USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 75
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Mr. Whalley resumed his active relationship with the Portland bar in 1884 as senior member of the law firm of Whalley, Northup & Deady, his associates in the firm being H. H. Northup and Paul R. Deady. They gave particular attention to rail- way litigation and won an extensive clientage of this character. In 1885 they were joined by Judge E. C. Bronaugh, whose name was added to the firm under the style of Whalley, Bronaugh, Northup & Deady, and when Mr. Deady retired soon afterward the firm name of Whalley, Bronaugh & Northup was adopted. When his real estate interests demanded his entire attention Mr. Whalley withdrew from active law prac- tice in March, 1889, but five years later became a partner of Judges Strahn and Pipes and again practiced for two years. He then formed a partnership with his son-in-law, W. T. Muir, which association was maintained until the death of the senior member. He occupled a chair in the law department of the University of Oregon for a number
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of years as instructor in pleadings and of him it was written: "He had a well ordered mind and in his forensic encounters always had his legal forces under control. He became famed for his logical and strategic qualities, availing himself of every means to guard against legal surprises and overlooking no legal defense. His marked men- tal activity was supplemented by a habit of thoroughness in everything he undertook and while he gave attention to every detail he never neglected the broad principles which make the study and practice of law one of the most useful and uplifting pur- suits of mankind."
It was on the 21st of July, 1861, in California, that Mr. Whalley wedded Miss Lavinia T. Kimzey, who was born in Missouri in 1841 and was but five years of age when brought by her parents across the plains to the Pacific coast, the family settling in the Golden state. Mr. and Mrs. Whalley became the parents of seven children, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy. The others are: Mary, who was born in California and became the wife of J. Frank Watson, formerly president of the Merchants National Bank of Portland; Susan, who was born in California and became the wife of General James N. Allison, U. S. A .; Lavinia, who was born in Portland and is now the wife of H. S. Huson, prominent construction engineer of the Northwest; Jane, the wife of W. T. Muir, mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Charlotte, the wife of Bert Charles Ball, president of the Willamette Iron and Steel Works of Portland. All the children were liberally educated, being graduates of St. Helen's Hall.
Mr. Whalley was the first president of the Multnomah Rod & Gun Club of Port- land, a connection that indicated the nature of his recreation and interests when not confined by the cares of business. With a few chosen friends he controlled the shoot- ing privileges of twelve hundred acres of the lake marsh ground in Sauvie's island and was always greatly interested in the preservation of game birds in the state, in which connection he urged the enactment of beneficial game laws. He was chosen the first president of the Sportsmen's Association of the Northwest and was reelected for a second term. He was fond of travel and of all those interests which contribute to the cultural values of life and he was likewise well known in fraternal circles. He long held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in 1870 was made a delegate from the Grand Lodge of Oregon to the Sovereign Grand Lodge at Baltimore, Maryland. In the old days of the Volunteer Fire Department in Oregon he was a member of Columbia Fire Engine Company No. 3, so serving until the establishment of a paid department. He was ever keenly interested in the welfare and progress of the city and no cause which promised benefit to Portland failed to receive his hearty endorsement and support. He was a devoted member of St. Stephen's Protes- tant Cathedral and served as vestryman for several years, while for three years prior to his death he was superintendent of the Sunday school. Loyalty to any cause which he espoused was one of his strongly marked characteristics and his devotion to his family made him an ideal husband and father. He passed away No- vember 10, 1900, mourned not only by the members of his immediate household but by the many friends who had been drawn to him through the ties of pleasant asso- ciation and kindred interest. He left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of Portland in many ways and his name stands high upon the roll of those who largely molded the history of the city in the second half of the nineteenth century.
JUDSON HERBERT FERGUSON.
Judson Herbert Ferguson, who has made valuable contribution to the upbuilding of the Hood River valley and who is a most highly esteemed citizen of Hood River, was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1860 and is a son of William and Nancy A. (Stur- geon ) Ferguson, both of whom were of Scotch descent and representatives of pioneer families of Pennsylvania. In early days the town of Fairview, Pennsylvania, was called Sturgeonville and was the home city of the maternal ancestors of Mr. Ferguson. William Ferguson died in Pennsylvania when their son, Judson H., was five years of age, and Nancy Ferguson, the widow, moved to Iowa with the boy.
The son was educated in Iowa and in early life worked for a time in connection with the lumber business with his brothers. He then took up the task of herding cat- tle and in association with an uncle became engaged in raising hogs for the market. When he was eighteen years of age he determined to seek his fortune in the west
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and came to Oregon, arriving in Hood River in 1879, since which time he has had much to do with the growth and advancement of both city and county. During the first year of his residence here he worked in a sawmill and then in connection with his mother purchased a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in the Barrett section of the county. While still giving attention to the development and improvement of that property he went to Portland and learned the jewelry trade, with which he became thoroughly familiar. In 1900 he disposed of his ranch and established a jewelry and watch-making store in Hood River, thus becoming actively identified with the commercial interests of the city. In addition to his ranch work during the period from 1880 until 1900 he had worked at his trade in Portland, Vancouver and other cities of the northwest. From the establishment of his business at Hood River he has prospered, soon gaining a liberal patronage as the result of his enterprising meth- ods, manifest in the fine line of goods carried and in his thorough reliability in all trade transactions. He was also one of the early promoters of the plan for giving light and power to Hood River and was likewise associated with H. F. Davidson in the introduction of an irrigation system in this county. He is a man of resolute pur- pose, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his activities have largely been of a character contributing to public progress and pros- perity as well as to individual success. From 1902 until 1905 he was actively engaged in the livery business and operated a line of stages to Mount Hood. In 1905 he closed out his jewelry business, turning his attention to the real estate and abstract business, which he conducted under the name of the Hood River Ab- stract & Investment Company for three years, and in this connection has secured a large clientage. He established the moving picture theater, now called The Liberty, and his untiring activity featured in the growth and development of the city and state in large measure until 1914, when this man of many activities was stricken with typhoid fever, which brought him near to death's door and largely forced his retirement from active pursuits, although he is now greatly recovering his health. During the many years of his connection with the development and upbuilding of Hood River he has always been found in the forefront of every movement calculated to promote the public good.
In 1899 Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Dehm of The Dalles, whose father was for many years the leading jeweler of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have a fine home on State street, occupying a commanding site on the first hill. From the lawn can be had a beautiful view of the Columbia river and majestic, snow-capped Mount Adams.
In 1892 Mr. Ferguson was made a member of the city council and in 1917 was again called upon to serve in that capacity, exercising his official prerogatives in support of every plan and movement for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. He is an Odd Fellow and has held all of the offices in the local lodge. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the United Artisans and in the Odd Fellows organization has been colonel of the First Regiment of the Patriarchs Militant. Mr. Ferguson was one of twelve men who located Lost Lake at the foot of Mount Hood in 1880. He thoroughly knows the country, with which he hecame identified in early manhood, and is indeed an enthusiastic champion of the district, which is not only to every inhabitant but to every visitor a place of alluring beauty, with its rich valley between the splendid snow-capped mountains.
JOHN WOOD.
John Wood, who was prominently known among the representatives of the metal trades in the northwest and who in 1908 established the John Wood Iron Works of Port- land, was born in Rhymney, Wales, on the 28th of November, 1856, and was the third in order of birth in a family of eleven children. His father was an iron worker and thus John Wood was "to the manner born." The father, emigrating to the new world, settled in Pennsylvannia, then a center of the iron industry in the United States.
John Wood was reared and educated in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales and made the trip to the United States in company with his brother in the year 1880. He had previously acquired a comprehensive knowledge of iron working in his native land and upon reaching Pennsylvania was given charge of the iron works at Bethle-
JOHN WOOD
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hem. The opportunities of the growing west attracted him, however, and in 1882 he arrived in Portland. For fifteen years thereafter he was associated with the firm of Smith & Watson and later became connected with the Wolf & Zwicher Iron Works. While thus engaged he had charge of the construction of several torpedo boats and merchant ships built by that firm. Subsequently he assisted in founding the Columbia Engineering Works, resulting in the installation of the first steel foundry on the Pacific coast and the first west of St. Louis. The plant of the Columbia Engineering Works was located at Tenth and Johnson streets in Portland and the business was one of the largest concerns of the kind in the city. Mr. Wood continued as manager of the enterprise for several years and then in 1908 organized the John Wood Iron Works for the conduct of a general jobbing and iron work business. He built this up to a large and successful enterprise, his previous broad and varied experience proving of the greatest value to him in the establishment and conduct of this new undertaking. He had the ability to get the best from his men because they recognized his kindly spirit, his cooperation with them and his interest in them. Following the death of her husband Mrs. Wood at once took up the management of the business and a local paper said of her in this connection: "She is said to be the only woman on the coast who owns and operates an iron works. When Mrs. Wood took up the work of the plant she first began soliciting for orders, but almost everywhere she met with disap- pointment because, it soon became apparent, no one expected a woman to understand the iron business. The plucky woman stuck to her job, however, and from a pay- roll of twenty employes the iron works increased in its capacity until it now has a working force of seventy-five molders and machinists. From specializing In job work the iron works turned its attention to shipyard equipment as soon as the war began. During the period of the war the plant turned out one hundred per cent production for the Portland shipyards, the spruce division and several mills. Ship equipment manufactured includes Macomb bilge-strainers, hawse-pipes, ash-hoists, mushroom ven- tllators, capstans, hoists and machine work on stern tubes. The plant turned out last year thirty-six big steam capstans of different sizes. When the Foundation Company opened its shipyards here the order for all iron work done on the big ship derricks, . ten in number, was placed with the Wood Iron Works. Other shipyards, receiving the products of the plant were Grant Smith-Porter Company, Supple-Ballin, Coos Bay Ship Company and Standifer yards at Vancouver. The present capacity of the plant runs between twelve and fifteen tons a day. W. T. Harrison is manager. Recent orders include about eighty tons of castings for the furnaces at the Pacific Coast Steel Company at Willbridge, all of which is heavy work; hoists for gravel pits for rallroad use; lumber trucks for the spruce cutup plant at Vancouver and live-rolls for the Toledo sawmill."
Mr. Wood was married twice. While still a resident of Wales he wedded Sarah Ann Griffith, a native of that country, and they became the parents of five children, all daughters, two of whom were born in Wales. The wife and mother passed away in 1895. In 1898 Mr. Wood wedded Mary C. Howe, a daughter of John and Ellen (Gib- bons) Howe. To this marriage was born one son, John, who is now in school, being educated for the purpose of one day taking over the business that was established by his father and thus relieving his mother of the management of the industry.
In politics Mr. Wood was a stanch republican, giving loyal support to the party at all times. He greatly enjoyed outdoor sports and was particularly fond of hunting and fishing and had a wide acquaintance among lovers of true sport in the northwest. He had social qualities which rendered him very popular among all who knew him, and at his death The Timberman, a trade journal, said of him: "John Wood was widely known among the metal trades and lumbermen of the coast and his kindly, genial smile will be missed. John Wood was every inch a man." He was indeed possessed of all those characteristics which men most respect and admire-reliability and enterprise in business, faithfulness in citizenship and loyalty to the ties of home and friendship.
LEON EARL DAWSON.
Leon Earl Dawson, who is at the head of The Dalles Electric Works, is a native of Kansas, his birth having there occurred in 1876. His parents were J. R. and Melvina (McMannemy) Dawson, well-to-do farming people who settled in the Sunflower state in pioneer times. The son Leon was educated in his home town, Vol. 11-38
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passing through consecutive grades to the high school. When he was nineteen years of age he determined to go west and in 1895 arrived in Oregon. After working for a brief period in Portland he removed to The Dalles and obtained a position with The Dalles Electric Light & Power Company, which work he found congenial and soon decided to become an electrician. Devoting all of his spare time to study, and being a young man of steady habits and thoroughness of purpose, he soon mastered the business and was put in charge of the company's retail and installation depart- ment. He occupied that position until the company was reorganized in 1910 and closed out the department of which he had had charge. Mr. Dawson then purchased the manufacturing, supply and installation department of the company and has since conducted business under the name of The Dalles Electric Works. He carries a large stock of electric supplies and house necessities, manufactures all manner of electrical things to meet needs of this character and installs anything wanted in the electrical line. His showroom on East Second street displays a large stock of electric fixtures, household appliances and similar goods. He makes a specialty of farm installations and is the agent of the Delco-Light System for light, heat and power. He has thus given to the farmers of Wasco all of the advantages of a city dweller in the line of electric conveniences and he ranks as a master in his chosen line.
Mr. Dawson was married in 1903 to Miss Cora V. Joles, whose father was a retired business man of The Dalles. To this marriage have been born two sons, Harold and Kenneth, who are now grade pupils in The Dalles schools.
Mr. Dawson has never taken any active part in politics but is well known in connection with fraternal interests, being a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias. He is like- wise a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knights Templar degree, and he is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He ranks with the most popular business men of central Oregon and has seen several competitive firms establish business hut fail to attain success, for the trade is given to him. He has been prominent in support of all civic matters relating to the welfare of The Dalles and his cooperation can be counted upon to further any movement for the public good.
A. J. RIPPERTON.
A. J. Ripperton, deceased, enjoyed the distinction of being the first traveling salesman in the state of Oregon, and in a large measure was connected with the commercial development of the northwest. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1825 and came to Oregon in 1852.
In early manhood Mr. Ripperton wedded Sarah E. Kemp who was born in Mis- souri in 1836, and was a daughter of the Hon. William Riley Kemp, who for several years was representative of Pettis county, Missouri, in the state legislature. In 1852 he started with his family for the northwest, traveling with ox teams across the plains. On the trip he sustained an injury and on reaching the Blue mountains passed away. His widow and the family then continued the journey to Salem where they lived for one year, and Mrs. Kemp lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and two years, six months and three days.
It was in Salem that Mr. Ripperton met and married Miss Kemp, after which he removed to Albany, where he and Mr. Le Fleishner opened a store, which they conducted for several years. At length Mr. Ripperton disposed of his interest in that business and afterward owned and conducted stores in different places, finally taking up his abode in Portland where he worked for the Mercantile Protective Union. For a time Mrs. Ripperton engaged in the selling of millinery and lace goods in Portland and in later years both Mr. and Mrs. Ripperton represented the Mercantile Protective Union. By reason of his activities along commercial lines Mr. Ripperton gained a wide acquaint- ance throughout the state. His energy and enterprise won him success and the sterling traits of his character gained for him many friends.
It will be interesting in this connection to note that Mrs. Ripperton is a third cousin of Lady Astor, the latter's grandmother and Mrs. Ripperton's grandfather being brother and sister. To Mr. and Mrs. Ripperton were born eight children but only
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one, a daughter, is living-Fannie E., who is the wife of Andrew J. Porter of Seattle, Washington.
In his political views Mr. Ripperton was a republican. He passed away in 1906, and his many friends throughout the state felt deep regret at his death. He was a charter member of the first Odd Fellows lodge ever organized in this state. His wife was a Daughter of Rebekah, and their marriage was celebrated in the Odd Fellows Lodge in Salem in 1853, about three hundred of the order being present at the mar- riage. Mrs. Ripperton survives her husband and still makes her home in Portland. She celebrated her eighty-fourth birthday, April 22, 1920. She was born on her mother's birthday.
ALLAN ADOLPHUS SMITH.
Allan Adolphus Smith, who since 1910 has engaged in the practice of law at Baker, was born in Humboldt, Iowa, April 15, 1885, and is a son of Jacob and Louisa Smith, the former a successful farmer and prominent business man of Iowa. The family . came originally from Pennsylvania, where representatives of the name had lived through several generations.
In his student days Allan Adolphus Smith attended the Highland Park University at Des Moines, Iowa, and also became a student in Humboldt College at Humboldt, Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1908. He then took up the pro- fession of teaching, becoming head of the commercial department of the high school at Baker, a position which he occupied from 1908 until 1910. In the latter year he became associated with the Hon. John L. Rand in the practice of law, for he had previ- ously devoted his leisure hours to the study of law and had qualified for admission to the bar. In 1916 he opened offices of his own, since which time he has practiced independently at Baker. He has wide and accurate knowledge of legal principles and prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, while his presentation of his cause is always clear, strong and logical. Aside from his chosen calling he has be- come identified with other interests and is now a director of the Eastern Oregon Light & Power Company.
On the 19th of June, 1912, at The Dalles, Oregon, Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Miss Mabel A. Garrett, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Garrett, of Millston, Wisconsin, and representatives of the well known pioneer Mills family of the latter state. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children, Lois and Hugh.
In his political views Mr. Smith has always been a democrat and from 1919 until 1921 he represented his district in the state legislature. Unable to fight as a soldier he did his bit in the war activities and took a prominent part in all the various drives. He is now vice president of the Baker Chamber of Commerce, to which position he was chosen in 1918, and he has been a director thereof since 1913. He is also a director of Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross and in other ways has been closely identi- fied with the substantial development and progress of the community and with all that makes for good citizenship and the upholding of high ideals.
WILLIAM S. WEEKS.
For thirty years William S. Weeks resided on the Pacific coast and was an en- thusiastic supporter of the west and its opportunitles. When death called him he was filling the position of deputy sheriff and had made a most excellent record by his prompt and faithful discharge of duty. He was born in New York city in 1862, a son of James H. and Susan (Robinson) Weeks, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The Weeks family comes of English ancestry, while the Robinsons were an old New England family. Representatives of the name there owned property which has been handed down from generation to generation.
When William S. Weeks was about six or eight years of age he was taken to Mich- igan by his parents., His father was an attorney and practiced law in Lowell, Michigan, for a time, after which he removed to Galesburg, Illinois, where he followed his pro- fession for many years. He was connected with the legal department of the city as attorney for an extended period, or until he retired on account of advanced years.
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He and his wife are still living in Galesburg and are most highly respected residents of that place.
William S. Weeks completed his education in the high school at Lowell, Michigan, and after the removal of the family to Galesburg, Illinois, secured employment in a drug store. He afterward became connected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in a clerical capacity and subsequently was made claim adjuster for the road. About 1890 he determined to try his fortune in the northwest and made his way to Pocatello, Idaho, where he obtained a clerkship with the Union Pacific Railroad Com- pany and afterward was connected with the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company. With the latter corporation he went to The Dalles in the store department and after- ward to Portland in the same department. He next became connected with the Northern Pacific Terminal Company as storekeeper and filled that position for seventeen years- a fact indicative of his marked capability and faithfulness. At length he retired from railroad work and accepted a position as deputy sheriff, in which capacity he served for three years, or until his demise.
On the 10th of October, 1893, Mr. Weeks was married to Miss Kate L. McPherson, a daughter of W. A. and N. J. (Fenn) McPherson, the former born in North Carolina, while the latter was born in Illinois and came with her father to Oregon in 1847, the family home being established on a farm in Linn county. In 1852 Mr. McPherson engaged in teaching school, while later he turned his attention to journalism and established the Plaindealer. To Mr. and Mrs. Weeks were born four children: Margaret L., Mildred, Edna Robinson and William Stone, Jr. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 9th of September, 1920, Mr. Weeks passed away. He had been engaged in official duty that day and death overtook him while he was re- turning to his home in the evening. The news of his demise brought a sense of deep sorrow to many hearts. In his family he was a devoted husband and father and his lodge brethren found him always a faithful friend, loyal to the high ideals of the organizations which he represented. For thirty years he lived in Portland, was deeply interested in the west and its uphuilding and was a firm believer in its future.
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