USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 23
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"Those most closely associated with him in business miss his guiding hand. His decisions were quickly made, his judgment unerring and his spirit kind. He was a type of what might be called the 'old school' of business men-those who forged ahead in spite of handicaps-and who conducted affairs of today on the solid founda- tions learned in the early days. 'Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned,' was a text he found helpful both in material and spiritual things and he built a life and a business upon that which would stand." Another said of him: "His success from every standpoint was founded on character. He was a man of clean life and sterling integrity; his yea was yea and his nay, nay. In spite of frail health he was optimistic of soul and cheerful in spirit. His cheery smile and kindly greeting were always helpful and encouraging and after a little talk with him the world always seemed a brighter place and life a little more worth while. He loved Portland and its people; he loved Oregon, its snow-capped mountains, 'God's alabaster towers,' its beau- tiful scenery and equable climate. He loved his country and dearly prized the honor of its flag. Less than two hours before he passed onward he held his pen in hand for the last time to subscribe for a very considerable amount of Liberty bonds of which he had previously taken an amount very large in proportion to his resources. "He loved his church. On coming to Oregon circumstances led him and his wife to unite with the Congregational church and no exigency of its needs ever failed to receive from him a response to the limit of his means. He was deeply religious by birth, training and temperament and many ministers of the Gospel were among bis dearest life-long friends.
"He loved life, made the most of its sunshine, dispelled its shadows by his optim- ism, bore its burdens with fortitude, 'scattering seeds of kindness' all along the way. During his last days he had expressed gratitude for having been granted 'five years
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of borrowed time' beyond the allotted human span of 'threescore years and ten.' Even in declining health Mr. Eggert had with rare exception spent a portion of each day at his office. Three days before the end his physical strength failed him and grad- ually waned until he entered into rest and at the age of seventy-five years closed an unusually successful career, leaving an unblemished record and a name honored at home and abroad."
A. A. HOOVER.
A. A. Hoover, well known in financial circles in Portland, is conducting a brokerage business and is also proprietor of a bakery. Step by step he has advanced since starting out in the business world and obstacles and difficulties in his path have seemed to serve but as an impetus for renewed effort on his part. He was born in Macy, Indiana, March 20, 1872, but has been a resident of Portland since 1893, arriving here in the year in which he attained his majority. His grandfather, Daniel Hoover, was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in December, 1890, at Akron, Indiana, where he devoted his life to farming. His son, Joseph Hoover, was a native of Macy, Indiana, born in the same house as his son, A. A. Hoover of this review. He married Elvira Tracy, a daughter of James and Catherine Tracy, and she yet makes her home in Akron, Indiana. Mr. Hoover comes of ancestral lines long connected with America. The grandmother of his father's mother attended the funeral of George Washington and always retained a vivid recollection of that momentous event.
Reared in the Mississippi valley, A. A. Hoover came to Portland in 1893, thinking to enjoy better opportunities and advantages in the new and growing west. He entered the employ of the East Side Railway Company, there remaining for a year, after which he spent a year as bookkeeper in the employ of G. Covach & Company, wholesale fish dealers at 290 First street. Later he went to Seattle and subsequently to San Francisco, where he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, continuing with the corporation from 1895 until 1898, when he returned to Portland.
It was at this period that Mr. Hoover entered the commercial circles of the city by purchasing a half interest in a grocery store in connection with Ethan Allen at 435 Sixth street. The business prospered and in time Mr. Hoover purchased the interest of his partner and conducted the store under his own name until July 4, 1900, when the store was destroyed by fire and after paying all of his bills he found himself the possessor of but eight dollars in cash and a horse and wagon. He then sold the wagon for fifty dollars and traded the horse for two lots at Peninsular Station. Entering the employ of F. Dresser & Company, prominent retail grocers at Seventh and Washington streets, he remained with that house until May 1, 1903, and while with them worked out the plan that later won for him the title of "Doughnut King." The firm of Dresser & Company conducted a delicatessen, of which department Mr. Hoover had charge. They bought all of their cooked goods and Mr. Hoover suggested to the proprietor that he be permitted to prepare and cook the articles of food at the store, thus saving the profit which went to outsiders who prepared the food. Moreover, some of the articles of prepared food were not satisfactory, among which were the doughnuts han- dled by the firm. The proprietor accepted the proposition made by Mr. Hoover and the latter's doughnuts were so superior that a great trade was built up and Mr. Hoover later made arrangements with his employer to make all the doughnuts at his own home and sell them to him in order that he personally might be benefited. On the 1st of May, therefore, he opened business on his own account in the rear of his home and began delivery with one wagon, personally making the deliveries and putting in a full working day of twenty hours. He still has in his possession the first cutter and his old mixing bowl. As time passed on his trade grew with such rapidity that he hired men to make the deliveries while he gave all of his attention to the shop. In 1908 he began to employ men in the shop and from that point the business has steadily grown to its present large proportions. He retains all of his original employes in both office and cake and doughnut departments. The business has been most carefully managed and directed and is so thoroughly systematized that Mr. Hoover finds little necessity to supervise it, having turned over the management to Mrs. C. D. Waters. In another line Mr. Hoover is putting forth effective and successful efforts, for he conducts a general brokerage business under the firm name of Hoover-Peterson, Incorporated, selling agents, importers, exporters and brokers, with offices in the Board of Trade
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building. Of this firm Mr. Hoover is the president, with F. H. Peterson as secretary and treasurer.
In 1894 Mr. Hoover was united in marriage to Miss Dora Belle Lesher, a native of St. Paul and a daughter of W. F. and Lucy (Price) Lesher, the former deceased, while the latter is living in Portland. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoover has heen horn one child, Lucy Elvira. Mr. Hoover finds his recreation in trap shooting and boating. He helongs to the Trap Shooters Club, the Multnomah Angler Club, the Portland Motor Boat Club and the Sportsman's League. He also has membership with the United Artisans, the Modern Woodmen, Progressive Business Men's Club, Portland Chamber of Commerce, and the Masonic fraternity, and in the last named has attained high rank and is now a member of the Mystic Shrine. His is the record of a truly self-made man. From early life he has worked his way upward and though all days in his career have not been equally hright he has managed to turn sudden failures into successes and to avoid the storm clouds which seem to indicate disaster. Step by step he has progressed and his life illustrates what can be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do.
Mr. Hoover's home, located on the bank of the Willamette river at Grand Avenue and Brooklyn street, with its unobstructed view of the city, snow capped mountains and miles of river front, is one of the finest in the city and is fittingly known as "The King's Palace."
REV. JOHN CUMMISKY, O. S. B.
Rev. John Cummisky, O. S. B., pastor of St. Agatha's Catholic church in Portland, was born November 23, 1885, at Lead, South Dakota, and is a son of John B. and Belle Cummisky. He acquired his early education at the Sisters' Academy at Sturgis, South Dakota, and his college training was acquired with the Benedictine Fathers of Con- ception, Missouri, and in 1905 he joined the Benedictine Order. He studied theology and philosophy at Mount Angel, where he was ordained in 1910. He was then assigned to mission work in Clackamas county, Oregon, where he remained until given his present appointment as pastor of St. Agatha's church in April, 1911.
This church was opened on the 25th of April, 1911, by Father John Cummisky, who huilt the combination church and school, the church services being held on the second floor while the first floor was used for school purposes. When Father Cummisky took charge the parish numbered less than two hundred people, with an attendance of about sixty pupils in the school. Today, through the splendid work and organization powers of the pastor, the parish has become one of the strong Catholic centers of Portland, with an average of five hundred communicants, and one hundred and fifty pupils in the school. On the 16th of August, 1919, the ground was hroken for a new church and on New Year's day of 1920 the corner stone was laid for a heautiful new edifice, which has been constructed of Oregon stone. The dimensions of the nave are one hundred and fourteen hy fifty feet and the transept has a depth of seventy feet. The church was completed and dedicated Sunday, October 3, 1920, and is one of the finest Catholic churches in Portland. The purposes and plans of Father Cummisky are well defined and carefully executed and he is securing the hearty cooperation of his parishioners in the work which he has laid out to accomplish for his parish.
E. E. WILSON.
E. E. Wilson, prominent in financial circles of Corvallis as vice president of the First National Bank, has passed his entire life within the horders of this state. He was born in the city where he now resides on the 23d of October, 1869, and is a son of Lewis F. and Rose J. (Russell) Wilson, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Missouri. The father crossed the plains to Oregon with his parents in 1853, at which time he was seventeen years of age, while the mother came to this state in the year 1851, in company with her parents, her father being a millwright hy trade. The father purchased land in this state and became the owner of land in Benton county, which he cultivated successfully for many years, but is now living retired at Corvallis. The mother also survives and they are well known and highly respected pioneers of Benton county.
REV. JOHN CUMMISKY, O. S. B.
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E. E. Wilson was reared in Benton county and in the public schools of Corvallis he pursued his education, while later he became a student in the Oregon Agricultural College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. He then entered the law school of the University of Oregon, from which he was graduated in 1893 with the LL. B. degree. He had also pursued his law studies in the office of R. & E. B. Wil- liams and Carey and also that of Governor W. W. Thayer. Mr. Carey is the editor of this work. Following his graduation from the university Mr. Wilson opened an office in Corvallis, where he has since continued in practice, his ability in his profession winning for him a large clientele. His high professional standing is indicated in the fact that he has been called to the office of city attorney at various times, his entire period of service covering a decade. He is the incumbent in that office and was appointed district attorney under Governor West, but resigned. Mr. Wilson has also become prominent in financial circles of his city and is now the vice president of the First National Bank of Corvallis, one of the sound financial institutions of this part of the state. He also has become interested in farm properties which are proving a profitable investment and he is continually broadening the scope of his activities with good results, carrying forward to successful completion everything that he undertakes.
In his political views Mr. Wilson is a democrat and a stanch supporter of the principles and candidates of that party. He is not affiliated with any clubs or fraternal organizations, but is much interested in the educational progress of the state and for seven years served as a member of the board of regents of the Oregon Agricultural College. There are few who have longer made their home in Corvallis than Mr. Wilson and as one of the native sons his record is a source of pride to his fellow townsmen, who have ever found him arrayed on the side of law and order, of progress and improve- ment. He is a man of high professional standing, of marked business integrity and ability and the sterling worth of his character is recognized by all with whom he has been associated.
A. V. R. SNYDER.
A. V. R. Snyder, the efficient treasurer of Polk county, is also engaged in the fire insurance business at Dallas and is managing the financial affairs of the county with the same care displayed in the control of his individual interests. He has filled other positions of public trust and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. He was born in Milford, Illinois, April 16, 1852, and is a son of James P. and Sarah E. (Brayton) Snyder, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. In an early day the father became a resident of Illinois and in 1856 started across the plains to California, but was never heard from afterward and it is supposed that he met death in the Mountain Meadow massacre in Utah. The mother continued a resident of Illinois until her demise in 1909.
A. V. R. Snyder was reared in Illinois, attending the public schools of Oregon, that state, and later becoming a student at the Mount Morris Seminary. After completing his studies he learned the printer's trade at Oregon, beginning his apprenticeship in 1867, and for several years continued to follow the trade in various places. On the 24th of July, 1872, he arrived at McMinnville, Oregon, where, in association with his brother, he founded the Yamhill County Reporter, which they conducted until 1885, and then sold the plant and went to Astoria, where they purchased the Gateway Herald, continuing its publication until 1889, again selling out and removing to Dallas, Polk county, where Mr. Snyder of this review obtained employment in the office of the Observer, with which he was connected for a time, subsequently establishing the Valley Transcript. For four years he conducted his interests at Dallas, at the end of which time he moved the plant to McMinnville and issued the publication at that city until 1901, when he was appointed collector of customs at Wrangle, Alaska, serving in that position until 1902. He resigned to accept the appointment of United States commis- sioner, occupying that office for eight years, or until 1910, when he returned to Dallas and engaged in the fire insurance business, in which he still continues. He has closely studied every detail of the business and is most successfully managing his interests, writing a large amount of insurance annually. In 1916 he was elected county treasurer of Polk county and his excellent record in that office led to his reelection without an opposing candidate at the close of his term in 1919. He is discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity and is proving a faithful custodian of the public funds.
Vol. 11-12
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In November, 1874, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Laura B. Rowell and they have become the parents of seven children, namely: George C. L., a resident of Portland; Sarah E., the wife of W. C. Cook of McMinnville; Jennie A., who married T. J. Warren, also a resident of McMinnville; Frank E., who is living in Seattle, Wash- ington; A. Claire, residing in McMinnville, Oregon; Pauline, the wife of H. C. Lowe of Seattle; and William C., who makes his home in Tulare, California.
In his political views Mr. Snyder is a republican and has been called upon to fill various public offices of honor and trust. While residing at McMinnville he served for two years as city recorder and for six years filled that position at Dallas. For four consecutive sessions he was assistant chief clerk of the state legislature, his work being performed most systematically and accurately. His fraternal connections are with the Knights of Pythias and the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, his mem- bership being in Abd Uhl Atef Temple of Portland. He also belongs to Friendship Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., to La Creole Encampment at Dallas, and is likewise a member of Elmira Lodge, No. 26, of the Rebekahs, and a member of McMinnville, Oregon, Lodge, No. 1283, B. P. O. E. The family attend the Episcopal church and their lives are guided by its teachings. He has displayed rare qualities as a public official and is held in equally high regard in the various connections in which he is found, his labors at all times being attended by results that are farreaching and beneficial.
MAJOR EDWARD C. MEARS.
Major Edward C. Mears, a veteran of the World war, is now engaged in the general insurance business in partnership with Herbert Gordon and for many years has figured prominently in commercial circles of Portland, most capably managing his interests. The family name has long been a distinguished one in military affairs, the father and sons having rendered notable service to the country in time of peril. A native of the Pacific coast, the major is actuated by the spirit of western enterprise and progress that have been the dominant factors in bringing about the rapid upbuilding and sub- stantial growth of this part of the country.
Major Mears was born in San Francisco, California, September 21, 1870. His father, Colonel Frederick Mears, attained distinction in the Civil war, as a lieutenant- colonel. In 1860 he was stationed at Vancouver barracks and following the close of the war he continued active in the regular army, passing away at Fort Spokane in 1891 with the rank of colonel, his period of service extending over thirty years. The three surviving children of the family are: Edward C., of this review; Winifred, a resident of San Francisco, California; and Colonel Frederick Mears, U. S. A., who is at present supervising the construction of a railroad for the government in Alaska. He is well known in engineering circles throughout the country, having heen next in authority to General Goethals in the work of constructing the Panama canal. He also rendered valuable service to his country during the war with Germany, directing as general manager the transportation of all United States troops in France at that period.
As a boy Edward C. Mears was naturally much interested in military affairs, owing to his father's long connection therewith and he became a student in the Shattuck Military School at Faribault, Minnesota, from which he was graduated in the class of 1886. He afterward continued his education in the College of the City of New York, of which he is an 1893 alumnus. He has been a resident of Portland since 1893 and for fifteen years was identified with banking in this city, serving as the first cashier of the Lumhermen's National Bank. He was also the receiver of the Title Guarantee & Trust Company, selling the assets of the concern and netting the creditors one hundred cents on the dollar, and he has likewise acted as receiver for other companies. For some time he engaged in the brokerage business, winning a large clientele which he represented in investment in Pacific coast timber and bonds. In July, 1920, he engaged in the general insurance business in partnership with Herbert Gordon and they are building up a good clientage as the result of their enterprising business methods and straightforward and reliable dealing.
On the 9th of February, 1895, Major Mears was united in marriage to Miss An- toinette Prescott, a daughter of C. H. Prescott who was at one time general manager of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, associated with Henry Villard and T. Oakes. He was likewise vice president of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and was one of the most prominent factors in railway and transportation circles up
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to the time of his death, which occurred on the 7th of August, 1905. Major and Mrs. Mears have become the parents of two daughters: Antoinette, who is the wife of Willis B. Ashley, a member of the firm of Ashley & Runnelin, bankers; and Georgi- anna B.
Major Mears has been prominent in military affairs. For eight years he served as adjutant of the Third Infantry Regiment of the Oregon National Guard and is also a veteran of the World war, called to service in May, 1917, as captain. He was assigned to the Eighty-eighth Division, with which he served for eleven months in France, winning promotion to the rank of major. He is a member of the American Legion, which he was active in organizing and he is also identified with the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, having served as commander of the local chapter and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi, a college fraternity and also of the Arlington Club, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. His activities have been of a varied nature and as a business man his standing is of the highest. His life has been well spent, characterized by the conservation of his forces, by the utilization of opportunity and by a correct under- standing of life's values and purposes. The strength that he has manifested in business circles has its root in upright, honorable manhood, winning for him the unqualified regard of all with whom he has been associated.
H. S. GILE.
For thirty years H. S. Gile has been a resident of Oregon and he has become a recognized leader in horticultural circles of the state, aiding largely in the develop- ment of the prune industry. It was principally through his efforts that the Oregon prune was established in the markets of the east. In 1900 he organized the Willamette Valley Prune Association and until 1913 was its manager. This was the pioneer pack- ing organization in the northwest and was largely responsible for saving the prune industry to Oregon. In 1915 he was the chief factor in organizing the Pheasant Fruit Juice Company, which was directly responsible for saving the loganberry industry from what seemed inevitable destruction and later consolidated with the Phez Com- pany, which now has an international sale for its products.
Mr. Gile is a native of Canada. He was born at Smith Falls, in the province of Ontario. Crossing the border into the United States before he was of age, he later became a resident of Nebraska, whence he came to Oregon about thirty years ago, taking up his abode in Salem. In 1900 Mr. Gile became active in forming the first organ- ization for packing and marketing prunes, which is now known as the Willamette Valley Prune Association and which markets the Pheasant and Hunter brands of prunes. Mr. Gile is still a large stockholder in this association. Oregon owes him a great debt for his work in behalf of her prune industry, for it was largely due to his efforts, at a time when this fruit needed a champion, that the superiority of the Oregon prune became known outside of the state. Analysis shows that prunes grown in this state contain valuable therapeutic properties not found to the same extent in the sweeter varieties of prunes, and also that they carry a much larger percentage of albuminoids than prunes grown elsewhere, thus giving them the highest food value. It would be impossible to find a more healthful and nutritious article of diet. Oregon prunes are evaporated Fallenburg plums and the orchards in the Willamette valley are as carefully cared for as the easterner's favorite rose bed. When the fruit has ripened, it is gathered, cleaned and cured in great hot-air evaporators, after which it is taken to the packing plants and by means of great power machinery is sorted into several sizes, the largest fruits running about thirty-five prunes to the pound. Before being packed the fruit is passed through a large, rapidly revolving cylinder filled with live steam at high pressure, and is finally washed and while very hot packed in paper- lined boxes. Mr. Gile was among the first to go east for the purpose of introducing the Oregon prune to our great domestic markets. His efforts in this connection were later given much unsolicited publicity by the Saturday Evening Post, which devoted considerable space to the matter, the subject of this review being described as invading the east with his pockets bulging with prunes. The easterners at first declared that they were well satisfied with the prunes which they were buying from California and complained of the sourness and toughness of the Oregon product, but through improved methods of preparation plus perseverance and determination the Oregon prune was
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