History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 13

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

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Fraternally Mr. Birrell is an Elk. He belongs also to the Arlington Club of Portland and to the Chamber of Commerce, being keenly interested in the efforts of the latter organization to develop the city in all of its varied trade relations and to uphold its civic standards. He votes with the republican party, which he has sup- ported since becoming an American citizen. He is prominently identified with vari ous Scotch societies in his community and has been the president of the St. Andrews' Society of Oregon. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church.

A contemporary writer has said of him: "His life has been well spent, charac-

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HISTORY OF OREGON

terized by conservation of his forces, by utilization of opportunity and by correct understanding of life's values and purposes. The strength that he has manifested in business circles has its root in upright, honorable manhood, winning for him the unqualified regard of those with whom he has been associated."

WILLIAM ARTHUR JOHNSTON.

William Arthur Johnston of The Dalles, who is affectionately called "Bill" John- ston by his friends who are to be found throughout the state of Oregon, was born in Ohio in 1860, his parents being J. S. and Samantha (Story) Johnston, who were repre- sentatives of pioneer families that had settled in the northwest territory in the days of the "Ohio Company," long before the organization of the state of Ohio. They were of New England migratory stock. The father died when the son, William A., was seven years of age and the boy was afterward indentured to a farmer, the contract covering the period of his minority. The boy, however, felt that this period was too great and at the age of eighteen years he started for the Pacific coast, possessing a capi- tal of a little less than four dollars after paying his way on an emigrant train to San Francisco. The trip to that city took twelve days and after reaching the Golden Gate the boy at once started for Portland, Oregon, by steamer. Upon arriving at the latter city he sought employment and secured a job at Corvallis, where he worked as a farm hand and cattle buyer. He then became a logger in Lane county. His next move took him to Roseburg, Oregon, where he assisted in building the first railroad bridge across the Umpqua river. He spent some time in logging near Cottage Grove and then again sought a different location, arriving this time at The Dalles, in 1883, where he accepted a position as engine wiper with the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. This task, however, did not prove congenial and he removed to Prineville, where for six months he clerked in a grocery store. On the expiration of that period he returned to The Dalles and for four years acted as foreman of a logging camp. Removing to Heppner, Oregon, he again engaged in the grocery business. He later resolved to engage in business on his own account and opened a drug store at Heppner, of which he re- mained the owner for two and a half years. He then sold out and through the suc- ceeding two years was associated with Minor & Company, a general merchandise store. He returned to The Dalles, where he opened a grocery store which he soon developed into a department store which he conducted for twelve years. Since closing out his general merchandise business he has in a measure lived retired, although he has many interests in and around Wasco county. He holds a considerable amount of stock in the large general merchandise business of Johnston Brothers of Dufur, who, though of the same name, are not related to him by the ties of blood. He is associated with his son, Charles A., in the automobile business under the firm name of W. A. Johnston & Son. He was for a time engaged in the manufacture of the Kimball culti- vator, but the war forced the closing of the factory for lack of material and work has not yet been resumed. The garage and salesrooms of W. A. Johnston & Son are on Second street in The Dalles, being situated on the Columbia River highway and fitted up with all modern conveniences. The firm acts as distributor for the Nash motor cars for nine counties tributary to The Dalles and carries a full line of automobile tires and accessories.

Mr. Johnston was married in 1888 to Miss Lillie Ballard, a daughter of William G. Ballard, who came to Oregon in 1850 from his native state of Illinois. He was a direct descendant of Thomas Ballard, a Scotchman who landed in America in 1748, settling at Charleston, South Carolina. Mrs. Johnston's mother was a Dunbar. Her father became a pioneer resident of Oregon, coming to this state from Virginia in 1850. His farm at Fairview was one of the first developed in the state and the Multnomah County Poor Farm is a part of his original ranch.

Mr. Johnston is a member of the Masonic fraternity and one of the best known representatives of the craft in Oregon. He has passed through most of the chairs, is a past high priest of the chapter and a past commander of Columbia Commandery, No. 13, K. T. He is also the deputy potentate of Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine and no Mason stands higher in the order nor has more friends among its membership than "Bill" Johnston. His chapter has presented him with a gold embroidered apron and his commandery with a jeweled emblem as a slight token of their appreciation of his work and in recognition of his popularity.

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Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have one son, Charles A., who is a partner in the automobile business. He is married and has a son, William Arthur, Jr., who is five years of age and has already commenced his journey along Masonic lines, having been appointed one of the two mascots of Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Portland. When attired in his Arab costume, topped with his fez, he commands the attention of all of the five thousand Nobles of the Shrine. Long a resident of the northwest and active in various lines of business and at various points, and equally prominent in his fra- ternal associations, Mr. Johnston is indeed widely known throughout Oregon and the sterling worth of his character, his unfeigned cordiality and his appreciation of friend- ship have gained for him the high regard and warm esteem of all with whom he has been brought into contact.

CHARLES TYLER EARLY.

There is perhaps no history in this volume that indicates so clearly the possibili- ties that lie before the American youth as does that of Charles Tyler Early, the vice president and general manager of the Oregon Lumber Company and one of the most prominent lumbermen of the Pacific coast country. He started out in connection with the lumber business at the commonest kinds of labor and upon the substantial qualities of industry, determination and faithfulness has builded his notable success. There are many who claim that opportunity is much more limited than it was a generation ago. The careers of such men as Mr. Early indicate the futility of such a statement. Busi- ness lines are constantly broadening and opportunities are continually increasing and to the individual fortune will yield her rewards in return for persistency of purpose and effort, intelligently directed.

Charles T. Early was born in Somerset, Kentucky, August 3, 1869, a son of Grant S. Early and a descendant of old Virginia stock, being distantly related to General Jubal A. Early. He obtained a high school education but had no means which would enable him to pursue a college course. In fact while he was still a student in the public schools he worked on a farm during the summer months for fifteen dollars per month and did chores in the winter seasons for his board while attending school. He thus early displayed the elemental strength of his character and soon came to a realization of the eternal principle voiced by the Greek sage Epicharmus: "Earn thy reward; the gods give naught to sloth." He secured a most humble position in connection with the lumber industry and his life story since that has been one of steady advancement, won through hard work. Step by step he has progressed until he has reached the position of vice president and general manager of one of the leading lumber concerns in Oregon, which was founded in 1888 by the late David Eccles, many times a mil- lionaire and responsible for much of Oregon's development. He became confidential man of what was known as the Eccles Interests, controlling the Oregon Lumber Com- pany, the Mount Hood Railroad Company and the Sumpter Valley Railway. His official designation at the present time is that of vice president and general manager of the Oregon Lumber Company and also of the Oregon American Lumber Company and the Mount Hood Railroad Company and he is assistant to the president of the Sumpter Valley Railway Company. Thus he has come into positions of administrative direction and executive control and is bending his efforts to constructive work in the manage- ment of the mammoth business now under his guidance.

At Hood River, Oregon, on the 30th of April, 1891, Mr. Early was married to Miss Edith C. Blowers, a daughter of Amby S. Blowers and a descendant of Sir Samuel Salter Blowers, one of the early chief justices of Nova Scotia. On the maternal side she comes of French ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Early have become the parents of a son, Roy B.

Mr. Early's military record is limited to service with Company D of the Oregon National Guard at Hood River. In politics he is a republican and is usually active in furthering the interests of the party. He has no hesitancy in expressing his views on any subject and can be relied upon absolutely by his friends. He fights fair and when the battle is over all is forgotten. He has held only minor public offices but the records show efficiency in service, the offices being conducted purely on a business basis. His activity in politics, however, has been largely limited to his interest for others, an interest followed by a large degree of success. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order and also of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the

CHARLES T. EARLY

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Arlington Club, to the Portland Chamber of Commerce, to the Transportation Club, the Portland Realty Board, the Automobile Club and the Portland Golf Club-associations which indicate much concerning the nature of his interests and his social activities. He makes liberal contributions to the support of religious work and is keenly interested in all that pertains to the public welfare, having never allowed the attainment of success in any way to warp his kindly nature nor dwarf his sensibilities concerning his public duties.

JOHN ENERY.

In the period of pioneer development in the northwest John Enery came to this section of the country and Portland long numbered him as one of her substantial citi- zens. The width of the country separated him from his birthplace, for he was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1835, a son of Arthur Enery. The lure of the sea caused him to run away from home when a young lad and for several years he followed the sea, but afterward abandoned maritime interests in order to come to the west. Mak- ing his way to Idaho and to Oregon he engaged in mining in both states and also did freighting with mule teams between The Dalles and Cilola for several winters, while the summer months were devoted to work in the mines.

In the year 1868 Mr. Enery was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Riley and soon afterwards came to Portland, where he established a boot and shoe business. Later he extended the scope of his activities to include general merchandising and owned and conducted his store until the big fire of 1872, which entirely wiped out his place of business, he losing both the building and the stock, upon which he had no insurance. Mr. Enery then went to Bellevue in Yamhill county, and opened a general merchandise store, which he conducted for about five years. He sold his business there and bought a farm in Happy Valley in Yamhill county, where he spent two win- ters. He afterward disposed of the property and took up his abode at McMinnville, Oregon, while still later he went to Lafayette, where he purchased a small farm upon which he resided for six years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Portland, taking up his abode on Third street, where the family home is still main- tained. Here he purchased considerable property, including the present home site and about ten acres of land on Portland Heights which has become very valuable. His investment was most wisely and judiciously made, for the land has steadily increased in value, making his estate one of worth.

To Mr. and Mrs. Enery were born four children: Alice became the wife of Harry C. Stuart, who passed away June 17, 1915, leaving his widow, while their only child died in infancy. Harry C. Stuart was a son of Captain A. B. Stuart, well known in the northwest. The other members of the Enery family, Minnie, Julia and Arthur have all passed away. The father died October 18, 1915, while the mother's death occurred August 29, 1899, and thus Mrs. Stuart is the only surviving member of this honored pioneer family of the northwest. In his political view Mr. Enery was a democrat but was never an office seeker, preferring always to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. He was highly esteemed wherever he was known and enjoyed the confidence and warm regard of all with whom he was associated.

ORVAL DUDLEY BURKE.

Orval Dudley Burke, president of the Klamath State Bank of Klamath Falls, was born in Ohio in 1858, a son of I. P. and Mary (Skeels) Burke. His father en- gaged in farming in that state for some time, later removing to Kansas, where, like members of his wife's family, he became one of the early pioneers.

Orval Dudley Burke attended the district schools, at a distance of two miles from the home farm and at the same time assisted his father with the chores. When nineteen years of age he conducted a general mercantile store for his father and at twenty-six became a traveling salesman for a wholesale dry goods company, in whose services he remained for the next three years, when he purchased a store at Central City, Nebraska, and operated it successfully for the next eighteen years. Tiring of the mercantile business at the end of that time, he sold his store and entered the banking

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business. Upon looking around for a location he finally selected Klamath Falls and, removing to that city in 1917, organized the Klamath State Bank, of which institution he was elected president, an office he still holds. At the time of organization the bank had a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, which has been increased to one hundred and fifty thousand, while the deposits have grown to even larger proportions.

In 1894 Mr. Burke was united in marriage to Miss Donzella Wolcott of Central City, Nebraska, who is a member of a prominent pioneer family of Iowa. Her brother, W. W. Wolcott, is colonel of the National Guard of Nebraska, and another brother, Hon. R. M. Wolcott was for many years president of the Nebraska State Fair. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burke: Percy V., who is office manager of the Growers Packing & Warehousing Company; and Mildred, the wife of Louis Hoagland. Percy volunteered in the early days of the World war and was assigned to the signal corps of the Sixteenth Field artillery. He trained at Camp Green and was sent to France, serving in all of the major engagements of the American Expeditionary Forces. He was also a member of the Army of Occupation, being stationed at Coblenz, Ger- many. He is a graduate of York College and quite an athlete, being especially fond of football. Though one of the leaders in athletic sports during his college days, he never allowed it to interfere with his studies and was graduated with honor. Mrs. Burke is treasurer of the guild of the Episcopal church, which is the religious faith of the entire family, and she is also prominent in the club and social circles of Klamath Falls.

During his residence in Central City, Mr. Burke was a member of the city council and a supervisor but since locating in Klamath Falls has devoted all of his time to his business interests and his family. He has no fraternal affiliations. He has, by his honorable business methods and public spirit, made many friends who appreciate him as a man of genuine personal worth. As a banker, while cautious in the handling of depositors' money, he has always been ready to lend a helping hand to all worthy business enterprises and has sought to operate his bank as one of helpful service. His interest in civic affairs is beyond question, there being no project of interest to the com- munity but finds in him a stanch supporter.

BERT EMORY HANEY.

Ever holding to high professional ideals, Bert Emory Haney has gained distinction as a representative of the Oregon bar, practicing in Portland. He is a native of this state, his birth having occurred in Lafayette, April 10, 1879, his parents being among the pioneer settlers of Oregon. His father, John Haney, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1850 and came to the northwest in 1875, settling in Lafayette. He had been a soldier of the United States army for five years and was in various Indian wars in the west between 1869 and 1874. After taking up his abode in La- fayette lie wedded Mary Harris and in 1889 he was called to his final rest.

Bert E. Haney spent his youthful days at the place of his nativity and after at- tending the public schools there continued his education in the Willamette Univer- sity but did not complete the full course. Taking up the study of law, he was graduated in 1903 from the law department of the University of Oregon and then opened an office in Portland, where he has since remained. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow. Success in this profession can be gained only through individual merit and effort. Recognizing this, Mr. Haney has devoted himself assiduously to the mastery of all legal problems in connection with the litigation entrusted to his care and his preparation of cases has at all times been thorough and exhaustive. From 1904 until 1908 he held the position of deputy district attorney for Multnomah county and then concentrated his attention upon private practice until January, 1918, when he was made United States attorney for Oregon and filled that position until December, 1919, being connected with many cases which arose out of conditions brought about by the World war.

On the 21st of November, 1906, in Salem, Oregon, Mr. Haney was married to Miss Jessie A. Holmes, a daughter of W. H. Holmes, and they have one son, John Robert, who was born in 1908. Mr. Haney has been a stanch advocate of democratic principles since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the nature of his interests is further shown in his connection with the University Club and with the Chamber of Commerce.

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His support can at all times be counted upon to further any plan or project for the general good and he is interested in every movement that has to do with civic virtue and civic pride.

DR. WALTER QUENTIN TUCKER.

A descendant of the son of an English governor of Bermuda who settled in Vir- ginia and served in the American Revolution under General Francis Marion, Dr. Walter Quentin Tucker of Forest Grove, Washington county, comes of sound English-Ameri- can stock. The son of this Revolutionary soldier became a pioneer of Indiana and his son, John Wesley Tucker was a distinguished lawyer and a man of affairs. He served as a colonel in the Civil war, was United States district attorney for the southern district of Indiana and receiver of public moneys in Nebraska. He married Amanda Frances Wilson, a member of a pioneer family of Tennessee and of this union Walter Quentin Tucker was born at Orleans, Indiana, in 1870.

Dr. Tucker was educated in the grade and high schools of Blair, Nebraska, and in the Normal school at Fremont, that state. He pursued his medical course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Missouri, receiving his degree of M. D. in 1895. He began his practice at Modesto, Illinois, and remained there until 1898 when he was appointed a surgeon in the Indian service for the next ten years. In 1908 he came to Oregon and finding the people and the climate much to his liking he settled at Forest Grove and has since practiced his profession there continuously.

Dr. Tucker was married in 1895 to Miss Dollie McCurley, a daughter of James and Talitha McCurley, both of Illinois pioneer stock. They have three children: Ernestine Talitha, a graduate of the local high school who is training to be a nurse with the intention of assisting her father in his office practice; Galen Bartholow, a student at the Oregon Agricultural college; and Blanche Helen, a high school student. The trio is an example of the old adage that "blood will tell." Mrs. Tucker is noted as a model mother and hostess and is a member of the Eastern Star. Dr. Tucker is a Mason, a Modern Woodman and a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is president of the Wash- ington County Medical Association, member of the Oregon Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. He has many friends and admirers and his practice is extensive.

ESTES SNEDECOR.

Estes Snedecor, a leading member of the Portland bar, to whom has recently come the well deserved honor of election as president of the International Association of Rotary Clubs, was born in Tampa, Florida, December 21, 1887. His father, the Rev. James G. Snedecor, a Presbyterian minister, was born in Yazoo county, Mississippi, in 1855, and married Emily Alston Estes in Memphis, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Judge Bedford M. Estes. Thus on both sides he comes of an ancestry distinguished for strong mentality and high ideals. His father died in November, 1916, in Atlanta, Georgia, and the mother now makes her home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Snedecor was an officer of the Mexican war.

It was in the public schools of Tuscaloosa that Estes Snedecor, who to all of his friends is known as "Pete," pursued his early education and in 1908 was graduated from the University of Alabama with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then entered upon the study of law and a two years' course won him the LL. B. degree in 1910. He pursued a special law course at the University of Michigan and in 1910 came to Portland, where he has since engaged in practice, making a specialty of the law regard- ing real property and corporations. He is broad-minded and clear-headed, a forceful speaker and a convincing advocate and one who in the practice of his profession has ever held to the highest ethical standards, for while his devotion to the interests of his clients has become proverbial, he always recognizes the fact that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.

On the 29th of December, 1914, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Mr. Snedecor was mar- ried to Miss Julia Searcy, who was a daughter of the late Dr. James T. Searcy and who passed away February 15, 1919, leaving a little daughter, Katharin Searcy Snedecor.

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On October 19, 1920, at Chicago, Mr. Snedecor was married to Rachel King, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Elliott King of Portland, Oregon.

The religious faith of Mr. Snedecor is indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church. He takes active part in its work and is secretary and treasurer of its board of deacons. He belongs to the University Club, the Rotary Club, the Pro- gressive Business Men's Club and the Mazamas Club. The last named is an organiza- tion of mountain climbers and Mr. Snedecor enjoys the distinction of being the only one-limbed man who has climbed Mount Hood. He votes with the democratic party and during the World war assisted materially in promoting the loan drives, was a member of the legal advisory board and was one of the Four-Minute men. As a citizen he is a part of every constructive community development and when the country faced the broader and graver problems that brought about the war he took active part in all patriotic movements and was a leader in the organizations which had for their purpose the winning of victory and the improvement of the condition and comfort of the men in camp and field. His forcefulness as a speaker, his clear reasoning and his cogent presentation of every subject made him popular as one of the Four-Minute speakers and in this field, too, his influence was of no restricted order. He has long been a prominent representative on the coast and in fact throughout the country of the Rotary Club movement and during the war was the American representative to the Rotary clubs of Great Britain and was in 1919 elected international vice president. His studies of the principles of rotary as applied to the commerce of the world were pre- sented in a memorable address before the congress of rotary governors of Chicago in August, 1919. When he was elected to the presidency of the International Associa- tion of Rotary Clubs on the 25th of June, 1920, his high position in local circles was indicated in the fact that Mayor Baker sent to him the following telegram: "Every citizen of Portland is delighted to learn of the honor due and paid you in your election as president of the International Association of Rotary Clubs. It is a big job, but it has found a big man from a big city that will back him up in every way necessary for the complete success of his administration." It is characteristic of Mr. Snedecor that he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His plans are carefully formulated and then promptly executed and he is ever actuated by a spirit of progress that never stops short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose.

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History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 13

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