Jesse H. Caton left his home state of Missouri in the company of the famous Applegates to travel the Oregon Trail. He helped to bring the first wagon down the Blue Mountains. He met and married Precious Starr in 1848; she had come here on the Oregon Trail earlier that year. They lived in several areas of Western Oregon before buying a house & tract of land (Lots 1 & 2, Block 16) from Levi Phillips in Corvallis in 1859. Jesse lived in the house until his death in 1863, after which time his family continued to occupy the property until 1913. On March 29, 1913 Jesse’s daughter & son, Ida Forston & J. L. Caton, sold the property to Anna M. Irwin. On April 12 of that year she sold the house to J. H. D. Goldson. Georgia & J. H. D. Goldson sold the house on May 3, 1921 to Sarah J. Brown, who sold it to Stella Brown on January 17, 1925. Stella Brown, a Corvallis bootlegger, quit claim to the property on February 16, 1937 and left Corvallis. On October 30, 1940 Paul & Marion Gathercoal bought the house and property for $800 from the City of Corvallis. They sold it to Paul’s brother Jim & Cleona Gathercoal on November 13, 1944. Jim was a l
ocal architect. He sold the house in 1953 to Robert Irwin who lived in the house for about 50 years. Bob’s son & daughter-in-law, Tom & Jill sold the house to Brian & Kris on April 20, 2007.
We (Brian & Kris) own a design/remodel firm and intend to restore the outside and yard to its original beauty, and convert the inside into our showroom & offices.
ocal architect. He sold the house in 1953 to Robert Irwin who lived in the house for about 50 years. Bob’s son & daughter-in-law, Tom & Jill sold the house to Brian & Kris on April 20, 2007.
