USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 14
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WILLIAM H. WHEELER.
As editor and proprietor of the Brownsville Times, William H. Wheeler is pro- ducing a newspaper of much interest and value to the community in which he lives. He was born in Vermont, November 10, 1850, a son of William Henry Harrison and Ann (Standish) Wheeler, the former a native of the Green Mountain state, while the latter was born in Canada. In the east the father followed the trades of a carpenter and tanner and also engaged in farming for many years, but in 1853 he crossed the border into Canada and remained a resident of that country throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1881 at the age of sixty-six years, while the mother's death occurred in 1897, when she was seventy-seven years of age.
Their son, William H. Wheeler, was reared and educated in Canada, within fifty feet of the United States boundary line, and there learned the printer's trade. Returning to his native state, he became editor of the Vermont Farmer, serving in that capacity in 1873 and 1874. Two years later he went west to California and in 1877 he purchased a paper at Watsonville, California, which he conducted for three years and then went to San Francisco, where he became a member of the editorial staff of the Chronicle. At the end of four years he severed his connection with that publication and turned his attention to farming. Coming to Oregon, he took up a homestead in Lane county and this he improved and developed, continuing its cultivation for a period of seventeen years. He then sold the property and turned his attention to other lines, conducting a hotel at Seaside, Oregon, for two years. Reentering the field of journalism, he went to Eugene and while a resident of that city was connected with the Register for seven years. In June, 1919, he arrived in Brownsville and leased the Brownsville Times, which he has since operated, but previous to that time had acted as correspondent for city papers. The Times is one of the best and most influential newspapers in this section of the state. Its local columns are always full of interest and the news of the world is clearly and concisely set forth. Its information is accurate and reliable and it has become popular with the reading public, enjoying a large circulation, and is therefore a good advertising medium. Mr. Wheeler is familiar with every phase of newspaper publication and in the management of the Times is meeting with excellent
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results. While operating his farm in Lane county he specialized in the raising of Jersey cattle and he is still the owner of a residence in Eugene.
In September, 1919, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna A. Harvey, and by a former marriage he has a son, Marlon P. Wheeler,who is postmaster at Greenleaf, Oregon, and a daughter, Mabel, who is the wife of Alfred Steinhauer and also resides at Greenleaf. Mr. Wheeler owes much of his success to his wife, who ably assists him in his editorial work. In politics he is independent and Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Christian church. He stands at all times for improvement in everything relating to the upbuilding and development of the county along intellectual, political, material and moral lines and his many sterling traits of character have won for him the high regard of all who know him.
F. T. WILCOX.
F. T. Wilcox, president of the Fernwood Dairy of Portland, has for fourteen years been a resident of this city. He was born in Big Rapids, Michigan, October 29, 1869, and is a son of S. S. and Adelaide L. (Barber) Wilcox. The father was a native of New York, born in 1841. He pursued his education in the public schools of that state and at a college at Albany, New York, and in 1865 removed westward to Michigan. He entered the hardware business at Big Rapids, that state, and was also a director of the First National Bank of that place for twenty years, long occupying a prominent position in the commercial and financial circles there. In 1887 he retired and moved to West Superior, Wisconsin, where he passed away in 1892. His wife was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and was a daughter of T. W. Barber, a carriage and wagon manufacturer of Pontiac. Mrs. Wilcox passed away in Portland in 1908 while visiting her son.
To the public school system of his native state F. T. Wilcox is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. He also pursued a special business course and was thus well qualified for the activities which later claimed his time and attention. For a con- siderable period he was engaged in the hardware business in Superior, Wisconsin, and also became interested in the dairy business there, so that he gained knowledge of and experience in the business while still residing in the Mississippi Valley. In 1906 he removed to the northwest, settling first in Seattle, Washington, but after a short time he came to Portland and here soon entered the dairy business, establishing the Fernwood Dairy, which has since become one of the profitable enterprises of this character in Oregon. The business has been incorporated with Mr. F. T. Wilcox as president, S. S. Wilcox as vice president, and L. G. McConnell as secretary and treasurer. Their estab- lishment is located at Nos. 13 and 15 Union avenue, and they conduct a general creamery business and manufacture butter and are also wholesale distributors of milk, cream, butter, eggs and cheese. Their establishment furnishes employment to about thirty- seven people.
In 1891 Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage to Miss Cora D. Apthorp, a native of Medina, Ohio, and a daughter of James Apthorp, a cabinet-maker, now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox were born two children: Fred T., now attending Jefferson high school at the age of sixteen years; and Stephen S., twenty-five years of age, who married Helen Woodcock, a daughter of C. C. Woodcock, a Portland lumberman. Mr. Wilcox is a member of the Knights of Pythias and his son, Stephen S. Wilcox, is a Mason, while the latter's wife is connected with the Eastern Star. The family is well known in Portland, where through the pursuit of a legitimate business Mr. Wilcox has won substantial success and also gained an honored name.
F. G. MYERS.
F. G. Myers, who for over three decades has been a resident of Salem, is well known as the owner and proprietor of The Spa, one of the leading restaurants and refreshment parlors in the state. He is a most enterprising and progressive business man and his success is the direct result of his close application, perseverance and unremitting energy. He was born in Oil City, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1879, and when eleven years of age came to Oregon with his parents, David S. and Clara (Weaver)
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Myers, who took up their residence on a farm east of Lebanon. The father engaged in the work of tilling the soil until 1904, when he met an accidental death, being killed by a falling tree. The mother survives and resides with her son, O. J. Myers, in Salem.
In the public schools of Salem, F. G. Myers acquired his education, later pursuing a course in a business college. In 1898 he became an employe of W. T. Stolz, a candy manufacturer, who was at that time the owner of The Spa. He devoted his energies to acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business, faithfully performing every task assigned him, and at the end of four years was made manager. Carefully saving his earnings, he was at length able to purchase a fifth interest in the business and at the end of two years increased his holdings to a half interest, while in 1917 he bought out the entire business, which he has since most successfully conducted, now having one of the most attractive restaurants and refreshment parlors in the state. He is most progressive and enterprising in his business methods and has recently let a contract for six thousand dollars to cover the cost of enlarging and decorating his establishment, which when completed will have a seating capacity of one hundred and ninety-eight persons. He has installed a refrigeration plant in connection with his business and his soda fountain is twenty-nine feet in length. He thoroughly understands the restaurant and confectionery business and is regarded as an expert candy-maker, manufacturing over one hundred varieties, having perhaps the most diversified line on the coast. He makes everything that he sells, including ice cream, sherbets and lemon custards, the last named being a specialty on which he has the monopoly for this section of the country. He maintains a strictly high class restaurant, the service and food being of superior quality, and he is now conducting an extensive business, giving employment to twenty-six people, his pay roll amounting to twenty-nine thousand dollars per year. The Spa is one of the oldest and best known restaurants and refreshment parlors in this section of the country, having been in operation for thirty-two years, and Mr. Myers has had its name copyrighted for the state of Oregon. Its furnishings are in excellent taste and it draws its patronage from the best class of people in the city.
In 1907 Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss May E. Priester, a native of Mapleton, Iowa, and they have become the parents of two children: Deryl Franklin and Maxine May. Mr. Myers is a self-made man, whose prosperity is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He is regarded as one of the prominent citizens of Salem because of his sterling worth, because of his business enterprise and because of his fidelity to every interest calculated to promote the welfare and upbuilding of this section of the state.
JOHN LELAND HENDERSON.
John Leland Henderson, attorney at law at Tillamook city, is descended from dis- tinguished American ancestry in both paternal and maternal lines, the names of his ancestors appearing in the history of this country from the earliest colonial days. His birth occurred in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1851, and he is a son of John and Catherine (Leland) Henderson, the former a native of Indiana. The grandfather, also named John, was one of the most distinguished lawyers of the south and was a contemporary of Clay, Calhoun and Webster. For many years he served his state in the United States senate and Daniel Webster is said to have remarked of him that Senator Henderson was without doubt the best land lawyer in America. His son John, the father of John Leland Henderson, was associated with him in connection with the legal profession. Like his father he was a man of strong convictions and had numerous friends and enemies. During one of the political riots at the time of reconstruction in the south, he was shot while in the streets of New Orleans in February, 1866, and passed away soon afterward. The American founder of the Leland family was Henry Leland, an English gentleman, who came to this country in 1652, and our subject is a direct de- scendant through his son Ebenezer of Sherburne and his son Phineas Eleazer of Graf- ton. A grand aunt of Mr. Henderson's was Abigail Leland, who married Millard Fill- more, later president of the United States. A great aunt, Elvira Leland, married Charles Coolidge and became the great-grandmother of Calvin Coolidge, now serving as vice president of the United States. The mother of Mr. Henderson was a daughter of Judge Sherman Leland, who was for many years probate judge of Norfolk county, Massachusetts, and a member of both house and senate of the state. He was widely recognized as a representative member of the legal profession and as a citizen was
JOHN LELAND HENDERSON
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always interested in any movement for the development and improvement of the gen- eral welfare. Mrs. Henderson was a woman of superior education and for many years, hoth before and after her marriage, was a teacher of several languages, being able to speak and write them fluently.
Until 1865 John Leland Henderson received his education by use of a fine library, together with instruction from his mother, who was his sole tutor till he entered the Jesuit College of New Orleans, Louisiana. Later he was a student in a military school at Brattleboro, Vermont, and was also for some time enrolled in Cornell University, but upon the completion of his freshman year there took up the profession of teaching on the Pacific coast. In 1870 he came to Oregon, locating in Portland, where he engaged in surveying. In 1871 he taught his first school in Eugene and afterward taught in other places in the Willamette valley. In 1879 he moved to Olympia, Washington, teaching in the Collegiate Institution. In 1891 he went to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, where his ancestors had lived and there he studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1893. He engaged in the practice of his profession there and also conducted an abstract business until 1898, when he returned to Oregon and was admitted to practice before the bar of this state. He located in Hood River, where he resumed his practice, remain- ing there for eleven years, when he returned to Portland. In 1911 he located in Tilla- mook, where he has since resided and has gained recognition as a representative mem- ber of the legal profession throughout the state. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. In addition to his professional interests he is secretary and treasurer of the Tillamook Title & Abstract Company, one of the most complete plants of its kind in the state.
In 1873 occurred the marriage of Mr. Henderson and Miss Harriet E. Humphrey, a member of one of Oregon's representative pioneer families, and they became the parents of the following living children: Leland J., a successful engineer of Columbus, Georgia, and the father of the famous Dixie Highway, of which he is president; Louis A., who is a graduate of the University of Oregon and served for fourteen months as captain of engineers in France during the World war; Edwin A., a journalist of Seattle, Washington; Sidney E., a mining engineer, whose home is in Oklahoma and who mar- ried Lucia, the only daughter of President P. L. Campbell of the University of Oregon; and Faith, the wife of E. H. Rueppell of Portland. In 1897 Mr. Henderson married Marian I. Grimes of Rapids Parish, Louisiana, and two children have been born to this unlon: Robert Lynn and William E. The elder son served with the marines during the World war and William joined the navy, making a fine record in the naval school. He is now associated with his father in the operation of a one hundred and sixty acre ranch, located at Sugar Loaf Peak in Tillamook county. Mr. Henderson takes particular pride in his six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and expects to live to see his great-great-grandchildren.
Fraternally Mr. Henderson is an Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias, and he has filled all the chairs in both organizations. He is likewise a Mason, having attained the degrees in the chapter and council, and he is an exemplary member of that order. He has always been a great athlete and although he is now nearing the seventy mark, every Sunday he walks to his ranch, a distance of seven miles, where he works all day returning home on foot in the evening. He holds many records as a swimmer and while living in Hood River in 1908 swam the Columbia river from Hood River to Cascade locks, a distance of twenty-two miles. Mr. Henderson's life has been one of continuous activity and he has attained success in every undertaking whether along the line of his profession or in business circles. During the ten years of his residence in Tillamook he has made many friends who appreciate his sterling characteristics and genuine personal worth, and he is readily conceded to be a representative citizen of Oregon.
WALTER G. HENDERSON.
Law enforcement rested in safe hands with Walter G. Henderson, who was strict, fearless and prompt in the discharge of his duties as sheriff of Yamhill county. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, October 5, 1846, and is a son of A. G. and Sarah ( Allen) Henderson, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The father was a
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brick and stone mason by trade and in an early day he went to Ohio, purchasing land in the vicinity of Zanesville which he continued to cultivate until 1853, when ne removed westward to Iowa. He took up a homestead claim in Marion county and also preempted land, and this he brought to a high state of development, remaining active in its operation during the balance of his life. He passed away in August, 1884, at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother's demise occurred in 1886, when she had also attained the age of seventy-four years.
Their son, Walter G. Henderson, was reared and educated in Marion county, lowa, and in 1866, when a young man of twenty years, he started for Oregon, working his way across the plains by driving a four-mule team. It was a long and tedious journey, occupying the entire summer, and on arriving in Oregon Mr. Henderson located in Yam- hill county, where he first secured work as a farm hand, following that and other occupations for several years. Later he engaged in farming independently, continuing active along that line for five years. In 1877 he arrived in McMinnville, where he purchased a livery business, of which he was the proprietor until 1907, when he sold, having also conducted a hardware establishment during that period. In 1894 he had been elected sheriff of Yamhill county, serving until 1896, and in 1908 he was again chosen for that office, in which he remained the incumbent until January 1, 1921, his frequent reelections attesting the value of his services in that connection. He left nothing undone to enforce the law according to his conscience, and all law-abiding citizens felt that they were well protected while he was in office, for he succeeded in driving the lawless element from the houndaries of his county, so that the safety of the public was greatly increased.
On the 16th of November, 1867, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Adams, who passed away March 21, 1919, after a three years' illness. She became the mother of five children, namely: Nettie, the wife of W. W. Estabrook, a resident of Yakima, Washington; Irene, who died in 1880; Ernest R., who is engaged in farming near La Grande, Oregon; Glenn A., who is connected with the internal revenue office at Portland; and Raymond R., at home.
In his political views Mr. Henderson is a republican and he has served as a member of the city council. His fraternal connections are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Artisans, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and his religious faith is indicated by his attendance at the Christian church. His record in public office is one of which he has every reason to be proud and at all times he has heen actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good. His sterling qualities make for popularity, and in the county where he has so long resided he has many friends, to whom he is familiarly known as "Walt."
ALBERT E. DOYLE.
Many of Portland's most beautiful and substantial business structures stand as monuments to the notable skill and ability of Albert E. Doyle, a prominent architect of this city whose efforts have constituted potent factors in making this a city heautiful, noted throughout the Pacific northwest for its splendid business edifices and fine homes. Liberally qualified for his professional work by thorough and comprehensive study both in this country and abroad he has steadily advanced in his chosen vocation until his superior work has won for him classification with the most eminent architects in the northwest.
Mr. Doyle comes of distinguished ancestry, representatives of the family having offered their lives in defense of American interests during the Revolutionary war and in his professional work he is adding new lustre to an honored family name. He was born in Santa Cruz, California, July 27; 1877, a son of James Edward and Mary A. (Oakey) Doyle, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of England. In 1869 the father removed westward to California and during the '70s became a resident of Portland. Here he engaged in building and contracting, erecting many of the most sub- stantial structures during the early period in the development of this city. He con- ducted his interests in partnership with Mr. Porter, one of the pioneer builders of the city, and they became known as leading contractors of Portland, the excellence of their work securing for them many important contracts. Mr. Doyle passed away in 1904, while his widow survived him for several years, her demise occurring in 1915.
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They reared a family of four children, namely: Albert E .; Arthur M .; Ed. E .; and Mrs. J. T. Edgerton.
Albert E. Doyle, the eldest of the family, secured a common school education and during his boyhood spent much of his time in his father's shop, there acquiring much useful knowledge regarding building work. For twelve years he was in the employ of the firm of Whidden & Lewis, well known architects of Portland, after which he pursued special courses in design at Columbia University of New York city and in ateliers while working in the office of Henry Bacon. Desirous of still further per- fecting his professional knowledge he spent several months as a student in the American School of Archaeology at Athens, Greece and a year in foreign travel. Returning to the United States he established an office in Portland, becoming associated with W. B. Patterson under the firm style of Doyle & Patterson. The excellent work done by the firm soon won recognition, resulting in a large and gratifying patronage. This relation- ship was maintained until 1914 when Mr. Doyle embarked in business independently and has since continued alone, standing at the top of his profession. His labors have been an essential element in enhancing the beauty and promoting the development of the "Rose City," and among the structures which he has designed may be mentioned the following: the United States National Bank, the Public Library, the Reed College Build- ings, Benson Hotel, Meier & Franks Department Store, the Lipman & Wolfe Depart- ment Store, the Selling building, the Morgan building, the Northwestern National Bank building and numerous other public edifices and fine residences. A further indication of Mr. Doyle's professional standing is indicated in the fact that in 1919 the Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture chose among the ten most notable examples of architectural beauty in Portland the following structures, all of which were designed by the subject of this review; The Reed College buildings, the Central Public Library, the United States National Bank building and the residence of F. J. Cobbs. Mr. Doyle is thoroughly familiar with all of the scientific principles that underlie the profession of architecture and in his work skilfully combines beauty with utility.
In 1906 was celebrated the marriage of Albert E. Doyle and Miss Lucie Godley, a daughter of Henry Godley, a representative merchant of Albany, Oregon, and they have become the parents of four children: Kathleen, Helen, Jean and Billy. The family residence is at No. 437 East Twenty-third street, North.
Mr. Doyle's interest in the welfare and progress of his city is indicated by his membership in the City Planning Commission and the Chamber of Commerce. He is also identified with the Arlington Club and is a director of the Portland Art Museum and member of the Board of Regents, Reed College. He is a man with a thorough appre- ciation of the finer things in life and his life work is of worth to the world. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well, evolving a structure of life which in its simplicity and greatness is worthy of the hands of a master builder.
W. G. VASSALL.
W. G. Vassall, vice president of the Dallas City Bank and also identified with various other business enterprises of this section of Oregon, is also prominent in public affairs as city treasurer, making a most creditable record in office. He was born in Leeds, England, August 5, 1864, and is a son of Rev. William and Martha Ann (Skelton) Vassall, the former a native of France and the latter of England. The father was a minister of the Episcopal church and devoted his life to preaching the gospel in England, his labors in that connection being productive of much good. He passed away in 1883 and the mother survived him for several years, her demise occurring in 1914.
Their son, W. G. Vassall, was reared and educated in England and in 1882, at the age of eighteen years, emigrated to the United States, and making his way across the country to Oregon, he settled in Polk county, purchasing land at Dallas. This he developed and improved, continuing active in its cultivation until 1899, when he turned his attention to financial interests, entering the Dallas City Bank in the capacity of book- keeper. His faithful, conscientious and efficient service soon won him promotion and he became successively assistant cashier, cashier and vice president, in which office he is now serving. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the banking business and has been largely instrumental in promoting the growth and success of the institution, which has become recognized as one of the sound financial enterprises of this section of the state. The bank was organized in 1888 with the following officers: M. M. Ellis,
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