USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > History of Portland, Oregon : with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 58
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HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
In the fall of 1867, he was admitted to practice law and at once opened an office in Oregon City. He was successful from the start, trying and winning in the first year of his practice, one of the most stubbornly contested actions for damage ever fought in the courts of Oregon, in which his client recovered $4,000.
In 1870, Hon. E. D. Shattuck offered him a place with Logan & Shattuck. O11 the first of January of that year the firm of Logan, Shattuck & Killin was formed; and to say what is the simple truth, that Mr. Killiu fully sustained his part in that firm, is to give him a great compliment. The firm, which lasted for some four years, was one of the leading law firms in the State, and when it was dissolved, in 1874, by the retirement of Hon. David Logan, and the return of Hon. E. D. Shattuck to the bench, Mr. Killin's position iu the front rank of the Portland bar was fully estab- lished. This rank he has ever since maintained.
In July, 1873, he was married to Miss Harriet Burnett Hoover, a daughter of the late Jacob Hoover, of Washington county, one of Oregon's earliest aud miost honored pioneers. Her brother, Hon. J. Hoover, ex-mayor of Spokane Falls, is now president of the Exchange National bank of that city, and one of her leading citizens. Mr. Killin and wife have two children, a hoy and a girl, who are truly their parent's joy and pride.
Mr. Killin is a land lawyer and to this branch of the law he has principally devoted himself. His opinions, always honestly given, carry with them a weight second only to the decisions of our highest courts. He has always shown his faith in the future of the city by investing his means, as fast as obtained, in real estate, and as a result he is now possessed of an ample fortune.
His judgment is good and his advice has been sought and followed in many of the larger transactions which have taken place in our city since he has been practicing his profession here.
In politics Mr. Killin is a democrat, but his independence will not allow him to be a strong partisan. He is nevertheless a quiet and effective member of his party and his executive ability causes his advice to be eagerly sought by his party associates.
He has never sought office but his friends, who are many, confidently expect to see him some day high in position.
Like all strong men he is a man of his own opinions, which he expresses fearlessly. He is firm and unyielding in his attachments and is always ready to assist his friends. While not in the ordinary sense a popular man yet in the circle of those to whom he gives liis confidence, none has a warmer place than he. He is the soul of houor, and wherever known his word passes as current as coin of the realm.
In person Mr. Killin is a portly gentleman, of pleasing appearance, and though now only in the prime of life is thoroughly enjoying the fruits of his early years of toil. The honorable success he has achieved is sufficient attestation that his work has been done well.
CAYLOR, WILLIAM H., M. D., was born in Wapello County, Iowa, August 17, 1843. His parents were Conrad G. and Mary A. (Black) Saylor. In 1852 he was brought by his parents across the plains to Oregon, and in the fall of that year arrived in Portland. In the succeeding spring the family went to Olympia, Wash- ington Territory, remaining there until the summer of 1854 when they removed to
W. H. Say lor m.M.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
a farm which his father had purchased in Rock Prairie. Here our subject lived until the breaking out of the Indian war of 1855 when the family, removed for protection to Fort Henness, on Grand Mound Prairie, residing there uutil hostilities were prac- tically at an end in the fall of 1856, when they returned to Oregon, settling at McMiunville. During the first years of his life here he performed the duties of clerk in his father's store, meanwhile attending school at the old college building, within whose walls so many of the prominent men of Oregon have obtained the greater por- tion of their education. During the summers of 1861-2-3 he was engaged in mining at Oro Fino, Salmon River and Boise mines, and the remaining portions of these years attended school at the Willamette University. Even at this time he had resolved to become a physician. The life he was leading and the prospects it held out to him by 110 means met the scheme of his ambition, and despite the disadvantages of his surroundings and opportunities liis cherished plans made him courageous and equal to all emergencies But before he could put his resolve into execution a turn had come in the civil war which made the outlook for the success of the rebel canse seem imminent, glaldening the hearts of the rebel sympathizers in the north and making every lover of the Union tremble for the safety of the country. At this time a call was made upon the patriotic sons of Oregon to enlist and go forth for the protection of the frontiers against Indian depre- dations, they having been vacated by the regular troops by reason of their having been ordered to the South to defend and protect the old flag. The doctor, true to the needs of the country, was among the first to offer his services. He enlisted in Company B, First Oregon Infantry, in December 1864 and served until he was honorably discharged in 1865. He then returned to The Dalles and as a prelude to the study of medicine entered a drug store. After gaining a good knowledge of the practical part of medicine so far as such occupation would permit, in the mean- while studying his text book uuder the dirction of Dr. J. W. McAfee, he resigned the position and began a systematie course of study of medicine at the medical depart- ment of the Willamette University, graduating from that institution in 1869 with high honors.
He began the practice of his profession at Forest Grove and met with most flattering success. After several years practice, being satisfied that there was still much to be learned in his profession, he went to New York and entered the cele- brated Bellevne Hospital Medical College, graduating in 1876. Soon thereafter lie returned to Oregon and resumed practice in Portland where he has since remained.
Doctor Saylor assisted in the organization of the Oregon State Medical Society and in 1879 held the office of Corresponding Secretary; in 1883 was elected Presi- dent, and in 1887 was chosen one of the Board of Censors for a term of five years. In its interest he has always been an active member, contributing at nearly every session a treatise on some important subject. Soon after locating in Portland he was appointed attending surgeon and physician at Good Samaritan Hospital and has ever since retained the position. In 1882-3 he was Professor of Anatomy in the Willam- ette University, and at the organization of the Medical Department of the State Uni- versity of Oregon was elected Professor of Clinical Surgery and Diseases of the Genito- Urinary Organs which position he still retains. In recognition of his abilities be was appointed by Governor Moody Brigade Surgeon of the State Militia and served during Gov. Moody's term of office. For two years he has been medical director of
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HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
the Oregon Department of the G. A. R .; in 1887 was Grand Medical Director of the Ancient Order of United Workmen for the jurisdiction of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, and at present is President of the Portland Medical Society.
Dr. Saylor was married, in 1873, to Miss Phœbe A. Wing, who at that time was a preceptress in the Pacific University at Forest Grove. She died in 1875, leaving to him the care of a daughter. He was again married, in 1883, to Miss Carrie Caples, eldest daughter of Hon. J. F. Caples, of Portland.
In his profession Dr. Saylor holds a position due to his talents and manly character. His services are eagerly sought after in consultation where wise counsel, a high degree of skill and unerring choice of means and expedients are required. He is a general practitioner, but it is in the department of surgery he particularly excels, having performed successfully some of the most difficult operations known to sur- gical science.
Politically the Doctor is an ardent republican, and although solicited at times to accept nomination for several important offices, he has persistently refused, preferring to confine his usefulness to his profession. In religions views he is liberal, rather leaning toward the belief of the denomination known as Christians, of which his parents were active and worthy members. Personally, the Doctor is a plain, unassum_ ing man, of sensible and practical ideas. He is affable and pleasant in manner and lias the same genial greeting for all, be they rich or poor, which has made him deservedly popular with all classes. In the prime of life, with a thorough knowledge of liis profession and an experience of the most varied and valuable character, it is not too much to expect that in the years to come, Dr. Saylor will add new laurels to a reputation which even now place him in the front rank of Oregon's most successful practitioners.
OTAN, JAMES, was born in Paterson, New Jersey in 1843, and is of Irish descent, L' his father John Lotan, having been born in Ireland and emigrated to America in 1840. Until his twelfth year young Lotan attended the public schools of his native city. He then became an apprentice to the machinist trade in his uncle's shop. After acquiring a full knowledge of his trade he went to Jacksonville, Florida, where with an elder brother he was employed until the war of the Rebellion began, when he returned home, and a few months thereafter, in May 1861, enlisted for two years in Company C, Ninth New York Volunteer Regiment, commanded by Col. Rush C.
Hawkins. This regiment was first stationed at Fort Monroe and from there proceeded to Newport News, where it took part in a fight at Great Bethel, which resulted in one of the first victories for the Union army. It left Newport News with Gen. Butler's expedition and at Fort Hatteras joined Gen. Burnside's command, proceeding with this division of the army up Pamlico Sound to Newbern, N. C., where it fought a battle. From this point it proceeded back to Roanoke Island and from there to Newbern, participating in the battle of South Mills and in numerous skirmishes along the line of March. From Newbern the regiment proceeded through the Dismal Swamps to Norfolk, Virginia, and from there by way of Newport News to Aquila Creek where it joined the Army of the Potomac, and formed a part of Burn- side's division during the terrible slaughter of Union men at the battles of Fredericks-
Jannes Lotan
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
burg, Antietam and South Mountain. At the latter battle the ninth lost heavily, and after being twice recruited went back to Newport News, where Mr. Lotan remained with the regiment until his term of enlistment expired. He was mustered out in June, 1863.
In July, 1863, Mr. Lotan went to Washington, D. C., where he was employed at his trade in the navy yard until May, 1864, when he sailed from New York, via Panama, for San Francisco, arriving in the latter city after a voyage of thirty-nine days. After working at his trade in San Francisco, and Victoria, Vancouver's Island, a few months, in April, 1865, he came to Portland, where he has ever since continued to reside. For seven years after coming to Portland he was employed by the Oregon Iron Works, the first two years as a journeyman and the remainder of the time as foreman of the machine shop. In 1872 he became superintendent of the Willamette Iron Works. He soon after purchased a small amount of its stock and as he was able continued to add to his original purchase until he acquired, several years ago, a half interest in the concern, the works now being owned by Mr. Lotan and M. W. Henderson, each having an equal interest. They employ over one hundred men, and do a general foundry and machine business, but make a specialty of steamboat boilers and engines, and in this line for several years past, have made more than all the rest of similar works in Portland combined. In 1884 they established a shop at The Dalles, known as the Fulton Iron Works, where twenty-five men are employed, principally in making railroad castings for the Oregon Railway & Naviga- tion Company. Mr. Lotan is manager of both concerns and it is almost solely owing to his practical knowledge and constant supervision of the business that such a high degree of success has been attained
In 1870 Mr. Lotan was appointed United States Local Inspector of steam vessels, by Secretary Boutwell. At the time of his appointment there were only seventy-one steamboats iu the district under his jurisdiction. This number had increased to one hundred and seventy in 1887, and his duties in relation to them consumed so much of the time which his personal and private business demanded that he was forced to resign the position. His practical mechanical knowledge made his services in this connection highly valuable and much appreciated by the government.
Soon after coming to Portland, Mr. Lotan joined the Washington Guards, one of the leading military organizations of that day, and took quite an interest in local military affairs. He was elected 2d Lieut. of the company, and when the Washing- ton Guards and the Emmett Guards were formed into a battalion, he was elected and commissioned its Major, holding this office until the battalion was dishanded some two years later. He also served for fifteen years in the old Volunteer Fire Depart- ment, of Portland, and rendered valuable assistance in the organization of the present paid departinent. He was appointed a fire commissioner in 1883, by Mayor Chapman, a position he still retains and most acceptably fills.
Mr. Lotan lias always been an enthusiastic republican, and in local political affairs for the last seventeen years, has taken a most prominent part. Personally he has never been a seeker after office, but no one in Portland lias more persistently labored for the success of his party and candidates than Mr. Lotan. His position as a leader is well recognized, and has been thrust upon him more by the force of circumstances and the knowledge of his friends of his political sagacity and ability for leadership,
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HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
than through any desire on his part for political notoriety or influence. He has repeatedly been chairman of the Republican County Committee, and at present holds this position. In every campaign which has been waged during recent years in city and State politics, Mr. Lotan has taken a prominent part. He is a man of strong personality, and while not naturally aggressive, is, when occasion demands it, a hard fighter, and not easily driven from a stand he may take as to men or political principles.
Mr. Lotan has been successful in business as the result of hard, persistent work, and because of his thorough and practical knowledge of the line in which he is engaged. The business which lie practically controls is no inconsiderable factor in the city's prosperity, and in the years to come promises to become a still more impor- tant element in Portland's material development.
Mr. Lotan was married in 1868 to Miss Emma Carroll, of Portland. They have one son, who is assisting his father in the management of his business.
KLOSTERMAN, JOHN, wholesale grocer and commission merchant of Portland, was born in Hoya, Prussia, in 1840. He was educated in the common schools of his native town and also attended an Agricultural College in Eastern Prussia. In 1858 he took charge of an estate for a large land proprietor continuing in such capacity for about ten years. In 1867 he came to America and for the first six months while acquiring the English language worked ou a farm in Illinois. He then went to Cariboo, British Columbia and was engaged in prospecting and mining for nearly a year, after which he came to Portland and for three years worked as a clerk for Joseph Levi, a meat packer. He then started in business for himself as a member of the firm of Henry Hewitt & Co., general commission and grocery merchants. In 1870 he retired from the firm and embarked in the wholesale grocery and provision business on the corner of First and Ash streets. At the end of four or five years he removed to the corner of Front and Ash streets. For the first few years his brother, A. Klosterman, was associated with him in business under the firm name of Klosterman Bros., but since 1879 Mr. Klosterman has been alone although the firm name of Klosterman & Co. has been retained. Since 1881 he has been located at 70 Front street.
Mr. Klosterman commenced business with a very limited capital, but year by year his trade has increased in magnitude until at the present time it has grown to large proportions. He is an extensive importer of foreign groceries and provisions and finds sale for his goods in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington and from 500 to 1000 miles north, south and east of Portland, five traveling salesmen being employed in this large territory.
He was married, in 1875, to the oldest daughter of Capt. John H. Wolfe, for many years commodore of the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company's line of steamers. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
Mr. Klosterman possesses fine business abilities and has had a remarkably success- ful career. The management of his business has so thoroughly taken up his time and attention that he has had comparatively little time to devote to projects outside the line in which he is engaged. Nevertheless he has made some
John Klosterinary
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
fortunate real estate speculations, and is a member of the Oregon Fire and Marine Insurance Company and a director in the City Board of Charities. He is regarded as one of Portland's trustworthy business men and one whose career already brilliant in its achievments, promises to be of still greater benefit to the city and State in the years to come.
NORTHUP, HENRY H, of Portland, was born in Berkshire, Massachusetts, Feb- ruary 27, 1839. His father was a farmer as were his ancestors for several generations. He attended the public schools, and when of sufficient age, which in those days was nine or ten years, was kept at home during the summer to assist in the work upon the farm. When he had reached the age of twelve years his father died, leaving, with slender property, a widow and three children of whom the subject of this sketch was the only son. From that time commenced a struggle for existence. His mother, a courageous and capable woman, descended from the Wilmarths, wished her son to follow some other vocation than that pursued by his father, and to this end was desirous that he should attend school and be educated. In this desire the boy shared. At the age of fourteen, that being before the era of public schools, he was sent to the Academy located in the town of Lenox, Berkshire, then the shire town of the county, remaining two years. By working outside of school hours he paid for his board, while his mother, by hier efforts supplied his other needs. It was while attending this school he first formed the idea of following the law for a profession, never communicating the thought, however, as it was the wish of his mother that he should become a physician.
At the age of sixteen he commenced to teach, and for the next three years, he, in this way, provided, in the main, means for his own support and at the same time was enabled to attend school a sufficient period during each year so as to properly con- tinue his education. At this time he was nearly prepared for college, and the question arose whether he should attempt a collegiate course, or be content with a less ambitious preparation for life. Some few years prior to this, a State Normal school had been established at Westfield, in his native State, and was then in successful operation. It was finally decided that he should attend here, and not without regret did he relinquish the cherished thought of a more extended course of study, a regret that, as he says, lingers with him to this day. Entering this institutiou in the spring term of 1858, he graduated upon his twenty-first birthday, in 1860, and immediately thereafter accepted a position as tutor in an institution known as the Western University, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
At this time there was much written about the States bordering upon and beyond the Mississippi River. The Kansas excitement was at its height and there was a general desire to "go west." Following this popular feeling, the young teacher, at the close of the school year, and against the desire of those connected with the University, resigned his position and pushed on to the State of Missouri. It was his expectation to obtain a position in some institution of learning, but he soon found that the Normal teachers from the free State of Massachusetts, were not wanted at that time within the borders of that State, and he was compelled to seek the more congenial atmosphere of Iowa. Here he engaged in teaching, during the winter of 1860-61, in the town of Anamosa, and here he began the study of law, borrowing a "Blackstone" from the office of a lawyer friend, and spending his time in the office on Saturdays.
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HISTORY OF PORTLAND,
In April, 1861, at the close of the school year, he went to Dubnque, to engage as teacher in one of the public schools of that city. The attack on Fort Sumter had but recently occurred, and the first call for troops had just been made. The "Govern- or's Grays," a Dubuque militia company under the lead of Captain, afterward Major- General, Frank Herron, had volunteered. But many of the old members of the company could not go and recruits were wanted. The spirit of the times was inspiring. The young teacher entered the ranks; became a member of the First Iowa Infantry, and in a few weeks, under the leadership of General Lyon, was again in Missouri, making the campaign of 1861 in that State, ending in the battle of Wilson's Creek, the death of General Lyon and the retreat of the Federal forces on Rolla.
The period of enlistment of the First Iowa having expired, Mr. Northup returned to his Eastern home, somewhat hroken in health, resulting from the hardships of the campaign, the troops having been put into the field without overcoats, rubber blankets or even the regulation uniform, and having under the skillful generalship of Lyon, been vigorously thrown against the enemy wherever opportunity offered. Teaching a private school in the winter of 1861-62, in his native town, in the spring of the latter year, he again entered the army, having obtained the reluctant consent of his mother, remaining until the fall of 1863, when he resumed teaching and desultory reading of the law.
In March, 1865, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Government service at Washington, and here, while attending to the duties of his position, resumed his legal studies, graduating from the Columbia College Law School in June, 1868, and being soon after admitted to the bar in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.
In May, 1871, Mr. Northinp resigned his position at Washington and removed to Portland, Oregon, where he entered npon the practice of the law. Two years later a vacancy occurred in the office of Register of Bankruptcy for the District of Oregon, and he was appointed to that position, and satisfactorily performed the duties of the office until the repeal of the bankrupt law in 187S. Since then he has been engaged in a general practice, giving much attention to real estate and corporations. He is associated in business with Judge E. C. Bronangh and the firm is in the enjoyment of an extensive practice.
Mr. Northup has taken no active part in politics and has always heen known as an Independent Republican. In 1888, however, considering the importance of the election, he permitted his name to be used as a candidate for the House of Represen- tatives in the Oregon Assembly from Multnomah county, and was elected. He took a prominent part in the political campaign of that year, which resulted in giving the largest Republican majority ever known in the State, and which did so mncli to forecast the presidential election in November following.
Mr. Northup's legislative career was a very active one and met the approbation of his constituents. He was the introducer of the pilot bill, a measure intended to correct the abuses in the pilotage system on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers; also of the Soldiers' Relief Bill, and had charge of the Consolidated Charter Bill for the consolidation of the cities of Portland, East Portland and Alhina, a measure which passed the assembly but failed to become a law by reason of the Governor's veto. He also took an active part in the discussion on the "Portland Water Bill" and the bill to regulate the shipping of seamen.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
As a lawyer Mr. Northup possesses a high order of talent and has achieved well merited success in every branch of practice. In corporation law he is particularly well versed, and of late years his practice lias largely pertained to litigation growing out of the complicated and conflicting questions relating thereto A diligent student, his time and attention have been exclusively devoted to his profession to the exclu- sion of conflicting interests, which united to his natural love for liis calling and a worthy ambition to excel, best explain the success lie has attained. He has in all eminent degree thie qualities which distinguish the well read lawyer, thoroughly familiar with the principles and practices of the law, from the showy barrister who depends upon his own brilliancy and finely worded appeals to passion or prejudice for success. He is practical and thorough in everything. He is not a brilliant speaker, but is noted for clearness of thought, concise perspicuity of expression and intense earnestness, qualities which have most weight in the Courts where simple wit or rhetoric are held in least esteem. His distinguishing traits as a lawyer are careful and thorough investigation of the law and fact of his cases and the methodical and accurate preparation of them for trial. In person he is of medium height and well proportioned, with pleasant features and keen, sparkling eyes. He is progressive in his ideas, has firm belief in the future of Portland and to the extent of his ability extends his aid to every project to advance and beautify the city. With a private and public life above reproach, a man of perfect integrity, of great sincerity of purpose and high sense of duty lie possesses in a high degree the respect and confidence of lis associates both in and out of his profession.
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