USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 9
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Mr. Marks is deserving of much credit for what he has accomplished in life, for he worked his way through college and through the exercise of determination, energy and motive ability has advanced steadily in his profession until he now ranks with the leading attorneys of his section of the state.
C. B. O'NEILL.
C. B. O'Neill, a leading optician of Salem whose establishment is located in the Bush Bank building, is well qualified for his professional work through comprehen- sive training and broad experience and he has built up a large patronage. A native of North Dakota, he was born in Minnewaukan, March 30, 1891, and is a son of William and Carrie L. (Burdick) O'Neill, the former was born in New Jersey and the latter in Winona, Minnesota. The father became a pioneer of Canada and of North Dakota and he and his wife are now residing in California.
For two years C. B. O'Neill was a high school student in North Dakota, complet- ing his course in Portland, Oregon. Subsequently he attended McCormick College of Chicago, where he pursued a course in ophthalmology and was graduated in 1911. He then secured a position as traveling salesman with the firm of Woodard, Clarke & Company, wholesale druggists of Portland, whom he represented on the road for one and a half years. On the expiration of that period he came to Salem, where he became identified with the Barr Jewelry Company, with whom he remained for one and a half years, when he established himself in husiness independently, opening a store at Nos. 5 and 6 in the Bush Bank building in Salem. Here he has since been located handling a complete line of optical goods and other merchandise, attractively dis- played, and his enterprising methods, reasonable prices and courteous treatment of customers have won for him a large and gratifying patronage. He is thoroughly familiar with the scientific principles which underlie his profession and through wide reading and study he keeps abreast with the progress that is being made along ophthalmological lines, being recognized as an expert optician. Although he
Vol. 11-5
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entered business with a small capital he was confident that his professional ability would soon become recognized by the residents of the Willamette valley and his faith has been amply justified, for his business has enjoyed a continuous growth.
On the 30th of June, 1915, Mr. O'Neill was united in marriage to Miss Edna May Faulkner, a native of Washington, and they reside in a fine home in Salem, of which Mr. O'Neill is the owner. During the progress of the war with Germany he enlisted in the medical department of the navy, going first to the navy yards at Bremerton, Washington, whence he was sent to Charleston, South Carolina. He was then trans- ferred to the marines and sent to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, remaining in the service for ten months. Actuated by determination, enterprise and laudable ambition, his career has been one of continuous progress and he ranks with the leading opticians of this section of the state. He is interested in everything that pertains to public progress and improvement and is accounted one of the valued citizens of Salem, his substantial traits of character winning for him the esteem and regard of a large circle of friends.
CICERO M. IDLEMAN.
Cicero M. Idleman, attorney at law of Portland, was born August 18, 1854, in Marion, Ohio, the city which has so recently been in the limelight as the place of residence of the newly elected president of the United States. Marion was also the home of Silas Idleman, the father of Cicero M. Idleman, who was the first child born in that county, his natal day being February 10, 1822. He was married in Marion in 1844 to Catharine Pontius, also a native of Marion. The father departed this life in July, 1903, having for about five years survived his wife, who died in 1898.
Cicero M. Idleman was reared in Marion and there acquired a primary education, while later he spent two years as a student in the Smithville (Ohio) Academy. He next entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, but left that institution in his junior year to take a position under the government in the railway mail serv- ice. He thus acted for two years and utilized his leisure time in reading law, so that he qualified for the bar and in 1883 was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio. His removal to the west occurred in the year 1884 and in June of that year he became a junior partner in the law firm of Johnson, McCown & Idleman, a relation that was maintained until 1894, when Mr. Idleman became a member of the firm of Carey, Idle- man, Mays & Webster. That relation continued until Mr. Idleman was elected attorney general of Oregon in 1896, assuming the duties of the office in the month of January. He filled the position through the four-year term, making a most creditable record, endorsed by his professional brethren and by public opinion as well. At the close of his term he resumed law practice and has since given his attention to his profession without entering upon partnership relations. He is a man of pronounced ability in his chosen calling, having comprehensive understanding of the principles of jurisprudence, displaying great thoroughness and decision in the preparation of his cases and great clearness, earnestness and force in the presentation of his cause before the courts. His assertions in court are seldom seriously questioned and the many verdicts which he has won, favorable to the interests of his clients, attest his power as a lawyer.
On the 3d of April, 1907, Mr. Idleman was married to Miss Margaret E. Denning, a daughter of the late Job Denning, who was a native of Indiana. Their marriage was celebrated in Portland, where Mr. and Mrs. Idleman have gained many friends, Fra- ternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias. He belongs also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the State Chamber of Commerce, the Press Club, and the Progressive Business Men's Club-associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and his principles. He served on the legal advisory board during the World war and also on the questionnaire board and in fact did every possible service for the government. In politics he has always been a republican, but has never sought nor desired office, save that he served through the one term as attorney general of the state, as previously indicated. He was one of three who in 1891 organized the Portland Chamber of Commerce and was one of the committee of fifteen who erected the Chamber of Commerce building. He has labored untiringly for local progress and benefit through these connections and has worked unremittingly through political channels for the upbuilding of the commonwealth and
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CICERO M. IDLEMAN
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country. He was chairman of the Republican County Central Committee of Multnomah county in 1908 and for twenty years was president of the Multipor Republican Club of Portland. He was and is a friend of Warren G. Harding and took an active part in promoting the cause of his one-time fellow townsman through the republican campaign of 1920. His entire career has been marked by a progressiveness and a steadfastness of purpose that never stops short of the attainment of his objective.
JOHN W. ORR.
Law enforcement rests in safe hands with John W. Orr, who is strict, fearless and prompt in the discharge of his duties as sheriff of Polk county, to which office he was first elected in 1914. Mr. Orr is widely and favorably known in the section where he resides, for he was born in Polk county on the 9th of August, 1878, and is a son of Samuel S. and Charlotte Orr, the former a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, while the latter was born near Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1873 the father emigrated to America and crossing the country to Oregon purchased land near Rickreall, in Polk county, which he engaged in cultivating until 1905, when he removed to Portland and there lived retired until his demise on the 19th of March, 1919, at the age of seventy- four years. The mother survives and is still residing in Portland.
Their son, John W. Orr, attended the district schools of Polk county and the public and high schools of Rickreall, later pursuing a course in Armstrong's Busi- ness College at Portland. His first position was that of bookkeeper for the Capital Lumber Company of Salem, Oregon, and subsequently turned to agricultural pur- suits purchasing land in the vicinity of Rickreall which he continued to operate until 1914, when he was called to public office, being elected sheriff of Polk county. So creditable a record did he make in that connection that he has since been con- tinued in the office, his excellent service justifying the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He leaves nothing undone to enforce the law according to his con- science and is fearless in the discharge of his duties. He is still the owner of his farm near Rickreall but is not active in its cultivation, his time being entirely devoted to his public duties.
On the 10th of August, 1904, Mr. Orr was united in marriage to Miss Wilma E. Dalton and they have become the parents of a daughter, Charlotte I., who was born October 18, 1906. In his political views Mr. Orr is a republican, loyal to the principles of the party, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the United Artisans, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, the lodge, chapter and the Eastern Star of the Masonic order, and Mrs. Orr is identified with the Eastern Star and Pythian Sisters. He is also a member of the Grange and in religious faith is a Congregationalist. He is ever ready to give his support to measures for the promo- tion of the public welfare and as sheriff of Polk county is discharging his duties in such a way as to earn the high encomiums of the general public. He has a wide acquaintance in this section of the state, where his entire life has been passed, and he is everywhere spoken of as a citizen of worth, his many sterling traits of character winning for him the high regard of all who know him.
HOMER SPEER.
For thirty years Homer Speer has been a resident of Oregon, having come to this state when but twelve years old. Eight years of this time he has lived in Tangent, where he is successfully conducting a merchandise business, and he is now serving Tangent as postmaster, in which position his genial personality and business aptitude have won for him many friends.
Homer Speer was born in Bushnell, Illinois, in June, 1878, his parents being Marcus H. and Emma (Painter) Speer, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father engaged in farming and later removed to Illinois, where he rented a fine piece of land which he operated until 1890. In that year he came to Oregon, settled in Marion county and resumed farming, purchasing some land which he imme- diately set about to improve and on which he resided the remainder of his life.
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He passed away, February 25, 1918, and had survived his wife four years, her death having occurred in October, 1914.
The subject of this review, Homer Speer, was reared and educated in the dis- trict schools of McDonough county, Illinois, until he was twelve years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Oregon. The family settled in Marion county and here Mr. Speer resumed his education to the age of nineteen years, when he removed to California with the idea of completing his education. He commenced the study of law, applying such close industry and mental concentration upon this work that his health began to fail and he was forced to give up his studies. He remained two years longer in California, however, and having regained his health, returned to Oregon and to his home county, starting a general store at Mehama, Marion county, which venture proved a success and in which he continued for four years. At the expiration of this period he removed to Mill City and there was em- ployed at various occupations for a while, later establishing another store, which he operated for three and one-half years. For one year he had a grocery store, but pre- ferring to handle merchandise he removed to Tangent, Linn county, and purchased a large general store, which he has since operated. In the conduct of his store he has employed only the highest standards and has endeavored in every possible way to please his patrons, believing that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement.
Mr. Speer was married March 2, 1902, to Miss Alice Pratt and to them have been born four children: Opal F., whose birth occurred in November, 1902; Marion A., born April 5, 1908; and Merwin H., born August 18, 1914. The wife and mother died February 25, 1919, after an illness of two years, her death being deeply regretted by many friends who had learned to esteem her highly.
Mr. Speer is well known in Masonic circles and also in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a republican, giving support to the principles of the party, yet never seeking nor desiring office. His religious faith is manifested in his membership in the Christian church and the sterling worth of his character has won for him the high esteem of all with whom he has come into contact.
JOHN E. MATTHEWS.
John E. Matthews, member of the firm of Matthews & Matthews, who are publish- ers of the Yaquina Bay News of Newport, is a progressive newspaper man and has made his paper the champion of every movement calculated to upbuild the town and promote the growth of the surrounding district. The News is one of the old and reliable journals of this section of the state, having been founded in 1883 by the father of Mr. Matthews, and throughout the intervening period it has enjoyed a steady growth, now having a large list of subscribers.
Mr. Matthews was born on the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean, October 13, 1853, a son of John E. and Hester (Ruthvin) Matthews. The father was a native of Glamorganshire, Wales, and his education was secured at the celebrated military college at Sandhurst, on the river Thames, near London, England. He was commis- sioned captain and for many years served in the British army. Following his retire- ment he crossed the ocean with his children in 1864, first becoming a resident of Canada. He later crossed the border into the United States, taking up his abode in Iowa. In 1878 he came to Oregon and five years later, or in 1883, established the Yaquina Bay News at Newport, continuing active in its conduct throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1915 at the age of eighty-three, but the mother of the subject of this review died in Ireland during his boyhood.
John E. Matthews was reared and educated in Ireland and at the age of eighteen years emigrated to Canada, where for a number of years he was employed at the shipbuilder's trade. Crossing the border into the United States, he went with his father to Kansas, where for ten years they engaged in the cattle business. In 1878 he accompanied his father to Oregon and when the latter subsequently established the Yaquina Bay News at Newport, he assisted in the conduct of the paper until his father's demise, since which time he has successfully operated the publication in association with his brother William, who, however, is now in the officers' training school at Fort Monroe, Virginia, while another brother, Crosby, is connected with the life-saving service at Newport. The business is conducted under the firm style of Matthews & Matthews and they have a modern newspaper plant, equipped with
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linotype machines and all the latest presses, and they also do a large job business, turning out first-class work. The News is a publication of high standing, filled with good reading matter and enjoying a large circulation. Mr. Matthews is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business and is conducting the paper along the most modern and progressive lines, productive of substantial results.
In his political views he is a stanch republican and through the medium of his paper has rendered valiant service for his party. He is a vigorous writer, ever fear- less in advocating the best things for his community, county and state. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for twenty-seven years has been a member of the encampment. He also belongs to the Rebekahs and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. His aid and cooperation have at all times been found on the side of progress and improvement and he has ever stood for those forces which work for the uplift of the individual and the benefit of the community at large. He is everywhere spoken of as a citizen of worth and possesses many sterling qualities which have won for him the high regard of all who know him.
C. M. OLSEN.
C. M. Olsen, deceased, was the founder and promoter of the C. M. Olsen Transfer & Storage Company of Portland and for many years enjoyed an enviable reputation as a representative and successful business man of the city. He was born in Gotten- burg, Sweden, November 18, 1844, and came of a family long prominent in that country. His people, too, were devoted members of the Lutheran church. His father, Ole Mattson, was a farmer throughout his active life. He wedded Anna Helgesdotter, who was born June 9, 1822, and they became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom attained adult age, while four of the number are living. C. M. Olsen of this review and a sister were the only members of the family who became residents of America.
C. M. Olsen was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. As opportunity offered he attended school and thus acquired his education when his time was not in demand for farm work. At length he decided to try his fortune in the new world and in 1868 crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York city. He afterward became a sailor and for many years was upon the sea. He had made the voyage to the United States on the sailing vessel Amoy from Seville, Spain, and reached New York harbor on the 1st of April, 1868. He there embarked on the Flordimare for the Mediterranean and remained for some time on the coasting trade. As a seaman on the Formosa he sailed by way of Good Hope to Melbourne, Australia, and from there to Hongkong, China, while later he visited Manila and Batavia, India. In 1873 Mr. Olsen again visited his native land and the following year returned to New York city as a sailor on the Oceanic. On the same steamer he made a trip to Liverpool and was then transferred to an American sailing ship, aboard which he returned to America. For some time afterward he was engaged in the coasting trade between New York city and New Orleans and later served as quartermaster on a ship running between New York and Savannah. For two years he was quartermaster on the Anterior, running between New York, the West Indies and Brazil, and then became quartermaster on the steamer City of Sidney and through the straits of Magellan made his way to San Francisco, where he left the ship, remaining in California for about three years.
It was in 1877 that Mr. Olsen arrived in Portland on the old Oregon and his first year's residence here brought him a disastrous experience, as his employers kept his wages. For two years thereafter he worked on a farm and by the end of that time had no difficulty in obtaining employment, as he had given proof of his industry and capability. It was about 1881 that he turned his attention to the transfer business and from a small beginning developed a large and profitable enterprise, having a large storage house at No. 128 First street. He made a specialty of moving pianos and safes and as the years passed developed a business of extensive proportions, in which his sons afterward became interested.
It was in Portland that Mr. Olsen was united in marriage to Miss Ottilia W. Schmale, a native of Germany, and to them were born two sons, Charles and George. Mrs. Olsen
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is still living and is now a silent partner in the business which was established by her husband but keeps closely in touch with every phase of the business, which is being carried on by her sons. Mr. Olsen was identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and gave his political allegiance to the republican party but never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and his energies upon his business affairs. He sailed to many points of the world and his experiences were indeed broad and varied, enriching his mind with many reminiscences of foreign travel. In the hard school of experience, too, he learned valuable lessons, all of which developed in him a resourcefulness and strength of manhood that made him an active factor in the world's work and gained for him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
The business which Mr. Olsen established has been carried on under the name of the C. M. Olsen Transfer & Storage Company since his death, which occurred on the 25th of May, 1919. His sons, Charles W. and George M., then succeeded to the business. A change from horses to motor trucks had been gradually made over a period of five years. At one time the company utilized twelve teams and today uses five heavy service trucks, employing sixteen people. They cater only to the transfer and storage of household goods and the annual volume of their business amounts to sixty thousand dollars. Their warehouse includes twenty-five thousand square feet of floor space and they have every facility for handling their patronage. They conduct a large suburban business, which includes The Dalles, Astoria, Eugene, Albany, Salem and Corvallis. They pack and crate furniture and also consolidate carloads of furniture and care for the shipments. Their warehouse is fireproof and their business is among the foremost enterprises of the kind in Portland.
The son, Charles W. Olsen, is a law graduate of the University of Michigan and has been admitted to the bar in Oregon. He belongs to Washington Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., and also to Sunnyside Chapter, R. A. M. On the 29th of July, 1915, he married Bernice E. Knudsen, of South Haven, Michigan, and they are the parents of twins, Jean Corinne and Cara Manette.
George M. Olsen was educated at the Hill Military Academy and in the public schools of Portland, being graduated from the academy on Friday, the 13th of June, 1913, as a member of a class of thirteen. He is sure this number does not carry with it the proverbial unluckiness. He also attended the University of Michigan, which he left at the age of twenty-two years. He is a talented musician and has traveled with . his own orchestra for five years throughout the east and south. On one occasion he had a remarkable battle with a hold-up man in Racine, Wisconsin, who attacked him with a knife, inflicting a cut in his hand and arm, the results of which crippled his hand. Mr. Olsen, however, succeeded in wresting the knife from his assailant and held him at bay until aid was secured. The desperado is now doing eleven years' time in the penitentiary.
In 1919 Mr. Olsen returned to Portland and is associated with his brother in the transfer and storage business. He was married in the LaSalle Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, to Miss Florence Eva Davis, a native of Mackinac Island, Michigan. During his college days he became a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma and is also well known in Masonic circles, belonging to the blue lodge of Sunnyside, and has taken the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry, of the Knight Templar commandery and of Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in politics is an active republican. The sons are proving worthy successors of their father in the conduct of business interests in Portland, where the name of Olsen has long been a synonym for honest business enterprise and progressiveness.
COLEMAN H. WHEELER.
Co.cman H. Wheeler was a man to whom opportunity was ever a call to action- a call to which he made immediate and effective response. For many years he was num- bered among the prominent lumbermen of the northwest and brought to bear in the conduct of his business in this section of the country the experience which he had obtained in the lumber woods of Michigan. His life was an illustration of the fact that power grows through the exercise of effort. He saw the chances for advancement in this section of the country, with its almost limitless forests, and year by year he broadened the scope of his activities until he stood as one of the foremost representa- tives of the lumber industry of Oregon. He was born at Bellrock, Ontario, Canada. in
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