USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 81
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ACHILLES SHANNON ESSON, D. D. S.
Dr. Achilles Shannon Esson, a prominent representative of dentistry in central Oregon, practicing at The Dalles, is a member of the Esson family of Scotch origin. His grandfather was an officer of the British navy and his father was Alexander Esson, born in Strathdon, Scotland. Alex Esson enlisted at the age of sixteen years In the Seventy-ninth Scotch Regiment, was transferred to the garrison in Quebec, and
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after service of seven years he was honorably discharged and remained on this continent. He came to the Pacific coast in 1857. The following year he located in Marion county, Oregon, where in 1874 Dr. Esson was born. His mother, Mrs. Christina (Stevens) Esson, also belonged to one of the pioneer families of the northwest, her parents having come to Oregon across the plains with ox team and wagon in 1852.
Dr. Esson was educated in the common schools of his native county and attended a session of the medical department of the University of Oregon, thus obtaining a broad literary course to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge. He attended the North Pacific Dental College in prepara- tion for his professional activities and won his D. D. S. degree in 1901. Immediately afterward he took up his abode at The Dalles, where he was associated in the practice of his profession with Dr. Harvey A. Sturdevant until 1905, when he became associated with Dr. H. F. Sturdevant, a connection that was maintained until 1911. Dr. Esson then purchased his partner's interest and has since practiced alone, retaining the serv- ices of the dentists who were connected with the office when the partnership was dis- solved. He has built up a large practice through marked ability and courtesy and without invidious distinction may be termed one of the leading dentists of central Oregon. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought, investiga- tion, research and discovery and from 1908 until 1911 was a member of the state dental board. He belongs to the Oregon Dental Association and enjoys in the highest degree the esteem and goodwill of his contemporaries and colleagues in the profession.
In 1901 Dr. Esson was united in marriage to Miss Anne Johnson of Marion county, a daughter of P. K. Johnson, one of the pioneer settlers of the county and the largest hop grower of that portion of the state.
In 1912 Dr. Esson was appointed a member of the city council and was twice elected to that position, serving from 1912 until 1916 inclusive, and during his term of office he was chairman of the fire and water committee and chairman of the streets committee, during which period all of the cross streets of the city were paved and the water supply of the city greatly improved and enlarged. Dr. Esson is also a member of The Dalles Chamber of Commerce and is at all times a most public-spirited and progressive resident of Wasco county. Every enterprise of value to the community is sure of his cooperation. In the recent reorganization of the local plant of the King Products Company he was one of a small group of alert, energetic and progressive business men who cheerfully put up one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to assist in financing the project and keeping the plant here for the benefit of the community, Fraternally Dr. Esson is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, but the major part of his time and attention is given to his professional duties, which are constantly growing in volume and importance. He has long occupied a promi- nent place as a representative of the dental profession and at all times holds to the highest standards and ethics, thus meriting the high regard which is entertained for him by fellow dentists and by the public at large.
WALTER CORNELL VAN EMON.
A scion of two of America's earliest families, Walter Cornell Van Emon, was born in Yorkville, Illinois, on the 1st of January, 1887. His parents were George H. and Stella (Cornell) Van Emon, the former being a descendant of Holland-Dutch ancestry, who settled in America in 1650. They were prominent and well known people from the establishment of the city of New Amsterdam on down through the Revolutionary period to the present day. They emigrated to Illinois when that state was a part of Virginia and in the Civil war their patriotic spirit prompted voluntary enlistment. For generations the Van Emons were successful farmers, as were the Cornells, who came from Wales to America as early as 1604. The Cornells have always been worthy and representative citizens and their name may be found along with those of other families who fought so gallantly for their adopted country in times of war.
The schools of Yorkville, Illinois, afforded Walter C. Van Emon his early education and then removing to Washington, D. C., with his father, who had accepted a position in one of the government departments, he entered the high school, from which he was graduated in the required time. He then entered Georgetown University, taking up the study of law, and in 1909 he was graduated from that institution with the LL. B. degree. Soon afterward he received an appointment as special agent of the
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United States land office in field work and this work carried him to all parts of America, the west in particular. In 1917 he tendered his resignation from government service and located at Klamath Falls, where he has since engaged in the practice of his pro- fession, being numbered among the most prominent members of the Oregon bar. He brought to the profession thorough training and natural qualifications of a high order, and the able services he has already rendered constitute a promise of many years of usefulness to any community where he lives. He has built up a large clientele, spe- cializing in corporation law, and it is said that he represents a large percentage of the lumber concerns of southern Oregon. Mr. Van Emon is clear and concise in his pre- sentation of a cause, logical in his deductions and sound in his reasoning, while in the application of legal principles he is seldom at fault. He determined on Klamath Falls as a suitable location because of the climate and opportunities it offered and he has made many friends who hold him in high esteem.
In 1915 Mr. Van Emon was united in marriage to Miss Julia Edith Rinker, a daugh- ter of James Rinker of Wakeeney, Kansas, and they have three children: Walter Cornell, III .; Carlton Allen; and Elizabeth Ruth. Mrs. Van Emon is a graduate of the University of Kansas and a woman of much culture and social grace. She is a model mother and housewife and her home is noted for its hospitality.
In politics Mr. Van Emon is an earnest republican and he stands for all that is progressive in matters of citizenship. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and he has traveled both branches, being a Knight Templar as well as a thirty-second degree Mason. He is likewise a Noble of Hillah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Mr. Van Emon has filled all the chairs in the Blue lodge and he endeavors in every way to live up to the teachings of the craft. In line with his profession he has membership in the State Bar and the American Bar Associations and his interest in the development and welfare of the community is demonstrated by his connection with the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Van Emon is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta college fraternity, in which organization he takes great pride and pleasure. There is no man more familiar with the land laws of the country than Mr. Van Emon and he is regarded as one of the rising young lawyers of the coast.
PRENTISS BROWN.
Prentiss Brown, elected superintendent of schools at Baker, Oregon, in April, 1920, bringing to bear in his present position the qualities well developed by thorough train- ing in the State University, was born in Lebanon, Linn county, Oregon, October 30, 1893, his parents being William Marsden and Flora Luphanna (Crandall) Brown. The father was born in lowa, August 7, 1869, and when eleven years of age became a resident of Kansas, where he remained until 1891 and then took up his abode In Lebanon, Oregon. He taught school for five years and afterward founded the Lebanon Criterion, of which he was editor and publisher for the period of a decade. Subse- quently he turned his attention to the practice of law and also engaged in the banking business, becoming one of the representative and prominent men of Lebanon, contribut- ing in large measure to its growth and upbuilding.
Prentiss Brown, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of his native city and following his graduation from the Lebanon high school with the class of 1912, attended the University of Oregon, winning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916. While in the university he took active part in athletics and forensics and was president of his class during the junior year. Following his gradua- tion he taught history and was athletic coach in the high school of Centralia, Wash- ington.
On the 7th of April, 1917, Mr. Brown enlisted for service in the World war, join- ing the Field Artillery at Seattle, Washington. He was later transferred to the Presidio at San Francisco, California, and was ordered to report to the Officers' Train- ing Camp. In August, 1917, however, he was discharged for defective vision, after which he was employed as head of the history department in the Walla Walla high school and later was elected principal of the high school at Baker. After two month's work in the latter position he resigned in order to enter the army, the standard for visual requirement having been lowered. He re-enlisted in October, 1918, and was again with the khaki clad boys, serving with the heavy artillery until he received his second discharge. Returning to Baker he was elected to the superintendency of
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the schools of this city in April, 1920, and is giving excellent satisfaction as the head of the school system, for his standards are high and he has introduced various improved methods.
At Corvallis, Oregon, on the 31st of August, 1916, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Ida May Humphrey, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Humphrey. Her mother, a native of Iowa, crossed the plains by wagon in 1880 with her father, David Perin, who settled near Monroe. Walter S. Humphrey was the son of an Oregon pioneer, Albert Humphrey, and was born near Eugene in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have become par- ents of two children: Flora May, born May 1, 1918; and Barbara Ellen, born Septem- ber 12, 1919.
In his political views Mr. Brown is a republican and at all times keeps well in- formed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is serving on the board of directors of the Baker Y. M. C. A. and also of the Red Cross for Baker and Grant counties. He has member- ship in the Baker County Chamber of Commerce, the Baker Country Club and the National Educational Association. He is also a Mason, identified with Lebanon Lodge, No. 44, A. F. & A. M .; and he belongs to Baker Lodge, No. 338, B. P. O. E .; the Delta Tau Delta, a college fraternity; and to Baker Post, No. 41, of the American Legion, of which he is adjutant. Progressiveness in the educational field, patriotism in citizenship and high standards in every relation of life have made Prentiss Brown a man whom to know is to esteem and honor and he has a host of warm friends in Baker and through- out this section of the state.
PHILIP STREIB.
Among the men who have done much for the growth and prosperity of Oregon is Philip Streib, of Milwaukie. Since his residence here he has devoted his time and energy to the upbuilding of this state and Clackamas county and rightly deserves the place accorded him among the most prominent men of his community. He is a native of Germany, born in Baden, in 1864, and his parents were Ludwig and Louisa (Steiner) Streib. The father, who was a successful farmer and butcher, emigrated to America in 1880, settling in Toledo, Ohio.
On coming to the Pacific coast on a visit Philip Streib was so much attracted by the climate and the progressiveness of this section of the country that he at once wrote for his parents to come west, and so in 1881 they arrived in Portland. Having learned the brewing business he accepted the position as brew master with a large Portland brewery and continued in that position for some ten years, but finding methods here so different from the methods employed in Germany, he never invested a dollar in this industry. In 1893 he decided to retire from this business so he resigned and purchased the Hotel Metropolis in Portland, which he conducted most successfully for the period of eleven years. In 1904 he moved to Milwaukie, where he had previously purchased a large tract of land, which he cleared and laid out streets. The thirty-four acres so subdivided he named Streib's First Addition to Milwaukie, and this old nursery tract is today the choice residence property in the city, containing Milwaukie's handsomest homes. In 1903 he was one of the most active men in the incorporation of the city and was one of its first councilmen. As a result of his public-spiritedness and ability he was elected mayor and served two terms in that office, declining urgent requests to continue in the office. Under his administration many public improve- ments were made. Most of the streets were paved, roadways were built, the water system was improved and many metropolitan features introduced. For six years, Mr. Streib also served the public in the office of city treasurer. Ever on the alert for ways in which to advance the progress of his community, he realized the necessity of a home bank and in 1909 was active in the organization of the First State Bank, of which he was elected president and still holds that position to the intense satisfac- tion of the community. The bank was organized as a convenience to the citizens and with no thought of personal gain, it being more of a public-spirited than a business venture, yet, under Mr. Streib's able management and careful guidance it has come to be one of the most successful hanks in the valley and has been the means of building up not only the city of Milwaukie but the north end of the valley to an astonishing extent. When the Willamette Valley Southern Railroad was built, Mr. Streib became
PHILIP STREIB
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one of the original stockholders, but this road, though it has been of great benefit to the farmers, has not been of much satisfaction to the stockholders.
In Portland, in 1887, Mr. Streib was united in marriage to Carolina Muench, whose father Gottleib Muench was a California pioneer of the days of '49 and an Oregon pioneer of 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Streib two children have been born: Philip, Jr., and Elizabeth. The son is now residing in Washington county on a farm which was pur- chased by his father for the use of the latter's parents. This place, consisting of eighty-seven acres, was too much for Ludwig Streib as he advanced in years, so it was given to Philip, Jr., and the elder Mr. Streib is making his home with the subject of the review in Milwaukie. The daughter, Elizabeth, was for some time assistant cashier of the bank. She was graduated from one of Portland's best business colleges and was an expert accountant. She is now the wife of Joseph Franz, one of the owners of the United States Bakery of Portland.
Fraternally Mr. Streib is an Elk and an Odd Fellow and also belongs to the Port- land Social Turnverein, German Aid Society and Geographical Association, and in every public enterprise he is foremost with time and money. Though born across the water, Mr. Streib is thoroughly American in thought and feeling and wishing to be- come a fully acknowledged American citizen he applied for his citizenship papers and in 1886 became a citizen of this country. He is patriotic and sincere in his love for this country and as early as 1886 was a member of the Portland Light Battery. In politics he has always been a stanch supporter of the republican party. This man who left the fatherland to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods has had all of his hopes realized, and, finding the opportunities he sought, which are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, has steadily worked his way upward until today by his resolution, perseverance and reliability he has his name enrolled among the best citizens of Clackamas county and is honored and highly respected.
CHARLES EMMET DRAKE, D. D. S.
Following in the professional footsteps of his father who was for many years a leading dentist of Portland, Dr. Charles Emmet Drake has engaged in practice in this city since 1890 and his skill and ability are indicated in the large patronage accorded him. He was born in Marion, Ohio, December 4, 1867, a son of Dr. William S. and Maria Elizabeth (Guthrie) Drake, the former a descendant of old families of New England and the state of New York, while the latter was of Pennsylvania stock. The father took up the study of dentistry and followed his profession in Springfield and Marion, Ohio, until 1893, when he came to Portland. Here he opened an office and for twenty years engaged in practice, becoming one of the prominent and successful dentists of this city. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of whom it has been truly said: "These men need no monument in marble. They built an enduring monument in the great American republic." He passed away in 1916, while the mother's demise occurred in 1914.
In the public schools and the high school of Marion, Ohio, Charles E. Drake pur- sued his education, completing his professional study in the state of Ohio. After successfully passing his examination he practiced dentistry in Sycamore, Nevada and Laure, Ohio, and was also associated with his father in practice at Marion, greatly profiting by the long experience and sound advice of the latter in professional matters. In 1890 Dr. Charles E. Drake came to Portland, where he established an office at First and Yamhill, being joined three years later by his father, who also opened an office in this city. A younger brother of the subject of this review, Dr. Fred W. Drake, had also taken up the profession of dentistry and at one time the two brothers and the father were all engaged in practice in this city, the name of Drake becoming a most prominent one in dental circles here. Subsequently Dr. Charles E. Drake and his brother consolidated their interests, and practiced in the Selling building, later re- moving their offices to the Oregonian building. The brother has now retired from active connection with the profession and is residing in Portland. Dr. Charles E. Drake has since continued alone in practice and is numbered among the most succes- ful dentists of the city.
Dr. Drake attends Centenary Wilbur Methodist Episcopal church, and his political al- legiance is given to the republican party. He is a veteran of the First and the Third Old Vol. 11-41
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Oregon Guard and during the recent conflict with Germany did everything in his power to aid the government in bringing the war to a successful termination. He is vice president of the Portland Rose Society and was one of the promoters of the Rose Festival, an annual carnival of great beauty which has made the city famous through- out the country and for seven years he served as secretary of this association. He is also a member of the Portland Hunt Club, the Lang Syne Society and the Press Club and his fraternal connections are with the Portland Lodge of Elks, No. 142, Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 10, K. P., and Samaritan Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F. He is a firm believer in the future of Portland and is the owner of much valuable city property. Dr. Drake is one of the incorporators of The Atlantic Pacific Highway and Electrical Exposition to be held in Portland in 1925. He has attained standing in his profession and his life has been one of close application and indefatigable industry, crowned with a notable measure of success.
NATHAN GREEN WALLACE.
One of the most prominent men of Crook county, Oregon, is Nathan Green Wallace, county judge, who resides in Prineville. Judge Wallace has had a varied business career and has won success as printer, book binder, newspaper reporter, editor, school superintendent and lawyer. As a boy he was ever ambitious, energetic, and untiring in his efforts to secure for himself a good education, and these characteristics have been dominant factors in his success.
Like many other prominent and successful men of Oregon, Judge Wallace is not a native son, for his birth occurred in Arkansas in 1875, his parents being William J. and Mary (Booth) Wallace. He received his education in the public schools of his native state and at an early day, feeling the necessity of earning his own livelihood, took up the printer's trade. At the same time he continued his studies, for he was ambitious to accomplish better things. In addition to the printer's trade he learned book-binding and then finding that his native state did not offer him the best field for expansion he moved to Oklahoma and became associated with a newspaper there, doing office work. During all that time he was studying law and in 1901 he was admitted to the bar in Arkansas and later in Oklahoma. In 1913 he decided to come west and was told of the advantages to be found in Crook county, Oregon, and as a result came to this state, looked the county over and being favorably impressed located here. He has remained a resident of Crook county and has risen to a position of prominence and trust. For some time he was in newspaper work and his experience as a printer and as editor of the Marlow Review, Marlow, Oklahoma, with which paper he was associated from 1906 to 1912, resulted in continued success in that venture. He did not long engage in that line of work, however, for the call of the legal profession proved too great and he soon established offices in Prineville and for nearly ten years has been one of the leading lawyers of central Oregon. Mr. Wallace has been active in the political circles of Arkansas and Oklahoma, as well as in Oregon. While a resident of Arkansas he was for two terms deputy county clerk of Grant county, served one term as superintendent of schools and several terms as police judge, and in Okla- homa he was likewise elected to fill the office of police judge. In 1917 he was appointed county judge of Crook county, this state, and gave so much satisfaction that he was elected to succeed himself and is still active in that office. Judge Wallace is an en- thusiast on public improvements, especially as concerns good roads, and it is said of him that he has spent more of his own money, as well as his time, on public improve- ments than any man in this section of the country. As a lawyer he is regarded as one of the best in the state and while at all times courteous to court, jury, and wit- nesses he is known to be aggressive and positive in the conduct of his cases. Judge Wallace has become particularly well known in connection with his fights before the state highway commission for road improvements for Crook county.
In 1898 occurred the marriage of Judge Wallace to Lona L. Sudduth and to their union three children were born: Herman G., who is in business in Oklahoma City, and who is a veteran of the World war, having served in the navy; Myttie Louise, the wife of E. R. Bradfield of Houston, Texas; and Edwin T., in business in Okla- homa. In 1916 Judge Wallace was again married, taking Addie Vanderpool Spalding of Prineville, Oregon, as his wife. She is a member of a well known pioneer family.
As one of the leading men of the community Judge Wallace is active in the booster
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organization known as the Prineville Irrigators, in which he holds the title of the Duke of Highways. His only fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias and in the line of his profession he is a member of the Central Oregon and State Bar Asso- ciations.
ANDREAS ALBRECHT.
Andreas Albrecht, who devoted his life to construction engineering and who for twenty-three years was a resident of Portland, was born near Odessa, Russia, in 1862. He was a lad of eleven years. when he left his native country and came to America, settling first in Nebraska, where he lived for several years and then went to North Dakota, where he resided for a time. It was in 1893 that he came to Portland and here entered upon work as a construction engineer. He had previously followed the same line of activity and his industry and enterprise constituted the foundation upon which he has built his success.
In 1883 Mr. Albrecht was married to Miss Carolina Caroline, a daughter of John and Fredericka (Hilderbrant) Caroline, who were natives of Russia. Mrs. Caroline was but five years of age when brought to the United States by her parents who settled in Nebraska and there continued to reside until called to their final rest.
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