USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 48
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taken prisoner at Holly Springs, Mississippi, but later was released. He continued a resident of Illinois for many years and passed away in 1916.
James Lewis Conley acquired his early education in the schools of his native city and in preparation for a professional career entered the University of Michigan as a law student, being there graduated with the class of 1906. He also spent three years in the literary department of the Michigan University and thus by liberal educa- tional training was well qualified for onerous professional duties. He came to Port- land in 1907, opening a law office in this city, and through the intervening period has made steady progress at the bar, enjoying for many years a large and distinctively representative clientage.
On the 15th of January, 1913, Mr. Conley was married in Portland to Miss Jane Elfrieda Moltzner. He is a member of the University Club and gives his political endorsement to the republican party. During the period of America's connection with the world conflict he served on various war boards and his aid and cooperation at all times can be counted upon to further any interest that is for the benefit of the city, commonwealth or country.
FRANK HENRY WATTS.
Frank Henry Watts, well known in and about The Dalles as the owner and manager of the Watts Marble & Granite Works, whose products are widely distributed through- out the central part of Oregon, was born at Greenbay, Wisconsin, in March, 1872. He is a son of Henry J. and Rebecca (Hall) Watts, the former of whom during his active life was a successful farmer and merchant. The Watts family were residents of Wis- consin for several generations. The Halls were early New England settlers.
Frank Henry Watts was educated partly in Wisconsin and partly in Oregon. While yet a young man, he came to Salem, Oregon, on a visit to his grandparents and decided to make his home here. After living in Salem for several years, he removed to The Dalles in 1894, as agent of the Salem Nursery Company, and here he has made his home ever since. He was engaged for some time as a traveler for the Portland Monument Company, and on ending his connection with that company he established in The Dalles in 1897, the Watts Marble & Granite Works, which he still conducts. Examples of the superior work of his plant are to be found in most of the cemeteries through- out the central part of the state, and his reputation for excellent production is steadily growing. The very handsome stone fountain at the intersection of Third and Wash- ington streets, The Dalles, was turned out at the Watts works.
While Mr. Watts has ever given a good citizen's attention to all matters intended to advance the public welfare, he has never entered political life but has always been ยท an excellent mixer and a booster for the city of his adoption. He has dabbled to some extent in farming and is now the owner of four hundred and eight acres of fine land near The Dalles, twenty-seven acres of which are in orchard, where Royal Anne and Lambert cherries are cultivated in abundance. The remainder of the land is in wheat. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of irrigated meadow land near Bend, Oregon, which is very productive.
In 1910 Mr. Watts was united in marriage to Miss Zeta Stovall, of Baker, whose people are pioneers of Oregon. Her father operated a freight line between Baker and Walla Walla, Washington, before the advent of the railroads. Mr. and Mrs. Watts are the parents of one child, Alicia Nell. Mr. Watts is a member of the Elks lodge, of the Woodmen of the World, and the Knights of Pythias, and in the last named order he has occupied all the chairs and entered the grand lodge, while in the affairs of these several organizations he takes a warm interest.
JUDGE MARTIN L. PIPES.
Judge Martin L. Pipes, attorney at law of Portland, with offices in the Chamber of Commerce building, was born in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, in 1850, his parents being John and Harriet Postell (Shaffer) Pipes. The father was born in Union Parish of Louisiana in 1818 and was married in Ascension Parish to Harriet P. Shaffer, whose birth occurred in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1826. Her father was M. C. Shaffer,
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who was commandant of the Arsenal College, the first of the commandants in the United States. He served in the Indian wars with the rank of major and passed away in Louisiana in 1873. The father of Judge Pipes departed this life in Missouri in 1891, while his mother died in Kansas City in 1900.
The Judge was a pupil in the parisli schools of Louisiana and in 1871 was gradu- ated from the Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge. He afterward took up the study of law, which he pursued for four years, and in 1875 he came to the northwest and for three years was a teacher in the school of Independence, Oregon. He then began practice and is still an active follower of the profession. In 1890 he was ap- pointed by Governor Pennoyer as judge of the second judicial district to fill a vacancy and served upon the bench for two years. Since that time he has confined his efforts and attention to his law practice in Portland, which has become extensive and has con- nected him with much important litigation. He is a man of recognized ability as a member of the bar, having comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and seldom, if ever, is at fault in the application of such principles to the points in litigation. He has also aided in framing the laws of the state, having been a repre- sentative from Polk county in the Oregon legislature in 1880.
On the 1st of November, 1874, in Keatchie, Louisiana, Judge Pipes was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Skipworth, and to them have been born five children: John M .; Wade H .; Nellie B .; George Alfred; and Harriet P., the last named the wife of Arnold Von Ettenger.
Judge Pipes belongs to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon and is the oldest member of the fraternity on the coast, having been identified therewith since 1871. He has mem- bership relations with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Since 1896 he has given his political allegiance to the repub- lican party and in his discussion of political problems gives clear reasoning for the faith that is his. He never lightly regards the duties and obligations of citizenship and his position upon any vital question is never an equivocal one.
CHARLES EDWIN GATES.
Charles Edwin Gates is a splendid example of sheer pluck and natural ability and a striking figure of a self-made American. He is now serving as mayor of Medford and his capability and worth in office are widely acknowledged. He was born in the little town of Monticello, Indiana, in December, 1871, his parents being Jacob and Mary (Hastings) Gates, both of whom were representatives of old pioneer families. His father was engaged in the railroad business and spent thirty-three years of his life in transportation service. When Charles E. Gates was but a youth of tender years, the family removed to Pulaski county, Indiana, and there he obtained a common school education. When but fifteen years of age he taught in a small country school in order to enable him to secure a commercial training in the Hall Business College at Logansport, Indiana. It was not his educational qualifications that secured him the teacher's job at that early age but the recognition on the part of the school directors of the fact that the boy possessed rare executive ability and much self-reliance and as the school had been changing teachers quite often they gave Mr. Gates the chance to see if he could instill into the pupils some degree of obedience to rules. This he emphatically did, at once giving the pupils to understand who was master in the room.
Following his graduation from the business college Mr. Gates decided to become a court reporter and for a brief period was in a law office, but that line of activity failed to appeal to him and he secured employment with the Columbus Construction Company, which at that time was engaged in building a pipe line for natural gas from Greentown to Chicago. Entering the company's office as a clerk Mr. Gates in less than four months had so impressed the managers with his natural ability that he was appointed statistician of the entire line. He remained with the company for eight years, a portion of which time was spent as chief accountant in the Chicago office. For several years afterward he was connected with the Economic Fuel Gas Company and in 1897 became associated with the McIlwaine Richards Gas Well & Supply Company, with which he continued in various capacities until 1901, when he was made general manager of the company's plant at Noblesville, Indiana, and held such responsible posts as president of the Bath Tub Manufacturers Association of
CHARLES E. GATES
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the United States, vice president and chairman of the organization committee of the Soil Pipe Manufacturers Association and other kindred and mammoth business en- terprises. The twelve years which Mr. Gates put in as an active worker in this field so undermined his health as to force his retirement from strenuous duty and in 1912 he came to Oregon seeking rest and health.
Visiting Medford Mr. Gates concluded he could find no better place on the coast and, sending for his family, at once established his home in this city. For a man of his energy and determination something must be doing all the time, so he turned his attention to the automobile business, becoming agent for the Overland cars. Something of his business ability may be seen in the fact that in the first season he sold seventy-seven cars and more than a hundred in the second season. In 1914 he accepted the agency of the Ford Company and since that period has handled only the Ford cars and Fordson tractors. On a prominent corner of the city he has erected a handsome garage and service station of one hundred and forty by one hundred and twenty feet, which is modern in every particular and detail and includes a large display room, accessories store, women's rest room which is fitted up to be of real service to his patrons, one of its many features being cribs for tired infants, repair shop and service station. Nothing has been omitted in the construction of this model garage. Twenty-six persons are employed in the plant, eleven of whom are expert mechanics. While he has developed an important enter- prise in this connection Mr. Gates is also the vice president of the Farmers & Fruit Growers Bank of Medford, and in all things he displays sound business judgment as well as unfaltering enterprise.
Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Leah A. Farnsley, of a well known pio- neer family of Kentucky, and they have become the parents of three children: Eltha Marie, now the wife of J. Wesley Judge of Medford; Laura, the wife of James E. Kerr of Medford; and George E., who is associated with his father in business, the firm name being the C. E. Gates Automobile Company. George E. Gates has a notable war record, having enlisted in 1917. He was sent to Fort Columbia and later to Camp Lewis and in March, 1918, went overseas as a member of Battery E, Sixty-fifth Regiment. He served with that command throughout the period of active duty in France, the close of the war finding him in an officer's training camp In that country. George E. Gates is a Mason, also a Knight of Pythias and an Elk. He was married and has an infant son, George E., Jr., the mother having passed away.
The Masonic fraternity has long enjoyed the stalwart and loyal support of Charles E. Gates, who has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. While in Noblesville, Indiana, he occupied the post of exalted ruler of the Elks lodge and since coming to Medford was made chairman of the Elks building committee, which erected the handsome Elks Club building and is now chairman of its board of trustees. He was chairman of the Red Cross, also chairman of the Council of Defense and chairman of the Liberty Loan drives during the World war. For two terms he has been the president of the Medford Chamber of Commerce and he is now serving for the third term as mayor of Medford, his administration being characterized by a most businesslike and progressive spirit, pro- ductive of splendid results. His religious faith is that of the Presbyteran church and for the past seven years he has been on the church board at Medford. In a word his activities have had to do with all that tends to advance the material, intel- lectual, social, political and moral welfare of the city. His efforts have been a most potent force in producing results highly gratifying, and Medford places him among her most valued residents and names him as a splendid example of American man- hood and chivalry.
THOMAS MILARKEY.
Umatilla county lost another of her early pioneer settlers when Thomas Milarkey passed away on the 13th of January, 1915. He was well known and beloved through- out the community in which he had made his home for a number of years, and Pen- dleton suffered a severe loss in his demise. The success which attended Mr. Milarkey was the result of his own diligence and industry for he started upon his career in this country as a poor boy. He has the distinction of being one of the first freighters in
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this section of the country and he will long be remembered as a leader in agricultural circles.
Thomas Milarkey was born in Galway, Ireland, August 15, 1830, a son of Thomas and Eliza Milarkey. At an early age Mr. Milarkey determined to start life on his own account and hearing of the wonderful opportunities offered in the new world he obtained passage on an old sailing vessel, in due time landing in New York. He went to Washington, D. C., where he remained a short time and in 1849 sailed around the Isthmus to California, following mining at Jamestown for some time. Tiring of this occupation, in which he won a substantial amount of success, he drove across country to Umatilla county and engaged in the freighting business between points in that county and Boise, Idaho. This venture proved profitable from the outset and he operated several different outfits until the railroad was put through this section of the country. Mr. Milarkey then disposed of his business. While in the freighting business Mr. Milarkey had from time to time purchased fine stock and a small stock ranch in the county. The remainder of Mr. Milarkey's time was spent in the conduct of this ranch. In later life he removed to Pendleton, where he retired, owning a beautiful residence there and also some business property. He took an active interest in the affairs of the community, and his death in the eighty-fifth year of his life lost to Pendleton one of her most progressive and able citizens.
The wife of Mr. Milarkey was also a native of Ireland and came to this country with her brother, Michael Ryan, when but a young woman. They crossed the plains to Umatilla county and located and there she met and became the wife of Mr. Milarkey. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Milarkey three children were born: Francis; Elizabeth, who is now Mrs. Joseph Murphy; and Thomas. Mr. Murphy is a well known decorator residing in Pendleton and his home is one of the attractive places of the town, the lawn being made beautiful with flowers and shrubs of all kinds.
When age conferred upon Mr. Milarkey the right of franchise he became a stanch supporter of the democratic party, ever being a firm believer in the principles of that party as factors in good government. Mr. Milarkey was a great lover of horses and he took a great pride in the number of race horses which he owned. As one of the earliest freighters in Umatilla county Mr. Milarkey numbered among his acquaintances Uncle John Haley of Boise, Idaho, one of the acknowledged leaders of the early days. The lots which were purchased by Mr. Milarkey are now situated in the business section of Pendleton and are of much value. His daughter, Mrs. Murphy, is now in possession of them and the beautiful Elks building is built on the corner where the old home stood.
JAMES D. SLATER.
An indefatigable student of the law and one well versed in the detailed knowledge necessary for successful practice along this line is James D. Slater, who has been a prominent attorney of La Grande, Union county, since October, 1884. He is a native of this state, his birth occurring at Corvallis on the 18th of October, 1856, a son of James H. and Edna E. (Gray) Slater, both prominent residents of the community in which they made their home. James H. Slater was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1826, while the mother's birth occurred in East Tennessee in 1835. Their marriage was celebrated at Corvallis, in 1854. In 1849 James H. Slater went to California, set- tling at Feather River, mining there and at various places in California until 1851, when he came to Oregon by boat, landing at Portland, then going to Corvallis, and for some time he was engaged in teaching school near there. He was soon, however, appointed clerk of the United States district court under Judge Williams and while serving with him engaged in the practice of law. In 1860 he owned and edited a newspaper at Corvallis and the year of 1862 he spent in farming near Corvallis. In the winter of 1862-3 he went to the mines, near what is now known as Baker, then mining town of Auburn, arriving there in March, 1863. In the fall he returned to Corvallis, and removing his family to Walla Walla, Washington, he practiced law there until the spring of 1864, when he returned to the mines at Auburn. In July of that year he brought his family to Auburn, making the trip over the Daily road, and having the distinction of being the first man to drive and take a wagon outfit over this highway. He engaged in mining there for some time, enjoying a gratifying amount of success, but on the 5th of January, 1866, he removed to La Grande, Oregon, and en-
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gaged in the practice of law. He soon rose to a position of prominence among the members of his profession, and in November, 1870, he was elected to the lower house of congress, serving in that capacity until March, 1873. He then resumed the prac- tice of his profession until 1878, when he was elected to the United States senate and served until March, 1885. He then practiced law until he received the appointment of railroad commissioner for the state, being one of the first men to hold such office in Oregon. The death of James H. Slater occurred in January, 1899, at the age of seventy-three years, causing a feeling of widespread bereavement to sweep the state in which he was so well known and to which he had rendered much valuable service. Throughout his life he was a stanch supporter of the democratic party, his fraternal affiliation was with the Masons and he was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, His wife and the mother of James D., whose name initiates this review, left her native state of Tennessee when a young woman, coming west with her parents as members of a wagon train in 1853, starting from Tennessee in 1848. The first stop on their journey was made at Arkansas, where they remained until 1853, when they resumed their journey. On reaching Warm Springs, where Vale now is, they took Meeks cutoff to Eugene, Oregon, thence coming to Corvallis, where they took up land and resided for some time. In 1869 they removed to Grand Valley near La Grande and Mr. Gray again took up land. His death occurred when he had lived there but a short time and Mrs. Gray died soon after her husband. Their family continued the operation of the home farm.
James D. Slater has been a resident of La Grande for the greater part of his life. When but seven years of age he left Corvallis for La Grande and there he received his preliminary education. In due time he entered the University of Oregon and deciding to take up law as his life work, he studied with Turner and Cox of Pen- dleton and in the year 1883 attended Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia, graduating from this institution in June, 1884. In October of that year he began the practice of law at La Grande, in which he is still engaged, having built up a large and Incrative practice. As a prominent member of the community he took an active part in the development and improvement of La Grande and his popularity as a citizen was manifest in the fact that he has served the community as mayor and also as city attorney.
In 1888 occurred the marriage of Mr. Slater and Miss Fannie B. Hayes, a daughter of Isaac and Margaret Hayes, natives of New York state. Mrs. Slater is well known in the club and social circles of La Grande and her home is noted for its hospitality.
The political allegiance of Mr. Slater is given to the democratic party, being a firm believer in the principles of this party as factors in good government. He does not hold membership in a large number of fraternal organizations but is an active member of the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Slater has followed in the footsteps of his father and has met with a very gratifying amount of success in the pursuit of his profession. He is an able lawyer; has been a conscientious and high-minded public official; and a worthy, progressive, and liberal man.
ISAAC HAM.
For many years Isaac Ham was one of the oldest and best known river men on the Columbia river, but now retired from that life he is running a garden truck and fruit farm about one-half mile from Milwaukie. He is a native of Illinois, born in that state in 1841, a son of John and Jane (Copeland) Ham. After the death of his parents Captain Ham, as he is commonly known, accompanied his uncle to The Dalles in 1852, thereby becoming a pioneer of Oregon.
On reaching Oregon Captain Ham worked on a farm but soon gave that up to become a river man. He received his license as pilot and as engineer and served in both capacities for many years. During this time he won hosts of friends and admirers and was widely noted for his cheerful, pleasant disposition and his reliability, and for more than half a century enjoyed the confidence and esteem of every vessel owner and river man. In 1908 he determined to spend the rest of his life on shore and he purchased a farm on the edge of the city, one and one-half miles from the post office, where despite his age he raises garden truck and fruits. In the year 1919 his orchard yielded two tons of cherries, one and one-half tons of prunes and a ton of pears. Captain Ham is seventy-nine years of age and this hardy veteran puts in his own crops
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and does his own pruning. His farm is one of the choicest pieces of land in the section in which it is located and is thoroughly drained on all sides.
Much of the captain's success in life is due to the encouragement and cooperation of his wife, who was before her marriage Miss Mary Bacon, a daughter of Jesse Bacon, a farmer of much ability, who enjoyed the high esteem of the community in which he resided. The following children were born to the union of Captain and Mrs. Ham: Ellen, their first daughter, is the wife of Thomas Mayhew and they reside at Portland; George is a resident of Waco, Texas; Clara is the wife of John Wilson of Boise, Idaho; Jane May married Valentine Brown of Portland; and Louis, the last member of the family, is a resident of Oakland, California.
Captain Ham has never been active in politics but fraternally he has been an Odd Fellow for fifty years and has held all the chairs in that lodge and represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. Captain Ham is also a popular and active member of the Oregon Pioneer Society and the Clackamas County Pioneers. Mrs. Ham is a zealous worker in the Baptist church and in all of its societies. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ham are held in high regard by their fellow citizens and have done much toward the improvement of the community in which they reside. They have witnessed many changes in Oregon and Captain Ham is proud of those which have been made on the Columbia river. As one of the pioneer river men he guided many a craft to the Celilo Falls and portaged them beyond, long before the canal was built. He is acquainted with every rock and shoal of the great river from The Dalles to Vancouver. Captain Ham has been an indefatigable worker and diligence and industry have won him place among the prominent men of his county.
EMIL SCHACHT.
Emil Schacht, Portland's pioneer architect, established his office in this city in 1884 and many of the city's most notable public buildings are examples of his handiwork. Mr. Schacht is a native of Denmark. He was born in 1854 and is a representative of one of the oldest families of that country. His father was a large cattle rancher and a highly educated man who contributed many articles to leading farm journals of that country. He passed away when his son Emil was fourteen years old and one of Mr. Schacht's brothers is now residing on the old home place, which has been in pos- session of the family since 1640, the homestead having been remodeled in 1729.
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