USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
494
HISTORY OF OREGON
dent of the First National Bank of Astoria. His investments also included large property holdings in Portland and in San Francisco. In the early '60s, or during the initial period of his residence in Portland, he purchased fourteen acres of land, then outside the city limits, a tract that is now in the very heart of the beautiful Rose City and constitutes one of the finest estates there and in the midst of this wide tract stands the Kamm home, in which Mr. Kamm spent his last years in most honorable and enjoy- able retirement.
On the 13th of September, 1859, Mr. Kamm was married to Miss Caroline Augusta Gray, a daughter of William H. and Mary (Dix) Gray, the former coming to the north- west as a missionary in 1836 and the latter in 1838. They earnestly desired to Christian- ize the Indian population of the northwest and promote the moral progress of the early white settlers. The father was also a practicing physician and a man of marked literary ability. Mrs. Kamm was the second in order of birth in their family of eight children, and by her marriage she became the mother of a son, Charles T., who became his father's associate in business and married Fannie H. Walker, a daughter of W. B. and Catherine P. Walker and who at his death left four children: Mrs. Caroline A. Mckinnon, Jacob G., Willis W. and Philip. S.
Mr. Kamm was for many years a devoted member of the First Presbyterian church and served as president of its board of trustees. He made generous contribution to the support of the church and was greatly interested in its work. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was one of the early members of Multnomah Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., of Oregon City, while later he transferred his membership to Willamette Lodge, No. 2, of Portland. He likewise held membership in Portland Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M .; Oregon Commandery, No. 1, K. T .; Oregon Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R .; and Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Such in brief is the life history of a man to whom opportunity was ever the call to action and who made wise use of his time and talents. He displayed many admirable and noble characteristics and the strength of his purpose was guided by sound judgment and most honorable principles in all that he undertook. He was esteemed highly by all who knew him-those who were his associates in the church, his business friends in his later years, but most of all by the pioneers with whom he had struggled to introduce all of the advantages and oppor- tunities of the older civilization into the new and growing west.
THOMAS W. SOMMERVILLE.
Thomas W. Sommerville, a successful farmer who is living retired on a farm of nine acres in the eastern part of Harrisburg, has here spent his entire life, for he was born on a farm six miles east of the city on the 18th of August, 1881, a son of John and Ellen (Brasfield) Sommerville, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Missouri. In 1853 the father crossed the plains to Oregon in company with his parents, who took up their residence in Linn county, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of the state. At the time of the removal John Sommerville was but twelve years of age and on reaching maturity he purchased land, which he cultivated and improved, continuing its operation until 1912, when he retired and has since resided with his son, Thomas W., although he is still the owner of his farm of three hundred and twenty-nine acres. He has reached the age of seventy-nine years, but the mother is deceased, her demise having occurred in November, 1912, at which time she was sixty-eight years of age.
Thomas W. Sommerville was reared in Linn county and in its district schools he pursued his education, later attending the Harrisburg high school and the Capital Business College at Salem, where he completed a commercial course. He then engaged in farming in connection with his father and in 1912 he also retired, leasing his farm and moving to Harrisburg, where he has erected three homes, having just completed the third, a modern and commodious residence in which the family now resides. It is situated in the eastern part of the city, in the midst of a nine-acre tract. Mr. Sommerville formerly engaged in the raising of pure bred Cotswold sheep, in which he was very successful, and he is now a stockholder in the May & Senders Corporation of Harrisburg and also in the Harrisburg Lumber & Manufacturing Company, which are proving profitable investments.
On the 21st of November, 1906, Mr. Sommerville was united in marriage to Miss Florence Bridges and they have become the parents of a son, Thomas John, who was
495
HISTORY OF OREGON
born June 29, 1914. In his political views Mr. Sommerville is a republican and he has served as a member of the town council. He is a Mason of high rank, having at- tained the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry, and is also a Knights Templar and a Shriner belonging to Al Kader Temple at Portland. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. In the conduct of his busi- ness affairs Mr. Sommerville has displayed sound judgment and he is everywhere spoken of as a citizen of worth, possessing many sterling traits of character which have been of value in the upbuilding and progress of the community and which have won for him the high regard of all who know him.
HON. DUANE C. THOMS.
Hon. Duane C. Thoms, representing his district in the state legislature and also prominently identified with commercial interests of Linn county as secretary and manager of the Scio Milling Company, has for many years been closely associated with the development and upbuilding of this part of the state and in attaining success he has not only advanced his own interests but has also contributed to the welfare and promotion of the district in which he has lived. Mr. Thoms was born in Carver county, Minnesota, June 2, 1866, his parents being James H. and Annetta (Hamblet) Thoms, the former a native of Bangor, Maine, while the latter was born in Massa- chusetts. They took up their residence in Minnesota at an early period in the develop- ment of that state, the now flourishing city of Minneapolis being at that time a trading post. They settled near Lake Minnetonka, where the father took up land, which he cleared and developed, continuing its cultivation until 1891, when he sold his farm and came to Oregon, becoming a resident of Forest Grove, where he lived retired dur- ing the remainder of his life, his demise occurring in 1902. The mother survived him for but a year, passing away in 1903.
Duane C. Thoms was reared and educated in Minnesota, remaining at home until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he went to North Dakota and there joined hls brother, who was connected with an elevator business in that state. He remained with his brother for a short time and then went to Newark, South Dakota, where he became active in the same line of work, continuing there until 1891, when he came to Oregon. Locating at Corvallis, in Benton county, he again became connected with the elevator business, with which he was identified for three years, when he assumed charge of the mills at Sidney, Marion county, Oregon, retaining that position for nine years. On the expiration of that period he was placed in charge of the mills at Jef- ferson, also in Marion county, and retained that connection until 1916, when he purchased an interest in the Scio Milling Company at Scio, Linn county, of which he became miller and manager and also secretary-treasurer, in which capacity he is now serving. Subsequently he purchased the interests of three other stockholders and in June, 1920, was joined by Oscar Eichinger, who is now filling the office of president, Mrs. Thoms being one of the directors. They manufacture a high grade of flour, the capacity of the mill being sixty barrels per day, and they have built up a large trade in Oregon, while they find a ready market for their surplus stock in California. They also furnish the town of Scio with electric power and their business has become a most profitable one, conducted along the most modern and progressive lines. The products of the mill are first class in every particular and the firm name is a synonym for reliability and square dealing. Mr. Thoms is also conducting a mill at Carlton, Oregon, in connection with his brother, and his broad experience has brought to him expert knowledge of the milling business, so that he is most successfully conducting the interests of the firm, being a man of sound judgment and keen sagacity. He also has farming interests near Jefferson, Oregon, and is a most capable business man, whose plans are well formulated and promptly executed.
In February, 1894, Mr. Thoms was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Osburn and they have become the parents of a son, Harold W., who was born October 19, 1895, and is now a mining engineer in the oil fields of Oklahoma. He enlisted for service in the recent World war and was first sent to Camp Lewis, Washington, and later to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was commissioned second lieutenant of artillery. He was then stationed at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, whence he was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was discharged two weeks after the signing of the armistice, his period of service covering one and a half years.
496
HISTORY OF OREGON
Mr. Thoms gives his political allegiance to the republican party, of which he is a stalwart supporter. He is a prominent figure in the public life of his community and for two terms represented Marion county in the state legislature, while he also represented Linn county in that law-making body, his present term of office expiring in January, 1921. As a member of the state legislature he exerted considerable in- fluence over public thought and opinion, especially in the district in which he makes his home. He gives thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital questions coming up for settlement and supports those measures which he believes to be of benefit to the public at large. He has also been called to other public positions of trust and while a resident of Jefferson, Oregon, he served on the city council and was a member of the school board. Mrs. Thoms is a member of the Church of Christ, Scientist, and fraternally Mr. Thoms is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to the chapter, commandery and shrine, and in the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second degree. His has been an active life, filled with honorable purpose and accomplishment. A spirit of progressiveness prompts him to do everything in his power to aid his community and commonwealth and no one ques- tions the integrity of his motives, for his career has been filled with tangible evidences of his marked devotion to the public good.
PAUL WESSINGER.
Paul Wessinger, extensively and successfully engaged in the manufacture of non- alcoholic beverages at Portland, was born in Esslingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, February 9, 1859. He acquired his education in the schools of Stuttgart, which were afterward taken as the model for all other schools in the empire. His father, William Wessinger, was a professor of Latin at Stuttgart until his death and under his father's guidance Paul Wessinger acquired a classical education, and was graduated in 1877, his father being accidentally killed, however, in 1875.
It was the desire of Paul Wessinger to become a civil engineer but after his father's death he was influenced by his uncle's wish that he should enter business life and accordingly he matriculated in a business college, where he received both theoretical and business training. He then entered a large manufacturing house, in which were made all sorts of textiles in both cotton and linen, the plant being the property of Carl Faber of Stuttgart. Mr. Wessinger was steadily advanced through various promotions until he became head bookkeeper, filling the position for six years, after which he received a flattering offer to become the selling representative for the Wuerttembergische Leinwand Industrie Blaubeuren for central and northern Germany. After being with that house for two and a half years, he met Miss Anna Weinhard and after getting into communication with her parents was influenced to come to Portland, his idea being, that their decision to accept him as their son-in-law should finally depend upon his presenting himself personally. This was the proper custom in his country at that time. Miss Weinhard returned to Portland in 1885 and Mr. Wessinger followed later in the same year. Upon his arrival he entered imme- diately upon the study of the brewing business with the same thoroughness which had characterized his former efforts in other lines. He soon became the detail man in connection with the plant and at the death of Mr. Weinhard, on the 20th of Septem- ber, 1904, was made executive head of the business and has since occupied the posi- tion. In 1918 the estate was incorporated and Mr. Wessinger became president thereof. He was also one of the executors of the estate. With the passage of the prohibition law he set to work at once to adapt the plant to changed conditions, and although it was with considerable difficulty that he transformed his plant from one built for the manufacture of spirituous liquors to one adapted for the manufacture of soft drinks, he has persevered, and has built up a non-alcoholic business, amounting to nearly a million dollars annually.
On the 10th of December, 1885, Mr. Wessinger was united in marriage to Miss Anna Weinhard of Portland, under whose influence he had been induced to become a resident of this city. Two children have been born to them: Milla, the wife of Phillip Hart, and the mother of two children, Phillip, Jr., six years of age, and Louise, aged three; and Henry W., who is holding the position of plant manager in connec- tion with the business of which his father is the head. He married Romayne Wood of
497
HISTORY OF OREGON
Aberdeen, Washington, and they have become the parents of two children, Paul and William, aged respectively six and three years. Mr. Wessinger and his wife occupy an attractive home in Portland and he also has a beautiful farm located about seven miles from the city, in the development of which he takes much interest. The place comprises twenty-six and a half acres and is one of the most attractive spots in the state. Through it run several trout streams and on the hillside is a terraced vineyard. Throughout the period of his residence in Portland Mr. Wessinger has been deeply interested in all that has pertained to the progress, development and welfare of the city. He was and still is an enthusiastic lover of good music and especially in his younger years was frequently asked to assist as baritone soloist in oratorio and con- cert work. He also was one of the fifteen original directors of the Lewis and Clark Exposition and was appointed by H. W. Corbett as chairman of the grounds and buildings committee. He was chairman of the subcommittee which had charge of selecting the site for the exposition and in this capacity made leases with twenty- seven of the twenty-eight land holders free but had to buy the ground for the twenty- eighth parcel, so as to round out the contour of the fair grounds. Much credit is due Mr. Wessinger for his initiative and perseverance in this work, as he gave as much time to his duties as fair director as to his own business, giving his best efforts to help make the exposition a success. Many other evidences of his public spirit could be cited and at all times he cooperates in well formulated plans and measures for the benefit and upbuilding of Portland, nor has he ever had reason to regret his determina- tion to come to America. In the development of his business he has steadily prospered and is today one of the men of affluence in his adopted city.
JOHN W. HARRIS, M. D.
Dr. John W. Harris, whose scientific skill combined with his ready sympathy, en- deared him to the hearts of his fellowmen and made him the loved family physician in many a household in Eugene and throughout the surrounding country, passed away June 6, 1918, at the age of sixty-four years. His life was actuated by high and honor- able principles, and his course was ever directed along lines which commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, including his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession.
Dr. Harris was born in Russellville, Indiana, March 2, 1854, a son of Rev. John M. and Jane (Wilson) Harris, both natives of Kentucky. The father was born April 1, 1803, and was a minister of the Christian church and in an early day he crossed the plains, preaching the gospel for a time in California. During the later period of his life he was for the greater part of the time a resident of the state of Oregon and his death occurred in Eugene, November 3, 1881, while the mother passed away near Cottage Grove, Lane county, about 1880.
Dr. Harris was reared and received his early education in Monmouth, Oregon. He followed farming for a time and also engaged in teaching school and subsequently took up the study of dentistry and also that of medicine, but was obliged to discon- tinue his studies, owing to ill health, and to resume the occupation of farming. In 1880 he became a student in a medical school at San Francisco, California, and completed his professional studies in the medical school of the State University of Oregon at Portland, from which he was graduated about 1883 with the M. D. degree. He first engaged in practice at Cottage Grove, Oregon, but later temporarily abandoned that pursuit, owing to ill health, and for four years was connected with the drug business at Eugene. At the end of that period he resumed the practice of medicine, opening an office in Eugene, where he continued in practice to the time of his death, which occurred on the 6th of June, 1918, when, he was sixty-four years of age. For four years he served as county coroner, ably and conscientiously discharging the duties of that office. A broad student and a deep thinker, his efforts were of the greatest value to his patients, for he was seldom, if ever, at fault in the diagnosis of a case and his sound judgment and careful study enabled him to do most excellent professional work.
On the 6th of June, 1875, Dr. Harris wedded Miss Mary R. Shortridge, a daughter of James H. and Amelia S. (Adams) Shortridge, both natives of Indiana. In 1852 her parents crossed the plains to Oregon and took up land about six miles from Cottage Grove, the mother being the first white woman in that part of the country. They continued to improve and operate their farm until 1908, when, having acquired a com- Vol. 11-32
498
HISTORY OF OREGON
petence sufficient for their needs, they moved to Cottage Grove, and there passed their remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. The father whose birth occurred July 18, 1831, passed away October 26, 1916, at the venerable age of eighty- five years, while the mother died July 31, 1919, when in her eighty-fourth year. She was born February 12, 1835. Their daughter, Mrs. Harris, was born near Cottage Grove, November 22, 1857, and by her marriage she became the mother of four children: Dr. M. C., the eldest, is a well known dentist of Eugene; Edith M. is the widow of Louis C. Martin, and a resident of Portland; Edna O. is the wife of R. Claude Gray, who is connected with the First National Bank of Eugene; and George W., the youngest member of the family, is a senior in the State University at Eugene. On the 15th of July, 1918, he enlisted in the medical department of the navy and is still in the service.
Dr. Harris was a member of the Oregon State and Lane County Medical Societies and for some time served as secretary of the latter organization. His fraternal con- nections were with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Christian church. Dr. Harris was a broad-minded man whose opinions were sound and who placed no fictitious value upon the things of life. He stood firmly for what he believed to be the best interests of the community at large, while he was ever most careful to conform his practice to the highest ethical standards of the medical profession. His life was ever guided by high ideals, making him a man among men-strong in his ability to plan and perform and honored for his good work and his good name.
MRS. ROXANNA (WATT) WHITE.
The pioneer women have indeed made for themselves a most creditable place in history. They have shown that their heroism is equal to that of husbands, brothers and fathers, that their powers of endurance were as great and that their faith in the future was as unlimited. Identified with the development of the northwest from an early period Mrs. Roxanna (Watt) White indeed deserves mention in the annals of Oregon. She is now eighty-four years of age and displays a youthfulness of spirit that is remarkable. Her father, John Watt, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1792, while his father was a native of Scotland and with six brothers emigrated to America in early life. In 1818 John Watt, then twenty-six years of age, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Scott of Ohio, to which state he had removed during the period of its pioneer development. In 1838 he again started westward, this time accompanied by his family and for a number of years afterward they resided in Mis- souri. In 1844 the eldest son, Joseph Watt, made the trip across the country to Ore- gon and returning to Missouri in 1847 he bought four hundred head of sheep with which he and other members of the family started for Oregon in the following spring -- 1848. The daughter, Roxanna, assisted in driving the sheep all the way. They jour- neyed by slow stages across the long stretches of hot sand and over the mountains until they reached Oregon in the fall of that year.
John Watt then took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, including what is now the town of Amity and there he established his home. It was on this land that the first schoolhouse in that part of the country was built and his son, Ohio Watt, became the first teacher, while the daughter Roxanna acted as assistant teacher.
Mrs. White was born at Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, July 20, 1836. The stern experiences of life came to her very early through the removal of the family into the pioneer district of the northwest. Her brother, Joseph Watt, having brought the first sheep into Oregon, was the promoter and one of the builders of the first woolen mills in his part of the state. Ohio Watt was the founder of the first library in Amity and in many other ways the family became closely associated with the development and progress of the district in which they lived. In addition to the two sons men- tioned there were eight daughters in the household and they, too, in their individual ways, bore their part in the work of general advancement and improvement. The father did not long survive the removal to the west, his death occurring in July, 1854. The brothers, however, lived to witness many changes as the years passed and the seeds of civilization were planted on the western frontier.
The daughter, Roxanna, not only acted as assistant to her brother following the
MRS. ROXANNA WATT WHITE IN HER EIGHTY-FOURTH YEAR JUST BEFORE TAKING HER FLIGHT OVER PORTLAND
501
HISTORY OF OREGON
organization of the first school at Amity, but also taught school for several years afterward, she being one of the pioneers in the profession. On the 26th of February, 1861, she took up the responsibilities of married life, for it was on that date that she became the wife of William Graham White, who had served in the Rogue River war and was one of the men who rescued Mrs. Harris and her child after the Indians had killed her husband. Mr. White followed agricultural pursuits and stock raising, having come with his parents to Oregon from Illinois in 1852. He devoted his remaining days to the task of cultivating the soil and was thus engaged to the time of his demise in January, 1878.
Following the death of her husband Mrs. White again took up the work of teaching and was the first teacher at Ritzville, Washington, on the Northern Pacific. She also taught for three years at Walla Walla and for three years on the coast and also spent a similar period in the schools of Portland. She then returned to the ranch, which was operated under her direction. She entered upon an agreement with two young men who were working on the railroad to run her ranch, Mrs. White furnishing every- thing necessary and making equal division of the proceeds. This arrangement proved not only satisfactory but profitable and later she rented the farm until 1905, when she sold out and removed to Portland, where she has since made her home. She had crossed the plains with an ox team in 1848 and on the 2d of May, 1920, she rode above the city of Portland in an airplane. In 1910 she visited various points of interest in Europe and witnessed a performance of the Passion Play. The winter of 1902-3 she spent at Washington, D. C., where she met and shook hands with President Roosevelt and talked with him about the buffaloes on the plains in 1848, which pleased the president-hunter greatly. Mrs. White has lived to witness many marvelous changes, including the introduction of the railroad and the telegraph, the building of the transcontinental railway lines and the introduction of all the inventions which have revolutionized trade and commerce. Her adventurous spirit has never left her, as is indicated in the fact that at the age of eighty-three years she made an airplane trip above the Rose City. She keeps in touch with the trend of progress and improve- ment and no one rejoices more heartily in what has been accomplished in the work of upbuilding this splendid western country than does Mrs. White, who more than seventy-two years ago journeyed with oxen and wagon to the far west.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.