USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 83
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Mr. Settlemire provided a comfortable living for his family through his careful and systematic management of his farming interests. He continued actively to engage
MARTIN R. SETTLEMIRE
653
HISTORY OF OREGON
in the cultivation of the soil until 1906, when he retired from business life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of a rest which he had truly earned and richly merited. He passed away November 15, 1919, and all of his surviving children were at his bedside at the time of his demise. His household mourned the loss of a loving and devoted husband and father and many who knew him felt that they had lost a most sincere and faithful friend. As a pioneer he contributed much to the agri- cultural development of the state and he lived to witness its transformation from a wild and unsettled region into one of the great commonwealths of the Union.
HON. THOMAS RAY COON.
The life activities of Hon. Thomas Ray Coon have been broad and varied and as legislator, as educator and as horticulturist he has achieved prominence and distinc- tion, for he is a man who would rise to a position of leadership in any line to which he turned his attention. He is now residing in Portland and although sixty-six years of age is yet strong and vigorous both in mind and body, showing that his has been a life of clean living and high thinking.
Mr. Coon is one of Oregon's native sons, his birth having occurred at Silverton on the 4th of March, 1854. He comes of a family that has long been established in America, his maternal grandfather, Paul Crandall, being a descendant in the sixth generation of the Rev. John Crandall, a Baptist minister, who went to Massachusetts about the year 1635 and a little later followed Roger Williams to Rhode Island where they labored together for religious toleration. Joseph Crandall of the third generation and his son Phineas of the fourth generation were both soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Silas Crandall of the fifth generation owned a fishing smack on Long Island sound, which was shot to pieces by the British in the War of 1812. Paul Crandall, son of Silas Crandall, moved to Wisconsin about the year 1840 and was a member of the second constitutional convention which met in 1847. He married Sally Stillman, and their daughter, Polly Lavinia, was born November 24, 1825, at Alfred Center, New York. At Milton, Wisconsin, on the 1st of January, 1845, she wedded Thomas Lewis Coon and they became the parents of Thomas Ray Coon, the subject of this review. Previous to her marriage the mother had taught school in Wisconsin and her father was a prominent resident of that state, aiding in framing the constitution. Thomas L. Coon was born at Hornellsville, New York, May 16, 1821, a son of Stephen and Bathsheba (Wells) Coon, who in the early part of the nineteenth century resided in western New York, where they reared their family of twelve children. Later they removed to Wisconsin and the mother's demise occurred in 1833. Thomas L. Coon, one of the younger members of the family, was educated at Alfred Center, New York, and following the removal of his parents to Wisconsin he there engaged in the profes- sion of teaching. In 1850 Mr. Coon crossed the continent to. California and in 1852 his wife crossed the plains to Oregon as members of a party of thirty, which included the parents of Mrs. Coon and their children: Webster and his wife; Luke; Phoebe; Amanda; and Emily Crandall. Samuel L. Coon, a half-brother of Thomas L. Coon, and Jay Stillman, a cousin, were also in the party, the latter being now (in 1921) the only surviving member of the band of thirty. Locating on land which is now the town site of Silverton Thomas L. Coon there engaged in tilling the soil and for a time also followed the profession of teaching. He passed away on the 10th of January, 1854, leaving a wife and daughter, Cornelia, and seven weeks later the birth of his son, Thomas Ray, occurred. After her husband's demise Mrs. Coon continued to reside on the homestead and engaged in teaching school, subsequently platting and naming the town of Silverton. On the 27th of September, 1856, she wedded Stephen Price and in 1861 they removed to Salem where for many years she was an instructor in the public schools. Later she taught in Portland and The Dalles, being considered one of the best primary teachers in the state. She passed away on the 22d of October, 1898.
In the public schools of Salem and in Willamette University Thomas R. Coon pur- sued his education and near the end of the junior year he received a pressing offer from Ezra Meeker to become the teacher at Puyallup, Washington, which position he accepted, although the faculty were strongly opposed to his leaving the university at that time. It was but natural that he should be attracted toward the profession of teaching, as both his father and mother were prominent educators and inheriting their
654
HISTORY OF OREGON
ability he proved very successful in the work, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge which he had acquired. In 1869 he was invited by the colored people of Salem to teach a night school. He had about twenty pupils, ranging in age from ten to sixty years, laborers, barbers and blacksmiths being among the adult students and William Johnson and his wife, prominent and respected colored residents of their day and generation, were also included among his pupils. His first public school was taught at Franklin (now Puyallup), in Pierce county, Washington. The certi- ficate was obtained at Tacoma, in June, 1871, from General McCarver who was the first settler at Linnton, Multnomah county, Oregon, then at Sacramento, California, and finally at Tacoma, Washington. The examination required by Superintendent McCarver consisted of a specimen of the handwriting of the applicant and the name of the school in which he had studied. In the Franklin school there were seven pupils older than the teacher and among the younger students was Clarence K. Clark, who later became famous as the engineer who succeeded in directing the waters of the Colorado river from their course into the Salton sea, diverting its flow into the Imperial valley of California, thus completing a valuable irrigation system.
From Puyallup, Washington, Mr. Coon removed to Portland where he took charge of the Mount Tabor school, the site of which is now occupied by the A. L. Mills Open Air School. Self government was used successfully in the Mount Tabor School. The state of Franklin was organized with a constitution and members of the legislature were elected from among the pupils, who made the rules of the school. They were allowed to choose a governor but the powers of the supreme court were vested in the teacher. This was a novel method of instruction, displaying Mr. Coon's spirit of initiative and in this manner the pupils obtained valuable practical knowledge concern- ing legislative procedure and the value of discipline. He next became principal of the East Portland schools, grading them to conform with the work on the west side and after two years there spent he took charge of the South school in Seattle, A, A. Denny and Orange Jacobs being at that time members of the board. Owing to a shortage of school funds in that city he went to Astoria, Oregon, where he was occupied in grading the schools but at the end of two years resigned on account of impaired health, due to the close confinement necessitated by his work as an instructor. His efforts along that line were most successful and as an educator he became well known throughout the Pacific northwest.
Removing to Hood River, Oregon, Mr. Coon there turned his attention to horticul- tural pursuits, in which he has become prominent, conducting his operations along the most scientific and progressive lines. In the course of his experiments he dis- covered the value of the Clark seedling strawberry which he shipped to the Missouri river markets and into the Colorado mines. He was active in organizing the Hood River Fruit Growers' Union of which he served as a director and president for about seven years and was the first to be sent out to look after the markets east of the Rocky mountains. In 1895 he took the first carload shipment, amounting to thirteen cars, over the Rockies. For three successive years he took charge of the shipments, the last being to Montana. The Hood River Fruit Growers Union was incorporated in 1893 and its success in marketing the strawberry smoothed the way for the apple grower who came later. Cooperation of the growers and an honest pack were insisted upon. In 1894 he was a delegate from the Hood River Fruit Growers Union to the Northwestern Fruit Growers Association which was organized at Spokane, Washing- ton, and in 1895 he was elected secretary of that association. A spirit of enterprise and progress characterizes him in all of his work and he has been most successful in his horticulural operations, being regarded as an authority in this branch of agri- culture. He has advanced with the scientific principles of agriculture and by his pros- perity in a modern enterprise conducted along progressive lines has proved the efficacy of system in promoting productiveness. Mr. Coon remains on his Hood River fruit land which is located right on Hood river, during the planting and growing season and spends the winter months at his home in the Mount Tabor district. He is a man of determined purpose, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, for in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail.
In Tacoma, Washington territory, on the 12th of April, 1874, Mr. Coon was united in marriage to Miss Delia McNeal, the ceremony being performed at the home of George F. Orchard who with his family was occupying a log cabin wnich was the first dwelling built on the homestead of General McCarver and theirs was the distinc- tion of being the first couple married in Tacoma. The parents of Mrs. Coon were Abraham and Phoebe (Beebe) McNeal. Her father was born in western New York
655
HISTORY OF OREGON
of Scotch descent and the mother was also a native of that section of the country and a lineal descendant of Michael Pierce who located at Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1645. The parents were married in Brown county, Wisconsin, October 1, 1850, and in 1856 they removed to Nebraska. The mother passed away in 1859 and the following year the father with his four little daughters crossed the plains to California. In Septem- ber, 1861, he arrived in Oregon, taking up his residence at Salem, and his demise occurred at Tacoma, Washington, on the 23d of June, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Coon were born the following children: Ida Cornelia, who was born June 26, 1875, and died September 29, 1882; Eugene Carl, whose birth occurred on the 24th of June, 1883; Thomas Melvin, born April 12, 1885; Viola Ruth, who was born July 19, 1887, and on the 1st of August, 1912, became the wife of William Foss of Hood River, Oregon; Florence Grace, born November 22, 1888, who became the wife of Harry W. Woods of Portland, on the 12th of April, 1919; Phoebe Mabel, born April 4, 1892; Charles Wells, who was born January 14, 1895, and died September 13, 1896; and Sarah Elinor, who was born October 21, 1898, and died on the 8th of January the following year.
Mr. Coon was identified with the Riverside Congregational church in Hood River and later became a member of the United Brethren church. From boyhood he has been a Good Templar and was at one time a member of the Knights of Pythias. For many years he has been independent in politics but was reared a republican and as a boy enjoyed listening to political arguments. In 1904 and 1905 he served as mayor of Hood River and in 1886 was elected justice of the peace, making a most creditable record in both offices. He was elected joint representative for Sherman and Wasco counties and served as a member of the state legislature during the sessions of 1893 and 1895, giving thoughtful consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement and earnestly supporting those measures which he believed would prove beneficial to the state at large. He ever stood fearlessly in defense of the rights of the people and in 1895 was one of The Thirty who would not submit to the dictates of the political bosses in electing a United States senator. By many this is regarded as the beginning of the Oregon System by which United States senators are chosen by direct vote of the people. When quite young he received two dollars and a half from his stepfather for reading Raymond's Life of Abraham Lincoln which had a lasting and elevating effect upon him. He is an extremely intelligent and well read man and is the possessor a fine library, finding great enjoyment in the perusal of good litera- ture. He presents a striking example of a strong mind in a strong body, for although sixty-six years "young," as he expresses it, his life in the open has given to him a most robust and vigorous physique and he is still an active factor in the world's work. He is a high minded man who has ever stood for advanced ideals yet utilizes practical methods in their attainment and is fearless in his defense of truth and justice, reform and progress. Those forces which have contributed most to the development, improve- ment and benefit of the state of Oregon have received impetus from the labors of Hon. Thomas Ray Coon whose life record has been a credit and honor to the state which has honored him.
FRANK G. BLEID.
Frank G. Bleid is the junior member of the firm of Williamsen & Bleid, painters and decorators, whose high class workmanship and artistic skill have secured for them many large contracts in Portland. A native of Sweden, Mr. Bleid was born at Norrkop- ing, April 25, 1861, his parents being Carl G. and Hedvig (Laurel) Bleid. He secured his education in the public schools of his native land and there took up the work of painting, which he followed in that country until 1880, when he emigrated to the United States, hoping to find here better business opportunities. Making his way to Portland he secured a position with the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company and for two years worked on their steamboats. He then engaged in business independently, so continuing until 1895, when he formed a partnership with Reinholt Williamsen for the conduct of a painting, paper hanging and house decorating business. From a small beginning the undertaking has grown to one of large proportions and they now conduct one of the most extensive enterprises of the kind in the city, employing in the busy season as many as one hundred workmen. They have executed many large contracts in painting and decorating, doing the work on the Wells Fargo building, the first modern sky-scraper erected in Portland and also on other notable structures calling
656
HISTORY OF OREGON
for workmanship of a high order. They are thoroughly proficient in their work and their business dealings have ever been characterized by reliability, promptness and integrity.
In Portland, in 1884, Mr. Bleid was united in marriage to Miss Hulda Anderson, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Andrew Anderson, of Norrkoping. Three chil- dren have been born to this union: David, who married Elvina Webb, a native of London, England; Frank, who wedded Blanche Brusnier, of California; and Marie, the wife of Franklin Olsen.
In his political views Mr. Bleid is a republican with independent views, voting for the man whom he deems best qualified for office without regard to party affiliation. He is identified with Auld Lang Syne, an association composed of the older residents of Portland, numbering among its members some of the most successful business and professional men of the city. His career is an excellent illustration of what can be accomplished through indefatigable effort and determination. Working untiringly to gain a start he has steadily advanced and his unwearied industry and perseverance have been the salient points in his continued success. He has never regretted the impulse which led him to seek his fortune in a strange land when a young man of nineteen years, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has risen to a position of leadership in the business in which he is engaged.
THOMAS LENNOX STANLEY.
As manager of Klamath Falls Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Lennox Stanley oc- cupies a leading position in commercial circles of the city and his influence is one of broadening activity and strength in the field in which he operates. He was born at Dwight, Illinois, on the 5th of April, 1880, a son of John and Charlotte (Lennox) Stanley, his father being a native of Illinois, in which state he followed farming with great success. The Lennox family were pioneers of Pennsylvania, where they settled in pre-revolutionary days.
Thomas L. Stanley was but five months old when his mother died and from that time on he never knew the greatest and sweetest and most sacrificing love in anyone's life the love of a mother. He acquired his education in the common and high schools of his native town, and being of a most ambitious nature engaged in any sort of work in which he saw possibilities of furthering his knowledge. For four years he taught school, the money earned from this employment being used to pay his way through the University of Illinois, and in 1902 he was graduated from that institution with the degree of B. A. The next two years he spent as inspector of a nationally known con- densed milk corporation, at the end of which time he resumed the profession of teach- ing for two years. Subsequently he removed to McLean county, North Dakota, where he became county agricultural agent and was one of the first men in that state to serve in such an important position. He remained in that connection until 1912 when he resigned to accept an appointment as secretary of the industrial association. As in his college days when his studies had been interrupted by the war with Spain, in which he served so gallantly in Cuba and Porto Rico, so the year 1917 the World war interrupted his work as a member of the United States Labor Commission, his patriotic spirit compelling his enlistment. He received an appointment as captain of the general staff and was ordered to Washington, D. C. He served in that capacity until the signing of the armistice ended active hostilities and received his discharge in December, 1918. He was then called to Montana as manager and secretary of the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce and his services in that connection were such as to draw the attention of other commercial bodies with the result that after considering many offers be ac- cepted the managership of the Chamber of Commerce of Klamath Falls and in July, 1920, took over that office. Mr. Stanley since coming to Oregon has thoroughly demon- strated his ability in carrying out the duties of his office and his administration of the office of secretary has been a prominent factor in the growth of the chamber at Klamath Falls. He has a magnetic personality which quickly makes and keeps friends and is blessed with the ability to bring together all elements in the organization in harmony. When Mr. Stanley first took over the offices of secretary and manager of the chamber it had a membership of but one hundred and twenty-one business men who paid dues amounting to ten dollars per annum each. The courteous and energetic action of Mr. Stanley soon brought the membership to six hundred and fifty and now each member
657
HISTORY OF OREGON
pays annual dues amounting to twenty-five dollars. He has thus proven himself to be fully equal to the duties of this responsible position, and his indefatigable labor, in- Itiative spirit and marked executive ability have been important factors in promoting the development and expansion of the body which he represents.
In 1907 Mr. Stanley was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Pine and to them three children have been born: Louis T., Carrol Lennox, and Dwight Walton. Mrs. Stanley is a prominent member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being eligible through three ancestors.
Although Mr. Stanley is a stanch supporter of the republican party he has neither sought nor desired office, prefering to devote his entire attention to his business affairs and his family. His only fraternal affiliation is with the Elks but he holds member- ship in the Federal Highway Commission and is vice president of the Oregon Com- mercial Secretaries' Association. He possesses keen discernment and broad vision and is a firm believer in the Chamber of Commerce and its opportunities. His worth as a man and a citizen is widely acknowledged, for he measures up to high standards in both connections.
HENRY B. STONE.
Henry B. Stone, who for many years was connected with the Sash and Door business in Portland, and was widely known in connection with the lumber industry, was born in Wisconsin in 1844, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Stone. At the usual age he began his education as a public school pupil in Wisconsin and his early life was passed in his native state, where he remained until 1870, and then at the age of twenty- six years he came to Oregon. He first took up his abode in Oregon City, but the following year removed to Portland, where he engaged in the lumber business, devoting his time to that industry for twenty-one years. He was connected with the manufacture of sash and doors, and developed his business to proportions that brought to him a sub- stantial financial return.
In 1878 Mr. Stone was married to Miss Martha N. Crowson, a daughter of J. M. and Ann (Headrick) Crowson, both of whom were natives of Blount county, Tennessee. In 1874 they came to the northwest, settling in Washington territory, where Mr. Crow- son followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have become the parents of two children, Clinton O. and Earl B., both of Portland. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when in February, 1915, Mr. Stone passed away. He had been a stanch republi- can throughout the entire period of his manhood. He was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and also of the Eleson Encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Samaritan Lodge, No. 3. In his life there were no spectacular phases but his fidelity to duty and his reliability were among his prominent characteristics and he had many traits that gained for him the respect of those who knew him.
ROY DEFOREST BUTLER.
Roy DeForest Butler, of The Dalles, son of Polk and Dell (Coy) Butler, was born in Illinois in 1874. His paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia and the family were among the early pioneers of Illinois. The Coy family was of Quaker stock and numbered among the earliest residents of Pennsylvania. In 1878 Polk Butler removed with his family to Oregon, settling at Dufur, Wasco county, at which time Roy was a lad of but four years. He acquired his education in the graded schools of Dufur and in the high school at The Dalles. When quite young he entered into the mercantile business as a clerk in a general store at Boyd, Wasco county, and afterward turned his attention to ranching on Eight Mile creek, where he secured four hundred and forty acres, on which he planted an orchard and also engaged in raising cattle for the next ten years. He likewise became interested in the mercantile business at Boyd during the same period.
In 1914 Mr. Butler was elected to the office of county commissioner and occupied that position for four years. In the meantime he took up his residence at The Dalles and upon the expiration of his term as commissioner he established the insurance Vol. II-42
658
HISTORY OF OREGON
agency which he still conducts. He is the representative of the Oregon Fire Relief Association for the district which embraces the counties of Morrow, Gilliam, Wasco, Hood River and Sherman and has placed his company upon a sound basis in this territory, having developed a business of gratifying and substantial proportions.
In 1902 Mr. Butler was married to Miss Ethel Southern, a daughter of C. H. Southern, a pioneer farmer of Wasco county. They have two children: Melva May and Roy Dale, both high school pupils. Mr. Butler has a sister, Mrs. Edward Griffin, of Wasco county, and two brothers: the Rev. O. K. Butler, a missionary in South Africa and E. C. Butler, living at The Dalles.
Mr. Butler gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, yet he cannot be said to be a politician in the sense of office seeking. The only public office he has filled besides that of county commissioner was that of postmaster at Boyd. He is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs in the local organization.
The Butler family has long heen represented in Oregon, for Roy D. Butler is a nephew of Daniel Butler, who came to this state in the '40s and is frequently mentioned in history as one of the founders of the state and as a fearless Indian fighter. Under other conditions Roy D. Butler is just as loyal to the best interests of Oregon and is justly accounted one of the representative citizens of The Dalles.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.