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Wallowa County Biographies

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Lorenzo Bacon

     LORENZO BACON. - Who can estimate the labor performed, the hardship endured and the deprivations to those that first opened up this section of the country for their fellows and for the advent of civilization? All praise to men and women who leave pleasant homes in the east, cross the weary plains to settle in the wilds of nature and build homes for themselves. Of this worthy number, especial mention must be made of the distinguished gentleman whose name heads this paragraph, and who was one of the earliest settlers, if not the first settler, on Lost Prairie, in the northern part of Wallowa county. And it is with pleasure that we accord a representation to him in the history of the county, because he has labored assiduously and constantly since his advent here for the development of the same, manifesting meanwhile qualities of endurance and skill that have commended him to his fellows, while his sound principles, his uprightness, his integrity, and geniality have stamped him as one of the most prominent men of this section.

     Upon, December 23, 1858, at Pleasant Grove, Minnesota, Lorenzo Bacon first saw the light of the sun, being the son of Rion H. and Clarasa Bacon. The early days of his childhood were spent in his native place and it was in 1859 that he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. In 1870 they removed to Calhoun county, Iowa, and in 1879 went thence to Phillips county, Kansas, having stopped awhile in the meantime in Nebraska. In these various places, our subject gained a good education from the schools and learned also the art of agriculture. It was in 1882 that he gathered altogether and came by wagon, in company with his parents, across the plains from Kansas to Baker City, arriving in December. On November 13, 1883, they went to Union county, from Baker City. In January, 1884, our subject came with pack animals across the mountains into the Wallowa valley, exploring the various portions of the county and looking for a stock ranch: he settled upon the place where he now lives, three miles north of Arko and seven miles northwest of Flora. The following spring, his parents joined him and since that time they have lived at his place. The farm is well improved, having a ten room dwelling, large barn and other necessary buildings, and is tilled in a very commendable manner.

     On December 1, 1897, the marriage of Mr. Bacon and Hattie, a native of Wisconsin, and an adopted daughter of John and Mary Rogers, was solemnized, and to bless this happy union, two children have been born. Amy D. and Benjamin C. Mr. Bacon has steadily pursued his way since coming to the county, gaining the proper meed of industry and thrift in a good holding of property consisting of his lands, buildings and stock, while his integrity and uprightness have commended him to his fellows and he stands as one of the prominent men of the community to-day.

Our subject's father is a native of New York, born in October, 1822, and came to California in 1849, and there superintended the erection of the first building in Sacramento. The mother was born in New York on December 14, 1840, and they both live with their son.

William H. Bacon

     WILLIAM H. BACON has the distinction of being one of those who assisted in bringing the wilds of nature to well tilled farms and building thereupon comfortable homes in this section of the county, and much credit is due these worthy pioneers for this praiseworthy work. It is with pleasure that we accord to this gentleman representation in the history of Wallowa county, since he has done much towards the development of the county and the material progress since he has been here. His life of morality and uprightness has been an example in the community where he has resided and his sound principles and sagacity have commended him to his fellows in every respect.

     On January 28, 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. William H. Bacon and Mrs. Mary (Knight) McGinnis, a native of Kansas, and a pioneer to Walla Walla in 1882. Three children as follows have been the fruits of this union: Mary E. Sarah R.; and William H.

     Very much credit is due to the man whose hands, against all the hardships and deprivations of pioneer life, have developed the land, bringing the country into subjugation from the wilds of nature and the savage that roamed here and making it the abode of civilization. In this commendable work Mr. Bacon has done his part and also as a substantial, intelligent and upright citizen he has been foremost and forward in political matters, educational affairs and all that was for the advancement of his community.

WILLIAM J. BEACH

WILLIAM J. BEACH. - Although the subject of this sketch has not resided in Oregon as long as some within Wallowa county, still he is nevertheless a true pioneer, having wrought with faithfulness for the welfare of other sections and since coming to this region has made commendable efforts in the development of the resources of the county and in the material progress of the same, while he has ever manifested excellent capabilities and showed both zeal and integrity, coupled with which are sound principles and sagacity that dominate a tireless energy and constant industry.
     Mr. Beach was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on March 13, 1852, being the son of Dr. Joshua A. and Hettie A. (Lynch) Beach. He received a good education in the schools of Bloomfield, and in Smithville College in Wayne county, and thus fortified he began the labors of life for himself at the age of twenty-three years. At that time he migrated to Kirksville, Missouri, laboring there for a time and then returned to Ohio. In his native state, on November 7, 1877, Mr. Beach married Miss Ruvilla D., daughter of Edward J. and Cynthia (Smith) Carpenter, and then he returned to his home in Missouri, where he wrought with energy and wisdom, being numbered with the leading agriculturists of his section until 1890. In that year he took the long journey across the plains to the Web-foot state, arriving in Lagrande in due time, where he remained until the following spring and then came to Wallowa county, selecting here the place where he now lives, two miles north from Paradise, and entering a homestead right. He at once set to work to improve the farm and he now has it all well fenced and under cultivation and has comfortable buildings, and is numbered with the leading agriculturists of his community. Mr. Beach has a goodly portion of stock cattle and horses, as well as other property. While he commenced his career with the capital of two good hands and dauntless spirit with plenty of pluck, he has accumulated a generous portion of the goods of this world that make life comfortable, and his skill and financial ability have been well manifested in this worthy achievement.
     To Mr. And Mrs. Beach there have been born the following children: Lillie E., Nellie M., Hettie C., Mable N. (deceased), Shannon Dale and Zelpha A. The two oldest of these children have been thoroughly educated and are now making a commendable record in the work of the educator, being both employed in the county, where they take rank with the best instructors of Wallowa county. The next daughter is a diligent student and bids fair to equal her sisters in successful pedagogy. Mr. Beach has always taken a praiseworthy interest in educational matters and has done much for their advancement both in this county and elsewhere, while also he has manifested the interest proper to the intelligent citizen in the affairs of the county and in politics generally. Mr. Beach is one of the substantial citizens of our county and he has the confidence of all his fellows and is a valuable addition to our population.

F. C. BRAMLET

F. C. BRAMLET. - A pioneer to this state, and a man who has wrought in all the occupations incident to the pioneer's life, being also attended with many hardships, the subject of this sketch is to-day one of the most respected and admired residents of Wallowa county, and we are pleased to accord to him a representation in this volume that purports to chronicle the events of the history of the county and also the lives of its leading citizens, since he has been a potent factor in the establishment of the institutions of the county, and has been a faithful supporter of good government here for thirty years, while his personal qualifications eminently fit him for the prominent place that he holds in the esteem of his fellows.
    In 1827 F. C. Bramlet was born in Franklin county, Georgia, being the son of Nathan and Jane (Gober) Bramlet. When he was six months old his parents came to McMinn county, Tennessee, and in 1833 they removed thence to the Cherokee purchase and in 1843 came to southwestern Missouri. It was as early as in 1852 that they joined the army that was wending its way toward the Pacific coast. The train was attacked with the cholera, and the parents died on the banks of the Snake river, within three days of each other, sixteen of the party died and our subject came near passing away. He was left with three sisters and two brothers to care for. They wended their way on the rest of their sad journey and settled in Yam Hill county. There Mr. Bramlet took up the occupation of rail-splitting, and in this he was cotemporaneous with another illustrious toiler in that realm, although in a different section of the country. Our subject took up a donation claim and then went to the Coos county mines for a time and then returned to his claim in Douglas county, where he wrought until 1871, in the meantime going to California and then to Josephine county, then returning to Douglas county, whence he migrated to Union county, settling near Ladd's canyon, two miles north. As early as the fall of 1871 he entered the territory now embraced in Wallowa county, and took a homestead near the present town of Wallowa. He has the distinction of bringing into the county the first sheep, and he has been a promoter of the industry of raising stock since his domicile here. He was also the first postmaster in the county, holding the position for six and one-half years. Mr. Bramlet was active in the interests of the settlers during the Joseph war and he also served in the war waged against the savages in the Rogue river region in 1855-56. In all of this military service Mr. Bramlet manifested his characteristics of courage, bravery and excellent judgment, with energy. He is one of the most substantial citizens of the county, has wrought with excellent ability during the long years of his residence here, and has been very instrumental in advancing the interests of the citizens and the county in many ways.
     Mr. Barmlet and Miss Martha Tower, a native of Illinois, were married in Douglas county, Oregon, in 1867, and they have become the parents of the following children: Nathan Henry: Sarah, the first white child born in the county: George, deceased: Mary: Martha: Lewis: Charles: James, deceased. Mrs. Bramlet's parents came to Oregon in 1853 and settled in Douglas county. Her father was a local preacher and while his hands assisted in clearing the wilderness for the crops and fruitage necessary for the weary pilgrims, he also did noble work in ministering to the spiritual needs of the settlers. In the venerable and highly esteemed subject of this sketch, we have one of the excellent men who has always while he wrought, kept himself unsullied in reputation and gained a dignity and strength of character, that commend him to every upright and intelligent person: and now after a long life well spent in the service of his fellows, and in devotion and loyalty to his country, he is passing the golden years of his time in quietness and comfort, while he enjoys the meed of his labors in substantial blessings which he has justly earned.

Lewis Berland

One of the stanch and substantial citizens of Wallowa county, who has labored steadily for the upbuilding of the community and the advancement of the interests of the county, the subject of this sketch stands to-day at the head of one of the leading industries of the section, and is a man in his life and walk such as to commend him to the esteem and confidence of all people of good judgment and sound principles. Mr. Berland has identified himself with his city and county in such manner that he is always found on the side of those measures that are salutary and upbuilding, while his philanthropic spirit has done much in practical and substantial gifts to the advancement of worthy causes that appeal to him.

The thrifty and hardy land of Norway has furnished us many valuable citizens, true-hearted and good, but none among them may be called a leader of the subject of this sketch in these virtues. Lewis Berland was born in Norway, in 1850, being the son of Lewis and Betsey Berland, who came to Minnesota in 1867, settling on a farm in Baker county, where they were highly respected citizens, capable and substantial. The father passed away in 1873 and the mother still lives on the old homestead. While in his native country Lewis learned the harness maker's trade and wrought there for some time, and in 1865, while still a boy, left the rugged headlands and encroaching Fjords of the Norse-land for the new world. He settled first in Minnesota, working there at his trade and also in different parts he followed this craft until he came to Summerville, in Union county, and purchased property in Imbler. In 1891 he engaged in farming in Paradise, continuing until about four years since, when he came to Enterprise and opened a harness and saddle shop. He has, by his faithfulness in his work and by his kind and uniform treatment of his customers, secured a large and ever increasing patronage, which he merits in every particular.

Mr. Berland married Miss Isabella Oleson, a native of Minnesota, in 1871, and they have become the parents of ten children, as follows: Oscar, Burt, Lue, Emily, Edna, Laura, Cora, Jennie, Gust, deceased, an infant, deceased, and Matilda, deceased. Mr. Berland is a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 153, of Enterprise. He is a careful, upright man, capable and enterprising, and always ready with a hand to assist a fellow in distress, and these noble qualities, couple with his faithfulness and uniform geniality, have own for him hosts of friends and he is highly respected by all.

RUSSEL BASIM. - One of the early pioneers of Wallowa county, a man possessed of sound principles and dominated with wisdom and talents of a high order, the subject of this sketch is well fitted for representation in this history of Wallowa and Union counties, since also he has wrought here for the advancement of the county's interests and has constantly manifested unswerving integrity and moral qualities that have given him the admiration and confidence of all of his fellows, and he is today numbered with the leading agriculturists of the county and is a substantial citizen.

Mr. Basim was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on September 15, 1833, being the son of Joseph and Sarah (Russel) Basim. While still a child, he went with his parents to Washington county of his native state and grew to manhood there, gaining a good education in the public schools and assisting his father in the work of the farm. At the age of twenty-three he went to Athens county and there followed farming until the year 1865, in which year he removed to Macon county, Missouri, and there was numbered with the agriculturists until 1880. In the spring of that year he fitted out teams and made the long weary journey across the plains that was so popular in the times of the early fifties. He came to Cove, Union county, and leaving his family there, he came over to wallowa valley and sought out a homestead. Then he returned to Cove and wintered there with his family and in the spring of 1883 he brought them to his homestead, which is three and one-half miles south from Enterprise. In his former labors in the east, fortune had not smiled upon him as was wished and so when he started here after the expense of the long journey and the winter's cost in a new country, he had but little capital to assist him in making his western home. In this place, dame fortune has been more free in the dispensation of her good things and Mr. Basim has been prospered constantly and is now one of the well to do farmers of the community and is possesed of plenty to make life comfortable and happy. His farm is well improved with necessary buildings, is all fenced and all under cultivation and produces well. In addition to general farming he raises stock. He also owns an interest in an irrigating ditch and this enhances the value of his land as he is enabled to augment the yield by the use of water.

In the fifties, Mr. Basim married Miss Sarah E., daughter of Barney and Ann Nolan, the nuptials occuring in Washington county, Ohio. Five children have blessed this union, as follows: Judson; Dora, wife of James B. Kooch, near Enterprise; John, married to Lilly Akins and living near Barnesville, Idaho; Malinda; Elizabeth, wife of Carl Whitmore, near Enterprise. Mr. Basim has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1863. He is one of the substantial, wise and enterprising citizens and he and his wife are valuable members of society, being esteemed by all.

HENRY W. BEECHER.-The list of the real pioneers of Wallowa county would be sadley incomplete, as also the enumeration of the leading citizens of today, were there failure to add that of the worthy gentleman, and capable and patriotic citizen, whose name is at the head of this article and who is one of the prominent agriculturists of our county having wrought here since the earlist settlements and in addition to this, he is one of the immortal number who stepped to the front ranks when the call came from Columbia to her sons for strong arms to defend her honor.

CHARLES C. BEGGS. - Deceased. - No grander monument can be placed at the head of the grave of any man than the noble work that the pioneers did in this section of the country, when they fought back the bloodthirsty hordes of savages and invaded the wilds of nature, to reclaim for homes and civilization's abode these regions which was done at the expense of much trying labor, great hardships, perils of serious nature and self-denial all the way through. Among this worthy class and deserving of special honor for his faithful life and excellent achievements, is the esteemed subject of this memoir, to whom we grant the tribute of an appreciative and kind people, and which his memory especially deserves.

Mr. Beggs was born in Cass county, Illinois, on June 20, 1839, where his early childhood days were spent. Later he went to Kansas, and in 1871 he crossed the plains to Silver City, Idaho, making the entire trip with wagons. In the fall of 1872 he came to the Wallowa valley and he assisted to build the first wagon road into this favored spot. Being thus one of the most to be remembered pioneers of this county.

On November 15, 1868, Mr. Beggs married Miss Jennie Gaston at Oswego, Kansas, and to them were born three children: John G., born December 24, 1869: Henry C., born May 8, 1872: and Harvey F., deceased. Mr. Beggs enlisted in the Twenty-first Illinois Infantry, Company E. on June 24, 1861, as private, but was discharged on account of disability on October 10 of the same year. On March 10, 1862, he re-enlisted in the same company for three years and served throughout the entire war, being honorably discharged at the close. He was promoted to second lieutenant on January 22, 1864. He participated in many skirmishes and numerous battles and was with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masons. On June 11, 1873, while Mr. Beggs was working to preserve the Wallowa river bridge from the danger of driftwood he accidentally fell into the torrent and was drowned. His death was mourned sincerely by all who knew him and he left a record good and true.

His son, John G., owns a half section of land on Mud creek, all well improved, and also he has a half interest in two hundred and eighty acres near Chico, which is also well improved and his property interests demonstrate him to be one of the leading men of this section. Henry C. owns three hundred and twenty acres four and one-half miles east from Wallowa. This is well improved and is a valuable place. He also is numbered with the prominent men of the county. John G. is a member of the Masons and of the Maccabees. The mother is now Mrs. William R. Minor, near Wallowa.

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