History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 18

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

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After reaching the northwest Mr. Cranston settled on a farm in the Waldo Hills country and began raising cattle and other stock about ten miles from Salem. His diligence and enterprise brought substantial results and he soon became recognized as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of that section where he continued to make his home until a few years prior to his death, his last days being spent in Salem.

Mr. Cranston's prosperity was to him a source of great pleasure, inasmuch as it enabled him to provide liberally for his family. To him and his wife were born nine children, three of whom passed away in infancy while the others reached adult age,

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but the only one now living is Mrs. Arthur H. Breyman, a resident of Portland. The eldest was Warren Cranston who followed farming near Salem and was a leading resi- dent of that section of the state, being called upon to represent his district in the general assembly; the second son, Samuel B. Cranston, engaged in farming in early life but later took up the study of law and became a member of the bar of Lake county, Oregon; Edward P. Cranston was interested in the gold mines of Baker county, Oregon; Elizabeth became the wife of Quincy Brooks; and William Cranston was likewise con- nected with mining interests of eastern Washington and of Oregon but passed away in Idaho. The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when on the 6th of October, 1873, Ephraim Cranston passed away on the farm of his son Warren near Salem. His widow survived him for about nine years, her death occurring in Dayton, Washington, September 5, 1882. A contemporary biographer has said: "They were among the worthy pioneer people of the state and Mr. Cranston's labors constituted an important element in improving the grade of stock raised and thus promoting the agri- cultural development and prosperity of Oregon." Mr. Cranston was ever a close student of political problems and issues and in early manhood supported the whig party, while upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party. He always strongly opposed slavery and put forth every effort to aid the negroes who were attempting to make their way by means of the "underground railroad" in hope of freedom in Canada. Both he and his wife were people of genuine personal worth, highly esteemed by all who knew them. In his early life Mr. Cranston became a universalist and always adhered to the doctrines of that church. In his latter days he read and reread the Bible until he could repeat any passage for which you might ask. Mr. Cranston's life was of significant service to the state in the vigor he lent to the pioneer era in making this region habitable, in bringing its resources to light and in stamping his intensely practical ideas upon the agricultural development. Such careers are too near us now for their significance to be appraised at its true value; but the future will be able to trace the tremendous effect of the labors of these pioneers upon the society and the life of their time.

MARK ARLEY CAMERON.

Mark Arley Cameron, engaged in the sale of automobile accessories under the name of the Cameron Motor Company in Hood River, was born in Illinois, April 10, 1876, and is now numbered among the progressive business men of his adopted city. His parents, John L. and Sarah J. (Snow) Cameron, were representatives of pioneer families from Illinois. In 1886, when their son Mark was but ten years of age, they started for the Pacific coast and the father first took up farming near Roseburg, Oregon, but after a brief period death ended his labors and the mother later returned with her little family to Hood River.

Mark A. Cameron attended school in Illinois and continued his education as a pupil in the public schools of Roseburg and of Hood River, Oregon. He began earning his living as an employe in a sawmill when quite young and after a service of more than a decade, in which he thoroughly familiarized himself with every principle and detail of the business, he established a sawmill of his own and later opened a box factory at Odell, in the conduct of which he was afterward associated with George Sheppard. In 1916 he abandoned the sawmill and box factory to establish a large garage in Hood River, erecting the building in company with two partners. They operated the garage until 1920, at which time Mr. Cameron sold his business and purchased an accessories store. This he has since conducted with success under the name of the Cameron Motor Company. His business is located at First and Oak streets and he carries a complete stock of automobile accessories and tires and also acts as agent for the Studebaker cars, the Maxwell and the White trucks. His business has assumed substantial proportions and ranks him with the prominent representatives of automobile interests in this section.

Mr. Cameron was married in 1900 to Miss Belle Day of Cascade Locks, Oregon, and they have one child, Vergil Leroy, a junior in the University of Oregon.

In 1918 Mr. Cameron was elected to the city council of Hood River to serve for a four years' term and is now chairman of the committee on streets and a member of the committee on police and finance. He is progressive in every sense of the term and takes up his public duties with the same thoroughness and zeal which he has displayed in the conduct of his private business affairs. He was foremost in his advocacy of the

HISTORY OF OREGON

issuance of bonds to build the new city hall, is a supporter of the new automobile park and of every measure tending to the advancement and improvement of Hood River. He was one of the leaders in the purchase of the thousand gallons a minute compound chemical and water pumps for the fire department and was equally active in support of the new city lighting by the Holaphane light system, a valuable city improvement. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge, and is likewise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He exercises much influence in political, business and social circles and is most widely and favorably known.

RICHARD LEA BARNES.

Richard Lea Barnes has long been identified with banking interests in Portland and is still a representative of the directorate of the United States National Bank of which for a number of years he was the vice president. He comes of ancestry dis- tinctively English in its lineal and collateral lines and was born at Berbice, Demerara, British Guiana, on the 31st of July, 1857. His ancestral line can be traced back to the reign of King Edward III in the middle of the fourteenth century. His parents at the time of his birth were residing temporarily in South America and following their return to England he became a student in Cheltenham College, from which he was graduated upon the completion of his course of study.

Early in his business career Mr. Barnes became identified with banking and thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the business, realizing that efficiency and fidelity meant advancement. Step by step he worked his way upward until there came to him a comprehensive knowledge of banking in every phase. He made the business his life work and after five years' experience along that line in London he sought the opportunities of the new world, removing to San Francisco, where he was active in banking circles for a similar period. He likewise spent five years in banks in British Columbia and for an equal length of time was identified with the banking interests of Seattle, after which he removed to Portland where he took up his abode more than two decades ago. While residing in British Columbia he was a representa- tive of the Bank of British Columbia, formerly the Wells Fargo Bank, also of the United States National Bank and the Colonial Bank of the West Indies. After coming to Portland he was elected to the vice presidency of the United States National Bank of this city and still remains a member of its board of directors. For a considerable period he gave his attention to the development of the business of the bank and as one of its executives bent his efforts to administrative direction and executive control. He ever recognized the fact that the bank which most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors is the one most worthy of public trust and confidence and he did much to install a policy that was above reproach or question.

In 1898 Mr. Barnes was united in marriage to Mrs. Kenneth Macleay and to them was born one son, Richard, who is now employed in the office of the Portland Flour Mills.

Mr. Barnes is a communicant of the Episcopal church and is identified with all of the leading social clubs of Portland. He is a popular man, social and genial, and one whose salient qualities contributed in direct measure to his success as a banker and to the upbuilding of the financial institution with which he has been associated throughout the period of his residence in Portland.

SOL J. BAUM.

Since 1917 Sol J. Baum has been engaged in the sporting goods business in Pendle- ton. His business has grown to extensive proportions and is one of the largest of its kind in the county. A native son of Oregon, Sol J. Baum was born at Roseburg, in September, 1882, a son of Edward and Rose (Eben) Baum, both natives of Austria. Edward Baum came to the United States in 1871, at the age of twenty-one years, while his wife came to this country in 1865, when but sixteen years of age. Their marriage was celebrated in Portland, Oregon, on the 21st of March, 1878. On arriving in the United States Edward Baum immediately came west and settled in Albany, Oregon,

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where for three years he clerked for his brother, Nathan, in a general store. At the termination of that period he went to New York, where he remained for but a short time and then returned to Albany, Oregon, and engaged in the cigar business. After selling out this business he clerked for a Mr. Marks at Roseburg, Oregon, being there engaged in a mercantile establishment for three years. He next engaged in the general merchandise business at Eugene, Oregon, and for sixteen years conducted his store, achieving a gratifying amount of success. In 1896 he came to Pendleton and has since that time successfully conducted a cigar and stationery business. He is now seventy- two years of age and in the best of health. Edward Baum has always given his support to the republican party and his fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mrs. Baum is living and she and her husband are highly respected citizens of the community in which they make their home.

Sol J. Baum is indebted to the schools of Eugene, Oregon, for his education. In 1898 he started into the business world as clerk for the Max Baer stationery store at Pendleton and then worked in the same capacity for a Mr. Alexander, the owner of a clothing establishment. The following seven years he spent on the road for the Weil Haskett Company, selling ladies' ready-to-wear clothing and in 1910 he engaged in the stationery business at No. 1, West Forty-second street, New York, which business he successfully operated for a period of three years. At the termination of that time he returned to Pendleton for a short time and then again went east. He was engaged in the jewelry business at Troy, New York, Newport, Rhode Island, and also had a branch store at Narragansett Pier. In the fall of 1913 he came west once more, and settling in · Pendleton engaged in jewelry and novelties until 1917, at which time he entered the sporting goods business, enlarging the store of his father and occupying a part of it. Mr. Baum is an enthusiastic sportsman and he throws himself into the sale of his sporting goods with the energy of the man who truly loves his work.

In 1912 while in Newport, Rhode Island, Mr. Baum was married to Miss Margaret Herz, daughter of Lazar L. Herz, and a native of that city.

In the interests of the fishing and hunting activities of his county and state Mr. Baum has been a big booster. He is at present interested with other men in the build- ing of a fine hunters' cabin in the Sugar Bowl country, this cabin to be used as the basis of activities when the hunting and fishing season is in full swing. In all of his various undertakings Mr. Baum has achieved a substantial amount of success and he is considered one of the prominent and useful citizens of Pendleton.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WALLING, JR.

Benjamin Franklin Walling, Jr., a representative of one of Oregon's honored pio- neer families, is numbered among the successful young business men of Portland where he is now engaged in dealing in investment securities, with offices in the Lewis build- ing. He is a typical western man, wide-awake, alert and enterprising and at all points in his career has been actuated by a progressive spirit and firm determination that has enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path and press steadily for- ward to the goal of success. He has been instrumental in the promotion of large irrigation projects and other public utilities and through his activities has contributed in substantial measure to the development and upbuilding of the northwest.

Mr. Walling is one of Oregon's native sons. He was born at Hood River, July 4, 1884, of the marriage of Benjamin F. Walling, Sr., and Georgia M. (Comley) Walling, the former born in Spring Valley, Polk county, Oregon, November 24, 1848, while the latter's birth occurred near Albany, in Benton county, this state, February 7, 1854. The paternal grandfather, Jesse D. Walling, was born in Ohio, April 1, 1816, and in 1836 he became a resident of Illinois. On the 1st of December, 1839, he wedded Miss Eliza A. Wise, of New York, and in 1847 they crossed the plains to Oregon as members of a company led by Captain Davidson, reaching Spring Valley, Polk county, on Christ- mas day of that year. There the grandfather followed farming for two years and in 1849 he went to California in search of gold and engaged in mining in that state until 1851. Upon his return to Oregon he established the town of Lincoln, in Polk county, where he built the first docks, stores and flouring mill, also becoming a pioneer in the steamboat business on the Willamette and Columbia rivers, being owner of the Peoples Transportation Company, his labors constituting an important element in the development and upbuilding of the state. Mr. Walling also outfitted the rescue party

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BENJAMIN F. WALLING, JR.

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which went to the assistance of the William Dierdorff company which was stranded in the Cascade mountains while en route to Oregon City in the fall of 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Walling reared a family of fourteen children. He passed away May 9, 1870, at the age of fifty-four years, one month and nine days, his death being due to a runaway accident caused by a pet horse of the family. His wife's demise occurred at Portland on the 10th of January, 1893, at which time she was seventy-one years of age. J. B. Comley, the grandfather on the maternal side, was born in Lancaster, Ken- tucky, September 21, 1827, and at Natchez, Mississippi, he married Dorinda McFadden, who was a native of Louisiana, born November 20, 1830. In 1853 they crossed the plains from St. Joseph, Missouri, in an emigrant train under command of Dr. O. P. Hill, set- tling in that year in Benton county, Oregon. While journeying near the Platte river a member of the party named Babb, who was riding a white mule, accidentally killed a squaw and fearing the revenge of the Indians they colored the mule black with the assistance of Drs. O. P. and R. C. Hill, building a false bottom in the wagon, in which they concealed Babb. For many days the Indians followed the train in quest of Babb but finally abandoned the search without molesting the party. To Mr. and Mrs. Comley were born three children, of whom Georgia M. was the only daughter. At Albany, Oregon, on the 6th of November, 1872, she was united in marriage to Benjamin F. Wall- ing, Sr., and subsequently they removed to California, after which they returned to Oregon, taking up their residence in Hood River in November, 1875, the father there engaging in the hotel business until 1886. In that year he went to Nampa, Idaho, arriving there just as the town was being platted. He purchased fifty-three lots and also took a relinquishment claim of one hundred and sixty acres a short distance north of the town and became active in real estate circles there, being the pioneer in that line of endeavor in that locality. He was long connected with the business life of the city, his efforts proving a potent force in its development and improvement and he there continued to reside until 1915, when he retired from active business pursuits and removed to Portland. To Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Walling, Sr., were born four chil- dren: Dora M., now deceased, who became the wife of D. A. Baxter who served for many years as superintendent of schools at Nampa, Idaho; Frankie G., living at La Grande, Oregon; Benjamin F., Jr., of this review; and Jesse J., a prominent real estate dealer of Nampa, Idaho.

In the public schools of Nampa and Boise, Idaho, and of Portland, Oregon, Benjamin F. Walling, Jr., pursued his education and when a young man of twenty-one years he engaged in mining in the Silver City district of Idaho, successfully continuing his operations along that line until 1907. In 1909 he became interested in irrigation, pump- ing water onto the lowlands along the Snake river. People at that time were very skeptical regarding the project, which, however, later became a great success. Sub- sequently Mr. Walling went to Salt Lake and became identified with the Beaver irriga- tion project in Beaver county, Utah, the scene of his operations being two hundred and six miles south of Salt Lake City. He was engaged in that work for two years and the venture also proved a most successful one. He afterwards engaged in the bond business in Chicago, Illinois, and in Boise, Idaho, raising eleven hundred thou- sand dollars in Chicago and St. Paul, when but twenty-five years old, for the purpose of financing the Beaver irrigation project. Subsequently he engaged in the bond busi- ness in Seattle but not finding the work congenial he turned his attention to coal mining. While residing in Washington he became interested in a project promoted by two banks of that state, one located at Seattle and the other at Centralia, for generating electric power from coal mines to supply the cities of Centralia and Chehalis, Washing- ton, but both institutions became insolvent and Mr. Walling lost considerable money in the venture. However, he subsequently retrieved this loss, returning to Centralia where he installed a two thousand horse power generating plant which is still in opera- tion. Later with an associate he took over the Maxwell Land & Irrigation Company at Hermiston, Oregon, and carried that project through to successful completion. He was also the organizer of the Sherman County Light & Power Company and in associa- tion with another formed the Washington-Idaho Water, Power & Light Company, which serves Lewiston, Idaho, and vicinity and also towns in southwestern Washington, his activities thus proving a most important element in the development of various sections of the northwest. Subsequently he disposed of his interests in these various companies and removed to Portland, Oregon, where he is now residing, dealing in investment securities. His initiative spirit, resourcefulness and splendid executive ability have led him into important relations and his connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for whatever he undertakes he carries forward to

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successful completion. Although at times he has encountered discouragements and difficulties which many another man would have found insurmountable he has never lost courage but has steadily advanced until success has crowned his efforts.

On the 18th of March, 1908, in Caldwell, Idaho, Mr. Walling was united in mar- riage to Miss Erma B. Hart, a daughter of James B. Hart, a resident of Salt Lake City who crossed the plains in an early day, hecoming a pioneer of Utah. The only child of this marriage is a son, Benjamin Walling. In his political views Mr. Walling is a stanch republican, interested in the welfare and success of the party but without aspirations for public office, preferring to devote his time and attention to the manage- ment of his extensive business interests. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and in his daily life exemplifies the beneficent teachings of that order. The name of Walling has ever been an honored one in connection with the pioneer development and later progress of Oregon and Benjamin F. Walling, Jr., 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 northwest. Although still a young man he has accomplished much, for his life has been one of intense activity, intelligently directed into those channels through which flows the greatest good to the greatest number and his efforts have brought him a measure of success that is most desirable, at the same time proving of benefit to his fellowmen in many fields. His integrity has never been open to ques- tion and his many sterling qualities of character have gained him a high place in the respect and regard of all who have been brought into contact with him.

ARTHUR F. MILLER.

Arthur F. Miller, president of the Bank of Gresham, was born at Fort Wayne, In- diana, in 1843, his parents being Henry and Mary Ann Miller, the former a native of Hanover, Germany, while the latter was born in Prussia. Both came to America in early life. Henry Miller settled on a farm near Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he resided until the fall of 1852, and then removed with his family to Savannah, Missouri, making the journey with ox teams and wagon accompanied by his wife, one son and six daugh- ters. The following spring-about the 21st of May, 1853-they started for Oregon, mak- ing the long trip across the stretches of hot sand and over the mountains with a wagon drawn by oxen. Arthur F. Miller, the only son, was then a lad of ten years and drove one of the teams all of the way. The family arrived at Milwaukie in the fall of that year and the father took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, and in the fall of '59 he bought the Henderson Lewiling claim, now the Sellwood golf links, which was later owned by the son, A. F. Miller of this review. This he cleared and improved and made the development of a large orchard one of the features of his place. He was one of the pioneers in commercialized fruit growing and continued to engage in active horticultural pursuits until about 1872, when he sold the property and bought two blocks at Jefferson and Twentieth streets in Portland where he spent his remain- ing days. He passed away iu 1894, while his wife died in 1893, but previous to her demise they had visited the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Mr. Miller was keenly interested in progress and improvement along many lines in the state of Oregon. He was particularly helpful in relation to the schools, the cause of public education finding in him a stalwart champion. His most direct and valuable contribution to the state's development was along the line of horticultural pursuits. It was he who intro- duced the Italian prune into Oregon and for a long period he successfully followed the nursery business. In the early days before fruit growing was introduced to any extent into the northwest he sold three bushels of apples for one hundred and two dollars.

Arthur F. Miller acquired his education in the schools of Milwaukie and was the first graduate of a business college in Portland in 1867. He turned his attention to horticultural interests and the nursery business, in which he has engaged throughout his entire life. For several years he was associated with his father in the conduct of a nursery and later was the owner of a fine forty-acre orchard of mixed fruit and berries. He has had charge of forestry and argiculture in connection with the state and for several years past he has gathered the timber of Oregon and has at Washington, D. C., an exhibit of Oregon timber, showing a larger variety than that of any other state. For eleven years he also gave his time largely to the collection of grain and various other products and materials for the exhibits of the Northern Pacific Railroad, thus demonstrating the resourcefulness of the state. He was one of the original organizers

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of fair associations throughout Oregon and is now the secretary of the Portland Fair. He has also been connected with banking interests and at the present writing is asso- ciated with the Bank of Gresham of which he is the president, while his son, Karl A. Miller, is the cashier. The resources of the bank indicated sixty-two thousand dollars on deposit at its inception and in 1914 this sum had been increased to four hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars. Mr. Miller has been a member of the Grange for forty- two years and handles the insurance in the organization. He is also a director of the Lower Columbia Fire Relief Association and is secretary of the Patrons Life Insurance Association.

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History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 18

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