USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 17
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In January, 1862, through the influence of his cousin W. S. Ladd of Portland, Mr. French with his two brothers Daniel and Joseph and also with Granville Gilman, formed a partnership and engaged in merchandising at The Dalles, Oregon, conducting the business under the firm name of Gilman, French & Company. At that time there were no freight teams leaving The Dalles, owing to the scarcity of horses in the northwest. All freight was hauled to Canyon City and interior towns on pack mules, the goods being placed in casks and a cask lashed on each side of a mule, while the animal at times carried three casks. It was an interesting but not an unusual sight to see a train of eighty mules leaving the store packed with casks. The goods were paid for in gold dust and the scales which were used in weighing the gold dust for the firm are now in possession of the French & Company Bank at The Dalles. The partners, after acquiring a sufficient amount of gold dust, would then ship it to the mint in San Francisco to be coined. At one time Mr. French and his brother Daniel had a line of steamers plying between Portland and The Dalles and a contract to carry the United States mail as well as freight and passengers.
In the year in which the partnership was formed Mr. French went to Umatilla where he superintended the work of erecting a stone building in which the company established a branch store, supplying it with goods from The Dalles establishment, his brother Daniel then taking charge of and conducting the store. In 1867 Mr. French and his brother Daniel bought out the business and in connection with their mercantile interests established a bank, which was the first one in eastern Oregon. They conducted their affairs under the firm style of French & Company and met with
JOSHUA W. FRENCH
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success in both their commercial and financial undertakings. In 1875 they disposed of the mercantile business to the firm of Brooks & McFarland but continued in the banking business. In 1876 they removed to their building on the north side of Second street and three years later completed a building at the corner of Second and Wash- ington streets, which has been occupied and known as the French & Company Bank from that time until the present, the business being still carried on under the firm name. On the death of Daniel M. French in 1902 Joshua W. French became the head and general manager of the bank of French & Company. He was also the president of the Condon National Bank and president of the Arlington National Bank and the Eastern Oregon Banking Company at Shaniko. He was interested in and was a director of the Wasco Warehouse Milling Company at The Dalles, also the Butler Bank- ing Company at Hood River and was one of the principal owners in the Gilman-French Land & Live Stock Company in eastern Oregon.
In 1861 at San Francisco, Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Laura Ellen Burke, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Ellis) Burke. She was born at Charleston, Maine, and it was in the year 1861 that she made her way to the Pacific coast with a brother and an elder sister to live with them in San Francisco. She was in her younger years a teacher in the public schools of her native state. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, three of whom are living: Mrs. Nellie J. French Bolton, Edward H. and Vivian H.
Mr. French loved his home, being a devoted husband and father, counting no personal effort nor sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the happiness of his family. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity of which he was an active mem- ber and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft. He was prominently identified with all things pertaining to the upbuilding and betterment of his town, county and state. He passed away December 23, 1907, after long years of connection with the coast country, during which he had witnessed much of its growth and progress. His cooperation was never sought in vain when matters of public welfare were under consideration. He gave his endorsement and support to all plans for the general good and in many ways his labors were of decided advantage to the state, particularly in the development of business leading to the present-day progress and prosperity of Oregon.
CHALMER LEE GEORGE, D. D. S.
One of the leading dentists of Salem is Chalmer Lee George, who is numbered among the younger representatives of the fraternity, and his professional skill and ability have already secured for him a gratifying patronage. He is a native son of the state, for his birth occurred in Oregon City, November 20, 1894. His father, William P. George, is a native of Iowa who came to this state in 1894, locating at Oregon City, where he engaged in the hotel business. In 1896 he became a resident of Salem, becoming identified with the restaurant business and also following the occupation of farming, specializing in the raising of prunes and loganberries, in which he has been quite successful. At Medical Lake, Washington, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Williams, a native of Wales, and they became the parents of six children: Jesse R. and William P., Jr., who are associated with their father in the restaurant business; Hazel L., J. D. and Isabel F., all of whom are attending school; and Chalmer Lee, of this review.
Dr. George attended the public and high schools of Salem and in 1914 he entered the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and was graduated from that institu- tion in 1917 on the completion of a course in dentistry. Entering an office in the Equitable building in New York city, he there engaged in practice and in April, 1918, he entered the service of the United States navy as a dentist, being assigned to the training station at Goat Island, California, thus gaining valuable practical experience. After receiving his discharge from the service he returned to Salem on the 13th of June, 1919, and upon successfully passing the state board examination he located for practice in the Masonic Temple building of Salem, where he maintains one of the best equipped dental offices on the Pacific coast, supplied with every modern appliance of value in the practice of dental surgery. He possesses unusual mechanical skill and is efficient, thorough and painstaking in all of his work, employing the most modern methods of dental surgery, and he has already gained a large and gratifying patronage.
Vol. 11-9
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On the 3d of April, 1920, Dr. George was married to Miss Grace M. Howell, whose parents, John and Amy (Nelson) Howell, were honored pioneers of this state. Her father passed away in 1907 but her mother survives, residing at No. 740 University street, in Salem. Dr. George belongs to Delta Sigma Delta, a college fraternity, and fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. By broad reading and study he keeps in touch with the progress that is constantly being made along the line of dental surgery and his pronounced ability is attested by his professional colleagues and contemporaries. His life work is one of broad usefulness and Salem numbers him among her most valued citizens.
RALPH S. VAN CLEVE.
Ralph S. Van Cleve occupies a prominent position in business circles of Lincoln county not only by reason of the success which he has achieved, but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed. Mr. Van Cleve is a native of this state. He was born in Albany, Linn county, June 29, 1879, and is a son of Coll and Frances L. (Shepherd) Van Cleve, the former horn in Illinois in 1833 and the latter in Iowa in 1846. The father was a printer by trade and also conducted a newspaper in Illinois. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war, enlisting in 1864. He became captain of Company F, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged on the completion of his three months' term of enlistment. In the same year, or in 1864, he crossed the plains to Oregon, believing that the mild climate of this state would restore his health, which the rigors of military life had greatly impaired, and at the end of a few months his weight was increased from ninety to one hundred and sixty-five pounds. For a short period he resided at The Dalles and then removed to Portland, where for about five years he was employed as a compositor on the Oregonian. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Albany, Linn county, where he established the Daily Register and successfully conducted the paper until 1882, when his plant was destroyed by fire. He was then appointed collector of customs at Yaquina bay, in Lincoln county, his commission being signed by President Arthur, and he retained that position until the election of President Cleveland, serving for a term of four years, and for one term he filled the office of mayor of Albany. His next removal took him to Scio, where he established a newspaper, which he subsequently sold to its present owner, T. L. Dugger. Going to Yaquina, Oregon, he there engaged in newspaper publication, subsequently removing his plant to Toledo, Lincoln county, where he successfully continued its operation until his demise in September, 1913. In the early days he had also engaged in prospecting in Idaho and Montana and was familiar with many phases of pioneer life in the northwest. The mother's demise occurred in 1892. She was a daughter of J. M. Shepherd, who left his Iowa home in the early '60s and crossed the plains to Oregon, casting in his lot with its early pioneers. He operated a pony express from Baker, Oregon, to points in eastern Idaho and was also a printer by trade, establishing the first newspaper at Baker, Oregon. For many years he continued its publication and then sold the paper, opening a job office, which he continued to conduct throughout the remainder of his life.
Ralph S. Van Cleve was reared in Linn county and in the public schools of Albany he pursued his education. After completing his studies he learned the printer's trade under the direction of his father but has never engaged in that line of work. After his mother's death, which occurred when he was thirteen years of age, he entered the business world and for fifteen years was employed as clerk in different establishments, thus gaining a thorough knowledge of business methods. On the 9th of November, 1906, he purchased a general mercantile business at Toledo, which he has since conducted. He now carries the largest stock of general merchandise in Toledo and is the owner of the building in which his store is located-a modern, two-story structure, fifty by seventy-five feet in dimensions. His establishment is most attractive by reason of its tasteful arrangement and the large line of fine goods which he handles, while the busi- ness methods of the house commend it to the support of the general public. He has closely studied the needs and wishes of the public and has been able to meet the various demands of the trade, which has now assumed large and gratifying proportions. He does not fear to venture where favoring opportunity leads the way and opportunity is ever to him a call to action.
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On the 26th of April, 1906, Mr. Van Cleve was united in marriage to Miss Edith Elder and they have become the parents of two children: Frances Oneatta, who was born May 19, 1907; and Edith Rowena, born May 23, 1909.
In his political views Mr. Van Cleve is a republican and he has been called to public positions of honor and trust, serving for two terms as a member of the city council. In 1915 he was elected president of the port of Toledo for a term of four years, but resigned at the end of three years in order to devote his entire attention to his extensive business interests. He stands high in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, his membership being in Oregon Consistory, No. 1. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the United Artisans and the Eastern Star and his wife is a member of the Rebekahs, the United Artisans and the Eastern Star. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. In the conduct of his business affairs Mr. Van Cleve has displayed sound judgment and his energy and enterprise have gained him recognition as one of the substantial and repre- sentative merchants of his part of the state. He has always followed the most honorable methods and has therefore gained the confidence of all who have had business dealings with him. He is a most progressive and public-spirited citizen and his many commend- able traits of character have won for him an enviable position in the regard of his fellow townsmen.
G. E. SANDERSON.
G. E. Sanderson, well known in business circles of the city as "Sandy, Portland's Kodak and Pen Man," is an alert, enterprising young man whose spirit of initiative and determination is carrying him forward to the goal of success. He has always continued in the line of activity in which he embarked as a youth of seventeen and is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the trade, his specialized knowledge being of great value to him in the attainment of prosperity. Mr. Sanderson is a native of Wisconsin. He was born in Galesville in 1893, a son of George E. and Cora (Dutton) Sanderson and a representative of an old Massachusetts family whose ancestors gallantly fought for American interests in the Revolutionary war. The father was one of the leading live stock breeders of the east, specializing in the raising of Red Polled cattle. For many years he kept a herd of from forty to sixty cattle which he exhibited at all of the leading stock shows in that section of the country, winning many first prizes and becoming known as an authority on live stock. Of his children five are living: Lela, the wife of C. E. Emberson, of Seattle, Washington; Lloyd, residing in Wisconsin; Howard; G. E .; and Ruth, who is assisting the subject of this review in the conduct of his business.
Reared on a farm G. E. Sanderson pursued his education in the schools of the neighborhood and remained at home until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he went to Seattle, Washington, where he became connected with photographic work. In 1914 he arrived in Portland and here took charge of the photography department of the Owl Drug Store, remaining thus employed for three years, or until 1917, when he determined to engage in business on his own account, opening an establishment at No. 328 Washington street. He specializes in the handling of kodaks and pens, conducting what is probably the only store of the kind in the country. He also carries candy novel- ties and his main establishment is located at No. 328 Washington street in the Merchants Trust building, where he has a suite of eighteen rooms. He thoroughly understands every phase of the business and actuated at all times by a spirit of energy and determination he has gradually extended his interests until he is now conducting a business amounting to fifteen thousand dollars a month. His business methods have ever been characterized by strict integrity and his plans are carefully formulated and promptly executed. His employes number forty people and he is regarded as one of Portland's most progressive young business men.
In 1912 Mr. Sanderson was united in marriage to Miss Helen Koch, of Seattle, Wash- ington, and they have become the parents of two children, Jack and Credwyn. The family residence is at No. 596 East Fifty-first street. Mr. Sanderson possesses a genial nature and is a member of the leading clubs of the city, where he is popularly known as "Sandy." He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons and in the last named order has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, also holding membership in the Shrine in which he is an active worker. He is a member of the Methodist church and in his daily life exemplifies its teachings.
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Mr. Sanderson is a young man but has already accomplished much. He has fought life's battles unaided and has come off victorious in the strife. His fellow townsmen attest his sterling qualities and personal worth as well as his business ability and he has gained a wide circle of friends during the period of his residence in the northwest.
LOUIS SALOMON.
For many years Louis Salomon was well known in connection with the real estate development of Portland, where he entered that field of labor in 1888, continuing therein until his death in 1916. He had reached the seventieth milestone on life's journey when he was called to his final rest, his birth having occurred in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, March 11, 1846. He came to the United States in 1859, when a youth of thirteen years, crossing the Atlantic on a sailing vessel which was manned by negroes, these being the first black people that Mr. Salomon had ever seen. He landed at Philadelphia, but after a few years spent in the east made his way to the Pacific coast, arriving in California in 1863 and two years later came to Portland, Oregon, and still later settled at Long Tom in Lane county, where he opened a store. He afterward removed to Lan- caster and when the town of Junction City was laid out by Ben Holliday, who built the Oregon and Central Railroads, Mr. Salomon was offered his choice of a building site for a store, without cost, if he would move to the town, which he did. There was no saw- mill in the neighborhood, but Mr. Holliday told him if he would get his lumber in Portland it should be hauled for him to Junction City free of charge. Thus he became identified with the upbuilding and development of the community, where he continued until 1888, when he removed to Portland and entered the real estate business and con- tinued therein until his death. His original location was at First and Washington streets, after which he removed to 231 Stark street and eventually to 300 Oak street. In 1905, his son, Adolph H., entered the business with him and has since become the head of the real estate and mortgage loans business, which is conducted under the firm name of Salomon & Company and maintains offices in the Railway Exchange building.
It was after his arrival in the new world that Louis Salomon was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Simon, a native of Weisenheim, Germany, who came to Portland with her parents about 1870. Her father, Samuel Simon, settled on a tract of land, now known as the Simon Addition at East Twenty-sixth and Division streets. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Salomon was celebrated on December 9, 1877, and Mrs. Salomon passed away May 5, 1919. In their family were four children: Adolph, forty-two years of age; Claudia, the wife of C. S. Samuel, manager of the Oregon Life Insurance Company, their family now numbering two sons, Millard A, and Leo; Sylvia A., the wife of Sigmund Sonnenberg, who is engaged in merchandising in San Francisco; and Sidney H., who was born in May, 1886, and is engaged in the insurance business in Portland. The family has long been prominently known in Portland and the firm of Salomon & Com- pany is one of the oldest operating in the real estate fields here. During his connection therewith the father contributed in no small measure to the development and improve- ment of the city. He made a close study of real estate conditions, was familiar with all property on the market and was thus able to negotiate many important real estate trans- fers. He was actuated in all he undertook by a spirit of enterprise and by a laudable ambition and as the years passed he won a substantial measure of success.
J. C. SIEGMUND.
J. C. Siegmund, who for nearly a half century has been a resident of Oregon and is therefore entitled to classification with its pioneer settlers, is now numbered among the prominent and substantial business men of Salem, where he is at the head of an ex- tensive undertaking, conducted under the name of the Union Abstract Company, this being the largest enterprise of the kind in the city. He was born in Sheboygan, Wis- consin, December 25, 1861, and in 1874, when thirteen years of age, came to Oregon with his parents, Jacob and Margarette (Klumb) Siegmund. The family located in Portland, where they remained for a year while the father looked about for a suitable farm. He purchased a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres southeast of Salem and later bought an additional tract of five hundred and thirty-eight acres adjoining his original invest-
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ment and is still the owner of that property, which he has greatly improved, converting it into one of the finest farms in the northwest. He grows grain and also engages in the raising of good stock and although eighty-nine years of age, retains much of his early mental and physical vigor, being still an active factor in the world's work. The mother passed away on Memorial day of 1920, at which time she had reached the age of eighty- three years.
Their son, J. C. Siegmund, attended the public schools of his native state, complet- ing his education in Willamette University at Salem, Oregon. He followed the occu- pation of farming until his twenty-fifth year and subsequently engaged in teaching school. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office and from July, 1902, until July, 1907, he served as county recorder of Marion county, discharging his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation that made his record a most commendable one. On the expiration of his official service he engaged in the abstract business in Salem, of which he had gained a thorough and compre- hensive knowledge while acting as county recorder, and is now conducting his inter- ests under the name of the Union Abstract Company. His business judgment has ever been found to be sound and reliable and his enterprise unfaltering and his interests are operated along the most systematic and progressive lines, productive of excellent results. About nine thousand real estate transfers are recorded annually in Salem and Mr. Siegmund receives more than two-thirds of the abstract business resulting from these transfers, having the leading enterprise of that kind in the city. His place of business is at No. 345 State street and his employes average nine people.
In 1898 Mr. Siegmund was united in marriage to Miss Inez I. Hale, a daughter of William and Rachel (Alphin) Hale, honored pioneers of Oregon, the former coming to this state in 1852 and the latter in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Siegmund have become the par- ents of a son, Floyd L., who is now attending college at Corvallis, Oregon. The various experiences of pioneer life are familiar to Mr. Siegmund and through his industry and enterprise he has contributed to the substantial development and progress of the section in which he lives. He can remember when many of the well cultivated farms of today were covered with a dense growth of forest trees and when great stretches of land that are now thickly populated presented no indication of civilization. He has made good use of his time, his talents and his opportunities and in the evening of life can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear. He has a wide acquaintance in this section of the state and Salem numbers him among her substantial and highly respected citizens.
JOSEPH E. SHELTON.
Joseph E. Shelton is one of the owners and publishers of the Eugene Daily Guard and as a progressive newspaper man he is contributing in large measure to the develop- ment of the district in which he is located. He was born in Indian Mound, Stewart county, Tennessee, February 3, 1873, his parents being Eldridge M. and Elizabeth (Hunt) Shelton, natives of Tennessee. The father followed farming in that state and also served in the Confederate army during the Civil war. In 1880 he went to Kentucky, becoming a resident of Mayfield, where he has since made his home. The mother passed away in October, 1918.
Joseph E. Shelton acquired his education in the schools of Mayfield, Kentucky, and afterward learned the printer's trade in the office of the Mayfield Monitor. At the age of eighteen years he left home and started out in the world on his own account, going to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he purchased a half interest in the Daily Era, with which he was connected until 1893. He then went to Springfield, Missouri, and was secretary-treasurer of the Leader Publishing Company of that city until 1896, at which time he became telegraph editor of the Daily Commercial of Louisville, Kentucky, with which he remained until the Despatch was established, when he became news editor of that paper. Subsequently he went to Paducah, Kentucky, and founded the Daily Democrat, of which he was managing editor until 1901, when failing health compelled him to seek a change of climate and he went to Arizona, becoming editor of the Phoenix Gazette. His connection with that journal continued until 1905, when, his health being restored, he returned to Missouri and operated a weekly paper at Union until 1911. In that year he came to Oregon and went to work as advertising manager for the Daily Guard at Eugene, and after a year's service he became managing editor. Later he pur-
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