USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 80
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REV. EDWIN S. OLSEN.
Rev. Edwin S. Olsen, prior and pastor of the Holy Rosary church of Portland, was born in San Francisco, Caliornia, in 1880, his parents being Gustave and Ellen (For- tune) Olsen, the former a native of Norway, while the latter was born in Ireland. He obtained his early education in the public schools of his native city and in the House of Studies conducted by the Dominican order at Benicia, California. He later studied in St. Joseph's at Somerset, Ohio, also in the Immaculate Conception College and the Catholic University of Washington. He was ordained to the priesthood at Somerset, Ohio, and then took charge of the Dominican novitiate at Benicia, California, there teaching the classics, theology and philosophy for a period of four years. On the expiration of that time he was made prior and pastor of St. Dominic's church at Benicia, where he labored for three years. On the 15th of May, 1915, he came to Portland as prior and pastor of the Holy Rosary church, conducted by the Dominican fathers and has since continued in charge in this city. He manifests consecrated zeal and devotion to the cause and is doing most effective work in promoting the interests of the Catholic religion in this city.
ALBY WILLIAM RUGG.
For many years Alby William Rugg, who is now living retired in Pendleton, Umatilla county, was prominent in the ranching circles of the county. He is, like many other of Oregon's most successful and representative men, a native of another state, his birth having occurred in northern Wisconsin on the 11th of February, 1869, a son of Alfred and Esther (Griggs) Rugg, the former a native of Heath, Massachu- setts, and the latter of Colton, New York. The boyhood of Alfred Rugg was spent in Massachusetts, and there he received his education. In later life he went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he was married and he operated land in the northern part of that state for a number of years. He likewise worked in some of the lumber camps of that section of the country but later removed to Kansas, settling in Jackson county, and spent the following three years in farming. In Phillips county, that state, he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, whereon he built a log house and there resided for nine years. While living there he also took up a timber claim which he was successful in putting into cultivation. In 1883 Alfred Rugg came to Oregon and settled in Douglas county, where he purchased some timber land in connection
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with his brother-in-law, John Griggs, later selling his share to Mr. Griggs and removing to Umatilla county, near Pilot Rock. There his sons, Alby William, Emory A., G. W., and Earl took up land and he bought railroad land. He was successful in the cul- tivation of this property and he built a frame house on it and there remained until 1900, when he went to Pendleton and retired. There he and his wife reside at the respective ages of eighty-nine and eighty-two years, and they are readily conceded rep- resentative citizens of the community. Mr. Rugg is a member of the republican party and hoth he and his wife are active in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are consistent members.
Alby William Rugg spent his boyhood in Kansas and Douglas county, Oregon, coming to Umatilla county at the age of sixteen years. In this county he engaged in the sheep and cattle business, in partnership with his brother, G. W., and they also operated a threshing outfit. They continued in the sheep business for twenty-seven years or until 1914, and in this partnership until 1917 when he continued in the cattle business on his own account. He owns a ranch of twenty-three hundred acres near Pilot Rock and is also in possession of two hundred and forty acres of irrigated land near Echo which he operates. He was very successful in his ranching interests and as the result of his diligence and ability is now well-to-do. He maintains the family home in Pendleton, where he has built a fine residence on Jackson street.
On the 6th of January, 1906, Mr. Rugg was united in marriage to Miss Elma Benson, a daughter of Thomas C. and Sarah (Robbins) Benson, and a native of Uma- tilla county, born near Pilot Rock. Her father was born in Missouri and her mother in Clackamas county, Oregon. When a small hoy Thomas C. Benson came to Oregon with his parents and located at The Meadows near Foster now Stanfield. Umatilla county was then but sparsely populated, Umatilla being the only town in that vicinity. He then engaged in the stock business and in freighting from Umatilla to the granite mines in Grant county. He operated land in the neighborhood of Foster and in 1888 removed to Portland, where he was engaged in buying cattle for the old Union Meat Company. When the government canal was being built he conducted a dairy farm and also a meat shop at the Cascade Locks and after its completion resumed his position with the Union Meat Company. Establishing a commission business under the name of the Benson Commission Company at Portland, he became president of the organization, and is still active in the duties of that office. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rugg two children have been born: Raymond and Helen.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Rugg the right of franchise he has been active in his support of the republican party and he is a firm believer in the principles of that party as factors in good government. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is not affiliated with any fraternal organizations. Mr. Rugg is prominent in the financial circles of Pendleton as director of the Inland Empire Bank. He takes an active part in all movements calculated to uplift and benefit his community, where he has long been considered one of the leading and influential citizens.
PHILIP BUEHNER.
Philip Buehner, president of the Buehner Lumber Company and otherwise iden- tified with the lumber interests of the northwest, was born in Arenzville, Illinois, June 3, 1858, and has been a resident of Portland since 1887, making this city his business headquarters throughout the intervening period. His father, George J. Buehner, was born in Germany in 1824 and came to the United States in 1848, when a young man of twenty-four years, settling first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he married Margaret Young. In 1857 he removed to Illinois and in that state devoted his life to the work of the Methodist ministry until his death, which occurred in 1907, while his wife passed away in the same year.
Philip Buehner attended different schools as the family removed from place to place, according to the itinerant methods of the Methodist ministry of that period. He was graduated in 1879 from the Washington University of St. Louis with the degree of Mechanical Engineer and became connected with the northwest in 1884, when he made his way to Spokane, Washington, though residing until 1887 at St. Paul, Minnesota, when he removed to Oregon, where he has since continued. In the intervening period, covering a third of a century, he has become closely and promi- nently connected with the development of the lumber industry and is now president
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of the Buehner Lumber Company and a director in the Eastern & Western Lumber Company. He is thoroughly acquainted with the trade and with lumber conditions in his section and has developed his business along constructive lines, carefully systematizing his interests and displaying initiative and enterprise in the conduct of his affairs.
In St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1883, Mr. Buehner was united in marriage to Miss Martha M. Habighorst and to them have been born four children: Margarita C., who became the wife of George R. Sailor, died in 1917, leaving two sons, George R. and Charles; Meta Martha is the wife of Robert P. Noble of New York city; Henry P., born in 1889, married Myrtle Brix and they have two children, Philip and Patricia Ann; Lillian Ruth is the wife of Charles Thornton Ladd, a son of William Ladd, a prominent banker and business man of Portland, and they have two daughters, Martha and Meta.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is keenly interested in all that pertains to local advancement and general progress. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Arlington Club. During the World war he assisted largely in the bond and Young Men's Christian Association drives and did active work in connection with the Spruce Division. His life throughout the entire period of his manhood has been one of usefulness and activity, actuated by honorable purposes and crowned by substantial results.
REV. TELESPHORE BROUILLETTE.
Rev. Telesphore Brouillette, who for many years devoted his life to the Pres- byterian ministry but is now living retired, was born in the parish of St. Cyprian, Quebec, December 10, 1842, and is a son of Landry and Emilie (Fortin) Brouillette. He comes of a family noted for loyalty, valor and patriotism in times of war as well as in days of peace. His grandfather, De Barnard Brouillette, served in the French rebellion in Canada in 1837. The father was also a soldier of the French rebellion, and after crossing the horder into the United States and becoming a resident of Kankakee county, Illinois, he there enlisted for service in the Union army in the Civil war.
Telesphore Brouillette was at one time the agent of the Nova Scotia government in establishing a large French colony in that country. He hecame a resident of Kankakee, Illinois, however, at an early age and was there residing when the serious trouble between the north and the south arose over the question of the states' surrender. Feeling that the Union cause was just he enlisted on the 15th of October, 1861, in Kankakee county, to serve for three years, or during the war, and was mustered into the United States army at Chicago, Illinois, January 19, 1862, a private of Captain John P. Harvey's Company which was later commanded by Captain Cephas Strong and was known as Company E of the Twelfth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. The first commander of the regiment was Colonel Arno Voss, who afterward was suc- ceeded by Colonel Hasbrouck Davis. The regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, in February, 1862, and remained there guarding rebel prisoners until the 25th of June, when it was ordered to Martinsburg, Virginia. Its first meet- ing with the enemy was when Colonel Davis and his men were scouting the country on the Martinsburg and Winchester pike and met the Confederate forces in far superior numbers at Bunker Hill, September 5, 1862, but completely routed them, driving them back several miles. On the 7th of September the Confederates, having been reinforced, attacked the Twelfth Cavalry at Martinsburg but were again put to flight and pursued beyond Winchester. The regiment moved to Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and thence to Sharpsburg, Virginia, where it joined General Mcclellan's forces and was assigned to Averill's Brigade. The Twelfth Cavalry performed picket duty at Williamsport and Dam No. 4 on the Potomac and afterward escorted Sigel's army from Warrenton to Fredericksburg. Following the battle there the Twelfth Cavalry was sent to Manassas to watch the movements of Lee and Stuart. The regiment was conspicuous for its bravery in the celebrated Stoneman raid, bearing a gallant part in engagements at South Anna Bridge and Ashland, Virginia. It was later assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the battles of Beverly Ford, or Brandy Statlon, Virginia, also at Carlisle and Gettysburg,
REV. TELESPHORE BROUILLETTE
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Williamsport and Falling Water, Maryland, at Stevensburg and Culpeper, Virginia. Following the last named engagement the regiment was ordered home to reorganize as a veteran regiment, which distinguished privilege was awarded by the secretary of war in recognition of its brilliant service in the field. Early in March, 1864, it was transferred to General Bank's Corps and took part in the Red River expedition and engagements at Bayou Rapids, Bayou Lafourche, Marksville and Liberty, Louisiana. The Twelfth Illinois Cavalry was also a part of General Davidson's expedition against Mobile, Alabama, after which it was engaged in scouting and on guard and escort duty until mustered out at Houston, Texas, May 29, 1866, the men receiving their final discharge at Springfield, Illinois, on the 18th of June of that year. Mr. Brouillette had been with his command in all of the engagements in which it had participated and had been promoted to corporal and sergeant. In the three days' cavalry fight at the Rapidan retreat, while in a charge on the enemy's artillery, he was wounded in the left hand by a piece of shell which passed through his hand. He was also struck in the right eye by the flying debris and was carried in an ambulance for a few days until able to resume duty and while he was at the front he had many other narrow escapes, four horses being killed from under him. He bore a gallant part in all the engagements of his battalion and rendered faithful and meritorious service to his country. He received an honorable discharge at Memphis, Tennessee, February 28, 1865, by reason of the expiration of his term of service. He was offered a commission which was Issued to him as captain in the United States Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Hancock's Corps, but declined.
It was after his service in the Union army that Rev. Mr. Brouillette entered McGill University at Montreal, Canada, and studied for the ministry. He was graduated in 1874 and the same year was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian church.
It was on the 14th of August of the same year that Mr. Brouillette was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Raymond in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, and they became the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are living: Millie, Jessie, Sadie, Sellna, Minerva, Carrie, Susie and Rex. The family came to the northwest in 1880 and for a long period Mr. Brouillette devoted his life to the active work of the ministry but is now living retired. He is a member of Ben Butler Post, No. 57, G. A. R., . and was commander of Phil Kearney Post, No. 7, of the Department of Washington, for one term, while in the order he has filled a number of minor offices. He also held the position of acting assistant adjutant general and was for one term a member of the council of administration of the Department of Oregon. He was chaplain of the De- partment of Washington and aide-de-camp to the department commander of Wash- ington. He has at times been active as an official In public office, serving as superin- tendent of schools of Lewis county, Washington, and was acting mayor of Newberg for four years. He served for several years as justice of the peace of Newberg and ever discharged his duties with marked capability and fairness. His wife is an active and honored member of Ben Butler Corps, No. 28, W. R. C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brouillette are widely and favorably known in Portland, where they exert a beneficent influence in connection with the intellectual and moral progress of the community.
LESTER WARREN HUMPHREYS.
For many decades America thrilled with the story of the bravery and the loyalty of the "Boys in Blue." Then came another momentous period in which the country needed the aid of her patriotic sons and there was immediate response and a new glory chapter was written in American annals. Aside from the valor displayed by the khaki-clad troops who marched to the defense of democracy in Europe, the out- standing characteristic is perhaps the modesty with which these men have told the tale of their deeds overseas. The war records, however, speak graphically although concisely of what has been done, and that Major Lester Warren Humphreys has re- ceived the Belgian Croix de Guerre tells the story of his military service. In private life he is a well known Portland lawyer, now serving as United States district attorney. He was born in Brookville, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1883, and is a son of Thomas N. Humphreys and a grandson of John A. Humphreys, both of whom followed the occupation of milling. The grandfather was a soldier of the Civil war, serving with the rank of first lieutenant in the One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry until 1864, and for nine months of that period was in Anderson-
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ville prison. The father, Thomas N. Humphreys, was born in Pennsylvania in 1859 and was married in that state to Miss Margaret E. Yost, whose birth also occurred in that commonwealth. She passed away in Oregon in 1898, while Mr. Humphreys is now living in Ashland, Oregon, having come with his family to this state in Septem- ber, 1885.
Major Humphreys at the time of the removal to the northwest was but two years of age. He attended the country and town schools, pursuing his studies in the public schools of Salem and of Foster and also at Myrtle Creek, Oregon. Later he became a pupil in the Oregon Agricultural College, and with a desire to become a member of the bar, entered the law department of Oregon State University in Portland, from which he was graduated with the class of 1908. The same year he was admitted to practice in the courts of this state and has since been an active rep- resentative of the profession in Portland save for the period of his service in the World war. In his chosen calling he has made steady progress as the result of the thoroughness and care with which he prepares his cases and the precision with which he presents the evidence before court or jury. He is now filling the office of United States district attorney, his record reflecting credit upon his selection for this position.
With America's advent into the World war Mr. Humphreys joined the army. In April, 1917, he was commissioned by President Wilson as first lieutenant of the Infantry Reserve Corps and in May of that year entered the officers' training camp at the Presidio in San Francisco. In August he was promoted to a captaincy and in October, 1918, was advanced to the rank of major. In June, 1918, he went overseas with the Ninety-first Division. He attended the First Corps School, commanded Com- pany M, Three Hundred and Sixty-fourth Infantry, and went into the Argonne as operations officer of the Three Hundred and Sixty-fourth Infantry. On his military record appear the names of some of the most important battle fronts of the war. He was on active duty at St. Mihiel on the 12th of September, 1918, and participated in the famous Argonne-Meuse drive from the 26th of September until the 4th of October. He also participated in the Lys-Scheldt offensive in Belgium from the 29th of October until the 11th of November, 1918, when the signing of the armistice put an end to all further direct military activities. The story of his service is best told in the fact that he won the Belgian Croix de Guerre, which was conferred upon him on the 16th of April, 1919, and he was honorably discharged from military service in the United States army at Camp Dix, New Jersey, June 19, 1919. Following his return home, or on the 19th of November, he was appointed by President Wilson to the position of United States attorney for the district of Oregon.
On the 6th of November, 1906, in Portland, Major Humphreys was married and has two sons: Lester W., Jr., born in 1907; and Richard Howard, in 1913. Mr. Humphreys is a member of the Anglers Club, the Golf Club and the Salmon Club of Portland, is also a Master Mason and gives his political endorsement to the democratic party.
JOSEPH EDWARD MORBACK.
The popularity of Joseph Edward Morback, manager of the Tualatin Valley Electric Company has been proved in Sherwood by his election to serve as mayor of the city for twelve consecutive years. He was born in Wisconsin fifty-three years, the son of Clemens and Jane (Mccutcheon) Morback, who were progressive citizens of Wisconsin, Clemens Morback having been honored with many offices, all of which he filled accept- ably. He was tax collector and for two terms served as county assessor. Joseph Mor- back's ancestors on his mother's side were the Mccutcheons, old Scotch pioneers of Wisconsin. Both of the families followed agricultural pursuits.
Joseph Morback was educated in the common schools of his native township. His first business venture was that of stock buyer and he continued in this work until 1887, when he came to Oregon to work for the Portland Pressed Brick Company, then operating a brickmaking plant at Sherwood. Shortly after locating in Sherwood Mr. Morback obtained employment in the general merchandise store of J. C. Smock, who was the original founder of what is now Sherwood, but was in its early history called Smockville, in honor of the man who had located it. Until 1909 this store was the scene of Mr. Morback's business activity, beginning as clerk, rising to manager and finally becoming proprietor. In 1909 he disposed of all the departments of the busi-
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ness except that of the shipping of farm products, engaging in this branch until 1919, when the demands upon his time and ability from other sources became so numerous that he disposed of this enterprise. He helped to organize and was for many years secretary of the Onion Growers' Association, one of the leading farmers' organizations in the county. He re-organized and is now manager of the Tualatin Valley Electric Com- pany, whose distributing plant is at Sherwood. This company serves about thirty-five miles of territory, supplying besides Sherwood, Tigard, Tigardville, Middleton and Tualatin. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Sherwood and for many years was one of its directors. Mr. Morback was also instrumental in the organization of the Sherwood Telephone Company. This company has three hundred and fifty sub- scribers and Mr. Morback is the president. The Business Men's Association, in which he has served both as president and secretary, is another of his many civic activities. While in no sense a politican Mr. Morback has served as city recorder of Sherwood and was for twenty years a school director.
Mr. Morback was married in 1891 to Miss Rosie Belle Smock, daughter of J. C. Smock, the pioneer founder of the town. The union has been blessed with four chil- dren: George W., a graduate of the School of Technology at Portland and also of the electrical department of the Oregon Agricultural College. He is now in the electrical business in Portland; Ivy B., the wife of Walter Bowen, a member of a pioneer family of Oregon, residing in Sherwood; Edna J., a junior in the Oregon Agricultural College; and Gladys, a teacher in the grade schools.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Morback are active members of the Congregational church, where Mr. Morback is a deacon and was formerly superintendent of the Sunday school. Mrs. Morback is a teacher in the Sunday school and like her husband is active in church and social affairs. During the World war Mr. Morback was chairman of the war drives, while Mrs. Morback was active in Red Cross activities and such patriotic work. In politics Mr. Morback is a republican and in all things progressive. In recording the names of the men who are building the state of Oregon one has but to read of the activities of Joseph Edward Morback to realize that so far as his section of Washing- ton county is concerned, no volume depicting its growth could be truthfully compiled without his story being included in its pages.
REV. M. L. FERRY.
Rev. M. L. Ferry is the pastor of St. Philip Neri's church of Portland, the corner stone of which was laid on the 1st of June, 1913. The church edifice was completed in the same year and stands at the corner of Sixteenth and Hickory streets. The basement of the church is used for parochial school purposes and the Rev. M. P. Smith became the first priest in charge of the parish. He was succeeded in September, 1919, by Rev. M. L. Ferry, who took charge and has since lahored in this parish. He was born and reared in California and acquired his education in that state, his training being such as well qualified him for the holy work that he has undertaken. On the 21st of June, 1910, he was ordained by Cardinal Gibbons in Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1911 and 1912 was stationed in Chicago where he served as assistant pastor. Through the succeeding three years he was located in Washington, D. C., after which he was returned to Chicago, where he remained until September, 1919. The scene of his labors then changed by reason of his transferral to his present parish. Here he has laid broad and deep the foundation for a large parish and school. Under his guidance the work has been thoroughly organized and each branch of the church is accomplish- ing a worthy purpose toward the upbuilding of the whole. The school has a good attendance and the result of Father Ferry's zealous labors is strongly manifest.
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