USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 40
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HISTORY OF OREGON
In August, 1876, Dr. Gillespie was united in marriage to Miss Philomen Gratton, a daughter of Felix and Angele (Goulet) Gratton who were natives of Canada but came to Oregon in 1865. Dr. and Mrs. Gillespie became the parents of two daughters: Pearl, who is now the widow of Cecil R. Watson, by whom she had one daughter, Lucia; and Lucia A., who is the wife of Dr. Joseph A. Applewhite of Portland.
The death of Dr. Gillespie occurred on the 30th of June, 1920. He was the loved family physician in many households of Portland and his professional ability and per- sonal worth gained for him the high respect and regard of all with whom he came into contact. He was a member of Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also of the United Artisans, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in Masonry he took the degrees of the Scottish Rite. His political allegiance was given the republican party and his religious belief was manifest in his member- ship in St. David's Episcopal church. His life was ever actuated by high and honor- able principles and was of great worth to his fellowmen, who esteemed him for his many manly qualities and honored him for his professional acquirements.
FRANK SALING.
For many years a prominent and successful farmer in Umatilla county, Frank Saling is now living in Pendleton, but still manages and works his ranch. Like a number of enterprising citizens here, Mr. Saling is one of Oregon's sons by adoption, his birth having occurred seven miles east of Walla Walla, Washington, on the 30th of May, 1865, a son of Isham E. and Malinda (Morton) Saling.
Isham Emory Saling, the father of Frank Saling, was for many years one of the representative citizens of Umatilla county. He was born in Monroe county, Missouri, October 31, 1830, and was a son of George and Sarah (Snow) Saling. His early life was spent in Monroe county, where he received his education and in 1851 he came west as a member of a wagon train, and on reaching a point on Snake river he fol- lowed the river for some miles. He traded his oxen for horses and resumed his journey to Jacksonville. He remained there but a short time and then removed to Yamhill county, where he rented land on which he resided until 1859 when he went to Walla Walla county, Washington, and took up a homestead seven miles east from Walla Walla. He built a log house on this land, otherwise improved it, and resided there for a period of fifteen years. In 1874 he moved into Weston, Oregon, established a mer- cantile business and continued it for a number of years. He was a partner of I. T. Reese who moved away some time later and Mr. Saling closed out his business and retired. Isham E. Saling then retired from active life and his death occurred in 1905, at the age of seventy-five years, after a long and useful life. His political allegiance was always given to the republican party. On the 9th of October, 1856, occurred the marriage of Isham Saling and Miss Malinda Morton, a daughter of William and Kath- erine (Sisler) Morton, and a native of Virginia. William Morton was a native of Virginia, while his wife was born in Maryland, but their marriage occurred in the former state. In 1852 they crossed the plains as members of a wagon train and after numerous Indian scares they finally arrived in Portland, Oregon, where they stopped for a short time. They subsequently removed to McMinnville, Yamhill county, and there took up a homestead which the father later sold, removing to Yakima, where he entered the stock business. The demise of both parents occurred at Yakima, where they were well known and prominent citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Isham E. Saling were the parents of eight living children: Cora A .; Martha J .; Frank, whose name initiates this review; Edwin; Ida; Emaline; Herman; and Ralph.
Frank Saling spent his early boyhood in Walla Walla county, Washington, and in 1874 removed to Weston, Umatilla county, with his parents and there received his educa- tion. At the age of eighteen years he put his textbooks aside and engaged in the stock business in which he continued for twenty-one years, P. A. Worthington being interested with him. For a number of years they conducted this business, building up a large trade, but in 1904 Mr. Saling was elected county clerk of Umatilla county and served in this office for a period of twelve and one-half years. He had removed to Pendleton in 1904 and bought a home on Main street, which he later sold, purchasing the home in which he now resides. On the expiration of his term as county clerk he removed to one of his farms at Stanfield and operated this land for one year. He then returned
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to Pendleton, selling the farm at Stanfield, having previously purchased a sixteen hundred acre tract in Morrow county.
In 1892 Mr. Saling was married to Miss Vashti Morse, a daughter of Stephen L. and Minerva (Hopper) Morse, and a native of Pendleton. Her father was born in Maine and her mother in Indiana. For some time Mr. Morse made his home in Minneapolis and in 1849 crossed the plains in a wagon train. During this trip the train was attacked hy Indians and all members of the party were killed with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Morse and family. In 1864 they settled in California and later Mr. Morse took up a homestead on the edge of Pendleton at the time when that now progressive town con- sisted of hut two houses and a hotel. Mr. Morse became a stockman of note and served as deputy United States marshal for a number of years. He conducted a livery stable in Pendleton successfully for a number of years, retiring but a few years before his death. Mrs. Morse is still living at the advanced age of eighty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Saling have been born four children: Francis, Muriel, Olney, and Lucile.
Mr. Saling is a republican in politics, stanchly supporting all measures and inter- ests which he deems of value in the upbuilding of community and commonwealth. His fraternal connections are with the Masons, of which he is a member of the Mystic Shrine, the Elks and Knights of Pythias. Mr. Saling has led a life of diligence and industry and as the result of his close application and unfaltering industry he has become one of the most prosperous and highly respected men of his district.
THEODORE GEORGE HETU.
Dr. Hetu is the son of Tonzer and Catherine (Gafford) Hetu, both natives of France who settled in Quebec, Canada, more than sixty years ago and engaged in farming. He was born in Montreal in 1877 and educated in his native city. While still very young he obtained work in a dental laboratory and learned the business of making plates for a firm patronized largely by practicing dentists. His knowledge of the English language was still very slight when he came to Oregon in 1909, but by assiduous study under the instruction of private tutors he soon acquired sufficient fluency to enable him to take up the study of dentistry. He entered the North Pacific Dental College at Portland and graduated in 1914 with the degree of D. D. S.
In 1915 Dr. Hetu took up his practice in Beaverton. A specialist in plate and bridge work, his renown has brought patients to him from all over that part of the state.
In 1898 Dr. Hetu was married at Montreal to Eisda Desseuex, a native of Quebec. Their children are: Irene, Evon Leona, and Theodore, Jr., who are students in the Beaverton schools and all are possessed of marked musical talent, the eldest daughter being an accomplished pianist and the second daughter a violinist. Mrs. Hetu is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and is active in all of its societies. Dr. Hetu is an Odd Fellow and a Modern Woodman, as well as a member of the State Dental Society and of the American Dental Association. Both as a man and as a citizen Dr. Hetu holds a high place in the community.
LEVI GILBERT ROSS, M. D.
Dr. Levi Gilbert Ross, physician and surgeon, who for many years has acted as city and county health officer, was born in October, 1879, in Avon, Wisconsin. His father, William M. Ross, though not a pioneer of Oregon's early days, was certainly a pioneer in the commercial growth of the state. He located in St. Helens in 1905 and organized the Columbia County Bank the following year. He was elected its president and served in this capacity until his death in 1916. Under his guidance the bank, now the oldest in the county, prospered and during his incumbency as president the pres- ent handsome bank building was erected. Next to the County courthouse it is the most attractive block in the city and is built entirely of St. Helens rock.
Dr. Ross began his education in the grade schools of Janesville, Wisconsin. Later he worked his way through college, graduating from the Northwestern Medical Univer- sity in 1907, with the degree of M. D., and came immediately to Oregon. Determining not to be a burden to his parents while obtaining his medical education, he worked at
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various jobs to obtain the necessary funds. He taught in the State Industrial School, served as a waiter during vacations, and for one year served under the railroad sur- geon in the construction camps at Huntington. Later he served at the Good Samari- tan Hospital, where he met the charming young woman who later became his wife. Since coming to St. Helens Dr. Ross has through his ability as a physician advanced to the very forefront of his profession, while as a citizen his record is as good as his professional standing. He attempted to enter the medical corps for war service but was debarred by the government's decision to decline enlistments from all health officers, on the ground that their services were needed at home. Devoting his efforts solely to his profession, he has steadily declined to hold public office and has built up a very large practice in this section. Dr. Ross specializes in gynecology and obstetrics and has attained fame in that branch of medical science.
During his work at the Good Samaritan Hospital Dr. Ross became acquainted with Miss Vena E. Shaffer, a native of Ohio, who was taking the trained nurse's course in the hospital. They were married in 1911, and have become the parents of one child: John Morse, named after the distinguished inventor of the telegraph, who is one of his forbears.
Dr. and Mrs. Ross are both prominent in social and club circles in the city. Dur- ing the war Mrs. Ross organized a class in nursing and instructed a number of young women for war service. Dr. Ross was the physical examiner of all enlistments and county chairman of the Red Cross drives. He is a director of the Columbia County Bank and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school and prominent in church and social affairs. Fraternally Dr. Ross is a Mason and holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. He is a man of high personal worth as well as marked profes- sional ability.
GEORGE ULYSSES HELBIG.
George Ulysses Helbig was born in Salem, Indiana, on the 21st of January, 1870. His parents, Andrew S. and Amanda (Nuckols) Helbig, were natives of the same state. At the age of nineteen years the father joined the Union army and served in the Civil war for a period of four years. He is still living, enjoying good health, and follows his trade of shoemaker in the home town.
George Ulysses Helbig received his education in the common schools of Newton, Indiana, and at the Valparaiso Normal College. After leaving school he took up farm- ing and was active along that line until 1906, when as the result of impaired health he went to Colorado, where he sought an outdoor life as a rural mail carrier in the San Luis valley for two years. Failing to note any great improvement in his health he, among others of the San Luis valley residents, came to Oregon in 1909 and settled in Garden valley, Douglas county, on a farm where he remained, tilling the soil, until 1917. When his former good health returned he moved into Roseburg and established himself in the real estate and insurance business, a line he continues. He devotes his time to the sale of ranch homes, city property and stock ranches and is the represen- tative of such standard fire insurance companies as the Home, Royal Exchange, Pro- tection Underwriters, Westchester, and Globe and Rutgers. He likewise writes auto- mobile and plate glass insurance. By strict adherence to the best business principles and eschewing all speculation he has built up a flourishing business and has won a reputation as one of Roseburg's best business men and most representative citizens.
In Indiana in 1894 occurred the marriage of Mr. Helbig and Esther Lorraine Ogle, a daughter of Samuel T. Ogle, of a pioneer family of that state. Two children have been born to their union: Clinton Leroy and Verne Virgil. The older son volunteered his services in the World war and was sent to France as a member of the Three Hundred and Eighteenth Engineers. He served for nearly two years in Europe as a member of the American Expeditionary Forces and the Army of Occupation and as the result of much exposure he contracted tuberculosis. Upon returning to this coun- try he was sent to the Pierce Sanitarium at Portland, where he remained until Feb- ruary, 1921, when he was removed to the Base Hospital at Palo Alto, California, where he is rapidly regaining his health. Virgil leans toward engineering and is a fire- man on the Southern Pacific Railroad.
In fraternal circles Mr. Helbig is well known as a Mason of high standing, being
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a Knights Templar and Shriner. He is past high priest of the chapter and is now treasurer of his commandery. The religious faith of the family is that of the Metho- dist church. Mrs. Helbig, like her husband, is popular in social and fraternal circles, being a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the Eastern Star and a daughter of the Nile. Both Mr. and Mrs. Helbig are enthusiastic in their love of Oregon and both are foremost in every movement for the development and improve- ment of Roseburg and Douglas county.
ASA B. THOMSON.
Asa B. Thomson, mayor of Echo, proprietor of the Echo Garage and a farmer, is a native son of Oregon, his birth having occurred at Pendleton, Umatilla county, July 15, 1870, a son of Oscar and Almira (Atwood) Thomson. The father was born in Fayette, Missouri, and the mother in Iowa. When but twenty years of age Oscar Thomson came west as a member of a wagon train and after engaging in mining for some time in Sacramento valley and British Columbia, he bought a pack train and came to Oregon, locating at Umatilla. Soon after his arrival there he sold the train . and engaged in the forwarding commission business with R. N. Stanfield. Subse- quently he was elected to the office of sheriff and the office was moved to Pendleton. For eight years he was active in this connection and then purchased a ranch on Butter creek, twelve miles west of Echo, consisting of six hundred acres. He moved a house from Umatilla to his ranch and there he resided until his death in 1914, at the age of seventy-two years. He had been married in Umatilla county to Almira Atwood, who had crossed the plains when but twelve years of age with her parents, who had first located in Umatilla and later on Butter creek, where they resided until death. Mr. Thomson gave his political support to the democratic party. Fraternally he was a Mason and his religious faith was that of the South Methodist Episcopal church.
Asa B. Thomson spent his boyhood days on the ranch at Butter creek and re- ceived his early education in the country schools in that vicinity. Later he took a business course in a Portland business college and in connection with E. V. Evans ran sheep in Morrow county for five years. He then sold his interests to C. B. Wade and purchased a ranch of four hundred and twenty acres on Butter creek, which he suc- cessfully operated until 1910, when he removed to Echo and built the Eastern Oregon Independent Telephone Company. Five years ago he sold to the Pacific States Tele- phone Company and then erected his present garage, one hundred by one hundred and forty feet and one of the finest in the state. Mr. Thomson is also interested in the agricultural development of the county and has extensive land interests in the Teal irrigation district. As a prominent and representative citizen he was chosen to repre- sent Umatilla and Morrow counties in the twenty-first session of the state legislature in 1900, and is now holding the position of mayor of Echo and was for a short time receiver of public moneys in the land office at La Grande, Oregon.
On February 28, 1897, Mr. Thomson was married to Miss Carrie Stanfield, a daugh- ter of Orien N. and Hattie T. (Townsend) Stanfield, and a native of Umatilla county. To them one child, Elna May, has been born.
The political allegiance of Mr. Thomson is given to the republican party and his fraternal connection is with the Masons, in which order he has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is an intelligent, broadminded and active man, well versed in all matters pertaining to his various occupations, able in politics, capable in business and well beloved by his many friends.
ORLANDO W. DAVIDSON.
Orlando W. Davidson, engaged in the general insurance business in Portland for a period of thirteen years, was born in Monticello, Iowa, April 30, 1876. His father, James Davidson, was a native of Sandusky, Ohio, born in 1836, and at the time of the Civil war entered the Union army from Illinois in 1861 as a member of the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and later served on the staff of General Sweeney until the close of the war. He was severely wounded in the battle of Shiloh at which time he was promoted to the rank of captain. After the war he filled the position of post-
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master at Monticello, Iowa, for seventeen years and also conducted a newspaper there. He had previously been married in Ohio to Miss Adaliza Dean and subsequent to the Civil war they removed to Iowa, where the father continued to reside until called to his final rest, his death occurring in 1890. His widow survives and is now living in Gary, Indiana.
Orlando W. Davidson was a pupil in the high schools of Chicago, Illinois, and of Hammond, Indiana, and also attended the Beloit (Wis.) College. After leaving the latter institution he came to the northwest in 1907, settling first at Seattle, Washing- ton, but in 1908 removed to Portland, where he has since maintained an insurance office, conducting a general insurance business which through the intervening period has steadily grown and developed until it is now of substantial and gratifying proportions. His official position is that of vice president of the firm of Seeley & Company, general agents in ten states for ten insurance companies.
On the 23d of April, 1903, in Jackson, Tennessee, Mr. Davidson was united in mar- riage to Miss Florence R. Nowland, a daughter of John Nowland, and they have become the parents of two children: Helen Dean and Orlando Raymond, the latter born Sep- tember 4, 1912.
During the World war Mr. Davidson took active interest in supporting many projects for the benefit of the government and the interests of the soldiers in camp and field. He was the state campaign director of Oregon for the second Y. M. C. A. campaign and also for the United War Work campaign. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and fraternally he is a Master Mason. He takes a prominent part in the work of the Westminster Presbyterian church, of which he has long been a faithful representative and in which he is now serving as elder. He has keen appre- ciation for the social amenities of life and his genial nature and unfeigned cordiality have made for popularity in the various clubs and social organizations to which he belongs. He has membership in the Arlington, Portland Golf, Ad, Progressive Busi- ness Men's, Irvington and City Clubs of Portland and also in the Chamber of Commerce. Thirteen years' residence has brought him a wide acquaintance in Portland and wher- ever he is known he is spoken of in terms of warm regard.
HENRY W. COLLINS.
Connected with many important business projects in Pendleton and throughout the state, Henry W. Collins is acknowledged a representative citizen and one of the most successful business men in Umatilla county. He is a native son of Oregon, his birth having occurred at Hillsboro, on the 20th of April, 1884, a son of Manilion and Inez L. (Goodell) Collins.
The education of Henry W. Collins was received in the common schools of Hills- boro and in due time he entered Puget Sound University in Tacoma, Washington. He went to Mankato, Minnesota, where he took a business course and after completing the course he was in the employ of the Hubbard Milling Company, and then came to Pendleton, where he accepted a position as bookkeeper for Balfour, Guthrie & Company. His rise was so rapid in this connection that he was soon manager, and later bought out the firm. His success in this line seemed assured from the start and formed a sound basis from which he made other ventures. He purchased the interests of Kerr-Gifford & Company in Umatilla county, with head offices in Pendleton, and he is now complet- ing a three hundred thousand dollar flour mill there. He owns numerous grain eleva- tors throughout the community and also has a warehouse system. His grain business has grown to such immense proportions that he maintains offices in the Lewis build- ing at Portland and also in Walla Walla. Mr. Collins is the president and principal stockholder in the Alexander Department Store in Pendleton, conceded to be one of the representative business interests of that town, and in financial circles he is like- wise prominent, being a director and stockholder in the American National Bank. Agricultural pursuits lay claim to a part of Mr. Collins' time, for in partnership with Elmer Moore and W. R. Wyrick, he operates fifteen thousand acres of wheat land. His business ability is readily recognized in Portland, he is known as a live wire in his home town, and his associates are all young business men with the same inclina- tions.
In 1913 occurred the marriage of Mr. Collins to Miss Bertha Alexander, a daughter of R. L. and Pauline (Eppinger) Alexander. She was born and reared in Pendleton,
HENRY W. COLLINS
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and takes a prominent part in the social and club life of that place. One daughter, Catheryn, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Collins.
Mr. Collins is a republican in politics, stanchly supporting all measures and inter- ests which he deems of value in the upbuilding of community and commonwealth. His fraternal affiliations are with the Elks and Odd Fellows, and he is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias. He appreciates the social amenities of life and he has given to the Rod and Gun Club for their shoots that portion of land known as Collins Park. He was for years an energetic and industrious member of the round-up board. is now its president, elected in 1920, and he is always keenly interested in the affairs of town and county. Mr. Collins was ever ambitious to make a start in the business world and his affairs have been most carefully conducted. As a man of keen business sagacity and marked enterprise he has been able to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential in the conduct of his interests, and his success is the direct out- come of persistent and earnest labor. His whole-souled interest in his work has re- warded him with more than a substantial amount of success, and he is a man any community would be proud to claim as a citizen.
CARL DELMAR CHRISTENSEN.
Carl Delmar Christensen, who has won success in the general practice of law in Portland, was born on a farm near Carlton, Oregon, September 22, 1883, his parents being Peter and Dorothy Christensen, who were married in Denmark. The father was born in 1847 and came with his wife to the United States, making his way to Oregon in 1880. He was a farmer by occupation but has now retired from the active work of the fields and he and his wife are residing near Oregon City.
Carl D. Christensen was reared on a farm, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. After attending the country schools he became a student in the Davis Academy at Oregon City, where he pursued a two years' course and in 1903 was graduated from the Port- land Business College. He then entered the office of the county clerk of Multnomah county in 1904, in the capacity of deputy, and there remained until 1912. While dis- charging the duties of that position he devoted his leisure hours to the study of law and in 1909 was graduated from the law department of the University of Oregon. In the same year he was admitted to the bar of the state and to the federal courts and has since continued in the general practice of law, making a creditable position for himself through hard work, close application and devotion to the interests of his clients.
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