USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 74
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James A. Kirk, whose name initiates this review, was educated in Linn county, where he spent his boyhood, and when reaching man's estate started farming on his own account. He became owner of one of his father's farms, one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, which he operated for eleven years, or until 1899, when he removed to Athena. Later he rented a farm of three hundred and ninety acres at Spring Hollow and subsequently purchased one hundred and fifty acres, which he improved and to which he made additions until he had three hundred and ten acres of some of the finest land in the county. He operated this farm until 1913, when he rented and removed to Linn county, and here he remained three and one-half years, dealing in stock. At the end of this time he again worked his farm, although he made his home in Athena, where he had purchased lots on Third street. On one of these lots he built a beautiful home, in which he resided until his death on the 11th of
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October, 1919, at the age of fifty-two years. The day he passed away was the twentieth anniversary of his arrival in Umatilla county.
On September 2, 1888, Mr. Kirk was married to Miss Lilla Bone, a daughter of Jonas R. and Sarah (Hughbanks) Bone, and a native of Fulton county. Her father and mother were both born in Shelby county, Indiana. In the spring of 1874 Jonas Bone came west by rail to Frisco, then took the boat to Portland. He settled in Peoria 'on the Willamette river, where he bought a farm which he operated for a short time. He then removed to Halsey and engaged in the farming and livery business in which he attained more than a substantial amount of success. He also owned one hundred and sixty acres of fine improved land near Halsey. His death occurred in 1907 at the age of seventy-two years. His wife is still living at the age of eighty-one years, and is making her home in Athena.
Throughout his life Mr. Kirk was a stanch supporter of the republican party, in the interests of which he took an active part. He was fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. The wife of Mr. Kirk is still residing in Athena, where she is a well known and prominent woman. The death of Mr. Kirk came as a severe blow to the community in which he resided for a number of years, for in his passing Athena lost one of her foremost citizens.
WATSON BROWN EDDY.
Watson Brown Eddy is one of the prominent men of Clackamas county and a representative of one of its hest and most progressive business interests. Since 1908 Mr. Eddy has resided in Oregon, coming to this state from Salamanca, New York, where he had successfully conducted a mercantile business for ten years. He was a native of New York, born in Salamanca in 1866, a son of James H. and Elvisa (Brown) Eddy who were descendants of a fine old family. The first member of the Eddy family to make his home in America arrived in this country as early as 1630 and since that time the name of Eddy has been distinguished in American history. The Eddys settled in New York state and soon became one of the prominent families of that state. They have shown themselves to he one hundred per cent Americans and in the records of every war in which this country has been engaged may be found the name of at least one member of the family who was a volunteer soldier, rendering valiant service in the Revolutionary war, the War of 1812 and the Civil war.
The early boyhood of Mr. Eddy was spent on a farm, as his father was one of the successful and progressive farmers of the vicinity in which he resided. The education received by Mr. Eddy was obtained in the schools of Salamanca and later he attended the Chambers Institute. He was very ambitious for professional training but this desire was never realized, for on the death of his father it was necessary for him to care for his mother and sisters. Laying his hopes aside he set out with grim deter- mination to succeed in the business world and is now enjoying the reward of his energy and fidelity. He first secured employment with a railroad, in the service of which he remained for five years. Believing that more opportunities were open in the mercantile field he started in that line of business in Salamanca and for ten years he met with the best of success in the venture. In 1908 he decided to go west and settle on the Pacific coast, being favorably impressed with the wonderful climatic conditions and the general progressiveness and activity in that section of the country. In looking about for a desirable location he was attracted to Oregon City and decided to make it his home. He purchased the business which he is still conducting and which he has enlarged and improved until it now ranks as one of the most flourishing stores in the Willamette valley. This store is not a general store but carries a line of dry goods, furnishings and shoes. Always believing that quality and service are the best advertisements Mr. Eddy has striven to give his customers only the best and has also kept his stock at a reasonable price.
In 1888 Mr. Eddy was united in marriage to Miss Ella Stratton, a daughter of Alonza S. Stratton of Salamanca, New York. One son has been born to this union, Ralph J., who is engaged in the photographic business in Oregon City and is one of the city's progressive young business men.
Since coming to Oregon Mr. Eddy has taken but little interest in politics save as an intelligent voter, although previous to his residence in this state he was quite active
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in the political field. He has always been and is still, a firm supporter of the republi- can party. During his residence in New York state he held the offices of postmaster, commissioner of the highways and mayor of Salamanca. In each of these positions of public service he won the commendation of his fellow citizens, whom he served to the best of his ability. Fraternally Mr. Eddy is a Mason, in which organization he takes much interest. By his own diligence and industry Mr. Eddy has risen to his present position and as a self-made man he has reached one of the highest rungs on the ladder . of success.
CAPTAIN J. C. AINSWORTH.
Not only Portland but the state at large profited greatly by the enterprise and busi- ness activity of Captain J. C. Ainsworth, who passed away at his home near Oakland, California, December 30, 1893. He came to Oregon in pioneer times and through the formative period in the history of the state and through years of later development took helpful part in shaping those interests which laid broad and deep the founda- tion upon which has been built the present progress and prosperity of the state. He arrived on the Pacific coast when a young man of twenty-eight years, his birth having occurred at Springboro, Warren county, Ohio, June 6, 1822. His father, George Ains- worth, died when the son was but seven or eight years of age and he was yet quite young when it became necessary for him to provide for his own support. When a lad in his teens he was employed on the Mississippi river and his industry and capability won him rapid promotion until he became pilot and subsequently master on a pas- senger steamer sailing between St. Louis and up-river points, at which time Mark Twain was his pilot. It was during that period that Samuel Clemens got his nickname of Mark Twain. While thus engaged the news reached him concerning the discovery of gold in California, and attracted by the opportunities that were being promoted through the rapid settlement of that state he made plans whereby he could take a trip to California. He made the journey in company with William C. Ralston, afterward one of the leading bankers and financiers of the great west and founder of the Bank of California, and the friendship thus formed continued throughout their remaining days. While Mr. Ralston remained in San Francisco Captain Ainsworth soon after- ward proceeded northward to Oregon, arriving September 1, 1850, where he took com- mand of the Lot Whitcomb, one of the earliest vessels sailing in the northwest. This constituted his initial step in connection with the navigation interests of this section of the country and through the intervening years he took part in the rapid development of this section. He became one of the organizers of the Oregon Steamship & Naviga- tion Company, which was later merged with the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Com- pany, and to his thorough and practical knowledge of the business in all its details was due the marvelous success achieved by this corporation. Captain Ainsworth was elected president of the company and so continued until 1881, when the business was sold to the Villard syndicate for five million dollars. Realizing that transportation facilities must ever constitute the foundation for growth and development in a new country, Cap- tain Ainsworth was also instrumental in building the Missouri Pacific Railroad from California to the south, getting the engine to Puget Sound twenty-four hours before the expiration of a valuable land subsidy, personally furnishing the means for this undertaking. His sound business judgment was seldom at fault in any transaction and his keen insight into business propositions enabled him to look beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future, so that he labored not alone for his own generation but for those who follow after. His activities touched many lines, all of which profited by the stimulus of his effort and business discernment. In 1881 he erected the Ainsworth Bank in Portland, at the corner of Oak and Third streets, and about the same time established the Central Bank of Oakland, California, of which he remained the president until his death. In 1883 he organized the Ains- worth Bank of Portland and he financed many other projects which have constituted important elements in the upbuilding of the northwest, and was for many years a prominent director in the public schools of Portland, his activity and enterprise enabling him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. He came to be known as a prominent figure in American finance, his ability being recognized in financial circles in the east as well as in the west.
Captain Ainsworth always maintained a liberal policy with his employes, giving
CAPTAIN J. C. AINSWORTH
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to them always a fair compensation for their labor, and it was one of the well known axioms of his business policy "give the boys good salaries." Following his retirement from business The Dalles Inland Empire said editorially: "He has been at all times a gentlemanly public servant and faithful custodian of the interests of his fellow stockholders and a most equitable and merciful employer. In fine, he has been a good friend to friends and a semi-foe to enemies. His broad sense of justice has made him the object of an almost filial degree of affection from his employes and to his sagacity in making three volunteer reductions of freight rates without compulsion in five years' time, the growth and expansion of the western empire are largely attributable."
Captain Ainsworth did not confine his attention entirely to Portland and vicinity but was a large investor in Tacoma real estate and was prominently identified with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad between the Columbia river and Puget Sound. After his removal to California in 1880 he became actively connected with banking and with the promotion of other business enterprises in that state. He financed the project which made Redondo Beach what it is today-one of the finest seaside resorts on the Pacific coast, expending nearly three million dollars in that undertaking. His plans were always wisely formulated and carefully executed and he displayed a notable mastery of detail that enabled him to use each point of busi- ness to the best advantage.
Captain Ainsworth was married three times, his first wife dying six months after their marriage. He next wedded Jane White, a daughter of Judge S. S. White, an Oregon pioneer of 1845 who settled in Oregon City. They had one son, George J. Ainsworth. The mother passed away in 1863 and in San Francisco Captain Ains- worth wedded Miss Fanny Babbitt, a daughter of General Edwin Babbitt, U. S. A. There were six children of this marriage: J. C., mentioned elsewhere in this work; H. B., vice president of the Wells, Fargo Nevada National Bank of San Francisco, living at San Francisco, California; Laura, the deceased wife of John S. Baker of Tacoma, Washington; Daisy, the wife of Percy T. Morgan of San Francisco, California; Maud, of Portland; and Belle, the wife of Ralph Jenkins of Portland.
Captain Ainsworth was a leading representative of Masonic interests in Oregon
. and Ainsworth Chapter of the Rose Croix was named in his honor. He was the first grand master of the grand lodge of this state and for years was captain and inspector general of the supreme council of the southern jurisdiction in the state of Oregon, the highest post of honor possible of attainment in the state. The honorary thirty- third degree was also conferred upon him. Of him it has been said: "While he attained prominence and eminent success in business, his own advancement was never at the sacrifice of other interests and he retained, as few men have done, the friend- ship and goodwill of his business associates and colleagues. Moreover, those who knew him socially entertained for him the warmest regard. In his life he embodied the principles of upright manhood and citizenship and his labors were ever of a character that contributed not alone to individual success but also to the general welfare and prosperity. His name is written high on the roll of the honored dead who were among the builders and promoters of the great northwest."
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL S. SHIELDS.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel S. Shields have been prominently connected with the fruit raising and fruit shipping interests of Oregon for a number of years and have been instrumental in developing a business of very substantial proportions. Working to- gether they have promoted their fortunes and the word helpmate has never been a mere idle term as applied to Mrs. Shields, for she has cooperated with her husband in all things that have tended to add to their property holdings and the development of their fortunes. Mr. Shields is now the manager of the Shields Fruit Company of Freewater, Umatilla county. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1861, a son of James and Amanda (Smith) Shields. Spending his youthful days at the place of his nativity he completed his education by graduation from the Grove City College of Pennsylvania, and in March, 1884, he made his way to the west, locating first at Puget Sound, where he remained for a short time. He afterwards removed to Wes- ton, Umatilla county, and taught school at Blue Mountain on Dry creek. He took up
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a ranch in Morrow county, Oregon, in 1886, and through the intervening period has been identified with ranching, grazing and fruit raising interests.
Mr. Shields was married in Pendleton, Oregon, to Miss Carrie M. Gibbons, a daughter of George and Catherine (Reichert) Gibbons. Mrs. Shields was also born in Butler county, Pennsylvania. After they were married they removed to a homestead claim and proved up on the property, adding some improvements thereto. In the sum- mer of 1889 they settled near Pendleton, where both taught school and in Morrow county both Mr. and Mrs. Shields were also identified with the profession of teaching.
After leaving Pendleton they removed to Weston, Umatilla county, and Mr. Shields engaged in buying wheat here and also taught school. In 1893 he took up his abode in Milton, Umatilla county, purchasing four and a half acres of land, on which he began raising fruit, making his first shipment of strawberries in 1894. His shipments increased each year as he placed more land under cultivation and he now has twenty- seven acres in a fine apple orchard and seventeen acres in a prune orchard. Mrs. Shields was his able associate and assistant in all of the work from the time they began raising and buying fruit, which they first sold by peddling to local customers but subsequently began making shipments. In 1898 they purchased a building used as a packing plant and shipped from that point, adding to the building as more space was demanded. In 1917 the present building was purchased, and it was about that time that Mrs. Shields sold her half interest in the business, but she is still the owner of seven hundred and sixty acres of fine wheat and stock land. The property holdings of Mr. and Mrs. Shields also include a half section of wheat land in Morrow county, and Mrs. Shields is the owner of the residence which they occupy. Mr. Shields is also a director of the Farmers' Security Bank. The labors of the one have fully supplemented and rounded out the labors of the other and theirs has been a notable success.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shields were born six children: Frank W., manager of Valley Fruit Company of Walla Walla, has a seventy-five acre fruit ranch, doing a one-half million dollar business yearly; Winnie, who is now the wife of Stillman Dempsey; Eva, deceased; Mildred, the wife of Floyd Coffman; Ferne, the wife of B. R. Byerley; and George D., of Walla Walla. Mr. Shields gives his political support to the republican party, thus manifesting his preference concerning many vital questions' and interests of the day. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. They enjoy the highest regard and goodwill of all who know them and they have a legion of warm friends in this section of the state.
GEORGE KNIGHT CLARK.
For many years George Knight Clark was a most prominent real estate dealer of Portland and through his activities contributed much to the development and improve- ment of the city, for it is the enterprise and character of the citizen that enrich and ennoble the commonwealth. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and was about fifty years of age at the time of his demise. He came of an ancestry honorable and distinguished. His parents were J. Fred and Harriett (Garlick) Clark, both of whom were natives of England, and the former was a son of Sir William Clark of London, who was the owner of a large country estate and the possessor of splendid stables. George Knight Clark was the direct heir to his grandfather's estate in England and his death has left his son Lawrence as the direct heir to that property. The maternal grandfather was a merchant of England.
It was about the year 1875 that J. Fred Clark and his family came to the United States, making their way to San Francisco, California, where Mr. Clark was on the Stock Exchange. From the time of his arrival he was one of the important factors in the development and upbuilding of the Pacific coast. He was a graduate of Oxford College of England and brought a most liberal education and thorough training to the opportunities of the new world. With his removal to Oregon he established his home in Portland and opened offices on Stark, between First and Second streets. There he engaged in the real estate business in connection with his son, George K., and occupied a place in the foremost rank of real estate dealers in the city at that time. He realized the possibilities for development and upbuilding here and his carefully directed labors contributed in a large measure to Portland's growth and advancement. His home on Mount Tabor is now used as a public park and playground.
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George Knight Clark was but a young lad when brought by his parents to the United States and was reared upon the Pacific coast, early becoming imbued with the spirit of western enterprise and progress. , He became the associate of his father in business and from that time until his demise was an active factor in promoting real estate interests in Portland. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome, he steadily worked his way upward until he left the ranks of the many and stood among the successful few. He was a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment and his executive ability and excellent management were strong factors in attaining the pros- perity which came to the company of which he was a member.
In 1898 George Knight Clark was united in marriage to Miss Esther Ellis, a daugh- ter of James and Charlotte (Ausplund) Ellis. Mrs. Clark was born in Illinois and came to Oregon in 1890. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children: Marie Louise; Lawrence Knight, who is attending the Staunton Military Academy at Staunton, Virginia; Leola Genevieve; and Georgia. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 18th of October, 1917, the husband and father passed away. The exercise of his native talents and his ability brought him to a prominent position in business circles, while his personal qualities made for popularity in the social circles in which he moved.
WILSON D. McNARY, M. D.
Since 1912 Dr. Wilson D. McNary has been superintendent of the Eastern Oregon State Hospital at Pendleton. He is a native of Washington, having been born in Klickitat county, that state. There he received his education, prepared for his pro- fessional career, and practiced for a short time. Since 1894 he has been connected with state hospital work, his first service being on the medical staff of the Oregon State Hospital at Salem. In 1906 he resigned from that position and went to Portland, where he practiced as a nerve specialist until 1912, when he became superintendent of the Eastern Oregon State Hospital at Pendleton, and is still serving in that capacity. The hospital was completed in the latter part of 1912.
JOHN E. FROOME.
John E. Froome is representative of one of Athena's best business interests, being proprietor of the St. Nicholas hotel, one of the most modern and up-to-date hotels in the community. Since his father's death Mr. Froome has had entire charge of the business and under his careful management it has grown to extensive proportions.
John E. Froome is a native of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, his birth having occurred there on the 25th of June, 1859, a son of James W. and Janette (Irving) Froome, natives of the same place. The father of John E. Froome was born on the 11th of December, 1819, and the mother was born October 27, 1829. They were married on the 31st of October, 1848, and engaged in farming in Cornwall until 1863, when they removed with their family to the United States, making the trip by way of the Isthmus to California, locating near Petaluma and later at Windsor, where the father followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Froome suffered the usual privations and hardships of the early pioneer life in this part of the country and some time later gave up their land here, removing to Dixon where they remained until 1876. At this time James W. Froome and family came to Oregon, settling at Walla Walla and later at Milton, in which latter town he engaged in the hotel business. In 1878 the Froome family made another move, this time locating in Athena, where the father established another hotel, which he successfully conducted until his death, February 26, 1901, at the age of eighty- one years. The mother's death occurred on the 9th of October, 1898, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Froome were among the early pioneers of this section of the county and were regarded as prominent and affluent citizens. In church circles they were prominent, being active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The childhood of John E. Froome was spent in various sections of the country and he received such education as the times afforded. After the death of his father he bought out the heirs and continued the hotel business which his father had managed so successfully for a number of years. Mr. Froome has proved his ability in this
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direction and has improved the hotel building and purchased the lot upon which it stands. The management of the hotel is ever at its best and guests of the hotel are assured the most careful and pleasing service.
On the 30th of December, 1892, occurred the marriage of Mr. Froome to Miss Laura Buzan, a daughter of Willis and Jane (Reeder) Buzan. Mrs. Froome was born in Trenton, Grundy county, Missouri, and came west with her brother Jerome, settling six miles from Pendleton on a farm. Her marriage to Mr. Froome took place in Athena. One child has been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Froome, a daughter by the name of Katherine.
The political faith of Mr. Froome is that of the republican party and he is a stanch believer in its principles as factors in good government. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias and he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Froome takes an active interest in the development and improvement of the town in which he resides and can always be counted upon to lend his aid to any movement which he deems to be of value. In the conduct of the hotel business Mr. Froome is brought into contact with many people and he enjoys the confidence and high regard of all with whom he associates.
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