USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > History of Portland, Oregon : with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 49
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About this time W. D. Gookin, who had known Mr. Ladd's father in New Ham- shire, arrived in Portland with a cargo of goods. This stock Mr. Ladd sold out, and cleared by the transaction $1,000. This sum he re-invested in articles of ready sale, and from that time was enabled to prosecute his mercantile operations with vigor.
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In 1852, he was conducting an independent business, operating, however, with Mr. Gookin, who had made some $20,000 by a successful business venture in San Francisco.
"His business habits at this time," says one who remembers them, "were inost exemplary. He was promptly at his place, often being at liand as early as four o'clock in the summer mornings, to help off his customers with their wagon loads in the cool of the day. He economized his strengtli, avoided saloons, spent liis nights in sleep, not in carousals-which have ruined many of Portland's brightest men-and made it a point to observe the Sabbath by attendance upon public worship. He was a shrewd trader, meeting loss and profit with equal equanimity. Not easily excited he could view business affairs with coolness, and make the most advantageous moves in the hours of opportunity."
In 1857 Mr. Ladd married Miss Caroline A. Elliott, of New Hampshire, a young woman of excellent mental endowments, with whom he had been acquainted since school days.
In 1852 Ladd & Tilton entered into partnership and continued their mercantile operations together until the spring of 1855, when the former bought out the latter, who thereupon returned to New Hampshire. Three years later Mr. Tilton returned and again became associated with Mr. Ladd, forming the banking honse of Ladd & Tilton, which was opened for business in April, 1859. The bank has grown steadily and through it has been transacted a large part of the monetary business of Oregon. The capital was small at the start, but in 1861 it was increased to $150,000, and not many years elapsed before the capital was brought up to $1,000,000. When the partnership was dissolved in 1880, bills receivable amounted to npwards of $2,500,- 000, and so select and sound had been the conduct of this business, that when the bank made its statement in 18SS there was less than thirteen hundred dollars of this large sum outstanding.
Though the old store first, and his bank afterwards, occupied his close attention and were the means of making his fortune, Mr. Ladd also branched out into a number of other ventures. He has been most active in developing the agricultural resources of the State, owning three farms of his own and five in partnership with S. G. Reed. These he conducts partly for recreation and amusement. He has been lavish of his means in this particular and has done much in the way of introducing new aud improved methods of farming, and in importing and breeding fine live stock. He is also largely interested in flonring mills, controlling at the present time about three-fourths of the entire flouring mill business of the Pacific Northwest. He is identified with what is now the Oregon Iron and Steel Company at Oswego, and has been a leading stockholder of the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. Besides these interests he is one of the largest property holders in Portland and vicinity, owning many acres of valuable city land and a large number of business and residence buildings. He built the first brick building in Portland. His interest in school matters and public education has been long and continuous, being among the first to serve as a school director. He has been a friend of churches and public charities and his gifts have been munifi- cent. He endowed the chairs of practical theology in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in San Francisco in 1886 with $50,000, and gave several scholarships to the Willamette University. Throughout a wide extent of
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country few churches have been built without aid from him. The Library Association of Portland, one of the most creditable and useful institutions of the city, has always felt his fostering care. For twenty years it has occupied the second floor of his bank building, on the corner of First and Stark streets free of charge. It has been Mr. Ladd's custom from the first to set aside one-tenth of his net income for charitable purposes, placing it as a gift apart from other funds. It is said that an appeal for sufferers, if worthy, has never been refused by him nor by any member of his family.
To his wife lie ascribes a great portion of his success, saying : " I owe everything to her. Through all she has been to me most emphatically a helpmate, in the best and highest sense, a noble wife, a saintly mother to our children. Always patient, thoughtful and courageous, she has cheerfully assumed her part of whatever load I have had to carry. We both started together at bed-rock; and from then until now we have taken every step in harmony."
Their eldest son, William M. Ladd, has for several years efficiently aided his father in the management of his largely increased interests. He is an alumnus of Amherst College and since the retirement of Mr. Tilton, lie has been a partner in the hank. The second son, Charles Elliott, is at the head of the large flouring business which his father in a large part created and now coutrols. The eldest daughter is the wife of Henry J. Corbett, son of Henry W. Corbett. The second daughter is the wife of Charles Pratt, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who is largely interested in the Standard Oil Company.
A man of Mr. Ladd's intelligence and enterprise would be naturally sought after by his fellow citizens to fill positions of public trust. He has, however, invariably declined accepting any public office other than those involving usefulness without regard to public honors or emoluments. He has held the position of Mayor of Portland, and his name has repeatedly been mentioned for high public stations, but he has persistently refused to enter the arena of political strife. During the war he was a war Democrat, and has since exercised his right of voting his own ticket, although in national matters, he has of late years, sided with the Republicans.
Mr. Ladd's main characteristic has been the indomitable persistence with which his plans have heen pursued. The strength of his will has been marked in every phase of his career, but "perliaps nothing shows," says another, "more fully his unquailing spirit and the preponderance of his will, than his steady and persistent application to business since the infirinity came upon him by which he has been rendered incapable of physical activity. His uninterrupted application to business and development of great plans, is an example of how little the operations of a great mind and spirit depend upon the completeness of these temples of clay in which the soul spends its earthly life."
Few men who could more fitly assume the name of "Money King," realize more fully than Mr. Ladd, the idea of a man of great wealth and power holding his possessions as a public trust and sincerely striving to return all his dollars to the use of society, and to the advantage of his fellow men. While he is easily master, he is, nevertheless, a friend and favorite with his workmen and employees. He believes in fairness to all who work and that their rights and liberty he respected, and denounces the iniquity of combinations of capital which would deprive trade or
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labor of its freedom. It is for these qualities he stands closer to the hearts of the people than most men of wealth, and suffers as little from envy as any rich man in the nation.
Such is a brief outline of the history of a man whose active and enterprising spirit, sound business sagacity, open-handed liberality and pronounced Christian character, have contributed largely to mould the character of a growing city, and lay deep and broad the commercial honor, political virtue, enlightened education and sound principles of our young and growing commonwealth. Mr. Ladd is one of those who realize the duties and responsibilities of wealth, and the large assistance he has always lent to worthy objects of public effort are among the proofs of his benevolence and breadth of character.
JILLIAMS, GEORGE H. Judge Williams, alone among the citizens of Oregon, has had the distinction of occupying a place in the highest councils of the nation -in the cabinet of a president. He was also regarded by President Grant as the man most fit and able to hold the position of Chief Justice of the United States. The bitter struggle following his nomination to this supreme position is well remem- bered for the sectional feeling displayed and the dissent of certain members of the senate which led the Judge to withdraw his name. It is not the intention, however, to recall the personal contests of the past-they have been long forgotten and forgiven-but to remind the reader that it was upon an arena no less great than the nation that Judge Williams has passed the most intense years of his life, and that it was as one of a group of men the first among Americans-a company composing the "Great Round Table" in the most eventful years of our national history -- that he has been accustomed to move. The people of Oregon have reason to feel a justifiable pride in his career, and to appreciate more strongly the ties that unite them to the national life. Not wishing to make comparisons as to the value of the services of the able men who have represented the State of Oregon at Washington, and even while remembering the eloquent Baker and the noble and sagacious Nesmith, still it must in justice be admitted that Judge Williams in no place to which he was called, however exalted, ever fell short of its high requirements, and in the discussion and solution of some of the gravest questions which ever confronted the national government he has borne himself with distinguished honor. He was a great and positive force in the senate during his term; uniting dispersed and wavering purposes; giving proper form to uncertain tendencies, and was, moreover, able to defend his policy before audiences no less great than the whole people of the United States.
It is only briefly that we can give the salient features in the life and work of this pioneer and illustrious son of Oregon. Little more will be attempted than to allnde to the more prominent events in which he has been an actor, for these alone will illustrate a character solid, firm, wise and energetic.
He was born in New Lebanon, Columbia County, New York, March 26, 1823, and removed at an early day to Onondago County, receiving his education at the Pompey Academy. He studied law with Hon. Daniel Scott, and at the age of twenty-one was admitted to practice in New York. In the same year, 1844, he removed to Iowa Territory, and commenced the practice of his profession at Fort Madison. In 1847 he was elected Judge of the First Judicial District of that State, at the first election
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after the formation of the State government, serving five years. In 1852 he was one of the Presidential Electors at large and canvassed the State for Franklin Pierce. In 1853, he was appointed Chief Justice of Oregon Territory and was re-appointed by Buchanan in 1857. He terminated his services in this position by resignation, and resumed the practice of law at Portland. He became a member, however, of the convention to form the Constitution for Oregon and was chairman of the judiciary committee. While in this responsible position he was active in opposing the introduction of slavery into Oregon, and as the Constitution required the popular vote upon that question, he was active in presenting the question before the people and in nrging rejection of slavery. His anti-slavery principles and devotion to the Union led hini to assist in the formation of the Union party in 1861. He was very earnest in supporting Lincoln's administration and strongly upheld the efforts of the Federal Government in suppressing the rebellion. In 1864 he was elected senator in Congress and was a member of the committee on Finance and Public Lands, and also of the Reconstruction committee.
Among the measures which he introduced into the Senate and which became laws are the following: An act creating a new land district in Oregon with a land office at La Grande; an amendment to the act granting lands to the State of Oregon to engage in the construction of a military road from Engene City to the eastern boundary of the State, granting odd sections to supply any deficiency in the original grant; various acts establishing post roads; a general law to secure the election of United States senators; the "the tenure-of office act," which kept republicans all over the country from being turned out of office by Andrew Johnson and which became a law by being passed over the President's veto; a resolution against the importation of coolies; an act to provide a more efficient government of the insurrectionary States, called the "Reconstruction Act," under which all the Southern States were reconstructed. The last named act was vetoed by President Johnson, but was passed over his veto. Among other measures were numerous appropriations for Oregon; an amendment to the act of 1861, relative to property lost in suppressing Indian hostilities in Oregon; an amendment to the Judiciary act of 1789; an amendment to the act granting lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from the Central Pacific in California to Portland, Oregon; an act fixing elections in Idaho and Washington territories on the same day as the election in Oregon; an act to pay two companies of Oregon volunteers commanded by Captains Walker and Olney; an act to strengthen the public credit; an amendment to the act granting lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from the Central Pacific to Portland, by which the grant was prevented from reverting to the Government; an act granting lands to aid in the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from Portland to Astoria and McMinnville; a resolution to facilitate the building of a light house at Yaquina Bay, and other light houses on the coast of Oregon; an act granting certain lands to Blessington Rutledge, a citizen of Lane county; a resolution to increase the pay of marshals in taking the census of 1870; an act extending the benefits of the Donation Law of 1850 to certain persons; an act creating a new land district in Washington Territory, with a land office at Walla Walla.
Judge Williams entered the senate at the most exciting and important period in the history of the government. A great war had just closed. One-third of the States of the Union were disorganized, to restore theni was a great work, hardly less difficult
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than had been the suppression of the rebellion. From the first Judge Williams took a prominent part in the debates of the senate and wielded a power second to none in that body and far greater than any new member. He soon became a recognized leader among the first men of the nation, many of whom possessed great talent, unbounded ambition, long experience in the senate, world wide fame, with prestige of old, populous and powerful States to sustain them in their efforts to lead and control their associates and to shape legislation. He originated the most important measures of a political and national character which passed Congress during his term of service-the reconstruction law and the tenure-of-office act. While ten States were in a condition of anarchy, and the wisest and most experienced statesman were quarreling among themselves and waging a fierce contest with President Johnson as to how the subjugated States should be restored to their proper places in the Union, Senator Williams brought forward his military reconstruction bill, and after long and earnest debate, it passed both houses and became a law notwithstanding the opposi- tion of the President and of the Democratic party. Under this law and its amendments, chaos was converted into order, peace was established and the Union was permanently restored on a free and prosperous basis.
While President Johnson was dispossessing of office the loyal men who had elected him and filling their places with those unfriendly to the reconstruction measures, Senator Williams prepared a bill to regulate the tenure-of-office. This was passed over the President's veto and was invaluable in maintaining the power of the Republican party. The senator did much also during these days to give Oregon a reputation abroad and to build up the State at home. His bills for the welfare of the State were carefully matured, well adapted to the conditions then existing, and in their working have been the means of developing domestic and interstate commerce and opening for the people of the Pacific slope the markets of the world.
In 1871, Judge Williams was appointed one of the joint commissioners to frame a treaty for the settlement of the Alabama claims and the northwestern boundary, and other questions in dispute with Great Britain. In this capacity he bore himself with his usual dignity and his counsels proved of material value. Indeed, his part in predetermining the decision of the northwestern boundary in favor of the United States, is something that has never been generally known; his sagacity and foresight probably giving to the country the territory in dispute. Being appointed on the commission as a citizen of the Pacific coast, he was expected to keep especial watch of the disposition of the northwest boundary. The dispute is familiar and need not he recounted here. Great Britain was fully determined, and by diplomatic corres- pondence committed to maintain that the boundary ran through Rosario Straits; while the United States contended that the center of the canal DeHaro, was the true line. It was a point of especial difficulty, both from the inflexible position of each nation, and from the obscurity of the words of the treaty, by reason of their reference to a "channel" which was imperfectly known, at the time they were written. As the only probable solution of the vexed question, it was proposed in the commission to refer the whole matter to the decision of the Emperor of Germany. Seeing at once that this was a loose and dangerous expedient, without some deter_ mining canon to serve as a guide, and that in the interest of harmony, the Emperor might easily yield to a disposition of the question upon other than its legal merits, Judge Williams refused to agree to the Emperor's arbitration, except with the
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proviso that his decision should be merely au interpretation of the treaty of 1846; that he should not decide de novo, but simply settle the meaning or intention of the agreement already made. So cogently did he present these views that the commis- sion finally acceded, being compelled to recognize that in no other form could it be worthily submitted. This virtually decided the question in the favor of the United States, for the Emperor could allow that the treaty intended nothing else but the main or most used channel, which proved to be the canal DeHaro. By this the United States secured the San Juan and other islands.
In December, 1871, Judge Williams was appointed Attorney General of the United States, and for three years fully sustained the rights and dignity of the govern- ment. Here again it is not generally known to how large an extent the force and pith of the president's policy with reference to the Southern States, was in the hands of Judge Williams. To govern these States was the difficult point in the whole question of his administration. It was during the time of the Ku Klux outrages and the laws defied by the clans were to be maintained by the Attorney General. Presi- dent Grant devolved upon him the entire charge of the disturbances aud political affairs of the Southern States, so far as concerned the national government; and the Secretary of War was directed to wait upon him as to the movement of troops into the disquieted regions. At the time when rival goveruments from a number of the Southern States sought the recognition of the President, Attorney General William's advice as to the course to pursue, was closely followed, in accordance with which, the Democratic government of Arkansas and the Republican government of Louisana were recognized. The contending parties of Alabama agreed to submit their claims to him, and his plan of settlement was accepted, restoring peace to a distracted people.
In 1872 he made a tour of the South, delivering addresses in Richmond, Savannah, Charleston and othern Southern cities; declaring the purpose of the President to maintain fair elections, and that every voter should be allowed to cast his ballot according to his preferences. The full vote in the election following and the return of Republicans from Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas and some other Southern States, proved the impression made by his words. Since that time and the change of administrative policy the Republican party has made but little showing in these States.
In 1874, Judge Williams' name was presented to the Senate for the place of Chief Justice, left vacant by the death of Salmon P. Chase. It was hard for the old East to admit that the remote West was entitled to such an honor as would be bestowed by the elevation of the Oregon statesman, and after a contention which promised a great controversy and well nigh threatened to disrupt the Republican party, the Judge withdrew his name-much to the regret of President Grant who was willing to stake upon his confirmation the success of his administration.
The result of the presidential election of 1876, when both parties claimed the election, and the public sentiment of the country was about equally divided as to the result, is still fresh in the public mind. The excitement was most intense and the situation was positively perilous, foreboding discension and distraction, and possibly civil war. In this period of perplexity as to the course to pursue to bring about a lawful and peaceful solution of the difficulty, Judge Williams contributed an article to the Washington Star, which clearly outlined the policy afterwards pursued, and
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embodied all the essential features of the famous electoral commission bill finally adopted by Congress, under the workings of which lawfully and peacefully was settled the great political contest of 1876. Some time after the bill became a law, several persons claimed the honor of having first suggested the ideas it contained. The matter was agitated to some extent in the public press, and finally the Washing- ton Star in a somewhat lengthy editorial, presented the facts in the case and clearly showed the credit belonged to Ju Ige Williams.
Since Judge Williams' return to unofficial life he has made his home in Portland, practicing law and giving essential aid to all great public causes. He has been constantly sought for political campaign work, and to grace the festivals of the metropolis of Oregon with his felicitous addresses. Much interest has centered in his recent utterauces respecting Historical Christiauity, and a lecture prepared and delivered by him upon the Divinity of Christ is regarded as a valuable contribution to this discussion.
Judge Williams has none of the small arts of the popular leader. He is a man of great and simple nature, of very high intellectual powers, of sober and solid judgment, a man who never loses his equipoise, but at all times has his great mental resources at command. Iu clearness of statement and power of argument, he is unsurpassed. His intellectual sincerity is apparent to all who have lieard him speak, and his moral life has always been irreproachable.
H IRSCH, SOLOMON. There is something inspiring in the record of a busy and useful life; something stimulating in the details of a career that is marked by a generous and beneficent purpose; something worthy of emulation in the success that has been wrought by unselfish means. Such has been the record of the gentlemau whose name is the title of this biography, and so thoroughly have the varied lines of his efforts been blended with the agencies which have been conducive to the material progress of the Pacific Northwest during many years that uo history of this portion of the Union, and especially of the State of Oregon, would be complete which failed to give him honorable mention.
He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 25, 1839. His youth was spent in the old country in attendance at the common schools of that day. At the age of fourteen years he came to America, aud soon after his arrival in New York, secured a clerkship in a store in New Haven, Connecticut. Here he remained but a few months, when he returned to New York, and a short time thereafter accepted a position in an office in Rochester, New Hampshire, where he re- mained until 1858. He then came to Oregon by the way of the Isthmus of Pauama, reaching Portland about the middle of April in 1858. A few weeks later he started in business at Dallas, iu Polk County, in partnership with his brother, Edward Hirsch, who had accompanied him to Oregon, and who has since held many high and responsible positions in the State, including two terms as State Treasurer. They remained for two years in Dallas and then removed to Silverton, Marion County. Here they continued together in business until 1864, when the subject of this sketch disposed of his interest, and went to Salem to assist his elder brothers, one of whom, Mayer Hirsch, was well known by early Oregonians.
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