USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > History of Portland, Oregon : with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 53
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In personal appearance Mr. Macleay is spare in figure and of medium stature, while in features he unmistakably shows the true Scottish characteristics. He is a quiet, thoughtful, determined man, whom no success would unduly elate or no difficulties discourage. All his life lie has made haste slowly, but his mental processes are quick and lie readily grasps and comprehends everything to which his attention is directed. He is thorough master of himself and always plans wisely and executes promptly. He is still in the full vigor of manhood, and his elastic constitution gives promise of many years of active usefulness.
Mr. Macleay was married in March, 1869, to Miss Marthia Macculloch, daughter of Mr. John Macculloch, of Compton, Canada. Although a native of the Dominion she was of Scotch descent. She died on the 22d day of November, 1876. She was a devont Christian, a woman of cultivated mind, and her kindness of heart and many acts of charity and benevolence endeared her to all who knew her.
Of their four children, the two eldest daughters, Barbara Martha and Editlı Maccullochi are completing their education in England and the remaining daughter, Mabel Isabel, and the only son, Roderick Lachlan, are attending school in Portland.
ELASHMUTT, VAN B., the present Mayor of Portland, was born in Burlington, D
Iowa, July 27, 1842. Ten years later the family cante to the infant territory of Oregon, and settled ou a farm in Polk county, in the Willamette Valley.
The monotonous life of a farmer's boy illy suited the naturally adventuresome disposition of young DeLashimutt, and at the age of fifteen he went to Salem, where he secured employment in the office of the Salem Statesman, as an apprentice to learn the printers' trade. With characteristic earnestness and energy the apprentice served three years, and at the end of that time came out a finished printer. Work in other offices occupied his time for the next year or niore.
When the news that Fort Sumpter had been fired upon, in April 1861, and that President Lincoln had called for 100,000 troops, reached Oregon, young DeLashmutt determined to join the forces of the loyal North to suppress the rebellion. At that time the means of quick communication between the east and the Pacific coast were not very good, and in order more promptly to enlist in the cause, he went to San Francisco. Here, on the 28th of September, 1861, he became a member of Company G, Third Infantry California volunteers, commanded by Col. D. Edward Conner, afterwards promoted to General for gallant service at the battle of Bear River. The regiment was organized for service in the south, but to the great disappointment of the enthusiastic and patriotic volunteers, they were sent to Utah to guard the over- land route from the Nevada line to Julesburg. During its term of service, the regi- ment had many conflicts with the Indians and endured as much hardship and privation as most regiments at the front.
While stationed at Salt Lake City during the latter part of his enlistment, Mr. DeLashmutt and others of the command, began the publication of the Union Vidette, the first daily issued in the Mormon capital. It was issued for some years, and did good work in throwing hot shot into the camp of mormonism.
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Some months after his discharge, Mr. DeLashmutt went to Nevada, lured there hy the tales of sudden fortunes made in the recently discovered silver mines. He settled down in Washoe City and for a time was engaged in publishing the Wl'ashoe Times. In the winter of 1865-6 he returned to Oregon, and for two years held a printers' case on the Oregonian. With the money he saved during this period, he embarked in the grocery business at the corner of First and Taylor streets. In 1869 he received H. B. Oatman as partner. The relationship continued for one year, when the business was sold, and Mr. DeLashimutt, for one year thereafter, engaged in the real estate business with G. C. Rider. In 1871, he opened a brokerage office with H. B. Oatman, his former partner. At this time, Mr. DeLashmutt, by prudent management, had gained a good foothold on the ladder of business success and was well prepared to take advantage of the general prosperity the inauguration of the railroad system in Oregon created, and from that time to the present he has been a positive force in the business community of Portland.
In September, 1882, with H. W. Scott, Judge W. W. Thayer and others, he incor- porated the Metropolitan Savings Bank, with a capital of $150,000. The inception of this institution was beset with many difficulties, but Mr. DeLashmutt soon showed that he had a positive genius for financiering and he so managed the affairs of the bank that it became a prosperous institution. His success was indeed phenomenal, and established on a high plane his reputation as an able and shrewd financier.
On the foundation laid by the success of the Metropolitan Savings Bank, was organized, on June 7, 1886, the Oregon National Bauk of Portland, with a capital of $100,000, which was later on increased to $200,000. Mr. DeLashmutt has been its president ever since its incorporation under whom its affairs have been so ably conducted, that an enormous business is being transacted, and a high standing in financial circles has been secured.
Perhaps Mr. DeLashintt is best known outside of the city for his extensive mining enterprises. He was among the first to recognize the richness and value of the mines of the Cœur d'Alene region. Here he early made large investments and he now owns a controlling interest in five of the largest mines in that wonderfully rich quartz district, the Sierra Nevada, Stemwiuder, Granite, California and the Inez. At their present value these mines are worth $2,000,000, and two of them have declared dividends amounting to $100,000. These mines will be a source of wealth for many years to come, and their productive capacity will be largely increased by their further development.
It was in counection with his mining enterprises that Mr. DeLashmutt rendered almost invaluable service to the city of Portland and the people of Oregon and Washington. With his usual sagacious foresight he saw that the joint lease of the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company to the Union Pacific and Northern Pacific was especially inimical to the best interest of Portland as well as of the whole Northwest, and that the interest of this entire region was threatened with the stoppage of competitive transportation and the cessation of construction of much needed lines of railway. The danger was seen by many others but no one had the courage to try conclusions with three of the most powerful corporations in the United States. It was found that an injunction suit was the only means of preventing the proposed consummation While others indulged in protestation and argument Mr. DeLashmutt was the only
HU Thompson
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man of means who had the courage to enter the lists against the corporations. IIe bravely brought the injunction suit. This alarmed the railroad magnates and they sent for some of Portland's leading business men to come to New York to join them in a conference. Fair promises were made by the promoters of the joint lease scheme and every honorable means was employed to induce Mr. DeLashmutt to change his position and permit the consummation of the lease, but he stood firm and gave his final answer while en-route home when he wired from Chicago to Mr. Villard in New York City: "Whatever others may do I will not voluntarily dismiss the injune- tion suit." This courageous stand had the effect of defeating the proposed action and for it Mr. DeLashumnutt is entitled to the thanks of the people of Portland and the State of Oregon. With the O. R. & N. Co., unincumbered Portland can hold her own against all competitors. Already the good effects of Mr. DeLashmintt's stand are apparent in the renewed activity of the O. R. & N. Co. to secure new territory and push its lines to Spokane Falls and the Cœur d'Alene mines.
In May, 1888, Mr. De Lashimutt was elected Mayor of Portland by the City Council to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Gates, deceased, and two months later was re-elected by the people by the largest majority ever received by any Mayor. In this position he has now served for two years, and he has given the city an able administration of its affairs which has met the hearty approval of the people. He has the administrative and executive ability which admirably fits him for public life. He has vigilantly ¡guarded the interests of Portland, and within the sphere of his official authority has exercised the same care and good judgment which he has ever exhibited iu his private business affairs.
Progressive and public spirited, Mr. De Lashmutt has borne a leading part in all the enterprises which for many years past have aided the general prosperity of Port- land. He is a large property holder here and all his interests are linked with the city's welfare. As a business man he is especially noted for the quickness with which he grasps the most complicated details and the steadfastness which plans once determined upon are pursued. He possesses a certain boldness in his business methods which comes only to those who are complete masters of the work they intend to do and who have confidence in their own judgment. No one is more careful and conservative than he, but when he fully determines on a course of action he is as firm as a rock and has no lack of courage to face every consequence which may arise. He is now in the very prime and vigor of manhood, full of life, energy and enter- prise, and, with abundant means to carry on his rapidly increasing enterprises and support his financial responsibilities, it is safe to presage that still greater emoluments and honors await him in the years to come.
He was married in Portland in 1869, to a daughter of Rev. Albert Kelly, who came to Oregon in 1850. The children of Mr. and Mrs. De Lashmutt are two sons and a daughter. The family home, situated at the corner of Twelfth and Col- umbia streets, is a beautiful one. and Mrs. De Lashmutt is well known among the deserving poor for charity and kindness.
CREEN, HENRY D., for many years a prominent figure in the commercial affairs of Portland, was born in Tompkins county, New York, October 16, 1825. Shortly after attaining his majority, in 1853, he came to Oregon and established himself at Astoria, in partnership with W. Irving Leonard. This firm purchased the mercantile
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business house of Leonard & Green, which was established at that point in 1850, by John Green and H. C. Leonard, at that date the only mercantile house, except the Hudson Bay Company's trading post, at the mouth of the Columbia river.
He remained at Astoria until 1856, when he closed out his business and removed to Portland. The city was then just beginning to be a place of commercial import- ance and his natural business abilities found a congenial field. In 1858, he procured from the legislature of the State and the city council of Portland the franchise for the present gas works of the city, and in connection with his brother, John Green, H. C. Leonard and Captain Wmn. L. Dall, of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, com- pleted, in 1859, the erection of the first gas works in Oregon, and third upon the Pacific Coast, those of San Francisco and Sacramento City being the only ones at that date in operation. He was the superintendent and general manager of the Portland works from their inauguration until his death and the prosperous financial history of this corporation was largely due to his sagacious generalship.
In 1861, Mr. Green, in connection with his brother and H. C. Leonard, purchased the Portland water works from the original grantee, Robert Pentland. At that time the whole plant cousisted of less than one mile of small wooden pipe, and the source of water supply was the small stream in Caruther's canyon, where a pump was located in the saw mill at the foot of Mill street. Mr. Green at once commenced the founda- tions of the present water system of the city. He was president of the company and at the date of his death, the corporation had grown to be one of the strongest in the city. The plant had been yearly increased to keep pace with the growth of the city until over thirty miles of iron inains, from three to thirty inches, had been laid within and without the city. The tliree reservoirs now in use and the substantial pumping works, with a daily capacity of 12,000,000 gallous were coustructed under his per- sonal supervision. Besides these two corporations, he was one of the principal promoters of and a director in the original Oregon Iron Works Company, at Oswego, which company erected the first works for smelting iron ores and the manufacture of pig iron on the Pacific Coast, and which is now merged into the extensive Oregon Iron and Steel Company.
In all of the various public enterprises to which Mr. Green devoted the prime of his life, he exerted a powerful influence, and was one of the most public spirited citizens of Portland. He was a man of excellent business judgment and far-seeing sagacity, and one to whom the management of large enterprises furnished a fitting scope for his wonderful physical and mental energies.
The death of this successful and popular citizen was most sudden and unexpected. Iu the mouth of February, 1885, while apparently in his usual robust healthi, lie made a trip to the Atlantic States. In March, while in New York, attending to some business engagement and expecting soou to start for his home, lie was stricken down and died before any of his family knew he was ill. The news of his death was a shock to the entire community where for nearly thirty years he had been such a well known and prominent character. Thus suddenly ended the career of this genial hearted pioneer of Portland. Nature had dealt kindly with him, indeed. He was a man of commanding figure and unusually graceful person. He was a self poised character, a man who rose to wealth without resorting to oppression and one whose courage was ouly equalled by his modesty. Faults he had, as inen have had before him, but they were those common only to meu of generous natures. Kindly will he
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be remembered by all who ever kuew the sterling worth of his character ; by all who came within the influence of a nature as frank as a hoy's and of a heart as warm and tender as a woman's.
For years Mr. Green resided with his family in the lower part of the city, but, in 1873, he purchased at the head of B street one of the most picturesque of the many sunny slopes which girt the western limits of the city, known as "Cedar Hill." Here with spacious grounds beautifully laid out, he erected a house, which for the majestic panorama of river, mountain and forest it commands is not excelled on the Pacific Coast. The adornment of this delightful site was an unfailing source of pleasure to him and the superb taste he displayed is evinced on every hand. It was, indeed, the fitting abode of a man whose chief delight was in his home and whose friends were a loyal legion.
Mr. Green was united in marriage in Portland, in 1863, to Miss Charlotte Jones, who, with four children-two sons and two daughters-survive him, and reside in the lovely home his artistic eye had designed, and which is hallowed by so many pleasant meniories.
M
ITCHELL, JOHN H. For a quarter of a century the subject of this sketch has
heen one of the most prominent figures in the political history of Oregon. Becoming a citizen of the State soon after it was invested with the sovereign dignity of statehood, he at once became an active man in the political arena, and so rapid was the growth of his influence that within six years he had served a term with distin- guislied credit in the State Senate, and was the choice of a large body of his party associates for the highest office the State had to bestow. This distinction, that his friends thus early in his career desired to confer upon him, was deferred but a few years later, when he was elected to the position of United States Senator, and is now serving a second term. His career in the highest Legistative hody in the United States has been an active one and covers a period the most prolific in grand results in the history of the Pacific Northwest.
He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on the 22d day of June, 1835. During his infancy his parents moved to Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he was reared on a farm and acquired the rudiments of an English education at the district school. At the age of seventeen years he began teaching in a country school and after spending several winters in this way he realized sufficient money to pay his tuition at Butler Academy, in Butler County, and subsequently at Witherspoon Insti- tute. After completing the full course at hoth of these institutions he commenced the study of law in the office of Hou. Samuel A. Purviance, formerly member of Congress from that district, and later Attorney-General of the State under Governor Curtain. After two years study he was admitted to the Bar in Butler County, by Hon. Daniel Agnew-lately Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Penn- sylvania, and then presiding Judge of that district-iu the spring of 1857. He then hegan the practice of his profession at Butler, in partnership with Hon. John M. Thompson-siuce a member of the National House of Representative from that district-and was thus engaged until April, 1860, when he came to California. For a short time thereafter he practiced law at San Luis Obispo, aud later for a brief time in San Francisco. The fame of Oregon, as a young and growing commonwealth, had,
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in the meantime attracted liis attention, and he determined to link his fortunes with the new State. With this end in view he arrived in Portland, July 4, 1860, where he lias ever since resided.
With that same energy which has been so conspicuous in his career, he not only at once turned his attention to building up a legal practice, but took an active part in local politics. So quickly did lie make his influence felt that in 1861, he was elected corporation counsel of Portland. The succeeding year he was nominated and elected by the Republican party to the Oregon State Senate, in which body he served four years. During the first two years of his term he was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and the last two years lie held the position of President of the Senate. At the close of his Senatorial term he received every mark of approval from his immediate constituents, and in 1866, strenuous efforts were made by his political friends to secure him a seat in the United States Senate. They only failed to elevate him to this exalted position through the lack of one vote in the caucus, liis competitor for the nomination being Governor Gibbs, who received twenty-one votes and Mr. Mitchell twenty. In 1865, he was commissioned Lieutenant Col- onel of the State militia by Governor Gibbs, and two years later was chosen Professor of Medical Jurisprudence in Willamette University at Salem, Oregon, and served in that position for nearly four years. During all of this time he was engaged in the active practice of his profession in Portland. In October, 1862, he formed a law partnership with Hon. J. N. Dolph, now his colleague in the United States Senate, which continued until January, 1873, when he resigned all other engagements to enter upon his duties as United States Senator. During this period he had acquired a reputation as a lawyer second to none in Oregon, and was constantly employed in important litigation. For several years he was the attorney of the Oregon and California Railroad Company and the North Pacific Steamship Transportation Company, while his practice extended to all the Courts, Federal, State and Territorial of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
In September, 1872, Mr. Mitchell was nominated, in caucus, by the Republican members of the State Legislature for United States Senator, receiving the votes of over two-thirds of all the republicans in the Legislature on the first hallot. O11 September 28, 1872, he was elected by the Legislature in joint session as United States Senator for the term of six years commencing March 4, 1873. In this body he soon took a prominent position. He was assigned to duty on the following committees: Privileges and Election, Commerce, Claims, Transportation Routes to the Seaboard, and Railroads. At the end of two years lie was made chairman of the Committee on Railroads and served as such until the end of his term. When the Electoral Com- mission was organized, Senator Oliver P. Morton was chairman of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Election, but having been chosen a member of the Electoral Commission, Senator Mitchell was made acting chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Election, which committee, for the purpose of taking charge of the great controversy involved in the presidential contest of 1876, in the States of Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida, was then increased from nine, the ordinary number, to fifteen Senators. As acting chairman, Senator Mitchell presided over the committee during all the investigations which followed and which at the time attracted so much interest all over the country. He was also selected hy the unani- inous vote of the republicans in the senate as the senator to appear before the
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Electoral Commission and argue the Oregon case. This duty he performed and in a long speech ably presented the legal questions involved, and to the perfect satisfac- tion of his party friends defended the position taken by the republicans of Oregon. During his first term lie was on several occasions selected by the republican majority as chairman of sub committees to visit South Carolina, Lousiana and Florida for the purposes of investigating contested elections.
In April, 1873, Senator Mitchell, and Senator Casserly, of California, were appointed a sub-committee of the committee on Transportation Routes to the Sea-boards, to visit the Pacific coast aud investigate and report upon the best means of opening the Columbia River to free navigation. It was in this position that he liad opportunity to do a great service for Oregon. Soon after his appoint- ment on the committee, Senator Casserly resigned his seat in the Senate, and Senator Mitchell was authorized to proceed alone. He thereupon, during the summer of 1873, made a mnost careful investigation as to improvements necessary to increase the navigation facilities of the Columbia River, and at the next session of Congress submitted an elaborate report to the committee on Transportation Routes-Senator Windom, of Minnesota being chairman-in which he recommended, among other things, large appropriatious for the month of the Columbia River, and also an appropria- tion for a survey at the Cascades, with the view of ascertaining the cost and advisability of constructing canal and locks. This report, as written by Senator Mitchell, was incorporated into the report of the committee without alteration, and submitted to the Senate, and based on this report, Congress at its next session, made an appropriation for a survey for canal and locks at the Cascades, which paved the way for their subsequent construction.
At the expiration of his senatorial terin, March 4, 1879, the legislature of Oregon was democratic, and Hon. James H. Slater, a democrat, was elected as his successor, whereupon Mr. Mitchell resumed the practice of his profession at Portland. In the fall of 1882, he was nrged by party friends to again submit his name as a candidate for United States Senator, the legislature at that time being republican. After much hesita- tion he consented to do so, aud in the legislative caucus received on the first ballot the votes of two-thirds of all the republicans in the legislature, and thus became the nominee of the party again for United States Senator. A bolt, however, was organ- ized and he was not elected. The contest, however, was continued from day to day, until the last day and the last hour of the forty days' sessiou. During the most of this time he was within a few votes of an election. It required forty-six votes to elect, and during the session he received the votes of forty-five different members. Finding an election impossible, although urged by his supporters to continue in the fight to the end, and, if not elected himself, thus prevent the election of any one else, he withdrew from the contest during the last hours of the session, and all of his supporters, except one, who had so earnestly stood by him during forty days, gave their votes for Hou. J. N. Dolph, who was elected. Throughout this long coutest, withont parallel in the political history of the State, for the bitter personal character of the fight, Senator Mitchell apparently lost none of his personal popularity, and after the adjournment of the legislature upon his return from Salein to Portland, was tendered a reception which in warmth and cordiality partook inore of an ovation to a successful than to a defeated candidate.
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