Editing Stevens, William M.
From Lane Co Oregon
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According to donation land claim records, the first settler to stake a claim in the [[Springfield]] locale was [[Stevens, William M.|William M. Stevens]], who filed on a 640-acre tract in [[1848]] (Genealogical Forum of Portland 1962). | According to donation land claim records, the first settler to stake a claim in the [[Springfield]] locale was [[Stevens, William M.|William M. Stevens]], who filed on a 640-acre tract in [[1848]] (Genealogical Forum of Portland 1962). | ||
- | In [[1847]], he journeyed over the [[Oregon Trail]] and the [[Barlow Road]], arriving in December of that year. Together with his three eldest sons, Stevens commenced the erection of a dwelling. The felling of the trees and sawing of lumber was entirely done by these four pioneers, and by Christmas day, 1847, they had a roof to shelter the rest of the family; the house was built of logs, sixteen by eighteen feet in dimensions, its bed being what is known as a puncheon floor. On that auspicious anniversary they entered into full possession, and, humble though the home, it bade definance to the winter winds and rains, and lent a cheering impress to the solitary wilds around. Mr. Stevens and his family, however, did not permit time to hang heavily upon their hands; indeed there was plenty of work for them in occupations peculiar to the life of a frontiersman. In the fall of 1848 they broke forty acres of ground directly to the back of the homestead, using wooden plow with an iron share and six yoke of oxen attached thereto, which was sowed with wheat; in the spring of [[1849]] they planted corn and vegetables to fifteen acres, where they raised turnips that | + | In [[1847]], he journeyed over the [[Oregon Trail]] and the [[Barlow Road]], arriving in December of that year. Together with his three eldest sons, Stevens commenced the erection of a dwelling. The felling of the trees and sawing of lumber was entirely done by these four pioneers, and by Christmas day, 1847, they had a roof to shelter the rest of the family; the house was built of logs, sixteen by eighteen feet in dimensions, its bed being what is known as a puncheon floor. On that auspicious anniversary they entered into full possession, and, humble though the home, it bade definance to the winter winds and rains, and lent a cheering impress to the solitary wilds around. Mr. Stevens and his family, however, did not permit time to hang heavily upon their hands; indeed there was plenty of work for them in occupations peculiar to the life of a frontiersman. In the fall of 1848 they broke forty acres of ground directly to the back of the homestead, using wooden plow with an iron share and six yoke of oxen attached thereto, which was sowed with wheat; in the spring of [[1849]] they planted corn and vegetables to fifteen acres, where they raised turnips that year�(Walling 1884:451). |
- | Walling (1884:451) claims that Stevens kept the [[Springfield-Glenwood Ferry service|Briggs Ferry]] on the [[South Fork]] of the | + | Walling (1884:451) claims that Stevens kept the �[[Springfield-Glenwood Ferry service|Briggs Ferry]]� on the �[[South Fork]]� of the |
[[Willamette River|Willamette]] with his brother-in-law, [[Armitage, George H| George H. Armitage]] in [[1849]]. He lashed together two canoes to ferry passengers. Wagons and freight were taken in pieces, while stock was forced to swim to the opposite bank of the stream. | [[Willamette River|Willamette]] with his brother-in-law, [[Armitage, George H| George H. Armitage]] in [[1849]]. He lashed together two canoes to ferry passengers. Wagons and freight were taken in pieces, while stock was forced to swim to the opposite bank of the stream. | ||
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following sons and daughters: | following sons and daughters: | ||
- | + | ASHLAND ORLANDO, the second son of the above pioneer was born in Ray | |
county, Tennessee, [[August 22]], 1830, and came to Oregon with his parents and now | county, Tennessee, [[August 22]], 1830, and came to Oregon with his parents and now | ||
occupies the old homestead. He married Mary Margaret Steward, who came to Lane | occupies the old homestead. He married Mary Margaret Steward, who came to Lane | ||
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now a resident of California. | now a resident of California. | ||
- | + | SARAH JANE, now Mrs. [[Armitage, George H|George H. Armitage]], was born in Tennessee, [[October 4]], 1833, and resides with her husband near [[Eugene]] city. | |
ISAAC E. was born in Tennessee, [[March 1]], 1835, and is now a resident of | ISAAC E. was born in Tennessee, [[March 1]], 1835, and is now a resident of | ||
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this State and county and, [[November 22]], 1868, married Emily F. Greenwood, who | this State and county and, [[November 22]], 1868, married Emily F. Greenwood, who | ||
was born [[November 23]], 1848, and crossed the plains in 1852. Their family | was born [[November 23]], 1848, and crossed the plains in 1852. Their family | ||
- | consists of | + | consists of Charles Lenn, Welby and Maggie. |
EMMALINE MATILDA, the third daughter of Mr. Stevens, was born in Polk | EMMALINE MATILDA, the third daughter of Mr. Stevens, was born in Polk | ||
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"Illustrated History of Lane County, Oregon." Portland, Oregon: A. G. Walling, | "Illustrated History of Lane County, Oregon." Portland, Oregon: A. G. Walling, | ||
publisher, 1884. pg. 488. | publisher, 1884. pg. 488. | ||
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==REGISTER-GUARD, August 26, 2008== | ==REGISTER-GUARD, August 26, 2008== |