USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 52
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Mr. Deckebach is a native of Ohio. He was born in Cincinnati, August 6, 1864, and is a son of Frederick Christian and Caroline Deckebach. His grandparents left Hessen and Wurttemberg, Germany, in the early '30s and '40s, owing to revolutionary conditions, and emigrated to the United States, settling in and near Cincinnati, Ohio, which place was reached after months of travel by canal-boat over the Erie and Miami canals. The paternal grandfather engaged in copper and brass manufacturing in 1840 and the business which he established is now being conducted by a brother of Mr. Decke. bach. The maternal grandparents settled on a farm near Point Pleasant, Ohio, which
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became the birthplace of General U. S. Grant, and this property is still in the posses- sion of the family. Frederick C. Deckehach, the father, passed away in 1877, hut the mother survives at the age of eighty-four and is still a resident of Cincinnati.
In the acquirement of an education Frank G. Deckebach attended the public schools of Cincinnati and the Woodward high school of that city and on starting out in the business world he became an employe in the Second National Bank of Cincinnati, subsequently filling the position of secretary with John Hauck, banker, brewer and capitalist of the Queen City. He also served as secretary and treasurer of the Cin- cinnati Red Stockings Baseball Club and in April, 1889, left that city for Washington territory, locating at Hoquiam, which at that time had a population of about two hun- dred. Mr. Deckebach assisted in platting the original townsite and in association with F. D. Arnold organized the Bank of Hoquiam, the first financial institution there, which is now known as the First National Bank, Mr. Arnold becoming the president and Mr. Deckebach the cashier. In 1890 he hecame active in incorporating the Tacoma, Olympia & Grays Harhor Railroad, the first extension of rail facilities from Puget Sound and Portland to the ocean at Grays Harbor, and this company later sold out to the Northern Pacific Railroad, which completed the building of the road to Ocosta in 1892. As mayor of Ocosta, Mr. Deckebach headed the celebration of the arrival of the first railroad train at Grays Harbor one hundred years after the discovery of the bay by Captain Gray of the ship Columbia, in 1792. He was engaged in the banking and sawmill business at Grays Harbor until 1895, in which year he was elected a member of the state senate of Washington, serving in the sessions of 1895 and 1897 and proving an ahle and conscientious legislator. In April of the latter year he was appointed register of the United States land office at Olympia, Washington, hy President McKinley, serving in that capacity for five years. In 1902 he became the founder of the Olympia Recorder, the first afternoon daily published in that city, continuing as editor and manager of the paper until 1904, when he left for Salem, Oregon, where he has since resided. Here he became connected with the ice business and also with brewing interests, acting as vice president and manager of the Salem Brewery Asso- ciation until Oregon became a dry state. Since 1914 he has devoted his attention prin- cipally to the creamery and milk condensery business and is now the owner of the Marion Creamery & Produce Company, a substantial business enterprise of Salem, whose affairs he is most capably and successfully conducting, giving careful oversight to all phases of the business and bending every effort toward the extension of its trade rela- tions. He keeps well informed on everything that pertains to his line of work, being a member of the Dairy Council and actively and helpfully interested in the various dairy organizations of the state. As a director of the Northwest Fruit Products Company he was actively interested in the pioneer work of building up the fruit juice industry, but at present is not active in its management, that concern now being a part of the Phez Fruit Products Company. He is a shrewd, farsighted business man, whose initia- tive spirit and powers of organization have led him into important relations and his business activities have ever been characterized hy strict integrity and honesty.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 12th of December, 1888, Mr. Deckebach was united in marriage to Miss Adele L. Heinz, the adopted daughter and niece of Charles L. Jacob, a prominent resident of Cincinnati, who at one time served as mayor of the city. Four children have been born of this union, one daughter and three sons: Helen, Frederick, Frank and Donald.
Mr. Deckebach is an active and helpful member of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Salem, of which he served for many years as vestryman, being now senior warden. In politics he has always been a republican and during the '90s strongly advocated the sound money doctrine. For fifteen years he was active and prominent in political affairs in the state of Washington, but since becoming a resident of Salem he has devoted his attention strictly to the management of his extensive business interests. He does everything in his power to promote the welfare and upbuilding of his city and as president of the Salem Board of Trade, which later became known as the Com- mercial Club, he headed the first movement toward placing that body on a sound financial basis. He was the second president elected after its organization and served many times as one of its directors. He is well known in fraternal circles as a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of The Maccabees, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias, of which latter organization he is chancellor commander. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand, and he is likewise connected with the Masons, heing
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identified with the Mystic Shrine. His social relations are with the Rotary Club, the Illihee Country Club and the Cherrian Society, and is an ex-King Bing of the last named organization. During the period of the World war he rendered valuable service to the government as chairman of the Marion county and member of the state com- mittee in the third and fourth Liberty and the Victory Loan campaigns, taking his county over the top in every drive. Those forces which have contributed most to the develop- ment, improvement and benefit of the northwest have received impetus from the labors of Frank G. Deckebach. He is distinctively a man of affairs and one who wields a wide influence. His initiative spirit and executive ability have led him into important relations and at all points in his career he has been actuated by determination, pro- gressiveness and enterprise, which have unlocked for him the portals of success. He is a man who would be an acquisition to any community, his irreproachable character no less than his achievements compelling his recognition as one destined to lead in anything he undertakes.
C. F. MERRILL.
C. F. Merrill of Portland, comes of ancestry that is distinctively American in both lineal and collateral lines through many generations. He is a lineal descendant of Nathaniel Merrill, who settled in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1627, just seven years after the landing of the pilgrims on Plymouth Rock. In the maternal line he traces his descent from Lord Guilford Dudley, who escaped to this country when Lord Guil- ford was beheaded. His grandfather, Daniel F. Merrill, was in the New York customs house as liquidator for about forty years, holding the position until he was over eighty years of age. His father, Francis M. Merrill, was a native of New York, who for many years resided at Bergen, where he served as postmaster for nearly three decades. He was also engaged in the printing business there and in 1886 removed to Chicago, where he became a member of the commission firm of Merrill & Fisher, and also operated a printing establishment. The death of Francis M. Merrill occurred at Hinsdale, a suburb of Chicago, in 1907. His brother, J. C. F. Merrill, was a prominent figure on the Chicago Board of Trade, of which he was a director, vice president and president, later being president of the National Council of Grain Exchanges. Subsequently he closed the long established business of Merrill & Lyon to accept the honored office of secretary, with its world-wide responsibilities. From this on he was much in Wash- ington, correcting erroneous beliefs regarding the grain exchanges, and during the World war, to use the words of the Chicago American: "Mr. Merrill was the author of the section in the food control bill which kept the boards of trade throughout the country active. He was confidential adviser to Herbert C. Hoover and Senator Cham- berlain, who piloted the measure through the senate. * *" His death occurred in * August of the same year, 1917.
C. F. Merrill, of this review, was born in Bergen, New York, May 24, 1870. He acquired his education in the Empire state and afterward was associated with his father's printing business in Chicago, a business that is now conducted by his brother, D. H. Merrill, who in 1895, when but sixteen years of age hegan the publication of the Hinsdale Doings and who has become a prominent figure in connection with the printing business in the Illinois metropolis. Another brother, B. G. Merrill, being much interested in the bird life, is serving as United States game warden, covering the middle western states from the Great Lakes to the Gulf. Attracted by the oppor- tunities of the growing west, C. F. Merrill came to Oregon with his family in 1908, settling at Eugene. His present activity as manufacturer's agent includes a manu- facturing, commission and jobbing business, with headquarters in Portland. The trade connections of the house extend over Oregon, Washington, Utah, Idaho and Alaska. Mr. Merrill has been granted one patent and has others pending. He believes that every man should receive the utmost for the amount of service rendered. His uncle, H. B. Graves, of Rochester, New York, began giving his employes a share of his business profits more than a quarter of a century ago, it being his belief that each employe's earnings should be considered a part of the capital of the company and hence they were entitled to their share of the profits. His maternal grandfather, Horatio Graves of Warsaw, New York, was from his youth an active advocate of and worker for prohibition of intoxicating liquors.
In 1895 Mr. Merrill was married to Miss Nila Saltzman, whose grandfather set-
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tled in Ohio in his youth, attaining a large farm and coal mine which is still in the family possession. Mr. Merrill and his wife are members of the Christian Science church.
DAVID L. HEDGES.
David L. Hedges, a substantial agriculturist residing in Independence, is special- izing in the growing of hops and his efforts along this line have been attended with substantial and gratifying results. He is one of the honored pioneers of Oregon, having resided within the borders of the state since 1851, and he has been an interested witness of its subsequent growth and development, to which his labors have con- tributed in large measure. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, February 25, 1838, and is a son of Israel and Mary (Jenkins) Hedges, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Ohio. The father was reared and educated in Ohio, to which state his parents had removed about 1830. On laying aside his textbooks he became a farmer, purchasing land which he cultivated and improved, and he also learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1851 he heard and heeded the call of the west and with ox team and wagon crossed the plains to Oregon, settling on a donation claim in Polk county, one and a half miles south of Independence. This he cleared and developed, and was active in its cultivation for about twenty years. He then removed to Inde- pendence, where he engaged in business as a blacksmith and gunsmith, conducting his interests along that line for many years, when he retired. He was familiar with every phase of pioneer life and served in the Yakima Indian war of 1855-56. He passed away on the 22d of October, 1894, at the age of eighty-two years, and the mother's demise occurred in September, 1885, when she had reached the age of sixty-five years.
Their son, David L. Hedges, was reared in Ohio to the age of thirteen, when he accompanied his parents upon their removal to Oregon, and here continued his edu- cation as a pupil in the district schools. He is a veteran of the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856, having served in the campaign against the Yakima Indians in eastern Oregon when a youth of seventeen years. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then started out in life independently, taking up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Polk county. He at once set about the arduous task of clearing and developing his land, which he continued to cultivate for about five years, when he sold and purchased land about one and a half miles north of Inde- pendence. This he operated for two years, paying seven hundred dollars for his eighty-acre tract and selling it for nine hundred dollars. He then went to eastern Oregon, where he turned his attention to ranching and cattle raising, becoming the owner of three ranches in that section of the state. At the end of four years he returned to Polk county and purchased school land just across the river in Marion county, operating that farm for about five years, when he sold out and going to east- ern Washington he there engaged in the sheep business, with which he was connected for three years. He then returned to Polk county and bought one hundred and sixty- seven acres situated three and a half miles north of Independence, on the Willamette river. He has since cultivated this farm, specializing in the raising of hops, which he finds a most profitable line of activity. He brings to the operation of his ranch a scientific knowledge of modern agriculture and has equipped his place with all of the newest devices in farm machinery, erecting commodious and substantial barns and outbuildings and bringing his fields to a high state of development. He is now living retired at Independence, in an attractive residence at the corner of Monmouth and Seventh streets.
On the 20th of April, 1860, Mr. Hedges was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Jane Fudge, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1843, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Fudge, also natives of Illinois. In 1847, when but four years of age, she accom- panied her parents on their removal to Oregon. Her father subsequently went to California to engage in mining and died on shipboard while on his way back to Oregon. The mother passed away in Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Hedges were born four children: Minnie, who became the wife of Henry Patterson and died May 4, 1902; Lottie, who married J. G. McIntosh, a prominent merchant of Independence; Gertrude, the wife of A. D. Davidson, a resident farmer of Independence, who is spe- cializing in the growing of hops; and Pearl L., who is engaged in raising hops on Mr. Hedges' farm. The wife and mother passed away on the 25th of March, 1915,
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after a brief illness, and her demise was a severe loss to her family and the many friends she had won during the period of her residence in Polk county.
Mr. Hedges has been a lifelong republican casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln and ever stanchly supporting the principles and candidates of the party. He is much interested in the welfare and progress of the community and has served as a member of the city council, his influence being ever on the side of advancement and improvement. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his life has been guided by its teachings. He is one of the venerable citizens of Independence and his years rest lightly upon him, his interests and activities being those of a much younger man. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as a promoter of local enterprises, and Polk county is the richer in citizenship and resources by reason of his honorable, successful and upright life.
ALFRED C. SCHMITT.
Among the well known and substantial representatives of financial interests of Linn county is Alfred C. Schmitt, president of the First National Bank of Albany, which is the oldest national bank in the Willamette valley, having been founded in 1871. Mr. Schmitt was born in Pulaska, Iowa county, Wisconsin, September 19, 1870, a son of Conrad and Maria (Stark) Schmitt, who were natives of Germany and came to America with their parents when children. The father first followed the occupation of farming but later devoted his attention to the conduct of an insurance business at Muscoda, Wisconsin. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war, enlisting as a member of Company D, Forty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for one year. He passed away in January, 1918, when seventy-five years of age, while the mother survived until January, 1921, passing away at her home in Albany, Oregon, when seventy-nine years of age, having come to this locality after her husband's death.
Alfred C. Schmitt attended the public schools of Wisconsin and later was for two years a student at Union Academy at Anna, Illinois, working his way through that insti- tution. In the spring of 1892 he entered Knox College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896, and he then attended Chicago University for one year. In the fall of 1897 he came to Oregon and for three years was an instructor in Albany College. He then went abroad and spent two years in study at Cambridge University in Eng- land and at Leipzig, Germany, where he received his Ph. D. degree. Returning to the United States he was engaged in teaching for one year at Kansas City and also spent the year 1903-4 as an instructor in the Oregon Agricultural College. In 1904 he turned his attention to financial affairs, entering the First National Bank of Albany as cashier. He was well equipped for the duties which there devolved upon him, for while in Europe he had made a special study of finance. In 1910 he became vice president, and so served until November, 1919, when he was elected to the presidency of the bank and now occupies that responsible position, which he is eminently qualified to fill.
The First National Bank is the oldest institution of the kind in the Willamette valley, having been founded in 1871. Its business life, therefore, reaches back for more than half a century, over a period in which business depressions and financial panics have at times swept over the nation; yet during these times of testing the bank has not only continued safe and sound, displaying those rugged qualities which give it just claim on public confidence, but also, throughout the varying fortunes of the years, it has been a powerful support and financial reliance to the community which it serves, making a steady advancement and healthy growth, protecting its depositors, accommodating its customers and identifying itself with every movement that has been for the uplift and betterment of Albany and Linn county. This record means that in the organization and management of the bank were the elements of real strength. Its management has always regarded safety as of first importance in banking and upon this foundation stone its policies are based. In response to a growing demand and changing conditions the First Savings Bank was established in April, 1909, by the stockholders of the First National Bank, giving people of limited means an opportunity to earn some- thing on their savings. Each shareholder owns the same proportion of the stock of both banks, the officers and directors of both institutions being the same. The First National Bank is housed in a fine modern building of reinforced concrete, five stories in
ALFRED C. SCHMITT
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height and fireproof throughout. The entire' lower floor is occupied by the bank and is completely furnished with coin, storage, book and safety deposit vaults, officers', directors', ladies' and customers' rooms and every convenience necessary for the transac- tion of a modern banking business. The present officers of the bank are: Alfred C. Schmitt, president; J. P. Wallace, first vice president; P. A. Goodwin, second vice president; and Ralph McKechnie, cashier, while the directors are Alfred C. Schmitt, W. A. Barrett, P. A. Goodwin, L. E. Blain, J. P. Wallace, M. Senders and P. A. Young, and all are thoroughly reliable and progressive business men of this section of the state. The combined statement of the First National Bank, with its affiliated institu- tion, the First Savings Bank, for the year ending February 21, 1921, is as follows: Capi- tal stock, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars; surplus and undivided profits, one hundred and fifteen thousand. The combined resources are over two and a half million. In addition to his financial interest Mr. Schmitt is a director of the Puyallup & Sumner Fruit Growers Canning Company, which owns three canneries, one being located at Albany. He was formerly engaged in raising registered Holstein cattle and is secretary of the Pure Bred Live Stock Association of Linn county.
On the 13th of June, 1900, Mr. Schmitt was united in marriage to Miss Orpha J. Flinn, a daughter of Lawrence and Cynthia (Church) Flinn, the former a native of County Clare, Ireland, and the latter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The father emi- grated to the United States and after his graduation from Middlebury College of Ver- mont came west to Oregon in 1866, opening an office in Albany. He became associated in law practice with United States Senator Chamberlain, and in 1888 they took over the controlling interest in the First National Bank, of which Mr. Flinn became president, so continuing until his death in the spring of 1904. The mother survived him for but a year, her death occurring in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt have become the parents of two children: Lawrence F., who was born in November, 1905; and Roland A., whose birth occurred in July, 1912.
Mr. Schmitt gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. He is greatly interested in educational work, has served on the local school board for ten years and is likewise a valued member of the State Textbook Commission, while since 1910 he has served on the public library board. He is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta fraternity and is also identified with the Woodmen of the World. He has always taken an active interest in Y. M. C. A. work and for ten years served as chairman of the board, resigning from that office in 1919. His inter- ests and activities have thus covered a broad scope, bringing him a knowledge of many phases of life, and in every relation of life in which he is known, whether as educator, financier or as a citizen of his community he is esteemed and respected by all who have the honor of his acquaintance.
LEWIS E. OBYE.
One of the alert, wide-awake and progressive business men of Portland is Lewis E. Obye, president of the Lewis E. Obye Motors Company. He is a native of the west, his birth having occurred at Mariposa, California. The family is an old one in this part of the country, the grandfather, Christian Obye, having made the voyage around the Horn to California in 1851. His parents were Lewis Scott and Annie (Calhoun) Obye, who early became residents of Oregon.
After completing his public school education Lewis E. Obye pursued a course in a business college and at an early age started out in life for himself, securing a situa- tion as clerk with the drug firm of Blumauer & Frank at a salary of three dollars and a half a week. He was also employed as clerk in a shoe store located on the site of the Lewis and Clark exposition grounds, retaining that position for a year. Subse- quently he took up electrical work which he followed for some time. He first became connected with the automobile business as salesman for the Oregon Motor Car Company, selling the Studebaker cars and previous to that time had engaged in the sale of pianos. In 1918 he entered upon an independent business venture in this city, specializing in the sale of used cars and so successful was he along that line that he became known as the "Used Car King." He operated three different salesrooms in the city, employ- ing fourteen salesmen in the conduct of the business and between July 1, 1918, and July 1, 1919, he succeeded in selling sixteen hundred and eighty-two used cars. He is now the president and treasurer of the Lewis E. Obye Motors Company, with David Goodell
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as the vice president and M. W. Hawes as secretary. They occupy a two-story building fifty by one hundred feet at Nos. 40-46 North Broadway and have the agency for the Standard eight steel car for Oregon and southern Washington, theirs being the author- ized service station for this car in Portland. In the control of the business Mr. Obye dis- plays marked ability, initiative and aggressiveness and as a result the patronage of the firm is steadily increasing, ten men being employed to take care of the work.
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