USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 89
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HARLEY COLEMAN ROTHROCK.
Harley Coleman Rothrock, residing on his farm three miles north of Adams in Umatilla county, was born on this place on the 8th of September, 1883, a son of Lewis and Ida (Bolin) Rothrock. The father was born in 1850 in Springfield, Illinois, while the mother is a native of Willamette valley. Lewis Rothrock lived with his father and stepmother in Iowa and when he was fifteen years of age they crossed the plains in ox drawn wagons, joining a wagon train at Springfield, Missouri. The train fol- lowed the old Oregon Trail and the settlers experienced many Indian scares. Their horses were driven off and likewise some of their cattle but they managed to escape massacre. An incident of this journey which nearly resulted in destruction of the entire wagon train occurred when a member of the train shot an Indian squaw. The Indians demanded the surrender of this man and he was turned over to them, concession to this demand being the only way in which the other members of the train could save their lives. On reaching Wyoming the train divided and the Roth- rock family continued on the Oregon Trail, finally settling near Salem. Here Lewis Rothrock resided with his parents for two years, at the end of which time he removed to Umatilla county and engaged in freighting from points in that county to Boise, Idaho. For one year he followed this line of work, in which he achieved a substan- tial amount of success and he then followed packing from Walla Walla, Washington, to Boise, Idaho, for one year. For some time he resided near where Athena now stands but he later took up a timber culture claim which is Harley Coleman Rothrock's present ranch. This tract consisted of one hundred and sixty acres and on this land he built a substantial box house. He ran large numbers of horses for some time. Before taking up this claim Lewis Rothrock had worked for George Bernhardt on a ranch near here for a period of six years and received much of his practical experi- ence while in his employment. Lewis Rothrock added to this claim until he had nine hundred and ninety-six acres, which he improved and finally brought to a high state of cultivation. Lewis Rothrock and Lee Mitchell were the only white people who remained on their ranches during the Indian war of 1878. They built a cave fort for protection in case of attack. Lewis Rothrock operated this land until 1898, when he rented it to his sons and went to Pendleton. Mr. and Mrs. Rothrock are now, however, residing in Los Angeles, California, prominent and highly respected citi- zens of their community. Mr. Lewis Rothrock has always maintained an interest
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in the democratic party and is a firm believer in the principles of that party as factors in good government.
The boyhood of Harley Coleman Rothrock was spent on his present ranch and he received his education in the country schools of the community. He assisted his father on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he rented a farm and in 1917 bought a half section. In the fall of 1919 be purchased one hundred and sixty acres more and is now operating a large acreage, as he leases additional tracts. He uses only the most modern and up-to-date machinery and has put up all new buildings and made many other improvements.
In 1904 Mr. Rothrock was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Bailey, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Ella (Hay) Bailey, and a native of Forest Grove, Oregon. Two children have been born to this union: Ralph and Robert.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Rothrock the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party, in the interests of which he has taken an active part. The only fraternal affiliation of Mr. Rothrock is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Although the greater part of Mr. Rothrock's time has been de- voted to his agricultural pursuits he is prominent and active in the business circles of Adams, being a director as well as vice president of the Inland Mercantile Com- pany store in that place. Mr. Rothrock thoroughly understands every phase of farm work and his close application, energy and enterprise are dominant elements in win- ning for him his present-day success. He has kept in touch with the trend of modern progress along agricultural lines and has a well equipped and highly developed ranch three miles north of Adams.
DR. WALTON SKIPWORTH.
Comparatively a young state, Oregon has drawn much of her man power from other commonwealths. North, east and south have sent their sons to aid in the up- building of the west. The last section, in giving Walton Skipworth, D. D., to Hills- boro, Oregon, deprived Louisiana of a notable divine, and contributed incalculably to the religious education of the newer state.
Walton Skipworth was born in Louisiana, December 23, 1862, the son of the Reverend N. M. and Cornelia (Bowdon) Skipworth. His father was a physician, who while practicing took up the study of theology and was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He became a local preacher, continuing his practice of medicine and operating a farm at the same time. Later he devoted his entire attention to the ministry and became the presiding elder of the Shreveport district. In 1874 he was transferred to Oregon, later becoming a member of the Columbia River conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. He filled pastorates at Prineville, St. John and Corvallis and died a member of the Oregon conference. Cornelia Bowdon, his wife, belonged to an old southern family, her father being a popular citizen and a prominent farmer in his community. Hon. Frank Bowdon of this family was a member of congress from Alabama and an orator of distinction. Mrs. Skipworth was an educator and a graduate of Selma Female College, and her culture, her intellect and her beautiful character made her a true helpmeet to that faithful upright soul, her husband, who gave up the practice of a successful physician to preach the gospel, not only from the pulpit, but as a missionary to the Klamath Indians.
Walton Skipworth was educated in the public schools of Independence, Oregon, and at Willamette University, and he took the four years' conference course of study, receiving deacon's and elder's orders. He was ordained elder by Bishop Bowman in 1889. His first charges, of one year each, were at Springfield and Ashland, and later at Lebanon, two years; then Jacksonville circuit including Jacksonville, Medford and Central Point one year. He then became pastor of the Mount Tabor Methodist Episcopal church at Portland, where he remained for three years, until he was transferred to the Idaho conference and was assigned to Union, Oregon, for three years. At this time a change in the boundary lines between the Idaho and the Columbia River con- ferences brought Dr. Skipworth to the Dayton, Washington, church. After two years he went to Lewiston, Idaho, for another period of three years, and thence to The Dalles, Oregon, for four years. He became presiding elder of The Dalles district in 1905 and served as district superintendent for the full term of six years. The Columbia
DR. WALTON SKIPWORTH
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River conference elected him a member of the General conference which met in Minneapolis in 1912, and he was appointed by the Board of Bishops as representative of the Fifteenth General Conference district on the Board of Sunday Schools, which has its headquarters in Chicago. Retiring from The Dalles district in 1911 he became pastor at Sand Point, Idaho, where he served for one year. In 1912 he was transferred to the Oregon conference, and appointed to Newberg, Oregon, for two years, to Grants Pass for one year, and then to Lebanon, where he had been in charge a quarter of a century before. Dr. Skipworth had built a strong church at Lebanon, but, to his increased delight, on his return he found that a handsome new church edifice had been erected. He spent but one year at Lebanon, being appointed at the end of that time to the Hillsboro church, of which he has been the pastor since 1916.
In the first parliament of church benevolences of his denomination held in the northwest, Dr. Skipworth represented the Board of Sunday Schools. The membership of the parliament embraced some of the most distinguished churchmen and orators, including three bishops. On January 20, 1909, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon Rev. Mr. Skipworth by Willamette University. In the Columbia River conference in September, 1904, Dr. Skipworth introduced a resolution asking the appointment of a commission to confer with a like commission appointed by the Oregon conference, should said conference see fit to appoint such a commission, on the removal of the remains of Jason Lee from Lower Canada and reinterment of his body in the cemetery at Salem, Oregon, which bears his name. The commission, with Dr. Skipworth as one of its members was appointed, and in June, 1906, the Methodist Episcopal church had the profound joy of celebrating the burial of the bones of Jason Lee in the land for which he had done so much in its earlier days.
Dr. Skipworth was married in 1885 to Miss Rosemary Royal, daughter of Charles F. and Mary Jane Royal, a prominent pioneer family who helped to lay the foundations of education and religion in Oregon. William Royal of this stock of people was the founder of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal church of Portland. Dr. and Mrs. Skipworth have three children: Ella Elizabeth; Arthur, who is engaged in the drug business; and Rosemary Bowdon, wife of Alfred L. Mansfield. They reside in Portland. Of Dr. Skipworth's immediate family, two brothers, E. R. Skipworth, for many years a well known lawyer of Eugene, is now deceased; and Superior Judge George F. Skipworth, of Eugene, and two sisters, Mrs. Eula B. Wood, of Eugene, and Mrs. Martin L. Pipes, of Portland, are living.
Dr. Skipworth has a wide reputation as a gifted speaker and a man of pure character. An assiduous Biblical student, he has at the same time an active, kindly interest in the well-being of his people and he has won the love of whole communities where he has lived and labored. Among his fellow ministers he is accounted one of the forceful preachers of the west. He served as a trustee of Willamette Univer- sity for fifteen years.
JOHN WESLEY COLLINS.
John Wesley Collins is one of the most active young business men of The Dalles, where he is conducting a prosperous wall paper and paint business. He was born in Jefferson county, Tennessee, in 1889, his parents being William H. and Naomi (Tucker) Collins, who were representatives of one of the old families of that state, while the Tucker family was established in Indiana during the pioneer epoch in its history.
John W. Collins' first work was in a general merchandise store in his home town, but he did not find the pursuit to his liking and remained in that employ for only thirteen months. Believing that the far west offered a better chance for advance- ment he made his way to this section of the country and secured employment in a large wall paper establishment in Portland, where for two years he gave such study to the business that in 1912 he was tendered the position of manager of the wall paper department of the Central Door & Lumber Company in the same city. He acted in that capacity for six years. In 1918 he determined to start out in busi- ness on his own account and having saved considerable money from his earnings and made many friends in the trade, he looked around for a location and after visiting The Dalles at once decided to cast his lot in the "cherry town," and renting a store, established business here. After paying his rent and equipping his place he had left as a working capital just one hundred dollars, yet by 1920 he was the owner of the
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only wall paper and decorating concern in the city and was occupying a handsome store ou the main business street, with a stock of wall paper and paint fully paid for and worth seven thousand dollars. Moreover, he is giving employment to eight expert painters and paper hangers. He takes contracts for all kinds of painting and decorat- ing work and has broadened the scope of his business by establishing a picture frame department. He also sells paint and paper and many decorative articles and the business is a growing one, while the future career of the proprietor will be well worth watching.
In 1913 Mr. Collins was married to Miss Ruby S. Pickens, a native of North Caro- lina, whose parents are now farming in Oregon. They have two children, Louelder and William Wesley. Mr. Collins is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is active in support of all progressive civic interests. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Yeoman. He enjoys the high regard of his brethren in these orders and has won a well deserved reputation as a reliable and progressive business man and valu- able citizen.
DR. DANIEL THOMAS BROWNE.
In the little town of Industry, Illinois, in 1880, Daniel Thomas Browne was born. He is now a successful chiropractor of The Dalles, where he is accorded a liberal pat. ronage. His parents were Christopher C. and Alvessa (Mason) Browne, who were well known and respected farmers of McDonough county, Illinois. The Brownes were of old Pennsylvania stock and the great-grandfather of the Doctor became a pioneer of Missouri. The Mason family came from New England ancestry and were pioneers of Indiana. Christopher C. Browne removed with his family to Oregon when his son Daniel was but a small boy and settled in Salem. The latter acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Salem and afterward pursued an academic course at Dallas, while bis professional training was received in the Pacific Chiropractic College at Portland. Following his graduation he took up active professional work in that city and there remained from 1911 until 1918. During his stay in Portland he was for three years secretary of the Oregon Chiropractic Association and published a magazine called The Drugless Review, devoted to the school of healing which he represents. He was one of a committee appointed to draft a bill legalizing the prac- tice of chiropractic, which was passed by the legislature in 1915. His work in that connection required so much of his time that he was forced to permit The Drugless Review to die just as it was getting on a paying basis. This unselfishness on his part is but an index of the character of the man. In 1918 Dr. Ingram, who had built up an extensive business in The Dalles, invited Dr. Browne to join bim and the firm of Ingram & Browne has since engaged in practice in this city.
In 1905 Dr. Browne was united in marriage to Miss Almona R. Daniels, a daughter of Francis M. Daniels, who was a merchant. They have one child, Elizabeth, a student in the Junior high school in The Dalles. Fraternally Dr. Browne is connected with the Elks and with the Knights of Pythias. He holds to the higest standards in his profession and his ability and enterprise have brought him prominently to the front.
HARRY T. CLARKE.
Each individual has his part to play in the world and the ability with which he does this determines the place that he occupies in public regard. The worth of the efforts of Harry T. Clarke was widely acknowledged by all with whom he came into contact, for not only did he prove himself a capable and resourceful business man, attaining success as president of the Portland Iron Works, but was also possessed of a broad humanitarian spirit which constantly manifested itself in a helpful relation to his fellows. Born in Rockford, Illinois, December 4, 1864, he was a son of Orlando and Susan M. Clarke, both of whom were natives of Rhode Island, the Clarke family having been there established at an early period in the colonization of the state. Orlando Clarke brought his family to the Pacific northwest in 1882, establishing his home in Portland where he entered business circles as the founder and promoter of the Portland Iron Works, the plant being now located at Fourteenth and Northrup
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streets. The father continued as president of the business until his death and made for himself a creditable place in industrial circles of the city. His demise occurred in 1888.
Harry T. Clarke acquired his education in the schools of Rockford, Illinois, and was a young man of eighteen years when he came with his parents to Portland. He at once entered his father's iron foundry but desirous of improving his education he attended night school while thus employed. He began his business career as an apprentice, not depending upon parental authority for promotion or advancement but working his way upward and thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase and detail of the business. Upon his father's death he entered the office and became presi- dent of the concern, with an experience back of him that was gained from thorough training and broad familiarity with every detail of the work. The Portland Iron Works were devoted to the manufacture of sawmill machinery of which they made a specialty and their output was of such excellent quality as to win a very liberal patronage. Through his long association with the machinery business, especially in the manufacture of sawmill machinery, Mr. Clarke came into close connection with the lumber trade and was admitted to membership with the Hoo Hoos, being there- after a loyal representative of the order. He was likewise a member of the Lumber- men's Association and was widely and prominently known to the lumber trade.
On September 5, 1901, Mr. Clarke was united in marriage to Miss Inez Rotan, a daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Sorber) Rotan, who were natives of New York. They were married in Iowa and in 1883 came to Oregon, settling at Salem where the father engaged in the furniture business. He passed away in 1904 and Mrs. Rotan died on the 12th of November, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have a daughter, Barbara, who was born in Portland.
Mr. Clarke gave his political support to the republican party but was never an aspirant for office, preferring to devote his attention to his business affairs and to other activities in which he was keenly interested. These were of a philanthropic nature. All who knew Mr. Clarke were impressed with his democracy. A man seeking employment found in him a sympathetic listener, whether or not he had a vacancy in his establishment. Many an individual struggling with poverty and trying to win a place for himself found that Mr. Clarke was the friend in need and the friend indeed. His keenest pleasure came to him in assisting others and while his charity was of a most unostentatious character it is well known that he assisted several young people through college and that his benefactions extended in various other directions. Thus he left behind him a fragrant memory which is enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him. He was called to his final rest on the 13th of June, 1919,
JOHN LEWIS VAUGHAN.
John Lewis Vaughan, proprietor of the Vaughan Electric Supply Store at 206 East Court street, Pendleton, Oregon, was born on his father's farm sixteen miles south- west of Portland, on the 13th of January, 1872, a son of Miller and Julia (Wood) Vaughan. The father was born near Peoria, Illinois, while the mother was a native of Jackson county, Missouri, and they both came across the plains in 1862, over the old Oregon Trail as members of a wagon train. Miller Vaughan with his parents set- tled in Willamette valley, Oregon, where they took up a homestead near McMinnville. The parents of Miller Vaughan lived on this land until their death. After their demise Miller Vaughan took up a homestead on Lewis river, near La Center, Washington, which he improved and on which he resided for four years. He then removed to Mill Plain, Washington, becoming a partner of John Loveless, and they operated land in this connection for two years, or until the death of Mr. Loveless. Miller Vaughan then rented a section of land in the school district adjoining and after four years on this land went to Vancouver, Washington, and engaged in the livery stable business with Frank Norton. For two years Mr. Norton served in the office of sheriff. In 1882 Miller Vaughan left Washington and came to Oregon, locating in Pendleton. His fam- ily removed to Pendleton a year later and for nine years he engaged in driving the stage to Heppner, Oregon, and he also drove the fire engine team in Pendleton. While on a visit with friends at Sumpter, Oregon, in 1904, the death of Mr. Vaughan occurred as the result of a stroke. He was then sixty-two years of age. His wife's demise took
Vol. 11-45
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place on the 22d of May, 1888, when but thirty-six years of age. Miller Vaughan was a prominent and well known citizen of the community in which he resided and was active in civic affairs. Throughout his life he was a stanch democrat, believing in the principles of that party as factors in good government.
John Lewis Vaughan at the age of eleven years removed to Pendleton, where he received his education. His initial step into the business circles of Umatilla county was as mail carrier between Heppner and Echo, the distance being covered on horse- hack. In 1891, in connection with several others, Mr. Vaughan drove eighty head of horses from Kennewick, Washington, to Custer, Montana, where the horses were used for mail and stage work. Returning to Pendleton he was employed by the Pen- dleton Power & Light Company for six years but in 1903 started in the business which he is now conducting so successfully. When the business was first established Mr. Vaughan occupied the old Tribune building, where the Oregon Motor Company is now located, but as it grew to more extensive proportions more space was necessary and the business is now housed in a splendid new building, where everything in the electrical line may be found. Mr. Vaughan has been active in the political as well as business circles of Pendleton and he is now serving his fellow townsmen as mayor, to which office he was elected in November, 1918. He has also been a member of the city council for a four-year term and from 1905 to 1912 was chief of the Pendleton fire department.
In April, 1899, Mr. Vaughan was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. McConnell, a daughter of James J. and Mary McConnell, and a native of Kansas. Her parents came to Umatilla county in 1883 and her father is one of the prominent and successful men in the community. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan, Millard F., whose death occurred on the 25th of August, 1919, at the age of fifteen years.
In the fraternal circles of Pendleton Mr. Vaughan is well known, having mem- bership in the Elks, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and he is likewise a mem- ber of the Rotary Club. Mr. Vaughan has always conducted his business upon the highest and most honorable principles and his worth to the community, both as citizen and business man, is readily conceded.
LAWRENCE A. McNARY.
Lawrence A. McNary, well known attorney at law of Portland, where he is eu- gaged in the conduct of an extensive practice, is a member of one of the oldest of the pioneer families of Oregon, representatives of the name coming to this state in 1845. The ancestral line can be traced back to the great-grandfather of Lawrence A. McNary, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, enlisting from Virginia and bearing full part in the struggle for American independence. Another generation of the family was represented in Kentucky, whence a removal was made to Illinois, and from the latter state James and Alexander McNary made their way to the northwest among the first of those adventurous and courageous spirits who sought to establish homes and plant the seeds of civilization upon the northwestern frontier. They arrived in Oregon in 1845 and James McNary became a resident of Clackamas county, while Alexander McNary took up his abode in Polk county. They were accompanied by their respective families, the latter having two sons and three daughters approach- ing manhood and womanhood at the time of his removal to Oregon, these being: Sarah E., who became the wife of A. C. R. Shaw and passed away in Fresno county, California, in 1901; Hugh M., who died in Salem, Oregon, in 1891; Alexander W., who passed away in Polk county in 1898; Catherine, who became the wife of John C. Allen and died in Polk county about 1860; and David S., whose death occurred in the same county about 1862.
The eldest son of the family was Hugh M. McNary, who was eighteen years of age when the journey across the plains was made. He shared in all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life and upon attaining his majority secured a donation claim in Polk county and there followed the occupation of farming until 1859. In that year he became a resident of Wasco county, settling near The Dalles, after which he engaged in freighting to the mines of eastern Oregon and Idaho. Sub- sequently he turned his attention to the live stock business, which he followed first in Wasco county, Oregon, and later in Klickitat county, Washington, until 1876-the year of his removal to Salem, Oregon. There he began making investments in property
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