History of Oregon, Vol. II, Part 46

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

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Mr. Wilhelm's fraternal connections are with the Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he is also identified with the Portland Turnverein and the Transportation, Automobile, Portland Golf Club, Waverly Country Club and Automobile Clubs. His is an evenly balanced life. He is a man of strong purpose and determination, who devotes his entire attention to the matter in hand, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Although one of the younger business men of the city he has already won for himself a creditable place in commercial circles and his record is a most commendable one, characterized by honor and integrity in every relation of life.

HON. DAVID C. BURNS.

On the annals of Portland and the state appears the name of David C. Burns, by reason of his contribution to the commercial development and to the legislative history of Oregon. He stood as a high type of American manhood and citizenship, being always devoted to the highest standards of personal and public service. The sterling traits of his character made him a man whom to know was to esteem and honor, and his friends were legion. Mr. Burns was a native of Fifeshire, Scotland, born November 28, 1860. His parents, Thomas and Agnes (Hastie) Burns, were likewise born in the land of hills and heather. The mother passed away when her son, David C., was but two years of age and the father was killed by a runaway team when David C. Burns was a lad of twelve. Thus left an orphan and dependent upon his own resources, he began work- ing in a grocery store as errand boy and subsequently secured a clerkship. While thus employed he handled many cans of salmon which were the output of the Columbia River Canning Company of Portland, Oregon. It was this which interested him in Portland and determined him eventually to try his fortune in America. Accordingly in 1880, or when nineteen years of age, he bade adieu to his native land and sailed for the new world. At length he arrived in Chicago, where he obtained employment with Libby, McNeill & Libby, remaining with that house until 1882, when he found opportunity to carry out his original intention of coming to Portland. His first employment on the Pacific coast was with the Ordway Logging Company at Oak Point. He had previously put in an application for a position with Kerron & McBeth, proprietors of a department store. While with the logging company he saved his money and at the end of a year he became connected with the above mentioned firm, with which he remained until

HON. DAVID C. BURNS

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the company failed. At that time Mr. Burns, who had continued carefully to save his earnings, took over the grocery department, while Mr. Shanahan became proprietor of the dry goods department. From that time until his death Mr. Burns was one of the well known grocery merchants of the city, developing an extensive business and maintaining both wholesale and retail departments. For a long period he figured as one of the leading merchants of Portland, employing the most constructive measures in the conduct of his business and building upon the sure foundation of enterprise, diligence and reliability.

Not only did Mr. Burns contribute to the material development of his city, how- ever, but in many other ways he promoted public progress. He was elected to the state legislature and while a member of the general assembly was instrumental in framing the pure food and weights measure that was passed hy both the upper and lower houses. Mr. Burns had printed on all his labels the actual weight of the contents of all pack- ages which he handled. He believed in integrity and fair play in all business deal- ings and the course which he followed ever inspired confidence and won him success.

Mr. Burns not only displayed generalship in business but was one of the most lik- able of men. There was no suggestion of deception in any of his business transac- tions nor in his private affairs. He lived a clean, upright life and the sterling worth of his character gained for him the respect, confidence and honor of all with whom he came into contact. He was ever actuated by a desire to aid and assist his fellowmen as well as to promote his own fortunes and he hecame one of the incorporators of the Portland Grocers & Merchants Association and remained one of its most prominent members to the time of his death. He also became interested in mining and was the owner at different periods of considerable valuable land. As he prospered his gener- osity was frequently expressed in kindly deeds and liberal assistance, yet he never spoke of his benefactions, which were ofttimes known only to himself and the recip- ient. He belonged to Clan McClay and he was a member of the Portland Chamber of Commerce. In politics he was a stanch republican and was also a warm supporter of the temperance cause, doing everything in his power to promote prohibition in his adopted state. He was, moreover, a sincere advocate of woman's suffrage.

In 1903 Mr. Burns was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth (Poore) Gossman and for fifteen years they traveled life's journey happily together, being separated by death on the 19th of February, 1918. Mr. Burns, having been left an orphan at the age of twelve years, had little chance to acquire an education in the schools but in the school of experience he learned many worth-while lessons and was constantly pro- moting his knowledge by reading, study and investigation. When he sailed for America he brought with him many valuable books but was forced to part with them on account of moving so often. However, he always kept with him the book of poems by "Bobbie" Burns and today this old and valuable copy is in possession of his widow. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and his entire life was guided by its teachings. A brother and a sister survive him in Portland; G. J. Burns, his brother, who was also a groceryman of Portland; and Miss Catherine W. Burns, a resident of Oregon. Mrs. Burns remains a resident of Portland and has heen and is still active in many good works.

LLOYD J. WENTWORTH.

Lloyd J. Wentworth, vice president and general manager of the Portland Lum- ber Company, was born in Bay City, Michigan, October 24, 1872, and is a representative of one of the old families of that state that from an early period has been connected with the development of the lumber industry. Moreover, his ancestors came from another state where the lumber industry centered for many years. both the father and grandfather being natives of Maine. The father died in Bay City, Michigan, in 1913, while his wife, Mrs. Sophronia Wentworth, also a native of Maine, passed away when their son Lloyd was but three years of age. His brother, Norris R. Wentworth, still resides at Bay City, Michigan, where he is a member of the firm of Ross & Wentworth.

Reared in his native state, Lloyd J. Wentworth attended the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1894 with the Bachelor of Letters degree. He next entered the lumber business in connection with his father, going to the Mesaba Range of Minnesota, and there entered a logging camp. He later went to Cloquet,

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Minnesota, and worked in the sawmill and yard of the Johnson-Wentworth Company. He steadily worked his way upward to an office position and also became acquainted with the selling end of the business. In fact he familiarized himself with every phase of the lumber industry. In 1901 he came to Portland and entered the employ of the Portland Lumber Company under O. A. Ritan. This company had been estab- lished in 1878 by Mr. Pennoyer, at one time governor of Oregon. Mr. Wentworth familiarized himself with the lumber trade conducted on the coast and in 1902 became manager for the firm, which now owns large tracts of timber in the southern part of the state. The Portland Lumber Company is one of the most prominent operating on the coast at the present time and in his position as vice president and general manager Mr. Wentworth is largely directing the movements of the business. He also served as district manager of the United States Shipping Board and the Emergency Fleet Corporation and during the war built over one hundred wooden ships. He had under his supervision one hundred and twenty-five inspectors and men, all from the head- quarters in the Northwest Bank building, while fifteen thousand men were working in the shipyards. He met every demand placed upon him by the government, ren- dering most important service in this connection.

Mr. Wentworth was married in Portland to Miss Imogen Stuart, a daughter of Edwin C. and Laura (Hayden) Stuart of Chicago, but now residents of Portland, where her father has retired from business. To Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth have been born four children: Anne, Imogen, and Janet, aged respectively fifteen, twelve and eleven years, while Justin is but a year old. The family resides at No. 800 Hancock street on the east side in Irvington. Mr. Wentworth is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

RICHARD E. CARROLL.

Among the enterprising and progressive young business men of Junction City is numbered Richard E. Carroll, proprietor of one of the high class drug stores of the locality. He is a native son of Oregon, his birth having occurred at Union, Union county, October 19, 1896. He is a son of Joel Marion and Mary F. (Lenhart) Carroll, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Missouri. The father was but three years of age when his parents crossed the plains to Oregon, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of this state. They were the third family to locate in Union county and there the grandfather took up a claim of government land, which by arduous and unremitting toil he at length brought to a high state of development, con- tinuing to operate his ranch throughout his remaining years. He passed away in 1910 at the very advanced age of ninety-five years, and his wife's demise occurred in 1895, when she had reached the age of seventy-five years. They were highly esteemed and respected in their community as pioneer settlers who 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 commonwealth. Their son, Joel M. Carroll, the youngest in a family of fourteen children, was reared and educated in Union, Oregon, later completing a law course in the Oregon State University at Eugene. Following his admission to the bar he opened an office in Union and there engaged in practice the remainder of his life, being accorded an extensive clientage which his high professional attainments well merited. He was a dis- tinguished lawyer and a man of prominence in his community, serving as mayor of Union and also holding other public offices of trust, the duties of which he discharged most efficiently. He passed away in 1900 at the comparatively early age of forty-two years, and his demise was deeply regretted by a large circle of friends, for he was a man of sterling worth whose ideals of life were high and who utilized every oppor- tunity that enabled him to climb to their level. The mother survived him for eleven years, her demise occurring in 1911.

Richard E. Carroll was reared and educated at Union, Oregon, also pursuing his studies at Corvallis from 1906 until 1909, and then entered the high school at Junc- tion City, from which he was graduated in 1915. He subsequently became a student in the Oregon Agricultural College, where he pursued a course in pharmacy, and was graduated from that institution of learning in 1918. He then enlisted for service in the World war, becoming cook in Machine Gun Company, Twelfth Infantry, Eighth Division, and was stationed successively at Camp Fremont, California, and Camp

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Mills, New York, from which point his command was transferred by boat to Camp Stewart, Virginia, and later to Camp Alexander, that state. Subsequently he was sent to Camp Lewis, Washington, where he was discharged in February, 1919. In the following April Mr. Carroll engaged in the drug business at Junction City, where he is now located. His establishment is first-class in every particular and his courte- ous treatment of patrons, reliability and progressive business methods have won for him a large trade.

Mr. Carroll gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. He is much interested in the welfare and progress of his community and is serving as city recorder and as school clerk, and is rendering valuable service in both connections, his duties being discharged with faithfulness, promptness and efficiency. He is a member of the American Legion and fraternally is identified with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Carroll is an energetic and pro- gressive young business man who well deserves the success that has come to him, for he started out in life empty-handed and working his way through college he secured a good education, which has been of inestimable benefit to him in the attain- ment of success. He is always loyal to any cause which he espouses and faithful to every duty and is a representative of the best type of American manhood and chivalry.

WILLIAM A. ULLMAN.

William A. Ullman is the senior partner in the Willamette Dairy Products Com- pany of Portland. He was born in Latvia, formerly a part of Russia, in 1887. There he acquired his education and in 1907 came to the United States, making his way to Chicago. His father, Anns Ullman, was also a native of Latvia and there passed away in 1911, but the mother, Mrs. Louise Ullman, is still living at the old home.

William A. Ullman, after coming to the new world, spent eight months in Chicago and then went to Wyoming, thinking that better opportunities were to be secured in the west. He remained in that state for eleven months and then continued his journey to the Pacific coast. Arriving in Portland, he worked in an automobile repair shop for four years and afterward organized the Willamette Dairy Products Company, with offices at 483 Union avenue, North, in Portland, while at Rainier, on the Columbia river, the company owns a dairy farm comprising two hundred and thirty-eight acres. They buy, however, most of the cream from which they make eight hundred pounds of butter daily. They have always maintained the highest standards in the quality of their products and by reason of this have found a very ready sale on the market. They operate three automobile trucks in gathering the cream from the farmers. In this business Mr. Ullman is associated with John E. Schultz, also a native of Latvia.

On the 17th of September, 1913, Mr. Ullman was married to Miss Mary Mazur, who was likewise born at the place where her husband's birth occurred. They have become parents of two children, Natalie Mary and Arthur Williams, the latter two years of age. Mr. Ullman has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he here found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made steady advance to a place of affluence, being now at the head of one of the important business interests of this character in Portland.

GEORGE H. SANFORD.

George H. Sanford, who is engaged in the transfer and storage business in Portland, was born at Potsdam, New York, September 3, 1859, and pursued his education there as a pupil in the normal school, from which he was graduated in 1877. Soon afterward he heard and heeded the call of the west, going to Ortonville, Minnesota, where he entered the drug business, in which he engaged for three years. He then disposed of his store and returned to New York, but three months was the limit of time which he could force himself to remain and so he returned to Minnesota, which at that time was a frontier district. In 1882 he started for the Pacific coast by way of Montana and at length arrived in Portland, Oregon. The conditions here, however,

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were not favorable and he located at Eugene, where he spent the following winter and in the summer turned his attention to the hop industry. In the succeeding fall he returned to Portland and the next spring engaged in mining in Idaho. When autumn once more returned he sold his interest in the mine and went to Farmington, Washington, and entered upon mercantile business, in which he continued for a year. He then sold out and returned to Portland, entering the employ of Sam Gilman, remain- ing in his auction house for four years. He next became connected with the Gadsby Furniture Company and afterward engaged in the furniture and hardware business on his own account at Winlock, Washington, for three years. With his return to Portland he became the manager for Calef Brothers, furniture dealers, with whom he continued for eight years and in 1914 purchased the Hunt Transfer & Storage busi- ness at 45 North Fifth street, where he employs seven people besides his two sons. He utilizes four trucks and one wagon in the conduct of the business which amounts annually to upwards of thirty thousand dollars.

On the 10th of November, 1885, Mr. Sanford was united in marriage to Miss Ida Parsons, a native of Eugene, Oregon, who passed away May 22, 1920, leaving three sons: Horace O., thirty-two years of age, who is married and who is half owner in the Mahan News Agency; George H .; and Frank H. The last named is also married. Mr. Sanford has never had occasion to regret his determination to try his fortunes in the west. Here he found opportunities which he sought, and step by step has advanced along the line of an orderly progression until he is now conducting a profitable business in connection with the transfer and storage business of his adopted city.

GEORGE BELPIN PALMER.

George Belpin Palmer, who for six years was engaged in the building of homes in Portland, and thus contributed much to the improvement and development of the city, was born in Western Super Mare, near Bristol, Somersetshire, England, March 1, 1847, his parents heing John and Jane Palmer. Both the father and the grandfather, as well as others of the family were funeral directors, and the great-grandfather was the first man in England to introduce the delivery of mail in the rural districts of that country.

George B. Palmer obtained a public school education and afterwards engaged in the same business with his grandfather in England. He reached the twenty-first anniversary of his birth when upon the voyage to the new world for he had determined to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. After reaching the shores of America he made his way inland as far as Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where he secured a stock of several cars and was planning to open up an undertaking establishment. His plans had been carried steadily forward, and on the day before he was to open his establishment for patronage a fire destroyed the building and all of its contents. Too discouraged to make any other attempt to engage in business in Chippewa Falls he at once left that place and went to Kansas, settling in Topeka, where he engaged in business as a funeral director, continuing there until 1908. That year he arrived in Portland and at once took up the business of building and selling homes. In this he continued until his death, which occurred on the 25th of March, 1914. For six years he was thus active as one of the speculative builders of the city and his business was one of substantial and gratifying proportions.

On the 20th of May, 1875, Mr. Palmer was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia Frost, a daughter of Charles and Mary Frost, the former a native of Suffolk, England, while the latter was born in Leicestershire, England. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer was celebrated in Topeka, Kansas, and they became the parents of two chil- dren: Francis George, who died at the age of five months; and Paul Bawden, who is a resident of Portland.

Mr. Palmer was a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, belonging to the fra- ternity for a period of thirty-nine years. Throughout his life he exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft and he took the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite and also the Consistory degrees in the Scottish Rite. He likewise belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious belief was that of the Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Palmer also belonged. In politics he was a republican and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, hut did not seek nor desire

GEORGE B. PALMER

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public office. Both he and his wife were active in Eastern Star, just as he was in other branches of Masonry, and they did much to further the work of the order In Topeka, Kansas, during Mrs. Palmer's healthful and active life. Wherever he was known Mr. Palmer commanded the respect, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he came into contact, and the sterling worth of his character was understood and appreciated by an extensive circle of friends.

HON. THOMAS B. KAY.

One of the most conspicuous figures in the public life of Oregon is Hon. Thomas B. Kay, a member of the house of representatives, who for many years has been active in framing the laws of the commonwealth and whose noteworthy service in behalf of the public welfare earned for him the sobriquet of the "watchdog of the treasury." He has been instrumental in securing the passage of much beneficial legislation and at all times his influence has been on the side of advancement and improvement. He has attained equal prominence in business life and as president of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mills of Salem, founded by his father in 1889, he is most capably conducting important and extensive interests.

Mr. Kay is a native of the east. He was born at Trenton, New Jersey, February 28, 1864, a son of Thomas and Ann (Slingsbey) Kay, natives of England. In 1864 the parents came to Oregon by way of the Isthmus of Panama, the father being the first to arrive in the state, the mother joining him here a few months later. Their son, Thomas B. Kay, was reared at Brownsville, Linn county, Oregon, where his father operated woolen mills. He spent his school days in attendance upon the schools of Brownsville and later was a student at McMinnville College. In 1883 he went to Portland, where he spent a year in learning the mercantile business, and going to McMinnville in 1885, he there entered commercial circles. He was identified with the business life of that city for a period of nine years and in 1894 he came to Salem as assistant manager and salesman for the Thomas Kay Woolen Mills, succeeding to the presidency upon his father's death in 1900. His work sustains the enterprising spirit that has long been synonymous with the name of Kay in Salem and he is displaying excellent business ability in the management of the interests built up by his father's constructive genius, meeting therein questions of no less magnitude and importance than were met and mastered by his father in former years. His business activities have ever balanced up with the principles of truth and honor and in all of his work he has never sacrificed the high standards which he has set up for himself.

In 1888 Mr. Kay was united in marriage to Miss Cora M. Wallace of McMinnville, the daughter of a pioneer family, her mother having crossed the plains in 1847 and her father in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Kay have become the parents of two children: Ercel W., who is a salesman and assistant manager of the Kay Woolen Mills; and Marjorie, the wife of Hollis W. Huntington, a resident of Oregon.

Mr. Kay gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in many public connections he has been called to positions of prominence and leadership, being one of the most popular politicians in the state. While residing at McMinnville he served as councilman and school director and after coming to Salem he was chosen in 1903 to represent his district in the state legislature, serving as chairman of the ways and means committee. He also served in the house of representatives in 1905 and was defeated by one vote for the office of speaker. From 1907 until 1909 he served as a member of the state senate and in 1910 he was called to the office of state treasurer, his excellent record in that connection winning for him reelection in 1914. In 1920 he was again elected state representative and is now serving in that office, giving careful study to the problems which come up for settlement and earnestly supporting all bills which he believes will prove beneficial to the commonwealth. He has the courage of his convictions and is recognized as a man of strict integrity, whom neither fear nor favor can swerve from the course which he believes to be right. He has made a splendid political record, characterized by marked devotion to the public good, and has won the reputation of being the "watchdog of the treasury." He has at different times been urged to become a candidate for the offices of governor and United States senator, but each time has surrendered in favor of friends, who have won the election. He has ever recognized his duties and obligations in regard to the public welfare and has cooperated in every movement that has tended to advance the interests of the state

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History of Oregon, Vol. II, Part 46

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