USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 55
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ISAAC WINFIELD STARR, M. D.
In the sudden demise of Dr. Isaac Winfield Starr, Oregon lost one of her honored pioneer physicians and surgeons, whose life had been passed within the borders of the state and who for over four decades had practiced his profession at Brownsville. His life was actuated by high and honorable principles and his course was ever directed along lines which commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen and his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession, of which he was a distinguished representative.
Dr. Starr was born at Bellefontaine, Oregon, November 28, 1854, a son of Phillip McWilliams and Ann Maria (Rambo) Starr, who in 1854 left Indiana and with ox teams crossed the plains to Oregon, casting in their lot with its pioneer settlers. They located in Benton county, where the father took up government land and engaged in the conduct of a nursery. He was a man of high moral character and as a minister of the Methodist church he devoted many years to preaching the gospel in Oregon, his work being productive of much good in the communities where he labored. At length he was obliged to discontinue his ministerial work, owing to injurles which he had sustained and he passed away in 1902. The mother had long preceded him In death, passing away in 1856. They possessed many excellent traits of character and were highly esteemed residents of their locality.
Their son, Isaac Winfield Starr, was reared in Benton county and there attended the public and high schools, afterward becoming a student in Philomath College. He next entered the medical school of Willamette University at Salem, from which he was graduated with the class of 1877, and then opened an office at Brownsville, Linn county, here continuing in practice the remainder of his life. He ever employed the most scientific methods in the care of the sick and his ability as a physician and surgeon won for him a large practice. Actuated by laudable ambition, his profes-
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sional career was one of continuous progress and at all times he kept in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries, thereby promoting his skill and efficiency in his chosen calling.
On the 15th of January, 1882, Dr. Starr was united in marriage to Miss Clara Bishop, a daughter of William R. and Elizabeth Jane (Adams) Bishop, the former born in Indiana in 1826, while the latter was a native of Missouri. When about six years of age the mother made the journey across the plains to California with her parents, while the father went to that state in 1850, attracted thither by the discovery of gold. Six years later, or in 1856, he came to Oregon and after spending a few months in Multnomah county he removed to Linn county. He was a minister of the Presby- terian church who also followed the profession of teaching, in which he was very successful, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge he had acquired, and for a period of twenty-five years he engaged in teaching school in Linn county, becoming well known as an educator, at the same time continuing his ministerial labors. He likewise purchased land but did not engage in its cultivation, leasing the property with profit. In 1879 he removed to Portland, where he became book- keeper for the Brownsville Woolen Mill, retaining that position for a period of eighteen years. For twenty-five years he continued a resident of Portland and there passed away in May, 1913, at the age of eighty-seven years. In California, in 1853, he had married Elizabeth Jane Adams, who died in March, 1912. He was a man of kindly spirit and generous impulses, beloved by all who knew him, and was commonly known as "Father" Bishop. In 1866-67 he filled the position of private secretary to Governor Ballard of Idaho and he also became prominent in the public life of Oregon, repre- senting Multnomah county In the state legislature, where he gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all vital questions coming up for settlement, stanchly sup- porting all measures which he believed to be of benefit to the public at large. He was a man of varied activities whose life was a most useful one. He always stood for moral uplift and intellectual growth and his support was ever given to those move- ments which had for their object the bettering of conditions of humanity in his dis- trict and the elevation of the standards of life to a higher and more ideal plane.
To Dr. and Mrs. Starr were born two children: Chester Harvard, the elder, born October 23, 1882, was united in marriage to Miss Norma Hendricks of Eugene, Oregon. He is now district manager for the Willard Storage Battery Company, with head- quarters in Dallas, Texas; Georgia Leanna, born March 16, 1892, is the wife of Charles Dean Morse, a prominent automobile dealer of Brownsville, and they have become the parents of a son, Charles Winfield, whose birth occurred on the 30th of April, 1919.
In his political views Dr. Starr was a republican, and fraternally he was identified with the Woodmen of the World, the United Artisans and the Masons, his member- ship being in the chapter of the latter organization, while his professional connections were with the Oregon State and Central Willamette Medical Societies and the Ameri- can Medical Association. His religious faith was indicated by his attendance upon the services of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was ever guided by its teachings. He passed away November 2, 1918, at the age of sixty-four years, after an illness of but three hours, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to all who knew him, for he was a man of many sterling qualities, esteemed and honored because of an upright life and because of his fidelity to duty in every relation. His probity, his sincerity and his genial and kindly manner drew to him a host of friends and admirers and his memory lives as a blessed benediction to all who had the honor of his closer acquaintance.
JAMES CURRAN.
James Curran had been a resident of Portland for more than forty years when he passed away from the scene of earthly activities. He was well known in the city and as the years passed by the number of his friends increased as the circle of his acquaintance widened. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, April 1, 1857, a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Barklemore) Curran, who spent their lives on the Emerald Isle, where they reared their family of five children.
James Curran was accorded liberal educational advantages. He attended high school in his native country, and came to America in January, 1881, in the twenty-fourth year of his age. Traveling across the country he cast in his lot with the residents of
JAMES CURRAN
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Portland, then a city of little commercial and industrial importance, although it had entered upon an era of steady growth that was to bring it to its present position as one of the important commercial centers of the Pacific coast. Mr. Curran obtained work as handy man for the Portland Telephone Company. His previous experience had heen that of a sailor and he made his way to the Rose city in that capacity but soon afterward entered the employ of the telephone company. He acquainted him- self with various phases of the work connected with telephone operation, becoming a combination switchboard installer, a switchboard constructor and lineman. Shortly after taking his position with the telephone company he was engaged on the con- struction of the first long distance line in Oregon, a grounded circuit from Portland to Oregon City. From the humble beginning, having one hundred exchange stations and one long distance line, Mr. Curran watched the telephone business grow and aided in its development in Oregon until more than sixty thousand patrons were served in Portland alone, with many hundred miles of line reaching to every portion of the state. Under his supervision as construction superintendent, for he steadily worked his way upward to that responsible position, much of the present-day plan was built. Mr. Curran was familiarly known as "Uncle Jimmy" throughout the state, a term that indicated his democratic manner, genial nature and his approachableness. At length he was detailed as company representative on the Portland Joint Pole Com- mittee and in 1914 he was elected to the position of secretary and continued to act in that capacity until his demise. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, and attended the convention of that organization in San Francisco in 1915. Had he lived until January 6, 1921, he would have completed forty years in the service of the telephone company and was, at the time of his death, one of its oldest and one of its most reliable, progressive and trustworthy representatives. His faith- fulness and capability had gained him steady promotion and step by step he advanced, until as one of the officials of the company he was active in directing its policy and shaping its further development. Moreover, he contributed to that progress which at all times kept pace with the onward march of events in the northwest and made the telephone company one of the most essential and valuable of the public utilities in this section of the country.
On the 29th of October, 1885, Mr. Curran was married in Portland to Miss Emily Hyndman, a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Hunter) Hyndman, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The children of this family were four in number: Emily M., who is now with her mother; Elizabeth, who died at the age of seven years; William Henry, who is in Indianapolis, Indiana, with the Indiana Bell Telephone Company; and Mary F., now the wife of A. G. Freiwald, a wheat ranchman, living at Ione, Oregon.
Mr. Curran was reared in the Presbyterian faith. Fraternally he was connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in politics he held to an independent course, supporting men and measures rather than parties. He died October 3, 1920. Friends throughout the state keenly mourned his loss, but his death was most deeply felt at his home fireside. His home was ever his club and his greatest pleasure was found in the midst of his family. He was a great reader, and because of this became a man of scholarly attainment. In all things he was honorable and upright and his sterling character was perhaps best shown in the love and respect entertained for him by his employes. To know Mr. Curran was to enjoy his companionship, to prize his friendship and to honor him for what he accomplished and for the life which he led.
LOTT D. BROWN.
Lott D. Brown, senior member of the firm of Brown & Helgerson, prominent attor- neys of Dallas, specializing in prohate practice and land titles, is widely and favorably known in this section of Oregon, where he has spent his entire life. He was born near Dallas, in Polk county, March 31, 1882, and is a son of Henry M. and Flora (Plummer) Brown, the former a native of Polk county, Oregon, and the latter of Iowa. The pa- ternal grandfather, William C. Brown, started across. the plains to Oregon from his home in Indiana in the year 1847, casting in his lot with the earliest settlers of the state. He became a resident of Polk county, taking up a donation claim near Dallas, which he cleared and developed and in 1850 also engaged in general merchandising,
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continuing active along those lines for a period of fifty years, or until five years prior to his demise, which occurred in 1909, while his wife passed away in 1910. He had accumulated large property holdings, owning twelve hundred acres on the edge of the town and another tract of four hundred acres in Polk county, and he became recog- nized as a prominent and influential citizen of his community, representing his dis- trict in the state legislature. On attaining adult years his son, Henry M. Brown, father of Lott D. Brown, engaged in the further cultivation and improvement of his father's donation claim, continuing active along that line throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1912 and the mother's demise occurred in 1902.
Their son, Lott D. Brown, pursued his education in the district schools of Polk county and in the graded and high schools of Dallas. Subsequently he completed a course in a business college at Portland and afterward became court reporter at Dallas and later at Baker, Oregon. In the meantime, however, he had devoted his leisure hours to the study of law and in 1905 was admitted to the bar. The following year he opened an office in Dallas, where he has since continued in practice, his ability in his profession winning for him a large clientele. For a time he was engaged in the
abstract business here and in his practice specializes in land titles and prohate work, heing recognized as an authority in those branches of jurisprudence. He is an able attorney, thoroughly familiar with the principles of jurisprudence, and in their applica- tion is seldom, if ever, at fault. In 1918 he became associated in practice with his for- mer student, J. N. Helgerson, under the firm style of Brown & Helgerson, and they have heen accorded a large and representative patronage. Mr. Brown also owns and operates two hundred acres of his grandfather's donation claim, located near the town, and there maintains his residence. He also has become the owner of consid- erable residence and business property, which he rents, and owns the office building in which he maintains his office, his income from this source heing a substantial one. He is actuated in all that he does hy a spirit of progress and enterprise that prompts his continued effort until he has reached the desired goal.
On the 12th of June, 1907, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Leta McKim, of Baker, Oregon, and they have become the parents of five daughters, namely: Flora, Margaret, Charlotte, Helen and Beverly.
In his political views Mr. Brown is a stanch democrat and has taken an active and prominent part in public affairs of his community, serving as police judge, and for two years was city auditor. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Christian church and fraternally Mr. Brown is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is held in high regard by his professional colleagues and as a public-spirited citizen has ever stood for those forces which work for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community at large.
WILLIAM GORDON HOLFORD.
Well equipped for his professional work through attendance at the leading archi- tectural schools in this country and travel study in Europe, which knowledge he supplemented by hroad practical experience in the east, William Gordon Holford has since 1911 heen numbered among the leading architects of Portland, conducting his interests in partnership with Ellis F. Lawrence, who has also attained high standing in his profession. Mr. Holford is a native of New England. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1878, a son of Andrew and Margaret (Gordon) Holford, the former a native of Scotland who engaged in landscape gardening, which occupation was also followed by his father.
After completing his high school course William G. Holford hecame a student in the Wesleyan Academy and later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from which he received the degrees of B. S. and M. S. Being desirous of acquiring still greater efficiency in his chosen life work, in 1905-06 he went abroad for a study of architecture in England, France, Italy and Switzerland. Returning to the United States he filled responsible positions in the offices of leading architects of the east, doing work on the state buildings at Albany, New York, and the Soldiers' Monument at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and also on many fine residences in that section of the country. Coming to Oregon he has since 1911 been associated in business with Ellis F. Lawrence. They have been accorded a large and representative patronage with offices situated in the Chamber of Commerce building.
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In 1908 Mr. Holford was united in marriage to Miss Florence Fowler, a daughter of Dr. George Ryerson and Louise (Wells) Fowler, of Brooklyn, New York, the former a surgeon of national repute. The three children of this marriage are Louise Fowler, William Gordon, Jr., and Florence Margaret.
Mr. Holford is a member of the Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the American Association of Engineers. He is also identified with the University and City Clubs and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. For recreation he turns to gardening and sketching in oils. In his professional work he combines utility and convenience with beauty and in attaining individual success he has also contributed in large measure to the improvement and prosperity of the city in which he now resides, his worth to the community being widely acknowledged.
HOUGHTALING & DOUGAN.
Since 1914 the firm of Houghtaling & Dougan has been numbered among the archi- tects of Portland and in the intervening period of seven years they have built up a good patronage as the result of their excellent work and reliable dealings. Both men are well versed in the scientific principles which underlie the business and with practical knowledge and constantly broadening experience have already become well established in a field for which careful training constitutes a splendid basis.
Chester A. Houghtaling, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a son of Lorenzo and Catharine C. (Allen) Houghtaling, the former a prominent shoe manufacturer of that city. The son completed a high school course, then took up the study of construction engineering in the Lewis Institute of Chicago, after which for two years he was employed as draftsman for the firm of Purdy & Henderson, engineers, of Chicago. He next became connected with J. S. Metcalf in the construction of grain elevators and subsequently did much construction work in the Chicago stockyards for leading packing firms of the city. In 1903 he went to Saskatoon, Canada, which at that time had a population of seven hundred and fifty, while its inhabitants now number seventy-five thousand. After residing for three years in that part of the country he went to Spokane, Washington, where during the years 1906, 1907 and 1908 he was identified with the firm of Cutter & Malmgren, Architects. In the latter year he went to Twin Falls, Idaho, where he remained until 1911 and then returned to Canada, there residing until 1913, when he made his way to Portland, here opening an office. In 1914 he admitted Mr. Dougan as a partner and this association has since been continued most successfully under the firm style of Houghtaling & Dougan, much important work in their line in this city having since been executed by them.
Mr. Houghtaling resides with his mother, his father having died when the son was but four years of age. He is a member of the American Association of Engineers and the American Society of Military Engineers. His interest in the welfare and upbuilding of his city is indicated in his membership in the Chamber of Commerce and the Realty Board, and he is also identified wtih the Knights of Columbus, the Press and Kiwanis Clubs, and Advertising Club, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In the spring of 1918 Mr. Houghtaling enlisted for service in the World war and received his military training at Camp Humphreys. In August, 1918, he was commissioned captain and he was honorably discharged in February, 1919.
Leigh L. Dougan, the junior partner, was born in Princeton, Indiana, in 1883, a son of Albert F. and Martha (Washington) Dougan, the latter a lineal descendant of George Washington. The father engaged in business as a grain broker and also followed the occupation of farming. The son obtained a high school education and in order to prepare himself to enter Armour Institute of Chicago he devoted his eve- nings to study, after which he studied architecture and art at the Art Institute, Chicago. This he followed by a course of two and a half years in the Kansas State Agricul- tural College, working his way through that institution, and then went to Vincennes, Indiana, where for one and a half years he was employed as draftsman by Thomas Campbell. He next spent two and a half years at Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the office of J. J. Glandfield, following which he engaged in business independently for two years. The year 1911 witnessed his arrival in Portland, where he was identified with the
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Leonard Construction Company and other firms of that character until 1914, when he formed a partnership with Chester A. Houghtaling and the business has since been continued under the firm style of Houghtaling & Dougan. While among the more recently established architectural firms in the city, they have been awarded many important engineering contracts and have designed and erected numerous garages, a new Elks' Club costing one million dollars, bank and club buildings, ware- houses and other business edifices not only in Portland but also throughout the north- west. The firm also locates sites for prospective customers, in addition to executing the plans and giving exact estimates of the cost of the building desired.
Mr. Dougan was married in Kansas on the 5th of September, 1907, to Miss Gussie McCormick and they have become the parents of two children: Donald Lee and Lellith Virginia. Mr. Dougan does all of the designing for the firm and, when leisure permits, spends much time in the open. He is a great lover of nature and devotes much of his recreation period to executing drawings in water colors and oils, being thoroughly appreciative of the wonderful scenic effects presented in this Switzerland of America. He is identified with the Press Club and Masonic order, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. The partners are making steady progress in their chosen line of work and through their labors are contributing in large measure to the improve- ment and prosperity of Portland and the Pacific northwest.
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JOHN SYLVESTER SCHENCK.
When John S. Schenck crossed the bar in October, 1913, there was widespread and very general regret throughout The Dalles, where for years he had been a well known figure in banking and commercial circles and where his name is still held in grateful remembrance by numbers of citizens to whom he had been a benefactor during his life.
Mr. Schenck was born in Auburn, New York, a son of Sylvester and Eliza (Hughes) Schenck, whose ancestors settled in the Dutch colony of New York state early in the history of America. He was educated in the schools of his native. state, and, being of an adventurous disposition, he determined to come out west while he was yet quite young. In 1862 he located at Portland and took employment with the Oregon Naviga- tion Company, Lawrence Coe, a well known member of that company being his life long friend. Later he was made agent of the company at The Dalles and remained in that position until the company sold out to the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company in 1875.
In the latter year Mr. Schenck established the banking house of Schenck & Beall, which continued to carry on a most successful business until it was reorganized as the First National Bank of The Dalles, with Mr. Schenck as its first president. The hand- some structure in which the bank, is now housed was conceived and erected by him against the advice of many, the general opinion being that The Dalles would never grow sufficiently to warrant so elaborate a building. The structure is the largest and finest in the city, being five stories high and covering one-fourth of a city block. It is unquestionably the finest bank building in the state outside of Portland and is one of the best office buildings in Oregon.
Had Mr. Schenck done no more for The Dalles than to erect this building, he would be regarded as a public benefactor. Many of the most successful farmers and orchard- ists in Wasco county owe their success to him, and The Dalles was a better place to live in because of his association with it, he being prominently identified with its commer- cial and social affairs for a long number of years. Genial, kindly, and very public- spirited, he was in all respects a model citizen.
Mr. Schenck was married in 1877 to Mrs. Naomi L. Mitchell, widow of Dr. B. W. Mitchell. who was one of the early physicians of the state, and during his lifetime the leading physician of central Oregon. Mrs. Schenck is a daughter of William Pike, a Missouri pioneer, who was a member of the ill fated Donner party and was killed on the plains. She is the youngest survivor. After the death of her father, her mother married M. C. Nye, who for some years conducted the Nye ranch at Marysville, Cali- fornia, and was a member of the mercantile firm of Nye, Foster & Company, known to all the "forty-niners" who sought gold in the Marysville district and along the Colum- bla river. Mrs. Schenck was educated at that famous school for girls, the Mary Atkins Seminary, now known all over the United States as the Mills College, an institution
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