Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/511

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sary department under General Palmer. When George L. Curry established the Free Press, Crawford was for a time employed upon that paper as printer; but when the California gold excitement came, he joined the exodus to the mines, returning soon to Oregon with some of the precious metals, with which he purchased in 1851 a half-ownership in the Hoosier, the first steamboat that ran on the Willamette River, between Oregon City, Portland, Vancouver and Salem. In 1852 he went into mercantile business with Robert Newell in Champoeg, where he continued to reside till the flood of 1862 swept the town away. Mr. Crawford was a member of the State legislature in 1872. He was a Mason, a member of the State grange, and of the Oregon Pioneer Association. He died in Clackamas county in the summer of 1877. Oregon Pioneer Association Trans., 1877, 66-7.

Walter Monteith with his brother, Thomas Monteith, came to Oregon in 1847. They were natives of Fulton county, New York, but when little more than 20 removed to Wilmington. Illinois, emigrating from that place to Oregon. The brothers purchased and settled upon that section of land where the town of Albany now stands, and laid it out in town lots in 1848. The result was an abundant return upon their investments. Like many others, they visited the California gold mines, and returned with some money which assisted them in starting in business. The first house in Albany, the finest residence in Oregon, was built by the brothers at the corner of Washington and Second streets. In 1850 they organized a company of which they were the principal members, and erected the Magnolia Mills, uciir the mouth of the Calapooya creek, and have always been most active in all enterprises which have contributed to the prosperity of Albany. Walter Monteith died June 11, 1876. He had married in 1858, Margaret Smith. Three sons were the fruit of this union. State Rights Democrat, June 16 and 23, 1876.

Henry Warren was one of the young men who came from Missouri to Oregon to help build the State. He had not been long married, and brought a wife and babe to the new land. The young people settled in Yamhill County, where they remained for several years, until Mr. Warren was appointed receiver of the land-office at Oregon City. His eldest son, Charles E. Warren, was carefully educated and studied law, in which profession he graduated with credit. When about 26 he married a daughter of Dr. Henry Saffarans, of Oregon City; but in his 28th year died, much lamented, disappointing the hopes of his family and the community. Salem Mercury, April 3, 1874.

Mrs. Jane L. Waller, born in Fayette county, Kentucky, in 1792, was married to Thomas C. Waller in 1815, and went with him to Illinois, where he died leaving her with a famil.y of several young children, whom she reared and educated, and with whom she removed to Oregon, settling in Polk county, in 1847. She lived a useful life, respected by all, and died full of years and honor Nov. 23, 1869, being 77 years old on the day of her death. Dallas Times, Dec. 4, 1869.

James Davidson was born in Barren county. Ivy., Aug. 30, 1792. Like most western men of his time, he was self-educated, but his talents being above the average, he became a leader among his fellows. When a youth he took part in the war of 1812, and was in the battle of the Thames, where Tecumseh was killed. He married in 1817, and lived at Nashville, Tennessee, from 1823 to 1829, at St. Louis in 1830. and in Greene county, Illinois, from 1831 to 1836. He then re- moved to the Black Hawk purchase, Iowa, and lived in Burlington until 1847, when he came to Oregon, and settled in Salem. Mr. Davidson has represented his county in the legislature, and in all respects enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. Nine children blessed the union. Plis sons, Albert and Thomas, were among the most enterprising agriculturists in Oregon. Albert, the elder, first came to Oregon in 1845, and returning, induced the family, and many others, to return with him. They took the southern route. Salem Record, Aug. 29, 1874. Salem Statesman, Oct. 13. 1876.

Nebuxardan Coffey, born in North Carolina in 1790, moved to Kentucky,