USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > History of Portland, Oregon : with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
597
BIOGRAPHICAL.
From his first connection with Portland Mr. Dodd became one of the most valua- ble factors in the development of Oregon. He saw that to make the State prosperous it was only necessary that its rich soil should be cultivated. The settlers who came to Oregon before the era of railroads, by the long distance across the plains, or the more expensive route, by water, in most cases arrived with little or no means, and were poorly equipped to buy the necessary implements to carry on agriculture. When Mr. Dodd came to the State the extensive and fertile agricultural lands of Oregon, Idaho and Washington, naturally tributary to Portland, were largely, through these drawbacks, cultivated only to a limited extent. To in a measure remedy this state of affairs, Mr. Dodd established supply depots in convenient localities, personally super- intending and directing the work. Ile then permitted any settler who might be in need of agricultural implements, and without means of paying for them, to take them and pay for them whenever they were able out of the crops to be raised. Agricultural machinery worth thousands of dollars was loaned and sold in this way as early as 1869. The Indian wars breaking out soon after, nearly all the settlers whom he had thus supplied were driven from their homes, and Mr. Dodd realized but sinall returns from his venture. But he bad the future good and prosperity of the State at heart; was not looking after immediate returns, and was not discouraged. As soon as peace was secured, new settlers came, and he repeated the experiment again-only increas- ing the voline of supplies, loaning them under the same conditions he had done before. Although he realized from this venture a fair profit, he has besides the great satisfaction of knowing that no single agency did more to prove to the country that the region his enterprise so largely assisted to bring under cultivation, was one of unsur- passed fertility. In this direction he performed a work of far reaching importance.
This, however, is but one of many instances wherein he rendered his adopted State great service. He has been at the front and among the recognized leaders in so many movements for the public good, that to even emimerate them would extend this sketch beyond its prescribed limits. The State Board of Immigration, one of the strongest agencies at work in behalf of Oregon, was largely created by his efforts. From the time the subject was first discussed he became its active champion, and by his efforts before the Board of Trade and among his associates, did much to set the forces in motion which culminated in its formation in 1881. From that time he has most ably served as the President of the Board, and so manifest has been the good accomplished under his direction, that last year, (1889), over $35,000 was raised by voluntary sub- scription in Portland to carry on the work, while for 1890, over $45,000 was secured for the same purpose. For many years lie has been a member of the Board of Trade, and for nine years served as Vice President, largely by his personal efforts, creating from a weak and powerless organization without well defined aims or purposes, a strong and influential body, whose influence upon commercial affairs, is felt through- out the State. In all the work aided by and directly accomplished by the Board of Trade in behalf of Portland, he has been especially active, freely devoting his time and means to carry out every project which seems likely to advance the City's good. In 1883 he was elected a School Director, and served for five consecutive years-a period covering the most important years in the history of the Portland Public Schools-the High School having been completed and put in successful operation during the years named, He worked incessantly and intelligently in the direction of elevating to, aud
598
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
maintaining a high standard of excellence, both in teachers and curriculum, many of the most beneficient and liberal measures now incorporated in the present school sys- tem owing their origin to his sagacious counsel and vigorous encouragement.
Mr. Dodd is a man of strong religious convictions, and ever since his residence in Portland, has been a member of the Episcopal Church. He has been specially active in Sunday-school work, having been. Superintendent of St. Stephen's Sunday-school from 1868 to 1874, and of Trinity Sunday-school from 1875 to the present time, never having missed being at his post a single Sunday while in the City.
The foregoing is merely an outline of Mr. Dodd's career, and gives but a limited view of the many directions in which his active energies have found an outlet. It furnishies but a feeble idea of the man, and no insight into his marked individuality or the peculiarities which distinguish him from other mnen. It is perhaps unnecessary to say that of the men prominently identified with the forces which have made the Pacific Northwest what it is to-day, he holds no mean place. Few men possess a greater amount of physical energy or have had a more varied experience with mnen or affairs. His mental operations are quick, while his ready power of expressing him- self forcibly and clearly, would be the first thing to impress one brought in contact with him. Quickly grasping any subject towards which his mind is turned, lie is fer- tile and original in applying means to meet every emergency. Whatever he under- takes he goes at it with a determined energy, which seemingly has not stopped for a moment to think of defeat. There is perhaps no business in Portland of equal mag- nitude to his own, which represents so thoroughly the effort of one mind, or stands so alone as the creative work of one man. He physically and mentally works harder than any one connected with his business, and has the constitution to perinit of such application. Although he impresses the casual observer as the active, ever-on-the- move, always ready and apparently never tired business man, still he does an immense amount of general reading, and keeps fully abreast of the literary and scientific world, and has one of the best selected private libraries in the City. He has a delightful social side, and finds perhaps his greatest pleasure in associating with congenial friends. He has not let the daily grind of an exacting business career sour his nature or impair the natural kindness of his disposition. The hard features of commercial life are left behind when he emerges from business, and all that makes a man welcome wherever he goes, takes their place. His home life has been singularly a happy one. His wife, of refined and cultured mind, has been truly a helpmate and companion, sharing and co-operating in all of his plans, and has done her full share toward creat- ing a home where he finds his chief happiness. They have had four children, three of whom, two sons and a daughter, are living. Their elder son, Walter H., is a graduate of Amherst College, Class of 1889, while their second son, Edward Arthur, is in the Junior class at the same College, and will graduate in 1891.
Such is a brief account of this successful merchant and public spirited citizen, whose talents were never hoarded in a napkin or put out at usury, but have in many ways enriched his fellows, and in full measure contributed to the prosperity of his State and section.
.
599
BIOGRAPHICAL.
H OLMAN, JAMES DUVAL, was born in August 18, 1814, on his father's farm in Woodford county, Kentucky. He was of the Holman family so well known in the Southern and Middle States. His mother was a Duval of Hugenot descent, a family of equal position with the Holmans in the south. Of Mr. Holman's great- grand parents, three came from Virginia and one from North Carolina. His parents were John and Betsy L. Holman, who were married in October, 1810. In 1817 they moved to Tennessee, where they resided for nine years, when they moved to Clay county, Missouri. His mother died in 1841, and his father came to Oregon in the immigration of 1843. In Angust, 1840, James D. Holman married Rachael Hixson Summers of Fleming county, Kentucky, who survives him, and now (1890), is living at Portland. Her family is well known, particularly in Kentucky, and is closely related to the Hixson, Mason and Morris families of that State. She was born Febru- ary 27, 1823, in Fleming county, Kentucky, and in 1840 accompanied her father, Thomas Summers, on a trip to Western Missouri, which he took for his health. While there she mmet Mr. Holman.
Soon after he reached manhood Mr. Holman engaged in mercantile business. During that period the large number of Mormons in this section of Missouri caused great trouble, and partly hy reason of his opposition to them and the active measures against them, in which he was a participant, he failed in business in 1845. His failure, too, was caused in part by the bankruptcy of a large number of his debtors. He refused to avail himself of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, and after he came to Oregon, and as soon as he was able to do so, hie voluntarily repaid, with accrued inter- est, all his debts and obligations contracted before his business in Missouri failed.
In 1846, Mr. Holman, with his wife and two children came to Oregon across the plains in the immigration of that year. They left Independence, Missouri, in the spring and arrived at Oregon City, October 5, 1846. It is unnecessary to recount the hardships and privations, and their encounters with Indians on their toilsome land journey of over 2,000 miles. All old residents of Oregon know what the immigrations of the '40's endured. It is a part of the heroic history of Oregon. When Mr. Holman and his family started for Oregon, all that part of the country north of California was in dispute between the United States and Englaud. The Ashburton treaty was not made until the immigrants of 1846 were half way over on their western march. At that time California belonged to Mexico. There were rumors of war, but the Mexican war had not begun, And gold was not known as being in California until two years later.
The real pioneers of Oregon are those who came prior to 1847. Others experi- enced equal hardships and dangers, but the Ashburton treaty settled forever the claim that what is now the States of Oregon and Washington belonged to the United States. Those who came after 1846 took no risk on the ownership of the country. The earlier immigrations had made plain the road which the later immigrations traveled.
On their arrival, Mr. Holman and his family stayed for a short time in Oregon City, but soon after they settled on a piece of land in Clackamas county, near Oregon City, where they lived until 1848. At that time news was brought by a sailing vessel of the discovery of gold in California. Mr. Holman took his family to Oregon City, and, with others, organized a party to go overland to California
600
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
and seek for gold. This party were the first overland Argonauts to arrive in Cali- fornia after the discovery of gold there. Mr. Holman was very successful in mining. After some months' working of placers on the American and the Feather rivers, he "cleaned up" several thousand dollars. General Sutter becoming acquainted with Mr. Holman made him an offer to take charge of all of Sutter's property, but he declined and recommended his old-time friend, Peter Burnett, afterwards Governor of California, who accepted the trust, and thus laid the foundation of his large fortune.
In 1849 Mr. Holman returned to Oregon by way of San Francisco, where he purchased a large stock of merchandise. Ile opened a store at Oregon City, and his business, which was directed with energy and intelligence, prospered. He engaged in various enterprises calculated to advance the interests of his town. He was active in raising money to build a dam to increase the depth of the water in the Willamette River below the mouth of the Clackamas. Among his papers at his deatlı was found a deed of the ferry at Oregon City, for which he paid $14,000. Iu 1849 he was elected a member of the first Territorial Legislature of Oregon, and was chairman of the committee on Engrossed Bills of that body as well as a member of the committee on Ways and Means.
In 1850, having acquired considerable money from his business and foreseeing that the commercial city of the northwest inust be on tide-water and not at Oregon City, and believing that such a place would be at the mouth of the Columbia River, he bought from Dr. Elijah White a large interest in the townsite, saw mill and other improvements at Pacific City, on Baker's Bay, at the mouth of the Columbia. In that year he moved to Pacific City with his family aud took up a douation claim adjoining Pacific City by purchasing the possessory rights of the first occupant.
For a time Pacific City gave promise of being the principal city of the northwest. A number of buildings were erected there and a large amount of capital was invested in the place; but hy the jealousy of rival towns, the whole townsite was taken by the United States Goverment as a military reservation after expensive improvements had been made by Mr. Holman and others. Pacific City, thereupon, went down and finally was blotted out of existence. Mr. Holman had invested all his capital there. Among his other investments he had bought a large hotel fully equipped, which entirely filled a ship. This building, shipped, of course, in " knock down" state, was sent from New York, already to be put together. Mr. Holman bouglit and erected this hotel at Pacific City, at a total cost of $28,000. This with the other improvements and the townsite was taken by the goverment in 1852, and it was not until 1879 that the government paid him for the hotel building. For the other improvements and for the townsite, the government has not paid to this day.
On the failure of Pacific City, Mr. Holman was compelled to move on his dona- tion claim, and to live there for four years to secure it as provided by the donation law. He perfected his right to this claim and it now belongs to his widow. On this land is situated the present town of Ilwaco. In 1857, he and his family moved to Portland, where he resided and engaged in business until his death in 1882.
In 1859 he was elected one of the three directors of the Portland Public Schools, and was annually elected for four successive terms. He was a strong advocate of of the high school system of education, and although he was opposed in his views by
Frank Zan
601
BIOGRAPIIICAL.
others while in office, he had the satisfaction some years before his death of seeing his ideas carried out, and the Portland Public Schools brought to their present high standard.
In 1872, he started the town of Ilwaco on his donation claim on Baker's Bay. This town lias grown, and at this time Ilwaco and its suburbs and surroundings con- prise the principal watering place of the Northwest.
In his youth Mr. Holman joined the Baptist Church, but the close communion of that religious body not being in accordance with his ideas, he finally became a Presbyterian. He assisted in the organization of the First Presbyterian Churchi at Portland, in 1860, and was one of the elders of that churchi from early in its organi- zation to the time of his death, being then the senior elder. In 1881 he erected at Ilwaco, on a very sightly kuoll, near his own cottages, a tasteful chapel. ITis breadth of religious view was shown when he made this structure a union chapel, free and open . alike to all denominations. He joined the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons in 1850, being initiated at Oregon City in the first lodge of that order founded in Oregon. He remained an affiliating member until liis death.
Politically, like most Southerners, he was a Whig until the breaking up of that party. He then became a Democrat and remained such, steadfast through all its dark times and trouble, until the end of his life. Through the civil war he assisted in keeping his party together at great personal cost to himself; for he was not a man to swerve from his principles for personal gain, convenience or popularity.
The hardships and exposures of his pioneer life had told ou his naturally strong constitution and repeated attacks of inflamatory rheumatism brought on Bright's disease, which was the immediate cause of his death.
Of his children, he left surviving him two sons, Frederick V. and George F. Holman, both members of the Oregon bar, and two daughters, Frances A. and Kate S., who still live with their mother in Portland. Of his wife, it should be said that in coming to Oregon she willingly sacrificed everything except her love for her husband, and her children. She was in all respects truly his helpmate. By her buoyant disposition she aided her husband in making financial losses an incentive to new effort; and reverses were robbed of bitterness by her sympathy and encourage- ment. There never was a better, braver or nobler woman, nor a truer, more devoted, nor more helpful wife.
Mr. Ilolman's business affairs were for many years interrupted and interfered with by the long sickness and death of several of his children. At one time after he had started in business at Portland, a daughter became ill, and in order that she mnight have better medical treatment, and with the hope that her sufferings would be, less, in a more favorable climate, he abandoned his business and took his daughter and wife to California, where his daughter died. This is a single instance out of a life time of tender devotion. He educated all of his children and bore his privations and losses on their behalf willingly, as sacrifices on the altars of love and duty. Iu every domestic relatious he was ever a true and very tender man.
Mr. Ilolman was a pioneer of the highest type. IIe was in every way honest and honorable-an exemplary man and a model citizen. Ile was a man of deep religious convictions and devoted to his family and his friends.
602
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
Personally he was brave, almost to recklessness; he was temperate, untiring, energetic and far-seeing. He never dispaired, never let circumstances conquer him never sat idle bewailing his luck or his fate. He had the enterprise and the daring in business, which is so essential for the well-being of new communities. Had he possessed less of these qualities he might have, by the process of accumulation and the accident of his location, acquired great wealth. Had not his whole fortune been tied up in his Pacific City enterprise, or had the government paid him in 1852, as it should have done, instead of deferring the payment for twenty-seven years, there- after, he would undoubtedly have made a vast fortune at Portland. As it was he died possessed of property, the income of which was sufficient for his support.
After all it is the personal qualities of a man which make him, and by which he must be measured and remembered. If a man acquires great wealth by his ability and enterprise it becomes, in a proper sense, a monument to him, as is any other deserved success. But if a man acquires riches hy the enterprise, energy or foresight of others the wealth thus accumulated becomes usually greater than the man. The failures of such a man as Mr. Holman are often more creditable than the successes of some other men.
Mr. Holman was a leader in that army of state builders-the immigrants- not a camp follower who lived on, nor a sutler who grew rich from the needs of such an army. It was such men as he who cut out the way to Oregon and made it possible for later comers to be successful. He was one of the men who helped lay strong and solid the foundations of the State of Oregon. When sufficient time has elapsed to write a true history of Oregon and its people it will be then that such pioneers as Mr. Holman will be given the credit which they so fully deserve.
ONES, HENRY E., M. D. The subject of this brief memoir, was born in Steuben, J' Oneida county, New York, in 1837, and is the third child in a family of nine children of Hugh W. and Sarah (Smith) Jones. His early life was spent on a farm and during his youth his educational advantages were of the most limited nature. The humble circumstances of his parents, with a large family to provide for, made it impossible to give their children anything but the most meagre opportunities for gaining an education. Until after our subject had reached his majority most of his time had been passed in labor upon the farm, during which period the only mental discipline he received was such as could be obtained in the winter terms at the district school. Environed by circumstances which offered little to encourage his ambition; surrounded by obstacles which seemed almost insurmountable, his future prospects for a career beyond that of the most modest pretensions were any- thing but bright, but even at this time he determined, however much the effort might cost him, to rise above the conditions in which fate had placed him.
He knew how hard the work would be, he knew the difficulties he must face and overcome, but a high purpose made him courageous and he was not dismayed. Solely dependent upon himself. with none to' share the inspiration of his cherished plans, and with few kindly works of cheer, he commenced the struggle for self advancement. It is, perhaps, needless to follow him during this period of his
603
BIOGRAPHICAL.
experience which finds a counterpart in the lives of so many who from like condition under the incentive of a worthy purpose have risen to fame and fortune. Compelled to earn his support by severe manual toil, while pursuing his studies, his advance was necessarily slow, and when he entered Whitetown Seminary he was at that time much older than the oldest student there. The embarassment caused by this disparity in age was a severe test of manhood, and surely there is not a moment in the history of this gentleman when the malloyed metal of his character shone more brightly than when lie resolved under the circumstances to go on in pursuit of an education.
While preparing for college at this institution the war of the rebellion began and all over the great State of New York, at the first call for troops, men from the ranks. of the professions, from the farm, from work shops, from schools and colleges stepped forth to defend the Union. Active preparations for war were scen on every hand, ordinary avocations of life lost their charms, and in the wild excitement which prevailed the military spirit was enkindled in the most sluggish nature. Our young student was enthused with the spirit of the times, and even his ambitious thirst for an education became secondary to the great cause which demanded the services of every patriotic citizen. After assisting in the formation of a company he enlisted on August 1, 1862, as a private in Company I, 146th Regiment, New York Volunteers. His promotion in the service rapidly followed. On October 1, 1862, he was appointed first sergeant; February 1st, 1863, commissioned second lieutenant; March 1, 1863, first lieutenant, and November 19, 1863, captain.
Beginning with the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia,, December, 1862, he partic- ipated in all the engagements in which his regiment bore such conspicuous and gallant part until disabled at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5th, 1864. This service included the memorable advance on the Rappahannock by Gen. Burnside in the winter of 1862-3, and the sanguinary battle of Chancellorville under Gen. Hooker, in May, 1863. The soldierly qualities displayed by Officer Jones quickly won the good opinion of his superiors. At the time of Gen. Hooker's withdrawal from the Rappahannock, the 146th was on picket duty at the United States Ford. When the Union forces withdrew, Officer Jones was left with 100 men to guard this ford, remaining twelve hours after his corps and regiment had left. He then by a forced march started to rejoin them, overtaking them some sixteen or eighteen hours later at Manassas Junction. He was overtaken on the way by the advance of Stuart's cavalry and skirmished with them for about ten miles south of Bristow Station. IFis conduct throughout this trying ordeal was most highly commended and was the direct cause of his subsequent promotion as captain.
During the second, third and fourth days of the battle of Gettysburg, the 146th regiment formed a part of the 3d brigade, 2d division, 5th army corps and was in the thickest of the fight which marked this decisive battle of the rebellion. On the second day the 146th, with three other regiments, at a severe loss of officers and men, charged up and obtained possession of Little Round Top, a position recognized by Meade aud Lee as the key of the critical battle of the war, and held it through the entire engagement. It was here, on the third day of the fight, while his company supported Battery D, of the 5th U. S. Artillery, during the terrible cannonading, that Officer Jones received a concussion, which, with his subsequent exposure event- ually resulted in the loss of hearing in his right ear and partial loss in the left.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.