History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 23

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

USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

GLEN ROY METSKER.

No young man in Oregon has more stanch friends than Glen Roy Metsker, who has practiced his profession for many years in St. Helens. His honesty, integrity and laudable ambition have helped him to rise to the position of prominence which he now holds, and all who know him feel that his reward is well earned. Mr. Metsker was born in Butler county, Kansas, February 20, 1883, the son of L. A. and Ada M. (Schmeltzer) Metsker. His father was a teacher and a farmer and came to Oregon in 1884, where he engaged in farming near Newberg until 1890. He then moved to Winlock, Washington, where he became president of the Capital Lumber Company. He has retired from active business and resides at Tacoma, Washington.

Glen R. Metsker was educated in the grades at Winlock, Washington, the Belling- ham Normal School at Bellingham, Washington, from which he was graduated in 1902, and the University of Washington, graduating therefrom in 1908. He was admitted to the bar of Washington supreme court in 1909 and to the California su- preme court in 1911. During 1907 he was connected with the United States Land Office in Washington and was one of the three highest in that service. He was in the government service for three and one half years, a portion of which time was spent in the General Land Office in Alaska. Returning to Oregon, he located for the practice of his profession at St. Helens and in 1916 was elected district attorney, which position he held until 1921. He represents some of the largest corporations in the state, is a forceful speaker and very aggressive in the discharge of his clients' affairs. His standing at the bar is unquestioned.

Glen Roy Metsker was married February 22, 1911, to Miss Mary Katharine Shan- non of Forest Grove, Oregon, and to them have been born two children: A daughter Alice Katharine; and a son Glen Roy, Jr.

Mr. Metsker is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Shriner and an Odd Fellow. No young man in the state has more stanch friends than he, for he is conceded to be a fair fighter and what the world calls a "straight shooter." He has before him a very successful future, both at the bar and in the political arena.

SHERMAN C. DRAPER.

Sherman C. Draper, president of the Pacific Grain Company and thus connected with one of the leading business interests of Portland, was born in Jeffersonville, Ohio, July 21, 1886, his parents being Charles E. and Mollie B. (Victor) Draper. The father was also a native of Jeffersonville, Ohio, born in 1865, and in the Buckeye state the parents were married. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming until Vol. Il1-12

178

HISTORY OF OREGON

his death, which occurred in 1893. His widow survived him for about sixteen years, passing away in 1909.

Sherman C. Draper was largely reared in Covington, Kentucky, to which place his widowed mother removed in 1895, there residing until 1900. The family home was then established in Almira, Washington, where Sherman C. Draper started out in the business world. He had had but limited educational opportunities, but through life has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. In 1903 he ob- tained a position as bookkeeper and salesman in a grain and implement house and in 1908 went to Spokane, Washington, as a grain buyer for his Almira employer, remain- ing in that city until May 20, 1913. He then entered the employ of Max Houser of Portland as grain buyer and so continued at Spokane, Washington, until December 6, 1915, when he took up his abode in Portland to become assistant to Mr. Houser, in whose employ he remained until July, 1917, when the Pacific Grain Company was organized by Mr. Houser and Mr. Draper was elected to the presidency thereof. Throughout practically his entire business career he has been connected with the grain trade and each passing year has brought him broader experience and wider knowledge, so that he is well qualified to discharge the duties of the executive position which he is now filling. He is also the president of the Wallowa Milling & Grain Company of Enterprise, Oregon, and is thoroughly acquainted with the conditions of the grain trade in the northwest from the point of production until the grain is sold on the market.

On the 20th of October, 1908, in Spokane, Washington, Mr. Draper was married to Miss Estella G. Jeffers and they have one child, Mildred E. Mr. Draper belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Portland and the work of that organization is of much interest to him and wins his cooperation along many lines. He also belongs to the Press Club, is a member of the Knights of Pythias and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. All these things, however, are but side issues in his life, being made subservient to his greater activity in the field of business, and it has been by reason of his close application, his thorough reliability and his earnest purpose that he has worked his way steadily upward to the point of active control in grain circles in the northwest.

VERNON HILL VAWTER.

Vernon Hill Vawter, cashier of the Jackson County Bank of Medford and its chief executive, is not only prominently associated with business interests and enterprises which have much to do with the upbuilding of the city, but has in many other ways manifested his public spirit through cooperation with projects of great benefit to the state. He now has the distinction of serving as the youngest member of the board of regents of the State University and his labors are at all times a direct and con- structive element of public progress. Mr. Vawter is numbered among the native sons of Medford, his birth having occurred November 13, 1890, his parents being William I. and Etta M. (Hill) Vawter. The father was also a native of Linn county and the members of the family rank high as factors in the growth and progress of southern Oregon. The first American ancestors of the Vawter family came from England more than a hundred years ago. William I. Vawter has the credit of being the "father of banking" in Medford and his fame is not confined alone to this field of activity, for his memory is cherished as that of one of the potential builders of the town, his efforts contributing in substantial measure in many ways to the early progress and later improvements of the city.

Vernon H. Vawter was educated in the graded and high schools of Medford and in the University of Oregon. Following his graduation from the state institution he returned to Medford and accepted a position in the Jackson County Bank, of which his father was then president. The son is now the cashier of the bank and its chief executive, contributing much to its development and growth. In fact under his guid- ance the bank has come to be regarded as one of the most substantial financial insti- tutions of the state.

During the World war Mr. Vawter was accepted in a civilian Officers' Training Camp, but returned home incapacitated as a result of a severe attack of influenza and before he had recovered his health the armistice was signed. No man of his age in Oregon occupies a more prominent place in the business life of the state than does he.

179

HISTORY OF OREGON

As a leading citizen of Medford he is called to act on every public service committee and he cheerfully responds to all demands made upon his time and means. He has had an unusual honor bestowed upon him in that he has been selected as one of the regents of the University of Oregon, enjoying the distinction of being the only man of his years who has ever been so highly honored. He is a member of the Medford public library board and belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, of which he served as president, cooperating in all of its activities for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and he steadily declines to become a candidate for office.

In 1915 Mr. Vawter was married to Miss Aletha Emerick of Boise, Idaho, a daughter of V. J. Emerick, one of the most prominent residents of the city, who for two terms served as mayor of Medford.

Mr. Vawter is the treasurer of the Elks lodge of Medford and is also the treasurer of the Big Bend Milling Company, which has constructed in Medford several of its best business blocks on Main street and Central avenue, North. Nor does Mr. Vawter sel- fishly confine his energies to the growth and improvement of the city in which he makes his home, but takes an active interest in all matters for the benefit of the state. He is now one of the committee engaged in improving Crater Lake and the Crater Lake National Park. Progress and enterprise are the keynotes of his character and have constituted the forces that have thrown open for him the portals of success.

WILLIAM PENN RICHARDSON.

One of the prominent attorneys of Portland is William Penn Richardson, who since 1906 has engaged in the general practice of law in this city. He has been exceptionally successful as a trial lawyer and in a profession demanding keen intellectuality and individual merit he is making continuous progress. Mr. Richardson was born in Pike county, Arkansas, September 15, 1877, a son of Jesse Clinton Richardson, who was born in Tennessee in 1829. He was a Union man, but while residing in Arkansas was conscripted into the Confederate army in 1864 and served under General Price. In Magnolia, Arkansas, he married Martha Ann Baker and his demise occurred at Amity in 1877, while the mother there passed away on the 31st of December, 1914.

In the public schools of Amity, Arkansas, William P. Richardson acquired his preliminary education and subsequently became a student in the law department of Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, from which he was graduated in 1898 with the LL. B. degree. Going to Phoenix, Arizona, he there practiced law until 1906, when he made his way to the Pacific northwest, taking up his residence in Portland, where he has since engaged in general practice. He enjoys in large measure the con- fidence and respect of his fellow practitioners and that he has the trust of the general public is indicated in the extensive clientage accorded him. For about eight years he was a law partner of J. F. Boothe, a prominent attorney of this city, but is now prac- ticing independently. He is thorough and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, so that he always enters the courtroom well prepared for defense as well as for attack, and he has won notable success as a trial lawyer, being strong in argument and logical in his deductions. His time and attention are largely given to his professional work, although he is also interested in several large corporations of the city, and his energy, close application and ability have won for him success and prominence in his chosen life work.

On the 6th of July, 1912, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to Miss Edith King, a resident of this city and a daughter of the late Emanuel King, whose birth occurred in Ohio. They have become the parents of a daughter, Billie King. In his political views Mr. Richardson is a republican and while residing in Phoenix, Arizona, he took an active part in political affairs of that section of the country. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Willamette Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M., to Oregon Consistory of the Scottish Rite, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and to Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protect- ive Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World and his interest in the welfare and advancement of his city is indicated by his membership in the Chamber of Com- merce. He possesses a pleasant and genial disposition, seldom loses his temper and to his friends is most kind and generous, being ever ready to extend a favor. He is therefore popular in social circles of the city as a member of the Multnomah Amateur

180

HISTORY OF OREGON

Athletic, Press and Laurelrest Clubs and for recreation he turns to hunting. During the World war he served as legal adviser on the exemption board and in June, 1899, while the Spanish-American war was in progress, he enlisted at Lyle, Georgia, as a member of Company H, First Arkansas Volunteer Infantry. He was sent to the training camp at Chickamauga Park and was honorably discharged October 25, 1899. Mr. Richardson has made continuous progress in his profession. Nature endowed him with a keen intellect and his analytical powers and careful preparation of his cases have won for him a place among the strong and able lawyers at the bar of Portland. He is a loyal and public-spirited citizen, interested in all that has to do with the welfare and advancement of his community, and enjoys the warm friendship and high regard of a large circle of friends.

FREDERICK L. MEYERS.

Well known in the financial circles of La Grande, Union county, Oregon, is Fred- erick L. Meyers, who for many years has served the La Grande National Bank as cashier. He is a native of Toronto, Canada, where his birth occurred on the 9th of August, 1866, a son of George F. L. and Ellen (Sullivan) Meyers.

Frederick L. Meyers owes to the schools of his native city his early education and in due time he entered the University of Ottawa and there completed his course in the required number of years. For seven years after putting his textbooks aside he was employed in Canadian civil service but at the termination of that time, in 1890, he came to Oregon, settling in La Grande. There he was connected with the Grand Ronde Lumber Company, remaining in this association until September 14, 1890. He then entered into the services of the La Grande National Bank in the capacity of office boy, determining to work himself up to a position of importance and trust. As a result of this laudable ambition he was eventually made cashier, an office he is still holding to the complete satisfaction of the officers and patrons of the bank. The bank was organized in 1887 by Dr. M. F. Honan, R. J. Rogers, Henry Anson, Henry Wildey, and R. M. Steel, with a capital of sixty thousand dollars. The bank seemed assured of success from the very start and it now has a capital of two hundred thousand dollars, a surplus of sixty-five thousand dollars, assets of two and one-half millions, and deposits amounting to one and three-quarters millions. In his position as cashier of the bank Mr. Meyers is constantly coming into contact with the public and by his courtesy, willingness and business ability has won the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has had dealings. His popularity was manifest in his election to the mayoralty of La Grande and for a number of terms he served as a member of the city council.

In 1899 he married Miss Mildred Lee Newin, daughter of Ferdinand and Beulah (Palmer) Newin, and a native of Iowa. Her father was born in Maryland, while her mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyers: Dorothy M., Alfred L., Paul F., and Margaret E.

In the fraternal circles of La Grande Mr. Meyers is well known as an Elk, a Knight of Columbus, and a Woodman of the World. In the line of his work he holds membership in the Oregon State Bankers Association and served as president of that organization during the year 1916. Along lines of civic improvement his support may always be counted upon and he is one of the directors of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association. Mr. Meyers has made steady progress since starting out in life on his own account. His powers and ability have been developed through exercise and his record is indicative of what may be accomplished when determination and ambi- tion lead the way.

AUGUSTUS FANNO.

Augustus Fanno was of French ancestry, the family having left France during the troubled period of the French Revolution of 1789 when the land-owners were being dispossessed of their holdings by what we now call the Bolsheviks. The family came to America and settled in the state of Maine where Mr. Fanno was born in 1804. He was not destined to pass his days in peace and comfort, as at the age of twenty years he

FREDERICK L. MEYERS

----

183

HISTORY OF OREGON

boarded a sailing ship bound for the West Indies. The ship called at New York, and so ninety-five years ago he stood on Broadway and marveled at the wonders of the even then great city. After spending three and a half years on the sea he was stricken with the dread pestilence of yellow fever while unloading his ship at the docks at New Orleans and for six weeks he laid in the hospital while hundreds of people died on every side. Later he began teaching school in the southern states. He taught what was then known as a subscription school. The teacher would rent a building if there was no schoolhouse and secure the pupils from the surrounding country, they paying so much apiece. These pupils generally came from the non-slaveholding or poor white class. He finally made his way to Missouri, then a frontier western state. He taught school in what is now known as Cass county. In 1840 he was married to Miss Martha Furguson. One son was born of this marriage, Eugene B. Fanno, now a man of eighty years residing at Chico, California. While yet in Missouri Mr. Fanno saw some of the regiments of American soldiers making their preparations to march against Mexico. These were the men who won every battle they fought, and in every in- stance against what seemed to be overwhelming odds.

In 1846 Mr. Fanno with his wife and little son joined the immigration train of that year at Independence, Missouri, and began the long and perilous journey across the desert sands to Oregon. The Indians were both numerous and dangerous. At times they rode by the side of the moving immigration train looking with greedy eyes upon the great number of oxen, horses, cattle and the valuable camp equipage. They made no attacks, as they saw that the white men were heavily armed and without fear and that their rifles would take a fearful toll from their bands. When the train reached the Columbia river after a six-months' trip, flatboats were constructed and all their goods were floated down over the Cascades without any serious mishaps- a feat which would not be attempted at the present time. The company finally reached Oregon City where it was disbanded. At Oregon City Mr. Fanno suffered a great misfortune in the death of his wife. She was buried at Linn City. Mr. Fanno took a trip up the valley to Butteville but realizing that the future great city of the North- west would be built below the falls of the Willamette he followed the well-beaten and much traveled Indian trail leading to the Tualatin plains and on over the mountains to Tillamook bay. David Douglas, the naturalist, with the Hudson Bay Company at Vancouver had followed this trail in 1824 to the spot where Mr. Fanno staked his claim in 1846. David Douglas describes it as a place where thousands of ring-necked pigeons came to feed on the salt marsh and the deer and elk came in great numbers to drink. It was then a most beautiful country. The forest was quite heavy in places, but as there was no underbrush and no fallen timber one could travel anywhere with a wagon where he could get between the trees. Afterwards the trail was almost obliterated by being followed by the wagon road. The place Mr. Fanno selected for his home was twelve miles from Oregon City and eight miles from Portland, with no neighbors within several miles. He employed the Indians to carry his supplies, pigs, calves, chickens and nursery stock from Oregon City, as there was no road to Portland. The Indians were good workers and reliable. With their assistance he cleared land and put up buildings out of logs and boards. He did everything in true New England style. If the wolves howled and the panthers screamed in the forests which came almost to the door of the cabin it made no difference to him unless the bears got to bothering his pigs. He shot deer and other game while standing in his door, as this was the greatest game country in the world. The Indians set fire to the grass each fall to prevent the under- growth from taking the pasture. All kinds of large and small game and fish were plentiful everywhere.

Immigration was halted by the war with Mexico and the gold discoveries in Cali- fornia, but began again in 1849, '50, '51 and '52. The immigration in 1849 brought Thomas H., Robert and Aaron Denney, Felix, John and James Hicklin, and during the next three years brought Samuel and James M. Stott and Thomas A. Stott, all these people coming from the same neighborhood in Southern Indiana and they were all related to each other. They settled in the same locality and became the neighbors of Mr. Fanno. Others who came at the same time and settled on adjoining claims were Thos. H. and William and Henry Tucker, James and Thos. Mckay, Pembroke and John Gault, James Davis, J. W. Robinson, Wilson Tiggard, John and Allen Richason and Alexander Gustin, the last named being the only one now living. Mr. Fanno found himself surrounded by the most agreeable neighbors.

In 1850 he was married to Rebecca Jane Denney, a sister to the Denney brothers above mentioned. She was born in Kentucky, May 30, 1819, and immigrated to Indiana

184

HISTORY OF OREGON

in her early years. She was reared in that state and came to Oregon with her three brothers and three sisters in 1849. Of this marriage there were born six children, four of whom survive: Mrs. T. L. Morlock, Mrs. J. D. Wilmot, A. J. and A. R. Fanno. Of the other descendants we might mention a great-great-grandson, William Dexter Cooper. In the early fifties Mr. Fanno began the cultivation of onions of which he was the pioneeer grower, on the beaver-dam land of which he owned a considerable tract and later on he made this business a specialty. He improved on the eastern yellow Danvers by careful selection of bulbs extending over a period of twenty years, until he developed an onion which would keep in the damp climate of Oregon until the middle of May. The same tract of land has been in constant cultivation in onions until the present time, this year having grown one of the very best crops after seventy years of cultivation and almost entirely without fertilization excepting what is brought on by the winter floods. When Thomas H. Denney built a sawmill on the adjoining section Mr. Fanno put up new buildings of lumber, but let the log buildings remain. A dwelling house and a barn built of lumber still stand. Mr. Fanno was able to give assistance to many new settlers. He gave employment to many people, paying them in meat, potatoes and other products. Gold became plentiful and cheap. A pair of boots would cost forty dollars, a suit of clothes would cost a hundred and fifty dollars, a sack of potatoes ten dollars and apples twelve dollars a hox. This was the result of the gold discoveries in California. Mr. Fanno was a republican in politics, having voted for Fremont, Lincoln and Grant.

He passed away June 30, 1884, at his home on the farm which is still owned by his sons and thus Oregon lost one of her most honored and respected pioneers.

HOWARD LEROY DUMBLE, M. D.

Dr. Howard Leroy Dumble, actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Hood River, his success being founded upon thorough preparation and subsequent broad study of the principles of medicine and surgery, was born in Marion, Ohio, in 1860, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Corn) Dumble, who were of English lineage, the family being founded in America toward the close of the seventeenth century. The Doctor's grandfather was a California pioneer of 1848 and for many years was engaged in merchandising in that state. The record of the Corn family in America antedates the Revolutionary war and many of the name served the country in that historic struggle for American supremacy. Samuel Dumble left Pennsylvania, his native state, in early manhood and took up his residence in Ohio, where he secured a position of importance. For many years he was the editor and publisher of the Marion Independ- ent, which under his guldance became a power in newspaper circles in molding public thought and opinion.

Dr. Dumble was educated in the schools of Marion and after leaving the high school continued his studies in Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. His father was well-to-do and was willing to pay for the boy's education, but he preferred to work his way through school and taught for two years while taking his college course. Following his graduation from college he decided upon the practice of medicine as a life work and soon afterward enrolled as a student in the medical department of the National University at Washington, D. C. In 1893 he was graduated with the M. D. degree and accepted a position as medical examiner in the interior department, remaining in the medical service through the succeeding eight years.

In 1901 Dr. Dumble came to Oregon on a visit which included Hood River. Be- coming infatuated with the country, especially the Hood River valley, he immediately resigned from the government service and took up the practice of his profession in the city which has since been his home and the scene of his labors. While his practice has made constant demand upon his strength and his energies, he has found time to lend a helping hand to every enterprise that promises good to Hood River. Appreciat- ing his willingness and his capability, his fellow citizens elected him to the office of mayor and reelected him at the close of his first term, so that he served from 1915 until 1919, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. He has also held the office of coroner and has served on the school board for many terms. Dr. Dumhle was most anxious to aid his country in the World war and volunteered three different times, but as the military regulations bar a man beyond fifty-five years of age, he was forced to remain at home. He proposed to pay his own expenses and though he

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Oregon, Vol. III, Part 23

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