USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 31
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In 1886 Mr. Eachtel was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Hengeveld, a resident of Pueblo, Colorado, and of Holland Dutch descent, who has passed away. They he- came the parents of five children: William, who is in charge of the Kelly Butte quarry; Grace, who married A. R. Fairbanks, a civil engineer; Gertrude, the wife of Howard Cross, a teamster; Charles, an expert automobile mechanic, who received his instruction at the Benson Polytechnic school and who enlisted as a soldier in the World war, being at Camp Eustace when the armistice was signed; and Nellie, the wife of W. J. Boland, a bricklayer by trade.
In his political views Mr. Eachtel is a stalwart republican, active in support of the principles and candidates of the party but without ambition for office holding, his positions having all been obtained through appointment. He is a member of the Grange and fraternally is identified with the Rebekahs, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of which he has been a member for thirty-four years, the Eastern Star and is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership in the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the American Association of Engineers. As roadmaster of Multnomah county he has done much to improve the public high- ways of northwestern Oregon, thus greatly aiding in developing the resources of the state and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged. Moreover, he is deserving of much credit and honor as a self-made man, who, starting out in life empty-handed, has worked his way steadily upward, prompted thereto by a laudable ambition, his individ- ual merit and ability winning for him a position of prominence and importance and he stands today a splendid type of American manhood and citizenship.
HON. ROBERT M. VEATCH.
Hon. Robert M. Veatch, who is now living retired at Cottage Grove, was formerly prominently identified with legislative activities in the state and has done much to shape public thought and opinlon, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the history of the state, and in his public service he has ever looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and possibilities of the future. Mr. Veatch was born in White county, Illinois, June 5, 1843, a son of Isaac and Mary (Miller) Veatch, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Georgia. The father was a cabinet-maker and blacksmith, and removing to eastern Illinois when that section of the country was largely a wilderness, he there followed his trade. Subsequently he went to Iowa and in that state worked at his trade and likewise engaged in missionary work until 1880, when he came to Oregon, residing with his son Robert at Cottage Grove and also with another son, until his death in 1882. The mother had long pre- ceded him to the Home beyond, her demise occurring in 1846.
Robert M. Veatch acquired his early education in Iowa, but his educational oppor- tunities while there residing were very limited, as he was obliged to work for his board and had but little time to devote to study. Thinking to find greater oppor- tunities in the Pacific coast country, he crossed the plains to California in 1864 with a wagon train. Three months were spent in the Golden state and he then came to Oregon to join his three brothers, who were residing in Lane county. They induced him to remain and he continued his education in the schools of Creswell while later he was for one year a student in the Eugene Academy. He likewise attended the Willamette University for a year and subsequently was graduated from the State
HON. ROBERT M. VEATCH
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Agricultural College at Corvallis with the class of 1871. In order to meet the expenses of securing an education he had been compelled to incur a debt of three hundred dollars and he resolutely set himself to the task of meeting this obligation. He at first engaged in the profession of teaching, which he successfully followed for a period of seven years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge he had acquired. He then purchased a farm six miles east of Cottage Grove and in securing this property was obliged to borrow the sum of three thousand dollars, paying interest on the same at the rate of twelve per ceut. With resolute and determined spirit he hegan the cultivation and improvement of the land, which he continued to operate for a period of ten years, converting it into a valuable property, free from all indebtedness. In the meantime his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, had called him to public office and in 1882 he was elected to represent his district in the lower house of the state legislature. He rendered such valuable and effective service in that con- nection that in 1884 he was honored with reelection, while in 1886 he was called to the state senate, and reelected in 1888, being accorded a larger majority at each succeed- ing election. As senator and representative he gave thoughtful and earnest considera- tion to the vital problems which came up for settlement, earnestly supporting all bills which he believed would prove beneficial to the commonwealth, and his legislative career was one over which there fell no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. Fol- lowing his service as state senator he was appointed registrar of the land office at Roseburg, Oregon, which office he filled most creditably for four and a half years and then resigned to engage in the hardware business at Cottage Grove. He was thus active from 1896 until 1917 in connection with his two sons, but at the latter date dis- posed of his mercantile interests and is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
On the 13th of March, 1872, Mr. Veatch was united in marriage to Miss Seraphina Currin who passed away February 28, 1884, after a short illness. Mr. and Mrs. Veatch became the parents of three children: Henry H., who resides in Cottage Grove; Ermine, who is the wife of J. E. Young, a leading attorney of Cottage Grove; and John C., who is filling the office of assistant United States attorney in Portland.
For a number of years Mr. Veatch served as mayor of Cottage Grove and in this connection rendered most important public service, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration characterized by many needed reforms and improve- ments. As a public official his activities have thus heen varied in extent and no man has done more to further the interests and upbuilding of his city and state, his in- fluence heing ever on the side of progress and improvement, of right and reform. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He was appointed by Governor Chamberlain as a delegate to the Trans-Mississippi Congress at Portland. Also elected as delegate to the National Democratic Convention, held in Kansas City, which nominated William J. Bryan. His connection along fraternal lines is with the Masonic order, whose beneficent principles have ever been a guiding force in his life. Mr. Veatch is a self-made man who has gained success and prominence through individual merit and ability. Although at times he had to confront difficulties and obstacles in his career, his determined purpose enabled him to press steadily forward to the goal of success and his life record is one of which he has every reason to be proud.
EDMUND J. LABBE, M. D.
Dr. Edmund J. Labbe, physician and surgeon, was horn in Portland, Oregon, Decem- her 15, 1872, a son of John and Angeline (Mathiot) Labbe. The father was born in France and came to Oregon in 1861. He established the second grocery store in Port- land about 1862, conducting the business under the firm style of Labbe Brothers. He remained actively connected with the trade until 1890, when he retired from business, His wife was a native of Ohio and was but an infant when brought to Oregon in 1857, the family settling on French Prairie in that year. Her parents had emigrated from France, where her brothers and sisters were born, but Mrs. Labhe's birth occurred after the parents had arrived in the new world. She survived her husband for only three years, passing away in Portland in 1911.
Dr. Labhe spent the days of his hoyhood and youth in his native city and after attending the public schools went east to become a student in the University of Vir- ginia and also attended Columbia University of New York. It was in the latter
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institution that he pursued his professional course and was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1895. He is now limiting his practice to obstetrics and diseases of children but for some time continued in general practice. For three years he practiced in the New York Hospital and in the Sloan Hospital before entering upon the work of his profession in Portland in 1898. He is now serving on the staff of the Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland and is regarded as an expert in the branches of the profession in which he now specializes.
Dr. Labbe was with the Red Cross in the World war, having charge of children in the devastated areas. He held a captain's commission aud was turned over by the American army to the Third French army because of his recognized usefulness to the French, owing to his command of the French language. At Evian he established a hospital for children, who were sent back from behind the German lines and for seven months was the physician in chief of that hospital, with a staff of seven assistant phy- sicians, one dentist, twenty nurses and fifteen Red Cross aides under his supervision. He has some most interesting as well as most pathetic pictures of the American soldiers at the front and also of the French refugees and the story of the misery that was caused by Germany's attempt to establish a world rule is to him a most familiar one by reason of the suffering and misery which was brought on through the horrors of war.
Dr. Labbe was married to Miss Olive L. Tappen of New York City, and they have two children: John T., nine years of age; and Louise E. Dr. Labbe is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi, a college fraternity, but has not taken upon himself many member- ship relations, preferring to concentrate his efforts and energy upon his professional duties, which are constantly growing in volume and importance. He is accorded a liberal practice in Portland in addition to his hospital work and is a recognized author- ity upon obstetrics and children's diseases.
LEE M. TRAVIS.
Lee M. Travis, who since 1901 has engaged in the practice of law at Eugene, spec- ializing in the field of commercial law, deserves classification with the able attorneys of his part of the state. He was born in Howard, Steuben county, New York, June 20, 1874, his parents being the Rev. Gould J. and Ella (Ford) Travis. The father's birth occurred in Poughkeepsie, New York. He had the advantage of liberal educational training, attending Hamilton College and also becoming a student at the Rochester (N. Y.) Theological Seminary. In 1889 he came to Oregon, being called to the pastorate of the Baptist church at Eugene, with which he was continuously connected until he met death in a runaway accident. He exerted a strongly marked influence for good in the community and his genuine personal worth was recognized by all who knew him. He was prominent in the Masonic order.
Lee M. Travis attended school in the east to the age of fifteen years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Oregon, subsequently becoming a student in the University of Oregon, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. Imbued with the spirit of patriotic devotion to his country he volunteered for service in the Spanish-American war, enlisting in 1898 as a member of Company C, Second Regiment of Oregon Volunteers, and was sent to the Philippines, where he served with his regiment until honorably discharged at the close of his term of enlistment.
Choosing the legal profession as a life work he pursued the regular course of study in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1900, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. In the meantime, however, he had been admitted to the Oregon bar at Salem in 1899 and on the 1st of January, 1901, he opened an office in Eugene and has since successfully practiced his profession in this city, specializing in the field of commercial law. His practice is large and of a distinctively representative character and his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial. He is a strong and able lawyer, clear and concise in his presentation of a cause, logical in his deductions and sound in his reasoning, while in the application of a legal principle he is seldom, if ever, at fault. He has a well appointed law office and is the possessor of a large library, with whose contents he is familiar.
In 1893 Mr. Travis was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Baker, a daughter of Fred C. Baker, who is the editor of the Tillamook (Ore.) Headlight. Mr. and Mrs.
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Travis have become the parents of two children: Frederick and Gould. He takes an active interest in political affairs and is recognized as one of the local leaders of the democratic party, having served as chairman of the county central committee. He was a member of the Panama Canal Commission for the San Francisco Exposition in 1915. Mr. Travis is well known in various fraternal organizations, holding membership in the Acacia Fraternity, while in Masonry he has attained high rank, belonging to Eugene Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., in which he is a past master; Eugene Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 3, K. T .; and Al Kader Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise a member of Eugene Lodge, No. 357, B. P. O. E .; Eugene Camp, No. 115, W. O. W .; Eugene Aerie, No. 275, F. O. E .; and the Order of the Hoo Hoos. His ideals of life are high and he utilizes every opportunity to climb to their level. His life is actuated by a spirit of progressiveness that recognizes and utilizes opportunities and he is widely known in this part of the state through his professional, fraternal and political relations.
L. GUY LEWELLING.
L. Guy Lewelling, attorney at law who is filling the office of city recorder of Albany, is a native of Nebraska, his birth having occurred at Kearney, September 8, 1882. He is a son of Asa and Amanda V. (Hord) Lewelling, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Virginia. For a considerable period the father was an instructor in the Illinois Reform School, but owing to ill health was obliged to resign that position and went to Nebraska, taking up a homestead near Kearney. This he improved and de- veloped and while there residing was elected county clerk of Phelps county, in which office he served for one term. In 1892 he crossed the plains to Oregon, hoping that the milder climate of this state would prove beneficial to his wife's health. He settled
in Linn county, where he rented land, but following his wife's death in 1895 he removed to Albany and while here residing was appointed deputy sheriff, serving in that ca- pacity for four years or two terms. During his second term in the office he married Mary E. Blevins, a daughter of Andrew J. and Alvilda Blevins, who were pioneers of Oregon, coming to this state in the early '50s. Following the completion of his service as sheriff Asa Lewelling resumed his farming operations, in which he has continued, being now seventy-five years of age. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having served as a member of an Iowa regiment. While in Texas he was captured and in company with three others managed to escape from prison and make his way to safety. His uncle, Alfred Lewelling, established the first nurseries in this state at Milwaukie, and in the museum of the Oregon Historical Society is to be seen the first cherry tree planted in the state by Mr. Lewelling. These trees were hauled across the plains from Iowa with ox teams and were then transplanted in the soil of Oregon.
L. Guy Lewelling was but ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Oregon and his early education was acquired in the schools of Nebraska and of Albany, Oregon. Subsequently he became a student in the Albany College and was graduated therefrom in 1899, when seventeen years of age. He then taught school in Benton and Linn counties for two years, after which he went to Salem and there attended night school for one year, pursuing the study of law, for it was his desire to become a member of the bar. That his education was obtained under difficulties is shown in the fact that in order to meet the expenses of his schooling he secured employment at the state prison, which was then under the supervision of Governor Chamberlain, who later became United States senator from Oregon. Enter- ing Willamette University, he there pursued a law course, still continuing his work at the prison, and was graduated from Willamette University in June, 1911, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. In the same month he was admitted to the bar and coming to Albany he opened an office and has continued in practice here. In 1915 he was elected city recorder and municipal judge and his efficient service in that connection won him reelection in 1917 and in 1920 he was elected district attorney taking office January 1,. 1921, in which position he is discharging his duties most capably and efficiently. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and exact and he is regarded as a most able jurist.
On the 13th of October, 1912, Mr. Lewelling was united in marriage to Miss Edna Blevins and they have become the parents of two sons: Asa Lorenzo, who was born April 4, 1915, and Alfred Blevins, born July 11, 1920. Mr. Lewelling gives his political
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allegiance to the republican party and in 1912 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, where he gave earnest and thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement and earnestly fought for the support of bills which he believed to be of great benefit to the public at large. His fraternal connections are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and in the last named organization he has attained high rank, having passed through all the chairs in the lodge and also filled the office of exalted rnler. He is patriotic and public-spirited and during the World war ren- dered important and valuable service to the government as a member of the executive board during the Liberty Loan campaigns and also served on the Council of Defense and the Legal Advisory Board, laying aside all business interests and devoting his time and aid to the support of his country at this most critical period of its history. He is a splendid example of American manhood and chivalry and his standing as lawyer and citizen is of the highest.
JAMES F. FAILING.
Portland, the Rose City, with its broad thoroughfares, its splendid business enter- prises, its beautiful homes, magnificent churches and schools, grew to its present pro- portions within the memory of James F. Failing, whose name is inseparably associated with the history of the city and its development. For many years he was closely connected with mercantile interests and at the time of his death was the oldest hard- ware merchant on the coast. In various other ways he left the impress of his indi- viduality and ability upon the records of the state, for he figured not only in commercial but also in banking circles and was active in connection with the educational and moral progress of the community. He was born March 24, 1842, in the city of New York, so that the width of the continent long separated him from his birthplace. His parents were Josiah and Henrietta (Ellison) Failing, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Charleston, South Carolina. The father came to Oregon in 1851 with his two sons, Henry and John W., making the trip hy way of the Isthmus of Panama and proceeding northward along the Pacific coast to the Columbia and thence to Portland. James F. Failing journeyed westward in company with his mother, a sister and one brother, making the trip around Cape Horn and joining the husband and father at Portland.
James F. Failing was at that time a youth of but eleven years. He had begun his education in the schools of his native city and continued his studies in Portland, attending the old Portland Academy, which at that time was known as the Portland Academy and Female Seminary. He started out in the business world as a clerk in his father's store, a general merchandise establishment which was conducted nnder the firm style of J. Failing & Company. It was located in the heart of the Portland settlement by the Willamette at a point now designated as First and Oak streets. For a time Mr. Failing clerked for a brother, with whom he remained in business for sev- eral years and then became a partner in the firm of Corbett, Failing & Company, which for an extended period was one of the foremost firms conducting business in Portland. This hardware business still continues under the name of the Failing-Mc- Calman Company, in which Mr. Failing's three sons, Edward J., John C. and Frederick E., are interested. Mr. Failing was president of the firm at the time of his death, although he has not been active in the conduct of the business from 1900. His store was among the first two or three merchandise establishments in Portland and for some years was the oldest hardware business on the coast. Mr. Failing did not confine his efforts entirely to one line, however, for in 1877 he became a director of the First National Bank and was still senior director of the establishment when he passed away. He was likewise a representative of the directorate of the Security Savings & Trust Company.
On the 27th of May, 1880, Mr. Failing was united in marriage to Miss Jane J. Conner, a daughter of John Conner, of Albany, Oregon. Five children were born of this marriage, all of whom are living, namely: Edward J., Kate W., John C., Henri- etta C. and Frederick E. The daughter Kate has for a year and a half been engaged as a Baptist missionary in South India, now located in Ongole, in the Guntur district.
Throughont his life Mr. Failing was a most consistent and earnest member of the First Baptist church of Portland, now known as the White Temple. He served for
JAMES F. FAILING
Vol. II-16
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many years as its treasurer and was a trustee and deacon at the time of his demise. He was likewise in former years a director of the Young Men's Christian Association and his interest in educational activities was manifest in his service as a trustee of McMinnville College for several years. He was active in the Oregon Pioneer Society, was a member of the Oregon Historical Society and of the Auld Lang Syne Society. He long gave his political allegiance to the republican party. While he was never an office seeker he stanchly supported all movements for the public good and his worth as a man and a citizen was widely acknowledged. As a merchant his name ever stood as a synonym for integrity and enterprise in business and the character of the inter- ests which he conducted brought to Portland a considerable share of trade, leading to its further development as the years passed. Throughout the intervening period from 1853 to the time of his death on October 19, 1920, or for more than two-thirds of a century, James F. Failing lived in Portland and witnessed the development of the city from a small town containing ouly one or two streets-the principal ones being Front and First streets near the river-to a city of metropolitan proportions with all of the advantages and opportunities of the older east, while its beauty as the Rose City has become renowned throughout the world. Mr. Failing ever took an active part in furthering those interests which have had to do with public progress and improve- ment and his aid was ever on the side of advancement. The worth of his work can scarcely be overestimated, as there was no line of development-material, intellectual, social, political or moral-in which he was not keenly interested and bore his part in bringing about the results which make Portland a Mecca to every tourist to the Pacific coast.
C. EDWIN STANARD.
C. Edwin Stanard, a lifelong resident of this state, who for over three decades has been continuously connected with mercantile interests of Brownsville, is a man of most enterprising and progressive spirit, constantly taking forward steps along busi- ness lines. His entire life has been passed in this vicinity, for he was born three and a half miles northwest of Brownsville, February 22, 1860, a son of A. W. and Eliza- beth (Hill) Stanard, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Missouri. In 1852 the father started across the plains from Missouri with ox teams, Oregon being his destination. Settling in Linn county, he took up land near Brownsville, which he cleared and developed, adding thereto many improvements which greatly enhanced its value. He also engaged in stock raising and was very successful in all of his business enterprises, being classed with the substantial men of his community. He continued to reside upon his ranch until two years before his demise, when he removed to Brownsville and there lived retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His posi- tion was one of prominence in his section of the state and he filled many important public offices, serving as county clerk of Linn county for two terms and also as mayor of Albany. He likewise represented Linn county in the state legislature for two terms, giving careful and thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement, his aid and influence being ever on the side of advancement and improvement. He passed away in 1917, while the mother's demise occurred in 1916. Coming to Oregon in pioneer times, they shared in the hardships and privations of frontier life and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation upon which has been built the present progress and prosperity of the state. Their confidence in the future of Oregon was great and they lived to see it justified.
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