Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 914.
 
FRANCIS M. CHRISMAN

     is one of the best known business men in Lake county. He personally
supervises his diversified interests in such a manner that he has wait a
splendid success in every line. Without doubt an account of his life will be
very interesting to everybody.
     Francis M. Chrisman was born in Lane county, Oregon, on October 29, 1865.
His father, Peter G. Chrisman, better known as "Major" Chrisman, a native of
Illinois, crossed the plains to Oregon in 1851. He came west with his father,
Campbell E. Chrisman, who was the grandfather of our subject.  Major Chrisman
was one of the sturdy and leading pioneers of the Willamette valley and in 1874,
came to Silver lake, being among the first settlers of this section. He occupied
himself with the stock business until 1882, when he sold out and was a moving
spirit in the organization of the Lakeview Bank. For eleven years he was
president of that institution and then retired from active life. For a time he
dwelt in California and now is residing in Baker City, Oregon. He married Nancy
Porter, who crossed the plains from Illinois to Oregon about the same time as
her husband. She is now living with her husband in Baker City. They were the
parents of four children: Francis M. who is our subject; Mrs. Amanda J. Moore of
Baker City; Rhoda and Wiley A., deceased. After studying in the public schools,
our subject took a three years course in the state university at Eugene. He had
come with his parents to Silver Lake in 1874 and after returning here from his
school work, he engaged in the stock business. Later, he sold these interests
and went into partnership with J. H. Clayton in general merchandising, the firm
being known as F. M. Chrisman and Company. This was in 1890. Two years later Mr.
Chrisman's brother purchased the interest held by Mr. Clayton and the firm was
changed to Chrisman Brothers. Owing to the failure of his brother's health, Mr.
Chrisman purchased his brother's interest and has since conducted the
establistiment alone. His brother died in 1895. Mr. Chrisman has a fine large
store building, forty-four by sixty, two stories high with two store rooms
below, and the upper apartments, which are all well fitted with a first class
assortment of general merchandise. He carries everything in the line of dry
goods, notions, groceries, crockery, clothing, boots and shoes, hardware, farm
implements and so forth. Mr. Chrisman is a very progressive and energetic man
and is also a skillful buyer. Thus he is enabled to keep his store replenished
and thoroughly up-to-date. It is the second best stock of goods in Lake county.
The store building is supplied with a fine fire proof safety deposit vault which
is first class in every respect. Since 1891, Mr. Chrisman has been postmaster at
Silver Lake and is now also notary public. In addition to this, he handles the
hotel Chrisman, the leading hotel in Silver Lake, which is a fine, up-to-date
hostelry. This thriving hotel business is practically under Mrs. Chrisman's
management.  Nearby, Mr. Chrisman has a comfortable dwelling, besides other
property in the village. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of first class
farming land. He is vice president of the Lakeview Telephone and Telegraph
Company and is among the largest stockholders. He also owns town property in
Silver Lake. Thus it is seen that in the business world, Mr. Chrisman is one of
the leading men of this part of Oregon. His ability and integrity as a business
man is first-class and his standing in the community is of the very best. Mr.
Chrisman has so handled his large interests that everything from the minutest
detail to the general management is conducted on sound business principles with
a wisdom and an energy that is bringing success in every department.
     Fraternally, he is associated with the Masonic lodge at Eugene, Oregon. Mr.
Chrisman has always been very active in educational work and is a moving spirit
for the betterment of facilities in this line constantly.  He is a public minded
man, generous and always ready to assist every movement for the benefit of the
community.  In church matters, Mr. Chrisman has always donated liberally and is
an ardent supporter of the gospel.
     On September 28, 1888, Francis M. Chrisman married Juda. E. Robinett, who
was born in Lane county, Oregon. Her father, James Robinett, was born in Boone
county, Missouri, and crossed the plains from Buchanan, Missouri, to Clackamas
county, Oregon, in 1847. Later, he removed to Linn county, then to Lane county,
 where he remained until his death in 1896, being them in his sixty-fourth year.
He married Jennie Shields, a native of dark county, Illinois, who journeyed with
her parents to Buchannan county, Missouri, and there attended the same school as
did her husband. She crossed the plains in 1851 with her parents to Linn county,
Oregon, where she was married on November 27, 1851. She is now making her home
in Silver Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman have one daughter, Vida R.  Mr. Chrisman
and his wife and her mother all belong to the Baptist church as also did Mr.
Robinett before his death. In addition to the other enterprises mentioned, we
note that the public telephone is in Mr. Chrisman's office.
      Mr. Chrisman was owner of the goods in the storerooms of the building
which burned on the night of December 24, 1894, in which terrible conflagration
sixteen men, sixteen women, and eight children lost their lives, and which is
fully detailed in another portion of this work. Immediately upon receipt of the
news of the fire in San Francisco, Mr. Chrisman's creditors garnisheed such an
amount of his insurance as would cover their accounts, and telegraphed to the
Portland creditors that a balance of insurance was available to apply on their
accounts. Let it be remembered that so terrible was the catastrophe that the
whole country was dazed at the appalling loss of life and property, and scores
of homes were draped in mourning for loved ones. Every effort was being put
forth to rescue the remains of the unfortunates, and Mr. Chrisman, with others,
was wholly occupied in looking after the injured and rescuing the remains of the
dead. At such a time, the harsh act of the San Francisco men tell heavy.
However, some men were found in Portland who had enough of the milk of human
kindness and honor to reply to the unwarranted advances of the San Francisco men
by wiring back that F. W. Chrisman would pay every cent of his obligations
without such harsh actions in the time of such deep sorrow. And he did, paid
every cent, but we can well understand how differently he feels toward the two
set of creditors.
     Hon. Campbell E. Chrisman was a member of the Oregon legislature in early
days and was a man who succeeded in life well, not only in financial lines, but
in leaving a testimony for right and integrity. He stood above reproach and his
advice and counsel was sought by all who knew him. He died in 1884, at Cottage
Grove, Oregon.
     G. R. Chrisman, who is an uncle of our subject, is county judge of Lane
county and interested in the First National Bank in Eugene.
     It is interesting to note that P. G. Chrisman, our subject's father, built
a log cabin on Silver creek, hired a teacher and had school for six months for
his and the neighbors' children, this being the first school on the creek. He
was very liberal in his dealings, was highly thought of by his neighbors, who
had the utmost confidence both in his integrity and his ability to handle
finances. Even in the stringent times of 1892, and thereabouts, while he was
president of the Lakeview bank, they all counted on his ability to carry the
institution through safely, which he did.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.