USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 30
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Mrs. Sitton has been prominent not only in the social circles but in connection with the public interests of Portland. She is deeply interested in civic matters and questions relating to the general welfare and for ten years was a member of the board of education, being the only lady ever elected to the board. She had taught for several years and was a most capable educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge she had acquired. When she was first a candidate for the board she had great opposition, but so excellent was her record and so efficient her work in behalf of the public schools that she had no opposition for her second term. She has also
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heen largely and most helpfully associated with the charitable institutions and has done great good along these lines. She was president of the Waverly Baby Home for twenty years and a member of the board for several additional years. She has served on other hoards, and there are few organized henevolences which have not received her assistance, while her private charities are many. A recognition of the brotherhood of mankind causes her continuously to extend a helping hand where aid is needed and her good works are indeed many.
ERNEST EUGENE MERGES.
Ernest Eugene Merges, a capitalist of Portland, whose invested interests connect him with many important corporations, was horn in Olympia, Washington, December 27, 1873. His father, Nicholas Charles Merges, was born in Germany in 1843, and came to the United States with his widowed mother in 1853, settling in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He was an expert sculptor in marble and his professional interests took him into various sections of the country. As he traveled he met in Virginia the lady whom he later made his wife. This was Miss Fannie Marseil, then eighteen years of age, a daughter of Major Marseil of the French army, whose father had served with the rank of major on the staff of Napoleon.
When a lad of six years Ernest E. Merges was brought to Portland, where he was reared and attended the public schools. He later entered the Pacific University of Forest Grove, Washington county, Oregon, and was graduated therefrom in 1892. In 1894 he completed a course in the law department of the University of Oregon and although the main part of the institution was at Eugene, Oregon, the law department was then in Portland. Mr. Merges was admitted to the bar in 1894 and entered upon the active work of the profession in the Rose City, giving his attention to his practice until 1905, since which time private interests have claimed his time and energies. He has hecome identified with many corporations and the supervision of his invested interests makes full demand upon his energies.
On the 9th of June, 1905, in the city which is still his home, Mr. Merges was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Edwards, a daughter of the late H. E. Edwards, a pioneer furniture dealer of Portland. To this marriage has been born a son, Edward E. Eugene, whose birth occurred October 23, 1909. His father has raised him from childhood as an outdoor sportsman-hunting, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, and in fact all the outdoor sports. He is the youngest game warden in the United States-this hoy thirteen years of age. Mr. Merges is well known in the club circles of the city, belonging to the Multnomah and other leading social organizations. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. During the war period he was con- tinuously active in support of interests having to do with the government and its relation to the allied forces, many of his missions heing of a secret character. His entire life has been passed in the northwest and he has ever been imbued with the spirit of advancement and progress which has been the dominant element in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He has studied its history, has acquainted himself with its opportunities and natural resources and has so placed his investments that he is now deriving therefrom a substantial annual return, while his business interests, too, are of a character that contribute to public prosperity as well as to individual success.
CARL ARVID NYQUIST.
Carl Arvid Nyquist is prominent in the business circles of Astoria as president and manager of the Nyquist Motor Car Company, which company was incorporated by him in March, 1919. He is a native of Sweden, where his birth occurred on the 15th of August, 1892, a son of Gustav and Anna (Olsen) Nyquist. His father was a prosperous farmer and died in Sweden in 1913.
Carl A. Nyquist received his education in his native country and came to America in December, 1913, landing in Boston, Massachusetts. He immediately started for the Pacific coast and spent the next ten months at The Dalles, Oregon, as a guest of his uncle, a farmer of that section, who was his father's twin brother. During the period
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he spent there he assiduously applied himself to the study of English and took out his first naturalization papers. He then became a student at an automobile school and after mastering that line of business bought a car and operated it for hire. He traveled all over the state of Oregon looking for a suitable location in which to estab- lish a business and finally fixed upon Astoria. He located there and was doing a fine business as distributor of the Velie motor cars at the outbreak of the World war. Fired with the desire to help his new country he closed up his business and in the early days of the war entered the army and was sent to Camp Lewis, Washington. He was assigned to the Thirteenth Ammunition Train, with which he served until January, 1919, when he received his honorable discharge. Mr. Nyquist is especially proud of the fact that his final citizenship papers were given him while he was serving in the army. Upon being demobilized he returned to Astoria, resumed his business and in March, 1919, incorporated the Nyquist Motor Car Company, being elected its president and manager. With him in this business are two young men whom he met while serving in the army and who became his "buddies." After his return home he offered his two "buddies" positions in his corporation and one of them, Ellis O. Link, is now the assistant manager of the company, while his brother is an expert mechanic in the repair shop. Among the eleven employes of the company half of them are members of the American Legion. The company is distributor for the Velie, Chevrolet, Peerless and Allen cars and the show-room, which is located on the corner of Sixteenth and Commercial streets, has a commanding frontage on both streets. Here also is located the accessory department and the general office. In addition the company also maintains a repair shop and service station on Seventeenth street between Commercial and Duane streets.
In 1918 Mr. Nyquist was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Hannah Soberstrom, a native of Wisconsin, and they have become parents of a daughter: Ethna Irene.
Mr. Nyquist gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, in the interests of which he takes an active part. He is fraternally active in the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Woodmen of the World and he is a prominent member of the American Legion, being one of the executive committee of the Clatsop Post, No. 12. He is an enthusi- astic member of the Kiwanis Club and holds the office of district trustee. He holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce and in line with his business is a member of the Oregon Automobile Dealers' Association. While Mr. Nyquist is one of the most active citizens of Astoria in all public affairs, he acknowledges that he has but three fads-his family, the American Legion and the Kiwanis Club. He has risen to his present position solely through his own diligence and industry and his success in busi- ness is in every way deserved.
JOHN STONE BRADLEY.
An analyzation of the life record of John Stone Bradley brings to light the fact that no unusual circumstances have played a part in the attainment of his present position of distinction as vice president of the Bradley Logging Company and a promi- nent representative of the lumber interests of the northwest. Not by leaps and bounds but hy steady progression has he reached the position which he now occupies, ever recognizing the fact that the present and not the future holds his opportunity. More- over, an understanding of the Roman maxim-"There is no excellence without labor"- early found lodgment in his mind and therefore upon close application and thorough mastery of every task and preparation for duties of larger responsibility rests his success. He has developed power of organizing that enables him to coordinate forces into a harmonious whole and his initiative spirit allows him readily to solve intricate problems. Theodore Roosevelt said: "The strongest and best type of American citi- zenship is found in the man of eastern birth and training who has sought the oppor- tunities of the west." Such is the record of Mr. Bradley, who was born in Lee, Massa- chusetts, September 1, 1842, his parents heing Eli and Amanda B. Bradley, who were farming people. His grandfather was Eli Bradley, Sr., and his great-grandfather, Jesse Bradley, who commanded a company of Massachusetts troops in the Revolutionary war with the rank of captain.
After attending the public schools John Stone Bradley continued his education in Union College at Schenectady, New York. He pursued the scientific course as a member of the class of 1864, but the outbreak of the Civil war caused him to put all
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personal interests aside and in 1862 he enlisted at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as a mem- ber of Company B, Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to first sergeant in August of the same year, was afterward advanced to the rank of second lieutenant and then to first lieutenant and later was made adjutant of the Thirty-seventh Regiment on the 29th of November, 1864. On the 6th of April, 1865, he was brevetted captain for bravery in action at Petersburg and Little Sailors Creek and on the 16th of May of the' same year received his honorable discharge. He had devoted three years to the service of his country and throughout his entire life has manifested the same spirit of loyalty and fidelity in days of peace as in times of war.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Bradley returned to Lee, Massa- chusetts, in 1865, and there took up the business of paper manufacturing. In 1867 he removed to Bay City, Michigan, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber until 1878, in which year he became a resident of Newark, Ohio, and established a lumber-yard. For eleven years he continued in business there and in 1889 arrived in Portland, where he became a stockholder of the Bridal Veil Lumber Company at Bridal Veil, Oregon, and assumed the position of manager. Since that time he has figured prominently in connection with the lumber interests of the northwest. For eighteen years he continued as manager of the Bridal Veil Lumber Company but severed his connection therewith in 1907, and became a stockholder and the manager of the Bradley Logging Company, with main office in Portland, while its railroad and logging camps are at Cathlamet, Washington. Since that time Mr. Bradley has devoted his energies to the expansion and development of the business and his long experience in connection with the lumber trade, covering more than a half century, weil qualifies him for the successful control of the interests under his direction. He is the vice president of the company and still gives supervision to the business, although he has passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey. His has been an extremely busy, active and useful life and he has made valuable contribution to the development of the lumber trade of the northwest.
In December, 1866, Mr. Bradley was united in marriage to Miss Lucy J. Sturges, the wedding being celebrated at Lee, Massachusetts. Mrs. Bradley passed away August 20, 1883. The two surviving children of this marriage are: Harry Lee, who was born May 28, 1874, at Bay City, Michigan; and Alice Elizabeth, the wife of Willis G. Newmyer. On the 21st of January, 1885, in Aurora, Illinois, Mr. Bradley wedded Louise Glover. The religious faith of Mr. Bradley is indicated by his connection with the First Presbyterian church. His political allegiance has been given to the repub- lican party since its organization and he has been unfaltering in his support of its principles. He belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and is a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and past commander of the Oregon Commandery. In 1883 he became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in 1908 of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is a Master Mason and Knight Templar, hav- ing become identified with the order in 1865, so that through fifty-five years he has been an exemplary representative of the craft. He also belongs to the University Club and to the Chamber of Commerce. During the war period he served on a special committee to look after the soldiers and did everything in his power to further America's interests. His life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles and has constituted the expression of worthy purposes. All who know him/ bear testimony to his sterling traits of character and honor him not alone by reason of what he has accomplished but by reason of the straightforward methods which he has ever fol- lowed in every relation. His example is indeed one worthy of emulation and Portland has reason to be proud to number him among her citizens.
DAVID TAYLOR.
David Taylor, deceased, was for many years a prominent citizen of Pendleton and Umatilla county. He was well known in both agricultural and political circles and in his passing the county lost a representative citizen.
David Taylor was born in Indiana, on the 9th of October, 1840, a son of Samuel and Nancy (Phipps) Taylor. Both parents were natives of Russell county, Virginia, the former born there in 1808. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor took place there in January, 1829, and soon after they removed to Russell county, Indiana, and subsequently to near Terre Haute, where their children were educated. Later Mr.
DAVID TAYLOR
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and Mrs. Taylor and family removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and in 1852 came west by ox team over the old Oregon Trail. While on this journey the members of the wagon train were held up by a number of Indians, who laid their blankets on the trail and demanded the surrender of all valuables before permitting the settlers to go their way. They were followed by Indians for the greater part of the journey and on leaving what is now Pendleton they changed their route of travel, going down the Umatilla river instead of taking the highland route. In this way they avoided the Indians and saved themselves from possible massacre. Samuel Taylor died on this overland journey, leaving his widow and children to complete the trip alone. Two daughters and one son also died on the plains. The survivors bravely con- tinued on their way and on arriving in Oregon, settled in Portland for the winter. Mrs. Taylor then took her little family to Olympia, Washington, where she ran a boarding house for some time and in 1855 removed to California, where she and an older daughter established a boarding house, which they ran successfully until the death of the mother, which occurred there. Members of the Taylor family were originally from Virginia, in which state they were recognized as prominent and progressive citizens.
The boyhood of David Taylor was spent in California, and at Salem, Oregon, and he received such education as the times afforded. When a young man he removed to the Willamette valley and in 1865 was united in marriage and engaged in farm- ing in the valley until 1869, when he removed to near Athena, Umatilla county, on Wild Horse creek and bought one hundred and sixty acres of farm land. He im- proved this land, built a substantial log house and resided here for a period of six years. He then took up another ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, just three miles north, and to this tract he added from time to time until he had over three hundred acres of well improved farm land. In 1889 he decided to retire from active farm life and moved into Athena and entered into business. He bought up some grain and operated a chain of warehouses, handling the grain for the Gifford Com- pany, the Collins Company and others. For two years he served as assessor of Umatilla county and his popularity was made manifest in his election to the mayoralty of Athena. He was also deputy sheriff for a number of years. His death occurred on the 29th of March, 1920, and was an occasion of deep grief to his many friends throughout the community. He was seventy-nine years of age at the time of his demise.
On February 22, 1865, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Gerk- ing, a daughter of Jonathan and Nancy (Myers) Gerking, and a native of Clay county, Indiana. Mrs. Taylor is still living, at the age of seventy-three, making her resi- dence in her newly built bungalow at Athena. Four children were born to their union: Tillmon D., mention of whom may be found on another page of this work; W. R., who followed in his father's footsteps and became a successful farmer of Umatilla county. He is now residing retired in Athena; Lela Ione, who died when four and one-half years of age; and one who died at birth.
The fraternal affiliation of Mr. Taylor was with the Masonic order and he was an exemplary member of the craft. His religious faith was that of the Christian church, in which he held a life membership as deacon. His life was one of diligence and industry and he lived to enjoy the fruits of his labor. His many friends recog- nized his sterling character and true personal worth and a feeling of deep bereave- ment swept the community on the news of his demise.
GEORGE M. ROBERTS.
Though it has been many years since Horace Greeley uttered his well known ad- monition "Go west, young man," the advice is still being followed and throughout the Pacific coast country and especially in Oregon the alert and dynamic young men of the state are sturdy fellows who have come west to embrace the opportunities offered in a growing and rapidly developing country. They are to be found in all sections and in all professions, a great number being representatives of the law. Among those who are conspicuous as progressive and able lawyers is George M. Roberts of Jackson county. He was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1889, his parents being George M. and Kate H. (Harding) Roberts. The Roberts family were among the earliest of the pioneers of Indiana and their lineage is traced back through the Roberts and White
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families to the colonial epoch in American history, many representatives of both families serving as soldiers in the war for independence and later in the War of 1812. The Hardings were of old Ohio pioneer stock and are closely connected with the early history of that state. George M. Roberts, Sr., was a prominent Indiana lawyer and for many terms served as mayor of Lawrenceburg, where he was also honored with various other positions of public trust.
George M. Roberts of Medford was educated in the graded and high schools of his native town and in the University of Indiana, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Laws degree. Admitted to the bar of Indiana, the same year he accepted the position of assistant cashier in the People's National Bank at Lawrence- burg and continued to occupy that position for a year. He then determined to find a broader field of labor and started for the Pacific coast. He left his old home assured that he could build up a practice in his home town, with the hacking of his father, hut he was ambitious to succeed on his own account and traveled along the Pacific coast from San Francisco to Seattle. With rare good judgment he decided to become a resident of Medford and since 1912 has practiced law here, his clientage growing steadily, while a well earned reputation places him in the front rank among the able lawyers of this part of the state. In 1916 the public, recognizing in him an attorney above the average and a man of excellent oratorical ability, tendered him the office of district attorney, to which he was in due time elected, serving with satisfaction to his constituents and with credit to himself until January, 1921. He has accepted no other political office, determining to devote his attention to the practice of his profession and at all times regarding the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts.
In 1912 Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Blanche Early, a daughter of H. B. Early, the president of the Early & Daniel Company, grain merchants of Cincinnati, Ohio, with a national reputation. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts now have two children: Mary Lee and Dorothy Frances, both of whom are pupils in the Medford schools. Mrs. Roberts is a graduate of the Bartholomew-Clifton College of Cincinnati, and is regarded as a model mother and a most gracious hostess. Mr. Roberts is a Knights Templar Mason and has crossed the sands of the desert to membership in Hillah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Ashland. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, to the Knights of Pythias and still holds his membership in the Phi Kappa Psi, a fraternity of which he was president in his college days. He belongs to the University Club and to the Medford Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is an ardent republican, but prefers to serve his party in the ranks rather than in office. In a word, it is his desire to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his professional interests and duties and he is now the general attorney of the Medford National Bank and of other large interests.
J. C. VEAZIE.
J. C. Veazie, member of the firm of Veazie & Veazie, prominent attorneys of Port- land, is a representative of an honored pioneer family of this state. His great-grand- father, Felix Scott, was a native of Virginia and crossed the plains to the Pacific coast in 1845, spending the winter at Sutter's Fort. He completed the journey to Oregon in the spring of 1846 and settled in Lane county, where a number of his descendants reside. He and the men of his family were active in the Indian wars and in many pioneer enterprises, including the building of the Mckenzie wagon road. Having en- gaged successfully in mining in California he and several associates returned to the Atlantic coast by sea and bought a hand of blooded horses and cattle, with which they undertook the journey across the plains to Oregon, but the whole party was slain en route in the year 1859. The grandfather, John Eakin Lyle, was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, came to Oregon in 1845 and in the following year married Ellen Scott, who had crossed the plains with her father, Felix Scott. John E. Lyle taught the first school in Polk county and a monument now marks the site. He always took an active interest in education and gave a considerable part of his donation claim at Dallas for the founding of La Creole Academy, also aiding in constructing the first building used by the school. He died January 22, 1872, at Florence, Idaho, while engaged in mining.
Edmund Fuller Veazie, the father of the subject of this review, was born November
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7, 1833, at Bangor, Maine, a son of Jesse and Martha (Catlin) Veazie. For several years he followed the profession of teaching and subsequently went to California, en- gaging for a number of years in gold mining there and in southern Oregon. Resuming his old occupation of teaching he had charge of La Creole Academy at Dallas and of the Jefferson Institute in Linn county. In 1869 he removed to what is now Crook county, Oregon, where he engaged in stock raising until his death, which occurred by drowning in the John Day river in June, 1877. On the 18th of April, 1867, at Dallas, he married Harriet Lyle, who was born in Oregon in 1847, and they became the parents of four children: Arthur L., a prominent jurist of Portland; Jesse Clar- ence of this review; Julia Grace, the wife of Professor Irving M. Glen of the Uni- versity of Oregon; and Edith F., who married Edwin R. Bryson of Eugene.
J. C. Veazie, the second in the family, was born in Dallas, Oregon, July 30, 1871, and there attended the public schools, after which he became a student in La Creole Academy and subsequently entered the University of Oregon, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. He then began the study of law in Portland as a member of the law school of the State University, following which he pursued a course in the law school of Harvard University. In 1896 he came to Portland and was ad- mitted to the bar of this state, after which he entered the employ of the law firm of Cox, Cotton, Teal & Minor and subsequently became identified with Lewis B. Cox of Port- land, as an employe. Following the death of Mr. Cox in 1900 Mr. Veazie formed a partner- ship with F. F. Freeman under the firm style of Veazie & Freeman, an association which was continued until 1906, when he became connected with his brother. In 1913 they were joined by John McCourt, who continued with them until 1919, the firm then being known as Veazie, McCourt & Veazie. As Veazie & Veazie they are now con- ducting an extensive law business in which they have been successful and have held to the highest ethical standards of the profession.
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