USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 62
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Ulysses S. Grant attended school in Springfield and in Lebanon, Oregon, and later learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father, continuing active along that line for eighteen years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to railroading and for eight years was thus employed, during which time he was appointed postmaster of Dallas by President Harrison, being the first incum- bent in that office as a presidential post office in which he served for a period of seven years. He then purchased a portion of his grandfather's old donation claim in addi- tion to other land and engaged in raising pure bred Angora goats. He formerly im- ported his animals from South Africa and now keeps on' hand from one to two hun- dred registered goats and this enterprise has proven most successful. He has invested extensively in farm lands, now being the owner of twelve hundred and eight acres, and is recognized as one of the progressive and substantial agriculturists of this sec- tion of the state, gaining that prominence and prosperity which are the direct result of constructive labor. His land is rich and productive and his methods of farming are both practical and progressive. One of the interesting relics of pioneer days is the log cabin built by his grandfather in 1844, which is still standing upon the old dona- tion claim.
On the 16th of October, 1883, Mr. Grant was united in marriage to Miss Nellie E. Miller, a daughter of Monroe and Virginia (Fulkerson) Miller, who were natives of Missouri and became pioneers of Oregon. Both are now deceased. In his political views Mr. Grant is a stanch republican and is now serving as mayor of his city. He has always been loyal to the trust reposed in him and is making a most creditable record in office, seeking earnestly to advance the interests and upbuilding of the city through a progressive and businesslike administration. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World and is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and is a member of Al Kader Temple of
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Portland Mystic Shrine and he also belongs to the White Shrine and is a member of the Eastern Star, while his wife is a member of the Women of Woodcraft, Eastern Star, of which she is a past matron, and also a member of the White Shrine. His entire life has been passed upon the Pacific coast and he has ever been an exponent of the spirit of enterprise and progress that has dominated this section of the country. He is a man of high principles and substantial qualities and is widely and favorably known in the community where he has so long resided.
LOUIS C. OTTO.
Louis C. Otto, who is engaged in the loans and insurance business in Portland, was born in Saxony, Germany, December 15, 1853, and was but twelve years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, John and Louisa (Schreiber) Otto, who located in Dupage county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming until 1880. In that year he went with his family to Boyd county, Nebraska, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, on which he and his wife spent their remaining days. The mother died ahout twenty-six years ago and the father, long surviving her, passed away ahout 1916, when eighty years of age.
Louis C. Otto was reared in Illinois and was twenty-seven years of age when in the spring of 1880 he removed westward to Nebraska, settling first in Lincoln, where he hecame associated with municipal offices serving as chief of police, county sheriff and as constable for a period of eighteen years.
It was in 1903 that Mr. Otto arrived in Portland, where he has since remained. Here he established a loan and insurance agency, opening an office at First and Alder streets, but since that time has removed to the Chamber of Commerce building. Through the intervening period of seventeen years he has concentrated his efforts and energy upon the business and has gained a large clientage, thereby winning a large financial return for his labors.
In 1878 Mr. Otto was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Wolfe, in Chicago, Illinois, and to them were born four children: W. F., now forty-two years of age, who resides in Portland and who married Minnie Buehler, by whom he has one child, Neola, aged twelve; Louis F., thirty-five years of age, who married Fay Parker of New York and has two sons, Walter F. and Louis, aged respectively eight and three years; Amanda Julia, who is living in Portland with her parents and is employed on the editorial staff of the Oregonian; and Jenette L., who is the wife of Donald D. Henderson of Portland. Mr. Otto owns an attractive home in which he and his family reside, and he also has other property in the city. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and also with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has never had occa- sion to regret his determination to come to the northwest, for he has here found good business opportunities and with the passing years is making steady and substantial progress along the lines which he has chosen as his life work.
RAY M. WALTZ, M. D.
Dr. Ray M. Waltz, a leading physician and surgeon of Brownsville, where since 1916 he has practiced his profession, was born in Spokane, Washington, January 3, 1887, his parents being M. M. and Mary C. (Starr) Waltz, the former a native of Mls- souri and the latter of Benton county, Oregon. When but two years of age the father was brought across the plains to Oregon by his parents who settled in Benton county. He became a Methodist minister and for a few years engaged in preaching the gospel, but owing to ill health was obliged to abandon his calling, and going to California, he there spent seven years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Benton county, Oregon, where he took up the occupation of farming, in which he was engaged until his death in November, 1920. The mother survives.
Ray M. Waltz attended the schools of Bellfountain, Benton county, Oregon, and subsequently was for two years a student in the Oregon Agricultural College, where he pursued a pharmaceutical course. He then entered the medical school of the Oregon State University and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1916, after which he came to Brownsville and has since engaged in practice here. He is faithful and con-
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scientious in the discharge of his professional duties and he has ever kept in touch with the advancement that is continually being made in the science of medicine and surgery through wide reading and study, thus greatly promoting his skill and efficiency. He is very successful in the treatment of his patients and is building up a good prac- tice and he likewise has farming interests in Benton county which are proving a profit- able investment.
On the 17th of September, 1913, Dr. Waltz was united in marriage to Miss Flora Hassett and they have become the parents of two children: Floyd, born May 24, 1914; and Merle, born October 7, 1916. In his political views the Doctor is a republican and he has been called to public office, having served as city physician, while he is now filling the position of district registrar for the state. His fraternal connections are with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and along professional lines he is identified with the Oregon State and Central Willamette Medical Societies and the American Medical Association, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Although one of the younger repre- sentatives of the medical fraternity, Dr. Waltz is making rapid advancement in his profession, and judging from his past accomplishments his future career will be well worth watching. He is interested in all that has to do with public progress in the community and his aid and influence are always on the side of advancement and improvement.
LUTHER M. DILLARD.
Luther M. Dillard, who passed away in August, 1889, was for many years prominently identified with the agricultural and stock raising interests of Lane county and at the time of his death was the owner of a valuable farm comprising over three hundred and seventy acres, located about five miles south of Eugene. He was essentially a member of the class of doers, gifted with initiative and quick resolve, and he never under stress of action' faltered, hesitated nor reconsidered.
Mr. Dillard was born in Missouri, January 18, 1846, a son of Stephen M. and Julia (Renshaw) Dillard, natives of Tennessee. For a time the father followed farm- ing in Missouri and then made his way across the country to California. In 1853 he came to Oregon, locating in Lane county, where he purchased land, which he im- proved and operated for many years, but his wife's health became impaired and they again took up their residence in California, where the father passed away March 30, 1867. The mother subsequently returned to Lane county and her death occurred on the 18th of February, 1896.
Luther M. Dillard was reared and educated in Lane county, Oregon, and re- mained under the parental roof until he attained his majority. Going to the state of Washington, he took up a soldier's claim. For some time he was busily engaged in the improvement and cultivation of that property and then came to eastern Oregon, where for three years he was engaged in the cattle business. At the end of that period he returned to Lane county and purchased land five miles south of Eugene. To his original possessions he added by purchase from time to time until at the time of his death he was the owner of over three hundred and seventy acres of valuable land, which he greatly improved by the addition of substantial harns and outbuildings and all the necessary farm machinery and equipment, everything about the place being indicative of the progressive spirit and enterprising methods of the owner. In con- nection with his farming operations he also engaged in the cattle business and in the conduct of a dairy, meeting with success in each line of activity. He never stopped short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose, and his purpose was always an honorable one. He was actuated in all that he did by a laudable ambition that prompted him to take a forward step when the way was open, and his ability and even-paced energy carried him forward to the goal of success.
It was on the 4th of August, 1875, that Mr. Dillard was united in marriage to Miss Samantha J. Emmons, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, October 6, 1852, her parents being James W. and Caroline D. (Shortridge) Emmons, the latter a grandniece of Daniel Boone, the noted Indian fighter. The father was born in Indiana, January 19, 1838, and the mother's birth occurred in Little Rock, Arkansas, May 24, 1833. James W. Emmons followed farming in Illinois until 1866, when he crossed the plains to Oregon, settling in Lane county, but was permitted to enjoy his new
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home only for a short time, his death occurring on the 14th of February, 1868, when he was forty-one years of age. The mother survived him for many years, passing away July 2, 1919, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
Mr. and Mrs. Dillard became the parents of four children: Earl N., the eldest of the family, was born July 23, 1876, and is now a resident of Springfield, Oregon; Walter B., born February 6, 1878, is a graduate of the University of Oregon and is an attorney by profession. He successfully engaged in teaching at Wilsoncreek, Washing- ton, while previously he was for two years superintendent of schools of Lane county, rendering such valuable and efficient service in that connection that he was sub- sequently appointed assistant state superintendent of schools. He discharged the duties of that important position in a most capable and satisfactory manner and his work in behalf of public education has been far-reaching and effective. He has also taken a prominent part in public affairs, representing his district for one term in the state legislature. He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all vital questions which came up for settlement and earnestly fought for the support of bills which he believed to be of benefit to the public at large; Frank C., the third in order of birth, was born December 28, 1880. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and is a civil engineer by profession. John L., born January 14, 1884, is engaged in the abstract business at Eugene. During the recent World war he served as ensign in the navy, his period of service covering twenty-seven months.
Mr. Dillard gave his political allegiance to the republican party and in religious faith was a Presbyterian. Coming to this state in pioneer times, he was an interested witness of its development and upbuilding and at all times lent his aid and cooperation to plans and projects for the general good. Lane county was fortunate in gaining him as a citizen, for at all times he was loyal to her best interests, and his progressiveness placed him in a prominent position among the farmers and stockmen of the district.
WALTER D. WHITCOMB.
Walter D. Whitcomb, a member of the firm of Whitfield, Whitcomb & Company, Cer- tified Public Accountants of Portland, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1884, a son of Arthur O. and Hattie Whitcomb, the former a native of Illinois, while the latter was born in Michigan. The father was identified with railroad interests during his active life and is now living retired.
Walter D. Whitcomb after attending the high schools of Chicago continued his education in Wheaton College which conferred upon him the Bachelor of Arts degree and later received the Bachelor of Science degree. He spent two years as a student in the University of Chicago doing postgraduate work along medical lines and then became connected with the firm of Arthur Young & Company, certified public account- ants of Chicago with whom he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he came to Portland and in 1910 entered into partnership with Mr. Whitfield in organizing the present firm. He remained active in the practice of his chosen pro- fession until after America's entrance into the World war when he enlisted in the Medical corps as a private. He became one of the organizers of the Portland field hos- pital, a local unit. Afterwards he was detached from that military organization to become the field auditor in connection with the building of Camp Fremont. He was com- missioned a first lieutenant and in Washington was assigned to the finance and ac- counting department and sent overseas in December, 1917. In the following summer he returned on an official mission to the United States and then returned to France where he was in charge of the finances of the medical department. He was advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel and eventually returned to Washington where his mili- tary activities were closed with his discharge in August, 1919.
It was in 1910 that Mr. Whitcomb was united in marriage to Miss Bess Hyde, a native of Illinois. With his return to Portland Mr. Whitcomb resumed his relations with the firm of Whitfield & Whitcomb and is today one of the prominent men of his profession on the Pacific coast. His position of leadership is indicated in the fact that he is now president of the Oregon State Society of Certified Public Accountants and is also a member of the national society. He is likewise a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce. In fraternal relations he is a Mason, having taken the degrees of the York Rite, belongs to Oregon Commandery, K. T., and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Ad Club, the Chamber of
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Commerce, the University Club, the City Club, the Irvington, Old Colony, and Athens, and is thus very prominent in club and social circles as well as in the business life of Portland. Devotion to duty is one of his marked characteristics and this has been manifest in every relation of life, while the sacrifice of his personal interests at the time of the World war indicates his patriotic loyalty to his country.
JAMES E. BRIDGWATER, M. D.
Dr. James E. Bridgwater, devoting his attention to the practice of medicine and surgery at Albany and at all times keeping in touch with the advanced thought and methods of the profession, was born in Caldwell, Kansas, October 5, 1883, of the mar- riage of S. J. and Ida A. (Smith) Bridgwater, natives of Illinois. The father engaged in the cotton gin business and also conducted a hardware store at Caldwell, Kansas, but is now a resident of Norman, Oklahoma, where he is conducting business along similar lines. The mother also survives.
James E. Bridgwater attended the public schools and the high school at Cald- well, Kansas, later pursuing his studies at Norman, Oklahoma. Subsequently he was for three years a student in the University of Oklahoma, and he then entered the medical school of St. Louis University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910, with the M. D. degree. For a year he served an interneship in the St. Francis Hospital at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and then practiced his profession for one year in that city. Coming to Oregon in 1912, he opened an office in Albany and has continued in practice here, enjoying a large and growing patronage. He has been very successful in his pro- fessional work-successful not only in the attainment of a substantial income, but also successful in his efforts to restore health and check the ravages of disease, and he is continually striving to make his professional work of the greatest possible worth.
On the 3d of June, 1913, Dr. Bridgwater was united in marriage to Miss Mayme Wellington and they are well known and popular in the social circles of Albany. Dr. Bridgwater's professional connections are with the Oregon State and Central Willamette Medical Societies and the American Medical Association, and fraternally he is identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he is also a Mason, holding membership in the Shrine. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. During the war with Germany he served for three months as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps, being stationed at Camp Kearney, California. He is ever actuated by laudable ambition and his persistency of purpose, his study and his determination have brought him to a prominent position in professional circles. while his high standards of citizenship have made him the champion and supporter of all practical plans and methods for the general good.
JACOB KAMM.
On the 12th of December, 1912, Jacob Kamm reached the eighty-ninth milestone on life's journey. Two days later he passed to the home beyond and to Portland's citizens his life and his activities are now but a memory, yet a memory that is cherished by all who knew him and recognized the value of the great work which he did in connec- tion with the development and upbuilding of the northwest. He installed the machinery in the first steamer, the Lot Whitcomb, which was the first craft of the kind ever equipped at Portland and from that time forward he was closely associated with the development of the navigation and transportation interests of the northwest. His work was indeed of incalculable benefit and he lived to reap the reward of his labors, becom- ing through the conduct of his carefully managed and honorably directed business affairs one of the wealthiest men of his section of the country.
Mr. Kamm came from the beautiful land of the snow-clad Alps. He was born in Canton Glarus, December 12, 1823, and he was quite young when his father resigned a commission in the army of France in order to come to the new world, where he be- lieved he might secure broader opportunities in order to provide for his family. He had been a resident of the new world for only four years, however, when in New Orleans he fell a victim to the yellow fever epidemic. His son, Jacob Kamm, then twelve years of age, was thus left to meet life's battles unaided by a father's care and guidance. A
MRS. CAROLINE A. KAMM
JACOB KAMM
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sturdy, self-reliant spirit came to him from his ancestry and with this developed in him a determination to utilize to its full every advantage that should come to him. Even prior to his father's death he had started out in the business world by securing a position in the office of the leading daily paper of New Orleans and later he performed various other tasks which would yield him an honest living. In November, 1837, he left the Crescent City to become a resident of St. Louis, Missouri. On the trip up the river he was robbed by a stranger of all of his money save ten cents. Necessity there- fore obliged him to obtain immediate employment and he secured the position of cabin boy on the Ark, a small steamer on the Mississippi river. Realizing, too, that added educational training would increase his efficiency in the business world he attended a private school during the winter months. He was ambitious, energetic and determined and he utilized every leisure moment to master the details of marine engineering and became an expert workman in that field, so that he was offered paying positions which in time brought to him the capital that enabled him to become part owner of the Steamer Belle of Hatchie, a steamboat which he operated until his health hecame im- paired. After disposing of his interest in that steamer he acted as chief engineer for several years on packet boats plying between St. Louis, Keokuk and New Orleans. At that day the requirements demanded of engineers were very high. Mr. Kamm received his diploma from the Engineers Association of Missouri, but again his health forced him to seek a change of climate and he crossed the plains in 1849, making his way to the mining regions in the vicinity of Sacramento. A little later he hecame engineer on a steamer plying on the Sacramento and Feather rivers in California and in the succeeding year, in San Francisco, he formed the acquaintance of Lot Whitcomb and this eventually led to his becoming a resident of Oregon. In order to install the machinery ordered for the Steamer Lot Whitcomb, Mr. Kamm went to Milwaukie, a Portland suburb, and although his knowledge of such work was of expert character his sole equipment at that point was a bellows and anvil, but with the assistance of a blacksmith of the name of Blakesley, who was ingenious and painstaking, he managed to shape the crude tools that enabled him to perform the work that he had undertaken. The boilers had arrived in twenty-two sections from New York, but at length the Lot Whitcomb steamed out of the harbor of Portland, the first craft of the kind ever equipped in this port, Mr. Kamm being behind the engines, a position which he maintained until the vessel was sold and taken to California. This constituted the initial step of Mr. Kamm's long and prominent connection with the navigation interests of the northwest and he contributed in most substantial measure to the development of navigation in- terests in this section of the country. He built the first stern wheel steamer of Oregon, the Jennie Clark, and was half owner with Messrs. Abernethy, Clark and Ainsworth. The enterprise was a stupendous one for that day, for all machinery had to be brought around Cape Horn, but the work was successfully executed and the craft launched. Later Mr. Kamm was instrumental in the building of the Carrie Ladd, also one of the early steamers on the Columbia and the nucleus of the property that was later owned by the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, which was organized in 1860 with Mr. Kamm as chief engineer and one of the large stockholders. In 1865 he sold his interest in the business to a syndicate, which in turn transferred its stock to the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company. Mr. Kamm was likewise the owner of the George S. Wright, a steamer engaged in the coast trade between Portland, Victoria and Sitka. As the years passed he developed his business to meet the demands of the growing trade. After some years it was his desire to retire from navigation interests, but he was forced to take the small steamer Carrie in payment of a debt and this hecame the nucleus of the fleet of the Vancouver Transportation Company, which was organized in 1874 with Mr. Kamm as president. He continued in that connection to the closing years of his life, although for some time prior to his demise he had retired from the active management of the business. At one time he held a large part of the stock of the Ilwaco Railway & Navigation Company and with others he was associated in building the Ocean Wave and the Norma, of the Snake River Transportation Company, which are the only boats that have passed through the famous box canon on the Snake river without being wrecked. Long before the era of railroad transportation his labors had facilitated trade relations in providing means of transportation for the products of the northwest and therefore this section of the country owes much of its development, growth and progress to the efforts of Mr. Kamm. He also became widely known in banking circles of Portland, investing to a large extent in the stock of various hanks and becoming vice president of the United States National Bank. He was likewise very active in the upbuilding of Astoria, became one of the large taxpayers there and presi-
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