USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > History of Portland, Oregon : with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 52
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incumbent, Hon. H. W. Corbett, and he held the office a second term by election, declining further preferment. IIe continues his business with unabated interest and success.
His family consists of wife and four grown children. The eldest, a daughter, is the wife of Mr. E. M. Hall, who is operating quite extensively upou claims in the Coeur d'Alene mines. The two older sons are in successful business of their own.
In Mr. Lownsdale we find exemplified that sturdy devotion to business and progress, which have not only realized all that the State is at present, but which con- tains the promise of a flourishing future.
)EED, S. G., of Portland, one of the city's most useful and progressive citizens, was R born at East Abington, Massachusetts, April 23d, 1830. His early education was received in the public school of his native town, but he afterwards attended a private school and academy. He came to San Francisco, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, in the spring of 1852, and in the following autumn came to Oregon, where he has ever since resided. He was a clerk in the mercantile house of W. S. Ladd & Co., from the fall of 1855 until the 2d day of April, 1859, when he became a partner in the business, under the firm name of Ladd, Reed & Co.
In 1858, he purchased W. B. Wells' interest in the steamers Senorita, Belle and Multnomah and for many years from this time was one of the leading spirits in the development of the steamboat interest on the North Pacific coast. The steamers named were subsequently merged in the Oregon Steam Navigation Company's line. This company was first organized under the laws of Washington Territory, December 27, 1860, at which time its entire assets amounted to only $172,500. It was re-organized with a capital stock of $2,000,000, under the laws of Oregon, on October 18, 1862, with J. C. Ainsworth, D. F. Bradford, R. R. Thompson, and S. G. Reed as incorporators. Mr. Recd was a director in the company from the date of its organization, and on July 27, 1864, was elected vice-president, remaining in that position until the final transfer of the property to the Villard Syndicate for $5,000,000, in July, 1879, at which time it was merged in the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. During the period of its existence the Oregon Steamn Navigation Co. had a most important bearing on the commercial development of Oregon. In 1867, it had grown to be such a powerful and wealthy corporation that it paid taxes on a valuation of $357,100, while the total assessed valuation of Multnomah county was only $5,400,800.
From year to year, the company not only added to aud perfected its line of elegant steamers, but, in 1862, built the portage railroads at the Cascades and Dalles; in 1868, built a telegraph line from Portland to The Dalles, and in 1878, purchased the Walla Walla and Columbia River railroad, ruuning from Wallula to Walla Walla. So successful was the management of the company that these improvements and additions to its property were made out of the earnings of the company without a single assessment upon the stockholders, and from 1867 to 1879, inclusive, the company paid dividends to the amount of $2,702,500, while the amount paid out for purchase and construction during this period was nearly $2,000,000. These figures give an idea of the immense business done by the company and is a record seldom, if
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ever, surpassed by any similar corporation. In achieving this remarkable success, Mr. Reed bore a conspicuous part, and it furnishes the best evidence of his business sagacity.
While his time was largely devoted to the direction and control of this company, he, in 1871, in connection with W. S. Ladd, made large investments in farming lands in the Willamette Valley, which have since been brought to a high state of cultivation. He also imported fine grades of horses, cattle and sheep and has done much to improve the breeding of stock in Oregon.
In 1879, Mr. Reed was interested with Mr. A. Onderdonk and D. O. Mills in the contract for building the first section of the Canadian Pacific railway, from Port Moody to Kamloops, British Columbia.
He has been president of the Oregon Iron and Steel company since its organization, April 22, 1882, at which time it was incorporated with a capital stock of $1,500,000, and at the same time bought out the Oswego Iron Company. The present company erected a modern blast furnace and pipe plant and improved its water power, and is now turning out pig iron and cast iron pipe, being the only concern manufacturing iron pipe on the Pacific Coast, the nearest plant being at Pueblo, Colorado.
Mr. Reed is largely interested in mining and is president of the well known "Connor Creek Mining and Milling Company," which is operating a valuable gold mine in Baker county, Oregon. This property is rich in ore and has been worked continuously for the past sixteen years. A new vein is now being tapped at a depth of four hundred feet. The ore is free milling and the present capacity of the mine is thirty-five stamps, which are run by water power. Mr. Reed is also owner of the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mines in the Cœur d' Alene district, Idaho, which he purchased in 1887. These mines are large producers of silver and lead ore.
In all of his business operations, Mr. Reed has been bold and enterprising. He possesses that rare courage which, when added to good judgment, is so necessary to success in new and novel enterprises of great magnitude. His plans are carefully laid and he is not easily turned aside from any project he undertakes, however serions the obstacles may appear that oppose his way. Temporary disarrangements of his plans by unforseen mishaps, disturb him but little; he simply commences anew, tries other expedients and is very apt to succeed where a majority of men would have succumbed at the first failure. He is naturally hopeful, is full of resources and is strongly self-reliant; and when his judgment approves a course, is not afraid to stand alone. More than once in his career have these elements in his character been conspicuously shown and almost uniformly have results vindicated the correctness of his judgment.
The city of Portland has been benefited in many ways by his efforts. No one has more confidence in the city's destiny as a great center of trade, commerce and mechanical industries, nor more freely contributes to all objects which seem likely to advance the city's prosperity. He has erected several buildings which have added to the city's architectural appearance, notably the Abington building, the largest and finest office building in the city. He is a republican in politics, and although he has positive views as to the conduct of public affairs and is a strong believer in the principles of his party, he has no taste nor inclination for
[34]
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political life. The management of extensive business interests, for which he is mentally and physically so ably adapted, offers to one of his temperament by far a more congenial and useful field.
Mr. Reed was married in October, 1850 to Amanda Wood, of Quincy, Massa- chusetts. Their home on First street is one of the finest residences in the city, where he delights to entertain his friends and where his chief comforts and happi- ness are to be found.
ELLY, JAMES K. For many years James K. Kelly has been a prominent K man in the legal and political history of Oregon, and has left upon the annals of this section of the Union the impress of his personality. In positions of honor and trust he has maintained an exalted standard of excellence and according to the dictates of his conscience and judgment his influence has been cast for the agencies he believed to be conducive to the true interests of the people. A fitting record of the part he has borne in many important events during his long residence in Oregon, very properly belongs to any history pertaining to this portion of the State.
He was born in Center County, Pennsylvania, in 1819. Until he attained the age of sixteen years his life was spent upon a farm. He was prepared for a collegiate course at Milton and Lewisburg Academies, and became so far advanced in classical and mathematical learning that in 1837 he entered the junior class at Princeton College, New Jersey, from which institution he graduated in 1839. In the fall of 1839 he went to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and commenced the study of law in the law department of Dickinson College, then under the professorship of Jolin Reed, L. L. D. He graduated in the fall of 1841 and shortly thereafter began the practice of his profession at Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He had been in practice but a short time when he was appointed Deputy Attorney General for Juniata County, by Ovid F. Johnson, Attorney General of Pennsylvania, and was re-appointed by Mr. Johnson's successor, John K. Kane, Attorney General under Hou. Francis R. Shunk, Demo- cratic Governor of the State. He held the position until the death of Gov. Shunk. when he was removed by the succeeding Whig governor.
He continned the practice of law at Lewistown, until March, 1849, when, in company with thirteen others he started for California, arriving in San Francisco in July, 1849. The gold excitement was then at its height and Mr. Kelly tried his fortune at mining, working in the Southern mine in Calavaras County, and at Jamestown and Murphy's diggings. He was thus engaged until the early part of the winter of 1849, having been moderately successful, realizing some $2,000. He then went to San Francisco and resumed the practice of his profession. Here he remained until May, 1851, when he came to Oregon and linked his destiny with the then new territory.
His first summer in Oregon was passed at a place then known as Pacific City, near where Ilwaco now is. In the fall of 1851 he settled in Oregon City, where he opened a law office in partnership with the late A. L. Lovejoy. Mr. Lovejoy was at that time a member of the Oregon Legislature and during the session of 1852-3 he was instrumental in having Mr. Kelly appointed one of the Code Commissioners to prepare a code of laws for Oregon Territory. Mr. Lovejoy at the same time was appointed Postal Agent, which caused their partnership relation to be discontinued.
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In the summer of 1853 the Code Commissioners, consisting of Mr. Kelly, as chair- man, and Judge R. P. Boise and D. R. Bigelow, prepared the first code of laws for the territory.
In 1853 Mr. Kelly was elected a member of the territorial council from Clackamas County to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Lovejoy, and at the end of the year was elected for a full term of three years, during this period serving for two years as president of the council.
When Governor Curry called for volunteers to defend the settlers in the Indian war of 1855, Mr. Kelly volunteered; raised a company at Oregon City and was elected its captain. With his command he crossed the Cascade Mountains over the Barlow road and joined other companies which had arrived at The Dalles. Here, in accordance with instructions from Governor Curry, an election for line officers was hield, resulting in the choice of J. W. Nesmith as Colonel and Mr. Kelly as Lieu- tenant Colonel. Soon after the selection of regimental officers, Colonel Nesmith took five companies of the regiment and went into the Yakima country to pursue the hos- tile Indians, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Kelly with the left wing of the regiment at The Dalles. Lieutenant Colonel Kelly was subsequently ordered to proceed with his command to Fort Henrietta on the Umatilla River; where he arrived on the 29th of November, 1855. Learning soon after that the Indians were in force in the vicinity of Fort Walla Walla he determined to march upon them without delay. His com- mand moved at night on the 2d of December, across the hills from the Umatilla River and on the 30th arrived at old Fort Walla Walla, now Wallula. On the 7th, while the troops were leaving the mouth of the Touchet, an engagement with the hostile Walla Wallas, Cayuses, Umatillas, Palouses and some of the Suake tribes, took place. The Indians were pursued a distance of seven miles from the month of the Touchet up the Walla Walla River in a running fight, until they made a temporary stand on Dry Creek, from which point they again fled a short distance beyond Dry Creek where they made a determined stand. Here a desperate battle occurred which lasted four days, resulting in the Indians being driven with great loss north of the Snake River, leaving the volunteers in full possession of the Columbia Valley north of Snake River. Lieutenant Colonel Kelly was highly complimented for the admirable way he handled his men. "The bravery of the volunteer and their gallant conduct in charging and dispersing the enemy time after time," says one historian, "is worthy of the highest praise. Veterau troops could not have done better service."
A few days after this encounter Lieut. Col. Kelly left his command and went to Salem in order to attend a session of the legislature of which he was a member. Before going, however, he had ordered an election to be held to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Col. Nesmith, which resulted in the selection of T. R. Cornelius, as Colonel. In March, 1856, following the close of the legislative session of that year, Lieut. Col. Kelly returned to Camp Curry where the troops were stationed and rejoined the regiment then under command of Col. Cornelius. He proceeded with the regiment a few days later into the Palouse country in pursuit of hostile Indians, enduring all the hardships and privations of this memorable campaign. After the return of the regiment, Col. Kelly was left in charge of the few troops in Walla Walla Valley, Col. Cornelius having gone into the Yakima country. Here lie remained until May, 1856, when the regiment was mustered out
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HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
of service. Thus ended the campaign, and the volunteers who had so valiantly fought in the field and endured uncomplainingly so many hardships, returned to their homes.
Colonel Kelly resumed the practice of law in Oregon City after his return from military duty, and iu 1857 was elected a member of the State Constitutional Conven- tion, and three years later was elected State Senator to represent the counties of Clackamas and Wasco, for a term of four years. Soon after his election he was tendered the appointment of United States District Attorney by President Buchanan, but he declined the proffered honor, prefering to hold the office of Senator.
Colonel Kelly's proficiency as a lawyer was soon recognized, and early in his residence at Oregon City, he acquired a lucrative practice. The money he thus gained from his professional work he invested in extensive warehonses on the west side of the Willamette Falls, but they were swept away by the great freshet of 1861, and he was left as poor as when he came to Oregon. He was undismayed by this misfortune and it simply had the effect to spur him on to greater exertion in his profession. In December, 1862, he removed to The Dalles, where he continued the practice of law until 1869. He was the democratic candidate for Congress in 1864, but the State was strongly republican and he was defeated.
In 1866, Col. Kelly was nominated for Governor by the democratic convention. his republican competitor being George L. Woods. It was a hotly contested election and the returns showed a majority of only a few votes over 300 for the republican candidate. This majority, a large body of the citizens of the State believed aud insisted was caused by the fraudulent rejection of many democratic votes in Grant county. Ground for this belief was furnished by the fact that all the republican candidates in that county who assumed office upon the return of the votes primarily made at this election, were, after a full investigation of the frauds charged, declared not elected, and compelled to vacate their offices. The gubernatorial election was not contested in the State legislature, but upon a count of the votes returned, Governor Woods was declared to be elected by the then legislature. Two years later when the democrats had a majority in the legislature, many of the democratic members were disposed to recount the vote cast two years before, even against Col. Kelly's objection to such action. To avert this, most of the republican members resigned, leaving no quorum to transact business, taking this action before any appropriations had been made for State or other purpose, and in consequence none were made until 1870.
In 1870, the democrats having control of the legislature, Col. Kelly was elected United States Senator. In this position he served the State with his accustomed efficiency. He was one of the attorneys who argued the Oregon election case before the electoral commission of 1876, and in a long speech ably defended the position and actions of his party. After the expiration of his senatorial term he returned to Portland where he had located in 1869, and where he has since continued to reside.
Upon the re-organization of the judiciary of the State in 1878, and the formation of a separate Supreme Court, he was appointed Chief Justice, which position he held until July 1, 1880, since which he has pursued the practice of his profession, taking that place among his professional brethren which his long experience aud high abilities as a lawyer and sterling qualities as a man, have justly won,
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Possessed of a strong taste for politics, Col. Kelly, soon after his settlement in Oregon, was led to take an active part in the stirring political events whichi preceded the transition from territorial to State government. From that period, until his retirement from political life some years ago, he wielded a power and influence which had an important bearing on many important measures. He has always been a democrat and his unflinching adherence to and able defense of party principles endeared him to party associates, while his keen practical sense, honesty and integrity and strong personality, naturally made him a leader. As a lawyer Col. Kelly is earnest and honest in the assertion of the rights of his clients, careful in the prepara. tion of cases, well versed in the principles of his profession, discriminating in the application of precedents and in the citation of authorities and skillful in the conduct of his causes. To these elements are combined those mental and moral qualifications requisite for an accomplished and successful advocate and counsellor. As Chief Justice of the highest court in the State, liis opinions bore indubitable evidence of careful and extended research and showed the possession of an honest, clear, logical mind; the grasp of legal principles, the uufailing purpose and independent courage which surely led him to right conclusions. Indeed, it is but simple justice to say that during the two years he occupied this high judicial position lie fully justified the confidence of his friends and firmly established an enviable reputation as a jurist.
Col. Kelly was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Millar, daughter of Rev. James l'. Millar, deceased. They have had two children, a son and a daugliter.
M ACLEAY, DONALD, was born at Leckmelm, Ross Shire, Scotland, in August, 1834,
and comes from an honorable ancestry. He was educated under a private tutor and at the academy in his native town. At the age of sixteen he accompanied his parents to Canada, settling on a farm near the village of Melbourne in the province of Quebec.
At the age of twenty Mr. Macleay began his business career in partnership with George K. Foster, a merchant at Richmond. Mr. Foster was a man of large means and of excellent business capacity and had much to do in moulding the character and forming the business methods of his young partner.
In 1866 Mr. Macleay became a partner with William Corbitt in the wholesale grocery, shipping and commission business in Portland, establishing the now widely known firm of Corbitt & Macleay. Their efforts were rewarded by almost immediate success and so rapid was the growth of their business that by the year 1870 they had acquired a high place among the leading merchants of the Northwest. With one exception they were the first to send wheat from Oregon to England, sending the vessel Adeline Elwood in 1870. In the following year several vessels were consigned to them from Europe loaded with railroad iron and returned with cargoes of wheat. They were also among the first to perceive the future of the salmon trade and early engaged in canning salmon on the Columbia, exporting the first goods of this kind from Oregon.
In 1869 Mr. Macleay brought a younger brother, Kenneth Macleay, from Canada, and in 1870 he became a member of the firm.
The firm began trade with China, Australia and the Sandwich Islands in 1872-4, purchasing several vessels for their use in carrying on their business. Well deserved
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success awarded their efforts in this direction as had been their fortune in other business enterprises. A certain amount of their profits the partners agreed to invest in real estate. Mr. Macleay accordingly purchased real estate in Portland which during recent years has increased enormously in value, which with his pros- perous business ventures in other directions has made him one of the wealthiest men of the city.
Mr. Macleay has always been a progressive, public spirited citizen and if great success has come to him he has also been generous with his time and means in aiding all enterprises which promised to add to the prosperity of his adopted city and State. Through his exertions a large amount of foreign capital has been invested in Oregon. For many years he was local president of the Oregon and Washington Mortgage Savings Bank, of Dundee, Scotland. During late years he has been a director and chairman of the local board of the Dundee Mortgage and Trust Invest- ment Company, of Scotland, through which corporation loans amounting to millions of dollars have been poured into the Northwest.
The work incident to the developement and continuance of the business which the firm of Corbitt & Macleay represent comprises but a part of the interests which Mr. Macleay's activity and business management have largely created and placed upon a permanent and prosperous basis. He is a director in the Oregon and California Railway Company; in the Portland and Coast Steamship Company; in the Portland Telephone and Electric Light Company; in the Anglo-American Packing Company; in the Portland Cordage Company; in the North Pacific Industrial Association; the Portland Mar- iner's Home, and the Salem Flouring Mills Company. He has also been a director in the Portland Flouring Mills Company, the Oregon City Flouring Mills Company, the Ocean Ship Company, the Oregon Southern Improvement Company and vice- president of the Oregon and California Railroad Company. In all of these corpor- ations Mr. Macleay has been a stockholder and all of them have received the benefit of his business acumen, and practical experience.
The City of Portland has been enriched in many ways by his exertions in its behalf. Whatever has tended to the unbuilding of its commercial affairs has always found in him ready support and encouragement. The business community readily concedes the great value of his services and as a mark of approval he was elected, in 1881, president of the Board of Trade, a position which he has ever since held, having thus been the recognized head of the mercantile community during the most prosperous years in the city's history. In all the measures the board has advocated, which have been acknowledged to have been wise and beneficial to the city, he has been fore- most, never begrudging his time or means, if they promoted the general good.
The career of this practical, progressive business man has in every way been most commendable. He is naturally a man of positive, well grounded convictions, and is open and candid in his avowal of them. His position on any questions of public policy is never one of doubt or hesitancy. His business career, his private and public life, are above reproach, and his honesty is of the character that needs no profession but makes itself felt upon all with whom he comes in contact. While absorbed in business, he has a social side, which leads him to seek and take delight in human association. For several years he was president of the British Benevolent and St. Andrew's Societies of Portland, and is still a liberal member of botli organizations. He was one of the charter members, and at one time president of the Arlington Club,
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the leading social organization of Portland. He has traveled extensively in Europe and America, and in 1878-9, made a tour of the world, the trip being of thirteen months duration; but in most of his travels business is combined with pleasure, for his extensive business interests in several European cities often require his presence.
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