History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 12

Author: Carey, Charles Henry
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 766

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William Henry Pope was born in New York city. December 5. 1840, and was eleven years old when the voyage was made around the Horn to their new home in the west. The greater part of his education was acquired in the public schools of Oregon City, which he attended a large part of the ensuing eight years after his arrival in Oregon. In 1859, when nineteen years old, he started out in the world for himself, first securing employment as a clerk in the commissary department of the Yakima Indian reserva- tion, a position which he retained for three years, when he went to The Dalles and for a time worked in an assay office. In 1865 he came to Portland and was a clerk in the hardware business of Milwain & Joint, and in the same year he purchased, in conjunction with his brother Charles, the oldest hardware business in Oregon City, which had previously been conducted by O. Milwain. It was at this time that the father of Mr. Pope of this review came to Oregon City and here took charge of the business venture of his son, the latter, however, two years later, himself locating in Oregon City to look after his own interests. For fourteen years Captain Pope was recognized as one of the prominent and successful business men of that city, but in 1881 he became interested in the boating business and again located in Portland, where he purchased an interest in a concern and began his career as a purser. That the Cap- tain was eminently fitted to deal with the public was demonstrated by the many friends which he won during his intercourse of many years and it was but a short time until his ability was recognized generally and he became master of a boat. On the 14th of May, 1885, the Willamette Steamboat Company was incorporated, and Captain Pope, with others, huilt the Multnomah for the Oregon City route, and for some time they carried on a thriving business, after which the boat was leased to the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, in which latter employ he remained for many years. The Cap- tain's first boat was called the Calliope. In May, 1892, at the Centennial celebration

HISTORY OF OREGON

of the discovery of the mouth of the Columbia river, he was master of the Potter and carried four hundred passengers to the scene of the celebration, where they spent three days, the 9th, 10th and 11th of May. The following year he was master of the Harvest Queen and was engaged in piloting vessels from Astoria to Portland. In 1895 he became branch pilot on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, which position he continued to fill the rest of his life. His last trip was the celebration of the opening of the river from Lewiston to the sea after the locks were finished. No man was ever more trusted in this line of work than Captain Pope and his faithful discharge of duty won him general commendation.

The marriage of Captain Pope occurred in Portland, February 14, 1867, and united him with Miss Sarah A. Keightley, who was born in La Grange county, Indiana, June 30, 1844. She was the daughter of John and Mary (Winter) Keightley, the former born in 1805 and died in 1885, after an active life as a millwright. His death occurred in Indiana and his wife also passed away in that state, her demise occurring in 1851. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Eliza Myers of Woodland, Cali- fornia; Mrs. W. H. Pope, above mentioned; John, who died on the farm in Indiana; and Ann Walker, who died in Portland in 1869, having crossed the plains in 1852 with her husband. Mrs. Pope had come to Portland in 1860 to make her home with her sister, and she attended the old academy for a time in the further pursuit of an educa- tion. To Captain Pope and his wife were born two children: Anna, born September 19, 1868, married Paul S. Linquist of San Francisco, and they have two daughters, Sarah Marie and Helen. Mrs. Linquist graduated from the Oregon City schools and also attended the high school of Portland. The other daughter is Maude, who was born February 21, 1874, and became the wife of Captain Julius Allyn of the Columbia river pilots. She had two sons, William Pope who served two years in the World war and was at the front with his division, taking part at Argonne and in many of the hard fought battles with American troops. He was at the front when the armistice was signed; and Edwin Julius, who has passed away; and one daughter, Elizabeth.

Fraternally Captain Pope was identified with Oregon City Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the encampment, in both of which he passed all the chairs and was also a member of Oregon City Lodge, A. O. U. W., in which he also passed all the chairs. As an inter- ested republican in politics he was at various times called upon to represent his party, serving for one term as a member of the school board of Oregon City. His religious affiliation was with the Taylor Street Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Pope is also a member. Socially he was a member of the Pioneer Association of Oregon and the Historical Society, and in the line of his business belonged to and was a charter member of the Masters and Pilots Association of Willamette Harbor, No. 23, in which he passed all the chairs. Captain Pope was one of the honored pioneers of Oregon, to whom the present generation owes a debt of gratitude that can never be fully paid. All were animated by a common hope and their confidence in the future of the state was great. They were noble men who were truly cast in heroic mould and too much cannot be said in their honor.

GEORGE WASHINGTON HOYT (II).

The complex problems of banking are thoroughly familiar to George Washington Hoyt (II), for comprehensive study and practical experience have acquainted him with the various phases of the business and well qualify him for the discharge of his re- sponsible duties as assistant cashier of the Northwestern National Bank, one of the substantial financial institutions of Portland. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful and capable man of business and in his dealings is known for his promptness, integrity and reliability. He has the distinction of being the only man among the officers of the bank who has spent over a half century in Portland. He was here born October 15, 1866, at the corner of Third and Davis streets which at that time was a fashionable residence district, Portland then having a population of about five thousand people.

Mr. Hoyt is a representative of an old and prominent pioneer family of this state which has been closely connected with the early development and upbuilding of Oregon. His grandparents were Richard and Mary (Cutler) Hoyt, who became residents of Al- bany, New York, about 1827. Both were descendants of the early Puritans, who settled in New Hampshire, and the grandfather engaged extensively in the manufacture of sad-

HISTORY OF OREGON

dlery and trunks. George W. Hoyt, the father of the subject of this review, from whom he received his name, was born in Albany in 1828 and 1851, when twenty-three years of age, he made his way to the Pacific coast, settling in California. The following year he came to Oregon, where he became identified with navigation interests, acting as agent for the Multnomah, one of the early steamers of the northwest, subsequently purchasing an interest in the steamer Express which made the run between Portland and Oregon City. He entered the employ of the Oregon Steamship & Navigation Com- pany soon after its organization and was identified with that corporation and its suc- cessors for thirty years-a just tribute to his high business qualities and efficient methods. In 1890 he resigned and entered the custom-house brokerage business in connection with his brother, Henry Hoyt, continuing active therein until his death on the 9th of September, 1892. Returning to Albany for his bride Captain Hoyt was married in that city in December, 1865, to Miss Martha A. Graham and they became the parents of three children: George W., the subject of this review; Martha A., wife of William D. Wheelwright; and Fannie Graham, who became the wife of Robert W. Lewis, of Portland.

George W. Hoyt (II) attended the public schools of his native city and was grad- uated from the high school in 1884. He well remembers the great Centennial parade in Portland in 1876, as he carried a torch in the procession. About this time he was printer's devil and A. D. T. messenger boy and when a message was to be delivered west of Fourth street the company furnished a horse on account of the mud. Owing to his father's connection with navigation interests Mr. Hoyt was naturally attracted to the river and was purser on the lower river even before he finished his high school course. In 1885 he ran between Portland and Kalama, the boat connecting with the Northern Pacific Railroad for Puget Sound. After spending a few months on the river Mr. Hoyt became city salesman for a large wholesale drug house, thus continuing for six years, at the end of which time he returned to the river, becoming purser on the old Ocean Wave, which plied between Portland and Ilwaco. In those days the Columbia was alive with boats and barges of all sizes and descriptions and races were frequent occurrences.

In October, 1892, Mr. Hoyt entered financial circles, becoming bookkeeper in the Merchants National Bank and so faithfully and efficiently did he discharge his duties in that connection that he soon won promotion, advancing through all the successive steps to the position of cashier, in which he was serving at the time of the amalgama- tion with the Northwestern National Bank in October, 1915. He is well known through- out the Pacific northwest as an able financier and banker of more than ordinary ability who has promoted the success of the enterprise with which he is connected by systematic and progressive work. He is well versed in the details of modern banking and his knowledge is guided and directed by his excellent business ability, and these qualities have gained for him the respect and confidence of the men who have had business with him and have consequently influenced the prosperity of the enterprise with which he is connected.

In Portland, on the 22d of November, 1893, Mr. Hoyt was united in marriage to Miss Pearl M. Shaver, a daughter of George W. and Sarah Shaver, honored pioneers of this state. The two children of this union are Martha Shaver Hoyt and George W. Hoyt (III). Mr. Hoyt has always been a lover of home and is never happier than when he is with his family. In 1919 he erected a home at No. 603 Hillcrest drive, . Portland Heights, which commands a fine view of the city and surrounding country. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Imperial Lodge, No. 159, of which he is serving as treasurer and has also been treasurer of Portland Lodge, No. 142, B. P. O. E. He is a charter member of the Multnomah and Rotary Clubs, serving for two years as trustee of the former organization while of the latter he was the first treasurer and he is also connected with the Commercial Club. Throughout his life he has been a lover of music and when a young man he played a trombone in the Dodsworth Brass Band. He was also well known as a vocalist, being a member of the celebrated Prescott Quartette of Portland and he also became a member of the first Boyer Club. His military experience covers three and a half years' service as a member of Company G, First Regiment of the Oregon National Guard, following which he became identified with the State Naval Militia. For over a half century Mr. Hoyt has resided in Portland and he has there- fore been an interested witness of the greater part of the city's development and up- building, bearing his full share in the work of progress and improvement. His mind is stored with many interesting incidents of the early days and forms a connecting

HISTORY OF OREGON

link between the primitive past with its hardships and privations of pioneer life and the present with its progress and prosperity. He is familiar with the history of nearly all of the large business houses in the city and many of his old schoolmates are now occupying positions of prominence here. The name of Hoyt has ever been an honored one in connection with the pioneer development and later progress of Oregon and George W. Hoyt (II) is actuated by the spirit of advancement and enterprise which dominated his forbears and which has been a most effective force in the upbuilding of the west. He is widely known throughout the Pacific northwest and his sterling traits of character have gained for him an enviable position in public regard.

INGWERT C. NICKELSEN.

Ingwert C. Nickelsen, a dealer in stationery and musical instruments and mer- chandise at The Dalles, is a Dane by birth, having been born on the island of Fohr in 1842. His parents, Peter and Christina (Petersen) Nickelsen, were born on the same farm as their son Ingwert, who was a representative of the third generation of the family to be born at that place. He was educated in his home locality and came to America in 1859, when a youth of seventeen years. Landing at New York, he there engaged in the restaurant business until 1867, when he decided to try his fortune in the west and reached California after making the trip by way of Nicaragua. In 1868 he arrived at The Dalles and until 1871 was employed at the Umatilla hotel, which was then the only first-class hotel of The Dalles." In 1871 he estabished himself in business on Second street and for a half century has been one of the leading merchants and progressive citizens of Wasco county. Careful, conservative yet progressive methods and honorable dealing have led to the development of his establishment and the growth of his trade year by year. Mr. Nickelsen not only conducts a fine stationery store hut has also added a musical department, in which is displayed a full line of musical instruments and musical merchandise. He carries the standard makes of pianos and other musical instruments and is likewise agent for the Victrola, having a large stock of talking machines and records. He has ever made it his purpose to please his patrons, recognizing the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertise- ment, and in the conduct of his business has achieved most gratifying results.

In 1872 Mr. Nickelsen was married to Miss Josine Fredden, daughter of Jorgen and Gardine Fredden and also a native of the island of Fohr, Denmark. They have three children: Christina, the wife of Henry Grubb of The Dalles; Julia, the wife of Ernest Cramer; and Clara, the wife of Frank N. Parker, an officer of the valuation department of the Interstate Commerce Commission and a resident of Washington, D. C.

Throughout his life Mr. Nickelsen has been a consistent Christian and he was one of the organizers of the English Lutheran church, of which he is a councilor. For many years he served as treasurer of his congregation and at all times has given lih- erally to its support and put forth every possible effort for the upbuilding of the church and the extension of its influence. For a half century he has been connected with the Odd Fellows and is a past grand of his lodge. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and from 1882 until 1888 he was treasurer of Wasco county. He has always been numbered among the most public-spirited citizens of The Dalles and his efforts have been a constructive force in the community, his activities produc- ing far-reaching and beneficial results in behalf of public progress.

JOHN A. BRADBURN, JR.

John A. Bradburn, Jr., who was for many years prominent in the mercantile circles of Pilot Rock, is now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of a life spent in diligence and labor. A native of Oregon, he was born near Echo, February 17, 1872, a son of John A., Sr., and Louisa V. (Short) Bradburn, the former a native of Cum- mins, Massachusetts, and the latter of Virden, Illinois. They were married in Umatilla county, November 28, 1860. They had five children, four boys and one girl, and all are deceased except John A. and Frank L. When a small boy, John A. Bradburn, Sr., went east with his parents, locating in New York. He later removed to Independence,

MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. BRADBURN

HISTORY OF OREGON

Missouri, where until 1849 he engaged as a sailor on a Missouri river steamboat. In that year, however, he crossed the plains, stopping at Salt Lake City and there he numbered among his acquaintances the well known Mormon leader, Brigham Young. Leaving Salt Lake City, Mr. Bradburn went to Sacramento, California, and then for some time engaged in mining near Oroville, that state. He then located on the American river in connection with a number of men, where they successfully operated a sawmill but in the spring of 1851 he left this vicinity and removing to Oregon, located in Portland for a short time and then at The Dalles, where he assisted in the construction of the first stone warehouse there. In 1852 he came to what is now Uma- tilla county. Settling in Umatilla county he located near where Echo now stands and there engaged in the hotel business, also running stock and conducting an inn at Wells Springs. He operated a ferry-boat in connection with his other business interests, achieving a substantial amount of success in each undertaking. In 1878 he sold the ranch and started to drive some two thousand cattle to Burnt river but the Indians attacked the party and killed a number of the cattle, so he abandoned that enterprise. Buying the ranch of a Mr. Nail on the southern edge of the reservation, he farmed and ran stock until his death, which occurred in 1891, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife died at Lehman Springs, when forty-six years of age. Throughout his life John A. Bradburn, Sr., was a stanch supporter of the republican party and he was readily conceded to be a representative citizen of the community in which he resIded.

The boyhood of John A. Bradburn, Jr., was spent in Umatilla county, where he received his education and later worked for the Cunningham Sheep & Land Company. He was then engaged in the liquor business and until the spring of 1920 was active in the conduct of a confectionery business at Pilot Rock, in which he achieved a sub- stantial amount of success. Mr. Bradburn has been prominent in various business ventures and he is the owner of a concrete garage, a barber shop, a restaurant and a rooming house, as well as other valuable property in Pilot Rock. He is now living retired in the residence which he erected in Pilot Rock. As a representative of some of that town's most important business interests, Mr. Bradburn has taken an active part in the civic affairs of the community and to that end has served on the city council.

In 1913 occurred the marriage of John A. Bradburn, Jr., to Miss Emma Kesel, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Kesel, and a native of Utah. Mrs. Bradburn passed away on the 12th of February, 1919, at the age of thirty-eight years, her death causing a void in the community which it will not be easy to fill.

The political allegiance of Mr. Bradburn is given to the republican party, in the interests of which he takes an active part. He is not affiliated with a great number of fraternal organizations but holds membership with the Red Men. He is justly entitled to the proud American title of self-made man, for all that he today possesses has been acquired through his own labor, economy and well directed efforts.

GRANT B. DIMICK.

There is perhaps no other man in the state of Oregon who occupies at the bar, in civil life and in business and fraternal circles such an enviable position as Judge Grant B. Dimick. This distinguished man is a son of John B. and Almira Eberhard Dimick, and was born in 1869, at Hubbard, Oregon. His father was born in Illinois in 1840, and at the age of seven years removed to Oregon. He later became a farmer but left his farm for a while during the Civil war. At the close of the war he returned to Marion county and resumed farming and in 1886 was elected to the state senate. He led a life of diligence and industry to the time of his death, which took place in 1903. The mother's family, the Eberhards, were pioneers of Oregon, having come here in 1852, and were a prominent family in the state.

Judge Dimick's education was received in the public schools of his native town, at the State Normal School and at the Baptist College at McMinnville. He then studied law and was admitted to practice by the supreme court in 1895 and in 1896 he removed to Oregon City. He served as mayor of Oregon City for five terms and was republican presidential elector in 1906. He has been county judge of Clackamas county and in 1910 was candidate for governor of Oregon. To him the state owes much of its progres- siveness, for it was he who organized and built the Willamette Valley & Southern Rail- way which has been a large factor in the development of the section through which it runs. This railway owes its success to his untiring efforts as president and general Vol. 111-7

IIISTORY OF OREGON

manager of its company. In another line he has become just as successful and having studied farming from a scientific standpoint he now owns and operates some five hun- dred and thirty-three acres on which he raises Hampshire, Shropshire and Oxford Down sheep. He is a member of the State Bar Association, is general attorney for the Hawley Pulp and Paper Company, is vice president of the State Bank at Monitor and is director of the State Bank of Aurora.

In 1896 Judge Dimick was united in marriage to Miss Verene Wolfer, who belongs to one of the pioneer families of Clackamas county and the vacations of Judge and Mrs. Dimick are for the most part spent on one of their three large farms.

Though almost submerged with legal and business duties Judge Dimick has found some time for the social amenities of life and has many fraternal connections. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is now master of Multnomah Lodge, No. 1, which is the oldest lodge west of the Rockies and he is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.

A. H. BIRRELL.

Thirty years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since A. H. Birrell began business in Portland in the field of real estate, mortgage loans and insurance. A thorough understanding of every phase of the lines of business which he handles, close application and unremitting energy have been salient features in his career. In all his business activities he has followed constructive effort, never seeking to build up his own fortunes by tearing down the business of others: in fact he has always held to high business standards and ethics and enjoys in a large measure the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been brought into contact.

Mr. Birrell is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in Dundee, Decem- ber 20, 1860, his parents being John and Jane Birrell. His father was prominent in educational circles in Scotland, having conducted a large private academy in Dundee and it was in that institution that his son, Alexander, pursued his studies until he had reached a point when he felt that he wished to make his initial step in business circles. For seven years he was employed in the office of a jute manufacturer in Dundee and then, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, made his way across the Atlantic and landed at the eastern metropolis, being at that time twenty-two years of age. After a brief period spent in the carpet house of W. and J. Sloan of New York, he started for the west, making Clifton, Arizona, his destination. There he was employed for a time as bookkeeper by the Arizona Copper Company and the following year, when twenty-three years of age, he became accountant for the Dundee Mortgage Company, succeeding to the joint agency of that company in Portland, Oregon, in 1888. For four- teen years thereafter he was a member of the firm of MacMaster & Birrell, represent- ing English and Scotch capital in Portland in making mortgage loans on both city and farm property. This business constituted an important element in the develop- ment of Portland and of Oregon. In April, 1903, Mr. Birrell opened an office for the conducting of a real estate, insurance and financial agency and had soon gained a large clientage. In 1908 the A. H. Birrell Company was incorporated, which in turn was succeeded on January 1st, 1921, by the A. H. Birrell-Gill Company. In both of these corporations he is president: in the latter, W. J. Gill, an old time Portlander, is associated with him as vice president. Indefatigable energy, persistency of pur- pose and sound business judgment have characterized his business career and as the years have passed he has won a substantial place in the business and financial circles of his adopted city.

Mr. Birrell was married in Middletown, Ohio, on the 13th of May, 1886, to Miss Christina K. Shartle and to them have been born two daughters: Esther, who is now the wife of Newton C. Smith, of Portland, and Winifred, the wife of J. Hunt Hendrick- son of Portland.

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History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 12

Author: Carey, Charles Henry Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company Number of Pages: 766

Author: Carey, Charles Henry
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Portland, The Pioneer historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 766