USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
Their son, William Jane, acquired his education in Clifton, England. In early man- hood he was articled to Thomas Shackleton Pope, surveyor of the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, and became well known as an architect and surveyor. For a time he was employed in the office of J. D. Sedding, diocesan architect, and in that connection super- intended the restoration of a part of Axbridge church. For more than two years he occupied the position of chief assistant to C. H. Samson and later entered into partner- ship with Hans Price of Weston-super-Mare, a relation that was maintained for more than a decade, and in that partnership he was one of the architects to the county educa- tion committee. While connected therewith the firm made the plans and superintended the erection of numerous school buildings and also did much ecclesiastical work.
Mr. Jane, ever ambitious for advancement in his profession, employed every oppor- tunity to broaden his knowledge and promote his efficiency and became a member of the Society of Architects. Many of his old friends at Weston-super-Mare bear testimony not only to his high professional skill and ability but also to his splendid character as "a man of thoroughly good business habits, and of ability, of pleasing address, and reliable withal." At length Major Jane determined to become a resident of the new world.
It was in May, 1894, that Major Jane was married in Reading, England, to Miss Emily Gertrude Ruddock, a daughter of Bernard Ruddock, and they became the parents of five children: Hester, Francis, Gwendolen, William Antony and Barbara.
Twenty years after his marriage Major Jane sailed for the new world to carry out his resolution to follow his profession on this side of the Atlantic. He then resigned his position as first lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, being a very keen officer for several years in that division. With his family he sailed on the Arabic in July, 1914, from England, at which time there was no thought of war; but when the liner was out several days a wireless was received on board saying that England had declared war on Germany and that France and Russia were also fighting against the common foe. In an account written several months after he had entered the army, Major Jane said
Vol. III-26
402
HISTORY OF OREGON
that "when the wireless dispatch was received feeling ran high and at last someone began to sing 'Rule Britannia,' in which every English man, woman or child joined. The Americans on board sang 'The Star Spangled Banner,' 'Suwanee River' and other airs and at length all joined in 'God Save the King' and 'My Country 'Tis of Thee.'" Without mishap the vessel reached Boston, where Major and Mrs. Jane were met by their brother-in-law and sister, Captain and Mrs. S. H. Hopson, the former of the United States army. After a brief visit they started on the long journey to the Pacific coast to join their daughter in Portland, where the family was soon established. This was not Major Jane's first visit, however, to the Rose City. His children were placed in school and he was making himself acquainted with the country with a view to following his profession when he read that Lord Kitchener was calling for a million men. Not long after came a cablegram asking if he would "accept a captaincy and re- join the Territorial Royal Engineers if it could be arranged." His family was just becom- ing established in their new home, but patriotic devotion to country is-or should be the one dominating element in the life of every man, and Major Jane was soon on his way to England, notwithstanding the fact that he was well over military age. On the last day of 1914 he was gazetted as captain and began his duties in training both officers and men in the reserve engineer companies at Christ Church camp. While he left America with no intention of entering overseas service, the condition which confronted him soon caused him to enroll for duty in France. At length the order came for him to report to his old company, commanded by his friend of years and late business partner, Major P. G. Fry. A few days later he was in Rouen and a few days later still reached Armentières and was close to the line of defense which skirted the town. After a brief period his duties took him to the front line, in which the engineers were working every night, supervising the digging of trenches and the construction of breast- works, fortification of farms and similar work where the utmost speed was necessary in the accomplishment of the tasks, all of which had to be done under cover of dark- ness, returning in the gray dawn to snatch a few hours' rest and then again take up duty. On one occasion, when walking with the officer in command of the infantry digging party, Major Jane felt a blow on the arm and for a moment or two did not realize what had happened; but a bullet from a machine gun had passed through just above the elbow. He was sent to the dressing station, then to the field hospital and at length to the hospital established by the Duchess of Westminster at La Toquet. Major Jane, writing of this afterward, spoke of the wonderful treatment and care received. He was so much benefited that after ten days he asked for a discharge and wrote to his commanding officer, asking that he telegraph an order for Major Jane to rejoin his command. But the medical officer would not consent and he was sent to a hospital on the Isle of Wight, this being used as a convalescent home for officers. After two weeks there spent and a ten days' leave of absence he was ordered to the command of a new company which was to be a field company of Royal Engineers. His men on the whole were thoroughly untrained in the work and were sent from point to point to receive necessary training under the command of Captain Jane, and the unit was made a member of the Fifty-seventh Division, which was composed of three brigades of infantry, three field companies of Royal Engineers, three brigades of artillery and the Army Medical Corps. These units came together at Aldershot and it was a great day for the division when the king himself inspected it, as Major Jane wrote, "on Laffan's plain, where so many troops have been reviewed in the past. The historic memories of the plain make it seem classical ground to every soldier. Twenty thousand men passed in line by the saluting point, where the king, in uniform and on horseback, took the salute of each command. It was a grand sight for a spectator and to be actually in it grander still, and the climax came when I was presented and honored with a handshake by His Majesty. It was like a momentary contact with the personi- fication of the Empire and its history for a thousand years." Not long after he was again back in France. A paper from his old home town, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, in giving an account of Major Jane's service at the time of his death, said: "He re- ceived his promotion to a majority as a result of the utter contempt he had always displayed of danger and of the efficiency and devotion to duty which at all times marked his work. He won, however, something far greater than promotion-the love of his Tommies. They loved him for the friendliness with which he ever allied firmness, and for the fund of lion-hearted courage which lay beneath a quiet and retiring exterior. The end came on April 22d, while he was serving in a position on which the enemy had concentrated a vast force. A bomb struck him, terribly injuring his head, and two days later, still unconscious, and lying in a casualty clearing station, he breathed his
403
HISTORY OF OREGON
last. So passed a brave officer and gentleman, whose life and glorious death will long live in affectionate and admiring memory."
To Mrs. Jane was sent the following telegram: "The king and queen deeply regret the loss you and the army have sustained by the death of your husband in the service of our country. Their majesties truly sympathize with you in your sorrow. "(Signed) Keeper of the Privy Purse."
On the day on which his father received his death wound, the son Francis arrived in England, whither he had gone to join the army. He commenced training with the engineers at the officers' training camp at Berkhampstead, near London. After some months there spent he was sent to Newark, Nottingham, as an engineer cadet and was on the eve of receiving his commission as second lieutenant, R. E., when the armistice was signed. Mrs. Jane had made a trip to England to see her husband in January, 1917, and the vessel on which she sailed on her return trip was escorted by six battleships. Mrs. Jane took a very active part in Red Cross work, doing everything in her power thus to contribute to the comfort and welfare of soldiers in camp and field. She and her family still make their home in Portland and have won many friends in the city during the six years of their residence here.
BARNETT H. GOLDSTEIN.
Barnett H. Goldstein, engaged in the private practice of law in Portland, was born in Russia, August 12, 1887. His father, Hyman Goldstein, was also a native of Russia, born in 1858, and there in 1881 he wedded Anna Schaeffer. In 1890 the family came to the United States, settling first in New York city. The mother died in 1918 and the father now resides in Portland.
Barnett H. Goldstein was reared in New York city and there remained until 1912, when he came from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific coast, settling in Portland. In the meantime he had been prepared for the bar, being graduated from the New York Law School with the class of 1910. He was admitted to practice in the Empire state in 1911 and in October, 1912, sought the opportunity offered in the growing northwest. Here he was admitted to the Oregon bar in 1913, being licensed to practice in all of the courts. He had served as a court reporter in New York in early manhood and it was this that first awakened his interest in the practice of law. When he was but eighteen years of age he went to Panama and was in the department of material and supplies, with headquarters at Cristobal, in the Canal Zone, acting as chief clerk for a year and a half. He then returned to New York city, where he was in the de- partment of docks and ferries from January, 1907, until August, 1910. His law studies were pursued at night, while he was employed during the daytime. He resigned his position when he was graduated in law and following his arrival in Portland in October, 1912, entered the law office of Joseph & Haney as managing clerk and there continued until May 1, 1916, when he was appointed assistant United States attorney for Oregon and held that office until November 1, 1919, when he was appointed acting United States attorney and continued to serve in that capacity until January 9, 1920, when he resigned and entered upon private practice. In this he has since engaged and his clientage has steadily grown and is now quite extensive and of an important character.
Mr. Goldstein is a member of the Portland Chamber of Commerce and also belongs to the Concordia Club. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in Masonry has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite and of the Mystic Shrine. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he does not seek nor desire office, as he prefers to win his advancement in the line of his chosen profession.
VENZ BAUER.
Venz Bauer, a well known business man of The Dalles, where he has been resid- ing for about thirty years, was born in Brunn, Austria, in 1873, a son of Jacob and Johanna (Schandle) Bauer, also natives of Austria, where they were engaged in farming. He was educated in the schools of Brunn, and at an early age he gave evidence of his objection to the militarist government under which he was forced to
404
HISTORY OF OREGON
live. When he had reached the age of fifteen, in 1888, he decided to come to America and become a citizen of this country. On reaching these shores he came to Oregon, settling in Wasco county, where he homesteaded a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, taking up the only kind of work he knew anything about. During his thirty years residence in this state he has been successful from the very beginning and he is now the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of the most valuable wheat land in Wasco county, his crops netting him a handsome competence.
In 1906 Mr. Bauer removed to The Dalles and has since rented his farm property. He devoted the first two years of his residence in the city to the automobile business, which he disposed of in 1908, and established the real estate business with which he has since been identified. There is a prevailing opinion that Mr. Bauer handles more real estate in The Dalles and surrounding country than most others in the same line in Wasco county, this being especially true during the past ten years. He has also other commercial interests. He was largely instrumental in the organization of The Dalles Hotel Company and has served on the board of directors for five years. Within the past twelve months he put several valuable properties on the market, among others being The Dalles Garage site, the Albert Hotel property, and the business corner at Second and Court streets. He conducts agencies for many large insurance companies, writing fire, marine and live stock insurance, and is a representative of several impor- tant insurance companies.
In 1897 Mr. Bauer was married to Miss Anna Neabeack, a daughter of W. H. Neabeack, one of the best known farmers of Wasco county. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are the parents of one son, Fred J., who is a resident of Portland. Mr. Bauer is one of the best posted men on real estate in the county and is universally esteemed as one of the best citizens of The Dalles-a live wire and a valuable asset to the city's growth. He gives practical support to all projects designed to promote the welfare of the city of his adoption, and the weight of his influence is always thrown on the side of civic advancement.
CHARLES A. BARRETT.
In the passing of Charles A. Barrett, Umatilla county lost one of her most promi- nent and progressive citizens. He was not only foremost in agricultural circles as a successful farmer and stockman but he was a leader in the political circles of the county. His death occurred May 28, 1918, while he was serving the public in the state senate and the news of his demise caused a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the community.
Charles A. Barrett was born in Oxford county, Maine, on the 21st of June, 1852, a son of Sullivan and Elizabeth (Burrows) Barrett. Both parents were born in Maine, where they were married and spent their lives, Sullivan Barrett being a farmer and fruit grower of some prominence in the community.
At the age of twenty years, in 1872, Charles A. Barrett decided to seek his fortune in the west, with the result that he came to Umatilla county, locating at Weston where he worked for Adams Brothers, cousins of his for some time. Later he managed a ranch for these same men near Adams, the land in that section of the country then being a wild and open prairie, and becoming successful in this line of work he pur- chased sheep, which he ran for a number of years. In 1881 he purchased a ranch on Dry creek and conducted a hardware business at Adams at the same time, driving from his ranch to Adams daily. Mr. Barrett later sold the store at Adams to the Holdman Brothers, and established another hardware store in Athena. He gradually increased his business interests and it was not long before he was looked upon as a prominent and active man in the community. Therefore it was no surprise to the community when he was nominated and elected to the house of representatives in 1906, serving two terms, and he was elected to the senate in 1910. His ability in political circles was well demonstrated and in 1914 he was again elected to the senate. During his fourth consecutive session in the senate his death occurred, May 28, 1918, coming as a severe blow to the members of the senate and his many friends throughout the state. For a number of years Mr. Barrett served as mayor and councilman of Athena and in the financial circles of that town he had also played a prominent part, being first president of the First National Bank of Athena.
On November 4. 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Barrett to Miss Jennie E. Mays,
CHARLES A. BARRETT
407
HISTORY OF OREGON
daughter of John C. and Martha J. (Nye) Mays, and a native of McMinnville. Her parents were both natives of North Carolina, their marriage having occurred in Boone county, Missouri. In 1852 they crossed the plains by ox team and during the long and tedious journey were attacked by Indians near Boise city. Fortunate for them they had loaded rifles and with one of these Mrs. Mays prevented the Indians from robbing their wagon, saving their provisions. Mr. and Mrs. Mays located in the Willamette valley and took up three hundred and twenty acres of government land, where they resided for a period of sixteen years. At the termination of this time they sold their homestead and removed to Walla Walla, Washington, where they re- sided for two years and then returned to Oregon, settling near Weston, where the father preempted four hundred and eighty acres of land. Part of the town of Weston is built on this farm. The father's death occurred at Colfax, Washington, February 1, 1892. Mrs. Mays is still living, making her home with her children. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barrett two children were born: Areta and Henry. Henry A. Barrett is now operating a ranch and running about three thousand sheep. Young Mr. Bar- rett is following in his father's footsteps and is one of the most prominent and suc- cessful ranchmen in the county.
FREDERICK JENSEN.
Though young in years, Frederick Jensen of Beaverton, Washington county, has already won his spurs. He is a son of N. P. and Elizabeth (Jorgensen) Jensen, and was born at Tyler, Minnesota, in 1892, where he received his primary and secondary education. His father, who was a successful merchant, visited the Pacific coast in 1910, and being much attracted to the country, he sold out his interests in Minnesota and removed with his family to Oregon, settling at Junction City. He engaged in busi- ness for a time, but is at present touring Europe. Ambitious and energetic, Frederick supplemented his high school training with a course in the law school of the Univer- sity of Oregon, graduating in 1912 with the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the bar in the same year and opened an office in Portland, beginning his practice imme- diately.
When America entered the World war Frederick Jensen volunteered, and entered the Officers' Training Camp of the United States Field Artillery. The armistice ter- minated his war duties, however, before he had been given opportunity to match the record of his three brothers, all of whom arrived in France, and two of whom fought under the stars and stripes for eighteen months. Returning to Portland, Mr. Jensen was chosen city attorney of Beaverton, Washington county, and he is at present execut- ing the duties of that position. He maintains offices in the Cady building at Beaver- ton, and at 720 Board of Trade building in Portland, dividing his time between the two cities.
Mr. Jensen was married in 1914 to Miss Josephine Humiston, a native of Iowa, and a descendant of an old New York family. They have two children: Donald Fred- erick and Winnifred Phoebe.
Fraternally Mr. Jensen is a Mason. His college fraternity is Phi Alpha Delta. Professionally he is accounted one of the notable young lawyers of Oregon. He is an earnest student, an able speaker, and an aggressive and fearless attorney, whom even old and experienced practitioners regard as an opponent worthy of their steel.
JAMES ALEXANDER DAVIS.
James A. Davis, for years connected with insurance business as a representative of many important companies, is well known in and about The Dalles, where he has been living for about twelve years. He is a native of Tennessee, born in Jefferson county, in 1862, and is a son of Alexander and Martha (Scruggs) Davis. The names of the Davis and Scruggs families are to be found in connection with the history of Tennessee from its very earliest date. Alexander Davis served as a lieutenant in the Fourth Tennessee Regiment of the Confederate army during the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Big Black during the memorable siege of Vicksburg.
James A. Davis was educated in the graded schools of Jefferson county, Tennessee,
408
HISTORY OF OREGON
and although he had met with an accident which deprived him of the use of a leg at an early age, he had the ambition to walk with the assistance of crutches to and from school daily, the distance being three and one-half miles each way, and he rarely missed attendance. He later took a course at the Oak Hill Academy and, determining to study law, entered Emory & Henry University for that purpose. Before he had fin- ished his course in that institution, his mother was ordered to the Pacific coast for the benefit of her health, and the family removed to Oregon.
On settling in this state, Mr. Davis took a graduate course at the State Normal School at Drain, and for the following twenty-four years he followed the profession of a teacher, most of the time being spent at Oakland. He established the first school library in Douglas county. In 1907, to benefit the health of one of his children, he removed to Antelope, and taught in that place until 1909, when he came to The Dalles. He was appointed deputy assessor of Wasco county and was elected to the office of county assessor in 1913. While occupying the latter position he inaugurated the system whereby assessment notices and tax receipts were made out at one time, and this system, under various forms, is now in use generally throughout the state. On the 2d of November, 1920, he was elected on the republican ticket as county assessor for a term of four years without opposition.
In 1917 Mr. Davis established a general insurance business in The Dalles and now represents several important companies, over six in number. He is regarded as one of the most successful writers of insurance in this part of the state. In his business and social relations, he combines all the southern courtesy with the "pep" of the west.
In 1893 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Ruth Bridges, whose father, Daniel Bridges, is a noted clergyman of Linn county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of three children: Harold L., Quentin D. and Richard Harding. Mr. Davis is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs and entered the grand lodge. He is a past noble grand of five lodges. He is also a member and has filled all the chairs in the Woodmen of the World. He was particularly active during the World war, the preparation for many drives being carried out in his office at his own expense.
J. CURTIS SIMMONS.
On the list of those who have passed to that "undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns," is the name of J. Curtis Simmons who was a most distin- guished and prominent member of the Portland bar. He was born at Sixton, Missouri, January I, 1880, his parents being A. J. and Elizabeth (Curtis) Simmons. He acquired his early education in the schools of his native state and afterwards attended the Uni- versity of Tennessee at Knoxville where he resumed his law course and was graduated. In 1891 he was admitted to the bar and went to Texas where he obtained a license to practice and opened an office in San Angelo, where he remained for about ten years. There he confined his attentions to corporation practice and while residing in San Angelo was attorney and director of the Angelo Power & Traction Company and also secretary and a director of the West Texas Cold Storage and Ice Company and vice president and general counselor for the West Texas Gold Mining and Development Company.
In 1911 Mr. Simmons removed to Portland, where he became associate attorney for the Portland Railway Light and Power Company and was thus engaged until he opened his office for private practice in 1911. Judge W. N. Gatens wrote of him: "Mr. Sim- mons is one of the best lawyers that has practiced in my court. He is dependable and is an honest, honorable and upright Christian gentleman. He has a good law busi- ness and is esteemed most high professionally and socially." Further testimony as to his ability was given in a letter from Judge J. W. Bell, which said in part: "Mr. Sim- mons is one of the leading lawyers of Oregon and I have depended upon his briefs of the law in deciding cases in my court." Mr. Simmons was a member of the Multno- mah Bar Association and also of the Oregon State Bar Association and his fellow members of the profession entertain for him the warmest regard by reason of his per- sonal worth as well as by reason of his high professional attainments.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.