Hill, Martin
MARTIN M. HILL
One of the most progressive farmers of the Hood River valley
is Martin M. Hill, whose operations have been on an
extensive scale and successful to a degree that has stamped
him as a man of sound judgment and practical business
ability. Mr. Hill was born about eighteen miles south of
Waterloo, Iowa, on the 14th day of September, 1869, and is a
son of Martin S. and Mary E. Hill. His mother was born in
Ireland, from which country she was brought to the United
States in early childhood. Martin S. Hill was born in
Ohio and was reared to the life pf a farmer. In the late
'40s he went to Iowa with his parents, his father, Joseph
Hill, locating on a homestead in Tama county, of which
locality he was a pioneer, being one of the very first
farmers in that county, and there he lived until his death.
Martin S. Hill also engaged in farming, meeting with
success, and died there. To him and his wife were born eight
children: Mrs. Ella Fike, of Waterloo, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah
Simmons and Mary, twins, the former of whom lives in Iowa,
while the latter is deceased; Mrs. Lillie Cline, deceased;
Martin M.; T. F., who lives in Hood River; G. W., of
Waterloo, Iowa, and 0. H., of Hood River.
Martin M. Hill was educated in the public schools of his
native state and worked on the farm until his marriage, in
1892, when he farmed for himself for five years, after which
he moved into the town of Waterloo and went to work for a
vehicle and implement company, with which he remained until
1901. In that year he resigned his position and he and his
wife bought nine-months return tickets and started west to
see the country. They stopped in various states, looking the
country over carefully, and on reaching Oregon were
favorably impressed with the level country around Howell
prairie, near Salem. However, he did not purchase there, but
continued on to eastern Oregon, and at The Dalles met a man
who advised him to look over the Hood River valley before
deciding on a location. He followed the suggestion, driving
all over the lower valley, and, liking the looks of his
present place, he went to Portland and bought it from a Mr.
Johnson, a street car conductor. The place contained fifty
acres, the only improvements consisting of a small shack, a
few outbuildings and about ten acres in apple orchard, the
trees being planted among old pine stumps, the remainder of
the land being in timber and brush. He set to work clearing
the land, blasting and burning out the stumps, and planted
it all to apples. In 1908 he sold ten acres, containing a
six-year-old apple orchard, for sixteen hundred dollars an
acre, which at that time was the highest price ever received
for farm land in the northwest, and there were no buildings
on the land. Mr. Hill has taken out all of his apple trees
and now has his land all planted to pears, of the Anjou,
Base and Bartlett varieties and has a valuable and
productive ranch, in the development of which he has done a
vast amount of hard work, but he feels amply repaid. Mr.
Hill has taken an active part in affairs contributing to the
welfare of his section of the state. In 1012 he and a few of
his neighbors organized and erected the Hood River Apple and
Storage Plant, at Van Horn, near his home place, and
operated it successfully for several years, when it was sold
to the Hood River Apple Growers Association. He owned a
large apple and pear orchard at Dee, in the Hood River
Valley, but sold it in 1923. He was president of the Hood
River State Bank for eight years, or until it was sold to
the Butler Bank. In 1910 Mr. Hill built one of the finest
farm homes in the state of Oregon, finished in white oak,
with beamed ceilings, while the house is surrounded with
beautiful grounds, the spacious lawn being ornamented with
shrubbery and flowers, making it one of the most attractive
homes in this part of the country.
In 1892 Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Carrie B.
Smith, who was born and reared in Iowa, a daughter of
William W. and Estella Smith, both of whom are deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. Hill were schoolmates in Iowa and shared in their
interests and activities. There is one child, Ruth, who was
born in Oregon, and graduated from the Jefferson high school
in Portland and from Mills College, at Oakland,
California. In 1914 Mr. and Mrs. Hill and their
daughter took a trip to the Orient, visiting China, Japan
and other countries of the far east, and spent a winter in
Honolulu, greatly enjoying the vacation.
Politically Mr. Hill is a democrat and was nominated by his
party for the state legislature but did not make the race,
due to the precarious condition of his wife's health. Her
death, in February, 1916, occurred at a time when, had he
been elected, he would have been in the legislature at
Salem. He was a member of the first board of county
commissioners on the organization of Hood River county in
1908, and also served several years as a member of the
irrigation board. Mr. Hill in 1928 was elected district
delegate to the democratic national convention at Houston,
Texas, which nominated Alfred Smith of New York. He has
shown a keen interest in educational and highway affairs and
has been an influential factor in many ways in advancing the
general interests of his community and county. He is a
member of Hood River Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M.; Hood
River Chapter, R. A. M.; Hood River Commandery, K. T., and
Al Kader Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S., at Portland. He is
justifiably proud of his home and orchards, all of which
represents the results of his determined and well directed
efforts, and throughout the community in which he lives he
commands the unqualified confidence and respect of his
fellowmen, who appreciate his sterling personal qualities
and his worth as a citizen.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Clark, William
WILLIAM LEWIS CLARK
William Lewis Clark, city engineer of Hood River, has had
many years of practical experience in surveying and
supervising public work and is discharging the duties of his
present position in an able and satisfactory manner. He was
born in Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin, on the 19th of May,
1867, and is a son of Newton and Mary (Hill) Clark. His
paternal grandparents were Thomas L. and Delilah (Saddoris)
Clark, the former of whom was born in New York and the
latter in Pennsylvania. T. L. Clark drifted westward from
the New England States with the general trend of the pioneer
of his day, spending some years in Indiana and Illinois. At
Lake Michigan he and his brothers operated one of the first
boats which was called the "Lucky Boy." This was before the
founding of the city of Chicago. From Illinois he moved to
Wisconsin where he followed lumbering and farming, and from
there went to Denver in the late '60s and was the pioneer
truck farmer, supplying the new city with vegetables. He was
also the original owner of the townsite of Golden.
His son, Newton Clark, was born in Illinois, May 27, 1838,
and was but a lad when the family went to Wisconsin, in
which state he was reared, securing his education in the
public schools and at Point Bluff Institute, from which
school he was graduated with honors. He engaged in farming
and for several years was also identified with mercantile
business in that state. He then became a pioneer of South
Dakota and was prominent in the affairs of the territory. He
was elected to the territorial legislature on the republican
ticket and in that body made an enviable record, his public
services being so highly valued that Clark county, that
state, was named in his honor. He was chairman of the board
of county commissioners of Minnehaha county for a number of
years and was principal of the public schools of Sioux
Falls. He was active in the conventions of his party in that
state and exerted a marked influence on the affairs of that
day. in 1877 he again turned his face westward and at Denver
he was joined by his father and mother and all three drove
overland to Oregon, locating in Hood River, in which
locality he followed farming and surveying for eleven years.
In the latter vocation he did much effective work and made
the first survey of the upper Hood River valley. He was
appointed grand recorder of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, which necessitated his removal to Portland, and he
held that office up to the time of his death, which occurred
in June, 1918. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having
enlisted in 1861 as a private in Company K, Fourteenth
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out of the
service with the rank of regimental quartermaster in
October, 1865. During his service he took part in fourteen
major engagements under General Grant; was all through the
western campaign, fighting under General Canby in the Red
River campaign; and was at the siege of Mobile when peace
was declared. He furnished the flag which was hoisted on the
court house at Vicksburg on the declaration of peace. In all
the communities in which he resided he was regarded as an
enterprising, progressive and public spirited citizen and at
all times commanded the unqualified confidence and respect
of his fellowmen. He was a member of the first Masonic lodge
organized in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the early '70s;
was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and
the Grand Army of the Republic. On October 14, 1860, at
Freedom, Wisconsin, Newton Clark married Miss Mary Hill, who
was born in Greenock, Scotland, and whose death occurred in
Hood River, Oregon, in July, 1918, but a few weeks after the
death of her husband. She was a daughter of William Hill,
who was a younger son of the Hill family who operated
flouring mills and sailed a fleet of grain ships from the
River Clyde. This business has been owned by the Hill family
for generations and is operated by the oldest son of the
family today. When Mr. Clark was but four months old, Mr.
Hill brought his family to the United States, settling first
in Ohio but later moving to Wisconsin, where he spent the
remainder of his life. During his early years here he
followed milling, but later turned his attention to farming.
His wife was a native of the Isle of Jersey.
William Lewis Clark received his early schooling in South
Dakota, and in October, 1878, he accompanied his mother on
the overland trip to Oregon, to which state his father had
preceded them the previous year. In the schools of the Hood
River valley he continued his studies, also attending a
private school in Hood River taught by Professor Thomas R.
Coon, a pioneer educator of that locality. Mr. Clark then
worked under his father in surveying the upper Hood River
valley in Oregon and the White Salmon valley in Washington,
and later on was employed under his father in engineering
work during the location and construction of the railroad
through the Columbia river canyon. He then secured a
position under John Q. Jamieson, assistant engineer for the
Northern Pacific Railroad, at that time in charge of
construction of Stampede tunnel, where he remained until the
tunnel was holed through. Following this he was employed in
various capacities by the Northern Pacific and Southern
Pacific railroads in Washington, Oregon and California. In
1900 he was appointed deputy city engineer by W. B. Chase,
who was then city engineer of Portland. From 1903 to 1907 he
was in the employ of the United States engineers at Cascade
locks under the then Major W. C. Langfitt and James S.
Polhemus, assistant engineer in the Portland office. During
this time he was in charge of the engineering work of two
contracts obtained by Kiernan & Taylor of Portland, who
completed the middle 1ock chamber and various other details
of the lock plans, and was also superintendent of the
operating department of Cascade locks during the same
period.
Resigning in 1907, Mr. Clark came to Hood River, where for
ten years he was engaged in the wholesale flour and grain
business. In 1917 he entered the employ of the state highway
department, with which he was connected until 1922, when he
was appointed city engineer of Hood River, and is still
serving in that capacity.
In 1889, at Middleton, Idaho, Mr. Clark was united in
marriage to Miss Estella Mabee, a native of Lockwood,
Missouri, and a daughter of S. P. and Mary Jane Mabee, both
of whom are still living in Missouri, where the father is
engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Mabee are
natives of Indiana, in which state, in young manhood, the
father enlisted in the Union army and served four years.
They are the parents of eight children, George, Frank, John,
Joseph, Jacob H., Ada, Cora and Estella. Mr. and Mrs. Clark
have a son, Newton, who was born in Hood River; was
graduated in civil engineering from Leland Stanford
University, and is now employed as a surveyor in Hood River,
being the third engineer in the Clark family in direct line
of descent. He is a member of the Masonic order.
William Lewis Clark is a member of Hood River Lodge No. 105,
A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; Hood River
Chapter No. 27, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest;
Hood River Council No. 8, R. & S. M.; Hood River
Commandery No. 12, K. T., of which he is a past eminent
commander; and Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at
Portland. He has served on the board of directors of the
Hood River Chamber of Commerce, which was chiefly
instrumental in promoting the Columbia River highway. He has
shown a deep and effective interest in everything relating
to the progress and advancement of his locality, supporting
all measures for the betterment of the public welfare, and
has well earned the reputation which he enjoys as one of
Hood River's most valuable citizens, while socially he is
extremely popular throughout the range of his acquaintance.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Rand, William
William F. Rand
William F. Rand, who represents an old and honored family of
the Hood River valley, was formerly a well known timber
cruiser and is now connected with the Pacific Power &
Light Company. He was born at La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1859
and his paternal ancestors were among the early setters of
New England. His father, Robert Rand, was born August 28,
1836, in Jefferson county, Ohio, and was a son of William
and Margaret (Winters) Rand, natives respectively of Vermont
and Ohio.
Robert Rand was reared in Virginia and during the summer
months assisted his father in tilling the soil, while in the
winter season he attended the district school, to which he
walked a distance of three miles when it was in session. He
went to Wisconsin in 1853 in company with his parents and
for six years thereafter was identified with the logging
industry. On September 16, 1857, he was married in the
Badger state to Miss Christina Gillespie, who was born in
the state of New York. She was a daughter of John and
Charlotte Gillespie, the former a native of Scotland, while
the latter was born in the Empire state. The following
account of Mr. Rand's western experiences was written by
Fred Lockley and appeared in the Oregon Daily Journal of
March 29, 1915:
"Robert Rand, who settled at Hood River when it was a
straggling village, in speaking of his trip across the
plains in 1859 said: 'If a bad beginning makes a good ending
we certainly could qualify for a prosperous ending of our
trip. We had only been out a few days when we began to meet
up with "Old Man Trouble." On Cottonwood creek we were
caught by a severe storm that blew our tents away and tipped
some of our wagons upside down. After the storm had let up
four men came to our camp. They had been camped on the shore
of a little lake to the westward and their oxen and wagon
had been blown off the bank into the lake. The oxen were
drowned and the wagon was blown out into deep water. The men
were on their way back to Council Bluffs.
"'Within a few days of the downpour the sun had dried the
roads and the oxen kicked up such a dust you could hardly
see them. No need to tell me that men are made out of the
dust of the earth. I swallowed enough dust by the time we
got to Fort Laramie to make several good sized men. I
remember while we were camped near Fort Laramie the
old-fashioned overland Concord stage coach drove up. It had
eight mules and they sure could travel. The stage pulled up
for a moment and we learned that Horace Greeley was aboard
and was billed to make a speech that night in Laramie. Sure,
I went to hear him. He made a good talk, too. Next morning
the stage with Greeley aboard came galloping down from Fort
Laramie. The driver didn't hit the ford right, and over went
the stage. Greeley waded ashore through the shallow water.
He took it pretty philosophically and said, "Well, the water
is just as wet here as it is back east." One of our boys
said, 'We don't use it as much out here for watering stock
as they do in the east." Greeley smiled and said, "You must
be a democrat." Our man replied, "That's right. I'm from
Missouri." Greeley shook hands with all of us. When he shook
hands with me I told him, he was taking the advice he had
been giving so long in regard to going west.
"'Our company broke up a three days' journey beyond
Independence Rock and I went on with Mr. Knapp. We ran short
of grub, and from near Fort Bridger until we got to Salt
Lake we lived on flour gravy and not much else except an
occasional jack rabbit. In Echo canyon we found the trenches
and earthworks built by the Mormons to resist the federal
troops. We stayed five days at Salt Lake. While I was there
I called at Brigham Young's home to see him. He invited me
into his library and advised me to settle at Salt Lake. He
told me of the wonderful future of the country and of the
Mormon church. He wanted me to stay and advised me to take a
wife or two and settle down. He certainly made a very strong
and plausible argument, but I told him I was headed for
California and was going clear through.
"'At Ogden we met a woman named Mrs. Martin, who, when she
found we were going to California begged us to take herself
and two daughters with us. She and her husband and two girls
were from Maine. Her husband had been converted to the
Mormon faith and they had come to Salt Lake City. They had
not been there long when her husband died. She said Brigham
Young wanted her to marry a man who already had four wives,
and her sixteen year old daughter was to be married to a man
with three wives, while a husband had also been selected for
her youngest daughter, who was only fourteen years old. She
begged us to take them along. Mr. Knapp opposed it, as it
might mean the death of all of us from the Danites. Mrs.
Knapp said she would rather die fighting than to leave the
woman to such a fate, so we decided to let them come with
us.
"'One of our vehicles was a light spring wagon with a calico
quilt for a cover and we had them ride in this light wagon.
We had traveled about five miles beyond Bear river when Mr.
Knapp, looking back, saw five men on horseback riding hard
to overtake us. We had the woman and her two daughters lie
down and we covered them up with bedclothes and placed
things over them. We took out our guns and got ready for a
fight. The horsemen rode up, looked in all our wagons and
finally asked us if we had seen anything of three women. Mr.
Knapp said "No," and after a short consultation they rode
on.
"'Mrs. Martin was terrified as she recognized the voice of
the spokesman as that of the man who wanted to marry her
sixteen year old daughter. We had only gone a few miles when
we met a detachment of United States troops. We told the
captain we were afraid the Mormons would come back and
discover Mrs. Martin and her girls with us and possibly
murder us all. He detailed five soldiers to escort us. While
we were in camp on the head waters of the Humboldt river we
were joined by the five Mormons who were in search of the
runaway women. Mr. Knapp told the soldiers who they were and
the soldiers sent them about their business in a hurry.
Before we crossed the Carson river the soldiers went back to
rejoin their command.
"'While we were camped at the foot of the mountains getting
everything ready for the hard trip over the divide to
Hangtown, a man rode up and asked us if he could accompany
us, as he was without food or money. He stayed with us that
night and next morning rode on. That night when we were all
asleep he came back and we were awakened by the command to
hold up our hands and keep them up. He had one or two other
men with him. They took seventeen hundred and fifty dollars
from Mr. Knapp and about eighty dollars from our tent. I had
two hundred dollars in gold coin in my boot, which I was
using as a pillow, so that was saved. They took all of our
provisions, so we went without breakfast the next morning.
We caught up with some other emigrants, who gave us enough
food to last until we got to Hangtown.
"'I mined in Amador county, California, until 1862, when I
returned to Wisconsin by way of the isthmus of Panama and
for five years I followed agricultural pursuits in the
Badger state. At the end of that time I went to Iowa, where
I lived until 1884, when I came out to Oregon. I landed at
The Dalles and looked around. It didn't look good to me.
There wasn't room for a cow to lie down for the rocks. As I
stood on the corner I saw a man coming along whose looks I
liked. I stopped him and asked if there wasn't any better
land in eastern Oregon than this. He said, "My name is E. L.
Smith. I am registrar of the land office here. Come up and I
will show you the map and show you what land is untaken." He
told me he lived at Hood River and he sort of boosted for
his section. He said as I left, "Don't go back to Portland
without stopping at Hood River to size it up." I stopped
there and looked around. Half a mile from the village I
found a fifty-acre place, which could be secured for twelve
hundred dollars. Mount Hood appeared to be in the back
dooryard of the farm and the river looked so close you could
almost throw a stone in it. I fell in love with the view and
bought the place. Well, after I had purchased it I came to
the conclusion I had been skinned good and plenty; still I
couldn't help realizing that I had more than twelve hundred
dollars worth of scenery. The town of Hood River later
spread all over my place and after being cut up it sold for
ninety-five thousand dollars.
"'I got another ranch. It had a small irrigation ditch on it
and a patch of strawberries. One morning I heard a lot of
commotion in the strawberry bed and I found three fine trout
flopping around among the strawberries. I gathered a
milk-pan full of the berries, cleaned the fish, and we had
fried trout and strawberry shortcake for dinner. I remember
that day well because I got a letter from my brother back
east asking about Hood River. I sat right down and answered
it. I told him about picking a gallon of strawberries and
three trout out of my garden that morning and I also told
him about Mount Hood, Mount Adams, the Columbia river and a
few other things. He was mad when he received my letter and
wrote that he wanted facts, not a pack of lies. People back
east won't believe you when you tell them the truth about
Oregon. Since I came here in 1884 I have bought and sold
fourteen ranches. Whenever I can make a profit on a place I
let it go. When I landed in Hood River on October 24 land
could be had at from five to twenty dollars an acre anywhere
in the valley. No one then would have dared to prophesy that
the time would come when Hood River would be known all over
the world for apples, strawberries and scenery.
"'In 1885 I bought the Mount Hood Hotel, which I conducted
in Hoed River until 1893, when I sold out to C. A. Bell.
Meanwhile I had opened a store in Hood River and conducted
the business for five years with the assistance of my son,
J. E. Rand. At the end of that time I disposed of the store
and in 1904 built the Wau-gwin-gwin Hotel just west of Hoed
River.' Mr. Rand took me over his place recently and set a
pace which kept me going some. We went first to the north
porch of his home. The porch overhangs a bluff which drops
abruptly for nearly two hundred feet. Ten yards from the end
of the porch Wau-gwin-gwin creek leaps over the cliff. At
times, when the sun strikes the spray from the falling
water, a rainbow trembles above the water. From below the
wind-caught, milk-white water looks like a filmy veil of
lace over the brow of the cliff. 'This used to be a great
meeting place for the Indians in the early days,' said Mr.
Rand. 'It was taken up by John Dye and his squaw. I bought
it from a man named Amen and paid twenty-eight hundred
dollars for the forty-three acres here. People thought I was
an easy mark to pay that amount for forty-three acres of
rocks and oak trees stretched along the bluffs overlooked
the Columbia, They didn't know that sunsets and waterfalls,
rugged old oaks and huge heaps of weather-worn rocks had any
commercial value, but for every nickel I put into this place
I will take a dollar out.' He later sold to Simon Benson for
thirty-five thousand dollars which proved the wisdom of his
opinion.
"From Wau-gwin-gwin falls we went to the fish pond, where a
rowboat, rustic bridges and hundreds of hungry trout help to
add to the natural attractiveness of the scene. From there
we clambered over a rocky trail through the oaks and
evergreens to the 'Point of Rocks.' Here an observatory has
been built and one can see for miles up and down the
picturesque Columbia. As we sat there in the beauty of a
perfect spring day Mr. Rand chatted of the experiences that
have come to him in the past eighty years. 'Young people
nowadays expect too much. They want too many luxuries,' he
said. 'If they have to choose between plain fare with love
and luxury without it, they are pretty apt to chose the easy
time. When I married we started housekeeping with a dollar's
worth of sugar and a silver dollar. We decided to save the
dollar for a rainy day and we kept it around the house for
years. We lived off of our place. Anyone could take up a
place in those days. Our garden and chickens kept us. Pretty
soon we had a cow and with milk and butter, wild honey,
fried chickens and eggs, corn pone and fresh vegetables,
why, what more do you want? No, we didn't buy coffee. We
parched wheat and barley and ground it up and drank it with
long sweetening. We could make a bushel of wheat coffee for
fifty cents. Nowadays they put it in a package, call it
Postum and get fifty cents a pint for it.'" Mr. Rand took a
keen interest in Masonic affairs and for nearly six decades
was connected with the order, which he joined in 1866.
Sturdy, courageous, industrious and resourceful, he was a
fine type of the western pioneer and a man of exceptional
worth. His long and useful life was terminated January 15,
1924, when he was eighty-seven years of age. He had long
survived his, wife, who passed away January 29, 1899.
Their son, William F. Rand, received a grammar school
education and worked in his father's brickyard at La Crosse.
When a young man of twenty-one he went with his parents to
Belmont, Wright county, Iowa, and in 1884 accompanied the
family on the journey to Oregon. In partnership with his
father he engaged in ranching in the Hood River valley,
purchasing a tract of eighty-five acres, covered with a
dense growth of timber. They cleared a portion of the farm,
planting twenty-five acres to fruit, and were among the
early orchardists of the valley. In 1885 William F. Rand
joined a force of men who were at work on the Stampede
tunnel, which was then being built through the Cascade
mountains by the Northern Pacific Railroad. For two and a
half years he was in the employ of the road and during that
time aided in supporting the family, keeping for his own
needs only five dollars a month from his earnings. In 1891
he returned to Hood River and built a livery stable, of
which he was the proprietor for six years. After selling the
business he purchased land in the valley and engaged in
ranching independently for two years. For a few months he
worked in a box factory at Hood River and then became a
timber cruiser, also locating settlers on government land.
Mr. Rand became widely known as a timber cruiser and
continued in that line of work for a quarter of a century.
An expert in estimating the value of standing timber, he
executed commissions for several large lumber firms. He made
his own maps and could locate himself anywhere in the wilds
of Oregon. In 1922 he became connected with the Pacific
Power & Light Company in the capacity of field man, with
headquarters at Hood River, and has since been retained in
this important position, serving the corporation with
conscientiousness and efficiency.
Mr. Rand was married April 10, 1890, in Portland, Oregon, to
Miss Minnie Le Roy, a native of Pennsylvania. Her parents
were Alphonzo and Addle Evelyn (Rosecrans) Le Roy, the
former having been born in Paris, France, and the latter in
Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. Le Roy was reared in England and attended
Oxford University in England. In 1860 he came to the United
States and continued his studies in New York, receiving the
degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Hamilton Theological
Seminary. He was ordained to the ministry and preached in
Baptist churches throughout tile state of New York. In 1888
he came to Oregon and for three years was pastor of a church
at Astoria. His next charge was at Brownsville, Oregon,
where he spent two years, and his religious duties then took
him to La Grande, this state. There he was stationed for
about eight years and in addition to his pastoral work
served for four years as postmaster of the town. Rev. Le Roy
was afterward called to Portland and for several years was
pastor of one of the Baptist churches of the Rose city. He
was a sincere follower of the faith he preached and his
efforts were productive of good in every community which he
served. To Dr. and Mrs. Le Roy were born four children:
Bertha, who is now Mrs. William Townsend, of Portland,
Oregon; Minnie; Bickmore, whose home is at Willows,
California; and Mrs. Alma E. Holmes, of Portland. Mrs. Rand
was graduated from the State Normal School at Fredonia, New
York, and previous to her marriage was engaged in
educational work for two years, proving a successful
instructor. Mr. and Mrs. Rand have a family of six children:
Edgar Leroy, who died at five months; Clyde A., who is
married and lives in Portland; Clara, who is the wife of
Dewey Rowland and the mother of two children, Patricia and
William Ransome; Marion, who is employed in the central
library at Portland; Dorothy, who is Mrs. James W. Fenemore,
of Hood River, and has one child, James William; and Johny
Edward, of Portland.
Mr. Rand belongs to Hood River Lodge of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and his political allegiance is given to the
democratic party. He was appointed deputy sheriff of Wasco
county and acted in that capacity for eight years, serving
under D. L. Cates and Thomas Ward. An ardent disciple of
Izaak Walton, Mr. Rand knows where to look for the wily
trout for he has cruised all over the lakes, streams and
mountains of Oregon. By nature he is genial, honest and
sincere and is highly esteemed by those who enjoy the
privilege of his acquaintance. During the World war Mrs.
Rand was chairman of the local committee on defense and also
furthered the interests of the American Red Cross Society.
For ten years she has been in the service of the
Oregon-Washington Telephone Company, of which she is
cashier, and also discharges the duties of office manager.
She is a woman of culture and refinement and a winning
personality has drawn to her a wide circle of loyal friends.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Bartmess, Samuel
SAMUEL E. BARTMESS
Among the citizens of Hood River whose individual efforts
have not only gained for them well merited prosperity, but
have also contributed very materially to the development and
progress of the community, stands Samuel E. Bartmess, who is
the pioneer merchant of Hood River and the dean of the
funeral directors of this locality, in which business he has
been engaged for over thirty-eight years. Mr. Bartmess was
born at Dayton, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on the 15th of
September, 1853, and is a son of Oliver Cromwell and Sarah
(Clark) Bartmess, the former having been born in Maryland in
1819 and the latter in Ohio in 1822. The father owned a fine
farm in Indiana, on which he lived for over fifty years.
Both parents are deceased, the mother dying in Indiana in
1893 and the father in Hood River, Oregon, in 1906, at the
age of eighty-seven years. They were active members of the
United Brethren church. They had four children, namely:
Sophia, who was the wife of Dr. J. H. Crouse and died in
1869; Martha, who is the wife of Dr. L. T. Strouther, of
Kansas City, Missouri; Samuel E., of this review; and
William Francis, who lives on the old homestead in Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Bartmess, out of the kindness of their hearts,
also reared and educated five other children.
Samuel E. Bartmess attended the public schools and entered
Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, from which he
was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in
1879. After his marriage, in 1880, he bought a farm at
Dayton, Indiana, to the cultivation of which he devoted his
attention for ten years, and then, in 1890, came to Hood
River, Oregon, at which time the town had a population of
but two hundred and seventy-five. During his first summer
here he was employed as a clerk in a general store and in
the fall of that year he opened a furniture and undertaking
establishment, the first one in Hood River. This proved a
successful venture and in 1892 he bought a lot on Oak
street, on which he erected a store building. He has
followed that line of business here continuously to the
present time and during this period has commanded his full
share of the local patronage in his line. In 1925 he built a
new mortuary, with modern equipment, including a limousine
hearse, and is prepared to render the best possible service.
He is thoughtful and painstaking in his regard for the
comfort and interests of those who require his services and
is well qualified for the exacting business which he is so
successfully conducting.
On January 27, 1880, Mr. Bartmess was united in marriage to
Miss Elda Crouse, who was born in Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, and is a daughter of Dr. David H. and Rachael
(Baker) Crouse, the former having been born near
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Indiana. Dr.
Crouse was a pioneer physician at Dayton, Indiana, where he
engaged in the practice of his profession for forty years,
or to the time of his death, which occurred in December,
1884. He was a prominent supporter of the republican party
in his state and served two terms as a member of the Indiana
legislature. He was married twice, first to a Miss Gelwix,
to which union were born three children, all of whom are
deceased. To his union with Miss Baker were born two
children, Meigs, who was a minister of the Gospel, but later
became superintendent of the Children's Home on Ninth
street, Cincinnati, Ohio, and held that position for forty
years, and Mrs. Bartmess. The mother of these children died
in February, 1865. The Crouse family was closely related to
"Barbara Frietchie,"whose name was Miss Nannie Crouse. Mrs.
Bartmess graduated from a Presbyterian seminary at
Logansport, Indiana, in which she specialized in music, and
since coming to Hood River has always been very active iii
church and community work. Mr. and Mrs. Bartmess have five
children: Earl Kumler, who lives in Portland, Oregon, is
married and has two children, Carrol K. and Myron; Meigs W.,
who graduated from the Oregon Agricultural College and took
a postgraduate course in Purdue University, at Lafayette,
Indiana, is now with the Westinghouse Electric Company, at
Springfield, Massachusetts, is married and has two children,
Meigs, Jr., and John Edward; Sally Aldine, is the wife of W.
B. Small, of Multnomah, Oregon, and has a son, Robert, and
daughter, Elda Marie. Marie Louise, who was employed for
eight years as teller in the Butler Bank at Hood River, is
the wife of W. L. Marshall, of this city; and to them was
born one son, Ned Larison. Clair Learning died in 1894. Both
of the daughters received good educations and Mrs. Small
teaches music.
Mr. Bartmess is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, in which he is a past noble grand, and Mrs.
Bartmess belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star, in which
she is a past associate matron and is an active member of
the Women's Relief Corps. Mr. Bartmess was one of the
organizers of The Mazamas, which was instituted on the
summit of Mt. Hood, and is a social organization composed of
those who have made the ascent of the mountain. Mr. Bartmess
is now a republican and has long been active in matters
affecting the welfare of his community, having been a member
of the first city council on the organization of the
municipality in 1895, and has also served -several terms as
a member of the city board of education. He has been a
consistent advocate of good schools and improved roads and
gives his earnest support to every measure that is
calculated to be for the public good. He is kindly and
generous in his relations with his fellowmen. He has written
and published in the local press some very interesting and
valuable contributions to the historical annals of Hood
River, particularly descriptive of conditions and events in
early days, and has also written some very fine verse,
descriptive of the famous Columbia River and Hood River
country. He and his wife are active members of the Riverside
church and stand for all that is best and most uplifting in
the life of their community. Deservedly popular throughout
their wide acquaintance, they command the sincere respect of
all who know them.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Hazlett, James
JAMES HOWARD HAZLETT
James H. Hazlett has for sixteen years been numbered among
the able, progressive and successful professional men of
Hood River, while in civic affairs he has been influential
in matters affecting the public welfare, so that he is
justly regarded as one of his community's representative
men. Mr. Hazlett is a native of Illinois and was educated at
Harvard College and Boston University Law School and was
admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1904. He practiced his
profession in Boston until 1912 when he came to Hood River
and no member of the Hood River bar has won a higher place
in public esteem than he.
In his political activity, Mr. Hazlett generally affiliates
with the democratic party but considers parties as only
means to an end and never hesitates to disregard party lines
if thereby he can better serve the public interests. His
first public office was as representative in the 1925
session of the legislature. His grasp of the essential
points in an argument, good judgment and forceful manner
soon made him one of the most influential members of the
house. A life long student of the subject of taxation, he
led the opposition in the house to the Dennis resolution
which sought by constitutional amendment to prevent the
levying of income and inheritance taxes. His speech in
opposition to the Dennis resolution was printed in full in
the Oregon Journal. He also opposed the tobacco tax because
it was not based on ability to pay but was a tax on
consumption. Mr. Hazlett favored the child labor amendment
and the free text-book bill and opposed legalizing party
conventions and all other attempts to cripple the direct
primary law. He consistently refused to make promises and
trades but kept himself free and open minded to consider
each measure on its merits and firmly established himself in
the minds of his colleagues as a courageous and unselfish
legislator.
In 1926, Mr. Hazlett was a candidate for reelection to the
legislature on the democratic ticket and although the
democrats are outnumbered by the republicans three to one as
measured by the registration figures of the district, he was
overwhelmingly returned to the house, carrying every
precinct in the district over his republican opponent. In
the 1927 session of the legislature, in recognition of the
ability he had shown in the 1925 session, Mr. Hazlett was
made chairman of the important irrigation and drainage
committee, vice chairman of the taxation and revenue
committee and a member of the constitutional law, repeal of
laws, and education committees, which was a heavy committee
assignment. Illness, protracted and aggravated, however,
forced him away from his seat during a portion of the
session and after he returned, the effects of his illness
prevented his taking a very active part in procedure. But
before he was stricken, he was a party to the introduction
of five of the important bills that came before the session,
lie reintroduced the Grange income tax bill, introduced a
resolution that, had it been adopted, would have submitted
the repeal of the constitutional amendment providing for
guarantee of irrigation bond interest, and introduced, with
others, the parent-teacher free text-book bill, He was also
the sole introducer of the two house bills which provided
for the refunding of bonded indebtedness of defunct
irrigation districts, and the creation of a reclamation
committee to superintend the refunding.
Mr. Hazlett is a member of all branches of the Masonic
order, and a past Worshipful Master; the Knights of Pythias,
of which he is a past chancellor commander; and the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, in which he is a past
exalted ruler; and his religious connection is with the
Riverside Community church, in which he has taken an active
and effective interest. A man of thorough education, a
clear, logical and forceful speaker and a safe and
dependable counselor, he stands among the leading lawyers of
this section of the state, and in every relation of life has
proven well worthy of the confidence and respect which are
accorded him by his fellowmen.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Edick, William
WILLIAM H. EDICK
One of the most important offices in county government is
that of sheriff and in Hood River county this position is
being filled in a very satisfactory manner by William H.
Edick, who has proven in every way qualified for the proper
performance of his duties. Mr. Edick was born near Chicago,
Illinois, on the 17th of November, 1871, and is a son of
Harry and Alice (Seymour) Edick, the former born in Michigan
and the latter in Chicago. His father followed farming in
Illinois until 1874, when he brought his family to Oregon,
traveling by railroad to San Francisco, California, and
thence by boat to Portland and The Dalles, as at that time
there were no railroads in Oregon. At The Dalles he engaged
in the operation of stages, running one from The Dalles to
Canyon City, this state, and also one out of Baker. In this
enterprise he was successful and continued in the business
to the time of his death, which occurred at Grand Rapids,
Michigan, in 1910. His wife died in 1921.
William H. Edick attended the grammar and high schools at
The Dalles and in 1884, when thirteen years old, came to the
Hood River valley. Locating in the upper part of the valley,
he was engaged in farming for many years, becoming the owner
of a fine fruit ranch of thirty acres. He served as deputy
county assessor of Hood River county for six years and in
1923 was appointed sheriff to fill out an unexpired term. So
satisfactory was his conduct of the office that in 1924 he
was elected for a full term and has since filled the office
in a fearless and able manner. While living in the upper
valley he also served as postmaster for a number of years.
In 1905 Mr. Edick was united in marriage to Miss Katherine
Kuhn, who was born in Portland, Oregon, and is a daughter of
Robert and Louise Kuhn. Her father, who is deceased, was a
pioneer of this state and was an expert machinist by trade.
To Mr. and Mrs. Edick have been born two children, Roberta
Louise, who is a senior in high school, and Mildred, both of
whom were born in Hood River. In his political views Mr.
Edick is a stanch republican and has shown an active
interest in the welfare of his county, being a strong
advocate of good schools and improved highways. He is a
member of Waukcoma Lodge, No. 30, K. P., at Hood River, of
which he is past chancellor commander. Sterling integrity of
character and a splendid personality have combined to make
him deservedly popular among the people of Hood River county
and he commands the sincere respect of all who know him.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Bell, Charles
CHARLES A. BELL
No citizen of the Hood River Valley was more widely or more
favorably known than was the late Charles A. Bell, who
attained a large measure of success in his operation of the
Mt. Hood Hotel, at Hood River. A man of initiative ability,
progressive ideas and sound business methods, he was also
big hearted and generous, his kindly disposition and cordial
manner winning for him a warm place in the hearts of all who
knew him. Mr. Bell was born at Taymouth, New Brunswick,
Canada, in 1860, and was a son of George and Jane (Norman)
Bell, both of whom died in that country. Mr. Bell was
educated in the public schools of his native town and
followed the logging business in Canada until 1878, when he
came to the United States, locating near Duluth, Minnesota.
He followed the same line of work in that vicinity until
1886, when he was sent to Idaho by the North Powder Lumber
Company to break a big log jam in a river, which he
successfully accomplished. He was an expert river man and
logger and was highly regarded by the companies for which he
worked. In 1890 he came to Hood River with the Oregon Lumber
Company, being in charge of a large train of oxen and camp
equipment, and during the following years, as foreman of the
logging camp, he logged off several thousand acres of timber
on and around Mt. Hood, as well as across the river in
Skamania county, Washington. About 1893 Mr. Bell bought the
Mt. Hood Hotel, in Hood River, which he ran until 1901, when
he sold it to C. L. Gilbert and returned to the Oregon
Lumber Company as camp foreman. He remained with that
concern until 1907, when he again bought the Mt. Hood Hotel,
running it as it was until 1912, when he made extensive
improvements, building a fine annex of forty rooms, the new
part being of brick and modern in every respect. The hotel
now contains eighty-five rooms and is well equipped for the
proper accommodation of its guests. Mr. Bell continued to
give his close attention to the operation of the hotel up to
the time of his death, which occurred April 15, 1925, and he
was more than ordinarily successful in its management.
Mr. Bell was married in 1889, at Pendleton, Oregon, to Miss
Roselle Young, who was born at Taymouth, New Brunswick,
Canada, and who died in 1896, leaving a son, Fred H., who
was educated in the grade and high schools of Hood River and
Hill Military Academy at Portland. When the United States
entered the World war he enlisted for service in the
artillery of the Forty-first Division, of Idaho Volunteers,
was sent overseas in 1917 and served in France until the
close of the war, after which he spent six months with the
Army of Occupation in Germany. He is a member of Hood River
post of the American Legion of which he was commander in
1921, as well as the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and
the Knights of Pythias at Hood River. On November 19, 1907,
Mr. Bell was married to Miss Ola M. Stryker, who was born in
Brownsville, Linn county, Oregon, and is a daughter of Dr.
David S. and Celia M. Stryker. Her father, who had received
the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Scudder Medical
College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, came to Oregon in 1862, making
the journey across the plains with ox teams and covered
wagon, and wintered at Boise, Idaho. He brought with him
mining machinery and the equipment for a gristmill, all of
which he sold in Boise, and in 1864 came on to Linn county,
Oregon. Locating first at Brownsville, he practiced medicine
there for several years and in 1871 located at Dayton,
Washington, being there during the Indian troubles. Later he
moved to Portland, Oregon, where he continued the practice
of his profession to the time of his death, which occurred
in 1899. His wife passed away in 1883. To them were born six
children, as follows: Dr. Stanton, who was a prominent
physician in Portland, was accidentally killed while
climbing Mt. Hood, July 17, 1927; Mrs. Ola M. Bell; Dr.
George, who lives in California; Guy, of Portland, Oregon;
Ray, who is a practicing dentist in Los Angeles, California,
and Mrs. George Wissinger, of Milwaukie, Oregon. All of
these children were educated in Willamette University, at
Salem. Dr. Stryker was a prominent member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Bell
and her stepson, Fred H. Bell, are continuing the operation
of the Mt. Hood Hotel, which ranks among the leading hotels
of this part of the state and has become a favorite stopping
place for the many tourists who annually visit this section
of the country.
Mr. Bell was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was
greatly interested in the welfare and progress of his
community, having served on the city council and the school
board, and no measure was proposed for the advancement or
betterment of the city or county but received his hearty
support. He never turned a needy person away from his hotel
and many less fortunate than he were the beneficiaries of
his kindness and generosity. He gave food and money
generously but he was entirely unostentatious in his giving
and desired no credit for it. He was one of those noble
souls who do good for the joy of the act, and not for the
hope of any reward or praise. He was a friend to all men and
all who knew him were his friends, and his death was
regarded as a distinct loss to the community which had been
honored by his residence.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Blythe, Samuel
SAMUEL F. BLYTHE
In the Oregon Daily Journal of February 22, 1927, the
experiences and activities of an honored Union veteran and
old-time newspaper man of the state are described as follows
by Fred Lockley:
"Samuel F. Blythe is one of the pioneer residents of Hood
River. When I interviewed Mr. Blythe recently, he said:
'Next August I will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of my
arrival at Hood River. When I came here in 1877 the only
house built in what is now Hood River was that of Dr. W. L.
Adams, whose home' was used as a sanitarium and health
resort. I bought twenty-two acres of land a mile west of
Hood River, paying eight dollars an acre for it. Later I
bought a tract of twenty-one acres adjoining it. My first
piece of land was purchased from William Penn Watson, who
sold it to me for eight dollars an acre, and after
considerable delay I received the deed. I found out later
that he had not bought the land when he sold it to me. After
selling the tract to me he purchased it from the state for a
dollar and a quarter an acre. At that time he owned, or had
under option, most of the land along the water front at Hood
River. I came here for my health, and the fact that I am
still hale and hearty at the age of eighty-five goes to
prove that Hood River has a healthy climate.
"'I was born in Fairfield, Adams county, Pennsylvania, on
St. Valentine's day, 1842, and was named for Dr. Samuel
Finley, who was a pioneer president of Princeton College.
Our place was seven miles from Gettysburg. My father, David
Blythe, was a tanner. My grandfather, whose name was also
David, came from Scotland to America not long before the
Revolutionary war and served with Washington at Valley
Forge, Trenton and in other engagements of the war. My
mother, whose maiden name was Julia Ann Hoover, was of
Holland Dutch ancestry. I am the fourth of their seven
children and the only one now living.
"'In 1856, when I was fourteen years old, I went to work as
a printer's devil on the Franklin Repository at
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The Messenger, a religious
publication, had a power press and I used to take the forms
over to the Messenger to be printed on their press. I will
never forget my introduction to what was to prove my life
work. On June 3, 1856, I took the stage for Chambersburg. My
father died in 1849, when I was seven years old. Washington
Crooks, the publisher of the Franklin Repository, was a
politician of considerable influence. He and my father were
friends. My mother, knowing this, asked Mr. Crooks to give
me a position on the paper. The stage stopped in front of
the Repository office and the driver took my trunk and
carried it into the printing office. Mr. Crooks was away, so
the editor took me upstairs to the job office and introduced
me to the foreman. The latter greeted me kindly and said,
"You can start learning the printer's trade by taking that
pitcher and going down to the town pump and bringing up a
pitcher of fresh water." I ran down stairs, crossed the
square to the courthouse, filled the pitcher arid was back
in no time. After he had taken a satisfying drink from the
pitcher the foreman took me over to the case, told me where
each letter was, showed me the P box and the Q box, and
said, "A printer must learn to mind his P's and Q's." He
told me I must apply myself, work hard and try to earn the
twenty dollars a year I was to receive. The second year I
was paid thirty dollars. In those days the printer's devil
also served as carrier boy. Each New Year's they issued a
carriers' address. When this address was given to the
patrons of the paper they usually gave the carrier a dime, a
quarter or even half a dollar. I can remember the thrill I
had when I collected thirty dollars when I delivered the New
Year's address to my customers.
"'At the close of the second year I went to Ohio to visit my
mother. The proprietor of the Eaton Democrat offered me
three dollars a week. By this tine I had become fairly
proficient arid could set each day two galleys of brevier
and throw in my case. The columns were very wide, being
sixteen-em measure. If they were expert workmen the
compositors were paid six dollars a week. In the spring of
1859 the Eaton Democrat was sold to a man at Madison,
Indiana. He moved the plant there arid I went with him.
There I worked on a morning daily and was paid twenty-five
cents a thousand, the type being long primer. I went out on
a strike, with the rest of the force, for higher wages. We
didn't get our jobs back, so I went to Cincinnati to see if
I could get work. I decided to travel throughout the country
and learn the methods used in other offices. At Covington I
met a tramp printer who was an expert. Next day I fell in
with this same man, who asked me where I was going. I told
him I was bound for Lexington, Kentucky, and he said, "I am
headed the same way." He told me his name was Dave Hubbard
and that he was a Mexican war veteran. After some further
talk he urged me to go home. He said, "I hate to see a
bright young chap become a tramp printer. How much money
have you?" I told him that I had seventy-five cents. He
said, "I have been working more or less steadily ever since
I was discharged from the army after the Mexican war. How
much money do you suppose I have?" I replied, "I don't know.
How much have you?" He dug down in his jeans and produced
his entire wealth, which was two copper pennies. He said, "I
sold my necktie to a rigger for five cents and it cost me
three cents to pay the toll across the Ohio river. Don't you
think, in view of what I have told you, that you should go
home?" I said, "No, I am going to see something of the
'world." He then said, "Very well; if you must tramp, we
will go along together; I can show you the ropes. I am just
winding up a big drunk. I can't travel without whiskey. Go
to a grocery store and buy me a quart of whiskey. It will
cost you a dime." A better grade of whiskey cost twelve and
a half cents a quart, but he liked the more fiery liquor
that retailed at ten cents a quart. I bought him a quart of
whiskey and we started down the pike. This was in August and
the weather was extremely warm. After walking two or three
miles we stopped under a shade tree. Hubbard took out his
big red bandanna, wiped the sweat off his face and opened
his carpet bag to get a drink of whiskey. He let out a yell
and began jumping up and down, swearing horribly, meanwhile
tearing his hair. I thought he had gone crazy. "The cork has
come out," he said "and all the whiskey is gone. I can't go
on without another drink." We had to walk a mile and a half
before we came to a crossroads store where I could invest
another dime in a quart of whiskey for him. During the next
week we lived on blackberries, which we found climbing over
the rail fences beside the road, and on an occasional
handout of cornbread from some farmer's wife.
"'Finally we decided to strike out for the Ohio river, get a
boat and go down the stream to New Orleans. When we reached
the banks of the river we found a man who had a skiff which
didn't look any too good, but it had two good oars. As we
had no money to buy it, I traded my silver watch for the
skiff. The river was low and there was no current. We
paddled down the river for three days. I took off my shoes,
and between the water and the leaking skiff and the hot sun
my feet became so badly swollen and blistered that I
couldn't get my shoes on.
"'After going for three or four days on rations which
consisted largely of river water and cornbread, we drew up
at dusk one evening at Vevay, Indiana. My partner hailed a
group of men near the river bank and asked them if they
wanted to buy a skiff. One of the men sized up the boat and
said he wouldn't give a cent for it, but added that he would
give four bits for the oars if we would throw the skiff in.
We were starved out, so we accepted his offer. I stayed on
the river bank while my partner went up town to buy some
crackers and cheese. We slept on the bank of the river that
night and the next morning Dave went up town and landed a
job that would last three days at one dollar a day. Dave was
a good scout. He said, "I don't want you to be a tramp
printer. I am going to turn this job over to you and I'll
drift on. Maybe you can land a regular job here."
"'I couldn't get my shoes on, so, carrying my shoes and
socks in my hand, I walked up to the printing office and
reported for duty. The force consisted of the editor and a
compositor who was eighty-five years old and very frail. The
old man told me that when he had learned his trade
seventy-five years before, and that took him back to 1785,
he had inked the forms for the old hand press with a ball
covered with buckskin. I set up the paper during the next
three days and editor and proprietor was so delighted that
he offered me a permanent job at four dollars and a half a
week and board. The eighty-five-year-old tramp printer
decided to drift on to Cincinnati, so I stayed there all of
that fall and winter. That was during 1859-60.
"'The next spring I went to Wabash, Indiana, to visit
relatives and landed a job on the Wabash Plain Dealer,
working ten hours a day at a salary of four and a half
dollars per week. I was working at the case on the Plain
Dealer when Abraham Lincoln was nominated in Chicago. The
Plain Dealer was a democratic paper. The editor was in a
quandary as to whether he should support Douglas, the
candidate of the northern democrats, or Breckenridge and
Lane, who had been put up by the southern wing of the party.
After taking a few drinks, he finally decided that
Breckenridge and Lane had the best of it, so he wrote a
redhot editorial indorsing their candidacy, handing it to me
to set up. He went out to take a few more drinks and when he
came back wrote an editorial urging the election of Douglas,
which he put on the hook for me to set up. I set up both
editorials and I wondered how it was going to come out. An
hour or SO later he came hack once more two sheets in the
wind and wrote an eloquent tribute to Abraham Lincoln,
urging his election. He showed that the safety of the
country depended upon the election of Lincoln and Hamlin.
This editorial I also set up. I knew that if the paper
appeared with editorials indorsing all three of the
presidential candidates the public would never survive the
shock, so I ran the Lincoln and Hamlin editorial and killed
the other two, and from that day to this - for the paper is
still running - the Plain Dealer has been a strong
republican sheet, and is now a great daily newspaper.
"'That October I went home and while there I landed a job on
the Eaton Register at five dollars a week. I worked for the
paper until the early summer of 1861, when I enlisted in an
independent company. We were to serve as cavalry under
Fremont; at least, that was the promise made to us. I was
nineteen years old at the time. When we arrived in St. Louis
we were assigned ibo the Thirteenth Missouri Infantry, which
consisted of six companies from Ohio, one from Illinois and
three from Missouri. In 1862 our regiment was rechristened,
becoming known as the Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
though we continued to carry the flag of the Thirteenth
Missouri clear through the war. Our colonel, at one time the
editor and owner of the Cincinnati Gazette, was a West
Pointer and a very capable officer, though rather old. I was
a member of Company E. I served as a private in this company
for three years and then reenlisted, joining Hancock's
veteran corps, which comprised twenty thousand men, all of
whom had served for three years in the Civil war. The first
battle I was in was at Fort Donelson. Then came Pittsburg
Landing, the siege of Corinth, the battle of Corinth and
various skirmishes. In the spring of 1863 we went to
Vicksburg. I served for four years and three months, not
being mustered out until February, 1866. Our company was
stationed just outside the arsenal during the execution of
the Lincoln conspirators.
"'Four years and three months of service in the army had
made me restless, so I could not settle down to a prosaic
job. I decided to cross the plains and see the Rockies. A
month after I was mustered out I started for the west in
company with Daniel Ridenour, a war-time comrade. We headed
for St. Joseph, Missouri, to get a job driving an ox team
across the plains. We were inexperienced and when we watched
the bull-whackers handling six and twelve yoke of oxen, Dan
said, "We can never learn to drive oxen. I'm going back to
Ohio to marry the girl I'm engaged to."We parted and I never
saw him again. I had not set type for five years, so I was a
little dubious as to whether I could land a job at the case
or not. However, I had to eat, so I went to the office of
the St. Joseph Daily Gazette and asked for a job. The
foreman said, "Do you belong to the union?" I answered, "No,
but I will be glad to join." He showed me where to hang my
coat and told me to go to work, informing me that they would
take me into the union next Sunday. I threw in my case and
found that in spite of being away from the work for five
years I hadn't lost my skill. I had a good boarding house
with the family of one of the compositors on the paper. The
wife was a good cook. She boarded others of the corps of
compositors.
"After I had worked for a few weeks Captain Lockwood, the
commander of my company, and three others of my former
campmates, came to St. Joseph and told me they were going to
buy an outfit and go west. Every day or two they would drop
in and urge me to go along. I was getting forty-five cents a
thousand and was saving my money. I had accumulated
seventy-five dollars. One evening, just after I was paid
off, my four comrades dropped in and Captain Lockwood said,
"Sam, you better come with us. We're going to pull out in
the morning. Won't you come along?" I said, "All right; you
can count me in." He asked me how much money I had and I
told him, handing it over to him to pay my share of the
expenses. I found the reason they were so anxious for me to
come in was that they had bought an outfit, but had not
enough money to complete the payments; a wagon and two yoke
of oxen was purchased for the trip, so my seventy-five
dollars was a life saver. Captain Lockwood bought a supply
of bacon, beans, coffee and flour, which used up all of our
money, so he was unable to purchase any sugar or tobacco.
"'Captain Lockwood was a good infantry officer, but he
didn't know any more about driving oxen than the rest of us,
which was nothing at all. All five of us walked beside the
oxen and herded them along. That night we left their yokes
on and tied them to a tree. I never remember spending a more
miserable night. It stormed all night and we were soaking
wet. We were afraid to turn the cattle loose to graze and
the next morning we started out. During the day we made five
miles. I said to Kline, who had put up most of the money for
the outfit, "How do you like it?" He replied, "Every cent I
saved is in that outfit, but I have a good notion to quit
right now. If we are going to put in six months like we have
the past two days, I'm through." A long storm started in and
continued for three days. We had to stay out with the cattle
while they grazed. When the storm was over we herded the
cattle to a farm a mile or so distant, carried the neckyokes
along, drove the cattle into a corral and got the farmer to
yoke the oxen up for us.
"'We started out and overtook a freight outfit. One of the
big wagons was stuck in a mudhole and the owner of the
freight outfit asked us for the use of our two yoke of oxen.
He hitched them in front of his and the Georgia negro
driver, who was an expert, soon yanked the wagon out of the
mudhole. The wagon boss said to us, "We have more freight
than we can pull. If you will let us load some of our
freight in your wagon we'll furnish you an extra yoke of
cattle and this Georgia nigger to drive the outfit, and
we'll pay you twenty cents a pound when you unload it at
Bozeman, Montana." That was our salvation. Right then and
there all of our troubles ceased. That negro driver was not
only cheerful but one of the best bull-whackers I ever saw.
Captain Lockwood volunteered to do the cooking for our
outfit and my job was to provide the firewood. One of the
other boys did the dishwashing and we got along fine. Within
a few days our outfit joined a train of thirty wagons, about
half of 'Which were bound for Denver, while the others were
going on to Bozeman.
"'Just beyond Fort Laramie our wagon train split into two
sections, so there would be more chance to graze the cattle.
The section just ahead of us was attacked by the Sioux
Indians. They killed two of the drivers and drove the cattle
off. One of the emigrants hurried back to our train and
every available man of us started out to overtake the
Indians and get the cattle. We overtook the redskins,
recovered most of the cattle and our trains joined. The
Indians secured reinforcements and attacked our train. There
were about one hundred and fifty of the Indians. Most of our
drivers were ex-soldiers, some having served in the Union
army and some in the Confederate army. We were all pretty
good shots, so we gave the Indians more than they bargained
for and stood them off. A little later we joined a train of
three hundred wagons and during the remainder of the journey
to Bozeman we traveled under military discipline.
"'On arriving at Bozeman we were paid twenty cents a pound
for the freight we carried, and three of us took up
homestead in that locality. We paid seventy-five dollars for
a plow, and decided to grow up with the country. Not having
money enough to pay five dollars a bushel for wheat, we had
to look for work. That winter some men from Oregon stayed
with us and hunted elks most of the time. They jerked the
meat. I have seen as many as five hundred elks come down on
the flat. Farming struck me as a pretty prosaic job, so next
spring I pulled out, going to Virginia City. I guess I must
have looked pretty tough. I was twenty-five years old. I
hadn't had a shave or a haircut for more than a year. My
beard covered my whole chest and my hair hung to my
shoulders. I decided that if I was going to find a job on a
newspaper I would have to indulge in a shave and a haircut.
I have always been sorry I didn't have a picture of myself
taken.
"'There were two newspapers in Virginia City, the Montana
Post, a tri-weekly, and the Democrat, which was issued once
a week. Neither paper had work for me, so I went to the
hotel, and to my delight, I found the clerk, Pliny Crume,
was an oldtime friend of mine from Eaton. We had served in
the same company during the war, so he said, "You can sleep
in the corralI see you have your own blankets and I'll stake
you to the eats. You can stay here until you land a job.
General James Francis Meagher was governor of Montana at
that time and Martin Beem was secretary of the territory. I
had gene out to one of the gulches to see if I could get
work shoveling dirt into a sluice box. Martin Beem and I had
served in the same regiment during the Civil war. When the
color bearer was shot and killed Martin picked up the flag
and went forward. The colonel made him a lieutenant for his
gallantry. He, like myself, was a printer. We were delighted
to see each other and he said, "What are you doing, Sam?" I
replied, "I am looking for a job but both newspapers turned
me down." He said, "I'll get you a job. It may be two or
three weeks until I can land it, but you stay right here and
I'll divide my salary with you."
"'I refused to take his money and landed a job hauling
quartz ore on a sled with oxen. The man for whom I worked
told me to go on up in the mountains, cut a load of wood and
bring it in, and we could start hauling ore next day. I
worked half a day, cut about a half load of wood and came in
about half dead, for cutting timber was something I had
never tackled before. When I got in I found a message from
Martin Beem offering me a job on the Post of Virginia City,
setting type at one dollar a thousand. I lost no time in
reporting for duty. While the Legislature was in session we
were employed on State work and I could make from ten to
fifteen dollars a day setting type. In one week of six days
I made one hundred and forty-four dollars. The foreman said
to us, "Make all the phat you can" During the meeting of the
territorial legislature we set up the bills and every time
we lifted a head it meant two dollars and a half on our
string I could really set ten thousand ems a day, but with
the phat we had we were making from fifteen to thirty
dollars a day. I worked on the Post a year.
"'From there I went to Fort Benton and took passage on a
steamer down the Missouri. We went through a herd of
buffaloes which were crossing the river. There were
thousands of them on a stampede. Every man on board had a
gun and practically all of them shot into the buffaloes
which surrounded us. We killed dozens of buffaloes. It took
us eleven days to get to Sioux City, as we had to tie up to
the bank every night. After a short time at my home I went
to Chicago and worked at my trade. In September I started
back to Montana, reaching there the month of November when I
secured employment with the Helena Tribune and remained
there one year.
"'In 1869 I went to San Francisco and worked on the Alta
Californian until 1870. When the union struck Mr. O'Meara
was in San Francisco buying a newspaper plant for Ben
Holladay to ship to Portland. He bought the San Francisco
Times outfit and hired some of the striking printers in San
Francisco. I was one of the men he employed. We arrived in
Portland on July 5, 1870, aboard the steamship California,
and a week later the newsboys were calling out the first
issue of the Daily Bulletin. We were paid sixty cents a
thousand for composition. I worked on the Bulletin until it
was discontinued. Holladay lost a lot of money on it. When
the Bulletin ceased publication six of us started the Daily
Bee, of which D. H. Stearns was the manager. I stayed with
the Bee for eleven months and had charge of the city routes,
which I sold to Mr. Holman, whose son, Arthur Holman, was
for many years editor of the San Francisco Argonaut.'"
Mr. Blythe came to Hood River in 1877 and on March 3, 1878,
removed to the ranch on which he has since resided. In 1894
he purchased the Hood River Glacier, of which John
Cradlebaugh was the owner and editor, and controlled the
paper for ten years, on the expiration of which period he
sold the business to A. D. Moe. Mr. Blythe then devoted his
attention to agricultural pursuits, utilizing the most
effective methods in the cultivation of the soil, and
brought his land to a high state of development. He still
occupies the fine old home but leases his place, which is
known as the Twin Oaks Fruit Farm. It is situated near Hoed
River and commands an uninterrupted view of the majestic
Columbia.
In 1873 Mr. Blythe was married in Portland to Miss Emma Jane
Nation, who was born in Birmingham, England, of which
country her parents, William Briar and Mary Ann (Lakin)
Nation, were also natives, and her brother, John Nation, was
connected with the Willamette Iron Works. William B. Nation
was an expert carver of bone and ivory and also engaged in
merchandising in England. In 1830 he sailed for the United
States and spent about three years in New York city. Owing
to failing health he returned to his native land but
recrossed the Atlantic in 1857 and settled on a farm in
Pennsylvania. In 1871 he brought his family to Oregon and
three years later his wife passed away in Portland. Mr.
Nation attained the advanced age of ninety-one years and
died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Blythe in 1889. To Mr. and
Mrs. Blythe were born two children, both of whom are natives
of Hood River county. The son, Edward N., was graduated from
the school of journalism of the University of Oregon and in
partnership with J. D. Riordan owns the Clark County Sun,
the leading weekly of Vancouver, Washington. Mr. Blythe is
married and has two children: Barbara, a capable newspaper
woman, who prepared for her profession in the University of
Oregon and who is connected with the Portland Journal; and
Alice, a student at the University of Washington in Seattle.
The daughter, Clara Blythe, is now the wife of David T.
Marlor, of Mission Beach, California. They. have become the
parents of a son, George Finley, who is attending high
school.
Samuel F. Blythe is a member of Canby Post, No. 16, G.A.R.
In the affairs of this organization he is deeply interested
and is a past department commander, to which office he was
elected at Newberg, Oregon, in 1907. Despite his eighty-six
years and the many hardships he has endured, Mr. Blythe is
well preserved and keeps in close touch with the events of
the world, possessing an alert mind and a retentive memory.
He has witnessed a notable transformation in the appearance
of this region and is deeply attached to the state of his
adoption, which he considers an ideal place of residence.
His prosperity has resulted from hard work, good management
and honest dealing and he is known and honored throughout
the val1ey.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Frank, Sherman
SHERMAN J. FRANK
Sherman J. Frank is another of the sons of Oregon who have
seen no good reason for leaving their favored state. He has
here lived a busy and useful life, during which he has been
rewarded with a satisfactory measure of success, and is now
one of the respected and popular citizens of the Hood River
valley. Mr. Frank was born at The Dalles, Oregon, February
2, 1877, and is a son of Leonard and Etta (Dailey) Frank,
both of whom were natives of Geneseo, Illinois. His paternal
grandfather, Jacob Frank, who was of German descent, came
overland to Oregon in the early '70s and located on a tract
of land a few miles southwest of Hood River, in Oak Grove
district. It was heavily timbered land and there he built a
sawmill, which he ran for about a year, at the end of which
time he sold out and returned to Illinois, where he spent
his remaining years, dying about 1900. Leonard Frank learned
the trade of a saddle and harness maker under his father,
whom he accompanied to Oregon. He ran his father's sawmill
near Hood River until about 1876, when he sold it and moved
to The Dalles, where he opened a harness and saddlery shop,
in which business he met with marked success, having from
eighteen to twenty employees during the greater part of the
time. Among them were a number of Spaniards, who were
experts in silver inlay work on saddles and bridles, and Mr.
Frank's saddles were famous all over the range country of
the northwest. He continued his business until his death,
which occurred in 1884. To him and his wife were born two
children, Sherman J., of this review, and William, who was
in the moving picture business in Hollywood, California, and
died there in 1925. Some time after the death of her
husband, Mrs. Frank became the wife of G. J. Fancy, and to
them was born a daughter, Etta, who now lives in Eugene,
Oregon. Mr. Frank took an active interest in the welfare of
his community and in the early days served as chief of the
fire department at The Dalles. He was a member of the
Masonic order.
Sherman J. Frank received a good education, attending the
public schools at The Dalles and old Wasco Independent
Academy, under Professor Gatch, where he was a schoolmate of
Congressman N. J. Sinnott, Judge Fred W. Wilson and other
noted citizens of The Dalles. He later went to Portland and
took a commercial course in Armstrong's Business College. He
then returned to The Dalles and learned the trade of saddle
and harness making under his father, continuing there until
1903, when he moved to Hood River and established a harness
shop, which he ran until 1909, when he sold it and bought a
twenty-acre apple orchard near the town. He lived there
until 1915, when he sold the place and bought twelve acres
of land on the Belmont road, adjoining the city limits of
Hood River, and entered the employ of the Dupont Powder
Company, having charge of the distribution of explosives in
the eastern Oregon territory. For several years Mr. Frank
also ran a dairy, keeping a herd of purebred Guernsey
cattle, and retailed milk in Hood River.
On October 24, 1904, in The Dalles, Mr. Frank was united in
marriage to Miss Annie O'Brien, who was born at Happy Home,
Klickitat county, Washington, and is a daughter of L. and
Margaret (Macken) O'Brien, both of whom were natives of
Ireland. Her father came to the United States in young
manhood and located on a homestead in Klickitat county,
where he engaged in the stock business, running cattle and
sheep, and as he prospered he bought more land, until today
he is the owner of several thousand acres of fine farming
and grazing land in that county. A few years ago he leased
his holdings and, retiring from active business, is now
living in Goldendale, Washington being now ninety-five years
old. His wife is deceased. Mrs. Frank, who is an only child,
was educated in St. Mary's Academy, at The Dalles. Mr. Frank
is a keen sportsman, loving to hunt and fish, and every
autumn he takes his guns to eastern Oregon, and never fails
to secure his limit of deer. He is a man of cordial and
friendly mariner, enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout this
section of the state, and is held in the highest respect and
esteem.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Howe, Alma
MRS. ALMA L. HOWE
The following tribute to the worth of one of the pioneer
women of Oregon was paid by Fred Lockley and appeared in the
Portland Journal of February 18, 1927:
"A few days ago, while at Hood River, I climbed the long
flight of steps leading to Montello avenue, where on a clear
day - and most days at Hood River are clear - a wonderful
view can be had of the Columbia river. I stopped at No. 415
Montello avenue to visit one of my long-time friends, Mrs.
Alma L. Howe, who is one of Oregon's native daughters,
having been born in the vicinity of Fairfield. She has lived
in the Hood River valley since 1883. If there were more
people like Mrs. Howe the world would be a better place to
live in. Her heart is as big as all outdoors. She has had
only one child of her own, but she has mothered possibly
fifteen children. Saving souls alive is her specialty.
"In conversing with me about her family, Mrs. Howe said, 'My
father, Isaac Lawrence, was born in Kentucky in 1835. My
mother, Harriet (Millsap) Lawrence, was born in Missouri in
1837. She was a half-sister of the late Lorenzo A. Byrd of
Salem, who made the overland journey, to Oregon in 1846 in
company with the Rev. Cornwall. In 1854, when my father was
nineteen years old, he and three other boys of about the
same age decided to come to Oregon. They brought an express
wagon and a team to carry their bedding and provisions and
started to walk across the plains. Their team soon became
exhausted, so the boys got jobs driving ox teams for other
emigrants, thus paying for their board.
"'When father arrived in Oregon he worked first for L. A.
Byrd. My mother came to Oregon in 1856 and was married in
the same year. Soon afterward they settled on a ranch on the
Willamette river in Marion county and I was born on that
place June 7, 1860. Father was also engaged in the lumber
business and when I was seven years old he moved his sawmill
from Fairfield, Oregon, to Lake Labish, just north of Salem.
In 1870, when I was ten years old, he moved his mill from
Lake Labish to Portland and bought land on the east side of
the Willamette river on Water street, near the foot of U
street. His plant was known as the East Side mill and when I
was fifteen years old he sold it to the firm of Abrams &
Hogue.
"'My mother died in 1865, leaving four children. My oldest
brother, John E. Lawrence, is dead. I was the next child. My
sister, Mary Louisa, married David Parmenter and they live
at Canby, Oregon. Alice, my next sister, married Fred
Darling and died some years ago. My father remarried in 1867
and my stepmother's name was Emma Ditmar. Her father was a
pioneer settler on French prairie. My father and stepmother
had five children, only one of whom, Mrs. Francis Beard of
Astoria, is now alive. When my father started the East
Portland mill in 1875 he established a logging camp near
Westport. He died at the age of fifty-seven on his farm on
Crooked creek, near Astoria.
"'I went to school at Fairfield and Professor King, of
Butteville, was my first instructor. His son Charles is a
member of the Portland firm of Olds, Wortman & King. I
was next a pupil in the Lake Labish school and in 1870, when
we removed to Portland, I attended school where the Odd
Fellows Temple was later built. At that time there were two
School buildings there - the brown schoolhouse and the white
schoolhouse. The smaller children went to the white
schoolhouse. I was in Portland when they started the
Hawthorne school. Professor T. R. Coon, who spends his
summers here in Hood River and his winters in Portland, was
my teacher. His wife, Delia Coon, was his assistant. I was a
pupil of Professor Coon for two years and finished the
eighth grade. In those days Portland and East Portland were
separate communities and there was a good deal of rivalry
between them. East Portland had no high school, and Portland
had one, but the residents of East Portland didn't think it
was patriotic to send their children to school in the rival
community of Portland, so I didn't go to high school.
"'When I was eighteen I married Samuel T. Howe. The ceremony
was performed by the Rev. William Roberts, a pioneer
Methodist circuit rider, who married us on September
8, 1878. My husband, who hailed from Indiana, was a dentist.
He practiced his profession in East Portland. At the time of
our marriage Rafferty Brothers had a drug store on J street,
between Third and Fourth. C. H. Rafferty was a physician and
surgeon and H. S. Angell was also a doctor in East Portland.
H. C. Cooley had a drug store and was also a physician. Dr.
J. C. Hawthorne was likewise a physician and had charge of
the State Insane Asylum on Hawthorne avenue. B. F. Hutchison
was engaged in the practice of medicine and J. M. Kitchen
was another doctor of East Portland at that time. W. W.
Royal, C. B. Smith and S. Smith were likewise well known
physicians, while Thomas Robison had a drug store, as did
also Ross & Welch. If you will go and see Dr. Rafferty
he can tell you all about the business firms of East
Portland of fifty years ago. Our home was just across from
the East Portland Park on Fifth street.
"'If you will interview some of the old settlers of Portland
they will tell you about the big storm that blew down most
of the trees in East Portland Park. This was in January,
1881. It was the biggest wind that Oregon ever experienced,
at least within the memory of man. After the trees were
blown down they cut the park up into lots and sold them. I
was not in East Portland at the time of this big storm, for
we moved to Hubbard in 1880 and after a year we went to La
Center, Washington.
"'In 1883 we came to Hood River for my husband's health. At
that time there was one store here, owned by John Parker.
There was also a blacksmith shop, a livery stable and a
small frame building used as a hotel. It is now a part of
the Mount Hood Hotel. Mr. Walling ran the hotel at that
time. The post office was conducted in the store. Mr. Smith
moved to town the year after I came. When I first came he
had his store at Franklin, two miles out, where the Franklin
schoolhouse now is, not far from the Columbia Gorge Hotel.
We bought a forty-acre tract at what is now known as Cottage
Farm. Our daughter, Hester Alice, was born August 20, 1882
in Marion county, Oregon, and passed away January 110, 1922,
in New York city while on a visit to the east.
"'On January 10, 1901, I lost my husband and when I was
thrown on my own resources I did nursing to earn money to
pay for this place. As soon as the land was paid for I
borrowed money and put up a six-room hotel, gradually adding
to it until I had a large hotel and fifteen bungalows. I
sold most of the original place, retaining only eleven
acres, and made a living for myself and the motherless tots
I have cared for by keeping summer boarders. That is how I
became acquainted with Thomas Lawson, the author of
"Freizied Finance," who used to spend his vacations at my
farm. Mr. Lawson presented me with the works of O. Henry,
bound in leather, and also sent me a set of books entitled
"Our Wonder World," which I prize very highly. Among the
well known Portlander's who used to spend the summer on my
farm were Sam Hill, Simon Benson, John Yeon and the King,
Corbett, Ladd, Doiph and Kerr families. I lived on that farm
for forty years. With the help of my daughter I ran the
hotel for thirty years. After her death I leased the hotel
and moved to this place.
"'I want you to meet Teddy Howe, who is seventeen years old.
He was nearly blind but is gradually regaining his eyesight.
At the blind school they taught him to make brooms and to
weave cane bottoms for chairs. I have given him my name. He
is handicapped in life's race and needs someone to mother
him. During the past thirty-five years I have mothered many
children. Just as every child needs to be mothered, they
also need anchorage. Otherwise they will drift and their
lives become shipwrecked. Teddy used to be in the baby home.
I do not know who his parents are but I believe he has good
blood because he has good instincts. John F. Carroll raised
a fund of five hundred dollars for him some years ago. When
I took Teddy he was a lad of five years. The fund was turned
over to me and I invested in a Journal bond for that amount.
Two years ago I made a trip to California. On this trip I
made it a point to hunt up every one of the boys and girls I
had helped to rear. Most of them are married and all are
doing well. By "doing well" I mean they are producers and
not depending upon society for support. Most of the girls
have happy homes and the boys are at work, so I feel that
the time and money I have invested in them was a good
investment.
"'One of the things I am greatly interested in is the
preserving of the old-time traditions of this country. For
many years Indian Nellie made her home with me. I kept her
until she died and saw that she had proper burial. When it
came to ideals of honor and gratitude, the white people can
learn a good deal from the Indians. For thirty years or more
the Indians called me "the law-maker." They used to come to
me to settle their troubles among themselves and their
disputes with the white people. Indian George was a regular
visitor at my home for twenty-five years and ate many meals
at my house. He was one of the last of the Wasco Indians.
His mother was a Nez Perce, his father a Wasco. When Oscar
Stranahan died Indian George said, "Oscar a good man; too
bad he dead; but still we got Mrs. Howe." He was celebrated
all over the valley for his ability to foretell the weather.
He was about ninety when he died. Some years ago, when I was
very sick, the Indian preacher held meetings every night,
which all the Indians in the neighborhood attended, praying
for my recovery. I think that paid me for all the meals I
have furnished the Indians and all the trouble I have taken
for them.'"
Mrs. Howe adheres to the Methodist faith and is a member of
the board of the Hood River church of that denomination. For
eight years she served on the school board, doing all in her
power to further the advancement of education in Hood River,
and is now connected with the local hospital board. She was
the second woman in Hood River county to become a member of
a jury and the only one who served a second time. She is one
of the associate commission of the Juvenile Court of Hood
River county. In her nature, self is so completely
subordinated to duty that she is never conscious of making a
sacrifice and her life has been filled with good deeds. Mrs.
Howe possesses those qualities which are most admirable in
woman and is loved, admired and respected by all who have
been brought within the sphere of her influence.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Sunday, Howard
HOWARD EDWIN SUNDAY
Howard E. Sunday, who has hack of him a long and successful
record as a farmer, is devoting his attention to the
management of the ranch of his brother, "Billy" Sunday, in
the Hood River valley, and is thoroughly up-to-date and
progressive in his ideas and methods. He was born at Ames,
Iowa, on the 24th of November, 1860, and is a son of William
and Mary Jane (Corey) Sunday. His maternal grandfather,
"Squire" Corey, was one of the three men who founded Ames
College. William Sunday enlisted for service in the Civil
war in August, 1862, and died on December 22d of that year,
leaving his widow with two small children, Howard E. and
William. She later became the wife of Matthew Heizer, and
they had a son, Leroy Heizer, who is now a fruit grower in
the Hood River valley. The mother's death occurred in 1917.
After the death of their father, Howard and William Sunday
were put into an orphans' home, in which they remained until
they were sixteen and fourteen years of age respectively.
Howard E. Sunday then went to his grandfather Corey's farm
at Ames, where he lived from 1876 to 1881, when, having
attained his majority, he went to Jamestown, North Dakota,
and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, on
which he built a sod house. He was a pioneer of that
locality, into which the railroads had not. yet penetrated,
and his early years there were characterized by hard work
and privations. Buying a yoke of oxen, he broke the land and
placed it under cultivation, after which he preempted one
hundred and sixty acres additional. He thus has three
hundred and twenty acres there, which he farmed, and also
cultivated leased land, until 1920, when he turned the
management of the place over to his son-in-law, B. S. Bryan,
and, coming to the Hood River valley, took charge of his
brother's farm, to the supervision of which he is still
giving his attention. This land he had bought for his
brother in 1910, at which time he made a trip to the valley,
and it is now one of the show places of this locality, being
highly improved. He raises large crops of corn and hay and
gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of
thoroughbred Jersey cattle and Duroc and Chester White hogs.
The ranch is well irrigated and is numbered among the best
farms in the valley.
In 1883 Mr. Sunday was united in marriage to Miss Ellen
McDonald, who was born near Keokuk, Iowa, and is a daughter
of Patrick and Susan Heggart McDonald. Her father served in
the Union army during the Civil war and was killed on his
way home after the close of that conflict. Mr. and
Mrs. Sunday have six children, all of whom were born in
North Dakota, as follows: Mrs. Irma May McCurdy, who lives
in North Dakota; Howard E., who died in North Dakota;
William A., who died in Colorado; Harry, who assists his
father on the Hood River ranch and is married and has a
daughter, Harriet; Mrs. Ruth Bryan, who lives on her
father's homestead in North Dakota and is the mother of five
children, Marjory, Howard, Irma, Harold and Bertha; and
McDonald, who lives in North Dakota, Mr. Sunday is a member
of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Modern
Woodmen of America at Jamestown, North Dakota, and while
living in that state served as a member of the school board.
Mr. Sunday enjoys a well-deserved reputation for his
kindness and generosity, whenever possible lending a hand to
help his neighbors, and practicing in his daily life the
gospel of good cheer and service. Though a quiet and
unassuming man, his sterling character and excellent
personal traits are recognized and appreciated by his
fellowmen, among whom he is held in high esteem.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Davis, Aubrey
AUBREY NEVILLE DAVIS
On of the most efficient and successful farmers of the Hood
River valley is Aubrey N. Davis, whose fine ranch of one
hundred acres, near Odell, is well improved and, under his
judicious management, is giving him a very satisfactory
return for his labor. Mr. Davis was born at Kingsley, Wasco
county, Oregon, on the 11th of March, 1892, and is a son of
Charles and Georgia M. (Foster) Davis, the former born in
Missouri and the latter in Oregon City, Oregon. In 1875
Charles Davis came west traveling by railroad to San
Francisco, California, and thence by boat to Portland. He
first located at Oregon City, where he lived for one year,
and then entered the employ of Dr. McLoughlin in Portland,
where also he resided one year. Coming to Wasco county, he
took up a homestead and exercised his other land rights,
acquiring six hundred and forty acres of land fifteen miles
south of Dufur. He built a small, rough board house and
planted an orchard of walnuts, apples, peaches, plums and
other fruits, and also set out many catalpa trees,. He had
acquired a good education and taught school there for
several terms in the early days. He remained on that ranch
until 1892, when he sold out and, coaling to the Hood River
valley, bought two hundred and eighty acres of the Odell
homestead, at Odell, which was originally the Jesse Neal
donation claim. The first sawmill in the Hood river valley
was built on this place in the late '50s. Mr. Davis's land
was covered with timber and brush and his first efforts were
given to clearing the place, after which he set out twenty
acres to apples. He made many other worthwhile improvements,
developing a splendid ranch, and there lived until 1923,
when he sold the place to his son, Aubrey N., and moved to
Medford, Oregon, where he and his wife are now living, being
retired from active business pursuits. Their family numbered
eight children: Victor Owen, who lives at Grants Pass,
Oregon; Evelyn, who is the widow of Aleck McLain and lives
in Tacoma, Washington; Charles Noel, of Medford, Oregon;
Clifford Lynn, of Seattle, Washington; Aubrey Neville;
Gladwin, of Medford, Oregon; Mrs. Letha Elizabeth Hale; and
Cecil Cedric, who died at the age of nine years. Of these,
Clifford enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Artillery (of the old
Oregon National Guard), and was among the first troops to be
sent overseas, serving in France until the close of the war,
and Gladwin served. in the navy transport service throughout
the war.
Aubrey N. Davis received his education in the district
school and the high school at Odell. He remained at home
until 1916, when he enlisted in the United States Navy, and
was assigned to the cargo transport service between the
United States and France, also carrying nitrates from South
America to the United States and Europe. He remained in the
service until the close of the war, when he was honorably
discharged. Returning home, he assisted his father on the
home ranch until 1923, when, his father wishing to retire,
he bought the place and has since continued its operation.
His father built the splendid house now on the farm in 1914,
and on the place there is also a large spring of pure water,
which furnishes not only a bountiful supply for irrigation
purposes, but also water for the town of Odell. Mr. Davis
carries on diversified farming, raising hay, grain and corn,
has a large and well kept orchard, and keeps about one
hundred head of breeding ewes, some of which are pure bred.
He does thoroughly whatever he undertakes, gives close
supervision to every detail of his ranch work, and has well
merited the splendid measure of prosperity which is now his.
On February 25, 1920, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to
Miss Margaret A. Heft, who was born in Chicago, Illinois,
and is a daughter of Herman C. and Rose Mary Heft, both of
whom are now living in Odell. Mr. Heft came west in 1908,
locating first at Portland, Oregon, but soon afterwards came
to the Hood River valley and bought a fruit ranch, which he
is still operating. He and his wife are the parents of a
daughter and son: Mrs. Davis and Irving, who is at home. Mr.
and Mrs. Davis are the parents of three children, namely:
Ruth, born March 7, 1921; Aubrey N., Jr., born December 28,
1923, and Norma Ellen, born July 17, 1925. Mr. Davis is a
member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the
Knights of Pythias and the American Legion, all at Hood
River. He has shown a commendable interest in everything
pertaining to the welfare and progress of his community and
county, possesses good business qualifications and his
excellent personal qualities have won for him a large circle
of loyal friends throughout this locality.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
English, James
JAMES W. ENGLISH
James W. English, who died May 3, 1928, after having been an
invalid for over nine years, owned a well improved and
productive farm, located one mile west of Odell, Hood River
valley, lived there for forty years and gained an enviable
reputation as an industrious, energetic and progressive
farmer. He was born in Ontario, Canada, on the 4th of July,
1867, a son of J. W. and Ann (Costin) English, both of whom
were natives of Canada. His father, who was a tailor by
trade, died in Manitoba, Canada, and his wife died in Hood
River, Oregon.
J. W. English attended the public schools of his native
country and came to the United States in 1882, locating in
North Dakota, where he completed his education. For several
years thereafter he worked on farms and was also employed
about one year on the construction of the Northern Pacific
railroad in Montana. In 1888 he came to Hood River, Oregon,
and took up a homestead about four miles west of Odell. The
land was covered with timber and at that time there was no
road to his place. After building a small log house, he
began clearing his land, and in the course of time had ten
acres cleared and part of it planted to fruit. He lived
there until 1900, when he sold that place and bought forty
acres of timber land one mile west of Odell, the only
improvement on the place being a small log house. After
clearing thirty acres of this land, he sold twenty acres, so
that he owned twenty acres, of which nine acres are in
orchard, the remainder being in hay and pasture. He kept his
orchard in the best condition and in return received
bountiful crops of fruit. In 1912 Mr. English erected an
attractive, modern home, while all of the other buildings on
the place are of a substantial character.
In December, 1891, Mr. English was united in marriage to
Miss Dolly Divers, who is a native of the Hood River valley
and is a daughter of John Otis and Julia Ann (Neal) Divers,
the former born in Virginia, while the latter was born in
Oregon City, Oregon, and was a daughter of Peter Neal.
Further reference is made to Mrs. English's family in the
sketch of her half-brother, Virgil Winchell, on other pages
of this work, in addition to which it may be stated that her
paternal grandfather, Davis L. Divers, crossed the plains,
with ox teams and covered wagons, in 1862, locating first at
Oregon City, Oregon, later coming to the Hood River valley,
in what was then Wasco county. He took up a homestead and a
preemption claim, thus becoming the owner of three hundred
and twenty acres of land, located about one mile west of
Odell, all covered with heavy timber Because of the
prevalence of oak timber in this locality, he named it White
Oak valley. He built a log house and started to clear the
land, on which he raised garden truck. He kept cows and a
flock of chickens, and carried his eggs and butter to The
Dalles, on horseback, that being the nearest market at that
time. About 1904 he sold that place and bought a small ranch
near Odell, where he spent his remaining days, his death
occurring August 14, 1904. John 0. Divers was educated in
the district school near Odell and about the time he
attained his majority he took up a homestead one and a half
miles west of Odell, on which he built a small board house,
after which he cleared a large part of his land, on which he
raised hogs, cattle and grain. In 1893 he sold that place
and went to Montana, but his death occurred at Lewiston,
Idaho. To him and his wife were born seven children: Mrs.
Dolly English; James, who lives in Montana; Mrs. May
Sellinger, who lives in the Hood River valley; John O.,
deceased; Mrs. Julia Estey, of Butte, Montana; Perry,
deceased; and Newton, who lives in California. Mr. and Mrs.
English had four children: Beatrice, who is the wife of E.
L. Vose, of Portland, Oregon, and they have a daughter,
Beatrice, now eight years of age; Leland, who died in
August, 1920; Harry, who is at home; and Jayen W., who is a
senior in the high school at Odell. Mrs. English has the
distinction of having been one of the first white girls born
in the Hood River valley. Mr. English was a member of the
Pomona Grange. He stood ready to cooperate with his fellow
citizens in all efforts to better the community and his
record as farmer and citizen gained for him an enviable
place in the estimation of his fellowmen.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Thomsen, J. P.
J. P. THOMSEN
J. P. Thomsen is numbered among the energetic and
progressive citizens of the Hood River valley who, while
successful in advancing their individual affairs, have at
the same time given cf their loyal efforts to the promotion
of the community welfare, and he has well earned the high
place which he holds in public regard.
Mr. Thomsen was born in Denmark on the 3d of April, 1868,
and is a son of Frederick and Johanna Thomsen, both of whom
are deceased. He was educated in the public schools of his
native country and when ten years of age, because of the
death of his father, it became necessary for him to go to
work. In 1887 he came to the United States and obtained
employment in iron mines in New Jersey, where he worked for
one dollar a day. In 1889 he Went to Watsonville,
California, where he apprenticed himself to learn the
carpenter's trade, and for his labor received five dollars a
month and his board. He remarried at Watsonville about one
year and then went to Spokane, Washington, where he helped
to rebuild the city after the big fire. In 1891 he went to
Wallace, Idaho, where he worked at his trade for six months,
and in the fall of that year removed to The Dalles, Oregon,
which had just been practically destroyed by fire, and he
assisted in the rebuilding of that city. In 1898, in
partnership with Hans Hansen, he started a lumberyard and
planing mill, their combined cash capital being seventy-five
dollars. They also did contracting and building and in 1892
erected the first unit of The Dalles Hospital and also built
fine homes for Judge Bennett, George Blakeley and Dr.
Rheinhart. The firm constructed the first big building of
Wasco county - a warehouse at The Dalles, which they put up
in sixty days, this being a record at that time, and on this
job they cleared two thousand dollars. They continued in
partnership until 1908, when Mr. Thomsen removed to his
ranch in the Hood River valley, where he has since lived and
in the operation of the place he has been highly successful.
He has also done a good business in the buying and selling
of land and has handled a number of valuable tracts. On his
own ranch he has planted fifty-five acres to fruit. He has
one hundred and twenty acres of splendid land, near Pine
Grove, which is well improved, containing an attractive
home, a large modern barn, silos and other substantial
buildings. He owns a fine herd of registered Jersey cattle,
which has taken prizes at the county fair, and he raises
large crops of corn, which he puts into the silos for winter
feed. He also owns fifty-five acres of good hay land in
Duke's valley, which is leased.
In 1893, in Portland, Oregon, Mr. Thomsen was united in
marriage to Miss Hansine Andersen, who is also a native of
Denmark and is a daughter of Anders and Karen Hansen, both
of whom died in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Thomsen have been
born five children, namely: Alfred, who is married and has
three children, Helen, Earl and Caroline; Clara, who was
graduated from the Lincoln high school of Portland and spent
three years at the University of Washington, and is now at
home; Fred, who is at home and assists in the operation of
the farm; Victor, who is married and lives on his own farm
in Hood River valley; and Harriet, who is in the high
school. Alfred and Fred are both veterans of the World war,
having served in France, and Alfred was also with the army
of occupation in Germany.
Mr. Thomsen is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks in Hood River. He is a firm believer in cooperation
and in 1914 became one of the organizers of the Hood River
Cooperative Creamery, of which he was the first president
and has since served on its board of directors. This has
been a very successful organization and enjoys a wide
reputation for the high quality of its butter. Mr. Thomsen
was also one of the prime movers in securing the erection of
the handsome new Pine Grove school building, conceded to be
one of the finest, if not the finest, country school
buildings in Oregon. Mr. Thomsen supervised the erection of
this building and saved the district several thousand
dollars through his practical knowledge of building.
Persistence, energy, good judgment and right principles have
been the elements which have contributed to his success in
life, and he has been true and loyal to every obligation of
citizenship, so that he has commanded the sincere respect of
all who have been in any way associated with him, while
socially he is deservedly popular throughout the community
in which he lives.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Jackson, John
JOHN B. JACKSON
John B. Jackson, though not a native of the Hood River
valley, has lived here so long and taken so active a part in
the development of its farming and orchard interests that he
is regarded as one of its "old residenters," and holds a
high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was born
in Morristown, Tennessee, on the 26th of June, 1871, and is
a son of Captain F. M. and Elizabeth (Thurman) Jackson. His
paternal grandparents were John B. and Dorcas (Cox) Jackson,
the former of whom was born in North Carolina, a member of
an old pioneer family of that state, and was highly
educated, having served as professor of higher mathematics
and music in Monticello Academy in Kentucky. He published a
book of music, which gained him a nice fortune. Later in
life he served as clerk of McMinn county, Tennessee, for
many years. He and his wife died in that state, he in 1858
and his wife in 1853.
F. M. Jackson was born in Athens, Tennessee, December 13,
1836, and received a good academic education in that state.
After completing his studies, he went to Missouri with ox
teams and in the spring of 1856, when not yet twenty years
old, went overland to California. He worked in the gold
mines for two years but on the death of his father in 1858
he returned east and, buying some slaves, operated the home
farm until the outbreak of the Civil war. On June 21, 1861,
he enlisted as a private in the Fourth Battalion of
Tennessee Cavalry, Peck's Light Dragoons, in which he was
made a lieutenant two months later. He fought through
Kentucky and Tennessee and was captured at the battle of
Black River. He was confined as a prisoner of war for
eighteen months at Johnson's island, near Sandusky, Ohio,
and on being exchanged returned to his old regiment, of
which he was acting colonel until the close of the war. He
was a member of the escort of Jefferson Davis until the day
before the latter's capture, when he went home to visit his
family. When the war ended he found himself practically
ruined financially, but he gathered up what property he
could, with which he paid off the debts he owud, and then
became city recorder of Morristown, filling that office for
two years. He was nominated for mayor but decided to again
go west. He proceeded to San Francisco, thence by boat to
Portland, and up the river to the Hood River valley, which
he reached in 1872., and located on a homestead seven miles
south of Hood River, where he resided until his death on
January 12, 1914. He cleared a large part of his land and
planted orchards. He supported the democratic ticket and
took an active interest in public affairs, serving as a
director of the Pine Grove school for twenty-nine years and,
in association with Jerome W. Winchell and David Turner,
organizing the first school district in the Hood River
valley. Mr. Winchell donated a tract of land on which the
schoolhouse was built. He was twice nominated for the office
of county commissioner but was defeated, though running
ahead of the balance of his ticket. On June 8, 1859, at
Morristown, Tennessee, he married Miss Elizabeth L. Thurman,
who was born in Virginia, August 4, 1839, and died June 17,
1885. She ws a daughter of William M. and Mary (Bibb)
Thurman and was a member of the same family from which
sprang Allan G. Thurman, the democratic nominee for vice
president in Grover Cleveland's second campaign. Mr. and
Mrs. Jackson were laid to rest in the family burial ground
on the old homestead and the graves, which are under a grove
of fine old pine trees, are suitably marked.
John B. Jackson received his educational training at the
Pine Grove school in Odell district and remained at home
until he was twenty years old, when he went to eastern
Oregon, where he spent about six years. On his return to
Hood River valley he took up a homestead adjoining his
father's place, about seven miles south of Hood River. His
land was densely covered with timber and brush, and he has
performed a vast amount of labor in clearing the land,
probably having cleared and drubbed seventy acres of land
altogether in the valley. He has twenty-two acres planted to
pears and apples, the remainder of the land being devoted to
pasture and timber, though he raises some corn for his hogs.
He has made many substantial improvements on his place, and
it is now one of the valuable and productive ranches of the
valley.
On August 16, 1905, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to
Miss May B. Perry, who was born in Ellis, Kansas, and is a
daughter of W. V. and Ida Perry, both of whom are now living
in Hood River. Mr. Perry came to Oregon in 1902 and bought a
fruit farm in the Hood River valley, which he later sold to
his son and, having retired from active pursuits, moved to
Hood River. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born three
children, namely: Bernice May, Who is now attending
Willamette University at Salem, where she is majoring in
history and English; Edna Grace, who is a graduate of the
Hood River high school and is now at home; and Frances
Marion, who is a senior in the Hood River high school.
Mr. Jackson has taken a deep interest in the public affairs
of his locality and has served nine years as road supervisor
and helped to organize the new Pine Grove school. He has
been successful in his business efforts, is a man of
sterling integrity and fine personal qualities, and
throughout the valley he is held in the highest regard.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Odell, Milton
MILTON D. ODELL
Milton D. Odell, who is successfully engaged in farming near
Odell, Hood River county, enjoys the distinction of having
been one of the first white children born in the Hood River
valley. He has spent his entire life here, contributing by
his individual efforts to the general prosperity of the
valley, and has gained a well-merited place among its
substantial and highly respected citizens. Mr. Odell was
born on the 23d of September, 1863, on his father's old
preemption claim in the Hood River valley, about eight miles
from Hood River, and is a son of William and Diona (Neal)
Odell, the former born in Tennessee, November 30, 1833, and
the latter in Salem, Oregon, in 1848. With ox team and
covered wagon, William Odell crossed the plains, in 1853 and
located at Placerville, Eldorado county, California, where
he followed mining for seven years. In 1861 he came to the
Hood River valley, where he took up a preemption claim to
one hundred and sixty acres of land, located eight miles
south of what is now Hood River, being one of the first
settlers in the valley. He built a log house and cleared
part of his land, and later bought fifty acres additional.
Here in the early days he raised cattle, hay and garden
truck, and later turned his attention to fruit raising,
meeting with success. He served as a member of the board of
county commissioners of Wasco county, before the creation of
Hood River county, and gave active assistance in the
building of the first schoolhouse in the district,
contributing both labor and money. In many ways he showed a
public-spirited interest in the development and progress of
the valley, was prominent and influential among his
fellowmen and commanded the respect and good will of all who
knew him, the town of Odell being named in his honor. He and
his wife spent their remaining years here, the father dying
in May, 1891, and the mother in 1893. They were the parents
of seven children, Milton D., James A., Emma C., Charles P.,
Lee T., William and Lucy Jane, all of whom are deceased,
except the first named.
Milton D. Odell's maternal grandfather, Peter Neal, crossed
the plains, with ox team and covered wagon in 1844, settling
on a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres in Marion
county, Oregon, and was one of the first pioneers on French
prairie.
Milton D. Odell received his educational training in the
district school and at old Wasco Academy, at The Dalles. He
remained at home until his marriage, when he bought eighty
acres of land near Odell, all of which was covered with
heavy timber. He built a log house and began clearing the
land and in the course of time developed a good farm and a
comfortable home. He now has twenty acres in cultivation, of
which six acres are in apples and four acres in
strawberries, the remainder being in hay and pasture. He
carries on diversified farming and keeps a few cows and
chickens.
On June 1, 1894, Mr. Odell was united in marriage to Miss
Mary E. McCoy, who was born in Woodford county, Illinois,
and is a daughter of James Newton and Mary E. (Herron)
McCoy. Her father was born in Georgetown, Ohio, October 15,
1826, and her mother in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 1, 1827, and
both are deceased. Mr. McCoy brought his family to Hood
River, November 4, 1885, and was engaged in farming in the
valley here until his death, which occurred February 12,
1899. His wife died in Iowa, February 5, 1885. Prior to
coming west, Mr. McCoy had served several years during the
Civil war period as provost marshal of Springfield,
Illinois, and proved himself an able and fearless officer.
While his duties consisted largely in rounding up deserters
from the army and bringing them to justice, he had to deal
with many lawless persons and had a number of deeds of
daring to his credit. He was a personal friend of Abraham
Lincoln. To him and his wife were born five children,
namely: William Herron and Agnes J., both deceased; Elmer
E., of Seattle, Washington; John, deceased; and Mrs. Mary E.
Odell. Mr. and Mrs. Odell have an adopted daughter, Eunice
Lela, who was born at Odell, Oregon, and is now the wife of
J. W. Wirrick, of Odell, and they have a daughter,
Maryellen, born December 2, 1927. Mrs. Wirrick is a graduate
of the Gillespie School of Elocution at Portland and was an
instructor in that art. Mrs. Odell graduated from the high
school at The Dalles, took a teacher's course in Portland
and a commercial course in Armstrong's Business College in
that city, after which, for seven years prior to her
marriage, she taught school at White Salmon, Washington, and
in Hood River and Columbia counties, Oregon. Mr. Odell has
always evinced a deep interest in the welfare of his
locality and has rendered effective service as a member of
the school board. He and his wife are members of the Grange,
of which Mr. Odell is master. He is a man of mature judgment
in practical matters, has been successful in his material
affairs and throughout his section of the valley is held in
high regard by his fellowmen.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Lage, Hans
HANS LAGE
No citizen of the Hood River valley holds a higher place in
public esteem than does Hans Lage, who ranks among the
leading farmers of the valley. He located here over fifty
years ago and, in spite of the privations and hardships of
pioneer life, by his grim determination and persistence
along rightly directed lines, has gained not only large
material success, but also that which is of more value, the
unqualified confidence and respect of his fellowmen. Mr.
Lage was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 18th of
March, 1847, and is a son of Joachim and Abel (Weise) Lage,
both of whom were lifelong residents of that country, where
the father followed farming. They were the parents of seven
children, of whom three are living, namely: Ferdinand, who
lives in Davenport, Iowa; Trena, who still lives in Germany;
and Hans.
The last named was educated in the public schools of his
native land to the age of ten years, when he went to work,
his program then being five months of work and ten months of
schooling. He remained with his father until March 22, 1867,
when he emigrated to the United States and proceeded at once
to Davenport, Iowa. There he was employed as a farm hand for
a few years and, carefully saving his money, he was then
able to lease a farm, which he ran until 1875, when he sold
out there and started for the Pacific coast, making the trip
by railroad to Sacramento and thence by steamer to Portland.
He spent some time looking for a location and having, while
on a hunting trip, come into the Hood River valley, where he
was caught and detained in a severe snowstorm, had an
opportunity to view the country. So well satisfied was he
with this locality that not long afterwards he paid the sum
of three hundred dollars for the homestead of Milton Neal,
comprising one hundred and sixty acres, located four miles
south of Hood River. It was all woods and brush land, and
after building a small house, Mr. Lage began the task of
clearing the land and getting it in shape for cultivation,
in which he was assisted by his sons. The place is now
entirely cleared. Mr. Lage planted a small orchard, raised
garden truck and had a few chickens, cows and hogs. In the
fall he butchered his hogs, made good sausage and sold it in
The Dalles for fifty cents a pound, also selling eggs and
butter, and thus securing the ready cash for current
expenses. He also worked out, taking hay for his pay at the
rate of two hundred pounds for a day's work. He was one of
the first farmers in the valley to raise hogs and cure the
meat, which was always in demand among the settlers and
which became a useful medium of barter. Later he planted
more fruit trees and now has thirty acres in apples, pears
and prunes, the remainder of the land being in hay, grain
and pasture. As he prospered Mr. Lage made improvements on
the ranch and in 1887 replaced the first modest house with a
better structure, which in turn was replaced in 1913 by the
present modern and attractive home, complete with all modern
conveniences, and regarded as one of the finest farm homes
in the valley. The other farm buildings are in keeping,
including a substantial and well arranged barn, in
connection with which are two large silos, and a milk room,
in which all modern facilities are installed and operated by
electric power. The farm is now under the active management
of Mr. Lage's son, Edward E., who keeps a fine herd of
registered Jersey cattle and a purebred sire. Edward is
assisted by his three sons, Edward, George and Charles, who
have been given an interest in the stock and dairy and thus
have a personal incentive for their efforts in promoting the
work of the ranch.
Mr. Lage has been married twice, first, in 1871, in
Davenport, Iowa, to Miss Lena Hock, who was born in Germany
in 1852. When two years old she was brought to this country
by her parents, Claus and Gretchen Hock, who located at
Davenport, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Lage became the parents of ten
children, namely: Louise, the first born, who died in Iowa
in infancy; Mrs. Meta Scobee, who was born in Iowa and now
lives on a part of the homestead in the Hood River valley;
Mrs. Emma Koberg; Henry, who lives in Santa Rosa,
California; Mrs. Laura Henderson, who lives in Bingen,
Washington; Benjamin, of Hood River; William, Edward, Alfred
and Charles, who are deceased. The mother of these children
died in 1908 and in 1912 Mr. Lage was married to Mrs.
Karoline Augusta (Franz) Von Goerres, a daughter of Karl and
Victoria (Finkenzeller) Franz, both of whom were natives of
Germany, and died there. Mrs. Lage was married in 1876, in
Germany, to Augustine Keller, who died there in 1896. They
were the parents of eight children, Franz Joseph, Louise
Victoria. Karoline Augusta, Karl August, Marea Hermina, Karl
August (second), Mrs. Paulina Hermina Schneider, and Mrs.
Elizabeth Victoria Calbeck, of Portland, Oregon. For her
second husband she was married, in 1899, to Dr. Robert Von
Goerres, who died in 1908, and they became the parents of a
daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. Lage now has the following
grandchildren: Mrs. Zoe (Scobee) Williams, Dale Scobee; Mrs.
Lena (Koberg) Imholz, Earl, Prince and Clara Koberg;
Florence and Dimple Lage, the former deceased; Ruth
(Henderson) Dickey, Dr. J. W. and Donald Lage, the latter
deceased; Keith and Lenora Lage; and Riddle, George and
Charles Lage. There are also twelve great-grandchildren,
namely: Betty Colleen Williams; Vivian, Hilman, Franklin,
Howard, and Lois Imholz; Gorton and Donald Koberg; James and
Donald Dickey, and Allan and Loree Henderson.
Mr. Lage has always given his political support to the
republican party and has taken an active and effective
interest in local public affairs. He served as road
supervisor for twenty years and for many years as a member
of the school board. In 1879, with D. A. Turner, F. M.
Jackson, Clarence Hock and Henry Hock, he organized the
first school district on the east side of the Hood River
valley and Mr. Lage has assisted in the building o: the
fifth schoolhouse here, all being built without bonding the
district, He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks and the Knights of the Maccabees at Hood River. The
Lage farm is unquestionably one of the best in the valley
and is widely known for the progressive methods which are
employed in its operation. It has every modern convenience
and a fine supply of pure spring water is piped to all the
buildings and houses. Mr. Lage is personally known to almost
every resident of the valley and is held in the highest
esteem. In marked testimony to this fact was the gathering
of the entire countryside at Pine Tree Grange hall, on March
3, 1926, in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the
day when he first moved onto his homestead. Despite his four
score years, Mr. Lage is still in good health, retaining his
physical vigor to a remarkable degree, and is spending the
golden sunset years of his life amid ideal surroundings,
secure in the love of those about him and the friendship of
his neighbors, who have long appreciated his genuine worth
as a man and citizen.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Hackett, Harry
HARRY A. HACKETT
Harry A. Hackett, who is successfully engaged in ranching
near Hood River, has spent an active and industrious life,
yet not altogether devoid of excitement, and has been a
witness of the splendid development of the Columbia River
valley during the past forty-five years, and in which he has
had a part. He was born in Colorado, July 20, 1861, and is a
son of Nathan and Lavina (Thurston) Hackett, the former a
native of Maine and the latter of New Hampshire. His father
went to California in the gold rush of 1850 and there
followed mining for three years, after which he returned to
New England and was married. In 1858 he and his wife went to
Colorado, where he was engaged in mining until 1871, when he
came to Oregon and took up a homestead in the Hood River
valley, where he lived until his death. His wife died in
Portland, this state.
Harry A. Hackett attended the public schools in California,
the district school at McMinnville, Oregon, and the schools
of Portland. When sixteen years of age he began working on
steamboats on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, following
that line mainly until 1891, during which time he held
captain's and engineer's licenses. For awhile he was
employed as a fireman on the Oregon Railroad and Navigation
line, and during that employment was firing on the train
that was stalled in the Columbia river gorge for twenty-one
days during the big snow storm of 1889. In 1891 Mr. Hackett
bought a homestead right to eighty acres of land in the Hood
River valley, about eight miles southwest of Hood River. The
land was covered with timber and brush, but he cleared about
twenty acres of it and planted an orchard. He lived there
until 1905 when he sold it and moved to Hood River, where he
bought a home, in which he lived until 1922, when he located
on a small ranch in the valley, on which he is still living.
He is very comfortably situated and is spending his later
years in an ideal manner.
In 1887 Mr. Hackett was united in marriage to Miss Bessie
Darling, who was born in Oregon, and they became the parents
of two children: Henry, who was born in Portland and is now
living at Bend, Oregon, is married and has three children,
Melvin, Russell and Helen. Nina is the wife of Jim Holden,
of Oswego, Oregon, and they have two children, Beryl and
Edward. In 1899 Mr. Hackett was married to Mrs. Emma
(Mayberry) Crapper, who was born in Tennessee and came to
Oregon in 1897. They had three children, namely: Theodore
A., who was born in Hood River, where he is engaged in the
radio and electrical business, is married and has two
children, Dorothy and Virginia May; Hattie and Mary Emma
remain at home, the latter being in high school. Mr. Hackett
is a man of earnest purpose and upright life, whose record
has earned for him the respect of his fellowmen, and he is
regarded as one of the worthy and dependable citizens of the
Hood River valley. He is a man of excellent personal
qualities and is deservedly popular among his associates and
friends.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Brosius, Frampton
FRAMPTON CORE BROSIUS, M. D.
Dr. Frampton Core Brosius, who is the oldest physician in
Hood River in point of years of service, has stood as an
exemplar of the noblest ethics of his profession, and his
record as a successful practitioner and public-spirited
citizen over a period of thirty-five years in this community
has earned for him the unqualified confidence and respect of
his fellowmen. Dr. Brosius was born in Beloit, Mahoning
county, Ohio, on the 26th of August, 1859, and is a son of
Amos P. and Mary Ann (Core) Brosius, the former born in
Quaker Hill, near Alliance, Ohio, and the latter in
Churchville, Pennsylvania. Her father was a pioneer
physician of Pennsylvania and a prominent man in his
community. Amos P. Brosius' grandfather Henry was born near
Philadelphia in 1768 and his father, Amos P. Brosius, was
born in 1799 near Philadelphia, and was engaged in farming
until 1863, when he enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment
Pennsylvania Cavalry and went to the southland in defense of
his country. He was promoted to the rank of captain, later
was transferred to the Fourth United States Artillery and
was captured at the battle of Cedar Creek, on October 19,
1864. He was confined in Andersonville prison, where his
death occurred March 20, 1865. His widow survived him many
years, dying at Hood River, Oregon, in November 29, 1893.
They were the parents of two children, F. C., and Nettie,
who died at Des Moines. Iowa, April 15, 1923.
F. C. Brosius attended the public schools and Millville
Academy, in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, after which he
matriculated in Rush Medical College, at Chicago, Illinois,
being graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine on
February 19, 1883. In the fall of that year he located at
Kenesaw, Nebraska, where he practiced his profession until
1891, and on November 16, 1891, came to Hood River, Oregon,
buying the medical practice and drug store of Dr. Thomas,
who was the only physician here at that time. Dr. Brosius
continued the active practice of medicine here until 1923,
when he moved to Elgin, Union county, Oregon, where he
practiced until November, 1927, and then returned to Hood
River, and is still actively engaged in general practice and
surgery. Well educated and a constant student of his
profession, kindly and sympathetic in his relations with the
sick and suffering, he has been remarkably successful in his
treatment of human ailments, and is regarded as one of the
ablest and most dependable physicians in this section of the
state. In 1905 Dr. Brosius, in association with Drs. Shaw,
Dumble and Watt, organized the Hood River Hospital, of which
he was president or secretary for twenty years.
Dr. Brosius has been married twice, first, on November 19,
1889, in Nebraska, to Miss Emma Williams, who was born in
Iowa, a daughter of Dr. Josephus and Charlotte (Conger)
Williams, both of whom are deceased. To this union were born
four children, namely: Edward Estee, who was born in
Nebraska, December 28, 1890, is a graduate of the University
of Oregon, served in the coast artillery during the World
war, and is now employed by the Lumbermen's Trust Company in
Seattle, Washington; Frampton C., Jr., who was born in Hood
River, April 5, 1903, died at the age of three years;
Florence A., born August 18, 1893, is the wife of Philip W.
Janney, of Portland, Oregon, and they have three children;
and Charlotte Mary, born February 20, 1909, is now studying
music in the University of Oregon. In 1925 Dr. Brosius was
married to Mrs. Rose Marie (Lenz) Odell, who was born in
Hood River and is a daughter of John Adam and Ann (Biversi)
Lenz, who were pioneers of the Hood River valley. Her first
husband was Charles P. Odell, who died in 1910, leaving four
children, namely: Alice Mildred, who is the wife of J. F.
Yoerger and the have a son, Joseph Frampton, born on June
15, 1923; James Delbert, who is married and has a son,
Marion Lee, born on November 25, 1926; Francis M., who is
married; and Charles Gifford.
Dr. Brosius has always evinced a deep interest in everything
pertaining to the welfare of his community and has been
active in local public affairs. He served two terms as mayor
of the city and several terms as a member of the city
council, and has been a persistent advocate of good schools
and improved roads. He assisted to organize and is a charter
member of flood River Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M., of
which he is a past master; Hood River Chapter, No. 27, R. A.
M., of which he is a past high priest; Hood River
Commandery, No. 12, K. T.; Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M.
S., at Portland; and Hood River Chapter, No. 15, O. E. S.,
of which he is a past worthy patron. At the outbreak of the
Spanish-American war Dr. Brosius was a first lieutenant in
the medical corps of the Oregon National Guard and was the
first officer detailed for duty on April 25, 1898, to
inspect the personnel of the Third Regiment Oregon National
Guard before mobilization with the United States Army. He
was appointed assistant surgeon, with the rank of captain,
of the Second Oregon Regiment, United States Volunteer
Infantry, and served in the Philippines, being with the
first troops to land at Honolulu, June 1, 1898, at Guam,
Ladrone islands, June 21, 1898, and at Cavite, Philippines,
June 30th. They relieved Admiral Dewey's marines and landing
at Manila on August 13th, received the surrender of the
Spanish. forces, and guarded the walled city of prisoners
until the latter were removed by Spanish transports. Dr.
Brosius participated in twenty-eight actions against the
Philippine insurrectos from February 4 to June 12, 1899, and
his were the first troops to be returned home, being
mustered out at San Francisco July 7, 1899. The Doctor was a
member of the Oregon National Guard from 1892 to 1922, when
he was retired, with the rank of major. At the outbreak of
the Spanish-American war he had a National Guard hospital
corps of eighteen men at Hood River. Possessing a strong and
forceful personality and a cordial and friendly manner, he
has commanded to a marked degree the respect and good will
of his fellowmen and no citizen of the Hood River valley
stands higher in public esteem than he.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Bradley, E. R.
E. R. BRADLEY
E. R. Bradley, who is numbered among Hood River's
enterprising and successful citizens, is conducting an
up-to-date job printing office and has been actively
identified with various business interests of this
community. He was born in Ontario, Canada, March 18, 1862,
and is a son of George W. and Julia Maria (Carter) Bradley,
also natives of Ontario and both now deceased. His father
was engaged in farming and was also a mechanical genius. He
made the first known model of the Ferris wheel, which he
operated successfully at the county fair at Collingwood,
Ontario. It carried eight passengers and was operated by man
power, by means of cranks on each side of the frame. He was
a wheelwright by trade, and had a son, Joseph, who was a man
of original ideas and attained note as an inventor. To Mr.
and Mrs. Bradley were born ten children, of whom four are
living, namely: Mrs. Charles Hubbard, of Forest Grove,
Oregon; Mrs. M. I. Christner, of Seattle, Washington; George
Willis, who lives at Tucson, Arizona; and E. R.
E. R. Bradley received a limited education in the public
schools and at the age of fourteen years began to learn the
printing trade at Sault Ste Marie, Canada, where he followed
that line of work for several years. Following 1880 for
about two years he devoted his attention to farming. In 1884
he came to the United States, locating in Sherman county,
Nebraska, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres
of land, but soon afterwards sold that place and moved to
the new town of Litchfield, where he embarked in the
newspaper business, establishing the Litchfield Monitor,
which he ran for seven years and then sold. 'He then went to
the new town of Deepwater, about twelve miles from Houston,
Texas, and started the Deepwater Enterprise, which he ran
for one year, when it was discontinued and for about five
years he engaged in raising cotton. In 1899 Mr. Bradley came
to Hood River, Oregon, and leased the 'Hood River Sun, which
he published for a few months and then sold his lease and
opened a book store and job printing office in Hood River,
which occupied his attention until 1905, when he established
the Hood River Newsletter, a six-page weekly, which later
was increased to eight pages. Mr. Bradley ran that paper
until January 1, 1908, when he formed a partnership with his
brother, George Willis Bradley, and established concrete
brick works in this city, also doing a good deal of contract
work in concrete. They conducted that business for seven
years, when Mr. Bradley sold his interest to his brother,
who ran it alone until 1925, when he sold out and moved to
Arizona. In 1919 Mr. Bradley opened a job printing office,
in the conduct of which he has been very successful. He has
a well equipped plant, modern in every respect, and,
possessing a thorough technical knowledge of the business,
combined with artistic taste, he has been able to turn out a
high quality of work, which has been his best advertisement.
As a result of his experience in printing, Mr. Bradley has
invented a valuable device known as the Bradley register and
gauge, for use on platen printing presses, and which marks a
great advancement in the efficiency of press work, being
simple in construction, quickly attached to the press and
easy of adjustment to any sized job. The gauge has been well
received by the trade and Mr. Bradley is building up a good
business in its manufacture and sale.
In 1882 Mr. Bradley was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A.
Lamon, who is a native of Ontario, Canada, and is a daughter
of Henry and Matilda J. (Thompson) Lamon, both of whom are
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have two children, both of
whom were born in Nebraska. Pearl Estelle, who graduated
from Willamette University, taught school for several years
prior to her marriage, and is now teaching in the school at
Riverdale, near Portland, Oregon. She is the wife of Dr.
Carl J. Hollingworth, of Portland, and they have two
daughters, Dorothy Jean and Barbara Ann. Eldon Russell, who
took a course in a business college in Portland and now
lives in Hood River, was married in 1913 to Miss Gretchen
Maria Calkins, and they have four children, Eldon Fred,
Gladys E. and William Russell arid Florence Ann, twins. Mr.
Bradley is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern
Woodmen of America. He has always been an active advocate of
prohibition and while editing the Litchfield Monitor, in
Nebraska, came out with a strong editorial denunciation of
the vicious activities of the saloon element. He was waited
upon by a delegation of the men whom he had denounced, who
gave him twenty-four hours to leave town. He told them he
was there to stay and to maintain his principles, and dared
them to do their worst. He stayed, too, and later many of
those same men became his best friends. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they
give their earnest support, as they do to all worthy causes
in their community. Mr. Bradley has stood for all that is
best in the life of the town and county in which he lives
and is recognized as a man of strong character and definite
influence, and commands to a marked degree the confidence
and respect of his fellow citizens.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Plog, J. E.
J. E. PLOG
Among those -who have done their share in maintaining the
reputation of the Hood River valley as a superior fruit
growing section, stands J. E. Plog, who is widely known as a
practical and successful orchardist, his well improved farm
lying about six miles south of Hood River. He was born in
Monona county, Iowa, on the 17th day of August, 1892, and is
a son of Louis and Henrietta (Rugge) Plog, both of whom were
natives of Germany, the mother coming to this country in
1890. Louis Plog emigrated to the United States in 1882 and
located first in Chicago, but later moved to Nebraska, where
for six years he was engaged in the sheep business. Then,
selling out there, he went to Iowa, buying a farm in Monona
county, and there he devoted his efforts to agricultural
pursuits, raising corn and hogs principally, until 1902,
when he sold his interests there and came to the Hood River
valley, in which he bought ninety acres of land, about five
and a half miles south of Hood River. Thirty-five acres of
the land was cleared and twenty-five acres was in orchard.
He cleared and planted more of the land to fruit, developing
the place into a valuable farm, and lived there to the time
of his death, which occurred in 1921. He is survived by his
widow, who still lives on the home place. They became the
parents of six children, namely: J. E.; Walter, who enlisted
for service in the World war and died in camp; Mrs. Olga
Hague, who lives in San Diego, California; Edna, who
graduated from the Oregon Agricultural College, at
Corvallis, and is now teaching school; Harry J. and Louis,
Jr., who now own and live on the home place.
J. E. Plog received his educational training in the public
schools of Iowa and Hood River, and remained at home until
his marriage, in 1919, when he leased the home farm for
about two years. He then bought thirty-four and a half acres
of land, a part of the old Peter Neal donation claim, six
miles south of Hood River, and he now has twenty-six acres
in fruit, eighteen acres being in apples, six acres in pears
and two acres in cherries, all of which are in full bearing,
and comprise one of the best orchards in this section of the
valley. He has a very attractive and comfortable home,
commanding a fine view of the Hood River valley, and he
maintains his place in the very best condition, being
thorough and painstaking in his methods.
In 1919 Mr. Plog was united in marriage to Miss Lempi
Annala, who was born in North Dakota and is a daughter of J.
J. and Elizabeth Annala, both of whom were born in Finland
and are now living on a farm in the Hood River valley. Mr.
and Mrs. Plog are the parents of a daughter, Marybeth, born
November 30, 1920, and now in school. Mr. Plog is a director
of the Hood River Apple Growers Association and a director
of the East Fork irrigation district. He has shown an
effective interest in everything pertaining to the welfare
of the farmers of the valley and is numbered among its solid
and dependable citizens, while, socially, he is extremely
popular throughout the locality in which he lives.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Rand, Andrew
ANDREW S. RAND
Andrew J. Rand, who is conducting a popular and attractive
restaurant at Hood River, has had a long and active career,
covering various parts of the country, but is now
permanently and comfortably located in one of the choicest
sections of the Columbia River Valley. He was born at
La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the 17th of March, 1865, and is a
son of Jack and Mary (Latimer) Rand, the former born in
Kentucky and the latter in West Virginia. The father, who
was a well known hunter and scout, pioneered over
practically all of the western states. In 1887 he settled at
Hood River, Oregon, and soon afterwards took up a timber
claim on Lost lake, near Mt. Hood, where he lived a few
years, and then sold it to Frank Button, after which he
again established his home in Hood River, where he lived
until his death, in 1916. His wife died about 1882. They
became the parents of twelve children.
Andrew J. Rand, the only one now living, was educated in the
district schools of his native state, after which he worked
in the woods and sawmills of Wisconsin, Michigan and
Minnesota until 1889, when he came to 'Hood River. Here he
entered the employ of the Oregon Lumber Company, with which
concern he remained for six years, and during the period
also ran a boarding house for the company. He then returned
to Wisconsin for about a year, after which he went to
Montana and followed the logging and sawmill business, doing
job work on his own account in that state and Idaho He was
fairly successful in a material way and in 1920 he again
came to Hood River and opened a restaurant which he has
conducted to the present time. In this business he is ably
assisted by his good wife, who is an ideal hostess, and they
enjoy an excellent patronage, particularly during the
tourist season, when many visitors to Mt. Hood and vicinity
come this way.
In April, 1888, Mr. Rand was united in marriage to Miss Jane
Barry, who was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and is a
daughter of John and Kate (Attridge) Barry, the latter a
native of Rhode Island. Mr. Barry, who was born in Ireland,
was brought to the United States in boyhood and was reared
at La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he spent his remaining years,
his death occurring in 1907. His wife passed away in 1891.
They became the parents of eight children, of whom but three
are living, namely: Jane, Mrs. Rand; Mrs. Ellen Asher, of
lone, Idaho; and Mrs. Stella Johnson, of Morley, Idaho. To
Mr. and Mrs. Rand have been born six children: Pearl, who
was born in Hood River, is the wife of Wilber Spear, of
Spokane, Washington, and they have two children, Boyd and
Joyce; Earl, born at La Crosse, Wisconsin, is married and
has four children, Earl, Kenneth, Joy and Evelyn; Hazel,
born at Reed River, has been married twice, first to Raymond
Purdy, to which union were born two children, Mark and
Charles, and secondly, to Curtis Potts, and thew are the
parents of two children, Gregory and Mary Catherine; Esther,
born in Hood River, is the wife of Thomas Spurgeon and they
have a son, Donald; Fred, born at La Crosse, is married and
lives in Idaho; and Russell, who was born in Hope, Idaho, is
married and has a daughter, Shirley. Mr. Rand is a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks at Hood River and the Fraternal
Order of Eagles at Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. He is a man of
sterling character and excellent personal qualities, is held
in high esteem throughout the community where he lives and
is extremely popular among hs associates and friends.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Sletton, C. H.
C. H. SLETTON
C. H. Sletton, who has served as treasurer of the Hood River
Apple Growers Association continuously since its
organization, fifteen years ago, has been an important
factor in its success and is regarded as one of Flood
River's best citizens, well worthy of the respect and
confidence which are accorded him. The Hood River Apple
Growers Association was organized in April, 1913, with a
capital stock of ten thousand dollars. It was formed as a
non-profit organization, being the outcome of the merging of
four smaller companies in the Hood River valley. The first
officers were, P. S. Davidson, president J. C. Porter, vice
president; C. W. Hooker, secretary; C. H. Sletton,
treasurer; L. E. Clark, W. B. Dickerson, A. W. Stone, C. W.
Hooker, P. S. Davidson and J. C. Porter, directors. The
association began with practically nothing in the way of
assets, but, after borrowing five thousand dollars, it
bought a cold storage plant, leased two or three private
plants, and proceeded to carry out its aims and purposes.
Success attended it from the start and its growth has been
steady and substantial through the years until today it is
regarded as one of the best nonprofit farmers organizations
in the state of Oregon. The association now has fixed assets
of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, of which one
hundred and eighty-seven thousand is set aside for
depreciation, and its only obligation is a bonded
indebtedness of one hundred and twenty-five thousand
dollars. In 1926 the association refunded back to growers
forty-seven thousand, seven hundred and seventy-four dollars
from the budget and seventy-six thousand, one hundred and
fourteen dollars from the store department. It did a gross
business of three million eight hundred and eighty-eight
thousand dollars, which included eight hundred and
ninety-five thousand dollars of business done by the store
which is owned by the association. The association has
eleven hundred growers contracts and seven hundred active
members. It handles apples, pears, cherries, strawberries
and other small fruits, all of which is widely known for its
high quality, and about forty-five per cent of the fruit is
exported to foreign countries, principally to the British
islands. The present officers of the association are as
follows: R. J. Mclsaac, president; J. H. Mohr, vice
president; Arvo Hukari, secretary; C. H. Sletton, treasurer,
and Victor Follenius, general manager and sales managor.
C. H. Sletton was born in Becker county, Minnesota, in 1878,
and is a son of Jacob C. and Elizabeth Sletton, the latter a
native of Minnesota. The father, who was born in Norway in
1847, came to the United States in young manhood and settled
in Minnesota, of which he was a pioneer, and there engaged
in farming and the grain business. He took an active
interest in the public affairs of his community, serving as
a member of the board of county commissioners of Norman
county, and also as county assessor. He and his wife are now
deceased. Of the six children who were born to them, three
are now living, namely: Charles H., of this review; Mrs.
Minnie Shulstad, who lives in North Dakota, and Mrs. Julia
Riedasch, of Seattle, Washington. C. H. Sletton attended the
public schools of Ada, Moorehead and Fergus Falls, and also
took a two-year course in a business college, He went to
work in the office of a department store at Crookston,
Minnesota, and later served for about six months as a
bookkeeper in a bank at Frazee, Minnesota. In April, 1903,
he came to Hood River and for about two years was employed
at farm work, after which he took a position in the office
of the Bragg Mercantile Company, at Hood River, with which
he remained five years. In 1910 he entered the employ of the
Hood River Apple Growers Association and on its formal
organization he was elected treasurer, which position he has
held continuously to the present time. He has handled a
large amount of money during these years and has managed his
department in a manner that has been very gratifying to the
officers and members of the association.
In 1902 Mr. Sletton was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude
Gleason, who is a native of Wisconsin, and is a daughter of
John and Jessie Gleason, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and
Mrs. Sletton have two children: Paul, who was born at
Crookston, Minnesota, graduated from the Hood River high
school and then took the course in journalism at the
University of Oregon, from which he was graduated in 1927;
and Jessie, who was born in Hood River, graduated from the
local high school and is now taking a course in secretarial
training and business administration at the Oregon
Agricultural College at Corvallis. Mr. Sletton is a member
of the Free and Accepted Masons at Crookston, Minnesota. He
has been true and loyal to responsibility in every relation
of life, progressive and energetic in his affairs and
honorable and square in all his dealings, so that he has
well earned the high standing which he enjoys in the esteem
and confidence of his fellowmen, while his genial manner and
strong social qualities have won him many warm friends
throughout the community.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Ainsworth, L. S.
L. S. AINSWORTH
One of the most highly respected citizens of the Hood River
valley is L. S. Alasworth, who is a representative of one of
Oregon's old and highly honored families, and who in his own
career has fully maintained the prestige of the family name.
He was born in Portland, Oregon, April 1, 1877, and is a son
of Captain George J. and Margaret (Sutton) Ainsworth, the
former born in Oregon City, Oregon, April 13, 1852, and the
latter in San Francisco, California, November 17, 1852. The
paternal grandfather, John Cummingers Ainsworth, who came
west to California in 1849, became prominent in the early
commercial affairs of Oregon and is referred to at length in
the sketch of J. C. Ainsworth, on other pages of this work.
George J. Ainsworth attended the public schools of Portland
and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy,
in the first class to graduate from the University of
California, in 1873. He then returned to Portland and worked
on the Columbia river in various capacities for the Oregon
Steam Navigation Company. In the meantime he studied and
prepared for the examination for a captain's certificate and
received his master's papers in 1875. He served as a river
captain for one year and was then made superintendent of the
company by which he was employed, having his headquarters at
Portland, and retained that position until 1880, when the
company sold out to Henry Villard, by whom Mr. Ainsworth was
retained as superintendent for two years. In 1882 he went to
Oakland, California, and took charge of his father's
business, which commanded his attention until his father's
death, in 1893, when he was made executor of the estate, in
which capacity he served until his death, which occurred at
Portland, October 20, 1895, at the comparatively early age
of forty-three years. He is survived by his widow, who now
resides in Berkeley, California. They were the parents of
two children, L. S. and Mabel, who was born in Portland and
is the wife of Edwin Mays, of Berkeley, California. Captain
Ainsworth was an active member of the Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, in which he was honored with the
thirty-third degree, being also a member of the Mystic
Shrine. The maternal grandfather, John Sutton, went to
California in 1849, and there served as a marine engineer.
He was in the United States navy during the Mexican war, and
followed steamboating on the Pacific coast until he was lost
with the steamship "George S. Wright," which went down, with
all hands, in Alaskan waters in 1873.
L. S. Ainsworth received his education in the public schools
and under private tutors, and then for one year had charge
of the office of his father's estate. He went to work for
the Northern Pacific Steamship Company, being employed in
the office at Portland for one year, after which he became a
purser on Columbia river boats of The Dalles, Portland &
Astoria Navigation Company, running from Portland to The
Dalles. He followed that work for five years and then went
to Paisley, Lake county, Oregon, where he opened a general
merchandise store, which he ran for six years. While there
he and Dr. A. A. Witham organized the Farmers Mutual
Telephone Company, one of the first of its kind in southern
Oregon, and built one hundred miles of line. In 1910 they
sold out and Mr. Ainsworth went to Portland, where he
remained until 1911 when he came to the Hood River valley
and bought six acres of land in the Belmont district, one
mile southwest of Hood River. There he built a nice home and
planted cherries and other fruits, making a very attractive
place.
Mr. Ainsworth has been married twice, first, in 1904, to
Miss Charlotte Henley, who was born in Berkeley, California,
a daughter of Captain James B. and Katherine L. (Ballely)
Henley, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Ainsworth died June
20, 1905, and in 1908 Mr. Ainsworth was married to Miss
Katharine Sitton, who was born in Salem, Oregon, and is a
daughter of Charles E. and Relief (Spadding) Sitton, the
former born in Yamhill county, Oregon, and the latter in
Massachusetts. The Sitton family came across the plains with
ox teams and covered wagons in 1843, Grandfather Sitton
locating on a donation claim in Yamhill county. He was one
of the first settlers in the Willamette valley and today his
Sons and grandsons are among the prominent and influential
citizens of Yamhill county. In his young manhood L. S.
Ainsworth was an expert amateur tennis player, taking part
in many hard-fought battles on the courts, and has also been
a keen hunter and fisherman, which are his favorite forms of
recreation. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, in which he has passed through the chairs, and Mrs.
Ainsworth is a member of the P. E.O., which devotes its
activities to the welfare of girls. Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth
enjoy a wide acquaintance through their section of the Hood
River valley and, because of their kindly and hospitable
dispositions and their estimable qualities, they are held in
the highest esteem by all who know them.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Munroe, William
WILLIAM MUNROE
William Munroe, whose death was deeply deplored by all who
knew him, was one of the best farmers in the Hood River
valley, having been thoroughly progressive in his methods,
while in private life he was a high-minded, loyal and
public-spirited citizen, the kind of a man that contributes
to the prosperity and stability of a community. Born in
Illinois on the 15th of August, 1867, he was a son of Arthur
and Elizabeth Munroe, both of whom were natives of Glasgow,
Scotland. The father was a coal miner by occupation and came
to the United States in young manhood. For several years he
was employed in coal mines in Illinois, and then went to the
vicinity of Waterloo, North Dakota, where he bought a tract
of land, on which he carried on agricultural operations for
many years. He then went to Kansas, where his death
occurred. To him and his wife were born ten children, of
whom William was the oldest.
William Munroe received his educational training in the
public schools of his native state and then went to work in
the coal mines there. Subsequently he went to Leadville,
South Dakota, where he found work in the Phoebe Hearst gold
mine, in which he was employed for eight years. In 1906 he
came to the Hood River valley and bought a fifteen-acre
fruit ranch, located one and a half miles south of Hood
River, and there established his permanent home. On the
place was a fine young orchard and during his early years
here he was in partnership with Oscar Reitz, whom he
afterwards bought out. Later Mr. Munroe took out the apple
trees and planted half of the land to pears, which he
developed into one of the best and most productive orchards
in the valley. He was painstaking and thorough in everything
he did, was energetic and industrious, and took a
justifiable pride in the development of the ranch into an
attractive and comfortable home.
On May 3, 1906, Mr. Munroe was united in marriage to Miss
Christina Stanger, who was born near the Black Forest in
Wittenburg, Germany, a daughter of Wilhelm and Katherine
(Kibler) Stariger, both of whom were natives and lifelong
residents of Germany. Her father was a farmer by occupation
and became a soldier in the German army in the
Franco-Prussian war of 1870, in which he was killed. To Mr.
and Mrs. Stanger were born two children, Gottlieb, deceased,
and Mrs. Christina Munroe. After the death of her husband,
Mrs. Stanger became the wife of Gottlieb Graze and they
became the parents of four children, Mrs. Werner, Mrs.
Sophia Einicke, Mrs. Josephine Stamm and Wilhelmina,
deceased. Christina Stanger came to the United States with
friends in 1881, and at Ottawa, Kansas, completed the
education which she had begun in her native land. She became
a school teacher and taught in the Indian schools in
Oklahoma for several years prior to her marriage to Mr.
Munroe. She is a member of the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Munroe
was a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Grange, while
his religious connection was with the Riverside
Congregational community church, to which Mrs. Munroe also
belongs. Mrs. Munroe has been active in Grange work and is
now a lecturer, and she has been actively interested in the
civic affairs of her community, in which she has been an
effective factor. A few years prior to Mr. Munroe's death he
and his wife took a trip to Europe, which proved a very
enjoyable vacation. Mr. Munroe was a man of kindly and
generous impulses, gave earnest support to every movement
for the betterment of the community, and was consistent in
his advocacy of those things which are uplifting in life.
Because of his sterling character and his cordial and
friendly manner, he commanded the respect of all who knew
him arid had a large circle of warm and loyal friends.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Foss, William
WILLIAM WEBSTER FOSS
William Webster Foss, who died in 1903 at his farm home one
and a half miles south of Hood River, Oregon, was one of the
pioneers of this locality ad was regarded as one of the
community's most worthy citizens. He lived an upright and
consistent life, characterized by persistent and well
directed industry and sterling integrity in all of his
affairs, so that he well merited the high place which he
held in the esteem of those who knew him. Mr. Foss was a
native of Massachusetts, born on the 10th of September,
1844, and was a son of Silas M. and Sally B. (Webster) Foss,
the former born April 25, 1809, and the latter January 20,
1819. He was educated in the public schools of his native
state and eventually moved to Illinois, where he was living
at the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted in Company K,
Thirty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with
which he served three years, and at the close of the war was
honorably discharged at Houston, Texas. Returning to
Illinois, he engaged in farming, which he followed there
until 1874, when he came to the coast, locating in Portland,
where he worked for about three years. He then came to Hood
River, in what was then Wasco county, Oregon, and took up a
homestead about one and a half miles south of the town.
After erecting a small board house, he entered upon the task
of clearing the land and getting it under cultivation, but
there was no market in those days for what little he raised
and during the first year here the family endured great
privations and hardships. They used but fifty cents worth of
sugar during that year and were not able to purchase any
kerosene oil, doing their cooking and other household duties
by the light of the fire. In the course of time Mr. Foss
cleared about fifty acres of the land, the greater part of
which he planted to orchard and eventually abundant success
crowned his efforts. He was a ceaseless and untiring worker,
doing well whatever he undertook, and gained recognition as
a good farmer and a man of sound business judgment. He
remained on the home farm until his death, and his passing
was deeply regretted throughout the community, for his high
character and fine personal traits had won for him a large
circle of warm and loyal friends.
In 1871, in Illinois, Mr. Foss was united in marriage to
Miss Phoebe Purser, who was born in Bedfordshire, England,
and is a daughter of Thomas and Martha (West) Purser, both
of whom were natives of that country. The family came to the
United States in 1850 and settled at Danville, Illinois,
where the father engaged in farming, and also established a
brickyard on his place, which proved a successful venture.
In 1874 he sold out there and moved to Portland, Oregon, but
later came to Hood River, where both parents died, the
father in 1877 and the mother in 1887. They became the
parents of six children, namely: David and Lucy, who are
deceased; John, who lives in Everett, Washington; Joseph,
and Mrs. Mary Noble, both deceased, and Mrs. Foss. John
Purser took up a preemption claim of eighty acres, adjoining
the city of White Salmon, Washington, in 1876, the land
being densely covered with timber. After building a small
house, he cleared off about twenty acres of the land and
lived there until 1897, when he sold part of the land and is
now retired and he and his wife are living at Everett,
Washington. They became the parents of five children,
namely: George T., who lives in California, and is married
and has four children, Elliot, Geraldine, Harold and
Cleburn; Mrs. Annie Rankine, deceased; Mattie, who is
employed as a bookkeeper by the Standard Oil Company in
Seattle, Washington; Ada A., who is the wife of Dr. Howard,
of Everett, Washington, and has a son, Pope; and Fred, who
is married and has two children, Mary and Albert. Mr. and
Mrs. Foss became the parents of five children, as follows:
Mrs. Lucy Haskin, who died leaving two sons, Dale M., of
Hood River, who owns the largest fox farm in the United
Stats, and Frank, of Milbrae, California, who is married and
has two children, Eugene and Carol; Ida May, who was a
school teacher and died in 1900; Arthur Lester, who remains
on a part of the home place at Hood River; William Webster,
Jr., who is referred to in a later paragraph; and Lillie
May, who died in infancy. The mother of these children still
lives on the homestead, which has been divided among the
children, and, because of her hospitable and kindly manner
and her many excellent personal qualities, is held in high
esteem throughout the community where she has lived for
fifty-four years.
William Webster Foss, Jr., who was born on the old homestead
at Hood River, received his elementary education in the
public school at Hood River and attended Willamette
University, at Salem, Oregon, two and a half years, since
which time he has devoted his attention closely to the
operation of hi fine ranch. He owns twenty-five acres of the
home farm, with about fifteen acres planted to apples,
comprising one of the best orchards in the Hood River
valley. He uses a tractor and employs modern methods in the
cultivation of his place and has proven a thorough and
practical farmer and a good business man. He was married to
Miss Ruth Viola Coon, who is a native of Hood River and is a
daughter of Thomas R. and Delia (McNeal) Coon, both of whom
are now living in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Coon, who owns a
large fruit ranch in the Hood River valley, was a pioneer of
this locality and became prominent in public affairs, having
served as a member of the state legislature, and was one of
the organizers of the State Teachers Association. Mr. and
Mrs. Foss have three children, William Webster III, Francis
Robert and Mildred Esther, all of whom are attending school.
By his industrious and successful career, as well as by his
stanch personal qualities, Mr. Foss has ably sustained the
prestige of the family name, and is regarded as one of Hood
River's most worthy and substantial citizens.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Nunmaker, Floyd
FLOYD D. NUNAMAKER
Nunamaker is one of the best known names in connection with
the fruit growing interests of the famed Hood River valley,
for the Nunamaker brothers, Don and Floyd D., own the most
extensive and best kept orchards in this section of the
state and take a justifiable pride in the superior quality
of the fruit which they send to the markets of the country.
Floyd D. Nunamaker was born at Heppner, Moro county, Oregon,
on the 29th of April, 1893, and is a son of James R. and
Mary Ellen (Morgan) Nunamaker, both of whom were born in
Pennsylvania, and are now deceased, the father dying in
July, 1927. James R. Nunamaker came to Oregon in 1881 and
took up a homestead near Heppner, to which he added other
land by purchase, and there he ran a large sheep ranch until
1905, when he sold out and, coming the Hood River valley,
bought thirty-five acres of land two and a half miles west
of Hood River, it being a part of the old Armstrong
homestead. Ten acres of the place were planted to apples,
the remainder being in meadow. The latter he planted to
cherries and pears, and had one block of twelve acres in
Anjou pears, which is regarded as the finest pear orchard in
the valley. In 1916 Mr. Nunamaker bought forty acres of land
on the Loop highway, five miles south of Hood River, in Pine
Grove district. This land was planted to apples, which he
later took out and replaced with pears, and still later he
bought one hundred and sixty acres more in the same
district, which he planted largely to pears. In 1926 he and
his sons, who rank as the most extensive orchardists in the
Hood River valley, packed and shipped over one hundred
thousand boxes of fruit, consisting of apples, pears and
cherries. Mr. Nunamaker was a forceful, progressive and
energetic business man, having gone into the fruit business
because he believed it to be permanent and dependable and he
located in the Hood River valley because he regarded it as
the best section of the Northwest for the successful growing
of high grade fruit. The results of his efforts proved the
accuracy of his judgment and he realized a splendid measure
of material success. He was a member and director of the
Hood River Apple Growers Association, was a persistent
advocate of good schools and improved highways, and belonged
to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Hood River.
Because of his business ability, sterling character and fine
public spirit, he commanded to marked degree the confidence
and esteem of his fellowmen. To him and his wife were born
four children, namely: Don, who was born in Moro county,
Oregon, is now associated with his brother in the operation
of the orchards, and lives on the Pine Grove tract; Floyd
D., of this review; Mrs. Ellen McGuire, who lives at Klamath
Falls, Oregon; and Neal, who is engaged in the fruit
business at Phoenix, Arizona. There are also three
half-brothers, J. T. Downing, M. O. Downing and Neil
Nunamaker who resides in San Francisco, California.
Floyd D. Nunamaker attended the district schools of Moro
county, and had two years in the Oregon Agricultural
College, at Corvallis, where he took the course in
horticulture. He became associated with his father and
brothers in the fruit industry, and since the father's death
the brothers are carrying the business on together. They
also lease and operate two hundred acres of orchard on
Willow Flat, in the Hood River valley, which they cultivate
with tractors and mules. The Nunamaker Cherry orchards are
famous throughout this section of the country for the
quality of the fruit, as well as its high yield per acre,
and their cherries are shipped to the principal cities of
the country.
On November 19, 1916, Floyd D. Nunamaker was united in
marriage to Miss Calla Berry, who was born in Yakima,
Washington, and is a daughter of Theodore and Alice A.
Berry, both of whom are now living on their fine orchard
ranch near Hood River. Mr. and Mrs. Nunamaker are the
parents of two children, Barbara, who is nine years of age,
and Allan Dale, four years old. Mr. Nunamaker and M. O.
Downing are members of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
at Hood River, and his brother Don belongs to the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks at that place. They are numbered
among the valley's leading citizens, standing for all that
is best in the life of the community and are deservedly
popular among their acquaintances.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume II - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Reavis, T. A.
T. A. REAVIS
T. A. Reavis, who is now spending the golden sunset years in
his well improved and comfortable ranch home, a mile south
of Hood River, Oregon, has led an active and useful life,
during which he has played his full part in the great drama
of civilization which has been enacted in this section of
the country, and today he commands the respect and
confidence of all who know him.
Mr. Reavis was born in Jasper county, Missouri, on the 19th
of September, 1853, and is a son of David B. and Elizabeth
(Lee) Reavis, both of whom were born in Cooper county,
Missouri. The family is of English origin and the
grandfather, Andrew J. Reavis, was a pioneer settler in
Cooper county. David B. Reavis came across the plains, with
mule teams and covered wagons, arriving in Oregon, September
5, 1877. In November of that year he located at Wallowa,
where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land,
each of his two sons also taking up homesteads, and here he
engaged in the stock business, running large herds of cattle
and horses over the country, which was not fenced. At that
time the locality in which he lived was Union county, out of
which was later created Wallowa county, and he became the
first county clerk of the new county, serving three years.
Later he also served as sheriff of that county, and he took
a leading part in the building of the town of Enterprise,
which is now the county seat of Wallowa county. In 1878 he
organized the D. B. Reavis Company of Oregon volunteers, for
service during the Bannock Indian war, and during that
period he served as a scout for General Howard. Mr. Reavis
spent his remaining years in Wallowa county, dying at
Enterprise in 1909. His wife died in 1887 in a hospital at
Walla Walla, Washington, to which she had been taken for
treatment. They were the parents of ten children, namely:
Mrs. Alice Wheeler, who lives at Wenatchee, Washington; T.
A.; William P. and Gilbert S., who are deceased; Mrs. Molly
Wade, of Enterprise, Oregon; James L., who is county auditor
at Walla Walla, Washington; Joseph L., who is a merchant in
Walla Walla; David L., who died in 1904, and two who died in
infancy.
T. A. Reavis attended the public schools at Kingsville,
Missouri, completing his studies at the Warrensburg State
Normal School, in Johnson county. He went to Texas, where he
remained about a year, and after coming to Oregon began
teaching school. He taught the first school in Wallowa
county, occupying an old log building, heated by a big
fireplace. This was a sort of community house, and neighbors
came to it from a distance of twenty miles to attend singing
school. In 1878 Mr. Reavis took a teacher's examination from
L. J. Rouse, at that time superintendent of Union county,
who rode one hundred miles on horseback, in the middle of
winter, to give the examination. Mr. Reavis was the first
teacher in Wallowa valley to obtain a first-grade
certificate. He taught school in that county for ten years,
and was also the first teacher in the county to draw public
money for teaching, taking half of his pay in cash and the
balance in fence rails. During the Bannock Indian war he was
a member of the military company of which his father was
captain and he and George H. Holmes carried to General
Howard at Wallowa the news of the capture and execution of
Chief Egan, the Bannock leader, in the Blue mountains of
Oregon. Mr. Reavis took up a homestead in Wallowa county,
and also a preemption claim, three hundred and twenty acres
in all, and later also took up one hundred and sixty acres
of fine timber land adjoining. He devoted his attention to
the improvement of his land and eventually had one of the
finest farms in that valley, with well built and substantial
house and barns, the land being fenced and cross fenced and
a fine stream of living water flowing through the land.
However, the altitude was too high for his wife's health and
in 1901 he sold out there and went to Ashland, Oregon, where
he ran a livery stable for one year. He then again sold out
and, going to La Grande, Oregon, bought a harness shop,
which he sold a year later and, coming to the Hood River
valley, bought twenty acres of land, which he planted to
strawberries. Later he planted an apple orchard and improved
the place, so that he was able to sell it to advantage, and
during the following years he bought and sold a number of
farms, but he has now established his permanent home on a
small ranch one mile south of Hood River, where he is very
comfortably situated. In September, 1914, Mr. Reavis was
appointed postmaster of Hood River, to which position he was
later elected, and served two full terms, or eight years,
under the administration of President Wilson.
On April 5, 1893, at Enterprise, Oregon, Mr. Reavis was
united in marriage to Miss Ida Daniels, who was born in
Leavenworth, Kansas, and is a daughter of Neal and Rebecca
(Richmond) Daniels, the former born in Belfast, Ireland, May
10, 1820, and the latter in Ohio November 22, 1824. Her
father was brought to the United States in 1827, when seven
years old, and located at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He became a
sailor on the great lakes, following that pursuit for a few
years, and in 1857 went to Kansas, where he engaged in the
livestock business, buying and selling cattle, sheep and
hogs until his death, which occurred November 7, 1873. His
wife died August 23, 1850. They were the parents of eight
children, namely: Mrs. Mary C. Smith of Kansas City,
Missouri; Albert, Alfred and William, who are deceased; Mrs.
Ida Reavis; Frank W., of Kansas City, Missouri; Laura and
Corn, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Daniels was a member of
the Masonic order, in which he had passed through the
chairs. He took an active interest in public affairs and at
one time served as deputy sheriff at Leavenworth. Mr. and
Mrs. Reavis are the parents of a daughter, Gladys, who
graduated from the high school at Hood River and studied two
years at Whitman College, Washington and is accomplished in
both vocal and instrumental music. She is now the wife of F.
S. Gilbert, of Hood River, and they have a son, Thomas R.,
born May 19, 1921. Mrs. Reavis also is a splendid musician,
possessing a good voice. Mr. Reavis is a member of the
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a past master of his
lodge, and Mrs. Reavis is a member of Hood River Chapter, 0.
E. S. at Hood River, Oregon, the first chapter of that order
instituted in the state. Mr. Reavis has always shown a keen
interest in the welfare of the communities in which he has
lived and in former years served a number of terms on the
school board, and as clerk of the board. While living in
Wallowa county he took an active part in the construction of
the first roads in that section, and in various ways has
aided his fellowmen in any good work. Because of his long
and worthy career, his excellent personal qualities and his
kindly and hospitable manner, he commands to a notable
degree the friendship and genuine regard of all who know
him.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume III - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Hawkes, Edward
EDWARD HAWKES
The famous Hood River valley is indebted for its development
and prosperity to the earnest and indefatigable efforts of
those who took up the land, cleared off the timber and brush
and planted the soil either to grain or to the fruit
orchards for which it is now so widely known. Among this
number must be included Edward Hawkes, who has lived here
for thirty-five years, during which period he has achieved
success and is now numbered among the substantial farmers of
the valley. Mr. Hawkes was born in Indiana, in May, 1859,
and is a son of John and Mary Edna Hawkes, the former born
in Indiana and the latter in Maryland. The father enlisted
for service during the Civil war and was killed at the
battle of Gettysburg, and the mother died in Indianapolis,
Indiana.
Edward Hawkes attended the public schools and studied three
years under Prof. H. B. Brown at the Valparaiso Normal
School, at Valparaiso, Indiana. Going then to Danville,
Illinois, he learned the carpenter trade, after which he
went west and in 1884 obtained employment at bridge
construction work on the Denver & Rio Grande railroad.
He followed carpenter work in the Rocky mountains until
1889, when he located in Portland, Oregon. There he worked
at his trade until 1892, when he came to the Hood River
valley and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty
acres, five miles south of Hood River. The land was heavily
covered with timber and brush and, after building a small
house, he entered upon the task of clearing the land.
Between times he worked at his trade for the Oregon Railroad
and Navigation Company, being engaged in the building of
bridges, and later went to California where he was employed
at the same kind of work on the Southern Pacific railroad,
working from Sacramento north to the Oregon line. He
remained in that state three years and then, returning to
his ranch, settled down to its improvement and cultivation.
He continued to clear more land and planted twenty acres to
apples. He created a fine ranch, but later sold the
homestead and bought ten acres of timber land adjoining it,
which he cleared and planted to fruit, and is still living
on this place. He has a goodly number of apple and peach
trees and a nice young cherry orchard, one tree of which, in
1927, yielded six hundred pounds of cherries, or a gross
income of seventy-two dollars. His land lies high up on the
east side of the valley and is practically free from frost
when the trees are in bloom in the spring. In 1906 he built
a fine, modern home, situated on an eminence and commanding
a magnificent view of the Hood River valley and across the
Columbia river into Washington.
In May, 1897, Mr. Hawkes was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Sears, who is a native of Missouri and a daughter of Nelson
and Josephine Sears, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sears
came to the Hood River valley in 1891 and located on a
ranch, which Mr. Sears bought and which was heavily covered
with timber. This he cleared off and then planted a good
orchard, and there he and his wife spent their remaining
years. To Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes have been born two children:
Mary Edna, who graduated from the Hood River high school,
and from Whitman College, with the degree of Bachelor of
Arts, is the wife of N. W. Battey, of Wenatchie, Washington.
In 1917 Mr. Battey enlisted in the Twelfth Regiment Oregon
Infantry, with which he served in France and with the army
of occupation, and received several medals for bravery in
action. He has a daughter, Barbara Jean, three years of age.
Helen Josephine, who was graduated from the Hood River high
school, is also a graduate of the Oregon Agricultural
College, at Corvallis, where she majored in art, music and
home economics.
Mr. Hawkes is greatly interested in the welfare of his
locality and has held a number of public offices, having
served five years as a member of the board of county
commissioners and for several years as a member of the Pine
Grove school board. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America at Hood River and he and his wife belong to the
Pomona Grange, of which he was one of the first directors.
He has been a consistent advocate of good schools and
improved roads and has been influential in promoting both.
He is a man of sound judgment, progressive ideas and
enterprising methods, and commands the respect and
confidence of all who know him and who appreciate his
integrity of character and his worthy life.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume III - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Wells, Perry
PERRY E. WELLS
Perry E. Wells is numbered among those whose efforts have
helped to make the Hood River valley what it is today, one
of the finest fruit producing sections of the country, and
the success which is now his is the legitimate result of his
persevering efforts and his sound judgment. Mr. Wells was
born in Savannah, Carroll county, Illinois, on the 18th of
June, 1879, and is a son of Jerome and Anna Mary (Strickler)
Wells, both of whom were born in Illinois, the former in Jo
Daviess county and the latter in Carroll county. The father,
who followed farming, lived near East Moline, a section of
which city now occupies a part of his former place. In 1890
he came to Oregon and took up a homestead seven miles
southeast of Hood River, the land being mostly covered with
timber and brush. He built a small board house and a log
barn, cleared off several acres of the land and lived there
until 1900, when he sold it and bought one hundred and sixty
acres one mile east of the Pine Grove school. A few acres
were cleared and there was a small house and some
outbuildings on the place. He cleared much of the land and
planted a good orchard, and he and his wife spent their
remaining years there. They became the parents of six
children, as follows: Perry E., of this review; Warren who
lives at Bend, Oregon; Mrs. Margaret Lester and Walter, both
in the Hood river valley; Edward, who resides in Portland;
and Clifford, in the Hood River valley.
Perry E. Wells attended the Pine Grove district school and
studied mechanical engineering two years at the Oregon
Agricultural College at Corvallis. On leaving school, in
1908, he came back to the Hood River valley and bought ten
acres of raw land, about three-quarters of a mile from the
Pine Grove school. He cleared off the timber and brush which
encumbered it and planted an apple orchard. He was
successful in the operation of this place and in 1918 bought
eleven and a half acres near by, all of which was in apple
orchard, so that he now has a splendid ranch and is reaping
the fruits of his labors, being very comfortably situated.
In 1906 Mr. Wells was united in marriage to Miss Nellie V.
Clark, who was born in Columbus, Washington, and is a
daughter of L. E. and Ada (Berrian) Clark, the former born
in Peoria county, Illinois, and the latter in Wisconsin. Her
father came to Washington territory in 1880, locating at
Columbus, now called Maryhill, Klickitat county, where he
bought a small fruit ranch, which he cultivated until 1887,
when he sold out and went to Biggs, Sherman county, Oregon,
and established a lumber yard, feed stables and a fuel and
agricultural implement business, also running a ferry boat.
He remained there until 1898, when he sold his interests and
moved to the town of Wasco, where he operated a lumber yard
until 1902, when he again sold out and, coming to the Hood
River valley, bought one hundred and twenty-six acres of
land in the Pine Grove district. A few acres were cleared
and planted to apples, and he cleared much of the remainder,
which he planted to fruit and now has thirty-five acres in
orchard, mainly apples, pears and cherries. He has made many
substantial improvements, including a modern house, and good
barn and outbuildings, as well as a packing house. He served
a number of years as a director of the Hood River Apple
Growers Association and has shown an effective interest in
matters of importance to the community. He is a member of
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Chamber of
Commerce and he and his wife belong to the Grange. They are
the parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Wells; B. L.;
William B.; Gladys, who is at home, and Florence, who is the
wife of Cecil Thrane, of Astoria, Oregon. Florence graduated
from the University of California, in a class of twenty-four
hundred members, in 1923, and B. L. Clark graduated in
horticulture from the Oregon Agricultural College.
Mrs. Wells secured her education at the Pine Grove district
school and was at home to the time of her marriage. Mr. and
Mrs. Wells are the parents of three children, namely:
Harold, born October 17, 1906; Kenneth, born June 9, 1908;
and Dorothy, born August 1, 1910, now a junior in the high
school at Hood River. Mr. Wells is a member of Hood River
Lodge, No. 1507, B. P. O. E., at Hood River, belongs to the
Hood River Apple Growers Association and he and his wife are
members of the Pomona Grange. His career has not been a path
of roses, for he has worked hard and long, and sometimes has
faced discouraging conditions, but he is now in prosperous
circumstances and has a comfortable home and a valuable
ranch property. His earnest life and honest efforts have
gained for him the respect of his fellowmen and he is
regarded as one of the valley's loyal and dependable
citizens.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume III - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Woodward, Richard
RICHARD WOODWARD
Richard Woodward, of Cascade Locks, who has been a lifelong
resident of the Columbia River Valley, with practically
every part of which he is intimately acquainted, was in the
government service at Cascade Locks for nearly a third of a
century, doing faithful and efficient work, and is now
retired, spending the twilight years of his life in well
earned leisure. Mr. Woodward was born at Washougal,
Washington, on the 30th of December, 1857, and is a son of
John Davis and Sarah Cynthia (Ough) Woodward. His father was
born in Indiana, May 18, 1828, and in young boyhood moved
with his parents to Iowa, of which state they were pioneers.
In the public schools there he received his education and
about 1850 came across the plains, with ox team and covered
wagons. En route the company got lost in the Blue mountains.
They had a very hard time there, being compelled to live on
horse meat for awhile. Mr. Woodward and two other men, Keith
and Gardner, volunteered to go to The Dalles for help. In
the meantime another party caught up with the lost company
and piloted them to The Dalles and on over the old Barlow
trail to the Willamette valley. Mr. Woodward and his
companions were lost in the Deschutes country but met a lone
Indian, who guided them to an Indian camp on the Deschutes
river, and thence to The Dalles. From there Keith and
Gardner went on to their families in the Willamette valley.
Mr. Woodward remained at The Dalles and for about a year
worked on the Irvine farm. He then came to Cascade Locks and
was there variously employed, working in sawmills and on the
portage road which was being constructed around the cascades
by Bradford Brothers. He worked there until about 1856, when
he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty
acres, about eight miles west of Stevenson, Washington. This
was practically all timber land, and, after building a small
log house, he cleared off part of the land, also working
outside some. In 1871 he sold that place and bought a ranch
in the Washougal valley, where he lived for a few years and
then sold out and moved to Cascade Locks, where he squatted
on one hundred and sixty acres of government land; and on
this place he lived until shortly prior to his death, which
occurred December 25, 1897. He fought in the Indian war of
1856 under Captain Nathan Olney, and while aboard the
steamboat "Mary," at the Cascade Locks, they were attacked
by a band of Indians. They got steam up as rapidly as
possible and cut the rope that held the boat to the dock. In
the meantime the Indians were firing on them continually,
but they managed to get away without any serious casualties.
His wife was born at Washougal, Washington, in 1840, and was
a daughter of Richard and Betsy (Schleyboos) Ough. Her
mother was a beautiful Indian princess, daughter of an
Indian chief of the Cascade tribe, a branch of the Chinooks,
and was born in 1812, living to the age of ninety-nine
years. At the age of twenty years she became the wife of
Richard Ough, who was born in England and was a boatswain on
an English man-of-war. He came to Oregon territory as an
officer of the Hudson Bay Company, in which capacity he was
serving at the time of his marriage. They lived for a time
in Tualatin valley, and in 1852 moved to Clark county, where
they settled on a donation claim of six hundred and forty
acres, a part of which is now within the city of Washougal,
and there they spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Ough
dying about 1884, and his wife on July 16, 1911. They became
the parents of eleven children. Mrs. Sarah Woodward died
April 26, 1926. To Mr. and Mrs. Woodward were born seven
children: Richard; William, deceased; James Henry, who lives
in Portland, Oregon; Alfred S., who is a road supervisor and
lives at Corbett, Oregon; Samuel, who died in 1927; and two
who died in infancy
Richard Woodward was educated in the public schools of
Washougal and in the old Harrison street school in Portland,
after which he taught school for one year at Cascade Locks.
For several years thereafter he worked for his father,
cutting and hauling wood, after which he worked for three
years on the construction of the old Oregon state road at
Eagle creek, on the Columbia river. He then engaged in
commercial fishing and teaming, and also raised many hogs in
partnership with his brother, Alfred S., selling them to
Chinamen who were employed there in railroad construction
work. For a few years Mr. Woodward followed steamboating on
the Columbia river, serving one year as mate, and in 1880
went to Portland, where he worked for the Oregon Transfer
Company. He spent three years in that city and then returned
to Cascade Locks and went onto his father's homestead, which
he farmed for three years. In 1886 he went to Cascade Locks
and got a job as a carpenter in the construction of the
locks, and was employed in that line until November 9, 1896,
when the locks were completed and officially opened for
service. During the two following years he was employed at
rock work for the government, after which he was appointed a
lockman, under Val W. Tomkins, and held that position for
twenty-three years. He was then made night watchman, in
which capacity he served until December 30, 1927, when he
was retired on a pension. Altogether, he was in the
government service thirty-two years seven months and
twenty-three days, in addition to about ten years at
contract work on the locks.
On November 7, 1883, Mr. Woodward was united in marriage to
Miss Emma Allen, who was born at Carson City, Nevada, and is
a daughter of Charles and Amy (Grow) Allen, the former a
native of Illinois. The mother died when her daughter was
but fifteen days old, and the father died at Winlock,
Washington, in 1896. He had followed gold mining during the
greater part of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward have seven
children, namely: Clemmert, who is married and has two
children, Horace and Irene; Amy May, Charles Richard, Dolly
Dot, Ella Cynthia, Winnie Etta and John Chester. Mr.
Woodward is a member of Cascade Locks Lodge, No. 104, I. O.
O. F.; Columbia Camp, No. 57, W. O. W., at Cascade Locks,
and he and his wife are members of the Daughters of Rebekah
and the Neighbors of Woodcraft. Mr. Woodward has led a busy
and useful life, has been loyal and true in everything that
he has undertaken, and wherever known commands unqualified
confidence and esteem.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume III - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
Tomkins, Val
VAL W. TOMKINS
Val W. Tomkins, who for nearly forty years has been engaged
in government work in Washington and Oregon, and for over
twenty years has served as superintendent of the Cascade
locks, is regarded as one of the most competent men
connected with the government public works in the Pacific
northwest. Mr. Tomkins was born in Cork, Ireland, on the
15th of June, 1864, a son of Valentine and Fanny Ann Louisa
(Carnegie) Tomkins, the former born in Lancashire, England,
and the latter in Ayrshire, Scotland. Valentine Tomkins was
for many years engaged in a mercantile business in Cork, and
about 1880 retired and moved to London, England, where he
spent the remaining years of his life, dying in 1897, three
years after the death of his wife. They were the parents of
seven children: Mrs. Fannie Scott, deceased; Eileen Mary,
who lives in London, England; William James, who died in
Ireland; Sarah H., who lives in London; Mrs. Henrietta
Elizabeth Bishop, deceased; Val W.; and Ethel G., who
resides in London.
Val. W. Tomkins attended private schools in his native city
and in 1889, when twenty-five years old, came to the United
States. He went first to Portland, Oregon, and thence to
Newport, that state, where he worked for the United States
government, being employed for about a year in the
construction of a jetty. Returning to Portland, he was put
to work in the office of Robert Warrack, government
engineer, and engaged in making survey maps of the Columbia
river from Portland to Astoria. In February, 1891, he was
sent to Cascade Locks under Lieutenant Edward Burr, chief
constructing engineer, and was there employed at office work
until the fall of that year, when he was returned to the
Portland office. In 1892 he was placed in charge of the
construction of a dyke at Hayden island, on the Columbia
river, remaining there until 1893, when he was sent back to
Cascade Locks. He was employed in the office of the
engineering staff until June, 1898, when he was sent to
Lafayette, Yamhill county, as inspector of the lock and dam
built there on the Yamhill river. In the fall of that year
he returned to Portland and held an assignment in the
government office there until July, 1907, when he was
transferred back to Cascade Locks as superintendent, in
charge of maintenance and construction, and has held that
position continuously since.
Fred Lockley, in the Oregon Daily Journal of March 8, 1915,
gave the following historical description of these famous
locks: "Every pioneer who came across the plains and came to
the Willamette valley by way of the Columbia river route
will remember what a terror to navigation were the cascades.
They will remember the toilsome and dangerous portage at the
cascades. Eventually a short railroad was built on the north
bank of the Columbia to transport passengers and freight
from the lower river to the middle river.
"The cascades consist of a series of rapids, with a fall of
thirty-seven and three tenths feet in a distance of five and
three-fourths miles. They extend from Upper Mailboat to
Lower Mailboat Landing. The main rapid is three-fourths of a
mile below Upper Mailboat Landing and the water falls
twenty-one feet in a distance of two thousand feet.
"The canal is ninety feet wide and three thousand feet long.
One lock is five hundred and twenty-one feet long, the other
five hundred and fourteen feet. The depth of water is eight
feet. The lower lock has a lift of twenty-four feet, and can
operate up to a twenty-foot stage above extreme low water at
the lower entrance of the canal. The upper lock is formed by
the upper gates of the lower lock and a pair of guard gates
so the canal can be used up to a forty-two-foot stage of
water at the lower entrance.
"On June 23, 1874, Congress passed an act authorizing 'a
survey of the cascades and dalles of the Columbia river for
the purpose of ascertaining the practicability and cost of
constructing canals and locks at these points.' This survey
was made under the direction of Major M. Michier in the fall
of 1874. Robert A. Habersham, later surveyor-general of
Oregon, was chief of the party and Captain Allen Noyes, then
a young man not long out of college, was a rodman in the
party. Captain Noyes later became a river captain, and is
now retired and lives here in Portland.
"The map of the survey was sent to Brigadier-General A. A.
Humphries, the chief of engineers, by Major Michler on
January 16, 1875. In his report Major Michler, after
speaking of the technical details of the work, says: 'The
magnificent, bold and beautiful scenery at these two places
can only be appreciated after a personal inspection.'He
speaks of the river at places being forced through a channel
of basaltic rock only one hundred and twenty-five feet wide
at one point, and says, 'Among the things to be considered
are the strong currents, the sudden bends, the immense rise
in the river during freshets, the eddies, the whirlpools,
the large masses of drift during freshets, and the masses of
floating ice from up river points at the breaking up of
winter. At Hell Gate, three miles above Celilo, the river
becomes gorged with ice to the height of sixty or seventy
feet. At the Cascades a permanent improvement can be made by
the construction of a canal and locks. The work will be
almost identical in character with those at the falls of the
Willamette near Oregon City, and in reality will not offer
the same difficulty.' His estimate as to the cost of the
canal and locks and Cascade rapids and the removal of rocks
was seven hundred thousand dollars. It is interesting to
note here that J. G. and I. N. Day, of San Francisco, did
most of the work, the cost being three million eight hundred
and twenty thousand six hundred and twenty-nine dollars and
forty-eight cents.
"In the fall of 1876 an additional survey was made by C. M.
Bolton, and the report submitted to the chief of engineers
by Colonel J. M. Wilson, under date of February 5, 1877.
Bids were opened on October 1, 1878, and the contract was
awarded to Ball & Platt, of New York city. A. H. Ball,
with a force of workmen, arrived on December 21, 1878. The
work was soon under way, but it was interrupted by the death
of A. H. Ball, who died on January 4, 1879, just two weeks
after his arrival from New York and after taking up the
work. The contract expired October 31, 1879, but was
extended to July 1, 1880, at which time it was abrogated and
on December 2, 1879, the plant of Ball & Pratt was
purchased by the government. Ball & Platt had only
started the work, as the total amount paid them was only
seventy-nine thousand nine hundred and eleven dollars and
sixty-seven cents. From December 3, 1879, to September 30,
1892, the work lagged, on account of insufficient
appropriations. Most of the work done was by hired labor,
and not by contract.
"On August 13, 1881, a contract was let to David Chalmers
and William E. Holmes, of Portland, for the removal of the
rock in the river between the side of the canal and the
lower end of Bradford island, to a depth of ten feet at low
water. They removed four thousand five hundred and
twenty-seven cubic yards of rock, receiving three dollars a
cubic yard for the removal of exposed rock and twenty-five
dollars a cubic yard for submerged rock. They completed
their contract on February 28, 1882.
"On September 15, 1892, proposals were invited for the
completion of the work. The bids were opened by Major Thomas
H. Handbury, in charge of this district, on November 15,
1892, and the contract was awarded to J. G. and I. N. Day, a
firm of San Francisco contractors. The contract was signed
on December 27, 1892, and on February 10, 1893, the
government plant and most of the government buildings were
turned over to them. Times had been prosperous and labor and
materials were high when their bid was accepted. The panic
of 1893 came on, labor was a drug in the market, and the
cost of materials dropped, all of which was greatly in favor
of the contractors. They were paid fifty cents per cubic
yard for dry excavation, one dollar a cubic yard for
subaqueous, one dollar and thirty-five cents per cubic yard
for rock excavation dry and two dollars and fifty cents per
cubic yard for subaqueous.
"A large amount of stone had been gathered by the government
and most of it was cut and ready to be used. This was turned
over to the contractors. For laying granite dimension stone
the contract price was sixty-three dollars and fifty cents a
cubic yard; basalt dimension stone, thirty-six dollars a
cubic yard, basalt face stone, thirty-two dollars, and
basalt quarry field stone, twenty-eight dollars a cubic
yard. For rubble masonry they received two dollars a cubic
yard and for paving the slopes two dollars and a half a
square yard, while for concrete work they received six
dollars and twenty-five cents per cubic yard.
"The locks were turned over to Captain W. L. Fisk, of the
corps of army engineers, by the contractors on November 5,
1896. The first boat to go through the locks was the 'Sadie
B.' The 'Sadie B.,' the 'Dalles City,' the 'Sarah Dixon' and
the 'Harvest Queen' were put through the locks together. As
they went through there was a continuous ovation. The 'Sarah
Dixon' had mounted a cannon on her deck and this was fired
in salute. The 'Harvest Queen' had on board four hundred
excursionists. It turned around after passing through the
locks and started back for Portland, thus being the first
boat to make the round trip through the locks.
"The original cost of construction was three million eight
hundred and twenty-thousand six hundred and twenty-nine
dollars and forty-eight cents, but on March 4, 1913, an
additional appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars was
made to complete the south wall of the upper lock. This,
with some small expenses for dredging and repairing the
slopes, makes the total cost of the work three million nine
hundred and twenty-five thousand six hundred and eighty-four
dollars and thirteen cents. The cost of labor and the
operating expenses of the locks last year was four thousand
one hundred and sixty-eight dollars and fifty-six cents.
"During the building of. the locks quite a few accidents
accurred. Captain P. M. Price had his leg broken by a blast
at Umatilla reef on December 8, 1882. A daughter of Thomas
Coyle was killed while eating her supper by a rock from a
blast crashing through the roof and hitting her on the head.
A crew of Chinamen were tipped over in the rapids and
drowned, and some white workmen were injured.
"In the '60s and early '70s several boats came over the
cascades in extreme high water among them the 'Okanogan,'
'Nez Perce Chief' and 'Shoshone.' June 3, 1882, the 'H. R.
Thompson,' in charge of Captain John McNulty, ran the
rapids. Four days later Captain Donald McKenzie took the
'Elvira' over. On July 6, 1882, Captain J. W. Troup brought
the 'Mountain Queen' over successfully. On May 25, 1884,
Captain Michel Martineau took the steamer 'Gold Dust' over
the rapids. On May 26, 1888, the 'Hassalo,' with Captain J.
W. Troup at the wheel, also made the run over the rapids. He
also made the trip in charge of the 'Wasco' on June 15,
1889, and on the 'Harvest Queen' on June 18, 1890. On June
26, 1893, Captain M. Martineau brought the 'D. S. Baker'
into the lower river.
"The year 1905 was the record year for the use of the
Cascade locks. This was the year of the Lewis and Clark
fair. There were fourteen hundred and seventeen passed
through the locks and they carried one hundred and
thirty-three thousand and seventy passengers. During the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1913, one thousand and
eighty-three boats went through the locks, carrying
sixty-three thousand four hundred and forty-seven
passengers.
"On June 6, 1894, the Cascade locks saw a record flood, the
water being forty-nine and seven tenths feet above low water
mark. At times it rains at the Cascades; in fact it rains
pretty hard. October 7, 1895, five and thirty-two hundredths
inches fell in eight hours. In November, 1909, there were
twenty-nine and ten hundredths inches of rainfall, which
means nearly an inch a day. In 1887 the annual rainfall was
one hundred and sixty-four hundredths inches, and in 1899
there was ninety-seven and ninety-five hundredths inches of
rainfall, or more than eight feet of rainfall.
"The locks have served as a very effective rate regulator to
the country reached by steamers using the locks. In 1908 the
boats passing through the locks carried fifty-four thousand
nine hundred fifty-four tons of freight, of an estimated
value of three million, two hundred and ninety-seven
thousand two hundred and forty dollars, and eighty-six
thousand six hundred and fifteen passengers. During 1913,
thirty-three thousand two hundred and nineteen tons of
freight, of an estimated value of three million one hundred
fifty-seven thousand eight hundred and sixty-one dollars,
went through the locks. Val W. Tomkins, who gave me much of
the information contained in this article, has been in
charge of the locks since 1907 and is a perfect mine of
information and statistics. A trip from Portland to the
cascades on the Columbia is one of the most picturesque and
enjoyable trips of its kind in America and it is one whose
recollections of beauty and majesty will haunt one's memory
ever after."
Val W. Tomkins was married in 1895 to Miss Auida Brunker,
who was born in Scio, Linu county, Oregon, and is a daughter
of Edward W. and Emmaline (Trotter) Brunker, the former born
on Nantucket island, Massachusetts, and now living in
California, at the age of eighty-six years, while the
mother, who was a native of Virginia, died in January, 1918.
Mr. Brunker came to Oregon in 1875 and located in Scio,
where he lived until 1881, when he moved to The Dalles,
Oregon, where he was employed in the shops of the Oregon
Railroad and Navigation Company. Later he was for several
years engineer in the Crown flouring mills at The Dalles. He
is a member of the Masonic and Oddfellows orders, in both of
which he has passed through the chairs.. To him and his wife
were born six children, namely: Clarence O., of Seattle,
Washington; Clara, who died in infancy; Harry F., deceased;
Mrs. Tomkins; Mrs. Marian P. Noar, of Los Angeles,
California; and Mrs. Alice E. Warriner, of Oakland,
California. Mr. and Mrs. Tomkins are the parents of four
children: Eileen F., who was born in Portland, Oregon,
graduated from the Hood River high school, studied three
years at the University of Oregon, and is now the wife of K.
S. Hall, of Portland; Alice E., who was born at Cascade
Locks, graduated from the Hood River high school and from
the University of Oregon, where she majored in music, and is
now connected with the United States district court in
Portland; Paul Brooke, born in Portland, was graduated from
the Hood River high school and is now taking the course in
journalism at University of Idaho; and Virginia L., born in
Portland, is a senior in the high school at Cascade Locks.
Mr. Tomkins is a member of Bridal Veil Lodge, No. 117, A. F.
& A. M., of which he is a past master; the Ancient Order
of United Workmen, and the Woodmen of the World, of which he
is camp clerk. He and his wife belong to the Order of the
Eastern Star. Mr. Tomkins is also president of the Hood
River County Pioneer Association. His career has been marked
by faithful and effective performance of duty under varied
conditions and his record as superintendent of the Cascade
locks is one of which he has just reason for pride. A man of
thorough technical knowledge, sound judgment and quick
decision, he is held in high regard by all who have been
associated with him and commands the unqualified respect of
his fellowmen throughout this district.
History of
the Columbia River Valley - From The Dalles to the Sea
Volume III - Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1928
|
