Shortridge history that was later added upon and passed
around as a Shortridge family tree.
|
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinel,
Cottage Grove, Oregon, Thursday, January 21,
1926.
First
White Child 70 Years Old
Boone
Shortridge observed his seventieth birthday anniversary Wednesday
and in honor of the occasion the following relatives were here: Mrs.
J.W. Harris, sister, Mrs. S.J. Dillard, sister, Miss Audrey Langdon,
sister, also of Eugene; Mrs. J.J. Weeden, sister, Norwalk, Calif.
Only one sister was not able to be present, Mrs. Olive Lacey of
Portland. Boone is the first white child born south of Cottage Grove.
----------------------------------------
Source:
The Cottage Grove Sentinel, Cottage Grove, Oregon,
Thursday, January 28, 1927.
MRS.
BOONE SHORTRIDGE SUCCUMBS TO TUMOR.
Mrs.
Boone Shortridge died early this morning at a Eugene hospital,
where she had been taken last evening for an operation for tumor.
She was in such a weakened condition that she died before the
operation could be performed. The funeral will be held here but the
date has not been set.
Tullen
Estelle DeWald was born January 11, 1873 in Tennessee. She arrived
here in 1890 with her family and was married to Boone Shortridge
August 11, 1917. Surviving her are the husband;
four brothers, Charles DeWald, this city; Henry L. DeWald,
Canyonville; W.M. And J.D. DeWald, Montrose, S.D., and one sister,
Mrs Sherman Shortridge, Lorane.
XI.
Descendants of Caroline, James, and WW Shortridge
What
follows is a list of descendants of the children of Samuel Boone
Shortridge and Emily Heath. A primary source for much of this
information is a 1960's-era mimeograph copy of a Shortridge family
history that appears to have been nucleated around an earlier family
history written by Franklin Boone Shortridge (1).
A small amount of information has been updated by the author of the
present work. Some of the information on Emmons and Dillard was
obtained from others (2).
Admittedly, this list is not complete and much of the information
needs to be verified. However, it represents what information I
have at this time. Birth dates have been omitted for
living persons because of privacy and security concerns.
Descendants
of Caroline Drennon Shortridge
(1)
Caroline Drennan Shortridge, born either May 24, 1828
in Tippecanoe Co. and died
July
2, 1919 (Death Cert.) in Eugene, Oregon. She is on the 1850
Millersbur Mercer Co., Ill Census living with a James and Eliza
Yemons (Emmons?). This is two farms away from James W. Emmons’
family. (Father is Tillman Emmons). She married James Whitely Emmons
on Jan.4, 1852 in Millersburg Mercer Co., Illinois. He was born Jan
19, 1828 in Indiana and died Feb. 14, 1870 in Lane Co., Oregon. He
is descended from James Emmons who fought for his brother, William in
the Revolutionary War. Five known children. Second marriage to Hiram
Stewart May 30, 1872. He born Feb 27, 1821 And died July 25, 1892.
Burial in Creswell Cemetery Lane Co., Oregon. Caroline Shortridge
came to Oregon via wagon on the Oregon Trail in 1866.
(2)
Samuel T Emmons born 1851 died 1851. Buried in Duncan
Cemetery, Mercer Co.,
Illinois.
(Burial records from Nadine Holder say he died March 1, 1855 at the
age of 6
months).
(2)
Samantha Jane Emmons was born October 6, 1852 in Mercer Co.,
Illinois, and died
April
27, 1944 in Eugene, Oregon. She is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in
Eugene.
She
married Moses Luther Dillard August 4, 1875 in Lane Co., Oregon. He
was born
Jan.
18, 1875 in Cass Greene Co., Missouri and died August 1889 in Lane
Co.,
Oregon.
He came with his family to Lane County Oregon from Greene County MO.
in
1856
on “The Singing Train”. He is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in
Eugene,
Oregon.
Luther and Samantha Dillard had 4 boys.
(3)
Earl Norman Dillard born Jul 23, 1876 and died July 6, 1928 in
Lane Co., Oregon
He
married Mina Elizabeth Brabham Oct 27 (year?) She was born in 1884 in
Kansas
and
died March 31, 1935 in Oregon. Earl was a civil engineer and was
electrocuted
on
his job.
(4)
Anna L. Dillard born Oct. 27, 1907 in Beaverton, Oregon and
died Oct 6,
2004.
She married Lee Valentine Oct 6, 1942. Her name is Anna Eman on her
obituary
so she must have been married a second time.
(5)
Kenneth N Dillard born Nov 24, 1930 in Oregon and died March
7, 2002
in
Alaska. Anna not married at the time. He was adopted by Frank and
Kay
Dillard.
(4)
Kenneth M Dillard born April 1, 1906 and died Aug. 22 ,1929. He
was also
electrocuted
on his job according to Anna’s Obit. (Olive Dillard says he
died
in a motorcycle accident.)
(3)
Walter Boone Dillard born Feb. 6, 1878 and died Dec. 27,
1952.He was married
three
times. (according to family) First marriage was to Edith Gallagly.
She was
born
in 1884 in Indiana and died Aug 21, 1933. She is on the 1920 Census
and is
divorced.
Walter married next Cora Hartley (according to family records.) She
was
born in 1885 and died 5 Feb., 1944 of cancer. She was a registered
nurse. The
third
marriage was to Edith Danstram, March 17, 1945.
(3)
Frank Carleton Dillard was born Dec. 28, 1880 and died Dec 15,
1961. He married
Catherine
(Kay) McRae June 28, 1916. (Her family brought the first Angus beef
cattle
to Oregon.) Kay was born March 4, 1896 and died May 21, 1999.
(4)
Kathleen J. Dillard married Kneeland Stone on Feb. 27, 1942.
Kneeland was
born
27 Dec. 1918 in Iowa and died Dec 27, 1918 in Sacramento California.
Kathleen
is still living (2008).
(5)
John Christopher Stone. He was born April 11, 1944 in
California He
posted
Samantha’s wagon train account on-line. He married Kathleen M
Chamberlain
(Kitty) Jun 7, 1983 in San Mateo, California. They have
three
children; Dylan, John, and Molly. They divorced Sept. 8, 2003 in
Carson
City, Nevada which is where they resided in 2000.
(5)
Cynthia Kay Stone was born 30 Oct., 1949 in San Mateo,
California. Last
known
lived in Russia.
(4)
Shirlee Ann Dillard born 1925. Still living. Married Dr James
Perkins
Sept. 19, 1947. He was born May 17, 1916 and died May 27, 2006/7
They
adopted 2 children.
(5)
Heather Perkins
(5)
Jaimie Perkins.
(3)
John Luther Dillard born Jan 14, 1884 and died Feb 5, 1931. He
married
Angeline
Smith Jan. 14, 1910. She was born Oct. 6, 1888 in Pardeeville
Columbia
Co., Wisconsin and died July ,1975 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(4)
John Luther Dillard Jr. Died as infant Dec. 22, 1922. He
is buried in the
Masonic
Cemetery in Eugene, Oregon.
(4)
Olive Jane Dillard born 1924. Still living. Married Richard
Mann
Evans
Apr. 30, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. He was born August 18,
1921
in Minneapolis, Minn. He is still living.
(5)
Kathleen Gail Evans born April 9, 1947. Married Lyle Lipscomb
March
17, 1978 in Milwaukee, Wis. Divorced. No issue.
(5)
Twin boys born? Died at birth
(5)
Holly Jane Evans born 1950 in Milwaukee, Wis. Still living.
Married
Thomas Knudsen. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis. 1950.
They
were divorced 2007 in Colorado.
(6)
Garrett Knudsen was born 1977 in Minneapolis, Minn. He
married
Sarah Levin April, 2007.
(6)
Jonathan Knudsen was born 1980 in Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
He is single.
(6)
Katie Knudsen was born 1982 in Darien, Conn. She is
single.
(5)
Richard Stanley Evans born 1952 in Milwaukee. Still living.
Not
married.
(2)
William Boone Emmons was born March 22, 1856 in Rock Island
C0., Illinois, and
died
March 28, 1933 in Battleground, Washington. He married Elisabeth
Eleanor Gray
in
Goshen, Oregon Dec, 22, 1878.
(3)
Sarah (Sadie) Drennon Emmons was born March 25, 1880 in Grove
Springs,
Oregon
and died Oct 23, 1953 in Springfield, Oregon. She married Claude
Lawrence
Smith
Sept. 28, 1902 in Goshen, Oregon. She married second James Laxton.
She is
buried
in Bellefountain Cemetery with Claude L. Smith. The grave tone
reads: “Claude S. and Sadie Smith, Sarah Drennan Emmons d/o
William and Ella Gray Emmons. Sadie March 25, 1880-Oct 23, 1953.
Claude L. Smith May 5, 1872-April 2, 1927.” There is a child on
the stone too. “Olin Claude Smith April 13, 1918-March 10, 1920,
Our Beloved Child” Two of their children are also buried there.
Alford Boone Smith 1912-1986 and Carl Austin Smith, 1904-1947.
(4)
Myrtle Drennon Smith Born Aug, 1904 in Coburn Lane Co.,
Oregon. She
Married
George Carl Humphrey July 7, 1923 in Benton Co., Oregon
(5)
Joan W. Humphrey born 1924.
(5)
George R. Humphrey born 1925
(5)
Iola R. Humphrey born 1928
(5)
Male child?.
(4)
Carl Austin Smith born Aug. 18, 1904 in Coburn Lane Co., and
died Jan. 11,
1947
in Springfield Lane, Co., Oregon. He married Gladys E. Perin
June
17,1927 in Benton Co., Oregon. Gladys was born 1908 in Oregon.
(5)
Richard R. Smith born 1928.
(4)
Martha Eleanor Smith born Feb. 6, in Benton Co., Oregon and
died Sept. 10,
1974.
She married Ray Turrell Dec. 25, 1934 in Oregon. She had one living
child.
(4)
Alfred Boone Smith born May 20, 1912 in Bellefountain Malheur
Co., Oregon
and
died June 15, 1986. He married Lila Gertrude Schumacher Nov. 6, 1937
in
Skimania Co., Washington. She was born March 29, 1911.
(4)
Olin Claud Smith was born April 13, 1918 in Benton Co.,
Oregon and died
March
10, 1920.
(3)
Myron Keeler (Keeler) Emmons was born Jan. 20, 1882 in Goshen
Lane Co.,
Oregon
and died Jan. 11, 1957 Benton Co., Oregon. (Oregon death records) or
Tuscon,
Arizona (family sheets). He married Laura Zimbrick Nov. 24, 1935 in
Beaverton
Lane Co., Oregon. Laura Zimbrick born July 7, 1896 in Minnesota and
died
Oct. 1981 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(4)
William Keeler Emmons was born Nov. 4, 1922 and was adopted.
He
married
Delores Flores May 29, 1945. Delores was born June 10, 1926.
(5)
Ronald Dean Emmons was born 1947.
(4)
Elbert Edwin Emmons was born July 26, 1924. He was adopted.
He married
Iona
Riser March 11, 1944. She was born July 18, 1925. They were divorced
1952.
Elbert second marriage to Patricia
Kiss (?) born in England.
(5)
Carol Jeanette Emmons born 1946 She married Fred Nickelson.
(5)
Rickie Lee Emmons born 1948.
(5)
James Edwin Emmons born 1955.
(5)
Wayne Emmons born 1957.
(3)
Louanna Eleanor Emmons was born July 6, 1884 in Deer Creek,
Oregon and
died
March, 1961 in Multnomah Co., Oregon. She married Elwood Dix Boring
Marc
Mar
12, 1904 in Vancouver. He was born October 30, 1882 and died May
1976.
She
married second Manley E. Underhill before 1930. He was born July 4,
1885 in
Oregon
and died May 12,1946 in Oregon.
(4)
Edward Emmons Boring married June 15, 1905 in Oregon and died
May,
1976.
(4)
Milton Drennan Boring born Sept., 21, 1911 and died March
1981.
(4)
Dora Underhill Boring.
(3)
Freeland Boone Emmons born April 28, 1886 in Crook Co., Oregon
and died
Mar
15, 1968 in Multnomah Co., Oregon. He married June 24, 1911 Pearl
Harriet
McLain.
She was born 1890 in Minnesota.
(4)
Robert C. Emmons born Jan. 20, 1921 in Oregon and died August
25, 2002.
(3)
Louis Victor Emmons born March 25, 1888 in Crook, Oregon, and
died May 17,
1974
in Marion Co., Oregon. He married twice. First he married Nellie N.
Tullock
Dec.14,
1910. She was born June 12, 1893 and died Sept. 12, 1912. She is
buried
in
Union Grove Cemetery, Cedar Mills, Oregon. One son, Louis Verle
Emmons
born
1912 in Oregon. He married second Susie J. Bonner August 31. She
was
born
Jun 15, 1896 in South Dakota and died Feb. 5, 1985 in Marion Co.,
Oregon.
(3)
Mary Caroline Emmons born May 22, 1890 and died May 8, 1971
in Battleground
Washington.
She married Roy Guy Kelley April 7, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. He
was
born Feb 9, 1891 in Tenn. And died March 7, 1975 in California.
(4)
Elton Roy Kelley born Jan. 25, 1917 and died Dec. 19, 1986 in
California.
(4)
Maurice Emmons Kelley born Jan. 19, 1918 and died March 20,
2005 in
California.
(3)
Horace Gray Emmons was born July 3, 1892 in Crook Co., Oregon
and died Sept.
15,
1970 in Beaverton, Oregon. He married Opal Belle Hilsabeck Jan. 15,
1916 in
Oregon.
She was born Jan. 31, 1899 in Iowa and died Jan. 16,1983 in
Beaverton,
Oregon.
(4)
Franklin B. Emmons was born 1918 in Oregon.
(4)
Gale Emmons born Sept. 21, 1920 and died March 2, 1990 in
Oregon.
(4)
Lewis Emmons born 1922 in Oregon.
(3)
Oma Belle Emmons was born August 5, 1894 in Goshen Lane Co.,
Oregon, and
died
Oct. 31, 1967 in Monmouth, Oregon. She married William Frederick
McBee
family
sheets) Mcbeeamer (?) Dec. 24, 1933 in Battleground, Washington.
(3)
James Olin Emmons was born Jan. 19, 1897 in Goshen Lane Co.,
Oregon and
died
May 6, 1976. He is buried in Willamette West Cemetery. He married
three
Times
First, he married Henrietta Sommer. Second marriage to Eleanor D.
Third
marr
to Virginia Louise Tompkins. She is buried next to James. She was
born Feb.
4,
1911 and died March 16, 1998. He was a Major in the U.S. Calvary and
served
in
the campaign against Pancho Villa and in France during THE GREAT WAR.
In
peacetime
he raised cattle and horses for the Army which were still a feature
of the
military
up to 1942. (This from James Boone Tschen Emmons.)
(3)
Alton Walter Emmons was born Dec.22, 1898 and died May 31,
1988 in Tuilatin,
Oregon.
He married Edith Margaret Emmerick in Portland, Oregon. She was born
Oct
7, 1905 and died Sept. 7, 1991 in Portland, Oregon.
4.
James Emmons born 1927 in Oregon.
4.
Jeanne Emmons born 1928 in Oregon
4.
Suzanne Emmons born 1929 in Oregon
(3)
Roy Limerick Emmons was born Dec. 21, 1900 in Beaverton,
Oregon and died
Oct
5, 1927 in Crescent Grove, Oregon. He never married.
(3)
Cecil Drennon Emmons was born April 18, 1904 in Beaverton,
Oregon and died
Oct
14, 1989. He married Lunette Hedgepath April 30, 1935 in Portland,
Oregon.
She
was born April 30, 1900 and died Jan. 5, 1993 in Arizona.
(3)
Ruth Emmons was born March 23, 1905 and died March 23, 1905.
(3)
Ruby Emmons was born March 23, 1905
(2)
I.D.(Idee) Emmons was born August 4, 1858 in Millersburg,
Illinois, and died Jun 5,
1937
at Creswell, Oregon. She Married Charles Howe June 27, 1878. Charles
Howe
was
born Dec. 4, 1853 in Evansville, Wisconsin and died Jan 14, 1934.
(3)
Hannah D. Howe born Nov. 1878 in Oregon. She married Laurence
S. Hunter
Sept.
20, 1905. She died March 6, 1906
(3)
Irma Howe born July 1883 in Oregon. She married Fern W. Ogram
Jan. 5, 1909.
Fern
was born Sept. 12, 1878 in Pennsylvania and died Feb. 23, 1948.
(4)
Vivian Ogram born March 18, 1913. She married George W. Ross
June 14,
1942.
He was born in Springfield, Mo. August 19, 1911.
(5)
Margaret Ann Ross
was born Sept. 5, 1948 and died at birth.
(2)
James Freeman Emmons was born April 7, 1861 in Millersburg
Mercer Co., Illinois
and
died Dec 8, 1894. He is buried in Creswell Cemetery, Lane Co.,
Oregon.
Descendants
of James Henderson Shortridge
(1)
James Henderson Shortridge was born July 18, 1831 in
Tippecanoe Co., Indiana and
died
Oct. 26, 1916 in Lane Co., Oregon.
James came to Oregon via the Oregon Trail in 1851 in 'Millers Train',
said to have covered the trip in one of the fastest times known.
James Henderson Shortridge married Amelia Savannah
Adams on April 7, 1853. Amelia
was born on Feb 12, 1833 and came to Oregon from Iowa in 1852 in the
same wagon train as Samuel Boone Shortridge and William Wallace
Shortridge, of which her father, John Franklin
Adams, was the wagon-master. Amelia Adams is said to be the first
white woman to set foot in sight of what is now the Dam near
Shortridge Park, south of Cottage Grove, Oregon. Amelia
Adams died
on Jul 31, 1919. James Henderson
Shortridge and Amelia Susanna Adams had seven known children.
(2)
Emily R. Shortridge was born 25 or 21 April, 1854 in Lane
Co., Oregon and died in
a
fire June 8, 1858.
(2)
Franklin Boone Shortridge was born Jan. 20, 1856 in Lane Co.,
Oregon and died
Dec
25., 1929 in Los Angeles, California. (Death Certificate) He is
buried in the Los
Angeles
National Military Cemetery. He married Tulen Estelle Dewald August
11,
1917
in Oregon. She was born Jan. 11, 1873 in Tennessee and died March
28, 1927
in
Eugene Lane Co., Oregon. She is buried in Cottage Grove. He had
quite a
colorful
life. He was a soldier in the Spanish American War and Boxer
Rebellion,
fought
Indians, and was a miner. In his younger years he was a famous
athlete and
track
man. He spent his final years in a Military Home in California.
(2)
Mary Rosetta Shortridge was born Jan. 20, 1857 in Lane Co.,
Oregon, and died Feb
27,
1927 in Eugene Lane Co., Oregon. She married John William Harris June
26,
1875.
He was born March 4, 1854 in Putnam Co., Indiana and died June 6,
1918. He
came
to Oregon in 1865.
(3)
Madison Curtis Harris (Curtis) born Jan 5, 1877 and died Nov.
23, 1947. He
Married
Vera Wilson June 5, 1908. Vera died Jan 19, 1916. Second marriage to
Edna
Pollen Oct 6, 1940. One daughter, Veral Wilson who died at birth.
(3)
Edith Maude Harris born Dec. 28, 1878. She married Leon
Cromwell Martin
Nov.
17, 1897.
(4)
Leon Martin born March 9, 1899 and died Jan. 19, 1916. He
married
Hazel.
They had two children, Leon Martin Jr. and Barbara Martin.
(3)
Edna Olin Harris born April 5, 1886. She married Claude gray
Dec. 4, 1907.
Claude
was born Feb. 2, 1884, the son of Capt. Issac Gray and Dorothy King.
(4)
Eva Rosalind Gray born Oct 16, 1914 at Eugene, Oregon
(4)
Edna Gray born June 17, 1918 in Eugene, Oregon. She married
Kenneth
Milo
Bilderback Sept. 24, 1944 in Salem, MA. He was born August 19,
1917
and died July 12, 1999 in Coos Co., Oregon
(5)
David Earl Bilderback
(5)
Michael Lee Biderback born March 19, 1946 and died Sept. 19,
1983.
(5)
Claude Gray Bilderback
(3)
George Miles Harris born May 5, 1897 and died Feb 19, 1936
(2)
William Johnson Shortridge was born July 20, 1859 and died
Feb. 5, 1861.
(2)
Lily Jane Shortridge was born Sep. 13, 1865 and died Feb 18,
1865.
(2)
Alice Amelia Shortridge was born Sep 13, 1862 and died May
30, 1949. She
married
twice. She married first James Perry Langdon Jun. 21, 1885. He was
born
Oct
29, 1856 and died Sept 1, 1896 in Lane Co., Oregon. He is buried in
Taylor-Lane
Cemetery.
Alice A. married second John J.
Weeden Aug. 30, 1900..He was born Sep
30,
1875 in Nebraska.
(3)
Mary Agnes Langdon married Orville Smith Spear. He was born
Nov. 14, 1884
In
BlueValley, Nebraska and died Feb. 13, 1962 in Los Angeles,
California.
(4)
Frances June Spear born 1915. She married a Stevens and had
three boys.
(4)
Robert Spear born 1918. He had three girls.
(4)
Donna M. Spear born 1923.
(3)
Leslie James Langdon born Oct 8, 1885. Died single.
(3)
Clyde Lorraine Langdon born Jun 21, 1890 in Cottage Grove,
Oregon. He
married
twice. First he married Jenny. Second he marriage to Eva.
(4)
Elizabeth Langdon married a Doggett. She was born 1914.
(4)
Margaret Langdon married a Waterman She was born 1915.
(4)
James Langdon born 1916
(3)
Audrey B Langdon born Oct 24, 1892 and died July, 1969 in Lane
Co., Oregon.
She
married James Hayes. He was born March 17, 1876 in Nebraska and died
Nov.
28, 1963 in Oregon.
(4)
Alice Hayes born 1916. She married a Kennicott and had three
children.
(4)
Helen Hayes born 1900. She married a Hadlock.
(4)
Phyllis Jean Hayes. She married an Asher.
(3)
Arlie Ellen Langdon was born Sept 17, 1895 and died July,
1987.. She married
Dr
Bird Glenn Vinson (Dentist) Nov. 11, 1917. He was born Jan. 6, 1882
and
died
June 27, 1933. Arlie married second
William P. Meyers.
(4)
Ruth Vinson born 1919. She married a Bishop.
(3)
Eva A. Weeden born Feb 7, 1902 and died Nov. 9, 1918
(3)
Evart Weeden born Feb. 7, 1902.
(3)
Homer Dale Weeden born April, 1905 and died Nov.9, 1973.
(4)
Marilyn Weeden
(4)
Yvonne Weeden
(4)
Gordon Ada Weeden born May 1908 and died March 20, 1976. He
married
Lillian
Russell Jay. She was born Aug.24, 1916 and died May 19, 1989.
(2)
Sarah Olive Shortridge was born Dec. 29, 1866. She married
first Frank Jones.
She
married second Sam Lacey.
Descendants
of William Wallace Shortridge
(1)
William Wallace
Shortridge,
born 30 March 1836 in Muscatine County, Iowa. In 1852,
at
sixteen years of age, he went across the Oregon Trail with his
father, Samuel Boone Shortridge. He enlisted in the Rouge River
Indian Wars on 13 February 1856 in Company A under the command of
Captain Ladshaw. He participated in the battles of Cow Creek, Big
Meadows, and many other minor engagements. He was discharged after a
service of four months and nineteen days. He married Ellen Jane
Keyes 4 August 1861. Ellen Jane Keyes was born 12 March 1846 in
Hancock County, Illinois, a daughter of a Mormon family. The located
six miles south of Cottage Grove, OR, for three years, then
afterwards moved to Pass Creek near Divide, OR, for two years.
William Wallace Shortridge and Ellen Jane Keyes then bought one
hundred sixty acres of land eleven miles south of Cottage Grove. In
1883, he built a sawmill on this land. William Wallace died at his
home in Cottage Grove on 29 April 1922. Ellen Jane Keyes was killed
in a train-auto accident on 9 April 1926. William Wallace Shortridge
and Ellen Jane Keyes had eleven children.
(2)
William Clarence Shortridge, born Feb 5, 1863 at Divide, OR;
died Jan 7, 1939 at
Cottage
Grove, OR, married Martha Ann Harris; Martha Harris died May 1,
1939.
(3)
Nora Ellen Shortridge (died in infancy);
(3)
Ellis Vern Shortridge, born Mar 22, 1891; married Nina
Sandberg; no children.
(3)
Maybelle Shortridge, born Oct 8, 1898; married Murray Newton;
(4)
Eathel Ann Newton
(3)
Herbert Ray Shortridge, born Sep 22, 1902; married Irene
(4)
Margurite Shortridge
(4)
Patricia Shortridge
(3)
Claude Shortridge, born Dec 27, 1909; died at age 20 on Jul,
1930 in an accident
(large
rock fell on him) at the Black Butte Mines;
(2)
Silas Sherman Shortridge, born Nov 16, 1864 at London, OR;
died Jan 19, 1946 at
Lorane,
OR; married Fannie Maude Dewald on Jul 29, 1906 at Cottage Grove, OR.
(3)
Harold Clinton Shortridge, born Apr 18, 1907 at Cottage
Grove, OR; died Aug 8,
1989
at Brownsville, OR; married Nettie Belle Button on Jun 13, 1931.
(4)
Lloyd Wayne Shortridge, born at Cottage Grove, OR; married
Beverly Ann
Metcalf
on Aug 16, 1952 at Reedsport, OR;
(5)
Terry Wayne Shortridge, born
at Coos Bay, OR; married Leslie
Ann
Williamson on Sep 4, 1976;
(6)
Jennifer Marie Shortridge, born
Pensacola, FL;
(6)
Kristie Shortridge,
born CA;
(6)
Steven Shortridge, born
CA;
(5)
Randall Duane Shortridge, born
at Coos Bay, OR; married
Laura
Stewart on Apr 20, 1978;
(6)
Randall Duane Shortridge, Jr,
born at Denton,
TX;
married Theresa Ronson;
(7)
Micah Daniel Shortridge,
born at Newfane, NY;
(7)
Abigail Grace Shortridge,
born at Lockport, NY;
(6)
Daniel Stewart Shortridge,
born at Denton, TX;
(6)
Russell Wayne Shortridge,
born at Denton, TX;
(6)
Deborah Susanne Shortridge,
born at Denton, TX; Married
Robert Newman
(6)
Aimee Beth Shortridge,
born at Lafayette, IN;
(6)
Alyssa Dawn Shortridge,
born at Lockport, NY;
(5)
Susan Elaine Shortridge, born
at Coos Bay, OR;
(6)
Morgan Jean Mitchell, born
Clackamas, OR;
(4)
David Allen Shortridge, born Aug 4, 1945 at Cottage Grove,
OR;
(4)
un-named twin boys, born Jan 23, 1936 at Lorane, OR, and died
the same day.
(3)
Wilma Irene Shortridge,
born Jun 28, 1908; died Jan 1, 1909.
(3)
O. Clifton Shortridge, born Aug 28, 1909; died Jul 7, 1995 at
Bonney Lake, WA;
buried
at Cottage Grove, OR; married Dorothy Burgess on Jun 28, 1939 at
Lorane,
OR;
Dorothy died Jan 1994;
(4)
Barney Shortridge
(4)
Loren Shortridge
(2)
Samantha Jane Shortridge, born Sep 1, 1866 at London, OR;
died Sep 5, 1941;
married
William Brown Jan 13, 1889;
(3)
Aimee Brown, born Feb 14, 1890; married Fred McCoy on Dec 11,
1910 at
Cottage
Grove, OR;
(4)
Marie McCoy, born on Jan 5, 1913 at La Plata, New Mexico;
married Armona
Dunsworth
on Dec 14, 1936 in NM;
(5)
Harold Dean Dunsworth
(5)
Helen Arlene Dunsworth
(5)
Leland Dunsworth
(5)
Clifford Dunsworth
(4)
Chester McCoy, born on Sep 11, 1914 at Bayfield, CO; married
Melba Ethridge
on
Sep 15, 1939;
(5)
Wilma Shrel McCoy
(4)
Orville McCoy, born on Jan 12, 1917 at Bayfield, CO; married
Amelia Green
on
Feb 14, 1940;
(5)
Sandra McCoy
(5)
Edwin McCoy
(5)
Wendel McCoy
(4)
Rex McCoy, born on May 30, 1919 at Bayfield, CO; married
Alyce
Salamine
on Jan 5, 1946;
(5)
Ted McCoy
(5)
Sharon McCoy
(5)
Carol Hope McCoy
(4)
Harold McCoy, born on Mar 18, 1821 at Bayfield, CO; married
Martha Gibbs
on
Jun 27, 1948;
(5)
Margurite McCoy
(5)
Duane Wallace McCoy
(4)
Dale McCoy, born on Jan 5, 1923 at Bayfield, CO;
(4)
Audrey McCoy, born on June, 1925 at Bayfield, CO; married
Donald
Talmadge
on Nov 20, 1949;
(4)
Teddy McCoy, born on June 17, 1928 at Bayfield, CO; died May
14, 1931;
(4)
Herbert McCoy, born on Dec 22, 1930 at Bayfield, CO; died
May 14, 1931;
(3)
Mary Ellen Brown, born on Apr 16, 1898; married Floyd Hunter
on Sep 4,
1920
at Vancover, WA;
(4)
Virginia Hunter, born on June 14, 1921 at The Dalles, OR;
married James
Shirley
on Apr 10, 1940;
(5)
Charles Floyd Shirley (twin)
(5)
Charlotte Rose Shirley (twin)
(5)
Ellen Shirley
(4)
Lois Hunter, born on Jan 16, 1923 at Arleton, OR; died Oct
6, 1929 at
Eugene,
OR.
(4)
Maxine Hunter, born on Feb 24, 1924 at Salem, OR;
(4)
Patricia Hunter, born
on Dec 5, 1925 at Cottage Grove, OR;
(4)
William Roy Hunter, born on Jul 10, 1927 at Cottage Grove,
OR;
(4)
Michael Hunter, born on Apr 25, 1929 at Cottage Grove, OR;
(4)
Robin Hunter, born on May 7, 1932 at Cottage Grove, OR.
(3)
Annie L. Brown, born Jan 9, 1899; died Feb 15, 1899.
(2)
Alonzo Wesley Shortridge, born Apr 16, 1869 at London, OR;
died
Jun 19, 1951;
married
Clara Edell Adams who died during childbirth in Nov 1904;
(3)
Edna Adams,
born Sep 26, 1899.
(3)
baby
boy,
survived after death of mother during birth, died 8 Dec 1904 in arms
of Grandmother, Ellen Jane Keyes.
(2)
Gilbert Lane Shortridge, born Oct 12, 1871 at London, OR;
died Jul 18, 1946 at
Douglas
County, OR; married Martha Cox on Jul 19,1898;
(3)
Ellen Clair Shortridge, born Sep 20, 1899;
(3)
Elva Ann Shortridge, born May 1901; married J. Sanders on Aug
11, 1922
at
Roseburg, OR;
(4)
Margurite Sanders
(4)
Rebecca Sanders
(4)
Joe Sanders
(3)
Dorena Goberta Shortridge, born Sep 4, 1903; married Bob
Smith on Jun 30,
1932
at Lookingglass, OR;
(4)
David Smith
(4)
Paul Smith
(3)
Francis Willard Shortridge, born Apr 25, 1907; Willard was
killed-in-action
on
Dec 18, 1944, 3052 Engineers Combat Battalion.
(3)
Elizabeth Drennon Shortridge, born May 3, 1913; married
Winston Casper
at
Sunnyside, WA;
(4)
Keith Casper
(4)
Earl Casper
(3)
Doris Grace Shortridge, born Oct 28, 1915; married Melvin
Poyer
(4)
Marda Poyer
(4)
Dale Poyer
(4)
David Poyer
(2)
Samuel Perry Shortridge, born Apr 6, 1874 at London, OR; died
Oct 25, 1952
at
Lane County, Or; married Frank Thorn on Mar 13, 1897;
(3)
Olive Shortridge, born Oct 6, 1899; died Mar 5, 1976;
married Delbert Brown
on
Jun 13, 1931;
(4)
Janice Brown
(3)
Clifford Shortridge, born Apr 19, 1902;
(3)
Ellena Shortridge, born Sep 18, 1903;
(2)
Emily Lucinda
Shortridge,
born Mar 4, 1877 at London, OR; died Aug 18, 1949
in
Cottage Grove, OR; married Edwin Adams on Mar 14, 1897;
(3)
Norman Adams,
born Nov 6, 1898;
(3)
Ada Adams,
born Aug 22, 1900; married Royal Abeene on Aug 7, 1922;
(4)
Royal Abeene Jr.
(3)
Glen Adams,
born Nov 24, 1906; killed Sep 2, 1944; married Ada Palmer
(4)
John Edwin Adams
(3)
Clare Adams,
born Nov 24, 1906;
(3)
Norval Adams,
born Nov 24, 1906; died Nov 24, 1906;
(3)
Leslie Ray Adams,
born Oct 25, 1908; married Charmine Duyke
(4)
Donna Jean Adams
(4)
Kenneth Adams
(4)
Letha Adams
(4)
Ruth Ann Adams
(3)
Herbert Rex Adams,
born Jan 13, 1913; died Feb 1961; married Jessie Miller
(2)
Lillie Serepta
Shortridge,
born Feb 25, 1879 at London, OR; died Feb 2, 1965;
married
George Francis Sutherland on Sep 11, 1898 in Lane County, OR;
(3)
Leona Sutherland,
born Dec 16, 1899; died Mar 30, 1931; married Howard Cox
on
Nov 28, 1917;
(4)
Audrey Cox, born Dec 16, 1918; married Harley Brown on Aug
22, 1939;
(5)
Dean Francis Brown
(5)
Loren Duane Brown
(5)
Tommy Howard Brown
(5)
Duane Lee Brown
(4)
Ferrell Cox, born Feb 4, 1920; married Ruby Gardiner in 1942;
(4)
Dale Cox, born Apr 1, 1925; married Ethel;
(5)
Darrel Otis Cox
(4)
Mildred Cox, born Jan 5, 1922;
(4)
Forrest Cox, born Feb 10, 1923;
(3)
Iona Sutherland,
born Aug 4, 1902;
(3)
Myrtle Sutherland,
born Mar 6, 1904; married Calvin Marlow on Aug 5, 1922;
Calvin
Marlow died on Nov 14, 1925; second marriage to Thad Aylesworth on
May
3, 1926;
(4)
Elsie Marie Marlow,
born on Dec 5, 1923; died Jul 4, 1924;
(4)
Harold Alesworth, born Feb 5, 1927 at Tucson, AZ;
(3)
Mavis Sutherland,
born Nov 14, 1912; killed Apr 23, 1953; married Sylvia on
May
4, 1950;
(4)
Mavis Johnette Sutherland
(3)
Wilma Ethel
Sutherland,
born Aug 21, 1917; died May 2, 2003; married Joe
Olds
on Jun 29, 1939 at Phoenix, AZ; Joe Olds died in 1993;
(4)
Patricia Olds
(4)
Margaret Olds
(4)
Charles Olds
(2)
Lucy Ann Shortridge, born Mar 12, 1882 at Lane County, OR;
married
Lyman
Adams on Jun 25, 1902; Lyman Adams died Aug 14, 1850.
(3)
Melvin Adams, born Jun 28, 1903; married Gladys Heck in May
1941;
(3)
Clifton Adams, born Feb 20, 1905; married Loberta Miller
(4)
Archie Dale Adams
(3)
Wallace Adams, born Nov 17, 1909; married Isabella Cline on
Feb 7, 1950;
(2)
Carry Francis Shortridge, born
Jul 25, 1887 at London OR; died Oct 5, 1961;
married
John Thorn on Dec 10, 1907; Second marriage to R.C. McKay on Mar
25,
1935.
(3)
Hazel Thorn,
born Oct 4, 1908; married Cecil J. Eddy on Jun 1, 1929;
second
marriage to Jack Wendling on May 7, 1947;
(4)
James Eddy
(4)
Thomas Eddy
(4)
Betty Jane Eddy
(4)
Marguerite Wendling
(3)
Bernice Thorn,
born Oct 24, 1909; married Otto Perini on Jun 26, 1934;
(4)
Retta Rae Perini; married Bill Weir in Oct 1951;
(5)
Terrie Rae
(4)
Loretta Perini
(4)
Lurah Jean Perini
(2)
Lester Ray Shortridge, born Jun 8, 1890 at London, OR; died
Oct 20, 1951;
married
Loretta Burnette;
(3)
Kenneth Shortridge, born Jan;
(4)
Kenneth Shortridge, Jr.,
(4)
David Shortridge,
(3)
Wanda Shortridge; married
Gordon Stickler
(4)
Judith Deana Stickler
(4) Ann
Stickler
XII.
Notes on the Oregon Shortridge Family
This
chapter covers miscellaneous information on the history of the Oregon
Shortridge family not already covered elsewhere.
William
Wallace Shortridge in the Rogue River Indian War.
Biographical
sketches of William Wallace Shortridge state that he participated in
the Rouge River Indian Wars, enlisting on February 13, 1856 in
Company A under the command of Captain Ladshaw and that he
'participated in the battles at Cow creek and Big Meadow, and many
minor engagements' (see Chapter X). At the
time of his service, William Wallace Shortridge would have been 20
years of age and unmarried.
Historical
accounts state that the Rouge River Indian Wars of 1856 were a
renewal of Indian hostilities which immediately followed a short span
of generalized peace after a treaty with the Indians was made in 1853
(1).
In
regard to the battle at Cow Creek, the following account from the
History of Lane County Oregon might be relevant:
'Late
in March Major Latshaw, of the second regiment, set out on an
expedition against the Cow Creek Indians, taking with him a portion
of the companies of Robertson, Wallan, Sheffield and Barnes. On the
twenty-fourth of the month some Indians were found at the big bend of
Cow creek, and were attacked and routed. Several of them were
killed or wounded, and one white man, Private William Daley, of
Sheffield's company, was killed, and Captain Barnes and Private
Andrew Jones, A. H. Woodruff, and J. Taylor were wounded. The
Indians disappeared from the vicinity after this defeat, and did not
return for a considerable time. These incidents comprise the
principle hostile acts which took place in Douglas county.'
At
this time, William Wallace Shortridge would have been under the
command of J. M. Wallan who was promoted to Captain of Company A
after Wm. H. Latshaw was promoted to Major on March 19,1856.
The
Battle at Big Meadows was one of the more notable battles which
occurred near the mouth of the Illinois River in May. Chief 'Big
John' of the Rouge River Indians attacked the Company of Capt A. J.
Smith after a failed attempt at peace negotiations. On May 27, the
Indians (estimated by some at 200 to 400) attacked the soldiers who
were dug into a hilltop with few supplies and surrounded on all sides
by Indians. Participants stated that the soldiers suffered from
thirst and lack of sleep during a siege of the hilltop that lasted a
couple of days. At the same instant that the Indians mounted a
final assault on the hilltop, Captain Angur had silently arrived with
reinforcements and emerged from the surrounding timber to the rear
and repulsed the Indian attack. As far as I can tell, the company of
William Wallace Shortridge arrived at the scene the next day,
subsequently taking part in additional fighting at Big Meadows:
'On
the twenty-ninth, the day following John's defeat by Captain Smith,
more skirmishing was done, and H. C. Houston, sergeant in Keith's
company, was badly wounded. On the following day fighting took place
on the south side of the river, between a part of volunteers and some
Indians, and Privae Cooly, of Wallan's company, was wounded in the
thigh and hand.' (History
of Lane County Oregon, p281)
Other
Notes on William Wallace Shortridge:
Later
in life, when it became time to install indoor plumbing in the home
of William Wallace Shortridge, he was reluctant to use the
facilities, finding it to be odd that one “would eat outside the
house and then go to the bathroom inside the house.” (2)
Three
children of William Wallace Shortridge and Ellen Jane Keyes married
siblings from the family of Benjamin Franklin Adams: Edwin Francis
Adams married Emily Lucinda Shortridge, Lyman Elmore Adams married
Lucy Ann Shortridge, and Clara Edell Adams married Alonzo Wesley
Shortridge. (3). The family of Benjamin Franklin Adams might be
distantly related to Franklin Adams (father of Amelia Adams who
married James Henderson Shortridge) who came to Oregon in 1852 as
wagon master of the company in which Samuel Boone Shortridge
traveled. However, the family of Benjamin Adams appear to have come
to Oregon in the mid-1870's from Kansas.
In
the family photograph of the William Wallace Shortridge family taken
in 1904 (see Chapter XIII, Photoraphs), Clara Edell Adams was said to
be standing in the rear of the group because she was pregnant and
didn't want to be in the front. It was during this childbirth that
she died of complications. The child survived the traumatic birth,
but then died in the arms of
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|
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Photos
of percussion rifle belonging to William Wallace Shortridge
(currently in possession of the author). The stock is broken
(lower photo: crack running down the length of the stock;
screws in the wood above the striker plate to hold the wood in
place) and was crudely repaired and an attempt was made to
refinish the stock. It was like this when the author first saw
it as a young boy (1960's) when it was in the possession of
Harold Clinton Shortridge (author's Grandfather). A story was
passed down in the family that the stock was broken when it was
used as a club to hit an Indian over the head. If this is
correct, this would have presumably been during the service of
William Wallace Shortridge as a volunteer in the Rouge River
Indian War of 1856. This type of percussion rifle dates to the
early to mid 1800's, so it's age is consistent with the story.
An etching on the striker plate says 'GG Jelcher' which is
probably the marking of the gunsmith who made the firearm. The
rear trigger holds the striker in the cocked position and the
front trigger releases it.
|
Ellen
Jane Keyes (his grandmother) a few months later. Edell's widowed
husband, Alonzo Shortridge, was said to be in such a state of despair
afterwards, that for months he would sit alone and stare into the
fire and sigh (2).
Maybelle
(Shortridge) Newton said that her brother, Herbert Shortridge, would
often go to his grandmother's (Ellen Jane Keyes) house for syrup,
'lots of syrup', which he falsely claimed was requested by his
mother (Martha Harris), and that he would drink all the syrup on the
way back home. When this was found out, he would get a beating for
having done it, but afterwards, later in life, Herbert claimed that
the beatings he received for drinking the syrup were 'always worth
it' (2).
Lloyd
Wayne Shortirdge: Accidental Shooting at Nine Years Old:
Lloyd
Shortridge ('Wayne'; 'Sonny') was shot with a 22 rifle when he was
nine years old and almost died from the incident (1943 or 1944).
The story is told in the following news articles (4):
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Photo
of 'Sonny' (Lloyd Wayne Shortridge) on a motorized 'Whizzer'
bicycle in 1949. Lloyd Shortridge was the son of Harold Clinton
Shortridge and Nettie Belle Button.
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