History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 2

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

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This son Levi married Savilla Spurgeon, a daughter of the American branch of the English family of which the famous Dr. Spurgeon was a member. Levi and Savilla Sparks went to the Pacific coast and settled in Clark county, Washington, where on June 12, 1877, Edwin S. Sparks was born. His parents moved to Washington county when he was five years of age, and located on a farm where they lived until the subject of this sketch at the age of twelve years lost his right arm through the accidental discharge of a shotgun. His parents then moved to Forest Grove, where Mr. Sparks as a boy attended the grade and high schools. After leaving school he took up journal- ism as a profession and followed this until 1916, when he was elected treasurer of Forest Grove, also having charge of the municipal light and water system. He held this office for four years and in 1920 was elected city recorder, retaining his other duties with the city.

In 1913 Mr. Sparks was married to Miss Frances Hiebel, daughter of Frank Hiebel, a merchant of Waterloo, Wisconsin, and to them has been born a son, Spurgeon, who promises to do honor to the names of his ancestors. Mrs. Sparks was a school teacher before her marriage and a woman of many talents, as is characteristic of her family, all of her brothers and sisters being artists and musicians, as she herself is. One of her sisters is chief artist for the largest high class calendar engraving firm in the world. Mrs. Sparks is active in women's affairs. She is a member of the Women's Club, in which organization she has held various offices, and she is also a member of the Rebekah fodge.

Mr. Sparks is an Odd Fellow and has served as treasurer of the lodge. Althoughi he has ceased to "push the pen" commercially, Mr. Sparks occasionally writes some

HISTORY OF OREGON

excellent verses. The accompanying poem, written in 1917, shows more than ordinary ability :

HYMN TO AMERICA. By Edwin S. Sparks.

Freedom calls! Awaken! Heeding

Now the cry across the sea.

Hearts oppressed today are pleading, Pleading now to you and me. Will we falter in our duty, Fail to battle for the right?

No! Our Flag in all its beauty

Shall oppose the tyrant's might!

Aged sires will tell the story, When that emblem bright they see,

How the Stars in deathless glory, Won a peace that made men free. This has been the dream of ages, Leading to a better way:

This will be the theme of sages,

Even to the perfect day!

By the blood of those who perished, That our laws and land might live- By the mem'ry of our cherished, All we have we freely give! Stern the call and stern the measure; Not in anger but in love, Give we now our lives and treasure,

Seeking guidance from above.

RALPH A. COAN.

Ralph A. Coan, for twelve years an active representative of the Portland bar. was born in Boulder, Colorado, May 22, 1881. His father, Alonzo Coan, is a native of Exeter, Maine, born on the 5th of June, 1842, he is descended on a direct line from the Pilgrims, and is a member of the Mayflower Society. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he served in the Fifteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry throughout the period of hostilities with the rank of captain. In 1866 he removed to Missouri and was married in that state to Miss Etta Lancaster. Some time afterward he became a resident of Colorado, where he has since been known as a mine operator, making his home at the present time in Boulder. His wife, however, passed away in 1902.

Ralph A. Coan is indebted to the public school system of Boulder for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed in his youth. He next entered the University of Colorado there and was graduated with the class of 1904, with the degree of B. A. He then went east to New York city, where he entered Columbia University for the study of law and received his LL. D. degree in 1906. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession in his native city but later in the same year removed to the northwest, settling first in Vancouver, Washington, where he devoted his attention to law practice until 1908. In that year he came to Portland and has since been a represenative of the bar of this city. Along with the requisites of the successful lawyer he brought to the starting point of his career certain rare gifts-a dignified presence, a good command of language and a laudable ambition. These qualities have been contributing elements to his continuous advancement in a profession where progress depends entirely upon individual merit. He is likewise a director of the Lawyers Title & Trust Company and is the secretary and treasurer of the Portland Mausoleum Com- pany.

On the 27th of October, 1908, in Nevada, Missouri, Mr. Coan was married to Miss Pansey Burton, a daughter of Hon. Charles G. Burton, past commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. Their children are: Burton L., born September 3, 1910: and Ralph Gorman, born May 30, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Coan attend the Christian Science

HISTORY OF OREGON

church and his political endorsement is given to the republican party. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and is now serving as worshipful master of Imperial Lodge, No. 159, A. F. & A. M. and a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and his fraternal relations extend to the Delta Tau Delta and the Phi Beta Kappa. During the World war he did efficient service for his government as secretary of the Multnomah legal advisory board, as government appeal agent for Board No. 1 and also as one of the Four-Minute men.

AMOS LUTHER MINER.

Amos Luther Miner, becoming a resident of Oregon in 1885, was thereafter identi- fied with mining interests and real estate activities in Oregon and Alaska. He was born in Clinton county, New York, in 1837, his parents being Clements D. and Lydia (Dominy) Miner. The early years of his life were spent in the east. In fact he did not come to Oregon until 1885, at which time he took up his abode in St. Johns. There he purchased ninety-seven acres of land and with the development of the city he laid out Miner's addition to St. Johns. He turned his attention to farming, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and he was also connected with mining interests and with real estate operations. In fact he readily recognized business opportunities which he utilized to excellent advantage, his sound judgment enabling him readily to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential in business affairs. His wise investments and his capable management of his business interests brought to him a very substantial measure of success. He also became the owner of mines in Alaska and made two trips to that country. He was a millwright and followed the trade of machinist and millwright at Minneapolis before coming west, but never worked along that line after his removal to the west, giving his attention to his farming and his invested interests.

On the 3d of January, 1859, Mr. Miner was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Beebe and to them were born six children: Ardella Lilian; Mary Elizabeth; one who died in infancy; Lydia Delia; Charles Luther; and Grace Edna. The daughter, Mary E., is the widow of Samuel Spence Beebe and Lydia D. is the wife of Ralph Crysler.

Mr. Miner was a republican in his political views and while residing in St. Johns filled the office of city clerk. He was always interested in public affairs and his aid and influence were ever on the side of progress and improvement. His life's labors were ended in death on the 20th of December, 1919. He had been a resident of Oregon for more than a third of a century and was keenly interested in everything that pertained to the welfare and progress of the state, while at all times he gave helpful support to measures for the public good.

FRANCIS M. KENT.

For many years Francis M. Kent was prominent in the agricultural circles of Umatilla county. He retired, however, from active farm life in 1913 and since that time has been residing in Milton, where he is a well known and highly respected citizen. Mr. Kent is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, where he was born October 12, 1857, a son of Isaac and Sena (Sutton) Kent. Both parents were natives of the same locality and there resided throughout their lives.

Francis M. Kent received his education in the common schools of his native county, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he determined to come west. In 1877 he arrived in Butte county, California, where he worked for some time and in 1880 made the trip overland to Milton, then a small place consisting of but two stores and a few homes. He purchased three hundred and sixty acres of land at twelve dollars per acre and after improving it added a half section and operated this land until 1913. As a farmer he was very successful and in 1913 decided to retire from active farm life and remove to Milton, renting out his farm. He followed this plan and is now residing retired in his home at Mill and Second streets. Since settling in

AMOS L. MINER

HISTORY OF OREGON

Milton he has taken a sincere interest in the welfare of the community and has served his fellow citizens as a member of the council for several terms.

In 1883 Mr. Kent was married to Miss Frances Barber, a daughter of Thomas and Lucy (James) Barber, and a native of Missouri. Mrs. Kent had crossed the plains when just a girl with her parents who settled in the Willamette valley, later removing to Weston, Umatilla county, and subsequently six miles southeast of Milton, where her father took a preemption claim and also purchased some government land. Her parents both died on this homestead. In 1918 Mrs. Kent's death occurred at the age of fifty-two years, an occasion of deep bereavement to her many friends in the community. She had become the mother of two children, who still survive: Maud, now Mrs. R. E. Eikenburg of Walla Walla, Washington; and Herma, who is the wife of E. B. Maleroy of Walla Walla, Washington.

The political faith of Mr. Kent is that of the republican party, in the interests of which he takes an active part. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has been a prominent factor in the agricultural development of the county and is accounted an exemplary citizen of Milton.

GRIFFORD VIRGIL BOLTON.

An interesting story of earnest endeavor, intelligently directed, constitutes the life record of Grifford Virgil Bolton, who was for many years actively and prominently associated with banking interests of The Dalles. Moreover, he was a native son of Oregon and throughout his life was a supporter of all the well devised plans and measures for the upbuilding of his city and state. His birth occurred near The Dalles in the year 1863, his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Fulwider) Bolton. Both were natives of Virginia and representatives of old families of that state. At an early day they journeyed westward to become residents of Oregon and took up their abode on a farm in the vicinity of The Dalles on Fifteen Mile creek, where occurred the birth of their son Virgil.

The latter in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools of The Dalles and then initiated his business career by entering the bank of French & Com- pany when he was a youth of nineteen years. He first served in a clerical capacity but bent every energy toward acquainting himself with the banking business in principle and detail and his thoroughness, his industry and loyalty won him promotions from time to time until he soon became cashier and one of the chief executive officers of the institution. He continued to hold that position until his death, which occurred on the 7th of March, 1895, when he was but thirty-two years of age. Although he passed away at a comparatively early age he had accomplished much more than many a man of twice his years. He had made for himself a most creditable position in financial circles, enjoying an unassailable reputation for business integrity as well as enterprise.

On the 28th of March, 1889, Mr. Bolton was united in marriage to Miss Nellie J. French and they became the parents of two daughters: Carmel French, who is now the wife of Frank A. Ryder of Portland; and Nonearle French, who is at home with her mother. Mr. Bolton was always keenly interested in public affairs at The Dalles and recognition of his public spirit and his devotion to the general good was manifest in his election to the mayoralty. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity of which he was an exemplary representative and his entire life was characterized by those qualities which in every land and clime awaken confidence and respect. His widow is now living at Alexandra Court, in Portland and is well known in the best circles of the Rose City.

HON. ROBERT D. INMAN.

Perseverance in the face of great obstacles coupled with earnestness of purpose marked to an unusual degree the life of Hon. Robert D. Inman, who blazed a distinct trail in the lumber industry of the northwest. Mr. Inman had his origin in true pioneer stock, his forbears coming to America long before the Revolutionary war. True to the traditions of his ancestors he fought a great fight for success in life and when he had Vol. 111-2

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attained a position well toward the top of the list of lumber manufacturers on the Ameri- can continent, he was able to wear his laurels with true grace and unquestioned credit to himself.

The life history of Mr. Inman, if written by a master hand, would read like a fairy tale except for the hardships endured. He struggled for a place in the pro- ductive activities of his country and his rise from a towboy at the age of nine years on a canal in Ohio to the head of a lumber concern with world-wide distribution dem- onstrates the power of constructive thought and the value of courageous and unselfish friendship, for among all the treasures left by Robert D. Inman no part of them will compare in true value with the multitude of friends who loved him for his manly worth, who shared in his success and who mourned his passing as a personal affliction.

Robert David Inman was born near Piqua, Ohio, August 11, 1853. His parents were Asa and Lucinda (Kendall) Inman. His ancestors came to this country during the latter part of the seventeenth century, settling in Vermont. For generations the for- bears of young Inman had been farmers and as tillers of the soil the first American representatives started life anew among the forbidding hills of New England. Asa Inman, grandfather of Robert, took up the business of contracting and building as the state of Vermont developed and it is safe to assume that some of the wonderful genius for construction which developed in Robert as he grew to manhood was transmitted from the grandfather, whose struggles for success in the new world marked him as little less than a genius.

Several members of the Inman family served and sacrificed in the Revolutionary war and Robert's father yielded his life for his country in the battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, under the leadership of the immortal Lincoln and General Grant.

Leaving Vermont in response to the demand for elbow room the Inman family located in Ohio, where Robert was born. When the boy was two years of age his parents removed to Iowa, settling near Marshalltown. During the following trying years the Civil war was fought and among the first men to enlist at Marshalltown was Asa Inman. Throughout the early part of the war the struggle of the family was extremely bitter and following the death of the father the mother carried her little brood back to the old home in Ohio. So desperate were the circumstances of the family that Robert then nine years of age, sought and secured employment as a towboy on the old Ohio canal and for several years thus aided his mother in her struggle for the necessaries of life.

The courage of Robert Inman as a boy, which in after years became the chief factor in his success, is shown in the fact that when he was twelve years of age, in the com- pany of strangers he left the scenes of his childhood to seek his fortune in the romantic country toward the setting sun. Leaving his mother with the assurance that he would go west and carve success from the unknown stretches of desert and wilderness, Robert set out for the Pacific coast with an emigrant train led by William Davidson. The courageous party started May 21, 1865, and five months and eleven days later arrived at Portland, Oregon, then a struggling settlement of three thousand persons. Here it was, and with winter coming on, that young Robert began his forty-five years of struggle and development and success in Oregon.

An era of railroad construction in the Willamette valley was beginning in 1865 and Robert found his first job in a tie-cutting camp. Many of the ties which were used on the first grade of the West Side line of the Oregon & California Railroad were shaped by the deft young hands of the lad from Ohio. For ten years Robert labored and studied mechanics as best he could, his purpose being to fit himself for service in the great lumbering industry which his foresight visualized for Oregon and the northwest. His opportunity came in 1875, when he entered the employment of the Willamette steam sawmill of Portland. He soon proved his worth in the plant and became head of the manufacturing department. Here for eight years he struggled to build up the business and to fit himself for a more important position in the new industry which was be- ginning to take on form in the minds of men with vision.

When the North Pacific Lumber Company-the pioneer Portland concern of con- sequence-was organized it was natural that the leading spirit in the enterprise should be R. D. Inman. With L. Therkelsen, N. Versteeg and L. W. P. Quimby, Mr. Inman joined in the formation of the company and in the development of the first export lumber business in Portland. He planned the mill and was superintendent of construction. For seven years he had direction of the manufacture of lumber, during which time the concern developed a large business, both local and export.

Mr. Inman entered his real life work in 1890, when with John Poulsen he organized

HISTORY OF OREGON

the Inman-Poulsen Lumber Company and erected a mill on the Willamette river. The mill was the wonder of the time among manufacturers because of the speed given the machinery, thus greatly increasing the output of the plant and reducing the cost of manufacture.

During November, 1896, fire destroyed the Inman-Poulsen mill. With superhuman effort the owners of the property began rebuilding the mill before all the lumber piles had been reduced to embers and within sixty days the present great mill-one of the most wonderful plants in the world-with a yearly capacity of nearly two hundred million feet, was ready for operation. With the great modern mill in charge of Mr. Inman the company struck out for world-wide business and today the products of the plant find market wherever men use wood for their construction needs.

At the time of Mr. Inman's death one of the local papers said editorially: "Not many boys started life poorer than 'Bob' Inman nor with gloomier prospects, When at the age of twelve he reached Oregon with an immigrant train, there were hundreds of lads who had a better start and after he reached manhood and went to work in a sawmill there were thousands of workmen to whom opportunity beckoned, but nearly all of them turned away. 'Bob' Inman's rise from millhand to captain of industry is an object lesson which many young men may study with profit. Inman wasn't a grasping man. Never did he seek to grind down labor. He treated his employes like men-as he would wish to be treated if he were working for an employer. He was a builder of industry and a valuable community asset. More than that, he took part in public life fearlessly and honestly and lie won complete public confidence. Always he was foursquare with the world."

While Mr. Inman's whole life was voluntarily made an inseparable part of the lumbering industry of the northwest, he always was interested in civic matters and kept himself in close touch with all the world about him. He believed that no man could live to himself and always sought the counsel and companionship of his fellows. For many years he was an active member of the democratic party and was a life-long member of the Masonic fraternity. Among the Shriners of the country and in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks he was well known and popular. He was a life member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, a member of the Portland Rowing Club and of the Oregon Automobile Club. His service in the Concatenated Hoo Hoos was re- warded by election as supreme snark. In public life he served in the house of repre- sentatives in 1892, being the only democrat so honored in Multnomah county in twenty years. He was elected to the state senate in 1900. During the period of port develop- ment a few years ago he was appointed chairman of the Port of Portland Commission and his vision and wisdom found first place in the plans for permanent port construc- tion.

On the 2d of May, 1875, Mr. Inman married Miss Frances L. Guild and to the union were born two daughters: Minnie Myrtle and Ivy Frances, both of whom reside in Boston. Mr. Inman maintained a palatial home in Irvington, where for years he met and entertained his friends. On the 6th of October, 1912, Mr. Inman married Mrs. Clara A. Rickards. Death called Mr. Inman, April 27, 1920, following an operation for mastoiditis, resulting from an attack of influenza. In the prime of his mental and physical vigor, with his leadership in the lumber industry beyond question, and sur- rounded by life-long friends who had given him the test of character, "Bob" Inman answered the final summons as he had met every trial of life, with his face to the foe, with his years filled with achievement, with nothing more to be desired.

FRANCIS P. LEACH.

The life record of Francis P. Leach spanned the years between the 5th of Decem- ber, 1847, when he was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and December 18, 1915, when he passed away in Portland. His youth was spent in New England and after leaving his native state he made his way to Galesburg, Illinois, where he resided for some time and then came to the northwest arriving in Portland, Oregon, in 1877. He started out in the business world here as an employe of the Smith & Watson Iron Works and later established the Excelsior Iron Works in South Portland. In time the business was reorganized under the name of Leach Brothers Iron Works, and the plant estab- lished at Portland, Oregon, where they engaged in the manufacture of sash weights and stoves. The business steadily developed, bringing a substantial profit to the

HISTORY OF OREGON

owner, and Mr. Leach retired about three years before his death, having acquired a comfortable competence, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of the com- fort and luxury which his former toil provided for him.

In 1873 Mr. Leach was married to Miss Joanna Douglas, a daughter of James and Mary Douglas, who were natives of Ireland and came to America in an early day. Mrs. Leach was the eldest daughter and by her marriage became the mother of ten children of whom nine are living, Frank having passed away. The others are: Joseph M., owner of J. M. Leach Iron Works; James Herbert, who was a soldier in the Spanish American war; Edward C .; Josephine L., the wife of C. L. McKenna; Winfield G. and George M., now owners of the Leach Brothers Iron Works located at Seattle, Waslı- ington; Lottie, the wife of James L. Kibbee; Florence B. and Harriet M., both at home.

Mr. Leach was identified with several fraternal organizations. He belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Neighbors of Woodcraft, the United Artisans, the Degree of Honor, the Yeomen and the Homesteaders. He was a consistent mem- ber of the Taylor Street Methodist Episcopal church, and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. For several years he served as justice of the peace and his decisions were at all times strictly fair and impartial. His cooperation could always be counted upon in matters of progressive citizenship.

PAUL CHAPMAN BATES.

Various corporate interests have felt the stimulus of the enterprise, carefully formulated plans and initiative of Paul Chapman Bates, who has indeed been a dynamic force in the business circles of Portland and the state. While primarily he is president of the firm of McCargar, Bates & Lively, general insurance agents of Portland, he is also identified with many business enterprises which constitute most important features in the industrial, commercial and financial development of the city. With him, to plan is to achieve. Every opportunity is to him a call to action and he never turns back from a purpose undertaken until it is carried forward to successful completion.

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History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 2

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