USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 79
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to his people. He was, therefore, prominent in the organization of the Willamette Valley Chautauqua Association, of which he is still vice president. Clackamas county feels that it owes a debt of gratitude to and it has a deep reverence for Mr. Harding. In the evening of his life he is enjoying the fruits of a life unselfishly spent in helping his fellow citizens, and surrounded by his family he rests in the highest esteem accorded to any man in the county.
JAMES ALFRED EASTES.
"Nothing in this world is so good as usefulness" and no one single individual has done more for the development and improvement of Bend than James Alfred Eastes, affectionately known as Judge Eastes by his many friends. Since 1911 he has been a prominent figure in public life and in association with a group of men whose public spirit and unselfishness have prompted their tireless devotion to furthering the public welfare, he has succeeded in making Bend the progressive city that it is today.
Judge Eastes was born in Kentucky in 1862, a son of Daniel W. and Martha (Sanders) Eastes. His parents, though both natives of Kentucky, were descended from fine old pioneer stock in Virginia and his maternal grandfather, Squire Sanders, was one of the best known men in the south, his fame as a justice extending through- out the country.
James Alfred Eastes received his education in the public schools of his native state and spent the early part of his youth on his father's tobacco plantation. At the age of thirteen years he was left an orphan and he went to live with an uncle at Lebanon, Kentucky. Two years later he was again left alone in the world, his uncle passing away, and at the age of seventeen he removed into Arkansas and engaged in farming and school teaching. He was active along those lines for four years but in 1884, at the age of twenty-two years, left that state and came to Oregon, settling in Portland. For twenty-seven years he was a resident of that city, during which time he was engaged as bookkeeper and accountant, achieving substantial success along those lines. In 1910 he located in Bend, where he opened a real estate and insurance business, in the conduct of which he is still active. He soon won a place among the prominent business men of Bend and was subsequently called to public office, serving as justice of the peace for seven years and as mayor for two terms. During his incumbency in the latter office many improvements were made, two of the most im- portant being the organization of the Bend fire department and the paving of the streets. The Bend fire department is conceded to be the best organization of its kind in the state with the single exception of Portland. Judge Eastes early realized the necessity of protecting the property of Bend's citizens from fire and it was largely due to the time, money and enthusiasm giveu it by the judge that the organization became a reality. While mayor of the city he fought determinedly and persistently for street improvements and not only forced it through an antagonistic council but was personally responsible for the placing of a majority of the bonds. The entire business section of Bend and many of its residential streets are paved and the hard surface roadways leading out from the town never fail to bring forth much praise from strangers.
Judge Eastes is likewise interested in his insurance business and represents a number of the best standard insurance companies underwriting fire and automobile insurance and surety bonds. He is the leading real estate agent in Bend and a large majority of the realty transfers in Deschutes county are handled by him, either for buyer or seller.
In 1890 occurred the marriage of Judge Eastes to Miss Mary E. Hill, a native of California and a member of a prominent pioneer family of that state. Two children were born to their union: Alfred H., who was killed in a street accident in Portland when fifteen years of age; and Edith, now the wife of George R. Stapleton. Mrs. Eastes was for many years the assistant of her husband in his business in Bend and proved his helpmate in every way. She departed this life on the 29th of July, 1921, after an illness of ten months. Her demise caused a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the community where she had an extensive circle of friends who esteemed her as a woman of exceptional ability and of a lovable disposition. To her devoted hus- band and daughter was given the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.
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As one of Bend's most representative citizens Judge Eastes is a director of the Chamber of Commerce and in the fraternal organizations of the state he is con- sidered an exemplary member. He is affiliated with the Elks and Odd Fellows and in the latter order he was the first Noble Grand of Industrial Lodge, No. 99, of Port- land, of which lodge he was one of the thirteen organizers, all of whom were initiated on the 12th of December, 1899, the work extending into the thirteenth day. In 1911 he was appointed district grand deputy and organized and installed the Bend lodge. Judge Eastes is likewise a Knight of Pythias, Woodman of the World and a member of the Royal Arcanum. He was responsible for the creation of the Bend Cemetery Board, as well as the City Bank Board, and no man in Bend did more work for his country during the World war. He took a prominent part in all local activities and gave generously of his money to deserving organizations having the welfare of the soldiers at heart. Judge Eastes is a citizen tried and true and his devotion to Bend and its interests has won for him a popularity that is in every way a tribute to his public spirit. "Every man is valued in this world as he shows by his conduct he wishes to be valued."
JAMES JOHN DONEGAN.
In August, 1921, James John Donegan was appointed by President Harding, receiver of the United States land office at Burns, and he is now serving in that capacity, much to the satisfaction of the people of central Oregon, who have the greatest respect and confidence for him. "Jimmy" Donegan, as he is affectionately called by his many friends, is a native of Oregon and has for many years been prominently identified with its political and commercial life. He was born in Jack- sonville, Oregon, on the 29th of August, 1872, a son of Patrick and Margaret (Lynch) Donegan. His father, who was a blacksmith by trade, came to the Pacific coast from New York in 1849 and the following year located in San Francisco, California. He resided in that state a year and then came to Oregon and settled in the mining camp at Sterling, where he engaged in his trade of blacksmithing. He removed to Jackson- ville upon its founding in 1855, opened a little blacksmith shop there, and did an increasing business, remaining in that camp until his retirement from active life in 1910. In that year he removed to San Diego, California, where he died October 17th, 1919. "Jimmy" Donegan's mother passed away when he was two years of age and when he was twelve years of age his father married a second time, taking for his wife, Mary Fleming, a native of Ireland, whither Patrick Donegan had returned in the later '70s, for a visit.
In the acquirement of his education "Jimmy" Donegan attended the public and high schools of Jacksonville and upon putting his textbooks aside located in Harney county, where he remained for one year before returning to his birthplace. His father at that time owned a large tract of some five thousand acres on the Rogue river and James John Donegan and his elder brother, Hugh, now a civil engineer in San Fran- cisco, traveled to their father's holdings and engaged in the occupation of sheep ranching until 1894. In that year "Jimmy" came to Harney county and until 1896 worked for William Hanley upon his ranch. The next ten years he spent in the con- duct of a mercantile business in Burns, achieving substantial success, and becoming a prominent and representative business man he subsesuently drifted into politics. In 1908 he was elected county assessor and was re-elected to that office, serving in all for a period of eight years. He has been a clerk in the legislature and in the senate of Oregon and enjoys great popularity among members and ex-members of both houses. Mr. Donegan is what is termed a good mixer. He is sociable and friendly, a keen observer of passing events and is well versed on the questions and issues of the day. In 1911 he became associated with Samuel Mothershead in the conduct of a real estate, insurance and abstract business, establishing offices in the Masonic building, and they represent some of the best old-line companies in the state and have gained a reputation for capable business methods. He is land and tax agent for many large interests, among them being the Eastern Oregon Land & Live Stock Company, the Clerf Land & Live Stock Company and the William Hanley Company.
In 1896 occurred the marriage of Mr. Donegan to Miss Mary L. Smyth, a daugh- ter of John Smyth, the first white child born in Harney county. Her father and mother were Harney county's earliest pioneers and were killed in the Bannock Indian Vol. II1-40
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war in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Donegan have three children: Carmen, the wife of Nels Elfving of Portland; Patrick H., a law student in the University of Oregon; and Frances Mary. The youngest daughter is also a student in the University of Oregon and is majoring in journalism. She is evincing much talent along that line and is local correspondent for the Oregonian.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Donegan has given his allegiance to the republican party and is a member of the republican state central committee from Harney county. He has always been active in civic affairs and during the World war was chairman of the second and third Liberty Loan drives and of the Victory Loan. He was like- wise chairman of the Red Cross drives and a member of the draft board and of the United War Work. He is president of St. Joseph's Hospital Building Association and is a member of the executive committee of the Y. M. C. A. Fraternally he is identified with the Elks. "Jimmy" Donegan is placed by public opinion among the influential and leading citizens of Harney county and is a man whose character and business integrity entitle him to be numbered among the most desirable and useful citizens of the state.
GEORGE ABBOTT SMYTH.
The demise of George Abbott Smyth, which occurred in September, 1917, lost to Burns one of her representative citizens. He was a native son of Oregon, born at Eugene in 1863, a son of George C. and Margaret (Dent) Smyth. His parents were early pioneers of this state and took up residence in Harney county when George A. was nine years of age. The father met his death while participating in the campaign against the Piute and Bannock Indians.
In Harney county George Abbott Smyth received his education and at an early age put his textbooks aside and engaged in business. In partnership with a brother, Prestley Smyth, he took up land in the Diamond valley and he was active in that association until his death. The firm of George A. & Prestley Smyth became well known throughout Central Oregon, is still conducted by Prestley, and owns some eight thousand acres upon which high grade cattle are raised. The brothers won a reputa- tion for integrity that is not confined to Oregon but extends to every cattle market in the United States. Much of the success of the firm may be attributed to the innate business ability and magnetic personality of George A. Smyth. He was prominent in the financial circles of the community as vice president of the First National Bank of Burns and identified his interests with those of the county, contributing in a large measure to the improvement and development of the general welfare.
In 1891 occurred the marriage of George Abbott Smyth to Miss Cassie Seaweard, a daughter of Thomas and Cordelia Seaweard, natives of Missouri, who later removed to Harney county, Oregon, where they were well known residents. One son, Fred W., was born to this union. He is a graduate of the Oregon Agricultural College and is successfully engaged in stock raising in Harney county.
In the Masonic circles of Oregon, Mr. Smyth was well known, being a thirty- second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. For some time he was a member of the school board and served as county commissioner. Mrs. Smyth is a past worthy matron of the Eastern Star and a woman of more than ordinary ability. She was a close companion of her husband and stood shoulder to shoulder with him throughout their years together. Mr. and Mrs. Smyth won many friends in Central Oregon, all of whom feel a great loss in the passing of Mr. Smyth.
ALBERT BRISCOE RIDGWAY.
Albert Briscoe Ridgway, an excellent trial lawyer whose straightforward methods have won for him the favorable regard of his contemporaries and colleagues as well as of the general public, has practiced in Portland since 1910. He was born in Wash- ington, D. C., October 2, 1885, and is a son of Eugene A. Ridgway and a grandson of Henderson Ridgway. The latter was born in Virginia in 1800 and for many years was collector of customs at the port of Georgetown. The family comes of English ancestry. Eugene A. Ridgway was born in Georgetown, D. C., in 1840 and became a contractor of the District of Columbia, where he conducted business until 1889 and then retired
ALBERT B. RIDGWAY
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from active life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was married at the national capital in 1870 to Miss Isabella J. Heiberger, whose birth occurred in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1850. The death of Eugene A. Ridgway occurred in 1896, while his wife passed away in Washington, D. C., in 1919.
In the public schools of his native city Albert B. Ridgway pursued his early educa- tion and later was graduated from the Georgetown College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1907. He then began preparation for the bar and in 1910 was graduated from Georgetown University, on the completion of a law course, with the degree of LL. B. The same year he was admitted to practice at the bar of the District of Columbia but believed that broader professional opportunities might be secured on the Pacific coast and in December of that year made his way to Portland, Oregon, where his classmate, Everett E. Johnson, had located and opened an office. They formed a partnership, which has since been maintained and through the intervening decade they have gained a very creditable and enviable position at the Portland bar. Mr. Ridgway has also become a director of the First National Bank of Linnton, Oregon, but concen- trates the greater part of his efforts and attention upon his professional duties.
On the 27th of August, 1910, in New York city, Mr. Ridgway was married to Miss Frances E. Cook, a daughter of the late Frederick A. Cook, who was a soldier of the Union army in the Civil war. The three children born of this marriage are: Talbot Vincent, born May 7, 1912; Eugene Albert, July 27, 1914; and Franz, August 8, 1916. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church.
Mr. Ridgway is a republican in his political views but the honors and emolu- ments of office have had no attraction for him. During the World war he served on the legal advisory board and in promotion of the bond drives. He belongs to the Phi Alpha Delta, a legal fraternity, is a member of the City Club and of the State Bar Association of Oregon, of which he has been the secretary. He is widely recognized as a good trial lawyer, has strong imagination and the valuable faculty of seeing the business aspect of a lawsuit. Intelligent, straight and diligent, his success as a lawyer is a foregone conclusion. Moreover, he is a man of charming personality, which makes for popularity wherever he is known.
HENRY CLARK SMITH.
"Harry" Clark Smith is one of the most enterprising and representative citizens in Burns and if that town and the county of Harney had just one hundred citizens like him, no section of the state could outstrip it in progress and prosperity. "Harry" Smith, as he is affectionately called by his many friends, is not a native of Oregon, but was born in Eureka, Illinois, on the 15th of October, 1861, a son of Jonathan D. and Mary E. (Hathaway) Smith. His father was a contractor and went to Illinois as one of that state's earliest pioneers. His grandfather was the founder of the Whitewater Flour Milling Company at Whitewater, Wisconsin, and he built the first mill of that now giant milling concern. His mother was the daughter of one of the founders of the Campbellite church, who was an intimate friend of Alexander Camp- bell and for many years a preacher in that faith.
"Harry" Smith received his education at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and upon putting his textbooks aside began to learn the trade of a plasterer, and in that capacity worked for his father for five years. He then turned to the brick mason's trade and after removing to Oregon in 1888, followed that trade with a great amount of success for twenty years. During that period he was president of the Central Labor Council of Portland, Oregon, for the first year of the existence of that body and president of the Bricklayers Benevolent Society. In 1898 he came to Burns under contract and built the first bank and all of the brick buildings in that town. In 1910, however, he turned his attention to the garage business in a small way and his establishment is now one of the largest in the state. It is a Ford authorized sales and repair station and is modern in both structure and equipment. The garage for storage is fifty by one hundred feet, the accessory department and store is fifty by eighty feet and the repair shop is of the same dimensions. Mr. Smith contracts to dispose of one hun- dred cars per annum and his business is such that he not only fulfills his contract but disposes of a greater number of cars. In the line of accessories he carries a large stock of Racine, United States and Goodyear Tires, of which he is special agent. He also handles Fordson tractors, and is a representative distributor for the Delco
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Light plants and water systems. Nine employes carry on the business of the garage in an efficient manner and everything is done to make them take a personal interest. The employes are paid from eighteen hundred to twenty-four hundred dollars a year and fifty per cent of the net profits of the business are annually divided equally among them, without regard to the amount of salary received, the only proviso being that the recipient must have worked for the full preceding year.
In 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith to Miss Mollie L. Schmied, a native of Indiana. To their union the following children were born: Juanita, Louel, and Harry Z. Juanita is the wife of Archie McGowan, a son of George McGowan, who was one of the first settlers in Burns and named the town in honor of the poet Burns, of whom he was a great and sincere admirer. Archie McGowan is engaged in the land and live stock business and is considered one of the representative business men of the community; Louel is the wife of N. F. Reed, who is one of the proprietors of the Rexall Drug Store of Burns and a man of high standing in the business circles of the community; and Harry Z. is a mail contractor and rancher in Harney county.
Mr. Smith is for Harney county and Burns, first, last and all the time and he not only responds to every call that means a boost to Harney county and Burns, but originates many plans for the further development and improvement of the com- munity. To build up rather than to destroy is his broad policy and not alone has he followed constructive measures but also attacks everything with a contagious en- thusiasm that has won him the support and cooperation of many. One of the greatest features he inaugurated for the town was the establishment, entirely at his own expense, of a free campground for automobile tourists. It is not the ordinary park- ing space often set aside for such a purpose in many cities, but a complete fenced-in area, all under cover and lighted by the Delco system. This camp is laid off into thirty-four stalls and there are four kitchens, thoroughly equipped, and a stone bath- house in the center of the camp. Most every city of any size in the United States has an auto camp grounds free for the tourist but Burns is the only town to our ken where one public-spirited citizen has built entirely at his own expense and main- tained at considerable cost, a free camp for those who visit his city.
The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Smith are with the Masons, Elks, and Woodmen of the World. Politically he is a democrat and has run for public office but once, being the candidate of his party for the legislature in 1906. He is a member of the Commercial Club and the originator of many of that body's activities for the better- ment of the general welfare. He is an enthusiastic promoter of irrigation and good roads and believes that all his section needs is more conservation of its water and roads to make it the garden spot of Oregon. Mr. Smith is preeminently a representative of that class of men who in advancing individual interests also promote public progress and prosperity. His life record displays many admirable elements. Recognizing the chance to make his life work of benefit to the district in which he has won such great success, he has wisely and judiciously invested in business projects here and his efforts have been of almost inestimable benefit in the upbuilding of Burns, of which place he may be termed, without invidious distinction, the foremost citizen.
HUGH STEVENS MOUNT, M. D.
Dr. Hugh Stevens Mount, a prominent physician and surgeon of Oregon City, Clacka- mas county, is one of nine sons born to Henry D. and Rebecca (Stevens) Mount, all of whom have attained high positions in following the professions of law and medi- cine. A brother, Wallace Mount, is one of the justices of the supreme court of the state of Washington. The father, Henry D. Mount, was a large hop grower and a pioneer. He was a very popular man and held many minor offices, though in no sense of the word could he be called a politician. The Stevens family were also pioneers, having come to Oregon in 1852, and they occupied a high social position in the state.
Hugh S. Mount was born at Silverton, Oregon, in 1875, and received his early edu- cation at that place. In later years he entered the University of Oregon, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1903. In the same year he commenced the practice of his profession in Oregon City, where he has remained since, being now ranked among the most ahle of the city's physicians and surgeons. Desiring to keep in touch with the progress which is constantly being made in his profession, he has been taking postgraduate courses every two or three years since his graduation. His
DR. HUGH S. MOUNT
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first postgraduate work was done in St. Bartholomew's clinic of New York, in 1904, and since that time he has pursued courses in all the countries of the world. He makes a specialty of surgery, though he continues general practice, and he has gained the reputation of heing one of the leading surgeons of the Willamette valley. In prac- tice he is associated with his brother, Dr. Guy Mount, and his nephew, Dr. Frank R. Mount and also Edward K. McLean. Dr. Mount enjoys out of his profession the same degree of popularity he has won in it, and he is a valuable asset not only to Oregon City but to the state. He and his brother organized and were instrumental in the building of the Oregon City Hospital, of which Dr. Guy Mount is the president. Hugh S. Mount is also vice president of the Bank of Commerce of Oregon City.
In 1909 Dr. Hugh S. Mount was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Ganong, who belongs to one of Oregon's pioneer families that came to this state in 1850. To this union has been born one son, Hugh G., who is a student of the grade schools of Oregon City.
Dr. Mount is a Knights Templar Mason and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Maccabees, while along strictly profes- sional lines he is identified with the Academy of Medicine, the City and County Medi- cal Society of Portland, the State Medical Society, in which he is a member of the council, and the American Medical Association. Though devoted to his chosen pro- fession Dr. Mount takes a deep interest in the general affairs of his community, county and state, and his reputation as a good citizen is only surpassed by his fame as a surgeon.
JAMES HENRY CONNARN, D. M. D.
Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among other occupations, as it is at once a profession, a trade and a business. Such being the case, it follows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert with the many tools and appliances incidental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess business qualifications adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In all of these particulars Dr. James Henry Connarn is well qualified and therefore has attained prestige among the able representatives of dentistry in Bend and throughout the state.
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