USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 69
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Samuel S. Train acquired his education in the public schools of New York and Illinois and after his textbooks were put aside he learned the printer's trade in southern Illinois, working at that occupation in Lebanon for some time. He then returned to Stephenson county and for a number of years engaged in farming in that locality, but later went to Wisconsin to join his brother, who was engaged in the newspaper business at Boscobel. He worked for his brother for a time and when the latter went to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Mr. Train continued to conduct the Boscobel paper until his removal to Nebraska, where he remained for a few years, then returned to Illinois, where he remained until his father's death. He resided in that state until 1876, when he came to Oregon, taking up a soldier's claim forty miles from Albany. The tract was covered with timber and after residing upon the land for a year he disposed of it. For several years he engaged in teaching at Har- risburg, Oregon, after which he once more entered newspaper circles, establishing a newspaper there, which he conducted for about six years. He then removed to Albany and purchased the Albany Herald in association with J. R. Whitney, this relationship being maintained for about twenty years, when Mr. Train disposed of his interest in the paper. Upon coming to Albany he purchased a half block of ground, on which he erected five residences, which he now rents. Under President Mckinley's admin- istration Mr. Train was appointed postmaster and served in that office for nine years, discharging his duties most capably and conscientiously, proving ever a courteous and obliging official. He has since lived practically retired in Albany. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in 1862 as a member of the Ninety- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and in 1863 he was discharged on account of dis- ability, his term of service being spent principally in marching through the state of Kentucky.
In June, 1862, Mr. Train was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Ricks and they became the parents of two children: Minnie, who died in July, 1884; and Arline, the wife of S. M. Dolan of Corvallis, who is connected with the Civil Engineering
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department of the Oregon Agricultural College. Mr. and Mrs. Dolan have had four children, Mary; William, who is deceased; Samuel; and James.
Mr. Train's connection with the Masonic fraternity covers a period of fifty-four years, for it was in 1866 that he joined the order, and his life has ever been guided by its beneficent teachings. He is not affiliated with any religious donomination but inclines toward the Presbyterian faith. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and through this connection keeps in touch with his comrades who wore the blue and loyally fought for the preservation of the Union on southern battle fields. Coming to this state in 1876, Mr. Train deserves classification with its honored pio- neers, and in the work of progress and development he has borne his full share, his aid and cooperation being at all times given to plans and projects for the general good. He is a man of many sterling qualities, esteemed and honored by all who know him because of an upright life and because of his fidelity to duty in every relation.
WILLIAM WURZWEILER.
Any community would be proud to number among its citizens William Wurzweiler, president of the First National Bank of Prineville. His life record is another illus- tration of the fact that when the enterprising spirit of the German finds scope in the opportunities of the new world the result is success. The birth of Mr. Wurzweiler oc- curred in that country on the last day of August, 1855, the son of Lipman and Mina (Gumbel) Wurzweiler. His father was an extensive dealer in live stock and as a result our subject grew up with a fondness for animals.
William Wurzweiler received his education in the schools of his native country but in early life determined to come to the new world where vast opportunities would be offered him. After arriving in this country he located in Seymour, Indiana, and there learned the American language. His initial step into the business world was made as a clerk in a mercantile establishment and he received the sum of two dollars and fifty cents a week for his labors. After working for some time in Indiana and hav- ing mastered the rules of American merchandising with a corresponding increase in salary, his health failed and he was advised to go west. In 1883 he located in Pendle- ton, Oregon, where for one year he engaged in clerking and then removed to Joseph, where he purchased a store and operated it successfully for twelve years. At the ter- mination of that time he disposed of the business and removing to Prineville pur- chased a store and since 1897 has been a factor in the business circles of Crook county, although he retired from the mercantile business in 1910. Shortly after going to Prineville he purchased some stock in the First National Bank of that city and in 1900 was elected its vice president, a position he held until 1919 when he was elected president. Mr. Wurzweiler has not confined himself to commercial and financial interests since coming to Crook county but he has had large ranching and stock interests, and is still active along those lines with his two sons, Arthur and Max, though less than a year ago he disposed of one place consisting of two thousand five hundred acres. At one time he had a flock of twelve thousand sheep and achieved quite a success with them, although he later disposed of them. Among the two thou- sand acres of land which he and his sons now own is a ranch of six hundred and forty acres of meadow land, on which he raises selected grade cattle and two hundred and forty acres of alfalfa. This ranch is widely known as one of the most beautiful places in Oregon. Mr. Wurzweiler's ranch property is located in Jefferson, Crook and Deschutes counties and in addition he has large real estate holdings in Portland, among which may be noted the improved half block at Fourth and Davis streets, in the heart of the wholesale business district of Portland.
At Pendleton, Oregon, in 1884, Mr. Wurzweiler was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Alexander of that city. They are parents of four sons: Arthur, the oldest mem- ber of the family, is manager of the Powell Butte Ranch; Max manages the Black Butte cattle ranch; and Earl and Nathan live in Portland and are both in com- mercial business. The two youngest sons are ex-service men, having served through the World war in the Sixty-fourth Ambulance Corps, A. E. F., for a period covering eighteen months. They are now active in the affairs of the American Legion. The service of his sons in the army is particularly pleasing to Mr. Wurzweiler who says: "When I first came to America I took out my papers and that day I forgot Germany and have since been as much of an American as though born here."
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Fraternally Mr. Wurzweiler is a Mason, has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. Along financial lines he is associated with the State and National Banking Associations. He is now serving for the fourth time as mayor of Prineville, his sterling integrity and honor and the uprightness of his character well fitting him for carrying out successfully the duties of his office. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of business or public interest with which he has been associated and at all times has been actuated by a fidelity to his country and her welfare. "Will" Wurzweiler, as he is affectionately known, is a citizen of whom any community would be proud.
FRITZ WOLFF.
In the industrial circles of Portland the name of Fritz Wolff was a familiar one, for through many years he was identified with the foundry business, being engaged in the manufacture of heavy machinery and castings. He deserved great credit for what he accomplished in life for he started out empty-handed and by reason of his strength of character, his persistency of purpose and undaunted energy he gained a place among the successful representatives of the industrial life in Portland. All who knew him spoke of him in terms of warm regard because his career was ever characterized by fidelity to duty and by high ideals. He was born in Germany Novem- ber 6, 1842, a son of John and Henrietta Wolff, who always remained residents of Germany, the father there following the shoemaker's trade.
Fritz Wolff, however, came to America in 1867 when a young man of twenty-five years. He first settled in New York city where he followed the ironworkers' trade, with which he had become familiar while still in his native country. For two years he remained in New York and then sought the opportunities of the growing west, mak- ing his way to San Francisco, where for two years he was employed as an iron- worker.
Mr. Wolff dated his residence in Portland from May, 1871, and started upon his business career here as an employe of the Oregon Iron Works. Later he spent some time in the Southern Railroad shops and in 1874 established business on his own account in partnership with Herman Trenkman, opening a small machine shop. For a number of years they carried on business together, after which Mr. Trenkman sold hla interest to Arthur Zwicker and the new firm conducted a foundry and machine shop on Flander and Third streets for four years, during which period Mr. Wolff built four and a half milea of twenty-four inch pipe, which was constructed for the City Water Company. The business was removed to the east side of Portland in 1889, at which time a mammoth plant was erected, devoted to the manufacture of engines, ice machinery and compressed air machinery and in addition to this output the company conducted a general machine-shop and foundry. . They also built thirty-four miles of pipe line used in connection with the City Water Works and also five miles of pipe for Spokane, Washington, and twenty-six miles for Butte, Montana. The business was conducted under the firm name of Wolff & Zwicker until 1879, and during that period the company took several contracts for building ships. They constructed two light shipa, also one torpedo destroyer, two torpedo boats, a large tug boat and a large freight boat, but financial reverses overtook them and they failed with a total loss.
It was at this point that the real strength of Mr. Wolff's nature showed forth. He met the exigencles of the case in a way that indicated his resourcefulness and capa- bility. Borrowing money on his twenty thousand dollar life insurance policies he again started in business, organizing what was known as the Phoenix Iron Works, the business being incorporated. They operated the first six months in the old shop, which they leased and at the end of that time the shop was entirely destroyed by fire. They were then carrying about five thousand dollars insurance, which sum aided them in starting business anew. The company purchased new machinery on the installment plan and also bought a half block of land between Hawthorne and Clay streets, where the new plant was erected. Later another block near their shop was purchased whereon they established a large foundry, which they operated in connection with the machine shop. They manufactured all kinds of heavy machinery and castings and theirs was the largest plant of its kind on the east side. Success attended the enterprise from
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the beginning and they not only acquired valuable property holdings but their busi- ness became very extensive, developing year by year until it reached most profitable proportions. Mr. Wolff proved that difficulties and obstacles could not long bar his path, for they called forth his latent energies and his ability carried him steadily forward until he became one of the prominent representatives of industrial life in Portland.
Mr. Wolff was twice married. His first wife passed away October 28, 1881, leaving four children: John, who is connected with the Phoenix Iron Company and who was the builder and owner of what was then the fastest gasoline boat in the world; Mrs. Emma Fox of Portland; Sophia, the widow of F. L. Zimmerman of Portland; and Helen, the wife of Charles Urfer of this city. In 1883 Mr. Wolff was married to Miss Metta Rasmussen, a native of Denmark and a daughter of Rasmussen Jensen and Jacobine Thompson. The mother died when her daughter Metta was but thirteen years of age and ere her death she advised her daughter to come to America. When twenty-three years of age, therefore, Metta Rasmussen crossed the ocean with an older sister and after spending some time in the eastern cities and in Chicago, they ar- rived in Portland in 1883. It was in that year she became the wife of Mr. Wolff, and to them were born two children: Frederica and Carl, the latter a graduate of the Mechanical Engineering School at Corvallis. The family holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Wolff was also identified with the church, taking a helpful part in its work and doing all in his power to advance moral progress in the community. He stood for all that was best in the public life of Portland, where he continued to make his home until death called him on the 13th of July, 1916. He left behind him not only a business of substantial proportions but also bequeathed to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He had made steady progress in his business career and in every relation of life was loyal to high ideals, his career being one of integrity and honor.
JUDGE FRANK SUMNER GUNNING.
Judge Frank Sumner Gunning, who has recently retired from the office of county judge, has for many years not only ranked with the leading business men of The Dalles but also as one of the most progressive citizens of Wasco county, standing at all times in support of those projects and measures which feature in the public improvement and development of community, commonwealth and country. A na- tive of Illinois, he was born at Hillsboro in April, 1859, and is a son of J. C. and Minerva (Lewis) Gunning. Both of his parents were representatives of pioneer families of Ohio and West Virginia and the Gunning family before removing to the Mississippi valley had for generations been represented in New England, the name being there known before the establishment of American independence.
Judge Gunning was educated in the graded schools of his native state and in his youth began working at his father's trade, that of a blacksmith and machinist. Imbued with the same spirit that caused his forbears to emigrate from New Eng- land to Illinois, he came to the west in 1891, making his way to The Dalles, where he began working as a machinist. After remaining in the employ of others for a brief period he established business of his own as a machinist, horseshoer and blacksmith and has since been actively identified with the industrial development of this sec- tion. His present establishment at the corner of Second and Laughlin streets at The Dalles is a large one in which he employs a number of skilled mechanics. A portion of the building is devoted to horseshoeing and the adjoining building is utilized as a garage in which all kinds of auto repair work is done. His own mechanical ingenuity enables him to direct wisely the efforts of the men in his employ and his establishment is accorded a most liberal patronage.
Aside from the work which he has done along business lines Mr. Gunning has left the impress of his individuality upon the history of his city by his active public service. He was elected a member of the city council in 1897 and was elevated to the mayor's chair in 1901, thus serving until 1903, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. He also acceptably filled the office of county treasurer from 1908 until January, 1913, then was chosen county judge of Wasco county, serving upon the bench until 1919. His decisions were characterized by fairness and impar- tiality and he retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good-
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will of all concerned. Judge Gunning has also been president of the Business Men's Association and has been active in finding solutions for intricate commercial and industrial problems relative to the welfare and upbuilding of the city. He has been chairman of the Young Men's Christian Association, also of the questionnaire board and was equally active in connection with several of the more important war drives. During his incumbency in the office of county judge the handsome new Wasco county courthouse was completed at a cost of one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars. The Columbia River highway has always had in him an earnest friend and much of the upper section of the road was built with his assistance.
In 1886 Judge Gunning was married in Illinois to Miss Minnie T. Paden, a daugh- ter of Milton Paden, a pioneer of that state. She passed away in 1892, leaving a daughter who is now Mrs. Zoe Hochuli of Portland. In 1895 Judge Gunning wedded Miss Carrie J. Davenport, whose parents were well known residents of Wasco county. Two children have been born of this marriage: Alice, who is now the wife of R. A. Ward, vice president of the First National Bank at Bend, Oregon; and Louis, who volunteered in the United States navy at America's entrance into the World war and is still in the service, being a petty officer.
The cause of education has ever found in Judge Gunning a stalwart champion and one who has rendered most earnest and effective labor in behalf of the public schools. For ten years he was a member of the school board and during that period did everything possible to promote the educational interests of the city. While he was serving on the board the Court Street school was remodeled and doubled the capacity costing twenty thousand dollars, and the high school was erected, costing one hun- dred thousand dollars, hesides two schools, each costing about five thousand dollars were built. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, has held all of the chairs in the local order and has been representative to the Grand Lodge. He is likewise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a man of straightforward purpose, whose position upon any vital question is never an equiv- ocal one. He states clearly his views upon any question and never hedges. During his long public service he has always kept in mind the interests of the people and it has become a recognized fact that he has the faculty of seeing through the mask of many professional politicians until it has become a common remark: "You can't put that game over on Judge Gunning." He is straight himself and expects the same fairness of others. He conducts his business on exactly the same lines and the gen- eral opinion is that he is a most valuable asset to the community, his life activities being of sterling worth in all matters of citizenship as well as in business circles.
HENRY LUPTON CARL.
Henry Lupton Carl, who in the year 1871 became a resident of Oregon, where he resided to the time of his death on the sixteenth of December, 1916, was born at Tipton, Iowa, in December, 1844, his parents being George and Cordelia Carl, who were natives of Ohio and who removed to Iowa at an early day, the father there taking up a claim upon which he and his family lived for many years, his attention being con- tinuously given to agricultural pursuits. Subsequently he removed to Keokuk, Iowa. Henry Lupton Carl had been reared as a farm bred boy and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He continued to assist his father on the farm until the removal to Keokuk. After the family home was established in that city Henry L. Carl was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Tantlinger in 1868. She is a daughter of John and Caroline Tantlinger, who were natives of Pennsylvania but in an early day removed to Iowa, where Mrs. Carl was born. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carl resided for eight years in Iowa
and during that period he engaged in farming. When the call came for troops to serve in the Civil war his patriotic spirit became the dominant element in his life and in 1861 he offered his services to the government, enlisting in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the end of the war. In 1871 he determined to try his fortune in the west and made a stage trip to La Grande, Oregon, where he resided for five years. He then came to Portland, where he con- tinued to make his home until called to his final rest and in this city Mrs. Carl still resides.
To this worthy couple were born four children: Byron E., now living in New
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York city; Bert O .; George G., who is a physician of John Day, Oregon; and Lula, the wife of Bernard Mulchy of Portland.
Mr. Carl gave his political allegiance to the republican party, which he supported from the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias and was also a member of Ben Butler Post, G. A. R., thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades and at all times manifest- Ing in matters of citizenship the same spirit of loyalty which actuated him when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battle fields of the south.
JUDGE HENRY H. NORTHUP.
Judge Henry H. Northup, who for many years was a prominent and well known figure at the Portland bar, and who more than a quarter of a century ago served as judge of Multnomah county, is now enjoying well earned rest in an attractive home and dates his residence upon the Pacific coast from 1871. He came to the far west for the benefit of his health. He is a native son of New England, his birth having occurred in Cheshire, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, February 27, 1839, his parents being Isaac W. and Maria (Brown) Northup, both of whom were natives of Massa- chusetts. The paternal grandfather, Stephen Northup, was also a native of Cheshire and his father, who likewise bore the name of Stephen, was a native of Rhode Island. The founder of the family in the new world likewise bore the name of Stephen Northup, coming to America from England and settling in 1648 in Rhode Island, where he obtained a grant of land.
Judge Northup spent his early life in his native state and gained his education in Lenox Academy at Lenox, Massachusetts, and in the State Normal School at West- field, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated on the 27th of February, 1860. He then took up the profession of teaching and was thus active in the work of the school- room at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in defense of the Union cause on the 23d of April, 1861, when the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away. He joined Company I of the First Iowa Infantry, was sent to Missouri and participated in the campaign under General Lyon who was killed at the battle of Wilson Creek about thirteen miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri, August 10, 1861. The campaign there was a very hard fought one, the Federal forces being largely inferior in numbers, so that they fought against great odds. The First Iowa had marched six hundred miles in six weeks, fought three skirmishes and then took its place in the ranks at the battle of Wilson Creek. The regiment had been mustered in for three months in response to the President's call for seventy-five thousand men to serve for that period. Accordingly, in the fall of 1861, Judge Northup received an honorable discharge and returned home to Massachusetts. His experience, however, had shown him the real conditions of war. At the battle of Wilson Creek the Union troops numbered but fifty-five hundred men and were confronted with the forces under Generals Mccullough and Price with fifteen thousand men. General Lyon, however, accomplished his purpose and made his retreat, but at the price of his own life.
After returning to his home Judge Northup taught school in the winter of 1861-2 and in the summer of the latter year he again enlisted, joining the Forty-ninth Massa- chusetts Infantry, with which he served for a year. The regiment was sent to Louisiana and after participating in several skirmishes invested Port Hudson on the 21st day of May, 1863, and forced its surrender on the 8th of July of that year. The troops were then sent down the river to Donaldsonville, where they were stationed for some time and there met General Taylor with his army, forcing the Confederates to fall back from the Mississippi river. In the fall of that year Judge Northup returned to his home, thus ending his military career.
Again he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Massachusetts until the winter of 1864-5. In March of the latter year he received an appointment to a position in one of the government departments at Washington and made his way to the capital city, where he remained for six years. He then resigned and came to Portland, Oregon, for the benefit of his health. It was not his intention to remain longer than necessary to regain his normal health, but while in Washington he pre- pared for the bar and was admitted to the supreme court of the District of Columbia in 1868, so that after his arrival in Portland he opened a law office and entered upon a practice which grew in volume and importance and caused him to remain a permanent
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