USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 29
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Frank Beardsley, son of Joseph and Matilda D. (Field) Beardsley, was reared in the Empire state but removed westward to Minnesota at an early period in the development of that region, and there he met and married Sarah L. Brown, a daugh- ter of John C. and Eliza (Harkins) Brown, who were natives of Pennsylvania and who in pioneer times had become residents of Wisconsin and afterward drove with an ox team to Minnesota, crossing the Mississippi river at La Crosse. They located at Winona, Minnesota, when but one house was there. Mr. Beardsley spent much of his life in Minnesota but in 1889 sought the opportunities of the Pacific coast country, making his way to Oregon. He lived for a time at Eugene and at Bend and subse- quently removed to South Bend, Pacific county, Washington. He later became a resident of Clarke county, Washington, where he resided until his removal to Port- land in 1910. In this city his remaining days were passed.
To Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley were born six children: May Matilda, who is now the wife of William Green; Frances L., the wife of Ralph Boothby; Frank; Agnes L .; Walter P .; and Geraldine. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 25th of November, 1919, the husband and father was called to his final rest. In politics he had been a stanch republican and was ever a consistent member of the Episcopal church. His had been a well spent life, in harmony with the record of an honored ancestry. His course was always marked by the same fidelity and loyalty to duty in all matters of citizenship and his sterling worth was recognized by all with whom he came into contact.
FRANKLIN IDE FULLER.
Various corporate interests have felt the stimulus and profited by the cooperation of Franklin Ide Fuller, who, however, has concentrated his efforts largely upon the interests of the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company, of which he has for a number of years been the vice president. Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in business and financial circles, not only by reason of the success he has accomplished but also owing to the straightforward and progressive business methods which he has always utilized. It has ever been his
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custom to study thoroughly and understand every phase of every business with which he has become connected, and thoroughness has ever been one of the salient features in his successful career.
Descended from New England ancestry long connected with American interests, Franklin Ide Fuller was born in Providence, Rhode Island, May 29, 1858, his parents being Leonard F. and Mary I. Fuller. He became a public school pupil at the usual age and when he had completed his studies of that character he became a student in the office of the city engineer of Providence and there received both practical and theoretical training, for he acquainted himself with the scientific phases and principles of the business as presented by the best textbooks on the subject. Step by step he advanced as the result of his increasing efficiency and after four years in the office of the city engineer he entered the railway service and was engaged on location and construction work in both New York and Wisconsin.
Mr. Fuller dates his residence in Oregon from 1883, business interests bringing him to the northwest as the representative of the Northern Pacific Terminal Company. He was,employed in his professional capacity on railway and other improvements then in progress, and following the failure of the Northern Pacific and cessation of railway work in the northwest, Mr. Fuller took up the business of contracting, which he fol- lowed for four years, giving his attention largely to railway and heavy timber work. For three years he was connected with the Oregon Iron & Steel Company at Oswego, Oregon, working on the construction of the blast furnace and pipe foundry and acting as assistant to the manager of the company, while subsequently he was made man- ager of the foundry. He later engaged in the real estate business for a year and became identified with his present line in 1892 by accepting the position of manager with the Portland Cable Railway Company. Throughout the intervening period he has concentrated his efforts and energies upon the development and improvement of the street railway interests of Portland. With the reorganization of the business under the name of the Portland Traction Company, he continued to serve as manager until 1900. In that year the Portland Traction Company and the Portland Railway Com- pany were merged under the latter name and Mr. Fuller remained as manager until 1904, when a merger was brought about between the Portland Railway Company and the City & Suburban Railway Company, thus forming the Portland Consolidated Railway Company. After a year spent as general manager with' the newly organized corporation, the properties were purchased by the Clark & Seligman interests of Philadelphia and New York, at which time the Portland Railway Company was organ- ized with Mr. Fuller as president. He continued as its chief executive officer until the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company was formed and he was made vice president. From the beginning of his connection with the railway interests of Port- land he has been a most vital factor in the development of the system. His sound judgment, his carefully formulated plans, his initiative and his professional knowledge have all featured actively in the growth and advancement of the business. Another publication has said of him: "No man in Portland has such a complete knowledge of the development of the street railway system of the city as Mr. Franklin Ide Fuller, vice president of the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company, a large corporation. For the past fourteen years Mr. Fuller has been directing the street railway lines of Portland and has been the man who, more than any other, brought the traction lines to their present excellent condition. None other has had so large a part in the de- velopment of the surface lines from horse and cable car service to modern, powerful electric cars of the latest pattern. Under Mr. Fuller's direction the city street car lines have kept pace with the growth of the city, until Portland is acknowledged to have a service on its traction lines second to no city in the country. A scenic line has been built around Portland Heights and has lately been extended by a loop circling Council Crest, the highest point near the city, which overlooks the city and surrounding country. This line is a very popular one and vies with the road up Mount Tamalpais in scenic attractiveness." As the years have passed Mr. Fuller has extended his investments and active connection to other corporation interests and is now a director of the Portland-Oregon Cement Company, also of the Lumber- men's Trust Company and vice president of the Pacific States Fire Insurance Com- pany. His cooperation is eagerly sought in business affairs because of the recognized soundness of his judgment.
In Portland, on the 14th of April, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fuller and Miss Anna Jessie Parrish, a daughter of the late L. M. Parrish, who was one of the early residents of Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have a son, Leonard F., who was Vol. I11-15
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born in 1890 and was graduated from Cornell University in 1912, while in 1919 he received from Stanford University the degree of Ph. D. He is now a well known mechanical electrical engineer, specializing in radio work.
In the club circles of Portland Mr. Fuller is well known, having membership with the Arlington, Multnomah Amateur Athletic and Transportation Clubs, also the Oregon State Motor Association and the Chamber of Commerce, while along professional lines his connection is with the American Society of Civil Engineers. He votes with the republican party and he and his wife are active members of the First Presby- terian church. His life has been dominated by a spirit of study-a study not only of textbooks and scientific journals but of men and measures, of conditions and op- portunities. His opinions are the result of careful consideration of every vital ques- tion from every possible standpoint and thus it is that he has become a most forceful factor in the business life of the community, while his social qualities and high per- sonal worth have made for popularity among all whom he meets in social connec- tions.
JAMES P. O'BRIEN.
In thoroughness and a mastery of every detail of the duties that have devolved upon him lies the secret of the success which has brought James P. O'Brien to the eminent position which he occupies in railway circles of the northwest, as general manager of the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company. The history of such a man should ever be a stimulus to honest endeavor, close application and initiative effort. As the architect of his own fortune he has builded wisely and well, and at the same time 'his labors have been a valuable asset in the development of the resources of the northwest through his connection with transportation interests, with- out which commercial and industrial interests are blocked and progress brought to a standstill. Mr. O'Brien was born in Winsted, Connecticut, April 26, 1862, and as the name indicates, is of Irish lineage.
Reared in the state of his nativity, James P. O'Brien pursued his education in the Christian Brothers School and in the public schools of Winsted and when it became necessary for him to enter business life and provide his own support, he turned his attention toward railroading, securing a position as trucker at the Winsted station. Actuated at all times by laudable ambition, he bent every energy to the accomplishment of the tasks assigned him and his faithfulness and ability naturally won him promotion. He left Winsted to become chief dispatcher of the Connecticut Western Railroad at Hartford, Connecticut, and took a further advanced step when, in 1889, he removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, to become general agent and later super- intendent and purchasing agent of the St. Joseph Terminal Company. The ability which he displayed in the conduct of the duties which devolved upon him led to his selection in 1890 for the position of master of transportation of the St. Joseph and Grand Island Railroad. Later he came to Oregon to assume the position of assistant superintendent of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company at La Grande. The steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible. He was next chief clerk in the office of the general superintendent of the same company, occupying that position until October, 1892, when the proffered position of assistant superintendent of the Iowa Central Railway caused him to remove to Marshalltown, Iowa. The value of his service was recognized by the officials of that road and in December, 1892, he was made superintendent in charge of transportation, with headquarters at Marshalltown. Further promotion made him general superintendent of the same company in 1894, but during his residence in the northwest he had become strongly attached to this section of the country and in July of that year he availed himself of the opportunity to accept a position of greater importance with the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, with offices in Portland. Ten years later he was promoted to the general superintendency of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company and the Southern Pacific Lines in Oregon, and shortly thereafter was named general manager of said roads, retaining jurisdiction over the latter until separation of the Southern Pacific from the Union Pacific. During the period of the World war as federal manager for the United States Railroad Administration, he had charge of a number of railroads in the northwest. His present position as general manager of the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company also makes him an official of its various subsidiary
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companies, so that he is now president and director of the Camas Prairie Railroad Company and the Northern Pacific Terminal Company of Oregon; also a director of the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company and trustee of the Spokane Union Depot and East Portland Freight Terminal. He is also vice president and director of The San Francisco and Portland Steamship Company. It is a noteworthy fact, moreover, that Mr. O'Brien has the unqualified support not only of his fellow officials of the road but also of its employes, who entertain for him the highest regard, respect and confidence.
His life work has indeed proven his worth in his advancement as the direct result of earnest effort, close application and indefatigable industry-qualities that may be cultivated by all. He has at all times placed business duties first, bending every energy to the accomplishment of a given task, and, thus qualifying for a position of larger responsibility.
On the 16th of October, 1888, Mr. O'Brien was united in marriage to Miss Anna Louise Ryan of Winsted, Connecticut, and to them has been born a daughter, Lillian Crowe, who is now the wife of Coe A. McKenna of Portland.
Mr. O'Brien's social position is indicated in his membership in the leading clubs of Portland, including the Arlington and Waverly, and he is also an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is likewise identified with the Knights of Columbus and is a member of the Catholic church. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is thoroughly informed concerning the significant problems which engage the attention of statesmen and thinking men throughout the country. Since 1894 he has resided in Portland. His life, in its steady and continuous progress, exemplifies the spirit of the northwest in its wonderful development and advancement. There has been no miracle connected with the latter and the former is no matter of marvel. In each instance it has been the utilization of the opportunities which nature has provided. Mr. O'Brien has employed his innate talents and powers in the mastery of those duties which have devolved upon him and the problems which have arisen. Each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities and he has ever been found equal to the task, his initiative spirit enabling him to carve out a path to success.
ALPHONSO JAY DEMING.
Alphonso Jay Deming, a leader among the merchants of St. Helens, where he is the owner of two drug stores, was born in Independence, Oregon, in 1873, the son of Alphonso and Mary (Moran) Deming. The Demings are descendants of an old New York family, and the grandfather and father of Alphonso Jay Deming served in the Civil war. His grandfather moved to Oregon after the war and settled at Independence, where he remained until his death. The Moran family were pioneers of the '60s. Mrs. Mary A. Stine, the mother of our subject, is still living, residing in the city of Monmouth, Oregon.
Alphonso Jay Deming was educated in the grade schools of his native district and located in St. Helens in 1890, where he was employed as a clerk in a pharmacy for some years. He became an expert pharmacist and bought out a drug business in 1900. For the past twenty years Mr. Deming has been an important factor in the commercial life of St. Helens, where he operates two drug stores, one on the corner of Strand and Cowlitz streets and the other on Plaza street. He carries the Rexall line of drugs and druggists sundries and is one of the important representatives of the large "Rexall family."
In 1894 Mr. Deming was married to Miss Lena Blakesley, a native of Oregon and a member of a representative pioneer family. They are the parents of three children: Oswald, the eldest, is a graduate of the North Pacific College of Pharmacy, Portland, and is a licensed pharmacist. He is the manager of the Plaza drug store at St. Helens and is accounted one of the sterling young business men of that place. He was a volunteer in the World war and was in the hospital service until the signing of the armistice. The daughter of the family is Mary Eugenia; another son, Max John, is a graduate of the North Pacific College of Pharmacy, and is now associated with his father in the conduct of the Rexall drug store.
Mr. Deming is a member of the St. Helens Commercial Club and is prominent in all public affairs. His activity in the war drives and Red Cross work was only
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exceeded by his service as enrolling officer. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having filled all of the chairs in that order, and also has membership in the State Pharmaceutical Association. Mr. Deming is a prominent man in St. Helens, where his business ability has brought him to the front, and his position is now one of leadership in commercial circles of Columbia county.
HON. PERRY O. POWELL.
Hon. Perry O. Powell, representing his district in the state legislature, belongs to that class of farmers in Polk county whose experience and knowledge of agriculture have been directed to a special branch of the industry and whose intelligence and skill, controlled by keen discernment and sound judgment, are making their private enterprises public assets. A representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the state, Mr. Powell was born in Linn county in August, 1863, and is a son of Franklin S. and Louisa J. Powell, prominent and highly respected residents of Mon- mouth, extended mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Dr. J. M. Powell, which appears elsewhere in this work.
In the public schools of Monmouth, Perry O. Powell pursued his education, later becoming a student in Christian College, now the State Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1884. He then entered the Transylvania Uni- versity at Lexington, Kentucky, and was graduated therefrom in 1887, after which he pursued a course of study in Yale College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1890. Thus liberally qualified for life's practical duties and responsibilities, he took up the profession of teaching, which he successfully followed for a period of fifteen years in Missouri and Iowa, and for seven years was an instructor in the State Normal School at Monmouth, becoming well known as an able educator. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, cultivating a portion of the old home place, which after his father's demise was divided among the children. He operates a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, of which thirteen acres are devoted to the cultivation of prunes, and he also has a herd of registered Jersey cattle and is engaged in raising pure bred Duroc-Jersey hogs, being very successful as a stock raiser. He is interested in all modern developments along agricultural lines and has equipped his farm with the most approved labor-saving machinery. He believes in scientific methods and keeps abreast of the times in every way. He is much inter- ested in dairying, which is rapidly becoming an important industry in Oregon, and modernly equipped and sanitary establishments of this kind are making Polk county a valuable factor in the resources of the state. He is a director of the Oregon Dairy Council, an organization for the promotion of the dairy industry in the state, and was one of the organizers of the Polk County Fair Association. He served as president of the latter organization for one term and has served continuously as a director. He is president of the Polk County Farm Bureau, which he was instrumental in organizing; is secretary of the State Farm Bureau; and is one of the most promi- nent and progressive agriculturists of the state. As state secretary he was placed in charge of headquarters of the State Farm Bureau, in April, 1921, with offices in Portland. He is a stockholder in the Monmouth Cooperative Creamery Company and the Capital City Cooperative Creamery of Salem and he has been most successful in the management of his business interests, being regarded as an authority on all matters pertaining to agricultural development along scientific lines in his part of the state.
In October, 1891, Mr. Powell was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Quisen- berry, and they have become the parents of five children, namely: Lydia, who is a graduate of the Oregon Agricultural College and is now the wife of P. G. Car- michael of Lexington, Oregon; Frank B., also a graduate of the State Agricultural College and now engaged in the cattle business in partnership with his father; Wilmer D., who was also graduated from the State Agricultural College and is residing at home; and Perry N. and Freda, both of whom are students at that college. The son, Wilmer D., enlisted for service in the World war and was sent to the officers' training camp at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. He was commissioned second lieutenant and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
In his political views Mr. Powell is a stalwart republican and in November, 1920, he was elected a representative to the state legislature from Polk county, where he
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is making a most creditable record, giving earnest and thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which come up for settlement and supporting all bills which he believes to be of benefit to the public at large. He also served as mayor of Mon- mouth for two years, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administra- tion. He is a member of the Farmers Union and the Polk County Grange, and of the last named organization has served as master for the past six years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church and his life has ever been guided by its teachings. His career has been marked by steady advancement, due to his close application, his study of the business to which he has turned his attention and his unremitting energy and reliability. He is interested in all that has to do with public progress in the community and state and the uplift of the individual, and his aid and influence are always on the side of advancement and improvement. His entire life, with the exception of fifteen years spent in teaching in the east, has been passed in Oregon and his career has ever been such as has reflected credit and honor upon the state.
CHARLES EDWARD SITTON.
Charles Edward Sitton, who for many years figured in mercantile circles of Port- land, being proprietor of one of the leading drug stores of the city, was born near McMinnville, Oregon, in 1848, his parents being Nathan K. and Priscilla (Rogers) Sitton, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Indiana. Nathan K. Sitton came to Oregon in 1843, settling first in Yamhill county where he secured a donation claim and his wife also took up a claim of equal size-three hundred and twenty acres. Thereon they spent the remainder of their days, being numbered among the worthy pioneers and substantial citizens of the state. They are mentioned at length on another page of this work. To Nathan K. and Priscilla Sitton were born nine children and after the death of his first wife Mr. Sitton wedded Mary Laughlin and five children were born of that marriage.
Charles E. Sitton was the eldest child of the first marriage. He acquired his early education in the district schools and continued his studies in Willamette Uni- versity. After completing his course he traveled through the east and about 1869 entered the drug store of S. G. Skidmore, under whose direction he thoroughly ac- quainted himself with the business and eventually was admitted to a partnership. The firm existed for several years and later Mr. Sitton became sole proprietor, successfully conducting the business up to the time of his death. He maintained one of the fine drug establishments of the city and was accounted one of the progressive merchants of Portland.
Mr. Sitton was twice married. In 1872 he married Ada Skidmore but her death occurred in 1873. His second wife was Miss Lefie W. Spaulding, a daughter of Shere- bials and Lurena (Shedd) Spaulding, who were natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Sitton has two adopted daughters, nieces of Mr. Sitton: Katharine, who is the wife of Law- rence S. Ainsworth, a son of Captain George Ainsworth and grandson of one of Port- land's pioneers, Captain J. C. Ainsworth; and Lucy G., who is the wife of George K. Wentworth, Jr., of Portland.
Mr. Sitton was identified with the public interests of his city, contributing in various ways to the general good. He acted as a trustee of the public library, was a Mason of high rank, being identified with the Knights Templar Commandery and the Scottish Rite bodies and at one time was grand master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was also very prominent in club circles and his social qualities everywhere made him a favorite. He was a democrat but liberal in his views and his religious faith was that of the Unitarian church, in which he was at one time a trustee. He passed away in 1890, his death being the occasion of deep regret to many friends whose high regard he had won through business or social relations.
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