Andrew is first row, second from the left.
Alfreds sons. Howard (b. 9 Apr 1866) and Arthillo "Tillo" (b. 21 Oct 1869) were members of the first and one of the more successful Co-op's: The Coos Bay Creamery, circa 1892, located at the mouth of the Coos River. They pioneered techniques of cattle and milk production quality control, that are still used today. They built fine dairies and their Cheeses were extremely popular in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In fact a traveler from Portland while visiting in Los Angeles, inquired about the wonderful cheese, and his host replied "Why all the best cheeses come from Coos Bay.". The creamery was destroyed by fire in 1919, but in a few short years was replaced.
Coos Bay's shipping was now Lumber, coal and Dairy products for the California markets. Coos and Curry counties were largely ignored and unknown by the Portlanders who dominated state politics. Coos Bay remained a large trading partner with San Francisco until better rail service and roads went in. At that point, the Williamette valley Dairy men took over the market. The peak in Coos Bay Dairy production was during World War II, and steadily fell after that.
A total of eleven children were born to Alfred and Ruth: Mary Philura, Henrietta Mathilda, Ansel Mark, Adelia Emily, Orace Gabriel, William Albert, John Truman, Sarah Dewey, Andrew Freeman, Arthur Howard, Arthillo Monroe. Mary Philura (b. 16 Aug 1846, Tipton Iowa )(d. 1849, Tipton Iowa) Died as a young child. Henrietta Mathilda (b. 1848, Tipton Iowa )(d. 28 May 1917, Marshfield OR. ) Never married and lived with parents and relatives till her death. Ansel Mark (b. 15 Jul 1850, Tipton Iowa )(d. Nov 1932 ) Married Dora McCullock.
Adelia Emily Collver(b. 1852, Salt Lake City, UT)(d. 31 May 1920, Grandview, WA) Married Issac Jamison Powell, 18 Jan 1870. They had ten children: Herbert Wesley, John Melvin, Alice Rose, James Walter, Anna Gertrude, Eva Lois, Bessie Pearl, Lida May, Myrtle Alta, Unnamed Baby. Isaac J. Powell was born 21 Apr 1843 in Independence Missouri and crossed the plains at the age of two. He grew up in Waldo Hills and after attending Williamette University, he taught school in Waldo Hills then Coos Bay/Empire Oregon. He then started to preach and continued this work until his death on 6 Sep 1921. He is buried at Rock Creek Cemetery, near Needy Oregon. It was in Empire Oregon, that he met and courted Adelia Emily Collver.
Orace Gabriel Collver(b. 16 Feb 1854 )(d. 14 Nov 1939 ) Looking Glass OR. Moved to Eastern Oregon and founded the town of Culver Oregon. Since he was the postmaster, he got to name the town, but to avoid confusion with another town with similar spelling and sound, he changed it to Culver. He built a general store which housed the post office and became the center of the community. in 1911 the railroad came through, but on the opposite side of the valley, so the town relocated to the railroad (See appendix X page X for the map). Orace had the whole house moved to the new location, while the towns people used the lumber from their old homes and buildings to build new ones. The upstairs of his store housed a meeting hall that was used for local events and dances. He raised the daughter of his sister Sarah Collver Church, Ruth Church after Sarah’s death. He married Margaret J. Barnett, 16 Oct 1881.
William Albert Collver(b. 14 May 1855 Melrose, Douglas Co. Ore. )(d. 17 Jan 1940 ) He was reared in his parent's home and received his early education in the public schools of Marshfield Ore., later attending High School in Marion Co. Ore. He remained under the parental roof until he was 28 years of age after which he became a carpenter. He also took up a homestead of 160 acres near Catching Inlet Near Coos River OR. He later purchased an additional 120 acres and built his home of 28 years. He later disposed of the property, retaining 40 acres and purchased additional 97 acres and engaged in dairy farming. He passed the farm onto his Son in law Fred G. Messerle. On January 1, 1890, He was united in marriage to Miss Naomi Steinnon, who was born in Kansas August 4, 1872 and is the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Egnet) Steinnon. William and Naomi had Josephine Ruth (m. Fred Messerle) and Myrtle L. (m. James J. Foster). Politically, William was affiliated with the socialist party, a member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, The woodsmen of the World and both he and Naomi were members of the United Brethren Church.
John Truman Collver(b. 15 Feb 1857, Noti Ore. )(d. 13 Nov 1947 ) Married Emma Armfield 4 Dec 1887 (b. in CA) , they had two children, Clarence R. Collver (b. Sep 1888), and Laura D. Collver (b. Nov 1889). In the 1900 Federal census it shows Clarence and Laura living with their grandmother Ruth in South Marshfield.
Sarah Dewey Collver(b. 3 Nov 1860, Coos River Ore. )(d. 2 Aug 1900 ) Married William Church 8 Mar 1892, son of Cephas Church and Betsy Ann Shay(Shea). When she passed away her children were raised by her brothers and parents. Alice Leona, William Alfred, Ruth Almira, Eleanor Francis and Eva May.
Andrew Freeman Collver (b. 26 Jun 1863, South Coos River, Ore.)(d. July 1939, Portland Ore.) He grew up on he family ranch and orchards on the south fork of the Coos River. After selling the property up Coos River to the Rooke's they obtained they apparently obtained a lot of land up south slough of Coos Bay. Andrew and Clara were married 3 Jul 1888 at South Coos River. She was the daughter of William Allen Williams and Cynthia Ann Todd. Andrew, several of his brothers and Alfred his father all lived within walking distance of each other and would help each other in working the farms and potential farms.
They fished, clamed and did various labor work. Alfred, in his 70's would walk seven miles on trails that they had made, to come visit, then would walk back in the afternoon.
In 1894 Andrew and Clara moved to Sumner and worked for a farmer there. He was paid in Cattle and produce but apparently very little cash. Much of this is documented in Clara's diary so I will include it in an appendix, rather than try to recreate it here.
Andrew had a homestead at Cape Arago about 1895. In it was a family graveyard and several family members were buried there. The state is required to maintain it, but sometime during the late 1950's or early 1960's, the state refused to continue the maintenance, and is now lost. They now refuse to recognize the existence of the "registered" graveyard as they would have to maintain it Map . The June 7, 1900 Federal Census shows the family residing at Precinct 9, Newport, Lincoln County, OR. Their son Hurley was born there. He worked at the Newport Life Saving Station. Andrew Freeman Collver and Clara Hester Williams
He joined the U.S. Life saving service ( precursor to the Coast Guard ). He moved from town to town along the coast, Bandon, Newport, Lincoln City, and Astoria. He was involved with several rescues, this was a rather risky business back then, as all they had were row boats. In fact while stationed in Florence, a number of his companions perished while trying a rescue during one of the frequent Oregon coast storms (Luckily it wasn't his turn to go out). The April 15, 1910 Census shows them living on a U.S. Government Reserve, 3rd Ward, Newport City Oregon. It shows his eldest son Ray as a Carpenter. He resigned from the Life saving service about 1912 to 1914 and worked as a fisherman and some farming in Newport. They moved to Portland in 1917 and he obtained work at the shipyards building ships for the war (WWI). He received a commission into the Coast Guard as a Captain of a tug, that was used for coastal work and patrolling for the duration of the war.
A deed 101/25 dated 1926 shows Andrew owning lots 29, 30, 31 and 32 of block 41 in East Marshfield. The 1926-27 Marshfield City Directory and Tax List shows A.F. Collver living at Eastside and assessed at $30. On March 23, 1927 Coos County filed a suit against Andrew Collver. Andrew and Clara moved to Portland in 1929 and lived with their son Ralph for a short period. They had a total of eight children. Alphie (who died at birth), Ray Clement, Lloyd Maxwell, Ralph Allen, Lysle Freeman, Hurley Monroe, Cynthia Blanche and Ona Grace.
Clara Hester Williams Collver, age 71, passed away September 27, 1936 at Portland Oregon. She was buried at the Masonic Cemetery, Cottage Grove, Lane County, Oregon. Andrew Freeman Collver passed away July 13, 1939 at Multnomah County Hospital, Portland Oregon and was buried next of his wife at the Masonic Cemetery, Cottage Grove, Oregon.
Arthur Howard Collver(b. )(d. )
Arthillo Monroe Collver(b. 21 Oct 1869 South Coos River Ore.)(d. 11 Sept 1954 OR. ) He was a successful farmer of Coos County located up Catching Inlet. He had 160 acres which consisted of mostly pasture land for dairy farming. He received his education at the public school in which his father Alfred helped found. At the age of 14, he started work for himself, taking up work for his brothers for about 5 years, then purchased a small number of cattle and some time later rented his brothers farm of 200 acres and engaged in general farming. He afterward held a position of lighthouse keeper at Cape Arago for a short time but continued to give the necessary attention to his farming interests on his brothers place. In company with his older brother Ansel Mark Collver, he purchased 160 acres, and in 1904 purchased his brothers interest in the property. Twenty acres of land he brought to a high state of cultivation for use with a select herd of 15 dairy cows. He netted 85 dollars per annum per cow which was a record at that time.
On June 15, 1898, "Tillo" was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Moore, Dufur, Wasco County Oregon. Borne in Woodbine, Harrison County, Iowa 28 May 1880, she was the daughter of William H. and Elmira (Towne) Moore, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Illinios. The Moores had 6 children: Marshall Moore, Frank Moore, Carrie ( married Tillo Collver ), Anna (m. Ed Colfelt), Jennie (m. Clarence R. Collver) and Arthur Moore. Apparently Arthur resided with Tillo and Carrie a number of years. Tillo and Carrie had 8 children of their own: Chester Alfred, Vernon W Williams, Gladys Lucille, Gordon Monroe, Enid R., Marshall Monroe, Keith Truman, Joyce Almira. Tillo was a loyal adherent of the Republican party and was an officer of the school district. He belonged to the Woodsmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife were members of the United Brethren Church. From Orville Dodges "Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties"
COLLVER, JOHN T., was born in Lane Co., Or., Feb, 1857, and came to Coos County in 1858 and settled on Coos river and is a dairyman and stockraiser. His wife was Emma E. Armfield, she was born in California, their children were Clarence R., and Lora D.
COLLVER, WILLIAM A., was born in Douglas Co., Or., May 5, 1855, and came to Coos Co., in August, 1857, and settled on Coos River, but now resides in Marshfield. He is a carpenter. His wife's maiden name was Neomi Steinon, born in Kansas City, Aug 4, 1871, and their children were Josephine R., and Myrtle I. From the Oregonian, Sunday, September 21, 1930 Seven Brothers Hold Reunion.
Marshfield OR. Sept 20. Probably no Oregon Family exceeds that of Alfred B. Collver in the number of sons and their residence in Oregon. Seven sons were born to Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Collver and all are living and enjoying fine health. These sons held a reunion on Catching Inlet recently at the ranch of Fred Messerle. Their ages range from 80 to 60. The eldest A.M. Collver, was born in Iowa before the family started its trek to the Pacific Coast in 1851. In 1857 the family came to the Coos River. The father organized the first legal school district in Coos County in 1860, and the only pupils for a time were those of his family. Mrs. S.D. Winchester was the first teacher in the organized school and instructed there for years. Three of the sons O.G., W.A. and J.T. Collver were born in Douglas County, and A.F., A.H. and T.M. Collver in Coos County.
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