Including Bear Creek Orchards. I'm not positive all these Stewarts were related.

    We are under obligations to Joseph Stewart, representative from this county in the legislature, for a number of state documents.
The Quincy Daily Herald, Quincy, Illinois, February 10, 1871, page 2

    Hon. J. H. Stewart.--"Elmwood," the country seat of Mr. Stewart, is as the reader can easily perceive from an inspection of the view, one of the finest places in the suburbs of Quincy. The house occupies a commanding position, which allows a fine view of the city. The grounds are ornamented with varieties of evergreens, forest trees and shrubbery. The house is a two-story structure, ornamented with piazzas &c, which give to it a tasty appearance. The place is in cultivation principally for fruit, and there is an abundance of this at Elmwood. Mr. Stewart has taken a deep interest in horticultural matters, and the result of his investigations in the fruit line are indicated in his success as a fruit grower.
Atlas of Adams County, 1872, page 86


Daily Herald, Quincy, Illinois, June 2, 1877, page 3


    The fruit trade of Quincy during the past few years.has increased so rapidly that the growing is now considered one of the most important branches of industry. Many farmers are turning almost their whole attention to it, and as a natural consequence they are yearly increasing the trade and producing finer varieties than ever before. Among these is the enterprising firm of Wm. & Jos. H. Stewart, who have been engaged in this business for many years, and have some of the finest fruit farms in Adams County. Their brand is now known all over the country and can be found in almost every city of any note in the North and West. A visit to their strawberry field of thirty acres yesterday convinced the writer that it was one of the busiest scenes that we have noticed in a long time. Everything is the very picture of neatness and runs along with the precision of clockwork. Three hundred pickers were engaged in gathering the berries alone, each one being furnished with a stand, a number, and a certain row from which to pick the berries. These rows are all staked off so that the picker gathers only the fruit in his row. To every 50 of these pickers are two overseers whose duty it is to see that the boxes are all properly filled and put away nicely in the covered stand, keeping them from the sun, and not a single box of berries is allowed to pass them that is not all right. As soon as the stand is full the picker marks each box with his number and takes them to a long shed 100x40 feet, in the center of which is a long rack arranged with numbers to correspond with those given to the pickers. As the picker brings his stand of berries into the shed they are again subjected to a rigid examination to see that the boxes are all well filled and run alike through the entire box. If they are all right he passes to the clerk who credits him with so many boxes. They are then put into crates, banded and then loaded for shipping. In taking all these precautions with the picker is one of the great secrets of the success met with by the Stewart Bros., for as certain as a box comes back not all right is charged direct to the picker. This makes them more careful and their boxes will always come out all straight.
    Three wagons are kept busy bringing the fruit to the city. This firm are now shipping all their own goods and have a large list of customers in St. Paul, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Joe, Burlington and all the leading cities of the West and North. Being one of the oldest firms in the business, they are well known all over the country and their berries find ready sale. Their headquarters for this season are at S. H. Nelson's, 631 Hampshire Street, where they receive orders for quantities to suit.
Quincy Daily Herald, Quincy, Illinois, June 6, 1877, page 3


    STEWART, HON. JOSEPH HOWARD, farmer and fruit grower; Sec. 25; P.O. Quincy; was born in Washington County, Me., Nov. 22, 1833; came to this county in 1836; was married in Payson to Miss Elizabeth Hyman, Nov. 29, 1854. She was born in crossing the Atlantic, as her parents were emigrating from Germany to this country. Mr. Stewart is one of a family of ten sons and four daughters, all of whom are now living, with the exception of one daughter, who, at her decease, left a family of five children. Hers has been the only death, with the exception of Mr. Stewart's father, that has occurred in the family. On Thanksgiving day of 1877 the family had a reunion, at which five generations of the family were represented. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have five children: Anna B., born Sept. 23, 1856; Clara M., May 17, 1860; Cora E., Nov. 24, 1867; William H., Dec. 13, 1869; Junie C., June 17, 1876. Mr. Stewart has about 700 acres of land, all of which is very valuable. He has been a member of the Legislature of this State.
The History of Adams County, Illinois, 1879, page 732


    Joseph Stewart, one of the commissioners of the Indian Grave District Levee, reports that the levee is safe. It is believed that no break will occur.
"Items in Brief," The Quincy Daily Herald, Quincy, Illinois, April 30, 1881, page 3



    Enjoy a pleasant ride tomorrow evening by driving out to the residence of Mr. Joseph Stewart, on North Twelfth Street, and take supper with the ladies of the Vermont Street Baptist Church..
"Brevities," The Quincy Daily Whig, Quincy, Illinois, July 11, 1881, page 2


    Owing to the storm yesterday afternoon the lawn party at Mr. Joseph Stewart's was abandoned.
"Items," The Quincy Daily Whig, Quincy, Illinois, July 13, 1881, page 2




    Hon. J. H. Stewart, a prominent fruit grower of Adams County, Illinois, has been in the valley for several days, and may locate, as the country seems to suit him. He is a nephew of Alex Stewart of Medford precinct.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 19, 1884, page 3


    Mr. Joseph Stewart, of this city, and Mr. H. Tandy, of Newtown, expect to leave for the Rogue River Valley, Oregon, in a few days. They will probably be absent over a month.
"City News," The Quincy Daily Journal, Quincy, Illinois, February 7, 1885, page 4


    Hon. Joseph Stewart of Adams Co., Ill., has come to remain with us. Mr. Stewart served a number of terms in the Illinois legislature, and is a nephew of our esteemed citizen, J. T. Stewart. He brought with him a large number of pear grafts and other fruit trees, and intends to go into fruit cultivation extensively.
"Brevities," Medford Monitor, February 20, 1885, page 4


    Hon. J. H. Stewart of Adams County, Ills., who paid this valley a visit last summer, has returned with the intention of remaining. He was one of the prominent nurserymen of that portion of the Sucker State. He will probably engage in the same business here.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 27, 1885, page 3


    J. H. Stewart said that while he was a stranger to our soil and climate, he was not a stranger to a horticultural society, for he had belonged to one for years and knew they were of great benefit to the fruit interest. He desired to impress upon the minds of the gentlemen present that too much care could not be taken in selecting varieties of fruit before planting orchards. While there were many varieties of fruit that possessed merit, there were but few kinds that would prove profitable to ship for the general market.
Minutes, February 28, 1885, Fruit Growers Association of Southern Oregon Record Book, 1885-1889, page 20

 
    Hon. J. H. Stewart will start for his home near Quincy, Ill., next Sunday, for the purpose of closing his business there and removing to this country. His family will accompany him.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 20, 1885, page 3


    Henry C. Howard of Eden precinct has sold his fine farm to Hon. J. H. Stewart, now of Adams County, Ill., for the sum of $5,400. Mr. S. is a fruitgrower of much experience and a gentleman of enterprise and intelligence, and we welcome him in our midst.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 20, 1885, page 3


    Mr. Stewart, recently from Illinois, has bought the Ball place of about 200 acres near Phoenix, and intends to put nearly the whole of it out in pears. He is an experienced fruit grower, and after looking over the Pacific coast has come to this valley as the best place for his business. In a few years he will be able to ship pears by the carload from his own orchards to the East.
"Brevities," Ashland Tidings, March 20, 1885, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart, who purchased H. C. Howard's place in Eden precinct, started for his home in Illinois Sunday evening. He will return with his family as soon as he disposes of his large interests there. Mr. S. will plant several thousand apple and pear trees and several acres of strawberries as soon as he takes possession of his new farm.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 27, 1885, page 3


    Mr. J. H. Stewart, whom we mentioned last week as intending to set out an extensive pear orchard on the farm recently purchased by him between Phoenix and Medford, has discovered a large deposit of chalk or gypsum on the farm which he thinks will be a profitable item of export. He has gone back to his old home in Illinois to sell out his property and settle up his business there preparatory to coming out there to live, and expects to return here in time to set out a large number of fruit trees next fall.
"Brevities," Ashland Tidings, March 27, 1885, page 3


We got a package of Strawberry roots from Hon Joseph Stewart from Muncie, Illinois they have come in good order. Emmett is going to set them out.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, April 10, 1885


Emmett has set out the Strawberry plants, recd from Mr J Stewart
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, April 13, 1885


    Strawberries, the finest ever grown in this locality, were sold at the groceries yesterday at 10 cents per quart. Mr. Joseph Stewart will have a very large crop of berries this season, and they will compare favorably with the best raised in the South or West. The Stewart berries are in demand in all of the western and northwestern cities.
The Quincy Daily Whig, Quincy, Illinois, June 6, 1885, page 3


Mr. Solomon Stahl has purchased the elegant home of Mr. Joseph Stewart, on North Twelfth Street. This is one of the finest country seats in the entire West and Mr. Stahl is certainly fortunate in securing so magnificent a home. It comprises a large, commodious residence, a magnificent lawn of four acres, with an abundance of the finest shade trees and shrubbery and many acres of strawberries, raspberries and other fruit.
The Quincy Daily Whig, Quincy, Illinois, August 9, 1885, page 10


    Mr. Joseph Stewart, who recently sold his home in Ellington to Mr. S. Stahl, left with his family last evening for his future home in Oregon.
The Quincy Daily Journal, Quincy, Illinois, September 9, 1885, page 4


    Among the arrivals on Monday was J. H. Stewart and family, of Illinois. Mr. Stewart, who has been for many years a well-known horticulturist and fruit dealer in the Chicago markets, came out here last spring, made a trip to Medford and bought a large fruit farm. Today he is here with his family, a carload of implements, etc., and has en route 8000 peach trees of a choice variety which he will set out this fall. Mr. Stewart and family went south yesterday.
"Immigration Board Items," Oregonian, Portland, September 16, 1885, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart and family arrived from Quincy, Illinois, this week. As will be remembered, Mr. S. purchased the farm of Henry C. Howard, near Phoenix, a few months ago.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 18, 1885, page 3


    J. H. Stewart, of Illinois, who was in this valley last year and bought a farm at the west side of the valley, north of Phoenix, arrived this week with his family from Illinois, and is preparing to go into fruit culture on a large scale. He brought with him a carload of implements, etc., and has en route 8000 peach trees of choice varieties, which he will set out this fall. Mr. Stewart has been a prominent fruit dealer in the Chicago markets, and his judgment as to the outlook for the fruit industry in this valley is worth something.
"Personal," Ashland Tidings, September 18, 1885, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart and family have taken possession of the farm purchased of H. C. Howard prior to his [Stewart's] return to Quincy, Illinois.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 25, 1885, page 3


First National Bank
    Portland, Ogn.
        Gentlemen
Enclosed herewith find Draft No. 290114 dated Quincy, Ills., Nov. 24th 1885 drawn by J. G. Rowland, Acting Cashier, First National Bank of Quincy, Ills. on National Park Bank of New York City in favor of J. H. Stewart for $2000.00. Same is endorsed by J. H. Stewart pay me and by myself pay you. Please place the amount of $2000 to my credit.
C. C. Beekman Papers Mss 916 Box K, Letterpress Book 3 1885-1887, Oregon Historical Society Research Library


    Mr. Stewart is selling a large number of fruit trees on his place west of the old stage road north of Phoenix.
"Brevities," Ashland Tidings, March 12, 1886, page 3


    From invitations received by Mr. W. S. Flack it is learned that Miss Annie B. Stewart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stewart, is to be married on Easter Sunday to Mr. Arthur J. Weeks, one of the leading architects of Portland, Oregon, and the owner of [a] large fruit farm. Miss Stewart has a large circle of friends and acquaintances in Quincy who will extend to her their heartiest congratulations. A lady of the highest attainments, she will grace any home and will doubtless receive a cordial welcome in Portland.
"Brevities," The Quincy Whig, Quincy, Illinois, April 8, 1886, page 8


WEEKS-STEWART.--At the residence of the bride's father in Medford precinct, Apr. 25, 1886, by Rev. M. A. Williams, Mr. Arthur J. Weeks and Miss Annie Belle Stewart.
Ashland Tidings, April 30, 1886, page 3




Kate & I rode down the valley to visit at Mr Joseph H Stewarts Had a good visit he has over a hundred acres set out to fruit trees all growing fine. They are nice people from Quincy, Illinois.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, July 28, 1886


I went to Jacksonville Wm Beeson, Joseph Stewart, and Arthur Weeks went with me I negotiated a loan from Mr Stewart for two years, for a 1000.00 in a Mortgage on the home farm.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, July 29, 1886


Mr Stewart and His son in law Mr Weeks called to day I rode to Saw Mill with them. I sold them 16000 feet of lumber for a check on Beekman at Jacksonville for $144.00. They stopped for dinner.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, August 11, 1886


Emmett & I went to Saw Mill got a load of Lumber and Emmett took it to Ashland planing Mill to have it dressed. Mr Stewart Came to Mill and I sold him several thousand feet more lumber. Been pleasant day. Kate & Winnie Canning blackberrys Grand Pa went back to Ranch this Morning.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, August 12, 1886


    People who want to know what can be done in the way of making a fruit farm in this valley should visit the place of Mr. J. H. Stewart, about two miles north of Phoenix. Mr. Stewart is an experienced fruit grower, having spent some thirty years in the business in its various branches in Illinois. He came out with his family to this valley last October to take possession of this farm of 180 acres, which he had bought the year before. He knew just what he wanted to do, and just how to do it. Messrs. S. B. Galey and F. H. Carter, of this place, paid Mr. Stewart a visit one day this week, and report that he now has growing on his place a young orchard composed of 4000 pear trees, mostly Bartletts, 3000 peach and 3500 apple trees, and has raised from the seed and budded several thousand more young peach trees. Besides this he has what he calls his "home" orchard, in which are some 300 young trees of 30 or 40 different varieties. Mr. Stewart has entirely transformed the appearance of the place, and is now building a fine new farmhouse on it.
Ashland Tidings, August 13, 1886, page 3


    Some of the largest and finest watermelons brought to Ashland this season were from the farm of J. H. Stewart (the old Ball place), between Medford and Phoenix. It was thought before Mr. Stewart bought this place that vegetables couldn't be grown there to advantage, but Mr. S. tried his system of farming on it and has thoroughly surprised some of his neighbors. The Tidings can testify to the quality of the melons, having been favored with a thirty-pound sample by Clayton & Gore, who are handling them here.
"Brevities," Ashland Tidings, September 17, 1886, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart, one of the most progressive farmers in the State, has lately completed a handsome and well-arranged residence on his place in Eden precinct. It is second to no farmhouse in the county. A. J. Weeks was the architect.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 26, 1886, page 3


    A gentleman of large ideas removed to this vicinity (Medford) two years ago and bought a farm which was supposed by many to be exhausted. He dropped his plow down a few inches below the customary level (about 3 inches), then followed with a subsoil plow. He then pulverized thoroughly this bed of loose earth, and the results have been astonishing. The former owner bought his garden produce, melon and vegetables. The new man raised $1,000 worth of melons and all kinds of garden and field crops in great profusion and of the best quality. His corn is not behind that of the best Illinois product in quality, nor far behind it in yield. He has demonstrated that we can produce any kind of crops raised in the Ohio Valley and many others in addition. He advocates drainage rather than irrigation. He planted pear seeds last spring, budded them in June and now has budded trees large enough to transplant to the orchard. All this in less than eight months! This is, except France, the only spot on earth where such a thing can be done, and American pear stocks are a thing of history. Our nurserymen are no longer compelled to import pear stocks from sunny France, but can have them produced in the "Italy of America.'' Brains and energy are the two great needs of Southern Oregon. All else Nature provides.
Scott Morris, "Our Oregon Letter," The Plain Dealer, North Vernon, Indiana, December 8, 1886, page 2


Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, December 10, 1886, page 1


    FRUIT CULTURE "OUT SOUTH."--Southern Oregon is bound to become the great fruit-producing section of the state. Within the past two years over a million peach trees have been set out in Jackson County alone. Many of them will produce some fruit this year. Mr. Stewart, one of the members of the Iowa press excursion, which visited this state two years ago, purchased a place out there and has set out 3500 peach trees, and Mr. Whitman, another of the same party, has set out an extensive orchard of Bartlett pears. The prospect of the near completion of the connection by rail with California has made the people of the southern portion of the state jubilant and infused new life into that section.
"Local and General," Morning Oregonian, Portland, March 22, 1887, page 5


I went to Mr Joseph Stewarts to get a bus of seed corn & some beans. Jessie & Fannie went with me. We had a pleasant visit, but got home in evening. Mr Stewart is busy planting nursery and grafting trees. He is going to have about 20 acres of Mellons.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, March 26, 1887


I rode down to Stewarts had a visit all day. His garden and Orchard look fine fruit trees are growing nice He has 18 acres of Mellons and 5 acres of Sweet potatoes.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, July 3, 1887


I went up to Saw Mill and around to Stewarts paid him $100.00 interest on the note we owe him
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, July 6, 1887


    Hon. J. H. Stewart of Eden precinct anticipates a large crop of fine sweet potatoes.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 29, 1887, page 3


Kate & Mrs Jacques and I went to Jacksonville we Called at Mr Stewart and he went with us We mortgaged our place to Mrs Jaques for $1500.00 due in five years, and we paid Mr Stewart His $1000.00. We took dinner at the Union Hotel and got home at dark, left Mrs Jaques at Talent.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, July 30, 1887


    Hons. J. D. Whitman, J. H. Stewart and other enterprising citizens of this valley propose underdraining their land and have already made a contract with Messrs. Close, experienced tile makers who recently arrived from Canada, for a large amount of their ware.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 26, 1887, page 3


    One of the very best cultivated and most productive farms in southern Oregon is that of Hon. J. H. Stewart, in Eden precinct. Watermelons, berries, fruit and vegetables of all kinds grow in reckless profusion there evincing the skill and industry of the proprietor. Mr. S., having had charge of the place less than two years, has not yet had an opportunity to fully demonstrate the productiveness of his farm nor his ability as a farmer. It will take a few years yet to put his place at its best. Then can be seen if the soil of this section cannot compare favorably with that of any other.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 26, 1887, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart of Eden precinct has raised watermelons this season weighing 50 lbs.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 16, 1887, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart, who owns part of the Justus tract of land in this precinct, sold at administrator's sale, is having several buildings put up on it.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 28, 1887, page 2


    A Mr. Stewart, who came from Indiana, has located some distance south of Medford, which is the railway station for Jacksonville, about five miles distant. He is planting a large pear orchard in the rolling land or foothills, because that valley is so sure in producing good crops of very excellent pears. He is well up in pear culture and considers that region the best he ever knew for that purpose. Apples and cherries do well there, and the good people thereabouts have a faith in themselves and their country that is pleasant to behold, but they probably err in supposing that no other part of Oregon can hold a candle to them or compete with them in these products.
"Southern Oregon," Ashland Tidings, December 9, 1887, page 1


    Rev. Wm. Stewart of Quincy, Ills., an able preacher, will occupy the pulpit of the Baptist Church in Medford next Sunday; and on the third Sunday in January.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 30, 1887, page 3


    The farmers of Jackson County can grow garden stuffs and melons in the greatest excellence and profusion. Their melons have been literally corded up in our grocery stores all the summer and fall, and they can meet any demand. Mr. Stewart, who was mentioned the other day as planting out many pears, has already 150 acres of orchard, and will this season plant out seventy acres more, intends next spring to plant about a quarter section of land in tomatoes, melons, sweet potatoes, etc., having made a success of such crops the past season. The soil is quick, the summers warm, and the valley possesses every facility for producing early fruits and vegetables in the greatest excellence as well as profusion.
"Agriculture," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 5, 1888, page 2


    Rev. Wm. Stewart will preach in the Baptist Church next Sunday morning and evening.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 13, 1888, page 2


Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 20, 1888, page 3


    Rev. Wm. Stewart of Quincy, Ills., brother of Hon. J. H. Stewart, who has been paying this valley quite a visit, started on his return home a few days since. We hope he has become sufficiently attached to this valley to permanently locate here in the near future.
    Mr. and Mrs. Dillon Hill, who were united in matrimony on the 17th inst., have already commenced housekeeping at the new residence recently built on Hon. J. H. Stewart's farm near this place. They begin married life under auspicious circumstances, and they have the congratulations and best wishes of a host of friends.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 27, 1888, page 3


    Hon J. H. Stewart of Eden precinct made us a call last Tuesday. He is now engaged in planting 6000 choice fruit trees. Mr. S. is one of the most enterprising and intelligent of our citizens. We are always glad to see him.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 10, 1888, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart of Eden precinct, who also owns a piece of land near Medford, has just finished planting 65 acres of it in choice fruit trees. He leads all other horticulturists in southern Oregon, having nearly 200 acres in trees, all of which will be bearing by 1892. It can truly be said that Mr. Stewart is an energetic and progressive farmer and fruit raiser.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 24, 1888, page 3


    J. H. Stewart, of Medford, shipped 1300 lbs. of sweet potatoes recently from his farm between Medford and Phoenix. Mr. Stewart raised tons of sweet potatoes last season, and has demonstrated since coming to this valley that vegetables of all kinds, melons, corn, etc. will grow well on the land in this valley without irrigation, if only thorough cultivation be employed.
"Brevities," Ashland Tidings, March 9, 1888, page 3


    If we have the straight of it, Robert A. Miller of Jacksonville has been made president of the fruit growers association of Southern Oregon. This no doubt means that the organization will take on new life and vigor and become something more than a sort of haphazard advertising medium for tree peddlers. With such actual and practical, and experienced, growers of fruit and grapes as Stewart, Whitman, Miller, Galey and others, this association should be made one of the recognized interests of the state. It ought to be able to make rules and regulations for all growers in Southern Oregon, and so hedge this great interest, that dishonest men in the business or deal with it cannot get it at a disadvantage.
Southern Oregon Transcript, Medford, March 13, 1888, page 3


    Rev. Wm. Stewart, who spent last winter here, is now preaching in the First Baptist Church of Quincy, Ill.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 20, 1888, page 3


    W. S. Gore brought up from J. H. Stewart's place last Saturday a pie plant stem and leaf which is the largest displayed here up to date, measuring 30x31 inches across when spread out flat. Mr. Stewart is preparing to raise a large amount of truck this year, as usual. He has in ten acres of sweet potatoes and a large area of corn, tomatoes, watermelons, etc.
"Brevities," Ashland Tidings, May 11, 1888, page 3


    Messrs. Stewart and Hon. J. D. Whitman have the finest fruit ranches in the county. Frequent visits by strangers are made to these beautiful places. The crops upon both are simply immense and are convincing evidence of what brains and energy will do in this glorious climate.
"Medford Notes," Oregonian, Portland, July 24, 1888, page 6


    Capt. A. J. Stewart, a brother of Hon. J. H. and F. M. Stewart, arrived from the East a short time since and will locate. He has purchased some land of S. B. Edsall and J. A. Anderson.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 29, 1888, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart will, we learn, soon begin work underdraining the lower portion of his fine young orchard near Phoenix, having already placed his order for ten thousand feet of tiling with Henry Close & Son of Ashland. There can be no question but what judicious underdrainage would benefit large areas of land in this county, enabling farmers to start the plow much earlier in the spring, and reclaiming much land that is ruined for orchard purposes by standing water. But for his inability to obtain tiling at reasonable figures Mr. Stewart would have underdrained his orchard last fall, and would doubtless have saved many fine trees which were ruined by the standing water during the long continued wet weather of last season. He will lay six-inch tiling, principally, although much of a smaller size will be used. It is thought by those who have had experience with tiling that thorough underdrainage would enhance the value of adobe soil fully one hundred percent, as it then could be worked at will instead of at the caprices of the weather, as is now the case, besides being revivified and enlivened by being relieved of its surplus moisture in time to be heated into growing condition by the earlier spring sunshine.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 27, 1888, page 3


I went down to Stewarts to view a new County Road with Mr Olwell of Pheonix and Mr Whitman of Medford as viewers, and J S Howard Surveyor the road runs from the Hamlin road to the Mountain road near Colmans, we pronounced favorable.
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, October 15, 1888


    Mr. Stewart, of Illinois, a brother of J. H. Stewart of Medford, is having the kitchen part of a building erected in Eden precinct by Arthur Weeks, the main part to be finished hereafter. Mr. Stewart is expected in a few weeks.
"Items from Medford," Valley Record, Ashland, November 8, 1888, page 3



    Hon. J. H. Stewart has sold 22 acres of his farm in Eden precinct to S. H. Sykes, lately from the East, for $3000. It is planted in fruit trees.
    We learn that Hon. J. H. Stewart successfully experimented in the line of producing sun-dried raisins last season from Muscat of Alexandria grapes, grown on his place near Phoenix. The raisins were of good quality and well cured.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 21, 1889, page 3


    J. H. Stewart, of Eden precinct, succeeded in producing excellent sun-dried raisins last season, it is said, from Muscat grapes grown on his place. If it be possible to produce good raisins in this valley, another great field in the horticultural line will open for our home industry.
"Brevities," Ashland Tidings, March 29, 1889, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart of Eden precinct has been appointed a member of the southern district agricultural society, established by the last legislature. A better appointment could not have been made.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 4, 1889, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart of Eden precinct has 15,500 choice fruit trees growing nicely on his farm, and his son-in-law, A. J. Weeks, also has a young orchard containing about the same number of trees.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 11, 1889, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart, the county agricultural association's representative on the district agricultural board, is having honors thrust upon him. Before the organization of a local society the county court appointed him to represent this county on the board. At the primary organization of the Jackson County Agricultural Society Mr. Stewart was appointed as its representative on the district board, and, upon its incorporation under the name of the Jackson County Agricultural Association, Mr. Stewart was declared to be its accredited representative on the board; and now we learn that he will carry credentials from still a third local agricultural society organized at Medford a few days since. In common with the rest of us, who have the good of the county at heart, Mr. Stewart deplores the differences, but will do all in his power to secure the location of the district fair in the county, if possible to do so. It is to be hoped that he and Mr. McDonough will be successful in securing the fair; but they would have had a much easier task if there had been anything like cooperation among the residents of our enterprising railroad towns in this matter. The county at large will not endorse any effort on the part of anyone to play the marplot, when it comes to depriving this valley of so desirable a boon as the district fair.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 30, 1889, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart has resigned his position as a member of the state agricultural board for southern Oregon, and Gov. Pennoyer will be called upon to fill the vacancy.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 1, 1889, page 3


    J. H. Stewart has had 4000 feet more of tiling hauled to his fruit farm from Close Bros.' brick yard near Ashland.
    J. H. Stewart, of Eden precinct, will tile drain a portion of his orchard this fall having had very satisfactory results from his first venture in that line.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 8, 1889, page 3


I hauled two loads 64 boxes, and then I picked apples and so forth Mr Shade, picking Apples Emmett took load potatoes and onions to Mr Stewarts 20.00
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, October 1, 1889


Saturday I hauled two loads of wood to Henry Low, and then John hauled two loads wood to wood House J H Stewart came up to get 1000 scions of the Red Pryor Apple to send to His brother in law at Albany Nursery ---- [illegible] He thinks Pryors Red a good Shipping apple. He seems to think this snow storm is a good thing for Rouge Pair so do I. it will make the water Supply and no danger of a drowth next Summer but still a great deal of stock will die but it may learn people not to have more stock than they have feed. The sun has shone bright all day but not melted the snow on top but thawing from the ground. It is freezing to night and stars shining bright
Diary of Welborn Beeson, Talent, Oregon, January 18, 1890


    Hon. J. H. Stewart, the orchardist, has completed the laying of two miles of tiling, and is now free from the annoying excess of moisture which prevented early plowing in his fields in former years.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 3, 1890, page 2


    Of J. H. Stewart it may be truly said that he has devoted his life and his intellect to furthering the interests of horticulture in this section of the Northwest. We very much doubt if there is another man north of the Santa Clara Valley who has done more than he to show the almost illimitable capacity of our soil and climate for the production of the fruits of the temperate and semitropical regions--those magnificent productions which bid fair to bring a stream of dollars into the pockets of our orchardists for all time to come. Before coming to the coast Mr. Stewart served several terms in the Illinois legislature at a time when most exciting events were transpiring, and the knowledge of the fact that he is skilled in debate and parliamentary tactics doubtless governed by the convention in fixing upon him by an almost unanimous vote as one of our candidates, for he was not seeking the nomination at their hands. His attention has been engrossed so closely in developing one of the model orchards and farms of the valley that he has heretofore found no time to take any active part in politics. Like his colleagues, he has been a lifelong Democrat and has a clean record as a business man and gentleman.
"Our County Ticket," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 9, 1890, page 2


    J. H. Stewart is our leading orchardist, and a thoroughly qualified man for the office of legislator. Vote for him next Monday.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 30, 1890, page 3


    Much interest was taken in the speeches at the opera house hall by Messrs. [J. H.] Stewart and [Francis] Fitch. Both are cogent reasoners and forcible talkers and held the attention of their hearers throughout.
    Hon J. H. Stewart and Francis Fitch, Esq., delivered telling speeches to a good audience, at the Medford opera house, in the interest of Democracy and reform, on Wednesday evening last. Both were listened to with profound attention and their remarks went right home to their hearers.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 30, 1890, page 3


    A rhubarb leaf from the farm of Hon. J. H. Stewart exhibited in Medford last week measured three feet, one inch wide by three feet, ten inches long.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 18, 1890, page 3


    Mr. Whitman, of Jackson County, read [a paper] concerning "Fruit and Fruit Grower," and concerning farm life in general. With the advent of the railroad to Rogue River Valley came the fruit grower, looking for good locations to grow all sorts of fruit, from the semi-tropical varieties to those of the temperate zone. Some people discouraged fruit growing there, but one man of iron will and unusual energy set the example. Jas. H. Stewart had shown that Southern Oregon could supply the north with watermelons, as well as peaches, and his orchards and fruit planting now covered two hundred acres. It is now shown that Southern Oregon equals, if it does not excel, any part of our state in growing apples, pears, peaches, and grapes, and in melons it excels. It is now proved that a spraying outfit is as necessary to the fruit grower as a plow is to the ordinary farmer. It is important to kill all pests with a preparation, and he had experimented to that end. It can be said that the fruit grower has the sympathy of all classes of society, because he supplies a most necessary product that is both a luxury and necessity in every family, both for health and use.
"Horticulturists: The State Society's Meeting at Corvallis," Oregon Statesman, Salem, July 18, 1890, page 7


    Medford Mail: Thos. Shattuck, the watermelon king of Josephine County, was in the valley during the week and while here made arrangements to handle Hon. J. H. Stewart's melons grown on his fine farm near Medford.
"Here and There," Ashland Tidings, July 25, 1890, page 3


    Hon. J. H. Stewart last week disposed of his watermelon crop in the field to Thos. Shattuck, the melon king of Josephine County.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 25, 1890, page 3


    In the death of Hon. J. H. Stewart Rogue River Valley has lost one of its most progressive and enterprising citizens. A citizen who has done more than any one man in the county to bring the fruit industry to its present point of importance and prosperity. When Mr. Stewart first came to this valley in 1885, the growing of fruit other than for home use was unthought-of. [Fruit was marketed on a limited basis regionally as early as the 1860s. Some sources credit A. J. Weeks with planting the first commercial orchard in 1883.] His trained, practical mind grasped the situation and its possibilities at once. He planted the first commercial orchard in the valley [This does not mean he planted the first orchard.] and in 1890 shipped the first carload of fruit ever sent to foreign markets. Since that time the industry has grown to immense proportions, and to the initiative of Joseph H. Stewart this growth and prosperity is attributable. Mr. Stewart was the fourth in point of age of ten brothers, and was the first of the ten to pass away. The youngest brother of the ten is fifty-three years of age and the oldest about eighty.
Medford Mail, July 13, 1906, page 4






    When J. H. Stewart set out his orchard in Eden precinct he gave it the name of "Eden Valley Orchards." Later, when the orchards were purchased by Capt. Voorhies, the above name was to some extent replaced by the title of "Voorhies Orchards." Since that time the Burrell Investment Company has acquired title to the orchards and now the place is spoken of only as the "Burrell Orchards," which latter is the title used in all printing matter appertaining thereto.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 31, 1906, page 5


    F. M. Stewart:--"That nephew of mine, A. L. Patton, of Colorado Springs, left Tuesday. He is very favorably impressed with this valley, and I am almost positive he and his family will locate here. I took him out to some of our orchards; showed him Jacksonville and Eagle Point, and gave him one good day's fishing in Rogue River. For my part I don't see how anyone could do anything else than like this country. I have said it a number of times and will repeat it--this is the best all-round, all-purpose country that was ever put out of doors. It is a pleasure to say these things, knowing as one does that the country will make good on any assertion made."
"Street Echoes," Medford Mail, October 5, 1906, page 1


    A. J. Stewart, who has been on a trip to the southern part of the Republic of Mexico, is home again. John H. Stewart, his son, did not return with him, having decided to remain in the mines of that section, where his cousin has been for several years.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, March 22, 1907, page 5


    After a year's travel abroad, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Voorhies and four children returned home on Wednesday. As of old, they will spend their winters in Portland and the remainder of their home at their Medford ranch. While in Europe Mr. and Mrs. Voorhies were for some months in France and also made a long stay in Berlin with Mrs. Voorhies' sister, Mrs. Biddle, whose husband, Lieutenant Biddle, is stationed there as naval attache.
"Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, March 31, 1907, page 26




    F. M. Stewart of this city is in receipt of the sad news of the death of his oldest brother, John Stewart, which occurred at Fowler, Illinois on December 21, 1907. Mr. Stewart had been a horticulturist nearly all his life and as such was a great success. He was eighty years of age.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 10, 1908, page 5


    Howard Hill, son of D. R. Hill of north of town, left Sunday for Berkeley, Cal., where he will take a year's special course in the agricultural department of California's famous state university. He will take up the studies of entomology, botany and chemistry. His object is to perfect himself as a thorough and up-to-date orchardist, in which vocation he is already one of the best for his age in the valley, and will be a worthy successor of his famous grandfather, the late Hon. Joseph H. Stewart, the acknowledged father of the fruit-growing industry of southern Oregon.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail, August 7, 1908, page 6


    The authors of this report have the following to say about J. H. Stewart, who, with his brother, F. M. Stewart, planted the first orchard in the valley [The first settlers planted large home orchards in the early 1850s. Some sources credit A. J. Weeks with planting the first commercial orchard in 1883, the year before J. H. Stewart arrived.], shipped the first car of fruit out of the valley [A carload of apples was shipped within the valley in 1884, the year before Stewart planted his orchard. Fruit was shipped out of the valley by the carload in 1886.] and sent the first fruit to London from this valley in 1893:
    "At that time the so-called father of the fruit industry of Jackson County, Mr. J. H. Stewart, who came to Medford from an eastern fruit district, and understood the possibilities of that enterprise, foresaw a great future for the valley, and accordingly, in 1885, he planted quite a large acreage of apples and pears, the former being largely of the Ben Davis variety. He cared for the trees according to his own ideas, and that orchard stands today as an example of one having always been well cared for. His methods, especially those of pruning, were followed by all the men who set orchards during the few years immediately following, and soon extended to the various other portions of the state where commercial fruitgrowing was attracting attention, the railroad making such an advance possible. It was he who so strongly advocated the industry and who so freely explained the methods of carrying on the work. Thus it was this promoter who first gave the impetus resulting in the large planting in Jackson County."
C. I. Lewis, S. L. Bennett and C. C. Vincent, "Orchard Survey of Jackson County," Oregon Agricultural College Bulletin No. 101, October 1908, also quoted in the Medford Mail, January 29, 1909, page 1






    It is a somewhat significant fact that the Rogue River Valley in Oregon, where the writer has resided for the past twenty-six years, owes its present position in the world's fruit trade largely to the good judgment and horticultural knowledge of a veteran in horticulture from the State of Illinois. There is no better illustration than his experience furnishes that methods of culture and selection of varieties must conform to local conditions. From the day when Hon. J. H. Stewart, now deceased, first saw upon the banquet tables of the Pioneer Association, assembled in annual reunion at Jacksonville, Oregon, a finer display of prime apples than he had ever seen at a state fair in the Mississippi Valley, he became a staunch advocate of commercial fruit culture in southern Oregon. Urging upon his neighbors in the [middle] eighties, before as yet the transportation was provided, the necessity of preparing to supply the Eastern demand for such choice fruit, he himself planted more than one hundred acres of apples and pears, fortunately including a good proportion of yellow Newtown pippins and Bartlett pears.
Wm. H. Holmes, "Southern Oregon Apple Growers--'Rogues' in Name Only," Proceedings of the Thirty-Sixth Fruit-Growers' Convention of the State of California, Watsonville, December 7, 8, 9 and 10, 1909, State Printing Office, page 21


    Clint Stewart, who came [to southern Lane County] from Medford, will plant 2800 apple trees in the spring. . . .
"South Lane Apple Mad," Morning Oregonian, Portland, January 10, 1910, page 9


    C. M. Speck, acting with Neely & Young, of Spokane, and other Spokane associates, have purchased the 605-acre tract of orchard land at Medford owned by Captain Gordon Voorhies, of Portland, paying an even $500,000 for the tract. The land, known as the Burrell orchard, is one of the finest orchards in the state. It is located one mile from Medford.
"Farms Sell Well," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, February 20, 1910, page 50


    Bear Creek orchards, in Southern Oregon near Medford, owned by Hunt Lewis, were recently sold for $160,000.
    C. E. Whistler, one of the owners of the Bear Creek orchard, has been sent by his district to Washington, D. C, to oppose the Lafean bill. Fruit growers of Southern Oregon were wise in their selection, because no more able representative can be found in the Northwest to represent the apple industry.
"Miscellaneous News Items of the Northwest," Better Fruit, April 1910, page 72




    The Chrysanthemum Circle, Women of Woodcraft, will observe Decoration Day today, when services will be held at the cemetery at 5 o'clock, and the graves of the departed members will be decorated.
    During the services a monument which has been erected in memory of Mrs. Stewart, one of the pioneers of the country and an early member of the circle, will be unveiled.
"In Medford's Social Realm," Medford Mail Tribune, June 12, 1910, page B1

    Captain Gordon Voorhies has the largest producing orchard in the Rogue River Valley. He has 605 acres in orchard, most of which is in bearing. One hundred and ten acres of his trees are 18 and 20 years old. This tract Captain Voorhies bought from J. H. Stewart, known as the father of the fruit industry of Southern Oregon, for $20,000 ten years ago. This was the first large sale of fruit land in the valley and started much comment at the time.
    One of the prettiest apple orchards in the valley is the one owned by Bruce Wilson, brother of Dr. George Wilson, situated on Griffin Creek, three miles and a half from Medford. He has 80 acres of 7-year-old apple trees with their first large crop hanging from the trees. These trees are pruned according to the old Stewart system, with one main leader, from which the other limbs branch. The branches begin a few inches above the ground and alternate around the main stalk.
"Many College Men Buying Homes in Rogue River Valley," Medford Mail Tribune, September 13, 1910, page 8


    This question of the danger of overproduction of the apple is the one asked more often than any other at the office of the State Board of Horticulture. Those who come to the Pacific Northwest with the intention of engaging in the apple industry hear of so many apple-planting projects of apparently great dimensions that they become alarmed lest when these projected orchards all come into bearing the supply of apples will far exceed the demand. There are two common causes of an erroneous belief in the danger of an early overproduction of apples. One of these is the assumption that the conditions in the matter of apple planting which exist west of the Rocky Mountains prevail throughout the United States, and the other is that the extensive planting of apple orchards is not of itself a sure indication of an increase of production proportioned to the increase in the area of orchards. Even men of high intelligence have been led into error by the assumption that this is the case. J. H. Stewart, the man who founded the modern commercial apple growing industry in Oregon, made this mistake. He was a skilled orchardist before he came to Oregon and was familiar with the condition of the apple producing industry on both sides of the Rocky Mountains. The orchard which he established near Medford is still one of the finest in Oregon, or in the world. Yet this skilled orchardist and successful business man was convinced in 1892 that we were then on the verge of an overproduction of apples. In a paper which he read before a farmers' institute held in Medford in 1892 he said: "The apple--in this county alone perhaps 50,000 trees are growing. When these trees all come into bearing, say, ten years, where will we market all this crop of apples? The 50,000 trees in the Rogue River Valley will produce 250,000 bushels. This amount is but a drop in the bucket compared with the amount produced in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. Now, where are we to find a market for all these apples? When this time of overproduction does arrive where will some of us who have been planting large orchards find ourselves?"
    Seventeen years have elapsed. The price of apples in the Rogue River Valley has never been lower than it was when Mr. Stewart read his paper. It has averaged much higher since then and the tendency of the price has been up--not down. The Rogue River Valley long ago passed the point of producing 250,000 bushels of apples in one year. Mr. Stewart's error lay in thinking that everybody in Oregon, Washington and Northern California who was planting apple trees would give them the same constant and thorough care that was given by the group of thorough orchardists in the Rogue River Valley who have made the industry a great success there. At the time he read his paper there were not less than 1,800,000 young apple trees growing in Oregon alone. Yet Oregon produces less apples now than it did then, although of much higher average quality and of greater aggregate value per year. The crop now is grown on a very small fraction of the young trees then in the state, and in a few localities--the Rogue River and Hood River Valleys, the Grand Ronde, and a few other places where apple raising was made a specialty and proper care was taken of the trees and orchards. The great mass of those young trees have never counted in supplying apples for market, because they have not received that care which an apple tree must have to enable it to produce fruit for market.
H. N. Williamson, "Apple Market and Danger of Overproduction," Better Fruit, November 1910, page 24




    William H. Stewart, one of the most prominent orchardists of the valley and widely known, died at his Medford residence January 19 of sclerosis of the liver, aged 47 years. He was born at Quincy, Ill., and came here with his parents in 1885. His father, the late Joseph H. Stewart, was the pioneer commercial orchardist of the valley, and planted the Burrell and other famous orchard tracts, and his son followed the same occupation, planting the Hillcrest Orchard and later the Stewart Orchard, west of Central Point, which he owned at his death.
    The deceased was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Blue Lodge, the Shriners, the Knights Templar and the Elks, and a director in the Farmers' and Fruitgrowers' Bank. He leaves a wife, Mrs. Ida Stewart, and three sisters, Mrs. Dillon Hill of Medford; Mrs. A. J. Weeks of Oakland and Mrs. H. M. Crowell of Los Angeles.
    Funeral announcements will be made later.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 19, 1917, page 2


    William A. Stewart, a prominent orchardist of the valley, died at his home in Medford, Friday, Jan. 19, aged 47 years. He planted the Hillcrest Orchard, near Medford, and later the Stewart Orchard, near Central Point.
"Local News," Jacksonville Post, January 20, 1917, page 3


    The Bear Creek Orchard, one of the largest commercial orchards in the Rogue River Valley, is now in the possession of the Rosenberg Brothers, who recently acquired title to it through the settlement of the estate of their father. The orchard comprises 240 acres, two-thirds of which is in apples and the balance in pears.
"Northwest Fruit Notes from Here and There," Better Fruit, August 1919, page 21


    C. W. Whillock, having faith in Medford and believing every man should own his own home, has purchased the beautiful residence of Mrs. Will Stewart on the corner of Mistletoe and Tenth, paying $7000 for the property and $3000 for the furnishings. They get possession October 1st.
"Local and Personal," Medford Sun, September 21, 1919, page 2


    Fifty years ago peaches were one of the most important fruit crops of Adams county. Besides supplying the local markets, from 200,000 to 300,000 boxes were shipped during the summer to St. Paul, Minneapolis and other northern cities, nearly all of which depended on Quincy for their supplies. This was before the time of the Alberta peach, the juiceless, tasteless kind now grown in the South and Southwest, the kind that gets to the consumer a month or two after being gathered, when the shipper finds it advantageous to take them out of cold storage. The Quincy peaches were fully ripened on the tree, full of juice and delicious to the taste. They were picked from the trees, placed in boxes holding one-third of a bushel and in twenty-four hours were on the market in cities as far north as Minneapolis and St. Paul.
    Strawberries were cultivated for market here as early as 1852 and 1853. In 1874, William & J. H.Stewart had over forty acres devoted to this fruit and shipped from 5,000 to 6,000 quarts per day. In 1878, there were over twenty-five farms in the immediate vicinity of Quincy where strawberries were grown for the shipping trade. For a number of years the various kinds of fruit, especially peaches, apples, and strawberries formed a very considerable part of the exports of the country.
    For the early days of John Wood, Willard Keyes and Major Ross, apples have been the staple fruit grown in this county. In 1832, George Johnson, of Columbus, planted the first orchard of grafted apple trees. In 1836, Deacon A. Scarborough, of Payson, set out an orchard of grafted apple trees that he brought from St. Louis. In 1839, Mr. Scarborough set out 200 peach trees, and in 1855 introduced the Concord grape in Adams County. Ten years later Concords were shipped from Quincy to Chicago, St. Joseph, Kansas City, Leavenworth and to all upriver cities.
    In 1837, Clark Chatten planted some grafted apple trees on his farm in Fall Creek township. He added to this small beginning from year to year until he had forty acres covered with apples. In 1840 he planted twelve acres of peach trees. After a few years he purchased another farm in Ellington township and devoted that also to fruit. In 1867 he had in all 243 acres planted in apple trees and 187 acres devoted to peaches, the largest orchard in the state.
    William Stewart, Sr., of Payson, engaged in fruit growing in 1838 and later established Stewart's nursery, for twenty-five years the leading nursery in this section of the state and one of the best in the West. A Quincy branch was started in 1857, which was continued with increasing success by his sons, John & J. H. Stewart, for a number of years. Robert Rankin, of Fall Creek, was another of the pioneers in fruit growing.
    The fruit exhibition of Adams County fruit was made at the Illinois State Fair, at Springfield, in 1853, when William Stewart & Son were awarded a number of premiums, among others first prize for "the best collection of apples named and true to name."
    In 1860, J. H. Stewart took a choice collection of fruit to the annual meeting of the American Pomological Society, held at Philadelphia, where it received the highest commendation from officers of the society and fruit growers of the East. Clark Chatten took first premium at the Illinois State Fair in 1863 for the best cultivated orchard.
    These are among the pioneers who laid the foundation for the big fruit-growing business now successfully carried on in Adams County.
Daily Herald, Quincy, Illinois, April 19, 1920, page 6


    C. E. Stewart, county fruit inspector for Lane County, reports that fire blight has appeared in two orchards in that section in malignant form. Steps have been taken by the county authorities to prevent its spread. Apple growers in Hood River County have also been notified by the local experiment station that this disease has appeared in orchards there in a mild form and instructions have been given
for its treatment.
"Northwest Fruit Notes from Here and There," Better Fruit, August 1920, page 23


    Rosenberg Brothers, proprietors of the Bear Creek Orchards, near Medford, sold a carload of D'Anjou pears on the New York market for $4249, said to be the highest price ever paid for pears in the United States. This represents a price of $4.25 per half box. The deal was made through the Stewart Fruit Company.
"Oregon," Better Fruit, November 1921, page 24


    Rosenberg Brothers have installed equipment at their spray plant on the Bear Creek Orchard, Rogue River Valley, to turn out 2000 barrels of lime-sulfur spray. They started the plant to supply their own needs, but decided to expand, order lime and sulfur by the carload and supply most of the needs of the valley.
     According to C. E. Stewart, Lane County fruit Inspector, hundreds of acres of Italian prunes, walnuts and filberts have been planted in Lane County this fall. There has been especially heavy planting of nuts and many had to send to California to obtain nursery stock.
"Oregon," Better Fruit, December 1922, page 22


    The summer of 1882 the writer was advised by the late colonel L. R. Moores, located at Portland and land commissioner for the Oregon and California railroads, to go to the Rogue River Valley and plant a large commercial orchard to supply the Portland and northern markets. The railroad company had just started to extend their roads from Roseburg south, the terminus at that time, to connect with the Southern Pacific at the state line. The terminus of the Southern Pacific was then at Redding. 314 miles between Roseburg and Redding was covered with the six-horse stagecoaches, running day and night and changing horses every 15 miles. It was expected it would take the railroad about five years to reach Medford and the state line.
    In 1882 the codling moth had destroyed all of the fruit in the Willamette Valley, and the orchardists had given up shipping to their only market, San Francisco. There were many family orchards in full bearing in the Rogue River Valley, free of insect pests at that time. Having letters of introduction to C. C. Beekman, T. Reames, D. Linn, P. Britt of Jacksonville and Coolidge, a nurseryman at Ashland, all spoke in highest terms of the fruit grown, and Mr. Coolidge predicted the day would come when the valley and foothills would be one large orchard, irrigated by the stored waters of Rogue River and tributary streams.
    The summer of 1883, the writer returned to the valley and bought 160 acres two miles south of the proposed town of Medford and then selected right of way. The railroad company promised to put in a switch when the planned orchard came in bearing. My third trip was made to the valley October 1883, and the orchard work started. Over 15,000 trees were later put out, the larger number being hauled by freight teams from Riddle south.
    Trees set out were five thousand peach, 5000 prune, 5000 apples and pears, 350 cherries, 75 apricots, 25 almonds, 1 Kieffer and one LeConte, said to be blight-proof pears, each costing one dollar and expressage from the East, advertised as blight-proof.
    Eight years after the first pear trees were planted, one of the Bartletts died down nearly to the ground, said to be by blight. The top was cut off at the ground and sprouts grew up and later the tree was in full bearing. They were all sprayed with a solution of copperas for two years and apparently no blight appeared for a number of years later.
    1500 of the peach trees set out were Muir, bought at San Jose at a cost of $500, freighted by steamer, rail and wagon extra. From the peaches and prunes planted the first carlots of dried fruit were sold and shipped to Mason, Ehrman of Portland. The railroads took the lion's share, charging $187 freight, ten-ton lots, while we were led to believe a rate of $56, the same as for our melons, would be given. Several crops of peaches and prunes were harvested, not paying running expenses.
    So we pulled up the ten thousand bearing prune and peach trees and replaced with pears and apples. One lot of French pear seedlings were set out and later top-grafted into Comice. When in bearing one carlot, consigned to Sgobel & Day, New York, sold for $10.20 per box, the highest price ever known. The apples came in bearing about that time and six thousand boxes were sent to the English market of Yellow Newtown Pippins, said to be the finest lot of apples ever seen in that market, netting 85¢ per box f.o.b. Medford. Two cars of Ben Davis, mostly 350 [sic] tier, were bought by San Francisco parties and shipped to Australia.
    At the time the Yellow Newtown Pippins were sent to the English market six thousand cars of eastern apples in bulk were on the car tracks at Chicago and no market. In the meantime Alfred Weeks and Eugene Orr, who had been given an interest in the writer's orchard, bought the John Herrin ranch of 202 acres adjoining and set the same to apples and pears of varieties we had successfully grown and found a market for.
    September 1901, Hunt Lewis of Portland bought the tract of 100 acres almost all in bearing trees and 102 acres of the Herrin ranch set out by Weeks and Orr. The remaining tract of the Herrin place, 100 acres, was later sold to the Potter Palmer estate. Rosenberg brothers, of the Bear Creek orchard, are now owners of the 202 acres first sold to Hunt Lewis.
    In September 1901, having disposed of my interests in the first commercial orchard set out in the valley in 1883, I then bought the Mike Hanley orchard of 170 acres, near Central Point, where the largest barn in the valley was burned a few months ago. I tile drained 100 acres and set it out to apples and pears. Before coming into bearing it was sold to W. H. Stewart.
    In 1884 J. H. Stewart, of Quincy, Ill., an expert orchardist and nurseryman, came west to find a new home where blight, codling moths and cold winter did not destroy both fruit and trees. Having a relative two miles east of the proposed town site of Medford, he came to the Rogue River Valley he had heard about. Gathering pears and apples from the pioneer family orchards, he said the Yellow Newtown Pippins and some other varieties the finest he had ever seen. He then decided to locate and bought the Ball ranch of 200 acres, 2½ miles south of the Medford town site, returning to his home at Quincy, Ill. He came back with his family the fall of 1885, bringing a carload of farming tools and trees and planted 200 acres, which was in the fall of 1885.
    In 1898, the orchard was in full bearing and sold to Colonel Voorhies, who is the present owner. It was the first sale of a commercial orchard in the Rogue River Valley. In 1901, the orchard now known as the Bear Creek was sold to Hunt Lewis of Portland. The fine fruit then grown drew the attention of the outsiders of means, who invested in lands and set out orchards all over the valley. Of the varieties introduced and suited to the valley the experimental stage had passed. The varieties, picking, packing, spraying, markets, had been established and there was no uncertainty about the business. The valley owes its wonderful growth to the success of the fruit business which drew the better class of permanent residents of means.
    J. H. Stewart and his brothers planted over 1200 acres of the first orchards and the Weeks brothers, Arthur and Al, and Eugene Orr over 800 acres.
    (Arthur J. Weeks, the author of this interesting article, now resides at Trail, Oregon, and is still planting trees and in the fruit business.)
Medford Mail Tribune, January 2, 1927, page H6


    Fire, shortly after 8 o'clock Sunday evening, completely destroyed the main barn at the Colonel Gordon Voorhies ranch south of Medford, in the Phoenix area, also burning approximately 70 tons of hay, harness and farm implements stored in the building. The large barn was valued at $2,000, Colonel Voorhies stated. It is covered by insurance.
    Flames were leaping up toward the roof when the fire was discovered by Colonel Voorhies, and with the aid of the truck from the Medford fire department the blaze was confined to the one barn.
    The stock was removed before the flames gained much headway.
    The fire was fought by orchard workers, who utilized the underground spray system in providing water and protecting nearby buildings.
    The heat from the fire was intense and "cooked" pears on the trees three rows back.
    The barn was erected 50 years ago, and was a pioneer structure of the district.
    Hundreds of Sunday eventing motorists flocked to the scene, and the Pacific Highway became blocked for a short time.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 22, 1932, page 1



    A [pear blossom] tour of about 30 miles starts on the Jacksonville Highway to Jacksonville, then left to the Stage Coach Orchard, and along South Stage Road and Kings Highway. Just south of the last slight jog in the road is the area's oldest pear planting, set out in 1885. The site marks the beginning of the largest solid planting in the county, about 5,000 acres.
"Connie Hanscom Named Queen of Pear Festival; Tours Suggested," Medford Mail Tribune, April 20, 1956, page 1