USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II > Part 90
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and became a large landowner in Polk and Linn counties. He wedded Catherine Friz- zell, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, and was one of the six children of Rees and Lilly Frizzell, who were Oregon pioneers of 1852. Hugh M. McNary died in 1891, and his wife in 1911. To them were born seven children: Mrs. Sarah A. Smith, a resident of Marshfield, Oregon; Anna L., living in Portland; Lillian M. of Salem; Angelo P., who is located in Klickitat county, Washington; Lawrence A .; Hugh P., living in Portland; and Wilson D., who is a practicing physician of Pendleton, Oregon.
Lawrence A. McNary was largely reared at Salem, where he attended the grammar schools, while later he benefited by a three years' course of instruction in the Willa- mette University. His interest in the legal profession led him to become a law student in the office and under the direction of Richard and E. B. Williams of Portland, and in 1890 he was admitted to the bar. He entered upon the practice of law in connection with Judge W. W. Thayer, a former governor of the state, with whom he was thus associated for five years. In 1902 he was elected city attorney of Portland for a three years' term and in 1905 was reelected for a term of two years. He is now engaged in the private practice of law and has made a creditable and enviable position at the Portland bar. While he has largely confined his attention to his professional interests he has also extended his activities by becoming a director of an Alaskan canning company and other business enterprises.
On the 16th of November, 1914, in Alameda, California, Mr. McNary was married to Mrs. Alice (Haskell) Leinenweber, whose father, William Haskell, was a pioneer of California, arriving in that state in 1847 and there residing to the time of his death in 1908. Mr. McNary is identified with the Commercial Club of Portland, is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and politically is a republican, as have been all of the descendants of the original pioneers of the name. He has held no public offices since 1910, but during the period of the World war he assisted largely in the patriotic work which fell to his city. For three-quarters of a century the McNary family has resided in Oregon and the work instituted in pioneer times by the grandfather and later promoted by the father is being continued by Lawrence A. McNary, under changed conditions, it is true, but with the same spirit of fidelity to the state and keen interest in its substantial upbuilding.
FRED WINCHESTER MEARS.
Fred Winchester Mears, a member of the Medford bar, now filling the office of city attorney, is separated by the width of the continent from his birthplace, for he is a native son of Massachusetts, born in April, 1873. Since the decade between 1630 and 1640 the Mears, Davis and Winchester families have been known as leading resi- dents of their respective communities. Among the direct descendants of these families were Fred Miles Mears and Eliza Jane Davis, whose marriage was celebrated in New England and who became the parents of Fred W. Mears of this review. The son was educated in the grammar and high schools of Newton" Center, Massachusetts, where his birth occurred, but at the age of twelve years he lost his father, who, having served in the Civil war, never recovered from the wounds that he sustained in that struggle. Determined to obtain a classical education, the young man eagerly embraced every opportunity of earning money that would enable him to pay his way through Brown University. He pursued his studies through the day sessions and taught night school in order to acquire the requisite funds, and the laudable ambition that prompted him carried him through to success and he was graduated from the university in 1895 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, thus laying broad and deep the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge. He then entered the law de- partment of the University of Michigan and again he resorted to every possible means to add to his financial resources that he might meet the expenses of his law course, and once more his determination and energy carried him forward to his goal. He was graduated in 1898 from the University of Michigan and was admitted to the bar. Immediately thereafter he located for practice in Sioux City, Iowa, where he followed his profession through the succeeding ten years, gaining a large clientage and win- ning an enviable reputation as an able and forceful lawyer and an earnest, eloquent and convincing public speaker. In 1910 he paid a visit to the Pacific coast, traveling from Los Angeles northward. Learning of the rapid growth of Medford his attention
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was attracted to this city and he stopped off to convince himself of the reliability of the reports he had heard. That visit secured for Medford another substantial resi- dent, for he at once decided to locate here. Returning to Iowa, he closed out his affairs in that state and since the fall of 1910 has made Medford his home. He has engaged in practice and for five years he filled the office of city attorney. His official record and his private work have both established him high in public regard as a wise counselor and capable advocate in the courts.
In 1903 Mr. Mears was married to Miss Sara P. Blythe, a daughter of the Rev. J. W. Blythe, whose people were for many generations among the best known divines of Indiana and Kentucky. The grandfather of Mrs. Mears was the founder and president of one of the leading colleges of that state. She was educated in the Western College at Oxford, Indiana, and is a woman of liberal culture and innate refinement. She is now and for some years has been the executive secretary of the Red Cross chapter and she is active in church club life and social affairs in Medford. Mr. and Mrs. Mears are members of the Baptist church. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Frederick Blythe, a graduate of the Medford high school; and James Blythe Davis, who is now attending public school.
Mr. Mears is an active member and supporter of the republican party, has been drafted as a speaker in every campaign since locating in Oregon and is known in every section of the state as a strong, forceful and influential political speaker and writer. Following the leadership of Roosevelt, he became a member of the progressive party and one of the campaigners in the "Flying Squadron." The progressive party in 1914 made him its candidate for congress from this district, but he failed of election. In the campaign of 1916 he became a supporter of Hughes and now gives earnest allegiance to the republican party. During the World war he strove to enter the service in any branch but was debarred on account of his near-sightedness. Finally he was sug- gested for service in the army as judge advocate but before the red tape could he unwound the armistice was signed. Mr. Mears is a Knights Templar and thirty-second degree Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit and purposes of the craft. He was made an Odd Fellow while a resident of Iowa. Throughout his entire life he has never been content to choose the second best but has pushed on toward a higher goal and as a man, attorney and citizen he occupies an enviable position in public regard and those who know him prize his friendship and attest his worth.
ABRAHAM WING.
Abraham Wing, a retired merchant and farmer residing in Portland, was born in Poland, September 12, 1835, a son of Lewis and Sima Wing. He came to the new world from his native country in 1855, when a young man of twenty years. Landing in New York with three cents in his pocket, with which he bought apples to eat, he remained in the east until 1857 and then came by way of the Isthmus route to Oregon, settling first at McMinnville where he had a brother living. He there engaged in general merchandising with his brother, conducting the store successfully for several years. Later he was also engaged in mercantile pursuits at Sheridan, Yam- hill county, for about three years and in 1866 purchased a place in Polk county where the Lewisville post office was established by himself and he was made first postmaster. He settled on his land and there lived for many years. His enterprise and energy in business constituted the basis of substantial success which came to him as time passed. He also went to Independence where he purchased a store which he conducted for a time. Afterward he removed to Silverton where he bought another store, conducting it for about a year. He subsequently removed to eastern Oregon and for five years was there engaged in business at Lonerock before coming to Portland. In the Rose City he was also identified with mercantile interests for a while and then engaged in farming for several years. After disposing of his farm property he returned to Portland where he has since lived retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. His life has been one of activity and usefulness and the careful management of his business affairs has been the basis of the prosperity which he now enjoys.
On December 26, 1869, Mr. Wing was united in marriage to Miss Julia Rosenthal, a daughter of Louis and Caroline (Isaacs) Rosenthal, who were natives of Poland and
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MR. AND MRS. ABRAHAM WING
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. after coming to the United States made their way to California and thence to Oregon, arriving in this state in 1858. Mr. Rosenthal then bought a donation claim near Monta- villa, now the Rosewood addition, and first engaged in merchandising, after which he concentrated his attention upon the dairy business for several years. It was he who gave the name of Montavilla to the town. To Mr. and Mrs. Wing have been born five children, all of whom are living: L. E., who is a resident of Houston, Texas; Rebecca, the wife of C. B. Joseph of San Francisco, California; Benjamin C., who is manager of the Ben Selling store of Portland; Sima E., living in Seattle, Washington; and Rosa, now Mrs. E. Singer of Portland. This is a notable record, inasmuch as the family circle remains unbroken by the hand of death, and Mr. and Mrs. Wing celebrated their golden wedding December 26, 1919.
In politics Mr. Wing is a democrat and filled the position of postmaster at Lewis- ville for thirteen years and at Lonerock for five years. He was appointed deputy sheriff at Dallas, seat of Polk county, and captured on one occasion horse thieves who had stolen three horses, and the thieves would have been lynched but Mr. Wing inter- fered and delivered his prisoners to the proper authorities. This happened in the early '70s. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for in this country he found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made steady progress. He has also gained many warm friends here and those who know him speak of him in terms of the highest regard.
SAMUEL HAYDEN ELLIOTT.
The Elliott family has played an important part in connection with the history of the northwest, their records constituting a valuable chapter in the annals of Oregon. Samuel Hayden Elliott was born in Kentucky, January 1, 1829, a son of John Elliott, who was a native of Scotland. When seventeen years of age Samuel H. Elliott removed from Kentucky to Macon county, Missouri, and thence started across the plains for Oregon, making an overland trip with ox teams and wagon in com- pany with Samuel A. Miles and W. W. Baker. In August, 1850, they arrived in Port- land and here Mr. Elliott began following his trade of bricklaying, which he had previously learned in the middle west. Subsequently he engaged in the manufacture of brick, establishing the first yard at Hillsboro, Washington county, where he finally took up his abode. In connection with Samuel A. Miles he also built the first sawmill at St. Helen and together they operated the plant for a considerable period before Mr. Elliott established a brickyard at Hillsboro. During the years in which he was engaged in the manufacture of brick he also took contracts for and erected many residences in Portland, thus contributing to the industrial and commercial develop- ment of the districts in which he labored and to the beauty and improvement of the Rose City.
Samuel H. Elliott was married at Hillsboro, Oregon, to Miss Mary McKay, a daughter of Charles R. and Lettia McKay, who came to Oregon in 1841. They were natives of Glencoe, Scotland, and upon reaching this state took up their abode in Washington county, to which place Mr. Mckay had been sent by the government. There he secured a donation claim. In 1849 he went to California, attracted by the discovery of gold in that state and thus he became acquainted with various phases of pioneer life on the Pacific coast. On making the trip to Oregon he had taken the northern route through Canada by way of Winnipeg, driving a yoke of oxen hitched to a two-wheeled wagon or cart. He spoke the Indian language and was a power among the red men. It is said that he often applied the whip to an Indian if he caught him stealing, no matter how many there were in the tribe, yet he was kind to them whenever occasion permitted and liberally gave them meat-a gift thor- oughly appreciated by the entire tribe. There was no phase of pioneer life or experi- ence in connection with the development and upbuilding of the west with which he was not familiar and his contribution thereto was always of a most valuable character.
Thomas Hayden Elliott, the eldest son of Samuel Hayden Elliott, was born at Hillsboro, Oregon, December 21, 1857. In his youthful days he worked in the brick- yard of his father and also learned and followed the bricklayer's trade. He made his home for many years in Portland as one of its progressive citizens and rep- resentative business men and here passed away in April, 1920.
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William C. Elliott, the third youngest of the sons of Samuel Hayden Elliott, ac- quired his education in the Pacific University at Forest Grove, Oregon, and also took up. the study of civil engineering, qualifying for efficient work in that connection. He was elected city engineer of Portland in 1902 serving under Mayor George H. Williams and occupied the office for three years. In this connection and through private activity in his chosen field of labor he has contributed much to the improve- ment and advancement of the city. He built the first steel bridges in Portland, the Morrison street bridge, which was the first bridge to separate the traffic, there being a division for foot passengers, for street cars and for vehicles. He is also the builder of the steel bridge at Willamette Heights and likewise of two steel bridges in South Portland. Mr. Elliott was instrumental in securing the adoption of concrete walks in Portland, for as late as 1902 a great many of the main streets had walks constructed of planks. He has recently completed the Terminal Pier No. 4 and now has under construction several county highways, including the Yamhill state highway, the Ochoco National Forest highway and others. He was instrumental, together with John B. Yeon, in securing the paving of Willamette boulevard, one of the most beautiful thor- oughfares of the city. His work has indeed been of a most valuable character to Portland and he ranks with the ablest engineers of the northwest.
In 1897 Mr. Elliott was married to Miss Addie R. Roberts, a daughter of Amos M. and Susan Roberts. They have become parents of two children, Susan Mary and Florence Evelyn. In his political views William C. Elliott is a republican, having always given stalwart support to the party. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, in which he has attained high rank, being now identified with the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias. He represents one of the old and honored pioneer families of the northwest and the work instituted by his grandfather and continued by his father has been further promoted by him in his active contribu- tions to the upbuilding and progress of his adopted city. In a history of the family mention must also be made of the splendid work done by the women in different gen- erations. The grandmother of William C. Elliott in the paternal line reared thirty orphan children and was widely known throughout the Pacific coast country for her charitable work. The widow of Samuel H. Elliott is still living and she has reared three boys besides her own family of seven children. Two of these boys served in the European war. The contribution of the Elliott family to the best life of the north- west is indeed worthy of record.
Mr. Mckay was one of the signers for the provisional government at Champoeg.
WALTER ALFRED HOLT.
The career of Walter Alfred Holt presents a striking example of a self-made man. Starting out as a messenger in the Commercial National Bank when twenty-three years of age, his energy, devotion to duty and natural aptitude for business won him steady advancement from one position to another of greater importance and respon- sibility until he is now serving as vice president of the institution in which he began his career and which through various changes in ownership has since become merged with the United States National Bank of Portland. As the architect of his own for- tunes he has builded wisely and well, his life history constituting a notable illustra- tion of industry, determination and honorable dealing that others might profitably follow.
Mr. Holt is one of Oregon's native sons. He was born on a farm near Harris- burg on the 28th of September, 1867, and comes of English ancestry, being a descend- ant of William Holt and Mary Ann White, who were married in England and emigrated to America, settling in Virginia just before the Revolutionary war, in which conflict William Holt participated. Alfred Holt, the father of the subject of this review, was a native of Tennessee and during the Civil war he resided along the line of Sherman's march to the sea. Military activities centered around his home and like many other southern families he lost all of his possessions, which caused him to seek a new home in the west and in 1865 he arrived in Oregon, having made the journey by way of the Isthmus route. In young manhood he had wedded Harriet Thomason, also a native of the south, her birth having occurred in South Carolina. Her father, James Thomason, came from England to South Carolina when a small hoy and at the age of sixteen years volunteered and fought through the War of 1812 as a private.
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Their son, Walter A. Holt, became a student at Colfax Academy of Colfax, Wash- ington, and subsequently entered the Bishop Scott Academy at Portland, Oregon, from which he was graduated in June, 1889, following which he became an instructor in that institution, so continuing for a year. It was on the 30th of June, 1890, that he entered financial circles, becoming connected with the Commercial National Bank of Portland as messenger. He has since continued with that institution, which was later taken over by the Wells Fargo Bank and which through a subsequent change in own- ership has now become absorbed by the United States National Bank. His close ap- plication, trustworthiness and efficiency in the discharge of his duties soon won rec- ognition in merited promotion and advancing step by step as his ability and knowl- edge increased he at length was chosen vice president of the institution, in which office he is now serving. Long experience has given him comprehensive knowledge of the banking business in principle and detail and he is able to speak with authority upon many questions connected with financial interests. The policy of the bank is in keeping with his standards and ideals and he has contributed in large measure to the success of the undertaking, which ranks with the leading financial institutions of Portland and the northwest. The business of the bank is conducted along lines that constitute an even balance between conservative measures and progressiveness and at the same time the policy of the bank extends to its patrons every possible assistance commensurate with the safety of the institution. In devotion to family welfare and financial interests Mr. Holt displays marked fidelity and energy, regard- ing no detail as too unimportant to receive his attention and at the same time viewing the larger factors of his interests with comprehensive mind and broad consideration.
In Portland, on the 19th of February, 1896, Mr. Holt was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Earhart, a daughter of the late Rockey Preston Earhart. The three chil- dren of this union are Alfred Preston, Nancy Harriet and Agnes Elizabeth, aged re- spectively twenty-two, twenty and nine years. Mrs. Holt passed away September 30, 1920. She was devoted to her family and was the possessor of an unusually radiant and attractive personality, together with a keen and kindly sense of humor. Her womanly character and gentleness of disposition endeared her to all with whom she came in contact and she was the possessor of a large circle of friends who felt a deep sense of personal loss at her passing.
Mr. Holt gave his political allegiance to the democratic party until driven from its ranks by the free silver craze in 1896, since which time he has favored republican principles, but at all times casts an independent ballot, regarding the qualifications of the candidate as paramount to all party issues. He is an honorary member and an ex-president of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club, with which he has been asso- ciated since the first year of its existence. He is also identified with the Waverly Country Club and the Auld Lang Syne Society and is an active and interested member of the Chamber of Commerce, whose plans and measures for the development of the city and the extension of its trade relations he heartily indorses. In thoroughness and the mastery of every detail of the duties that have devolved upon him lies the secret of the success which has brought him to the eminent position which he now occupies in financial circles of Portland. His labors have ever been of a constructive character and while attaining individual prosperity he has at the same time con- tributed to public progress and development. He is a high-minded man whose honor and integrity have never been questioned and any community is fortunate in having Walter A. Holt as one of its citizens.
GEORGE KOHLHAGEN.
Fifty-three years ago, or in 1868, there was born to George and Catharine Kohl- hagen of Rochester, New York, a boy, who was named George, for his father. The child's grandfather, a native of the Rhineland, had come to America and established his family in the vicinity of Rochester, where his son George was reared to manhood. The grandson, now a factor in the growth of southern Oregon and a valued resident of Roseburg, was educated in the common schools of his native town and upon completing his course there he took up his father's trade, that of a butcher, working in his father's shop until he was eighteen years of age, by which time he felt that he was not only a butcher but an experienced meat cutter. Accordingly he left Rochester and worked at his trade in nearby cities until 1888, when he came to the Pacific coast, settling
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first at Seattle, while later he removed to Tacoma, Washington. In the latter city he purchased a meat market and prospered in its conduct, but after three years sold the business and returned to the east. There he went into husiness, but a single season spent in his native state taught him the value of the mild climate of the Pacific coast and disposing of his shop at a loss of three hundred dollars he again journeyed westward. He remained in Portland for a brief period and in 1892 removed to Rosehurg, accepting work in a meat shop on the site where he has since erected the handsome Kohlhagen block.
Leaving the shop he took up the business of buying sheep in a partnership rela- tion with Al West, the brother of Governor Oswald West, and the firm prospered in the hutchering and shipping of sheep. Mr. Kohlhagen, however, was young, ambitious and energetic and not afraid of working overtime. So he returned to Roseburg and again took up the meat business. Twenty-nine years have passed since he perma- nently settled in Roseburg and his position today is that of the leading breeder and wholesaler of cattle and sheep in southern Oregon. In Roseburg he conducts a large wholesale business and two retail stores, one of which occupies the ground floor of a handsome brick structure he has erected on Jackson street. The upper floors of the building are used as a music studio, photograph gallery, etc. Mr. Kohlhagen also owns vast acreage in Douglas county, whereon he raises cattle and sheep. On the Umpqua river, near Winchester, he owns the Winchester ranch of thirteen thousand acres and eight miles away he owns another place known as the Glide ranch of twelve thousand acres, while on Roberts creek he has a tract of seven hundred acres and in Jackson county still another place of two hundred and forty acres. In addition to owning this vast amount of property Mr. Kohlhagen has under rental another ranch of eight thousand acres and an additional rented tract of twelve thousand acres. Over his extensive holdings roam thousands of head of cattle, sheep and hogs that have been hred by and gathered together through the energy of a man who less than thirty years ago came to Roseburg as a meat cutter in a small butcher shop. Mr. Kohlhagen hreeds Black Polled Angus, Hereford and Durham cattle entirely and his bulls and rams are all thoroughbred stock. His bands of sheep number at this time more than three thousand head and all along the coast and through the west the name of George Kohlhagen is known as that of one of Oregon's foremost breeders and extensive live stock dealers.
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