USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 36
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Mr. Veazie was married October 18, 1898, to Miss Agnes Margaret Greene, a daugh- ter of Judge Roger Sherman Greene of Seattle and a descendant of Roger Sherman. Mrs. Veazie is a graduate of the University of Oregon and of the University of Wash- ington and has been a member and director of the Art League of New York, having devoted much time to the cultivation of her talents in that direction. Mr. and Mrs. Veazie have four children: Grace Ellen, Emily A., Harriet L., and Edmund A.
Politically Mr. Veazie is a stalwart republican and his greatest achievement perhaps has been along the line of his constant fight against single tax. He was one of the official speakers for the loan campaigns throughout Oregon during the World war and also served on the draft registration board. He belongs to the Chamber of Com- merce, heartily supporting its plans for public good, and he is an earnest and con- sistent member of the First Baptist church. He contributes liberally to charities of all kinds, is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and since 1895 has been recording secretary thereof in Portland. Appreciation of his splendid work came to him on the twenty-fifth anniversary thereof, on which occasion he was presented with a silver cup hy the Young Men's Christian Association, the date being January
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21, 1920. He has ever been a close student of history and of political problems and of the great sociological and economic questions before the country today and generally follows the lines of well educated and well informed men. His life has been char- acterized by industry and by conscientious service in behalf of every cause which he espouses and his labors have heen far-reaching and resultant.
ROBERT WELLINGTON CLANCY, M. D.
The rapid and substantial growth of Medford has drawn to it many capable rep- resentatives of professional interests and this number includes Dr. R. W. Clancy, who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. He was born in Toronto, Canada, April 19, 1876, his parents being Andrew and Agnes (Totton) Clancy. The father was descended from Irish ancestry, the family, however, being established for many years on the soil of the new world. Andrew Clancy devoted his life to horti- cultural pursuits and was a zealous student of the scientific principles underlying his work. He is now living retired in Medford, but still has a deep love for horticulture, although he no longer takes an active interest in fruit raising. The Totton family, of which R. W. Clancy is a representative through the maternal line, comes of pure Scotch ancestry and for generations in the old country and in North America the representatives of the name have heen agriculturists.
Robert W. Clancy was educated in the graded schools of Guelph, Ontario, and in the Guelph Collegiate Institute, while his professional training was received in Trinity College, Toronto, Canada, from which he was graduated in 1902. Following the com- pletion of his course he took postgraduate work in hospitals of London, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland, and upon his return from Great Britain was invited to settle at Wallace, Idaho, where he became the resident surgeon of the Frisco Mining Company and at the same time engaged in general practice there. In 1909 he removed to the Pacific coast and spent almost a year in traveling through Washington, Oregon and California, looking for a favorable location that would present attractive climatic conditions and promise of general progress. In the fall of 1909 he decided to locate in Medford and purchased one hundred and forty acres of land two and a half miles from the city, which he planted to pears. Unlike many buyers who expect to reap a golden harvest in a brief period, Dr. Clancy recognized the fact that time and efforts must bring his orchards to the point of valuable fruition. He had gained much knowledge from his father and his own study had added thereto, with the result that his lahors have produced what is today one of the show orchards of the Rogue river valley and one of the finest places on the Pacific coast. Though highly successful in his profession he still devotes all of his spare time to the ranch, which has become to him the recreation ground from his professional labors.
In 1910 Dr. Clancy opened his office in Medford, where he has continued in practice and has achieved great success as a physician, while his name as an able sur- geon has covered all of southern Oregon and northern California. While he continues in general practice he specializes in surgery and were he located in a large city would devote all of his time to the latter branch of the profession. He is now serving on the staff of the Sacred Heart Hospital and he belongs to the Southern Oregon Medical Society, the Oregon State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In 1903 Dr. Clancy was married to Miss Winifred May Pasmore, a daughter of Robert Pasmore, and of Scotch descent. The family are still receiving an annuity from the British East Indian Company, of which their ancestors were founders cen- turies ago. Mrs. Clancy, like her husband, is a graduate of the Guelph Collegiate Institute. Among her many famous ancestors may be named Mickle, one of Scotland's most talented poets. Dr. and Mrs. Clancy have become parents of two children: Wini- fred Eileen, who is a graduate of the Medford high school and is preparing to enter Wellesley College, is accounted a remarkable musician and after studying the tech- nique of music at Wellesley will finish her studies in the capitals of Europe. Her friends in Medford are convinced that she will make the name of the town famous by reason of her remarkable talent as a musical artist. The other child is Robert Ernest, who is now a student in the Medford schools and can be best described as "all boy." He is not only yell leader of his class and his school, but is frequently bor- rowed by other city schools. Full of life and a lover of sports and games he is at the same time accounted an excellent student.
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On the second day after war was declared against Germany and her allies Dr. Clancy enlisted and entering the service was sent to Camp Lewis as first lieutenant, where he assisted in the organization of the Ninety-first Division. Early in 1918 he was ordered to France as advance officer of the Ninety-first Division and was trained in the military school at Langres. He was afterward reassigned to the Ninety-first Division as captain and served with that gallant body in all of its engagements. He was on active duty at St. Mihiel, in the Argonne Forest, at Lys and at Schielt river, Belgium. He returned to the United States in May, 1919, with the rank of major. Immediately after his discharge from the army he was appointed surgeon of the United States Public Health Service for southern Oregon and still holds that post.
Dr. Clancy is an Elk and an Odd Fellow, but his large practice demands so much of his time that he has little opportunity for fraternal activity. His wife is one of the leaders in club and social life in Medford, where she has a host of friends. Both are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and Mrs. Clancy is a most active worker therein, serving as one of the deaconesses. Their aid and influence are ever given on the side of progress and improvement and the names of Dr. and Mrs. Clancy are ever associated with those interests which make for the welfare, advancement and happiness of the community.
REV. LESTER FRANKLIN CLARK.
Rev. Lester Franklin Clark, who devoted many years of his life to the ministry of the United Brethren church, serving for a time as missionary in foreign fields, was born in Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa, December 24, 1858, and was one of a family of twelve children. His father, Andrew Ferren Clark, was a native of New York and became a successful millwright, building many of the grist mills through- out the middle west. He wedded Mary Franklin, who was born in Meadville, Pennsyl- vania, an industrious woman, a faithful wife and mother who was always ready and willing to go where duty called.
When but a small lad Lester F. Clark removed with his parents to Humboldt, Iowa, where most of his boyhood days were spent and there he attended the public schools and also Humboldt College. He afterward learned the blacksmith's trade as an apprentice in Des Moines, Iowa, and followed that occupation for a number of years, being in business for himself in Beatrice, Nebraska, for two or three years. In 1887 he removed to Los Angeles, California, where he took up the study of archi- tecture and in the spring of 1889 came to Portland where he engaged in the contract- ing and building business.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Clark entered the ministry of the United Brethren church and for many years was closely associated with the Oregon conference, laboring under the bishopric of Henry L. Barkley for sixteen years, not only traveling the various fields as pastor but the district as presiding elder for a number of years. On the 12h of March, 1912, he left Portland for Sierra Leone, Africa, as a missionary, hav- ing been appointed to that field by the mission boards of the church at Huntington, Indiana. At his request he was released from service during the latter part of the year and shortly after his return his health so failed that his death resulted in Port- land, July 29, 1918, the immediate cause of his demise, however, being an injury which he sustained when struck by a speeding automobile.
Mr. Clark had many commendable qualities. Persistent loyalty to the principles which he believed to be right was one of his chief characteristics. He was always ready and willing to cooperate in promoting the welfare of the community in every possible way. He was a man of clean character, of studious disposition, was a loyal citizen and the hospitality of his home was extended to all. In politics he had been a republican before his removal to the west but gave his political support to the democratic party after coming to Oregon.
Mr. Clark was twice married. His first marriage occurred when he wedded Miss Nellie Emery on the 20th of September, 1882, at Rockville, Grant county, Wisconsin, where she was born September 20, 1859. She was the daughter of Rev. Edward Emery, born at Portebella, England. He had come to America at the age of forty years and died at the age of eighty. Her mother was born in 1820 at Penzance, England, and died at the age of fifty-three. To this union four children were born: J. Allen, who was born June 7, 1883, and is now a railroad engineer living in Tacoma, Wash-
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ington, married Miss Ange Zaugg and they have three children; Forest E., born January 11, 1886, is now chief draftsman for the telephone company. He married Miss Edith Swank and they are the parents of two children; Nellie Alberta, born December 31, 1889, is the wife of Harry A. Kinch, of Ostrander, Washington, and the mother of five children; An infant daughter died at birth. The mother of these chil- dren passed away May 12, 1893, at Kalama, Washington. Rev. Mr. Clark was later united in marriage to Miss Lee Retta Gaston, a native Oregonian, born at McMinn- ville, October 1, 1869, and a daughter of Wilson L. and Sebina O. Gaston and also a niece of the late Joseph Gaston, the historian. To this union was born a daughter, Beatrice May, whose birth occurred April 17, 1901, in Portland, where she and her mother reside.
HENRY J. TAYLOR.
An early pioneer of Umatilla county was Henry J. Taylor, who is now residing retired in Pendleton. Like many of Pendleton's enterprising citizens, he is one of Oregon's sons by adoption, his birth having occurred near Browning in Linn county, Missouri, May 17, 1851. His parents were Isaac and Elizabeth (Hatcher) Taylor, both natives of Tennessee, the former born February 7, 1807, and the latter August 18, 1818. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor was celebrated in Tennessee, and in later life he emigrated to Linn county, Missouri, and he served on the first jury ever impanelled in that county. There he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres on which he built a log house and otherwise improved the land. He secured an additional one hundred and sixty acres and operated this land until 1864, when he sold it for five dollars an acre and went overland to California, locating near Woodland. On this trip when they reached the Platte river, twenty-five miles below Julesburg, Mr. Taylor took his wagon apart and used it as a raft to take his supplies to the other side. The horses swam across, and at this crossing a cyclone swept the vicinity and killed four of his horses. On the trip between Humbolt and Austin City, Nevada, the family ran short of food and Mr. Taylor paid the sum of twenty dollars for a small sack of flour, twenty dollars for a small side of bacon and five dollars for a pot of beans. On reaching Cash- ville, California, Mr. Taylor rented a farm near Knights Landing, on the Sacramento river, which farm he operated for a period of three years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres ten miles west of Knights Landing, which he operated until the fall of 1869, at the end of which time he returned to Missouri, settling near Laclede on Turkey creek. For a number of years he resided here and his death occurred in 1884 at the age of seventy-nine years. The mother passed away on the 9th of October, 1864, the day after the family reached Cashville, California. Throughout his life Mr. Taylor was a stanch supporter of the democratic party.
Henry J. Taylor was the seventh in order of birth of a family of eight children, the others being: Mary A .; Marguerite; James K .; George W .; Sarah E .; Frances Marion; and Mandy Elizabeth. Henry J. Taylor received what education was avail- able and on the 4th of December, 1873, at the age of twenty-two years, he was married and left on that day for Blacks Station, Yolo county, California. He settled at Knights Landing, where he engaged in farming for one year and then operated an additional one hundred and sixty acres for a period of four years. On the 5th of August, 1879, Henry Taylor came by way of horse teams across country to Umatilla county, arriving here on the 12th of September. On the 21st of September, the same year, Mr. Taylor bought out Lew Parker's rights to one hundred and sixty acres on which had been built a log house twelve by fourteen feet. The land at the time of purchase was in an uncultivated state, but is now some of the finest wheat land in the county. He has from time to time purchased more land, until the homestead now consists of nine hundred and sixty acres, on which he has erected fine buildings, all modern in equip- ment. In 1914 Mr. Taylor built a beautiful home at 118 Jackson street, Pendleton, in which he is now residing, enjoying the fruits of a life of diligence and wisely directed energy. He is prominent in the financial circles of Pendleton, being a director in the Inland Empire Bank and he is likewise a member of the city council.
Mr. Taylor has been twice married. On the 4th of December, 1873, he wedded Miss Mary F. Beckett, a daughter of William and Nancy Beckett, and a native of Missouri. To this union four children were born: W. F., born October 10, 1874, and now residing in Pomeroy, Washington; Maude S., whose birth occurred on the 4th of
HENRY J. TAYLOR
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May, 1876, and who is now Mrs. Wilson, residing in San Diego, California; Henry H., born June 5, 1881, a dentist in San Diego, California; and Elizabeth J., now Mrs. Dodd, born on the 5th of June, 1883, living in San Diego, California. The mother of these children died December 18, 1884. On July 11, 1886, Mr. Taylor was.again married, taking as his wife Miss Flora M. Cristy, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Lay) Cristy, and a native of Missouri. To this marriage three children were born: Fordie J., born on the 18th of August, 1887, now deceased; Lula May, who was born January 30, 1889, and is now the wife of R. J. Creswell of Pendleton; and Hazel G., who is the wife of L. M. Wickland, also of Pendleton. She was born on the 7th of January, 1895.
The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Taylor are with the Odd Fellows and the Elks and he is likewise a member of the Woodmen. He is past grand master of the Odd Fellows and past grand representative and trustee of the Odd Fellows Home in Port- land. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Pioneer Association of Umatilla county and is serving as president of that organization. As an early pioneer he has seen the work of progress and development carried steadily forward and at all times has borne his part, especially along the line of agricultural improvement.
ANDY B. JOHNSON.
A well known and progressive citizen of Freewater, Umatilla county, Oregon, is Andy B. Johnson, who is engaged in the grocery business there. He was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, October 4, 1884, a son of William and Orpha Ann (Blanch- ard) Johnson. In 1890 William Johnson removed his little family to New Walla Walla, now Freewater, where for many years he was prominent in the business circles and he has always maintained a great interest in the development and improvement of the town.
Removing with his parents to Freewater when but six years of age, Andy B. John- son received his education in that place and obtained employment in different stores. Later he and his father entered into the lumber business, which, after conducting with a gratifying amount of success for some time, they sold and established a hardware and furniture business. This business venture proved of short duration and subse- quently Andy B. Johnson engaged in the grocery business on his own account. His store is located on the choicest corner of the town, at the intersection of Main and Depot streets, and his business has grown to one of fine proportions. He endeavors to give his customers the best qualities of goods at fair prices and he believes that satisfied customers are the best advertisement. In 1913 Mr. Johnson took John H. Brinker, a former clerk, as partner.
In 1908 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Ida Frances Wright, a daugh- ter of Mrs. Mary Wright of Douglas county, Oregon. To this union two children have been born: Arbory C., and Thomas A. B.
Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, in the interests of which he takes an active part. He is prominent in civic affairs of his community as a member of the city council and superintendent of the city waterworks and in the financial circles of Freewater he took a prominent part as one of three of the or- ganizers of the Bank of Freewater. He belongs to that group of men termed "live wires" and he may always be counted upon to boost any movement which he deems of value in the improvement and development of the community. He is the owner of a fine residence at Harrison and Ward streets, which is one of the attractive places of the valley.
JOSEPH A. STROWBRIDGE, JR.
Joseph A. Strowbridge, Jr., president of the Joseph H. Strowbridge Estate Com- pany of Portland, was born in this city, November 23, 1870, and is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored families of the city. An extended mention is made of his father, Joseph A. Strowbridge, on another page of this work. The son was reared in Portland, passing through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high school pupil. He afterward attended the Portland Business College and was graduated from the law department of the University of Oregon in the class
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of 1896, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. The same year he was admitted to the bar and entered upon active practice in Portland in 1899. For some time, however, his attention has been concentrated upon the management of the estate left by his father, who was the pioneer leather merchant of the city and for many years conducted a prosperous and extensive business under the name of the Joseph A. Strowbridge Leather Company. Moreover, he made large investments in real estate and as Portland grew his property became very valuable. Through the management of the estate left by the father, Joseph A. Strowbridge is now giving his time and attention as the president of a company which has been incorporated to handle the business and the property.
On the 22d of May, 1893, in Portland, Mr. Strowbridge was married to Miss Nellie Maude Blasdel, a daughter of Colonel Sherill W. Blasdel, who was born in New York and became a resident of Portland. The children of this marriage are: Howard B., Francis M., Edith M., Philip M., Elizabeth, Marceil M., Elaine J., and Virginia Starr. The parents are connected with the Christian Science church. Mr. Strowbridge gives his political endorsement to the republican party and he served as deputy clerk of Department No. I under the late Judge E. D. Shaddock from July, 1896, until July, 1899. He then entered upon the practice of law and since that time has not been identified with political office, yet his position upon any vital question is never an equivocal one. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Oregon Consistory, No. 1, A. A. S. R., and he is honorary degree knight com- mander of the Court of Honor. He likewise belongs to Oregon Commandery, No. 1, K. T., and is a member of Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also has mem- bership with the Sons of the American Revolution and belongs to the Press Club. During the World war he served on the legal advisory board. A lifelong resident of Portland he is indeed well known in this city and he bears worthily an honored fam- ily name. The work instituted by his father in early days in the business development of the city and in the promotion of municipal affairs, has been carried forward under different conditions by the son, who in every way is meeting modern-day demands for public service and who as an attorney and as president of the Estate Company has placed himself in a prominent connection with business interests.
THOMAS HOFFMAN WILLIAMS.
Portland has learned to recognize the splendid business ability, the high character, and the all-around characteristics of a sound, safe, and conscientious man, as exem- plified in the life of Thomas Hoffman Williams, who is today a recognized, leader in insurance circles throughout the coast country and who in December, 1916, became secretary-manager of the Pacific State Fire Insurance Company. He was born in Mitchell, Indiana, June 6, 1869, and is the son of Thomas C. Williams, whose birth occurred in Essex, England, in 1840, and who came to the United States in early manhood, settling in the state of New York, where he married Phoebe Ann Webb, also a native of England. They resided in Indiana for a year and then returned to New York and made their home in Poughkeepsie. Subsequently they removed to California and there Thomas C. Williams passed away in 1887, while his wife long survived, de- parting this life in the Golden state in 1912.
Thomas H. Williams acquired his primary education in the schools of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, and was graduated from Pierce College in that city with the class of 1888. He then went with his parents to California and there turned his attention to the fire insurance business, in which he has since continuously engaged, covering a period of almost a third of a century. As the years passed he thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of fire insurance and there are few so well qualified to speak with authority on the subject. In 1916 he came to Portland and in December of the same year was made secretary-manager of the Pacific State Fire Insurance Company. He is one of the most widely known men in connection with insurance interests, for aside from the office already mentioned he is the general agent for the Pacific coast, for the American Equitable Insurance Company of New York, the Knickerbocker Insurance Company of New York, the Manufacturers Insurance Company of America, the Oregon Casualty Company for the State of Oregon, and the London Guarantee and Accident Company of Oregon. His advent into the business community of Portland has certainly been appreciated by his fellow townsmen, who find him thoroughly con-
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versant with every branch of his business, progressive, conscientious and determined and one whose every relation measures up to high standards.
On the 2d of April, 1889, Mr. Williams was married in Oakland, California, to Etta Mabel Prince and to them was born a son, Parish, whose birth occurred January 18, 1892. He was graduated from the University of California in 1914 and belongs to the Phi Gamma Delta and also to the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club of Portland. He is considered one of the finest baritone singers of the world. He has received high endorsement of his musical talents from such well known artists as Schumann- Heink. He has had most favorable comment from the general press and from musi- cal publications as well and his parents feel a justifiable pride in his rank as one of the foremost musical artists of the west.
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