History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 21

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

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Mr. Bartmess has heen alderman of Hood River and for many years coroner of Hood River county. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and both he and his wife are active and prominent members of the Riverside Congregational church, Mrs. Bartmess being superintendent of the Sunday school. She was also president of the Woman's Relief Corps and is a member of the Hood River Woman's Club. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bartmess were active workers in all the drives made for financing the war and main- taining the interests and welfare of the soldiers in camp and field. They are promi- nent in every movement that tends to the welfare of Hood River and their labors have been far-reaching and resultant.

NEWTON WILLIAM BORDEN.

Newton William Borden, of Medford, where since 1913 he has engaged in the practice of law, was born in Virginia in 1880, his parents being Hampson and Elizabeth (Hammond) Borden. The family is one of the oldest in North America and the ancestral records contain many prominent names, including that of Sir Robert Borden, premier of Canada; Gail Borden, promoter of the condensed milk business; and Henry Borden, a southern railway executive. All of these are repre- sentatives of the Borden family that was founded on the shores of North America in the early days of colonial settlement here. Hampson Borden was born in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia, where his father was one of the first settlers.

After receiving his early educational training in his home state Newton W. Borden worked his way through the Ohio Northern University and afterward took up the study of law in the Intercontinental University, Washington, D. C. He next secured a responsible position in the post office department in the national capital and remained there until his health caused him to seek a change of climate on the Pacific coast. He located in Portland. He completed his preparation for the bar by a course in the Portland Law School and was admitted to practice before the supreme court in 1913. He then entered upon the active work of his profession in Portland, hut found that his health demanded a higher altitude and in 1913 he removed to Medford, where he has since continuously and successfully practiced. His ability was quickly recognized in his new home and his forceful energy, his cultured man- ner and his sterling worth soon made for him many warm friends.

In 1903 Mr. Borden was married to Miss Ora O. Wisman, a daughter of Hampson Wisman, a native of his home county and representative of one of the old pioneer families of Virginia. The children of this marriage are: Hoxsey J. and Winifred,

NEWTON W. BORDEN

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who are attending the public schools of Medford, the former having reached the high school.

Mr. Borden finds relaxation from his office and court duties in his garden and when the opportunity offers indulges in camping and fishing. He is a past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the Grand Lodge of that order. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Woodmen of the World, being a past counselor commander in the latter organi- zation. His political faith is democratic and at the present time he is secretary of the Jackson county democratic committee. With the best years of his life before him and backed by the reputation he has already won Newton W. Borden has a future that is already assured.

SAMUEL S. LOGAN.

Samuel S. Logan, who was at one time a highly respected and successful grocery merchant, doing business at No. 994 Alberta street, in Portland, passed away on the 1st of June, 1920. He was fifty-two years of age, his birth having occurred at Pleasant- ville, in Marion county, Iowa, in 1868. His parents were Franklin and Martha (Met- calf) Logan, who came to Oregon in 1873, settling first at Albany, where their son, Samuel S., then a lad of but five years, grew to adult age. He acquired his education in the schools of that place and in early life took up railroad work, which he followed for a time. In 1896, desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he opened a grocery store at Troutdale and while there residing he served as the first treasurer of that place. In February, 1912, he removed his grocery stock to the present location at No. 994 Alberta street, in Portland, and there carried on the business to the time of his demise, since which time the store has been taken over by his widow and son. He always carried a large and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and put forth every effort to please his customers through honorable business methods and by giving to them the line of goods desired.

On the 2d of November, 1891, Mr. Logan was united in marriage to Miss Wilhel- mina Wehner, a daughter of Herman and Caroline (Wachtman) Wehner. They became the parents of two sons, John W. and Earl H.

Mr. Logan was a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the United Artisans and he likewise had membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. He was always loyal to the teachings of the craft and exemplified in his life its principles concerning the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed. His political endorse- ment was given to the democratic party but he did not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. By reason of his close application he became a successful and highly respected business man, enjoying the confidence and goodwill of all who knew him.

GEORGE WILLIAM JOHNSTON.

George W. Johnston, a leading citizen of Dufur, Oregon, where he is extensively engaged in banking and mercantile pursuits, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born in Centerville, New Brunswick, in 1859. He is a son of James and Anna (Cogs- well) Johnston, who were early settlers in Canada, the father in New Brunswick and the mother in Nova Scotia.

George W. Johnston was educated in the schools of his native town and when eighteen years old he decided to seek his fortune in the west. After remaining for a short time in western Canada, he crossed the border and came to Oregon, where for five years he was employed at railroad work. In 1884 he removed to Dufur, where he established himself in the general mercantile business. Under careful management and by the exercise of keen judgment in the conduct of his store, it gradually grew from modest beginnings to be one of the largest in this section of the state.

In 1904, in association with two brothers, Mr. Johnston organized the Johnston Brothers Bank of Dufur, of which he is president. This bank has been a prominent factor in the commercial development of Dufur and surrounding district since its inception, serving the people who have business relations with it in a thoroughly ac-

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ceptable manner. In 1889-90, Mr. Johnston represented Wasco and Sherman counties in the Oregon legislature, in the affairs of which he took an intelligent part. He also served as mayor of Dufur. While not now especially active in political affairs, he has never lost touch with civic matters, in which he has always been an eager and helpful worker, every movement designed for the public welfare having his ardent support. In addition to his large mercantile and banking interests, he has been an extensive holder of land in Wasco county. While he has disposed of some two thousand acres of orchard property to the Dufur Orchard Company, he still retains about one hundred and twenty-five acres of choice orchard land.

In 1888 Mr, Johnston was married to Miss Mary E. Reed, a daughter of Robert B. Reed, a pioneer of The Dalles. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have adopted and are rearing a niece, Lucille Elaine, who is now (1920) a senior of the University of Oregon. Mr. Johnston is a member of the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and is a past master of the blue lodge. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He and his wife take an earnest interest in the social and cultural activities of Dufur and district, and their efforts have been ever directed to the sup- port of all proper movements calculated to advance the welfare of the community in which they have been making their home for many years.

JOHN WESLEY WISEMAN.

After long connection with ranching interests during which he met with substan- tial success, John Wesley Wiseman is now living retired in Portland, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Andrew county, Mis- souri, in 1845, a son of John and Catherine (Von Doran) Wiseman, the former a native of Kentucky, while the latter came of German parentage. In an early day John Wise- man removed from Kentucky to Indiana and later to Missouri and in 1852, accom- panied by his family, he crossed the plains with ox team and wagon, arriving in Oregon in the fall of that year. He located at Brownsville, where he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres of rich prairie land and at once began the development and improvement of that place, upon which he spent a few years, transforming it into a highly cultivated farm on which he erected a residence and made all modern improve- ments. His remaining days were spent residing with his children.

John W. Wiseman was but seven years of age when the family crossed the plains and the mountains to become residents of the northwest. He was educated in the schools of Brownsville and at the age of fourteen years entered the employ of a farmer in that vicinity with whom he remained for three years. He saved his earnings dur- ing this period and then began buying and selling stock on his own account in a small way. He prospered in the undertaking and continued in the business for several years.

It was in 1871 that Mr. Wiseman was united in marriage to Miss Bettie Jane Barton, a daughter of Benjamin R. and Rebecca Jane (McClung) Barton, the former a native of North Carolina, while the latter was born in Ohio. Both were taken to Iowa by their respective parents in an early day. In 1853 they crossed the plains, ar- riving in Oregon in the fall of that year. They first settled in Lane county, in Camp Creek valley, where Mr. Barton engaged in agricultural pursuits and from there to Brownsville, Linn county, where he farmed a number of years. In later years he removed to Colfax, Washington, where he and his wife spent their remaining days.

It was in 1871, the year of his marriage, that Mr. Wiseman went into the Walla Walla country where he engaged in farming and stock raising until 1875. He then dis- posed of his interests there and took up his abode in Whitman county, Washington, where he secured a homestead and preemption claim. He also bought adjoining tracts of land from time to time as his financial resources increased until his holdings com- prised more than twelve hundred acres of rich agricultural land which he greatly improved, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and gathering there- from substantial harvests annually. Year by year he tilled the soil, producing large crops and he continued to reside on and operate this land for more than thirty-eight years. In the meantime, however, he sold a part of the land but he still owns five hundred and twenty-five acres which is cultivated under his supervision, his son being in charge of the property.

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Mr. Wiseman has often been solicited to become a candidate for office but has usu- ally refused. On one occasion his friends wanted him to accept the nomination for the state legislature but he also refused this. He has been a stanch republican through- out his entire life, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wiseman have been born four children: Dora, now the wife of A. C. Warner, a real estate dealer of Seattle, Washington; Edith, the wife of W. E. Vaughn of Sacramento, California; Effie H., who passed away in April, 1915, was the wife of J. F. Derry of New York city; and Fay Rialto, who lives on his father's farm, which he is now cultivating. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wiseman are members of the United Artisans and lifelong members of the Methodist church. They now occupy a pleasant and attractive home in Portland and are enjoying a well earned rest, for the success which Mr. Wiseman achieved as a ranchman and farmer now enables him to enjoy all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life without further recourse to labor.

SETH BURKE MASSEY, D. D. S.

Dr. Seth Burke Massey, engaged in active practice at The Dalles, has demonstrated his ability in the line of his chosen profession and has given evidence of that highly developed mechanical skill which must unite with a knowledge of scientific principles to bring success to the dentist. While one of the younger men in this calling, he has gained a professional position and reputation that many a dentist of twice his years might well envy. He was born at Brooks, Oregon, in 1891, his parents being J. N. and Elizabeth (Jones) Massey, who were representatives of pioneer families of this state. The Masseys came to Oregon from Kentucky when the father of Dr. Massey was but a small boy, the family home being established in Benton county. Even prior to that time the Jones family had arrived in this state. The great-grandfather of Dr. Massey in the Jones line had been a citizen of prominence in this section of the northwest even before Oregon had entered upon existence as a territory.

Dr. Massey was educated in the graded schools of Brooks and in private schools at Salem, Oregon. He initiated his business career as a clerk in a bank and afterwards pursued a course of study in the North Pacific Dental College of Portland, from which he was graduated in 1916 with the D. D. S. degree. He then practiced his profession in the City of Roses for six months, at the end of which time he removed to The Dalles, taking up his abode in the latter city in January, 1917. Like many other young men Dr. Massey closed his office and offered his services to the government upon America's entrance into the World war. He was sent to Camp Lewis, where he was on active duty for fourteen months and was then discharged. When the country no longer needed his aid Dr. Massey returned to his office at The Dalles and resumed his practice, having in the meantime been a first lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps, in the dental department of the United States army.

In 1919 Dr. Massey was married to Miss Margaret Barry, daughter of a pioneer family of Washington, and he and his wife are highly esteemed in the city in which they make their home. During his short connection with the practice of dentistry at The Dalles he has won an enviable reputation as one who has mastered the scientific principles back of his work and who seems to have before him a future that will be well worth watching. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought by wide reading and investigation and his understanding of modern discoveries and processes constitutes one of the basic elements in his growing success.

FRED T. GEORGE.

Fred T. George, engaged in the mercantile business in Echo, Umatilla county, was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, on the 19th of September, 1876, a son of Thomas O. and Dora (Hardesty) George.

When thirteen years of age Fred T. George came west and located in Gilliam county, Oregon, where he engaged in cow punching for twelve years. He was an in- dustrious lad, and being of an ambitious nature soon worked up to the position of general manager, looking after the shipping of the stock. During this period he bought and sold stock on his own account and soon became known as one of the largest ship-

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pers of cattle in that district. The first venture of Mr. George into the mercantile world was made in connection with Walter Compton, in the conduct of a dry goods store at Arlington. For one year he remained in that connection and then bought out his partner, conducting the entire business until 1906. In this year he removed to Echo and became a partner in the George and Miller Company and two years later, in the spring of 1908, he bought the business which he is now conducting. In the fall of 1910 he purchased the building and his general store is one of the largest and best in the county. He endeavors to give his customers the best quality of goods at fair prices and he firmly believes that satisfied customers are the best advertisement. As a rep- resentative of one of Echo's most important business interests it stands to reason that Mr. George would take a keen interest in the civic affairs of the community. He is now serving as president of the Commercial Club, is a member of the school board, and likewise of the city council.

In 1899 Mr. George was married to Miss Fay Wood, a daughter of John and Addie Wood, and she died in the fall of 1906, at Pendleton. On the 1st of January, 1908, Mr. George was again married, Miss Marian King, of Michigan, becoming his wife. Two children have been born to the second union: Marion and Lucile.

Fraternally Mr. George is an Elk and a member of the Maccabees. He gives his allegiance to the republican party, in the activities of which he takes a keen interest. The early life of Mr. George was indeed one of hardship but as the years passed he gradually worked his way upward and his course proves that upon the foundation of industry and indefatigable energy success may be built.

GENERAL CHARLES F. BEEBE.

In every relation of life General Charles F. Beebe has played well his part and the results achieved have been a vital force in shaping the history of Portland. There have been no spectacular phases in his life, but keen discernment and sagacity have combined with energy and determination to make his work a very important element in molding the development of Portland along many lines; and any resident, if asked for a list of the leading citizens, would place thereon the name of General Charles F. Beebe.

New England blood flows in his veins. During that period when the first colonies were being established along the Atlantic coast representatives of the name came from England to the new world. Silas Beebe, the grandfather of the General, was born in Connecticut and for years was master of sailing craft, building and owning a number of vessels which sailed from Mystic. It was there that Charles E. Beebe, the General's father, was born and reared, but in early manhood he went to New York city, prompted hy a laudable ambition that caused him to seek broader opportunities than the small town afforded. For a half century, beginning in 1840, he was classed with the leading and prosperous tea merchants and importers of America's metropolis, where he con- ducted his business affairs under the style of Beebe & Brother. His home life had its establishment in his marriage to Miss Jane B. Wade, who was born in Springfield, New Jersey, and passed away in 1891. She was a daughter of Elias Wade, also a native of New Jersey, who conducted a wholesale grocery business until 1865 and then became managing partner in the large importing and shipping house of Grinnell, Min- turn & Company of New York, which business relation he maintained to the time of his death in 1878. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Beebe were born four children, three of whom reached maturity. William W., a graduate of Yale Univer- sity of the class of 1873, became an attorney of New York city and afterward removed to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his death occurred. Alfred L. was graduated from the Columbia School of Mines in New York city and for a number of years was assistant chemist of the New York board of health. In 1898 he came to Portland, where he resided for about ten years. He died in New London, Connecticut, June 26, 1914.

The other member of the family is General Beebe, whose youthful days were passed in New York city, where his birth occurred. In 1865 he was graduated from the Flushing Institute on Long Island and became the active assistant of his father in the tea importing business and eventually was admitted to a partnership in the firm, continuing with the house until 1879, when he disposed of his interests and turned his attention to the cotton brokerage business as a partner of Henry M. Evans, under the firm style of Evans & Beebe. After four years Mr. Beebe joined with his brother-

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in-law, A. M. Sutton, in establishing an agency at Portland for the firm of Sutton & Company of New York. On the 1st of February, 1884, he opened an agency for Sut- ton & Company of New York at No. 16 North Front street, and when the business was well established, Mr. Sutton, in July, 1884, went to San Francisco, the two acting as western agents for the Sutton & Company Dispatch Line of Clipper Ships around Cape Horn from New York and Philadelphia. In connection with the Portland agency a general ship-chandlery business was carried on and in that line General Beebe con- tinued until 1896, when he bought the interest of Mr. Sutton and incorporated the busi- ness under, the name of the Charles F. Beebe Company. He remained the president of the business for a decade and then withdrew to take up the active management of important interests in connection with the manufacture of lime and gypsum products in eastern Oregon, in which enterprise he was associated with Charles E. Ladd. In later years he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon the insurance business and still remains an honored and valued resident of Portland, where for thirty-five years he has made his home, being closely associated with the development and upbuild- ing of the city, not alone along material lines but in many other connections as well.

General Beebe is prominently known as a representative of the National Guard. His military activity hegan on the 14th of February, 1871, when he joined Company H of the Seventh New York Regiment, from which he was honorably discharged in Novem- ber, 1878, and appointed aid-de-camp with the rank of first lieutenant on the staff of Brigadier General J. M. Varian, commander of the Second Brigade of the New York National Guard. Various promotions followed until he became brigade quarter- master with the rank of captain, and he was retained in that position when Brigadier General Louis Fitzgerald became the successor of General Varian as commander of the brigade. Captain Beebe was soon afterward appointed inspector of rifle practice with the rank of major and so served until he resigned in the fall of 1882. Later he was appointed assistant in the department of rifle practice with the rank of major under General Charles F. Robbins, Inspector General of Rifle Practice of the State of New York, on the general staff, and so continued until he tendered his resignation, prep- aratory to his removal to Oregon.

In the spring of 1886 the National Guard of Oregon was reorganized and General Beebe became second lieutenant when Company K was formed in Portland. He was soon advanced to first lieutenant and on the permanent organization of the company was elected captain. In July, 1887, he was chosen colonel of the First Regiment and was reelected at Milton, Oregon, in 1891. On the 22d of February, 1895, he was ap- pointed and commissioned brigadier general in command of the Oregon troops by Gov- ernor William P. Lord and four years later was reappointed by Governor T. T. Geer. He bent every energy toward bringing the Oregon National Guard to a high standard of efficiency and deserves and receives much credit for his thorough work in this connection. He is a life member of the Seventh New York Regiment Veteran Associa- tion and it was in the Empire state that he gained the military training which has enabled him to do so much for the Oregon Guard, placing it on a rank in equipment and efficiency with the best military organizations of other states. From the 1st of September, 1918, until the 31st of March, 1919, he was adjutant general of Oregon. It was characteristic of him that he concentrated all effort possible upon the support of his country during the war period, taking part in all the bond drives, serving as a mem- ber of the State Council of Defense and acting as one of the Four-Minute men.

While residing in New York city General Beebe was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bowne, who was born at Flushing, Long Island, and was educated in Miss Porter's school at Farmington, New York. She was a daughter of Simon R. Bowne, who belonged to a prominent Quaker family of Flushing. General and Mrs. Beebe became the parents of three sons: Walter Bowne, now president of the Northwest Steel Com- pany; and Gerald E. and Kenneth, who became associated with their father in business. The insurance interests of the firm are conducted under the name of Beebe & Black, Incorporated, with General Beebe as the vice president.

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History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 21

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