USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 88
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where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added until he had eight hundred acres of well improved land. In 1893 he sold his ranch and moved to Pendle- ton and here lived retired until he was seventy-seven years of age, when his death occurred on the 9th of April 1921. The mother is living, being seventy-two years of age. Mr. Ferguson was a stanchi republican and maintained an interest in all of the community affairs. He was a representative citizen of Pendleton, as is his widow.
William S. Ferguson left Missouri with his parents when he was but ten years of age and received his education in the public schools of Umatilla county. In 1888 he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he took a two year course, and after putting his textbooks aside he returned to Umatilla county and leased land, but in 1898 began buying. He is now in possession of twelve hundred and eighty acres of wheat land in the vicinity of Athena and throughout Umatilla county.
Mr. Ferguson has been twice married, his first marriage having taken place in 1895, when Miss Josephine Harrington became his wife. Two children were born to this union: Geneva and Lynn. In 1910 Mr. Ferguson was married to Mrs. Minnie Andre, daughter of Albert H. Robie of Boise, Idaho.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Ferguson the right of franchise he has given his allegiance to the republican party, in the interests of which he has taken an active part. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, being a Knight Templar and having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is likewise an Elk. Mr. Ferguson was at one time prominent in the financial circles of Athena as vice president and director of the First National Bank, but his interest in this organization he has sold and devotes his entire time to his agricultural interests.
HAROLD A. MOSER.
Harold A. Moser is well known in business circles of Portland as a certified pub- lie accountant, and is regarded as an expert in his line of work. He was born in Mendota, Illinois, September 25, 1865, the third in a family of five children. His father, Jacob Moser, was born in Switzerland and ahout 1851 emigrated to America, taking up his residence in Ohio, where he engaged in business as a contractor and builder. He married Louisa S. Eichner, a native of Ohio. Her parents resided in Germany and in the '30s they came to America, locating at Navarre, Ohio. Follow- ing their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moser left Ohio for Illinois, where the birth of their son Harold occurred and in 1872 they removed to Kansas, settling at Hays, where they resided for ten years. At that period Kansas was a frontier state and the stamp- ing ground of many of the noted characters that figured in the early border history. In 1882 Jacob Moser came to Portland and was here joined by his family in the following year. In this city he followed contracting and building for some time, later organizing the Standard box factory. He is now living retired in Portland at the age of eighty-six years and his wife also survives.
In the public schools of Hays, Kansas, Harold A. Moser acquired his early edu- cation, after which he pursued a course in a commercial college of Portland. Becoming an expert bookkeeper and accountant he has been connected with some of the large financial and industrial institutions of Portland. For three years he was hookkeeper and second assistant treasurer for the Northwestern General Electric Company, after which he entered the employ of the Burrell Investment Company, with whom he re- mained for ten years and then became cashier for the Portland Flouring Mills Com- pany, continuing with that concern for a period of five years. For the past twelve years he has been engaged in business independently as a certified public accountant and his services are much in demand by the leading business firms of the city, for he is a recognized expert in the line of work in which he specializes.
In Portland, on the 23d of April, 1895, Mr. Moser was united in marriage to Miss Agnes J. Fitzpatrick, a daughter of John Fitzpatrick, of this city. The two children of this union are George H. and Mary Louise. For one and a half years the son served with the American Expeditionary Force in France, heing attached to Head- quarters Company, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Field Artillery. His military record is most creditable. For four months he was continuously at the front, participating in four major engagements which included the Champaigne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne battles and he was also in the defensive sector. For his distinguished service on the field of battle he was awarded the five-bar Victory medal
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and following the signing of the armistice he served for six months at Coblenz, Ger- many, with the army of occupation. He is now filling the position of salesman with the Fahey & Brockman Company of Portland.
The family is noted for its patriotism and devotion to country and in 1885 Harold A. Moser enlisted in the Oregon National Guard. He was commissioned second lieu- tenant June 3, 1887, and on the 11th of April, 1888, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, being assigned to Company E, of the First Infantry. On the 7th of No- vember, 1888, he resigned his commission and was not active in military circles until the recent World war, when he joined the Multnomah Guards, a patriotic organization and became sergeant of Company D. He attended the second officers training camp at Eugene and in his report of Mr. Moser's qualifications the commandant of the camp made the following statement: "He is past the age for obtaining a commission in the combatant forces, although he is physically one of the strongest men in the camp and one of the most active. I very strongly recommend this gentleman's name for favorable consideration if any commissions are being given to men of fifty years of age. He is an exceptionally capable soldier with a high type of brain, considerable organizing ability, a splendid shot, a fine personality and would make a first-rate officer, one of the best men in this officers' camp."
(Signed) Lieutenant Colonel John Leader, Commandant Late Commander Royal Irish Rifles.
Mr. Moser is intensely interested in military tactics and may be termed a civilian soldier. His hobby is rifle shooting and he is an expert shot, being regarded as an authority on firearms. In his political views he is independent, voting for the man whom he regards as best qualified for office without regard to party affiliation and in religious faith he is a Catholic. He is a member of the Oregon State Society of Cer- tified Accountants of which at various times he has served as president, secretary and director and also holds membership with the American Institute of Accountants. He is likewise identified with the Portland and Sellwood Rifle Clubs and the National Rifle Association of America. Industry has been the key which has unlocked for Mr. Moser the portals of success. Thoroughness and diligence have characterized all of his work and in business circles he has become recognized as a man to be trusted. He has always stood for progress and improvement in affairs relating to the upbuilding of town, county and commonwealth and he ranks with the loyal, patriotic and public- spirited citizens as well as the progressive business men of Portland.
ANDREW McCORNACK COLLIER.
As president of the First National Bank at Merrill and vice president of the First National Bank at Klamath Falls, Andrew McCornack Collier occupies a leading position in the financial circles of the state. He is a native son of Oregon, having been born in Eugene on the 15th of November, 1890, and since 1913 he has made his home in Klamath Falls. His parents are Charles M. and Janet (McCornack) Collier and his grandfather Professor George H. Collier. The history of Oregon's educational sys- tem would not be complete without mention of Professor Collier, who devoted a large part of his life to the work. Professor Collier came to Oregon from Ohio, in which state his family were pioneers, and having been professor of science in Oberlin Col- lege, Ohio, he immediately stepped into a responsible position at the Pacific University, at Forest Grove, and subsequently became professor of chemistry and physics at the University of Oregon and Collier Hall on the campus of that great institution was named in his honor. The maternal ancestors of Andrew McCornack Collier are of Scotch descent and the family is an old and honored one in America. The Oregon branch of the family crossed the plains by ox teams, arriving in Oregon in the early '50s. They were among the earliest pioneers of this state and of Lane county in par- ticular. Charles M. Collier devoted his talents to civil engineering, serving as engi- neer and surveyor of Lane county for twenty-seven years, and as an alert, energetic and enterprising man he carried every undertaking forward to successful completion. He is now practically retired from active work in his profession but occasionally as- sists the government of the United States in the survey of public lands.
In the public schools of his native city Andrew M. Collier acquired his education, later pursuing a course in the University of Oregon, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1913. He majored in political economy and the
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year of his graduation accepted a position as bookkeeper in the First National Bank at Klamath Falls. His rise in that connection was rapid and in 1915 he was promoted to assistant cashier and hecame a director of the institution. Five years later he was made vice president of the bank. Mr. Collier attributes his marked success to luck but those who know him attribute it to his own determined efforts, intelligently di- rected. Mr. Collier is also prominently identified with the financial interests of Mer- rill as president of the First National Bank there. As president of the Klamath Ice and Storage Company and secretary of the Lakeside Land Company he is active in the conduct of two of the most important commercial enterprises of Klamath Falls. The latter company has played an important part in the development and improve- ment of Klamath county, for it put under cultivation six thousand acres of land on the lake near Malin. This land was divided into forty-acre tracts and sold to farmers under whose care it developed into valuable farm property, and to the success of this project is attributed the added increase in population and industrial progress. Mr. Collier is likewise associated with the Swan Lake Lumber Company, of which he is a director, the Associated Lumber and Box Company and numerous other business organizations.
In 1916 occurred the marriage of Mr. Collier and Miss Georgia L. Porter, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of G. F. Porter. Her father recently located in Klamath Falls, coming from Afton, Iowa, where he was postmaster for several years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Collier: Marie Genevieve and Carolyn. In the social circles of Klamath Falls Mrs. Collier takes a prominent part. She is a member of most of the clubs in the city and takes particular interest in the activities of the P. E. O. sisterhood. Her home is a social center and she is readily conceded to be a gracious hostess and model mother.
The political allegiance of Mr. Collier is given to the republican party and fra- ternally he is identified with the Elks, being treasurer of the local order. He is treas- urer and director of the Chamber of Commerce, in the interests of which he is par- ticularly active and during the World war he took an active part in all drives, was chairman of the Victory Loan and county director for sale of War Savings Stamps drives, and in addition gave generously of his money. The family are consistent mem- bers of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Collier is chairman of its board of trustees. Although the many business interests of Mr. Collier leave him but little spare time, he is a great lover of outdoor sports and whenever possible finds enjoyment in shoot- ing ducks and fishing. Since early childhood he has been an earnest and industrious worker and even during his college days took a prominent part in campus activities, at the same time keeping well ahead in his studies. He had the distinction of being elected manager of the Emerald, the daily paper of the student body, and of the Oregona, the University year book. Since leaving college his business ability has con- tinued to develop and as president of the First National Bank of Merrill he very prob- ably enjoys the distinction of being the youngest bank president in Oregon.
Mr. Collier and his associates have recently planned and erected in Klamath Falls one of the most modern store buildings on the coast. In his public-spirited manner Mr. Collier is playing a prominent part in the growth and progress of Kla- math county.
ANDREW M. ELAM.
One of the pioneer agriculturists of Umatilla county, whose labor for many years contributed toward the development of this section of the state, is Andrew M. Elam, who is now living retired in his home in Milton, enjoying the fruits of his former industry. He is a native of Tennessee, his birth having occurred in McNary county on the 4th of June, 1840, a son of Andrew and Margaret Elam.
Andrew M. Elam spent his boyhood days in Tennessee, where he received what education the times afforded. He later left the parental roof and started out into the world on his own account, going to Texas, where he engaged in the stock business at Ft. Worth and the Brazos river country. He enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, belonging at first to the infantry hut later being transferred to the cavalry. He participated in some of the important battles of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, and at the close of the war returned to Granbury, Texas, and resumed the stock business. In the spring of 1865 he was married and a year later started
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW M. ELAM
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out for the northwest. The journey was made overland with mule teams, requiring six months to make the trip, and on the way they experienced many Indian scares and Mr. Elam clearly recalls the attack on Ft. Kearny, although he did not partici- pate in any of the fighting. Arriving in Oregon, he settled where Milton now stands, remaining there for one year. He then spent eight years in Portland, conducting a livery stable, and after selling this business returned to Milton and purchased sixty acres of land. He later bought an additional eighty-acre tract, to which he added from time to time, until he was owner of five hundred and sixty acres, well improved. For eight years Mr. Elam was active in the conduct of his farm, which he now leases. Mr. Elam was the first mayor of the town of Milton, being elected to that office when the town was organized. During his administration he promoted many plans for the improvement of the community. He has been prominent in the business, as well as the agricultural circles of Milton, and was one of the organizers of the Peacock Milling Company, which he managed for some fourteen years and also trav- eled for the company. He built the Elam block, the Farmers Security Bank and other buildings and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, of which he has been a director since its organization. The success of the bank seemed assured from the outset and its business has increased until it now extends over a large territory. Mr. Elam owns one of the fine residences in Milton and is also in possession of much town property. He has seen the country grow from a vast prairie to a highly cultivated farm land and during the early days of his residence here he often partici- pated in Indian troubles and skirmishes which took place on the very land where now stand prosperous and progressive towns.
On November 8, 1865, Mr. Elam was married to Miss Martha Frazier, a daughter of William and Paulina (Williams) Frazier, and a native of Harding county, Ten- nessee. Mrs. Elam removed to Texas with her parents at an early date and later crossed the plains with them. She and her husband first settled in Milton with her parents, and there her parents resided until death. The father of Mrs. Elam pur- chased government land and he was foremost in establishing the town of Milton. He built a log home on some of this land, donated a sufficient amount of ground for a post office, and gave seven acres for the Miller mill. For some years previous to his removal to Milton Mr. Elam ran stock over to the Snake river country. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elam: Mrs. J. H. Piper of Milton, and Bertie E.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Elam the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party, in the activities of which he has taken a prominent part. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masons. Mr. Elam is a public-spirited citizen, well known throughout the county as one of its most enterprising men and at all times ready to give the benefit of his influence to any measure seeking the advancement of the best interests of his state and community.
JAMES B. KERR.
This is preeminently an age of specialization. There are comparatively few men who attempt to cover the entire scope of any profession but concentrate their efforts along a given line with the result that they attain a much higher degree of efficiency than could otherwise be achieved. In accordance with this trend of modern thought and custom, James B. Kerr has become a corporation lawyer and has reached an eminent position in his chosen field. His mind is naturally analytical and the thor- oughness with which he studies and prepares a case has constituted one of the vital forces in the attainment of his present-day success, which places him among the emi- nent members of the Portland bar.
A native of Wisconsin, James B. Kerr was born in Beloit, September 28, 1867. His father, Alexander Kerr, was a native of Scotland and in 1835 came to the new world, establishing his home in Winnebago county, Illinois, and afterward removing northward to Beloit, Wisconsin. In the acquirement of his education he attended the Beloit College, from which he was graduated, and devoting his life to educational work, he was appointed professor of Greek in the University of Wisconsin in 1870. He re- mained a member of the faculty for many years and after passing the eightieth mile- stone on life's journey was made professor emeritus. He passed away in 1919, while his wife, Mrs. Katharine Kerr, died in 1891, at the age of fifty-seven years. She was a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Hope Brown, who became a home mis-
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sionary in Illinois in pioneer times in the middle west. To Professor and Mrs. Kerr were born two sons, one of these being Charles H. Kerr.
The Portland representative of the family, James B. Kerr, completed his literary training in the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1889 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, and the following year the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He also studied law in the state university and finished the course in 1892, after which he entered upon active practice in Madison, Wisconsin, as a member of the law firm of Spooner, Sanborn & Kerr. For four years he maintained that connection and then removed to St. Paul, where he was made general land attor- ney for the Northern Pacific Railway Company. In 1900 he was appointed assistant general counsel for that railroad and so continued until 1907. However, in 1905 he went to Vancouver, Washington, where for two years he represented the J. J. Hill interests in their litigation over the North Bank road.
Mr. Kerr dates his residence in Portland from 1907, at which time he entered into partnership relations with Judge Charles H. Carey, under the firm style of Carey & Kerr. They concentrated upon corporation practice, representing all of the Hill lines of the northwest, including the Oregon Trunk Railway Company, the Oregon Electric Railway and also the Northern Pacific Railway Company. Mr. Kerr continues as an active factor in corporation law practice, having ever made his professional duties his foremost interest, yet at times he has extended his activities and invest- ments into other fields.
On the 5th of September, 1893, Mr. Kerr was married in Madison, Wisconsin, to Miss Mabel Bushnell, a daughaer of Hon. Allen R. Bushnell, who formerly repre- sented Wisconsin in congress. The two children of this marriage are Katharine and Elizabeth. The parents are members of Trinity Episcopal church and Mr. Kerr is serving as a member of its vestry. He belongs to the Chi Psi, the Phi Delta Phi and the Phi Beta Kappa, college fraternities, and he is also a member of the Arlington, the University, the Waverly and Multnomah Amateur Athletic Clubs. Along strictly pro- fessional lines he is connected with the county and state bar associations. During the period of the World war he was chairman of the Portland Chapter of the American Red Cross for a two-year period and was most active in promoting the various bond drives. He stands as a splendid type of the high ideals in American citizenship-a man who recognizes his obligations and responsibilities as well as his opportunities and who has so divided his time that the interests of life are given due relative attention.
JACOB PITTENGER.
Jacob Pittenger has been identified with the northwest for thirty-seven years. He became a resident of Portland in 1883 and although in the intervening period he has spent a number of years in Alaska he is again making his home in the Rose City. His birth occurred in Wayne county, Ohio, January 6, 1850, his parents being John S. and Mary (Garver) Pittenger who were also natives of the Buckeye state, the former being a son of Thomas Pittenger whose birth occurred in Virginia.
Jacob Pittenger spent his youthful days in Ohio where he acquired his educa- tion in the public and select schools. His youth was largely passed in Medina county, to which place his father had removed when he was but a year old. After his text- books were put aside he there followed farming until 1871, when he removed to Michi- gan where he was engaged in the produce business.
In the year previous to his removal Mr. Pittenger was married to Miss Emma Auble, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Rodebaugh) Auble. Five children were born to them, one of whom died in infancy. The other four are living, these being Ollie and W. A., both of Portland; J. J., a practicing dentist of Astoria; and Maude Bell, the wife of E. J. Williams of Ketchikan, Alaska. The parents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the 14th of April, 1920.
After establishing his home in Michigan Mr. Pittenger there remained for six years as a produce merchant, returning to Ohio in 1876. He then concentrated his efforts and attention upon agricultural pursuits, living on the family homestead which he continued to occupy and operate until December, 1883. He then disposed of liis . interests in Ohio and came to the Pacific coast, settling at Portland, Oregon. Soon afterwards he was appointed deputy postmaster of the town of Albina and filled the
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office for a year. He then engaged in the carriage business in Portland as salesman for the Abbott Buggy Company of Chicago, filling that position for a number of years. He also established a livery business which he conducted for a time, but about 1890 disposed of his business interests in Portland. Through the succeeding year he was a member of the city council, serving on the first consolidated council of Portland. Later he worked on the Burnside and Steel drawbridges over the Willamette river and so continued for two years. In January, 1898, he went to Skagway, Alaska, on the first voyage of the Steamship Oregon and for two years remained in the north. In 1900 he returned to Portland but later in the same year went to Ketchikan, Alaska, where he continued to make his home until 1917. During that period he was engaged in the dairy business, having shipped several head of cows from Portland. He was one of the pioneer dairymen of the district and successfully conducted the business for thirteen years, his efforts being crowned with a substantial measure of prosperity. Moreover, he was one of the builders of the town of Ketchikan, taking up his abode there when it was scarcely a hamlet. He contributed much to its development and progress and aided largely in shaping its policy and molding its destiny. Nine times he was elected a member of the city council of that place and three times was elected by the council to the office of mayor of Ketchikan. He also served on the school board and gave his hearty aid and cooperation to every project and plan for the general good. Returning to Portland in 1917 he has since lived retired in this city, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He has many old friends here and is constantly making new ones, enjoying at all times the high regard and goodwill of those with whom he has come into contact. He is an exemplary representative of Oregon Lodge, No. 101, A. F. & A. M. and he has always given his political allegiance to the republican party, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good government.
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