ALFRED BAINBRIDGE COLLVER was born 12 Dec 1819 in Warrensville Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, the son of Gabriel Culver and Philura Brown. He was of Scotch Irish descent. Alfred crossed the plains with his wife Ruth Rice, whom he married in Iowa in 1845. They first settled on a donation claim near Roseburg, in Douglas County, Oregon. Collver blazed an Indian trail into the headwaters of South Coos River in 1857. He then bought homestead rights from James Gordon. This land in now known as the R.G. Rooke farm. The patent which Collver received for the place bears the date June 15, 1864 and the signature of Abraham Lincoln. The patent which Collver received May 1, 1869 for adjoining 44.5 acres was signed by President U.S. Grant.

Alfred was a pioneer of Coos River. He brought the first dairy cattle to the region, and planted the first orchard. Within 8 years of planting his orchard, he was ready to market his fruit, and, if necessary, to devise methods of getting it most adequately to the consumer. Collver initially considered constructing a Plummer Fruit Dryer on his property so that he could dehydrate his apple crop and pack it for shipment. That he needed some special assistance in the pre-refrigeration era was evident. In 1874, his first year of the harvest, Collver shipped 7000 boxes of apples to San Francisco.

Alfred was among those who helped organize the first public school in the county, in a district numbered 1, which was Coos River. He helped organize the first church (United Brethren) on Coos River.

His wife Ruth Collver took pride in her Herb garden and often collaborated with Dr. Jonathon Hodson, also an herbalist, in caring for the sick.

11 children were born to the Collvers. The 3 youngest, Andrew, Howard, and Tillo, were born on Coos River.

Alfred Collver contracted cancer of the face and received word that treatment was available at Independence, Polk County, Oregon. He was unable to travel by coach because of his condition, so he walked the distance from Coos River to Independence. At age 82, he passed away on May 7, 1902 at Independence. He is buried at the Buena Vista Cemetery, space 55, near his mother-in-law and other relatives.