USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 4
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HISTORY OF OREGON
to Butte, Montana, and is now branch manager for the company at Billings, that state. This rise in the business world was accomplished in less than three years of service; Robert Leo is a graduate in the Mosier high school; Mildred is a student in the grades. The family is widely and favorably known and the hospitality of the best homes of this section of the state is freely accorded them. Mr. Nichol was very active in all the drives having to do with the World war and served on the committee that put Mosier over the top in the first bond drives, winning for the town the honor banner ahead of the entire twelfth district, which embraced California, Oregon and Washing- ton. Every public enterprise in his section expects and receives his aid in time and money and on no occasion has be been found a slacker. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Modern Woodman. He has never held public office in Oregon, despite many requests of his fellow townsmen that he accept nominations. He says he is a business man and knows nothing about politics nor has he any disposition to take up a new line. He is the owner of an extensive ranch in Deschutes county, where he is breeding and feeding selected cattle. This he manages in addition to his commercial pursuits, which for a number of years have classed him with the leading representatives of mercantile interests in Wasco county. Those who know him-and he has a wide acquaintance-speak of him in terms of high regard and recognize in him a forceful and resourceful man whose well defined plans for his own advancement and for the general good are carried forward to successful completion.
HON. THOMAS E. CAUTHORN.
Benton county long regarded Hon. Thomas E. Cauthorn as one of its most dis- tinguished and valued citizens. He had a wide acquaintance and all who knew him recognized the worth of his character and the value of his contribution to the public good. While almost three decades have been added to the cycle of the century since he passed away he is yet well remembered by those who were his associates and his admirers through his active and well spent life. He was born in Mexico, Missouri, August 31, 1849, and died July 5, 1891. He became a pioneer of the northwest, accom- panying his father and the family to this section of the country when a youth of sixteen years. They arrived in 1865 and came direct to Corvallis, Oregon. In the year 1876 Thomas E. Cauthorn formed a partnership with his father which continued without interruption until 1889, when they sold out. They had conducted a general mer- chandise store at Corvallis, concentrated their efforts and attention upon the further development of the store and built up a trade of very substantial proportions, con- ducting this enterprise until a few months prior to the death of Hon. Thomas E. Cauthorn.
In 1870 Mr. Cauthorn was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jeffreys and they became the parents of three daughters: Mary; Gertrude, now Mrs. Fred Buchanan; and Frankie, now Mrs. Archie C. McIntyre.
Mr. Cauthorn was ever a devoted husband and father and found his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare and comfort of his wife and children and he had the greatest reverence for his parents. He also figured prominently in connection with the public affairs of the state and made valuable contributions to Oregon's progress and advancement. In 1882 he was elected a member of the state senate and so cap- ably served his district and the commonwealth at large that in 1886 he was reelected, remaining a member of the upper house of the Oregon assembly altogether eight years. He was a stalwart champion of the cause of education and served as a member on the committee of education while in the senate and was the recognized leader in legis- lative measures that pertained to the development of the school system of the state. His greatest work was done perhaps in his connection with the agricultural college. In 1886 when the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, surrendered control of the college to the state, he secured the location of the school in Benton county, the bill passing both houses. He then began the work which will ever leave his name with the upbuilding of this great institution. He became treasurer of the board of regents and chairman of the executive committee and in every possible way contributed to the upbuilding of the college from its earliest organization as a state school until it became one of the strong agricultural colleges of the northwest. It was he who a few months before his death went before the legislature and made a speech for an appropriation to build a hall for the boys and got twenty-five thousand dollars. This hall was built and named Cauthorn Hall in honor of him. It is a
HON. THOMAS E. CAUTHORN
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HISTORY OF OREGON
recognized fact that no man has done more in this field to upbuild this institution and the value of his service is immeasurable. Mr. Cauthorn was, nevertheless, a home man, finding his greatest happiness at his own fireside. However, he was of most generous spirit and among the poor and needy are many who had reason to call him friend. He never sought the reward of public acknowledgment of his kindness but gave his benefactions quietly and unostentatiously. When he passed away one of the local papers said of him: "A respected citizen has gone from earth and his spirit has crossed the deep river to receive the highest reward of his Maker. How proud must a man be when death is approaching to know that he has done his duty toward his parents, his family, his friends and the public. Such was the life of this departed son and in his death not only Benton county but the whole state has lost a most useful citizen. Though but a young man he has accomplished many things of both public and private importance and it will be hard to fill the place of this active and honored man." He was laid to rest under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, having been a member of Corvallis Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M. at Corvallis. He al- ways most faithfully adhered to the teachings of the fraternity concerning the brother- hood of man and the obligations thereby imposed and such were his sterling traits of character as exemplified in private and public life and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
ARTHUR J. KINGSLEY.
It has often been said that death loves a shining mark and the truth of this saying was never more evident than when Arthur J. Kingsley of Portland passed away. He had long been a most prominent figure in the city because of his activity in manu- facturing circles and his devotion to all civic interests. Many tangible evidences of his creative power for the city's benefit and upbuilding can be cited and at the time of his death he was active in directing the Manufacturers' and Land Products Show and was chairman of the manufacturers' bureau of the Chamber of Commerce. He gave his life for the spirit of progress and advancement just as truly as the soldiers who died on the battle fields of France, for he worked for the upbuilding of Oregon when he knew that his health demanded absolute rest and quiet. The story of his life con- tains much of inspirational value. He was born at Kingsley, Michigan, February 25, 1874, a son of Judson W. and Esther (Warren) Kingsley, the former a native of Wis- consin and the latter of New York. He spent his early life in his native state, where he acquired a common school education and when yet a lad in years he began provid- ing for his own support as an employe of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. He spent a few years in that connection and then became an employe of the Grand Ledge Chair Company, with which he remained for a period of eight years. At length, having acquired comprehensive knowledge of every phase of the business he determind to start out independently and leaving Michigan in the summer of 1906 he came to Portland, where he organized the Oregon Chair Company. He was the pioneer in this field and up to this time all trade of the kind had been conducted with eastern firms, so that Mr. Kingsley had to overcome custom and prejudice in establishing his business. He persevered, however, and his industry, determination, fair and honorable methods and his progressiveness at length brought their reward, and today the business of the Oregon Chair Company stands as a monument to the energy and ability of Mr. Kingsley. The business was begun with but thirty-five employes and ere his death this number had been increased to one hundred and fifteen. Forced to create its own market and compete with big eastern manufacturers, the concern that he founded nevertheless won recognition in the industrial world and became one of the leading enterprises of the kind in the west. In fact the plant is the only one turning out high grade chairs and is the largest enterprise of this character on the Pacific coast. Mr. Kingsley was dis- couraged in his attempt by the leading business men of Portland, yet notwithstanding this he made a wonderful success of the business. He found it necessary to ship much of the hardwood timber which he used from Japan. While he was still with the Michigan furniture house he predicted that the Michigan manufacturers would eventually have to come to the west coast to manufacture furniture and he became a pioneer in this movement, which he saw ultimately must be brought about. The business was cap- italized for seventy-five thousand dollars and after the first few months of discourage- ment it became a growing venture which steadily developed until its ramifying trade
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HISTORY OF OREGON
interests reached over a great section of the western territory and Portland has long been most proud of the enterprise which he built up and which became one of the most important productive industries of the city.
In 1897 Mr. Kingsley was united in marriage to Miss Daisy M. Anderson, a daughter of H. N. and Sarah (Conusman) Anderson, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley had one daughter, Frances A., who is at home with her mother.
Fraternally, Mr. Kingsley was connected with the Knights of Pythias. In his political views he maintained a liberal course, supporting men and measures rather than party, yet he was a close student of the vital questions and issues of the day and no man more fully recognized or met the duties and obligations of citizenship. He was promi- nent in all movements to promote the civic welfare of Portland and before the present Chamber of Commerce was formed he served as the president of the Oregon Manu- facturers' Association, which was merged with the new Chamber in the spring of 1915. He was a most earnest worker in the campaign to organize the new Chamber and when this was successfully accomplished he was elected chairman of the industries and manu- facturers bureau. On account of his unselfish devotion to the Oregon manufacturing industry and his firm belief in the future progress of the state, he was naturally selected as the president of the Manufacturers' and Land Products Show, which he developed to a point of notable success and which opened in the week preceding his death. After the work in connection with the exposition was begun he gave almost his entire time to its affairs and that it might be conducted at a minimum cost he performed personally much of the work that otherwise might have been done by subordinates. When the fair opened there were two hundred different manufactories of the state and twenty- three counties represented in a fine exhibit of land and industrial products. His last public utterance was made in the Chamber of Commerce Bulletin, in which he sent out the following message: "The unprecedented success of the second annual Manufac- turers' and Land Products Show has been made possible by your splendid cooperation. You have realized how vitally important is a proper presentation of the products of our fields and farms, our forests and streams and of our factories and stores. Realizing this you have neglected your own individual interests to put your shoulders to the wheel for the common good. Our big ranchers, our most successful farmers, men at the head of big industries and corporations, artists and publications, together with their assistants and staffs, have neglected their own private interests to give cheerfully of their time and services, at my request, to make this the unqualified success it has proven. I wish that it were possible to grasp each one of you by the hand and person- ally to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this splendid cooperation. But this is physically impossible, because thousands have helped, and without your help the efforts of the men who have devoted weeks of hard work would have been without avail. Accept this message as my personal thanks to you. If you have not yet seen the exhibits, be sure to do so. It is your show, given for and by the people of this great empire of the Pacific northwest, for the purpose of bringing the producers and con- sumers closer together, to arrive at a better understanding, to provide more comforts at less cost, and I know that after this show has become history these objects will have reached a greater and more comprehensive realization. Believe me, I thank you for your help and cooperation."
When he passed on, November 2, 1915, the president of the Chamber of Commerce said: "He was one of our most valuable members and we shall feel his loss keenly. We all loved him very dearly. His untiring efforts have accomplished much for the betterment of civic and business conditions in Portland." The Chamber of Commerce as an organization passed the following resolutions:
"Whereas, the sudden death of Arthur J. Kingsley comes as a shock to the members of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, and
"Whereas, the loyalty and devotion of Arthur J. Kingsley to the work of the Cham- ber has endeared him to us all, and
"Whereas, the state of Oregon and the city of Portland have suffered an irreparable loss in the passing of one whose life was largely dedicated to a broad development of the resources of our state; therefore be it
"Resolved, That the directors of the Portland Chamber of Commerce have heard with deep sorrow of the death of their esteemed co-director, Arthur J. Kingsley, and be it
"Resolved, That the board of directors of the Portland Chamber of Commerce attend the funeral of the deceased, and be it
"Resolved, That the business of the Chamber of Commerce be suspended during
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HISTORY OF OREGON
the funeral of the deceased, and likewise the Manufacturers' and Land Products Show, as a tribute to the memory of Arthur J. Kingsley, its president, and be it
"Resolved, That the secretary of the Chamber communicate these resolutions to the members of the Chamber at large, and that an engrossed copy thereof be sent to the family of the deceased with our heartfelt sympathies in this, their deep hour of be- reavement, and be it
"Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to our deceased board member, we do now adjourn."
Mr. Kingsley was fond of motoring and found great happiness when with his family and took long automobile trips through the beautiful scenic districts of the west. He was a dynamic force in business and his labors were ever a resultant factor in the advance- ment of public good; but the best traits of his character were reserved for his own home and fireside and he counted no personal effort nor sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare and happiness of his family.
C. W. CORNELIUS, M. D.
Dr. C. W. Cornelius, a native son of Oregon, was for many years engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Portland, gaining a position of distinction in the ranks of his profession. He was born October 13, 1856, on his parents' donation land claim in Washington county, on what is known as the Cornelius Plains, He is a grand- son of Benjamin Cornelius, formerly of Jasper county, Missouri, who left Independence, that state, joining a train of two hundred and fifty persons, organized under the cap- taincy of Lawrence Hall, thirty wagons being used to convey the party. The grand. father was accompanied by his wife and ten children, and leaving Independence on the 2d of April, 1845, they proceeded to Fort Hall, Idaho. Before reaching Fort Boise they fell in with Captain Totheroe's company of thirty-six wagons and journeyed on to Malheur, where, following the advice of Stephen Meek, who had devoted his time to trapping between the Rocky mountains and the Pacific ocean, they departed from the regular course, going by the route which has since become known in history as Meek's cut-off. The trapper declared the route to be much shorter and also assured them that it led through a beautiful country, where grass and fresh water were plenti- ful. He seemed so familiar with the route that a portion of the number determined to follow him, thinking to shorten the journey. Among these were the Cornelius and Mckinney families. They struck off south of the Blue mountains, expecting soon to reach The Dalles. It was not long, however, before it became apparent that the leader knew nothing of the country. Nevertheless they pressed on but within a fortnight they found themselves in a dry and barren region. Their supplies were fast becoming exhausted and sickness now broke out among the number, carrying off many of the party. After a while they had a funeral at every camp, and then over the newly made graves campfires were built, and later the wagons and teams were driven over them so that the Indians might not know the resting-place of their dead. Their cattle had to be sacrificed for food, but at length through an advance party relief was brought to them from The Dalles. Eventually they reached the head of navigation of the Columbia river, but death had marked their route all along the way. From that point they proceeded to the Willamette valley and the Cornelius family settled on what subse- quently became known as the Cornelius Plains in Washington county. There were ten children in the family, several of whom had already reached adult age, and all preempted land. Thus the Cornelius family became owners of a very extensive tract in that vicinity.
The family included Benjamin Cornelius, Jr., father of Dr. Cornelius, who was a youth of fourteen when they reached Oregon. In 1845 he became a victim of the gold fever, so prevalent at that time, and ran away to California, but after a year's absence returned to his old home. In 1851 he married Rachel McKinney, whose ancestors were of Revolutionary fame and who with her parents, William and Anna Mckinney, had also accompanied the Meek contingency on the way to Oregon in 1845. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm adjoining the old homestead. In 1855 Mr. Cornelius, with a company of volunteers under command of Colonel T. R. Cornelius, his brother, participated in the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856. In 1870 Benjamin Cor- nelius, Jr., removed with his family to Forest Grove for the purpose of educating the children. There Mr. Cornelius engaged in loaning money and in speculating, up to
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the time of his death, which occurred in 1880, while his wife passed away February 22, 1918.
Dr. Cornelius, the second of the family, supplemented his early school training by an academic course in Pacific University. In 1877 he began the study of medicine with Dr. F. A. Bailey in Hillsboro, but in 1879 he removed to Spokane, Washington, where he erected a drug store-the third business house in that embryo city-and there engaged in the drug business for eighteen months. He then sold out and returned to Portland, once more taking up his medical studies. Entering Willamette University, he there remained for two terms as a medical student, after which he purchased a well established drug business, which he conducted until 1885, when he sold out and removed to San Francisco, California. He was for two years lessee and manager of one of the leading theaters of that city, at the end of which time he disposed of his interests there to engage in mining in southern Oregon. Not meeting with success in that venture he returned to Portland and entered the medical department of the Oregon State University, from which he was graduated in 1889. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with Dr. H. R. Littlefield and began active practice in Portland. In 1894 Dr. Cornelius was elected coroner of Multnomah county on the republican ticket by an overwhelming majority and served in that capacity most acceptably for two years. He went to Alaska in 1898, at the time of the first gold excitement in that country, arriving in Skagway just as the epidemic of spinal meningitis broke out, and so successfully did he handle the disease that the constant demand for his services resulted in the breaking down of his health, and he was glad to return to Portland. He was identified in Skagway with the famous murder case of Soapy Smith, being the physician in charge of Smith's autopsy at the inquest, and he also attended Frank Read, the sheriff shot by Smith, up to the time of his death.
Since retiring from practice Dr. Cornelius has devoted much time to real estate oper- ations and investments. In 1906 and 1907 he erected the Cornelius hotel, which was opened May 1, 1907, and this he has since conducted. It is one of the leading hostelries of the city, containing one hundred rooms, and is patronized at all times to its full capacity. Dr. Cornelius is the owner of much valuable property here. He has a beau- tiful farm at Troutdale, where he spends most of his time. In fact the overseeing of this farm is his only occupation at present. He is a man of judgment and is able to draw logical and correct conclusions as to the future conditions in real estate. Frater- nally he is identified with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, also belonging to Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Artisans and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a charter member of the last named organization and a member of the Grand Lodge. He also has membership relations with the Oregon Historical Society, the Sons and Daughters of Indian War Veterans, the Realty Board, the Ad Club and Auld Lang Syne and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Dr. Cornelius resides at No. 718 Wayne street, where his two sisters, Mrs. S. C. Van Horn and Miss Tillie F. Cornelius, and an adopted boy, Harry Cornelius, live with him. Dr. Cornelius gets much pleasure out of life and at the same time is never neglectful of business affairs nor unmindful of his obligations and responsibilities as a citizen. In fact the interests of his life are well balanced and his is indeed a well rounded character. As a physician and as a business man he has been very successful and Portland numbers him among her substantial and representative citizens.
PETER JOHN BRIX.
Peter John Brix, of Portland, has become eminently successful as a lumberman and business man. Emigrating to America and settling in the deep woods of the Grays River country with his parents and family, he began when just a boy to do the thing his hands found to do-namely roll logs into the river. From the crude methods of the early days he has advanced and by his hard work, strict integrity and thorough reliability has become a successful lumberman and a prominent figure in business circles in Oregon. He was born in Germany in 1870, a son of Peter F. and Maria (Andresen) Brix, who were also natives of that country. The father was born in 1835 and in the year 1880 made his way to the United States with his family, settling at Grays River, Washington. There the son was reared and attended the public schools, while later he was for a short time a student in an academy in Olympia, Washington.
12C5989
PETER J. BRIX
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HISTORY OF OREGON
He became actively engaged in the logging business in that state in 1895 and still retains his interests there. In 1902 he removed to Astoria, Oregon, and in 1918 be- came a resident of Portland. In the previous year, upon the organization of the Wilson Shipbuilding Company, he was elected to the presidency and is at the head of the corporation at the present time. He is also a director in the Astoria (Ore.) Savings Bank. His experiences in connection with the logging and lumber business have been of the broadest possible character and it is said that he is exceedingly clever in the operation of the mechanical end of the business. He has always led a most strenuous life and the thoroughness of his work, his indefatigable energy, his close application and his most reliable and progressive business methods have con- stituted the salient features in his growing success. During the period of the World war he got out a large amount of spruce in Oregon for war purposes in addition to building ships for the United States.
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