USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. III > Part 87
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The fraternal affiliation of Mr. Pringle is with the Masons and he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is an active member of the Bend Commercial Club, the Emblem Club and organiza- tions of like nature, and is always among the most prominent in all projects promoting public welfare. He is a business man of progressive spirit and unfaltering determination, who accomplishes everything that he undertakes and steadily works his way upward to success, employing modern business methods and wisely utilizing every opportunity that comes to hand.
P. J. HANLEY.
P. J. Hanley, conducting the P. J. Hanley Employment Agency in Portland, is the pioneer in that line of endeavor in this city, having established his present business in 1910. His interests have become extensive and he is maintaining branch offices in several of the large cities of the west, being one of the largest operators along this line in this section of the country. During the World war he rendered valuable assist- ance to the government, furnishing the labor for a large amount of construction work. and he has also secured positions for thousands of ex-service men, furnishing employ- ment free of charge.
Mr. Hanley is a native of Nebraska. He was born in O'Neill in 1872, and is a
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son of Dennis and Mary (Duvanney) Hanley. The father was a native of Ireland and as a young man emigrated to the United States, making his way to the west. Tak- ing up his residence at Omaha, Nebraska, he became puddler for the Dixon Iron Works, making rails for the Union Pacific Railroad, which was then in process of construction. He continued to reside in Omaha until 1864, when he removed to O'Neill, Nebraska, where eight years later the birth of his son, P. J. Hanley, occurred.
P. J. Hanley obtained a common school education and on starting out in the busi- ness world he followed farming and cattle raising and also engaged in the grocery business in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. He became very successful in handling men and for a number of years had charge of construction camps in the northwest, both in the United States and Canada. This led to the establishment of his present business and in 1910 he opened the P. J. Hanley Employment Agency in Portland. be- coming the pioneer in that line of endeavor in this city. From the beginning the venture proved a success and the business has extended from year to year until his operations now cover a wide territory. He furnishes help for heavy construction work only and maintains branch offices at Seattle and Spokane, Washington, at Great Falls, Montana, and at Minneapolis Minnesota being connected with the leading em- ployment agencies in all of the large cities in the west and middle west.
During the World war Mr. Hanley's activities were unsurpassed by any man in his line of work. He furnished nearly all of the labor for the government contracts at Camp Lewis, Washington, and Camp Custer, Michigan, and during an emergency supervised the employment of labor for the government docks at Norfolk, Virginia, for which Porter Brothers were the contractors. He also supervised the operation of twenty-nine employment offices in various parts of the United States, which were conducted exclusively for the purpose of securing positions for ex-service men, fur- nishing employment for two hundred and fifty thousand ex-soldiers free of charge. He likewise managed sixteen Every Man's clubs, where wholesome reading and litera- ture were provided, and his labors in behalf of the government were far-reaching and beneficial in their effect.
Mr. Hanley was united in marrige to Miss Alma Loock of Nebraska, and they have become the parents of three children: Edward, Dorothy and Francis. Mr. Hanley is identified with the Oregon State Motor Car Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In religious faith he is a Catholic and is a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus, with which he has heen connected for a period of twenty-four years, being a charter member of Charles Carroll Council, which was one of the first councils organized west of the Mississippi river. In 1915 and 1916 he served as Grand Knight and he is now chairman of the finance committee, which has charge of the erection of the new clubhouse of the order-a fine edifice costing two hundred thousand dollars, which when completed will be free of all indebtedness, owing to Mr. Hanley's activity in selling bonds to cover all claims against the property. His life has thus been a busy, active and useful one, his efforts having been directed along those lines through which flows the greatest good to the greatest number. While he has attained individual success, he has also promoted the public welfare and his life in every rela- tion has measured up to the highest standard of manhood and citizenship.
AUGUST WALTER MOHR.
August W. Mohr, for years a resident of The Dalles, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession as civil engineer and surveyor, also acting as county surveyor of Wasco county, is a native of the Buckeye state, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in March, 1867, a son of Paul and Frederika (Deiterlein) Mohr, the former of whom was a dis- tinguished scientist and geologist. He was for many years curator of the Museum of Natural History at London, England, and on resigning that position he emigrated to the United States in 1849 and settled in Indiana. In that state he took up the saw- mill business, specializing in walnut. After remaining in Indiana for some years he moved to Cincinnati, where he died in 1891. The Cincinnati museum has many val- uable specimens presented by Mr. Mohr.
August W. Mohr, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the grade schools and in the high school of his native city and later entered the Ontario Agricultural College, at Guelph, Ontario, Canada, graduating from that institution in 1883. Following his graduation Mr. Mohr served for six years in railroad surveying in the east, and in 1889
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he came to the Pacific coast and engaged in the survey of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad, being for two years in charge of the construction of that line. From 1891 to 1893 he was connected with the survey and land department of the Northern Pacific Railway, with headquarters at Grays Harbor, Washington.
In 1893 Mr. Mohr located at The Dalles and took charge of the survey and con- struction of the Paul Mohr Portage Railroad, which was being financed by his brother, Paul Mohr. The financial condition of this country about that time was such as to stop all railroad construction work, and Mr. Mohr accepted the position of superin- tendent of a fish hatchery at Bellingham, Washington, and continued in that capacity until 1900. In the latter year an improvement in the money market set in and he re- turned to The Dalles and resumed the building of the Paul Mohr Railroad, which is now known as the Northern Bank Railroad, or officially, as the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway.
Upon the completion of the railroad Mr. Mohr engaged in general surveying at The Dalles and has practiced his profession continuously for the past seventeen years, and for sixteen years of that period he has been county surveyor of Wasco county, in which responsible position he has given very general satisfaction to all the interests involved. He is in full practice as a civil engineer; he has gained a wide reputation for his ability as a hydraulic engineer, and the water systems of the cities of Condon and Wasco in Oregon and of Bellingham, Washington, are standing evidences of his skill in this branch of his profession.
In 1891 Mr. Mohr was married at Bellingham, Washington, to Miss Jessie Rice, a daughter of Dana E. Rice, one of Washington's pioneer farmers. Mrs. Mohr is an earnest member of the Episcopal church and is vice president of the Episcopal guild of The Dalles. They are the parents of four sons: Frederick, a resident of Wyeth, this state; Paul, living at Sunnyside, California; and Leon and Waldo, living in The Dalles. Paul Mohr served in the World war, having enlisted in July, 1917, in the marine service, and was demobilized in February, 1919. Leon Mohr trained for service at Benson Polytechnic College Students Camp.
August W. Mohr is a member of the Knights of Pythias, a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and has filled all the chairs in these organizations. He is also a member of the Oregon Chapter of the American Asso- ciation of Engineers. While he has never been a candidate for political honors, he has ever given a good citizen's attention to all matters calculated to promote the civic welfare of the community in which he resides.
MARTIN WAGNER.
Martin Wagner, deceased, became a resident of the northwest when a youth of fourteen years and throughout his remaining days was identified with the development and progress of this section of the country. At different periods he lived in Portland, making the city his home during his last years, his attention being given to the supervision of his mining interests.
A native of Germany, Mr. Wagner was born at Ludwigshafen, on the 29th of November, 1853, his parents being John and Katherine Wagner. The first fourteen years of his life were spent in his native country and in 1867 he became a resident of Portland, where his father conducted the old Washington Hotel at Second and Alder streets, continuing in the business until his death, which occurred a few years later.
Martin Wagner had begun his education in the schools of Germany and con- tinued his studies in the high school at Portland and also in Armstrong's Business College, thus becoming well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward went to Walla Walla, Washington, but later removed to Idaho, where he became associated with the Vollmer & Scott Company. At a subsequent period he took up his abode at Walla Walla, Washington, where he filled the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Rosenfeldt & Smith. In 1891 he returned to Portland, where he re- sided until 1893, and then removed to Lewiston, Idaho. A year later he became a resident of Grangeville, Idaho, where he established the First National Bank, of which he was the cashier and one of the active directing forces of the institution until 1912. He then resigned his position to devote his entire time to his mining interests, having in the interim made large investments in mining property. He continued to supervise his business of this character up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 7th
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of April, 1920, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret not only to his immediate family but also to the many friends he had made during his sojourn in this section of the country.
Mr. Wagner was married on the 5th of May, 1890, to Miss Carolyn Pape, a daughter of Bernhardt and Dorothea (Hellman) Pape, who were natives of Germany and came to Portland from Chicago about 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were born two chil- dren: Dorothea, now the wife of Major Harold W. James, who is stationed at Camp Meade with the Seventeenth Infantry, U. S. A .; and Bernhardt R., who is a student at the Oregon Agricultural College.
Mr. Wagner gave his political support to the republican party and while residing in Grangeville filled the office of city treasurer and was always active in support of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He belonged to the Woodcraft Lodge and to other societies which gladly claimed his membership.
JOHN C. REASONER.
John C. Reasoner, who passed away August 3, 1918, was for many years actively identified with farming interests in Oregon, hut spent his last days in retirement from business in Portland, Oregon. A native of Indiana, he was horn in 1846, his parents being the Reverend John S. and Trythena Reasoner, who made the long trip across the sandy plains and over the high mountain ranges by ox-team and wagon in 1852, settling in Brownsville, where the father followed his trade of blacksmithing. He also filled the position of postmaster for several years and engaged in preaching the gospel, contributing to the moral progress of the community in which he resided.
John C. Reasoner obtained his education in the schools of Brownsville and at Forest Grove, Oregon, for he was a lad of but six years when he was brought hy his parents to the northwest. For a number of years he worked in woolen mills, having early learned the weaver's trade, but subsequently he turned his attention to the occupation of farming, which he capahly and successfully followed for many years, or until he retired from active business life, having hecome the possessor of a com- fortable competence as the result of his close application and unfaltering industry.
In 1884 Mr. Reasoner was married to Mrs. Amanda Bonney Gleason, a daughter of Jairus and Jane (Elkin) Bonney, who were pioneer settlers of Oregon, arriving in this state in 1846, while it was still under territorial rule and while the work of set- tlement and development seemed scarcely begun. They had made the trip from Illi- nois to California in 1845 and the following year came to Oregon with a pack train of horses and mules, settling in Marion county, where Mr. Bonney took up a donation land claim and continued its cultivation throughout his remaining days. Mrs. Reasoner was the mother of seven children, two of whom were born of her second marriage. They are still living, as are two children of her first marriage. The family numbered alto- gether: Frank R., who is living in California; Lucy, the deceased wife of Royal Hawley; Mrs. Mary Cole; Ellen, deceased; Henry; Martha, the wife of Frank Stormant; and Froman. It was following his marriage that Mr. Reasoner turned his attention to farming, his wife at that time owning two farms, on one of which they resided until 1905, when they removed to Portland, where Mrs. Reasoner has since made her home and where Mr. Reasoner passed away August 3, 1918. He was a stanch republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and he was always loyal in matters of citizenship, sup- porting many projects and interests for the public good.
THOMAS B. NEUHAUSEN.
Thomas B. Neuhausen is now extensively engaged in business as president of the firm of Neuhausen & Company, dealers in real estate, timber and investments at Port- land. Much of his early life was devoted to public service, but since 1908 he has been active as the head of the present firm. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, November 2, 1872, and is a son of Carl H. and Elizabeth (Brues) Neuhausen. He acquired his education in the public schools of St. Paul, Minnesota, where he attended the Central high school and also the St. Paul Teachers' Training School. He afterward
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became a student at The Lyceum, a university of Bamberg, Bavaria, while acting as secretary to the American consulate at that place from 1893 until 1895. He again took up government work in 1900 as special agent of the United States general land office, with headquarters at Ashland, Wisconsin, and afterward at The Dalles, Oregon, his duties in this connection bringing him to the coast country. He served in that capacity until 1903, when he became chief of the field division of the United States general land office at Portland and filled the position until 1905. He was next made inspector of all United States land offices and surveyors general, with headquarters at Portland, occupying the position until 1906. In the latter year he hecame confidential inspector to the secretary of the interior, Ethan A. Hitchcock, and later to James R. Garfield, so serving at Portland from 1906 until 1908. Desirous of establishing a private business which would give him a wider opportunity for the attainment of success-the legitimate goal of all business endeavor-he organized the firm of Neuhausen & Company and has since handled real estate, timber and investments. Thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase of the business along this line, he has won the confidence and sup- port of the public, having now an extensive clientage.
Mr. Neuhausen is still deeply interested in public affairs and is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party in the northwest. He has been an active worker throughout his life in support of the principles which he deems essential in good gov- ernment and progressive administration of public affairs. He served as secretary of the republican congressional committee of the fourth Minnesota district from 1896 until 1900 and in 1916 he was vice chairman of the Hughes campaign committee of Oregon. In the meantime his public duties had also included the superintendency of the telephone and telegraph system of the house of representatives at Washington, D. C., in 1899-1900, and through the same period he acted as Washington correspondent for the St. Paul Globe.
On the 6th of December, 1899, Mr. Neuhausen was married to Miss Maude L. Lyon, daughter of William Walter Lyon of Staunton, Virginia, the marriage being celebrated in St. Paul. When leisure permits Mr. Neuhausen turns to fishing and hunting for recreation. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Milwaukee, Wis- consin, he has crossed the sands of the desert. He helongs to the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club and is a life member of the Chamber of Commerce of Portland, being keenly interested in the plans and efforts of that organization to upbuild the city, to extend its business relations, to promote municipal progress and to uphold all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He has proven his cap- ability and resourcefulness in business and at the same time public-spirited citizenship is rated as one of the dominant factors in his career.
OSCAR W. ELLIOTT. D. C.
Dr. Oscar W. Elliott, who since the 1st of July, 1916, has been president of the Pacific Chiropractic College of Portland, has through his untiring efforts succeeded in building up the institution to its present high standard of excellence, his work in this connection being most effective and resultant. He has devoted much time and study to this science and through his work as a lecturer and author has done more toward perfecting this branch of the healing art than any other chiropractic specialist in the United States.
Dr. Elliott was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is a son of D. A. and Sarah A. (Kee) Elliott, representatives of an old and prominent southern family, members of which were plantation owners and large slaveholders prior to the Civil war. Dr. Elliott' is a graduate of the University of Missouri and previous to coming to Oregon in 1910 had engaged in the practice of medicine in Missouri and Texas. In 1912 he was graduated from the Pacific Chiropractic College of Portland and on the 1st of July of that year hecame its president, in which office he has since served. He is the recognized head of the chiropractic profession in the west, to which he has contributed in substantial measure through liberal donations and also through his writings and lectures on the subject. He has done more than any one else to advance chiropractic science in this country and his efforts have been equally effective in behalf of the Pacific Chiropractic College. It was organized in 1910 as a stock company and under his
DR. OSCAR W. ELLIOTT
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guidance the institution has greatly prospered, turning out about one hundred graduates yearly and standing on a par with the leading medical institutions of the country. It maintains a hospital and surgical department and has the largest clinic in the west, handling from one hundred and fifty to two hundred patients daily.
Dr. Elliott was united in marriage to Miss Leone Belle Ryan, a resident of Galena, Kansas, and a daughter of Samuel Ryan, a wealthy capitalist of that state, who there settled in pioneer times, becoming extensively interested in farming and mining properties and in the operation of mills. Dr. and Mrs. Elliott have become the parents of two children: John R. and Gladys Loraine, aged respectively nine and six years.
Fraternally Dr. Elliott is identified with the Masons, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. He also belongs to the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club, the Golf Club and the Automobile Club, and his interest in the welfare and development of his city is indicated by his membership in the Chamber of Commerce. He resides at No. 330 Ainsworth street in Portland, and his home is one of the finest in the city, being a three-story structure built entirely of stone. Dr. Elliott is a forceful and convincing speaker and his services are much in demand at all local club functions. He is one of Portland's most prominent and distinguished citizens and is a man of high purposes and ideals, whose life work has been of worth in the world.
J. W. HALL.
J. W. Hall of Portland, assistant district manager of the United States shipping board, has resided on the Pacific coast since 1907 and the width of the continent now separates him from his birthplace, for he is a native of Maine. He was born May 26, 1886, and in the paternal line comes of English ancestry, while on the maternal side he is of Scotch and Irish lineage. He has an aunt, Sarah Munroe, who, although ninety years of age, possesses a very active mind and can readily recall many events of the early history of the Pine Tree state. His great-great-great-grandfather was one of the first to aid in the colonization of Maine and J. W. Hall was born within fifty miles of the place of original settlement of his forefathers. The grandfather, Hiram Hall, was a shipowner and operator and cruised all over the world. The father, J. W. Hall, Sr., was likewise a shipowner of Maine and thus the family for many genera- tions has been connected with shipping interests. J. W. Hall, Sr., was a privateer during the Civil war and there were a number of uncles of J. W. Hall, Jr., who partici- pated in the struggle between the north and the south.
Spending his youthful days in Maine, J. W. Hall, after attending high school, was graduated from Brown University as a civil engineer in the class of 1907. He then followed railroad construction work and was assistant engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad in California until 1912, when he came to Portland and was made assist- ant chief engineer of the Southern Pacific electric lines, known as the Portland-Eugene & Eastern Railroad. He served in that capacity until May, 1917, when he became associated with the United States shipping board as assistant district officer and was later made assistant district manager. He handled all of the technical detail of con- struction of the Emergency Fleet Corporation in the state of Oregon and the Colum- bia River country for the United States shipping board, and as this board was one of the most important inaugurated during the war, Mr. Hall's position was one which demanded the highest efficiency. He is now settling up the claims of the builders and it will yet require a few weeks to complete his task. The offices of the shipping board are on the fifth floor of the Northwestern Bank building. During Mr. Hall's association with the board one hundred and thirty-six vessels were turned out. With the conclusion of his government work Mr. Hall intends to resume the private prac- tice of his profession in Portland.
Mr. Hall has ever been much interested in the rise and fall of the merchant marine and believes that it has perhaps reached the highest point, while its future success depends entirely upon wise administration. More ships were built at Port- land than at any other port of the United States during the war period, and Oregon can justly feel proud of her record in this connection.
In 1909 Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Ivey of Louisiana, a daugh- ter of Benjamin C. Ivey, a prominent cattleman, who removed to Texas about twenty-
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five years ago and has now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have two children: Adelia Eveline and J. Weston, Jr., both attending school. Coming from a family that for generations has been identified with maritime interests Mr. Hall naturally turned to the business which has engaged his attention through the war period and through the subsequent months. As a civil engineer he has high professional standing and his ability has won for him a large clientage and is again bringing to him success in this field.
JUDGE ROBERT R. BUTLER.
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