History of Oregon, Vol. II, Part 40

Author: Carey, Charles Henry
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 780

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Vol. II-20

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and to the learned professions. He came of Norman ancestry, the line being traced back to Roger Corbett, who was a military leader under William I, or William the Conqueror, and in the conquest of England gained distinction and lands for the part he bore in subjugating the "Merrie Isle." William Corbett, the eldest son of Roger Corbett, was seated at Wattesborough, while his second son, Sir Robert Corbett, had for his inheritance the castle and estate of Caus with a large part of his father's domain. A son of the latter, also named Robert, accompanied King Richard I to the siege of Acre, bearing on his coat of arms two ravens, which have since been the crest of his descendants. It was in the seventeenth century that a branch of the Corbett family was established at Mendon, Massachusetts, and to this line Henry W. Corbett belonged. His father, Elijah Corbett, a son of Elijah Corbett, Sr., was a native of Massachusetts and a mechanic who engaged in the manufacture of edged tools in that state and after- ward removed to White Creek, Washington county, New York, where his remaining days were passed. Elijah C. married Melinda Forbush, who was likewise born in the old Bay state and belonged to one of its pioneer families, whose history is traced back to England. The death of Mrs. Corbett occurred in New York. There were eight chil- dren in the family of Elijah C., of whom three sons and two daughters reached adult age, including another Elijah Corbett, who arrived in Portland in 1864 and here resided until his death. Another son, Hamilton Corbett, died in New York in early manhood. The daughters were: Mrs. Thomas Robertson, who came to Portland in 1856; and Mrs. Henry Failing, who arrived on the Pacific coast in 1858. Henry Winslow was the youngest of the family.

When his parents removed to White Creek, New York, Henry Winslow Corbett was but four years of age. Following their removal to Cambridge, New York, he completed a course in the Cambridge Academy, being then a lad of but thirteen. Starting out in the business world he spent two years as a clerk and a little latter obtained a clerkship at Salem, Washington county. When a year had passed he went to New York city and obtained a clerkship in the dry goods store of Williams, Bradford & Company, with whom he remained for seven years, thus gaining valuable experience. In October, 1850, this firm furnished him with the necessary capital that enabled him to ship a line of general merchandise to Portland, Oregon, by way of Cape Horn, on the bark Francis and Louise. On the 4th of March, 1851, he arrived with his merchandise at Portland, then a small town of four hundred inhabitants and containing but five stores. Front street was a stump field, and back of First street stood the virgin forest. Mr. Corbett rented a building, not quite completed, on the corner of Fourth and Oak streets, and putting his goods on the second floor, there began business. When fourteen months had passed he had disposed of his entire stock at a profit of about twenty thousand dollars and returned to the east but in the meantime had entered into partnership with Robert and Finley McLaren, who during his absence maintained the business in Portland. After a year spent in New York Mr. Corbett decided to make Portland his home and several months after his return to the west withdrew from his partnership relation and established business under his own name. He carried on general merchandising until 1860 and then concentrated his efforts and attention upon the conduct of a whole- sale hardware business. In 1871 he was joined by Henry Failing and the firm of Corbett, Failing & Company was organized, this leading to the development of one of the most prominent business interests of the northwest. In 1869 he and his partner, Mr. Failing, purchased a controlling interest in the First National Bank of Portland, which at that time had deposits amounting only to forty thousand dollars. Their wise direction led to the steady growth and development of the business until it became one one of the largest and strongest financial concerns of the northwest, Mr. Failing filling the position of president to the time of his death, while Mr. Corbett was vice president for a number of years and succeeded Mr. Failing in the presidency. He was also the president of the Security Savings & Trust Company and was regarded as one of the leading financiers of the Pacific coast country. During the lifetime of Mr. Corbett the capital stock of the First National Bank was increased from one hundred thousand to seven hundred thousand dollars, while its deposits aggregated about seven million dollars. It stood as a monument to the enterprise and business ability of Mr. Corbett and of Mr. Failing, both of whom to the time of death occupied a prominent and en- viable position in financial circles. The soundness of his judgment and the keenness of his vision were everywhere recognized. He also became the president of the Port- land Hotel Company, which erected one of the finest hotels on the coast, and he was likewise the president of the Willamette Steel & Iron Works. He became interested in the building of city and suburban railways and was a representative of the directorate

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of the street railway company and added much to the development of the system. This was not his initial connection with transportation interests, however, for in 1865 he was awarded the contract of transporting the mails to California and four years later became owner of the California stage line, which he extended to carry out the contract for operating the four-horse stage coach with the mail between Portland and California. He relinquished this contract upon his election to the United States senate in 1866 but for many years was further identified with transportation interests as a director of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company and of its successor, the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company. Many manufacturing interests felt the stimulus of the coopera- tion and sound business judgment of Mr. Corbett and the industrial activity of the city was greatly promoted through his efforts. He was at all times greatly interested in the upbuilding of Portland, contributing in marked measure to the city's advance- ment as the builder of the First National Bank building, the Worcester block on Third and Oak streets, the Cambridge block on Third and Morrison, the Neustadter building on Stark and Fifth, the Corbett and Hamilton buildings and many others. He always recognized the needs and the possibilities of the growing community and met the latter as well as the former.

Mr. Corbett had close connection with many interests and events which bore no relation to commercial, industrial or financial activity. He gave his time and his means freely to further many projects of which only the public was the direct bene- ficiary. His prominence and his public spirit made him logically the candidate for the United States senate in 1866, when he was elected over Governor Gibbs and John H. Mitchell, becoming a member of the upper house of the national legislature on the 4th of March, 1867. His work in the national halls of legislation was of a most important character. He secured the appropriation for the Portland post office, also the custom-house at Astoria and succeeded in having Portland made the port of entry for the Willamette customs district. He introduced a bill providing for the return of specie payment and although it was not then passed it was eventually adopted. He was active in securing much needed financial legislation and gave the most thoughtful and earnest consideration to every question which came up for settlement. After his retirement from the senate on the 4th of March, 1873, he spent seven months in travel abroad and following his return to America again became an active factor in politics and in 1896 was a stalwart champion of the gold standard. He labored consistently and successfully to secure success for the republican party in Oregon in that year and in 1900 was again a candidate for the United States senate but was defeated by a com- bination of democrats and some of the republicans. Governor Geer then appointed him to the United States senate, but the senate ruling was to the effect that an ap- pointed senator was not entitled to a seat, remaining vacant through the failure of a state legislature to elect when they had the opportunity. Several times he served as a delegate to the national convention of the republican party and his opinions long carried weight in its councils. Among the local measures which he promoted during his senatorial experience was that resulting in the removal of obstructions to naviga- tion in the Willamette river, the erection of lighthouses along the coast and the loca- tion of fog whistles and buoys to mark the channels of the navigable streams. He supported the measure for an additional customs district with port of entry and bonded warehouse, which was established. A large addition was also made to the appropriation to survey the public lands in Oregon; and through his efforts the head- quarters of the military department of the Columbia were removed from Washington Territory to Oregon, and an appropriation was secured to erect the post office building at Portland. When Mr. Corbett returned to his home from the senate he was tendered a reception by his fellow townsmen, in the course of which his political career was reviewed by one who said: "You can yourself judge correctly of the sentiment pre- vailing throughout the state. We congratulate you upon having so prudently and effectually served the public that there are few, if any, whether members of the party that elected you or of the opposition, who express dissatisfaction with your course. The republicans say you have been true to the principles of the party and faithful to the pledges implied in receiving the office at their hands. The democrats admit that you have been no ungenerous opponent, while both agree that your conduct on all occasions has been governed by considerations affecting the welfare of our common country and not by those of party expediency or personal advantage. Such indorse- ment and approbation by an intelligent people are high praise in these times of cor- ruption in high places." It was while Mr. Corbett was in office that Alaska was pur- chased and William H. Seward and Schuyler Colfax were sent to the northwest in

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connection with the matter. They were tendered a reception in Portland, at which Mr. Corbett presided as chairman. Through a quarter of a century following his re- tirement from office Mr. Corbett devoted his attention entirely to business and con- stantly left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the history of the state and its development.

In Albany, New York, Henry W. Corbett was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E. Jagger, a native of that city, who there passed away in 1865, leaving two sons, Henry J. and Hamilton F., both of whom died in early manhood. In Worcester, Massa- chusetts, Mr. Corbett married Emma L. Ruggles, a native of that state and now occupy- ing the old Corbett residence in Portland. Mr. Corbett is survived by three grandsons who are prominently known: Hamilton F., of the Savings & Trust Company; Elliott R., vice president of the First National Bank; and Henry L., vice president of the First National Bank.

The death of Mr. Corbett occurred March 31, 1903. His last public activity was in connection with the Lewis and Clark exposition. He led the movement resulting in the exposition, recognizing what it would mean for Portland as a future asset as well as a present-day advantage. Mr. Corbett was recognized as the one person who was qualified to take the leadership and organize the exposition company on a sound basis. From that time he entered heartily into the work and it was be who advocated the establishment of at least one permanent building which would be an enduring monument to the spirit and enterprise of this generation. He continued his work for the exposition until a few days prior to his demise, when realizing that his strength was failing, he had to turn over his duties to others. He passed away March 31, 1903. Quiet and unassuming in manner he was nevertheless of that heroic mold which meets conditions with the courage and strength that is derived from a right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities. He was of an extremely generous nature and his benefactions were many. He was constantly extending a helping hand and speaking an encouraging word to his fellow travelers on life's journey. His life was actuated by the highest principles and the most worthy motives and there is no name in Portland more honored today than that of Henry W. Corbett.

GEORGE WASHINGTON SHAVER.

No history of Portland and the development of Oregon and the Northwest would be complete without extended reference to George Washington Shaver, who became one of the early pioneers of the state and was prominently connected with various business interests that contributed to the development of this section of the country. He was born in Campbell county, Kentucky, March 2, 1832, and obtained a fair education for that period. In young manhood he went to Missouri, where he resided until he be- came deeply interested in the west and its possibilities. When gold was discovered in California he determined to try his fortune in the mines and in 1849 started across the plains with ox team and wagon as a member of a large party. Slowly they pro- ceeded across the stretches of hot sand and through the mountain passes, and after reaching his destination Mr. Shaver began work in the mines, but his labors did not bring him the expected returns and he made his way northward to Oregon, where he again tried mining for a brief period. On coming to this state he settled at Waldo, Marion county, and it was from there that he went to southern Oregon, where he once more took up mining but without great success.

Mr. Shaver arrived in Portland on the 2d of February, 1854, and it was in this city that he wedded Miss Sarah Dixon, who made the long trip across the plains to Oregon in 1852 in company with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Dixon, who settled at Roseburg. With his bride Mr. Shaver first located on a farm in Marion county and four children were born to them while they still occupied the farm, while six other children were added to the family subsequent to the time when their home was estab- lished in Portland. They took up their abode here in 1860, upon land that is now included within the Elizabeth Irving addition to the city. Mr. Shaver turned his at- tention to dealing in wood and for many years had large contracts for furnishing fuel to the steamboats plying between Portland and San Francisco. He also sup- plled wood to various river boats and barges and thus one by one aided in clearing the

GEORGE W. SHAVER

CAPTAIN JAMES W. SHAVER

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timber tracts of this region, Mr. Shaver probably cutting more acres of timber than any man of his time.

In those early days there was no rail transportation and Mr. Shaver became greatly interested in navigation. He organized the Shaver Transportation Company, of which he became the president, while his son, James W. Shaver, was made secretary and treasurer. This developed into one of the important navigation interests of the north- west and the father continued in active connection with the business to the time of his demise. The Shaver Transportation Company still exists as one of the potent forces in navigation circles of the northwest and is today represented by Captain George M. Shaver, who is the treasurer of the Shaver Transportation Company; Lin- coln Shaver, who is the vice president and chief engineer; Captain Delmer Shaver, the president; Captain J. W. Shaver, the secretary and manager; and Homer T. Shaver. assistant manager and a grandson of its founder, George W. Shaver. Captain Shaver of this review remained the president and head of all the different interests of the family until the time of his death. He was a man of large business capacity, forceful and resourceful, and belonged to that old school who believed that strength lay in the family union and therefore he always wished his interests and prosperity to be shared by the members of his own household. One of the fleet of ships belonging to the trans- portation company was named G. W. Shaver in honor of the father, while another was called Sarah Dixon, so named in honor of the mother.

Throughout his life George W. Shaver was keenly interested In all that pertained to Oregon's progress and improvement. Coming to the state in 1850, he remained a resident here for a half century and he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon many interests which were of general public worth. He departed this life on the 26th of October, 1900, at which time it was said of him: "He was not only a man of sound business judgment and capacity for observation and action but also in his character embodied all that is excellent and of good report. No worthy cause of Portland but profited by his generosity and large-heartedness; no friend but was benefited by his counsel and assistance. To the end he retained in increasing measure the confidence of all with whom he was ever associated and to his family and friends he left the heritage of a good name."

CAPTAIN JAMES W. SHAVER.

No student of history can carry his investigations far into the records of the northwest without learning of the close connection of the Shaver family with all that has had to do with the development of navigation interests in this section of the country. Captain James W. Shaver is today prominently and widely known as the secretary and manager of the Shaver Transportation Company, which has long owned and operated its own boats, and the development of its business has also been a source of gratification in connection with the upbuilding of this section of the country. In pio- neer times the Shaver family was founded in Oregon and Captain Shaver of this review was born at Waldo Hills, within five miles of Silverton, on the 2d of September, 1859. He is a son of George Washington Shaver, whose birth occurred in Campbell county, Kentucky, March 2, 1832, and who acquired a fair education in the schools of that state. He was a young man at the time of the removal of the family to Missouri and while residing in the latter state he became deeply interested in the west and its pos- sibilities. When gold was discovered in California he determined to try his fortune in the mines and in 1849 started across the country with ox team and wagon as a mem- ber of a large party. Slowly they proceeded across the stretches of hot sand and over the mountains, and after reaching his destination Mr. Shaver began work in the mines, but his labors did not bring him the expected returns and he made his way northward to Oregon, where he again tried mining for a period. He arrived in Portland, February 2, 1854, and it was in this city that he wedded Miss Sarah Dixon, whose father was a pioneer settler of Oregon. With his bride Mr. Shaver located on a farm in Marion county and four children were born to them while they occupied the farm, while later six other children were added to the family subsequent to the time when their home was established in Portland in 1860. After taking up his abode in the Rose City the father devoted his attention to dealing in wood and for many years had large contracts for furnishing fuel to the steamboats plying between Portland and San Francisco. He also supplied wood for various river boats and barges and thus one by one the timber tracts

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of the region were cleared, Mr. Shaver probably cutting more acres of timber than any man of his time. In those early days there was no rail transportation and Mr. Shaver became greatly interested in navigation. He organized the Shaver Transportation Company, of which he became president, while his son, James W. Shaver, became sec- retary and treasurer. The father continued in active connection with the business until his death on the 26th of October, 1900, at which time someone said of him: "He was not only a man of sound business judgment and capacity for observation and action but also in his character embodied all that is excellent and of good report. No worthy cause of Portland but profited by his generosity and large-heartedness; no friend but was benefited by his counsel and assistance. To the end he retained in increasing measure the confidence of all with whom he was ever associated and to his family and friends he left the heritage of a good name."

Captain James W. Shaver, the second of the surviving sons of the family, was but six months old when his parents took up their abode in Portland and here he was reared, acquiring his education in the public schools, while in young manhood he be- came actively interested in his father's business, which then included the conduct of a livery stable in East Portland and the management of a large cordwood business, wood- yards being maintained at East Portland and also at the Shaver dock on the river. It was but natural, therefore, that Captain Shaver should become interested in ship- ping and he turned his attention to navigation in 1880 in partnership with Henry Corbett and A. S. Foster. They purchased the business of Captain Charles Bureau and organized their interests under the name of the People's Freighting Company, of which Mr. Shaver became manager and was also captain of the Manzanillo, a river boat plying between Portland and Clatskanie. After a brief period Captain Shaver acquired the interest of Mr. Foster and Mr. Corbett also withdrew from the business, while George W. Shaver became a member of the firm, which was reorganized June 10, 1893, under the name of the Shaver Transportation Company, with the father as presi- dent and the son as secretary and treasurer. In 1889 they built a boat which was named G. W. Shaver, and in 1892 they began sailing the Sarah Dixon, named in honor of Captain Shaver's mother. Some time afterward the Manzanillo was sold and the Shaver and the Dixon were utilized by the company in its transportation business until 1900 when the former was sold. In the same year the company purchased a towboat called No Wonder, used in towing logs, and in 1901 the company built the M. F. Henderson, also used for towing purposes. In 1906 they built the new Dixon and the Wanna, while in 1908 the new Shaver was added to their fleet. In 1909 they bought the Cascades and they also built a hundred-horsepower launch, the Echo, in 1910. The G. W. Shaver was the finest steamer built on the Willamette in 1889 and was launched in Portland for the Shaver Transportation Company. It was in 1893 that the Shaver Transportation Company was organized and through the intervening period of more than a quarter of a century has been one of the most important factors in the trans- portation interests of the northwest.

In 1886, in Portland, Captain James W. Shaver was married to Miss Annle Schloth, a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the state. Fraternally Captain Shaver is connected with the Woodmen of the World, and is likewise a member of the Auld Lang Syne Society. Politically he is identified with the democrats where na- tional issues and questions are involved but casts an independent local ballot. For eight years he was one of the commissioners of the port of Portland. During the war he served on the state advisory board and took a most active and helpful interest in pro- moting various branches of war service, particularly those which led to financing the government. The connection of the family with the northwest has been one of long duration and the worth of the work of its various members is widely acknowledged. They have contributed much to the upbuilding and development of this section of the country and their records well deserve a place upon the pages of Oregon's history.

LINCOLN SHAVER.

Lincoln Shaver, who is now vice president and chief engineer of the Shaver Trans- portation Company of Portland, was born October 1, 1861, in East Portland and was the fifth child of George Washington Shaver, who bore the name of the first president of the United States and the founder of the country, while Lincoln Shaver was named

LINCOLN SHAVER

CAPTAIN GEORGE M. SHAVER

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in honor of the preserver of the country, his birth having occurred in the year of Lincoln's inauguration as president of the United States.

Lincoln Shaver has passed through all of the experiences of pioneer life in the northwest. At the age of eleven years he attended school at the Shaver & McMillen school, at what is now Cherry and Williams avenue in Portland. He attended alto- gether for about twelve months during winter terms, but while his educational training was somewhat limited he has been a thorough student in the school of experience and has learned many valuable lessons in that way. He was one of a large family and his three brothers, James W., George M. and Delmer all hold captain's commissions, having devoted their lives to navigation interests.

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History of Oregon, Vol. II, Part 40

Author: Carey, Charles Henry Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company Number of Pages: 780

Author: Carey, Charles Henry
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 780