USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 18
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chased an interest in the Eugene Morning Register, with which he was connected for two years. On the 11th of April, 1916, in association with Charles H. Fisher, he pur- chased the Eugene Daily Guard, which they have since successfully conducted. Mr. Shelton acted as editor and manager of the Guard until Mr. Fisher disposed of his paper at Salem, Oregon, at which time the latter assumed the editorial duties, while Mr. Shelton is business manager. Theirs is one of the oldest papers in the state, its first issue appearing in 1866, when it was published as a weekly. In June, 1891, it became a daily and has grown from a one-man shop to one of the most modern printing plants in the northwest, equipped with all of the latest presses and three linotype machines. From a typographical standpoint it is up-to-date and as its news is always accurate and reliable it has won the confidence of the public in large measure and enjoys an extensive circulation, thus making it a valuable advertising medium. Its editorial policy is vig- orous and the Guard has ever been a leader in public affairs, always standing strongly for the development of the natural resources of the Willamette valley.
On the 20th of December, 1899, Mr. Shelton was united in marriage to Miss Ger- trude Elizabeth Vitt, a daughter of Hon. A. A. and Mollie (Ferguson) Vitt, natives of Missouri. The father was prominent in manufacturing and financial circles of his locality as a miller and banker and also won distinction in public affairs, having served as representative from Franklin county to the Missouri state legislature. He passed away October 3, 1920. The mother died about 1880.
Mr. Shelton is well known in fraternal and club circles of Eugene, holding member- ship in the Masonic order, the Eastern Star, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Kiwanis Club, while his interest in the welfare and advancement of his city and state is indicated in his membership in the Oregon Chamber of Commerce and the Eugene Chamber of Commerce. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. Mr. Shelton's broad experience in the news- paper field has made him one of the best known men in journalistic circles of the country and through the medium of his paper he has aided largely in promoting public progress along material, intellectual, social, political and moral lines.
LAWRENCE S. KAISER.
Lawrence S. Kaiser, a native son of Portland and a member of one of the honored pioneer families of the state, is doing excellent work as a public official, having served as superintendent of the bureau of waterworks since 1914, and he has also gained prominence as a successful real estate dealer. As a business man and as a public official he has made an excellent record, and his efforts have been an element in the general development and upbuilding of the city in which his entire life has been passed.
Mr. Kaiser was born in Portland, September 9, 1870, a son of Andrew and Rosa B. (Scharr) Kaiser, the former born in Switzerland in 1830 and the latter in Wittenburg, Germany, in 1838. The maternal grandfather was also a native of Germany and a man of prominence in his community, serving for eight years as burgomaster, but subse- quently left that country and came to America, landing at New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1850. The parents of Lawrence S. Kaiser crossed the plains to San Francisco, Cali- fornia, in 1859, making the trip by mule team and being three months en route. From San Francisco they came to Portland as passengers on a sailing vessel and the father here established himself in business, opening a confectionery store on Front street, near Yamhill, in the early '60s and becoming one of the pioneer merchants of the city. At a subsequent period he removed to Linnton, Oregon, and there took up his abode upon a ranch.
In the pursuit of an education Lawrence S. Kaiser attended the public schools of his native city, becoming a student in the Couch and old North Central schools, where he continued his studies until 1888, when he entered the Portland Business College, from which he was graduated in June, 1890, on the completion of a course in book- keeping and banking, while subsequently he devoted two years to the study of law. Upon starting out in the business world he became bookkeeper and collector for Wake- field, Fries & Company, remaining with that firm from 1890 until 1894, and he then filled the position of cashier for the water committee of Portland, acting in that capacity from 1894 until 1902. In the latter year he became chief clerk for the water board of Portland, thus serving until 1914, and on the 7th of May of that year was elected by
Buckney
LAWRENCE S. KAISER
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the city council to the office of superintendent of the bureau of waterworks, in which capacity he is now serving. His long connection with this department has made him thoroughly familiar with its workings and he is therefore well qualified to discharge the duties that devolve upon him, doing conscientious, systematic and efficient work, which has made his services of great value to the city. He has also been active in the field of real estate, purchasing a tract of land known as the Canyon Gardens, located at Chapman and Jefferson streets, which he platted as Kaiser's subdivision of King's first addition, selling the property to good advantage. He has made extensive investments in real estate, having firm faith in Portland's future as a business center, and he is the owner of property in Couch's addition, King's addition, Irving's addition, the Holliday Park addition, Westmoreland and the Davenport tract. In 1906 he sold one hundred and forty-four acres adjoining Linnton to A. L. Mills, president of the First National Bank, and he is regarded as an expert valuator and a shrewd, farsighted business man who is never afraid to venture where favoring opportunity points out the way. His plans are carefully formulated, and his business transactions have ever balanced up with principles of honor and integrity.
At Springbrook, in Yamhill county, Oregon, on the 12th of September, 1893, Mr. Kaiser was united in marriage to Miss Miriam M. Skinner, a daughter of Edward Hayes and Penelope J. (Leddick) Skinner, of Rockford, Illinois. Mrs. Kaiser was born in Rockford, February 18, 1871, and was a cousin of President Rutherford B. Hayes. She came to Portland in 1890 and died October 28, 1918, leaving three children: Marguerite Jewel, born March 9, 1895, who is a graduate of St. Mary's and Philomath Colleges and has devoted her attention to educational work, having taught school in Oregon and Idaho; Lawrence Edward, who was born May 23, 1903, and is now attending the Benson Polytechnic School; and Miriam Edna, a student at the Ladd school.
In his political views Mr. Kaiser is a republican, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Congregational church, with which he has been affiliated since 1896. He is a member of the Oregon Historical Society, the Portland Press Club, the Portland Social Turnverein and the Auld Lang Syne Society, while fraternally he is identified with Camp No. 77 of the Woodmen of the World and with Columbia Lodge, No. 114, A. F. & A. M. He is making a splendid political record, characterized by faith- ful and efficient service and marked devotion to duty, and his life has been a busy and useful one, filled with honorable purpose and accomplishment. He has been an inter- ested witness of much of the growth and development of Portland and has been an active factor in its progress. Wherever known he is held in high regard, and most of all where he is best known.
OTTO HARTWIG.
Otto Hartwig, president of the Oregon State Federation of Labor, in which office he has served since 1916, is exceptionally well qualified to discharge the responsible duties which devolve upon him in this connection, ably representing the labor interests of the state. A native of Michigan, Mr. Hartwig was born in Manistee in 1887, a son of C. S. and Laura (Cabella) Hartwig, the former a native of Denmark and the latter of Hamburg, Germany. Emigrating to America, they became residents of Michigan, whence they removed successively to Wisconsin, Montana, Idaho and Oregon, arriving in Portland in 1906.
After completing his school course Otto Hartwig learned automobile and carriage painting in Wisconsin and later the trade of a painter and paper hanger, which he followed successfully until 1916, during which period he took an active part in the work of the unions. In that year he was chosen president of the State Federation of Labor-an office which was entirely unsolicited by Mr. Hartwig, but the choice was a wise one, for he is eminently fitted for leadership and under his wise guidance the interests of the state labor organization have been well cared for. The State Federation is composed of one hundred and thirty labor organizations and has a membership of nearly fifty thousand. Mr. Hartwig is also secretary of the state board of conciliation and a member of the board of vocational training and was identified with the United States employment service during the World war. In 1919 he was sent to Washington, D. C., on a commission regarding the cancellation of shipping contracts and in the same year represented Oregon at the international convention of the Federation of Labor. At various times Mr. Hartwig has desired to resign his office as president of the State
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Federation but the organization has refused to accept his resignation, believing that they can find no one so well qualified to fill this most exacting position. By virtue of his office he was a member of draft board No. 1 during the World war and took a prominent part in all the loan drives and also was a member of the Boy Scouts com- mittee.
In 1918 Mr. Hartwig was united in marriage to Miss Rachel B. Hickman of Port- land, and they have become the parents of a son, Otto R., Jr., now in his first year. Mr. Hartwig resides on Powell valley road in a suburban home surrounded by seven and a half acres of land. He is a member of the Painters Union and president of the Labor Temple Association. Although a young man he has already become one of the foremost figures in labor organizations of the country and his natural endowments well qualify him for the important position which he so capably fills. His record measures up to the full standard of honorable manhood and those who know him recognize in him a citizen whose loyalty to the public welfare has never been questioned, while his in- tegrity and honor in private affairs are matters familiar to all with whom he has been associated.
GALE S. HILL.
Gale S. Hill, former district attorney of Linn county, is an able member of the Ore- gon bar, holding to the highest standards of the profession. He is likewise a member of the law firm of Hill & Marks, leading attorneys of Albany, whose clientele is extensive and of a representative character. Mr. Hill is a native son of Oregon, his birth having occurred in the city where he still makes his home on the 11th of November, 1887. His parental grandfather, Dr. R. C. Hill, was a Baptist minister who crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852 and for a time resided in Benton county. Subsequently he became a resident of Albany and here founded the Baptist church, of which he continued as pastor throughout the remainder of his active life, his work in that connection proving of far-reaching and beneficial effect. His son, Dr. J. L. Hill, was but four years of age when his parents -made the journey to Oregon from Tennessee. For a time he worked on farms in the state and then learned the printer's trade, after which he entered Willamette University, and working his way through that institution of learning and was graduated therefrom in 1871, at which time the M. D. degree was bestowed upon him. He engaged in the practice of medicine at Buena Vista, Polk county, for a year and then opened an office in Albany, where he continued in practice to the time of his death. In addition to his private practice, which was extensive and important, he was surgeon general of the Oregon National Guards under Governor Moody and his professional standing was of the highest. He was careful in diagnosis, and wide reading and study kept him abreast with the advancement continually being made in the methods of medical and surgical practice. He also wrote extensively for news- papers and was a man of broad learning, who possessed one of the best libraries in the state and was likewise said to have the finest museum on the Pacific coast. He traveled extensively and at the opening of the World war he was making a tour of. the world, being a passenger on a German boat en route from Australia to Aden. The steamer was pursued by war ships and at length was obliged to put into a neutral port in East Africa, from which point Dr. Hill made his way home as best he could, being compelled to follow the African coast, but finally reached his native land in safety. He had wedded Mary Pennington, a native of Linn county, Oregon. Her father, Stewart M. Pennington, came to this state in 1847 and took up a donation claim in Linn county, which he improved and developed, and subsequently went to Pendleton, Oregon, where for some time he engaged in merchandising, in which he won success, acquiring a substantial competence which enabled him to live retired in his later years in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He represented Umatilla county in the state senate for two terms and gave earnest and thoughtful consideration to all vital ques- tions which came up for settlement. He passed away at Albany in 1913. Dr. Hill was prominent in the Knights of Pythias, being grand chancellor of his lodge for the state of Oregon. He was a man of high intellectual attainments, who, working his way through college, attained high rank in his profession and was classed with the most skilled physicians of his section of the state. He passed away in July, 1919, at the age of seventy-four years, while the mother's death occurred in December, 1896.
Their son, Gale S. Hill, attended the public schools of Albany and later enrolled
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as a student in Albany College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. He then read law in the office of J. K. Weatherford and spent one year in the office of his uncle, W. Lair Hill, at Oakland, California, being admitted to the bar in 1900. He opened an office in Albany and has continued in practice here. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and exact and he is seldom, if ever, at fault in the applica- tion of a legal principle. On the 1st of January, 1915, Mr. Hill formed a partnership with W. L. Marks, and this association has continued, the firm now being accorded a large and representative clientage. Mr. Hill's ability in his profession has won recognition by election to public office and for eight and a half years he served as deputy district attorney under John H. McNary of Salem. In 1912 he was elected district attorney for the old third judicial district, comprising Linn, Marion, Polk, Yamhill and Tillamook counties, and held that office until the district was divided, when he served for Linn and Marion counties. When each county was made a district he was elected district attorney for Linn county in 1916 and served in that office until January 1, 1921.
Mr. Hill gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his fraternal connections are with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while along the line of his profession he is identified with the American, Oregon State and Linn County Bar Associations, and of the last named has served as president. He is the owner of a fine law library and is a man of high professional attainments, whose standing at the bar is an enviable one. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to public progress and improvement, giving his aid and cooperation to all plans and movements for the general good, and his enterprise and public spirit have made him a valued citizen of his community.
M. H. ABBEY.
M. H. Abbey is the senior member of the firm of M. H. & E. J. Abbey, proprietors of the Abbey Hotel at Newport, a hostelry which is known throughout the Pacific north- west, and he also has valuable holdings in lead and silver mines in British Columbia. He is a most enterprising and successful business man and in the conduct of his various interests displays sound judgment and excellent executive ability. Mr. Abbey is a representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of the state. He was born in the city where he now resides on the 11th of April, 1869, and is a son of Peter M. and Sarina S. (Earl) Abbey, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Canada. The father was employed as a clerk in mercantile establishments in his native state and later went to Canada, where he resided for a year. He then returned to the States and in 1866 came to Oregon, taking up his residence in Elk City, Lincoln county, where, in partnership with his brothers, he engaged in general merchandising until 1869, when he removed to Newport. Here he opened a general mercantile establishment and also established the Abbey Hotel, continuing active in those lines throughout the remainder of his life. He was most successful in the conduct of his mercantile interests and the excellent service afforded by his hotel soon gained for it widespread popularity and it became known throughout the Pacific northwest. He passed away on the 6th of February, 1916, at the age of seventy-nine years and the mother's demise occurred in April of that year, when she was sixty-eight years of age. They were widely known and highly esteemed as honored pioneer settlers of the state.
Their son, M. H. Abbey, was reared in Newport and here attended the public schools, later pursuing a course in Philomath College, while his brother, E. J. Abbey, was for three years a student in the public schools of Corvallis, Oregon. On entering business life the brothers became associated with their father in the conduct of the hotel and following his demise they became sole proprietors of the business, conducting their interests under the firm name of M. H. & E. J. Abbey. In 1910 they erected a fine modern hotel, three stories in height, containing eighty-five rooms and supplied with all the latest equipment and conveniences to be found in a first-class hostelry. The hotel is noted for its excellent cuisine and it has found favor with the traveling public, being known from Alaska to San Diego. It is conducted along the most modern and progressive lines and the service rendered patrons is high grade in every particular. M. H. Abbey is also a stockholder in the Western State Bank of Newport and is like- wise extensively interested in lead and silver mines in British Columbia. His invest-
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ments have been judiciously made and capably managed and by reason of his enterprise and diligence he has won a substantial measure of success.
In November, 1901, Mr. Abbey was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Kist of Ash- land, Oregon, and they became the parents of a daughter, Irene, who is now the wife of E. A. Scram of Los Angeles. On the 1st of January, 1917, Mr. Abbey wedded Miss Sadie Patterson and they have a large circle of friends in the city where they reside.
In his political views Mr. Abbey is a republican and is much interested in public affairs of his community, having served for two terms as port commissioner of New- port, which position he capably filled until January 1, 1921. His fraternal connections are with the Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His entire life has been passed in Oregon and he is actuated by the spirit of western enterprise and progress that has been a dominant factor in bringing about the rapid upbuilding and substantial growth of the state. He is a man of high principles and honorable purposes and wherever known he commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he is associated.
ANTHONY NEPPACH.
For almost forty-five years Anthony Neppach has been identified with the business now carried on under the name of the Nicolai-Neppach Company in Portland. He is a representative of one of the oldest and best known of the pioneer families of the city and there are few so thoroughly acquainted with the history of Portland and its development as he. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Fond du Lac, March 1, 1856, and was a youth of seventeen years when he came to the northwest. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. William Charles Neppach and their children were John C., Joseph H., Stephen A., Susan, Peter F., Frances, William Charles and Anthony. Only two of the number are now living: Mrs. Susan Kratz, who resides in Oakland, California; and Anthony, of this review. It was William Charles Neppach, the father, who built the brick structure at the northwest corner of Third and Burnside streets in 1887. Other members of the family were prominently identified with the early business development of Portland, for Stephen A., Peter F. and Joseph H. Neppach, brothers of Anthony Neppach, opened a drug store on the northwest corner of First and Oak streets in 1874 and afterward removed to the building owned by the Neppach family at Third and Burnside streets. Another brother, John, was for years engaged in the feed business and later conducted a feed business on the east side and afterward a butchering business. Thus the name of Neppach began to figure more and more promi- nently in connection with the trade circles of the city and has been prominently known to the present time.
Anthony Neppach was a youth of seventeen years when the family home was estab- lished in Portland. He journeyed westward by way of San Francisco and arrived in the Rose City on the 3d of September, 1873, after a seven days' voyage on the "Ora Flame." Three shots were fired from the mouth of a cannon at Sauvies Island, an- nouncing the arrival of the steamship, which was always an event to this city with its five thousand population that always turned out en masse to welcome the incoming steamers, which at that time docked at the foot of Glisan street. The Portland of that day bore little resemblance to the metropolitan city of the present, although changes were being gradually brought about that laid the foundation for the present Port- land. In the year 1871 there was a large fire in the neighborhood of the foot of Jefferson street and business was then transferred to the lower end of the town, the Clarendon hotel being built at First and Glisan streets, while the old O. & C. ferry at the foot of that street handled the freight across the river. The Stark street ferry, owned by Levi and Jack Knott, handled the passenger trade between the east and west sides by means of a cable rope. The first planing mill in Portland was built by Nicolai Brothers and this constituted the predecessor of the plant of the Nicolai-Neppach Com- panv of the present day. The original planing mill was erected in 1866. The supply of timber was received from scows which entered what was then known as Balch creek at the foot of Fifteenth street, below the plant of the Willamette Lumbering & Manu- facturing Company, thence proceeded up through Couch's lake where the Union depot now stands and landed the lumber at Second and Everett streets. Many times Mr. Neppach put on his skates at First and Everett streets and skated down to Couch's and
ANTHONY NEPPACH
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Guild's lakes, beyond where now stands the North Pacific sawmill. In the year 1876 Anthony Neppach became interested in the planing mill and has since been identified with the business now conducted under the name of the Nicolai-Neppach Company. He was a young man of twenty-one when he entered the plant in which he has since worked, either in the mill or in connection with executive management. Throughout the intervening period he has contributed in large measure to the growth and success of the undertaking, as he hecame acquainted with every phase of the business and developed his powers more and more wisely to direct its activities. The Nicolai-Nip- pach Company were the first people that experimented with the timber of Oregon. They went into the forests, chopped down the trees, such as cedar and larch, and packed out on their backs a sufficient amount of wood to experiment as to its usefulness as a finishing lumber.
In the year 1888 Mr. Neppach was united in marriage to Miss Kate M. Sohns, a daughter of Louis Sohns, the incorporator and president of the First Bank of Van- couver, Washington, and five times mayor of that city. He was elected nine times to the legislature and helped frame the laws of the state of Washington when it was changed from a territory into a state. Mr. and Mrs. Neppach now reside at No. 255 North Twenty-fifth street, at the corner of Northrup. Great, indeed, have been the changes which have occurred since Mr. Neppach took up his abode in Portland in company with the members of his father's household. The site of the city then covered a com- paratively small district near the river, but with the passing years the growth has extended to the adjoining hillside, with East Portland as a great city across the Willamette. The Neppach family has borne its full share in the work of general development and progress and Anthony Neppach still maintains a prominent position in the business circles, honored and respected by all who know him, not alone for the success which he has achieved hut also by reason of the progressive and straightfor- ward business methods he has ever followed.
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