NOTES:
1880 OR CENSUS Benjamin Colbath (14y, b Oregon) enumerated with parents E.J. (45y, b Maine, occupation carpenter) and Gabriella (40y, b Illinois) and 4 siblings, all born in Oregon, James H. (17y), Mathe [sic, Nathaniel] (7y), Alfred (5y) and Camilla G. (2y)
MARRIAGE B.B. Colbath and Amanda Harrington, md 12 Aug 1891, Lewis Co, Washington
NOTE divorced by 1910; Amanda died 23 Nov 1957 in Multnomah Co, Oregon [ODI] and was buried at Winlock, Lewis Co, Washington
1910 OR CENSUS Benjamin Colbath (age unknown, b Oregon, single, occupation mill mechanic)
1920 OR CENSUS Benjamin B. Colbath (52y, b Oregon, divorced) enumerated with son Cyrl B. (27y, b Oregon, occupation clerk)
1930 OR CENSUS Benjamin Colvath [sic] (63y, b Oregon, divorced, occupation repair man)
BIOGRAPHICAL: Benjamin B. Colbath, who is now serving as sheriff of Marion county, was born in Salem, April 22, 1866. His father, Elijah J. Colbath, was a native of Bangor, Me, and became one of the pioneer settlers of Oregon in 1852. When a boy he went to sea and for many years followed a life on the ocean wave, rising successively from one position to another until he had become captain of a vessel. As such he sailed around Cape Horn to Portland and then resigned his captaincy in order to establish a home in Oregon. In 1853 he located in Salem and built a sawmill on the Willamette river, for the manufacture of lumber. For twelve years he conducted that enterprise in a profitable manner and then floods washed away the mill. He afterward engaged in contracting and building in Salem, where he likewise followed the occupation of a millwright until he went to the shore of Puget sound in 1889. He erected several large mills there but afterward returned to Salem, where he was actively identified with the improvements of the city as a contractor and builder. Many of the fine structures which he erected still stand as monuments to his enterprise and his skill. He was a Democrat in his political views and he died in Salem Mary 14, 1898. His widow, still surviving him, was born in Pike county, Ill, and bore the maiden name of Gabriella Hayden. In 1852 she came to Oregon with her father, William Hayden, who brought his family to this state, making the long and arduous journey across the plains, and upon its completion settling in Salem. In this state he followed farming until his death, which occurred in Polk county in 1868. Mrs Colbath is still a resident of Salem, and of her six children five are still living, namely: James H. of Salem; Benjamin B.; Nathaniel, who is employed as a clerk in Salem; Alfred B., a contractor and builder here; and Camilla of Salem.
Mr Colbath was reared in Salem and his early educational privileges were those of the common schools. Later he entered Willamette University and completed a course in the Portland Business College in 1886. From early boyhood days he had been familiar with the building trade, having assisted his father, and followed carpentering in Salem until he went to Tacoma, where he engaged in the operation of a panning mill. For four years he was identified with industrial interests there, but in 1890 returned to Salem, where he carried on contracting and building on his own account until 1898, when he was appointed deputy sheriff under F.W. Durbin, serving for four years as his chief deputy. At the end of that time, in 1902, he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the office of sheriff and was the only candidate on that ticket elected, the others all being defeated by a large Republican majority. Certainly no greater evidence of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens could be given than the fact that he was thus chosen for office. On July 7, 1902, he took the oath for a two years’ term and is discharging his duties with the same reliability and promptness that characterized his service as deputy. He has always been active in support of the Democracy and his labors have not been without result in securing success.
Mr Colbath was married in Seattle, Wash, in 1890, to Miss Amanda Harrington, daughter of T.S. Harrington, and a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, and they have one son, Cyril B. Fraternally Mr Colbath is connected with the Woodmen of the World and also with the Daniel Waldo Cabin, Native Sons of Oregon, and is also a member of Salem Lodge 336, BPOE. He is a man well liked as is indicated by his election to the office of sheriff and his fidelity to duty is a matter above question.
Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1903), p 346-47
BIOGRAPHICAL: B. B. COLBATH. The subject of this sketch is a native Oregonian, having been born in this city on April 22, thrity-three years ago. Excepting only a very few years, Mr. Colbath has been a continuous resident of the Capital City, where he has acquired his education and also learned his trade, that of a carpenter. For many years he followed his vocation in this city fulfilling many important contracts. In July 1898 upon Sherrif Durbin's election, Mr. Colbath was appointed to a deputyship in that department, in which position he served faithfully until August 1898, when upon the resignation of F. N. Derby, he was advanced to the first deputyship, his knowledge of the affairs of this important department making him a valuable assistant to Sheriff Durbin. Mr. Colbath has made an excellent official, ever courteous and accommodating to persons having business to transact in that department, a circumstance that accounts in a large measure for the popularity in which he is generally held. Inasmuch as Sheriff Durbin does not desire a reelection, Mr. Colbath will be a candidate for the Democratic ticket to be voted next June. Mr. Colbath is a prominent member of Salem Lodge No. 336, B. P. O. E., Salem Camp No. 118, Woodmen of the World, and of Dan Waldo Cabin, No. 3, Native Sons. Oregon Statesman Illustrated Annual, Supplement to the Oregon Statesman, January 3, 1900. pg. 26:1. Photograph is included.;
BIOGRAPHICAL: SHERIFF-ELECT B. B. COLBATH -- B. B. Colbath, sheriff-elect of Marion county (with photograph) --- See: Oregon Statesman, Jun 4, 1902, pg. 1. Benjamin J. Colbath was appointed to take Wrightman's [Frank T. Wrightman] place and remained Sheriff until 1904, when W. J. Culver was elected to two consecutive two-years terms. A History of the Oregon Sheriffs 1841-1991, by Linda McCarthy., p. 158
|
OBITUARY:
Benjamin B. Colbath, late resident of 111 Chemeketa street, September 10, at the age of 71 years. Survived by one son, Cyril B. Colbath, a sister, Mrs. Wm Lott, and one brother, Albert Colbath, all of Salem. Memorial services will be held from the Walker & Howell funeral home, 545 North Capitol street, Monday, September 13 at 2 p.m. with Rev. L. B. Jones officiating. Concluding services at the IOOF cemetery. Oregon Statesman 12 Sep 1937 5:1.
Rites Set Monday for Ben Colbath Funeral services for Benjamin Bailey Colbath, Marion county sheriff in 1904 and 1905, whodied Friday night, will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Walker & Howell funeral home. Born in Polk county April 25, 1866, Colbath spent most of his life in Salem. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Elija Colbath, early pioneers. He lived at 111 Chemeketa street when he died at the age of 71. After serving as deputy sheriff under Frank Durbin he became sheriff in 1901 and held the job until 1905. He was charter member of the Elks Salem lodge No. 336. Survivors include a son, Cyril B. Colbath, a sister, Mrs. Camilla G. Lott and a brother. A. B. Colbath, all of Salem. Oregon Statesman 12 Sept 1937 5:8
|
SOURCES:
OSBH DC (Marion Co., 1937) #832
S&H pg 26
1880 OR CENSUS (Marion Co, E Salem, ED 80, FA#309)
Washington Marriage Records (Ancestry.com)
1910 OR CENSUS (Marion Co, Salem, ED 222, sheet 19B)
1920 OR CENSUS (Marion Co, Salem, ED 341, sheet 13A)
1930 OR CENSUS (Marion Co, Salem, ED 64, sheet 7A)
PBRWV, pp 346-347
OS Illus Annual, Supp OS, 3 Jan 1900 26:1 (Photograph is included)
OS 4 Jun 1902, pg 1
OS 12 Sept 1937 5:1, 5:8
McCarthy, p. 158 (photograph included)
|
