Search results
William Mason Colvig. Son of Dr. William Lyngae Colvig and Helen M. Woodford. He married Adelaide D. Birdsey, daughter of David Birdsey and Clara Fleming. (The following information was sent to me by anonymous) He was a direct descendant of a Frenchman, Jean-Baptiste Colvig'ne and a Greek woman Zelesta Abigail Lyngae.
- Birth and Youth
- Military Service
- Youthful Travels
- Marriage and Family
- Elected Offices
- Law Practice
- Later Years and Death
William Mason Colvig was born 2 Sep 1844, in Knoxville, Ray County, Missouri. He was the son of William Lynge and Helen Maria (Woodruff) Colvig. In 1850, he was a five-year-old boy residing with his parents at Parkville, Platte County, Missouri.In a 1922 interview, he seems to imply that as a youngster he knew the infamous Jesse James, who was just...
On 5 Apr 1863, eighteen-year-old William enlisted as a Corporal in Company C, 1st Oregon Calvary, under the command of Col. C.S. Drew. In 1863, William participated in the building of Fort Klamath, and in 1864 he rode with his company to Fort Boise. In 1865, he spent part of the summer on detached service at Fort Douglas, Utah. In the Fall of 1865,...
While in the army, William had managed to save over $700, with which he decided to see the world. In the spring of 1866, he took off for San Francisco and then headed down to Nicaragua aboard the tramp steamer, Taylor. After crossing the Isthmus, he boarded the Santiago de Cuba and headed to New York City.On the boat William carried his $480 nest e...
William and Addie were married 8 Jun 1879. In 1880, the couple was living on the farm of Addie's parents, David and Clara Birdseye, in Rock Point, Jackson County, Oregon, very near the farm of William's own parents. The couple's first child, Clara, was born that February. The couple would have seven children in all, two of which would die young. In...
In about 1880, William was elected school superintendent for Jackson County, Oregon, and served two terms. In 1886, he was elected district attorney, representing the First Judicial District, including Lake, Klamath, Jackson, and Josephine counties, and served three terms. At the time of his election, he knew very little about the law, as knowledge...
William was for a time practiced law in Medford, Oregon, in partnership with George H. Durham. That partnership was dissolved in October 1908, and William immediately formed the new law practice of Colvig & Reames with Clarence L. Reames.Reames would later marry William's daughter, Clara, becoming his son-in-law. Later, William spent many years pro...
1910, William, Addie, and their two youngest sons, Donald And Vance, were residing in a home at 8 Laurel Street in Medford, Jackson County, Oregon, along with their daughter, Mary, and her husband, William Warner. Boarding with the family that year were two real estate agents, Ira Dodge (24) and Harry Houston (24).Addie, passed away two years later...
- Male
- September 2, 1844
- Adelaide V. (Birdseye) Colvig
- January 17, 1936
Given the two-month time lapse since Part 1 of William Mason Colvig’s pioneer profile, let’s begin with a quick recap of the Judge Colvig story. Born in Missouri in 1845, Colvig had crossed the plains to Oregon at age six.
Colvig was elected to two more terms as District Attorney before retiring to private law practice in Jacksonville. During his time as District Attorney, he tried 182 cases and obtained 142 convictions.
Will iam Mason Col vig was born September 2, 1845, in Ray County, Missouri. He was a son of William L. and Helen (Woodford) Colvig. William Col vig emigrated to Oregon in 1851 with his parents. His mother and father settled at Rock Point near Gold Hill. Col vig was reared on his parents; farm, but in 1863 entered the First Oregon Cavalry. Follow-
“Judge” William Mason Colvig: Jack of All Trades, Public Servant, Part 2 Born in Missouri in 1845, Colvig had crossed the plains to Oregon at age six. An ox-drawn covered wagon was his alma mater with his mother teaching him to read during the five and a half months they sped “dizzily over the plains at the rate of 10 or 12 miles a day.”
Colvig House with Family Members, 1895. Photo Source: SOHS #852. William Mason Colvig was born in Missouri in September of 1845 and came across the Oregon Trail with his family in 1851, eventually settling near Canyonville.
