USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > History of Portland, Oregon : with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 66
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Mr. Northrup was married in 1856, to Miss Frances C. McNamee, who with five children survive her husband. The children in order of birth are: Ada F., wife of C. A. Morden; Clara E., Frank O., Edwin P., and Ellen A. wife of J. Millard Johnson.
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Among the active and enterprising men, who in the early history of our city organized its institutions and gave character to its government and commercial affairs, none are entitled to more of honor than Mr. Northirup. Unpretentious, a practical business man, his whole life was passed on a high plane, and the influence lie exerted was such as flows from a symmetrical, wholesome and Christian character.
G ILL, JOSEPH K, one of Portland's well known business men, was born in York- shire, England, in 1841, and is the eldest of eleven children of Mark and Amelia Gill. In 1854 he accompanied his parents to America, locating in Worcester, Massa- chusets, where he attended the city schools until he had reached the age of eighteen, when he entered Worcester Academy, continuing at this institution but spending most of his time at work to assist in the support of the family, until lie had attained his majority. He then entered Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, a preparatory school, with the idea of fitting himself for a collegiate course. While pursuing his studies, however, his eyes failed him, and he was forced for a time to abandon his plan. At Wilbraham he boarded with the wife of Dr. W. H. Wilson, one of the earlier missionaries in Oregon. From her, and also from J. S. Smith and Joseph IIol- man, of Oregon, whom he met at hier home, he learned much of our then young State, which fact added to his having been advised by his physician that a sea voyage might be beneficial to his eyes, led him in 1864, to come to Oregon by steamer. He located at Salem, where he continued his studies at the Willamette University, and also acted as assistant teacher, under Prof. Gatch, then President of that institution. At the end of a year liis eyes liad become so much improved that he returned to Wilbraham and resumed liis studies at Wesleyan Academy. His eyes, however, soon after again failed him, and he was advised by his physician that he must abandon the idea of completing a classical education. Having already become far advanced in the English and scientific courses, he thereupon graduated in these branches in June, 1866, being in the same class with Prof. E. B. Andrews, who recently was elected President of Brown Uni- versity.
After graduating, Mr. Gill returned to Oregon, where in August following, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances A. Wilson, daughter of the late Dr. W. H. Wilson. At this time he had no intention of remaining in the State, but was induced to take temporary charge of a book store at Salem, owned by Mrs. Wilson. This he did so successfully that he was finally persuaded to embark in business for himself, buy- ing a lot and building a store. He did a prosperous business, but desiring a larger field, he, in 1870, sold out and came to Portland, and in partnership with George A. Steel, bought out the firm of Harris & Holman, and started a wholesale and retail book and stationery business. They remained together as Gill & Steel until 1878, when Mr. Steel retired and Mr. Gill assumed sole control. Since that time Mr. Gill had for one year another partner, and since 1879 his brother, John Gill, has had a partnership interest in the business, the firm being known as J. K. Gill & Co. From the start this house took a prominent place in the commercial affairs of the Northwest, which succeeding years have only made more conspicuous and now thoroughly recognized. From a trade at first principally retail, it has grown to a wholesale and jobbing trade not exceeded by any like establishment on the Pacific Coast north of San Francisco, Mr. Gill was among
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the first to recognize Portland's advantages as a distributing point, and during his busi- ness career he has contributed his full share towards establishing the present position the city holds as a supply depot for a large extent of country. He was among the first to emancipate the city from its dependence upon San Francisco dealers. He established direct business connection with the largest eastern houses at a time when our mer- chants almost without exception were being supplied from San Francisco; and from that time to the present has been enabled to successfully compete with San Francisco deal- ers, making Portland in his line, a depot of supply equal to any point on the coast. Few men in his line of trade are better known or held in higher esteem than Mr. Gill. He has applied himself to his business with a persistency and thoroughness rarely exhibited, and few inen in our busy city during the past twenty years have worked with greater industry or more couscientiously. He is methodical to a degree rarely seen in mien at the head of an extensive business. He personally attends to every detail, exercising a supervision over every branch of his business, whichi would be impossible to one without great mental and physical endurance. The business which his industry and sagacity have built up, therefore, represent perhaps more clearly the individual work of one man than any in Portland.
Although he has almost exclusively devoted his time and attention to his business, he has not failed to take a helping part in public enterprises or such undertakings which seemed likely to advance the material interest of the city. He was one of the incorporators of the Columbia River Paper Company, organized in 1884, of which he has ever since been President. He was also one of the incorporators of the Merchants' National Bank, in which he has since been a director, and is also a director in the Oregon Fire and Marine Insurance, and the Northwest Fire and Marine Insurance Companies.
Mr. Gill for many years has been a member of the Methodist Church, and ever since his residence in Portland, has been one of the most zealous church workers. He was one of the incorporators of Grace Metbcdist Church, and bas since served as President of the Board of Trustees, and as Superintendent of the Sunday School.
The domestic life of Mr. Gill has been most congenial and happy, He has a famn- ily of six children-one son and five daughters. His son, Mark Wilson Gill, is a grad- uate of Wesleyan University, and is now associated with his father in business.
Mr. Gill is indeed a most worthy representative of Portland's business community, and is recognized as one of our most valuable citizens. He has won an honorable name for energy, reliability and integrity, while his efforts have largely contributed to the prosperity of his city and State.
TULKEY, MARION FRANCIS, was born in Johnson county, Missouri, November M 14, 1836, and was a son of Johnson Mulkey. At the age of ten years he accompanied his parents across the plains to Oregon. The family settled on a dona- tion claim in Benton county and here amid the scenes of the frontier the boyhood of our subject was passed. From his parents was instilled in him a desire for an education and after a brief experience in the log school house, under the tuition of such men as Senator J. H. Slater and Hon. Philip Ritz, he pursued higher studies at Forest Grove, under the guidance of the late Doctor S. H. Marsh. This assistance he supplemented by labors of his own, teaching school during vacations. It was while at school that
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the Indian war of 1856 broke out; and although then but a boy of eighteen lie joined one of the military companies and remained in service until the Indians were subdued and peace was secured. In 1858, he entered Vale College, having as a companion J. W. Johnson, now president of the University of Oregon. Graduating in 1862, he returned to Portland and commenced the study of law with Judge E. D. Shattuck. While pursuing his legal studies, in 1863, lie acted as assistant provost marshal and aided in making the enrollment of that year.
In 1864, he was admitted to the bar, and for some years thereafter was associated as partner with W. Lair Hill, under the firm name of Hill & Mulkey. For his pro- fession he was well equipped, both by thorough preliminary study and a naturally logical and accurate mind, and he at once took rank among the old and leading attorneys of the city. So soon did he acquire a reputation in his profession that in 1866 he was elected as prosecuting attorney of the Fourth Judicial District, while confidence in his fitness for public duties was early manifested by his election in 1867 to represent the third ward in the city council. In 1872, he was elected city attorney for Portland and was re-elected in 1873. Upon retirement from the latter office he hecame associated with Hon. J. F. Caples in the practice of the law, filling the position of deputy during the three successive terms of his partner's service as attorney for the district.
As a lawyer Mr. Mulkey's reputation steadily advanced, and but a short time elapsed after he began practice until he occupied a place among the ablest men of his profession in the State. Not only was he well versed in the law and possessed a mind broad and quick in its grasp of difficult legal problems, but as a speaker his talents were of a high order compelling the attention of the jury by his earnestness, perspec- uity and graceful diction. A legal friend of many years has left the following tribute to his memory which in a measure reveals the esteem in which he was held by his professional brethren of the bar: "He was a man of tireless energy and perseverance, resolutely and patiently working until his object was attained. He had consistency of purpose, prudence and common sense to balance and guide the energy that impelled him. There was no frittering away of his powers upon alien pleasures or pursuits. In court he was a troublesome antagonist, and one to be feared; for if there was a weak point in the case or a flaw in the logic he would mercilessly expose it. I cannot recollect any act of discourtesy on his part, or any word spoken, even in the heat of conflict that left aught of bitterness behind."
Coming to Portland before it had outgrown the proportions of a good sized hamlet he had the business sagacity to foresee that its geographical position and natural advantages would ultimately cause it to become a great and populous commercial centre. His faith in the place induced him at an early day to make acquisitions of property in and about the city, which he subsequently improved with substantial edifices. These improvements added not a little to the development of the city and have since largely increased in value. They show the practical side of Mr. Mulkey's nature and the soundness of his business judgment.
The death of Mr. Mulkey occurred February 25, 1889, at a time when he was in the full meridian of his powers and usefulness and at the height of his successes both in his professional and business career. Throughout the State and the Pacific Northwest, where he was well and so favorably known, his death was indeed lamented.
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HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
His life had been marked by unswerving rectitude in every position he had ever filled in public and private and the public press and the bar of which he had so long been an honored member, expressed in feeling terms the loss of this high minded, public spirited citizen.
He was married in 1862 to Miss Mary E. Porter, of New Haven, Connecticut, who still resides in Portland. They had two sons, Frank, the elder, is an alumnus of the State University and has finished the first year at the law school connected with the University; while the younger, Fred, is being prepared to enter college.
PAULDING, WILLIAM WALLACE, was born at Chalmsford, Massachusetts, near S the city of Lowell, in 1839. He is of English descent, his ancestors having emigrated from England and settled in Chalunsford several generations ago. His early life was spent at home on a farm, during which period he received a good com- mon school education which was supplemented by one year's course of instruction at an academy in Mount Vernon, New Hampshire. After leaving school he went to Boston, where for four years he was employed in a butcher shop. He then purchased his employer's business and conducted it for a year, when, his health failing, he was forced to abandon it. With the hope of finding a climate more congenial to his health and where he might better his worldly fortune, he and his wife started for the Pacific slope by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Franscico in the spring of 1862. In the following fall he came to Portland, at the time of his arrival not possessing a dollar in the world. Among strangers and without money, with himself and wife to support, his prospects were anything but encouraging, but with a disposition not easily discouraged and a willingness to labor at any honest work which would promise a livelihood, he soon found employment. For one year he was employed by the firm of Allen & Lewis. He then secured a situation in the meat store of A. H. Johnson and at the end of a few years became a partner in the business under the firm name of Johnson & Spaulding. At the end of six very prosperous years Mr. Spaulding retired and for the succeeding fourteen years was engaged in dealing in cattle and pork packing. In these lines he built np a very large business which he conducted with a high degree of success and accumulated a considerable fortune. In 1886, he embarked in a wholesale and retail butchering business which has steadily grown in magnitude until at the present time his annnal trade reaches a sum of $100,000.
For several years Mr. Spalding has been largely interested in farming and stock raising, owning a farm of 1,200 acres in Asotin connty, Washington. He is now engaged in raising and breeding horses, at the present time having one hundred head of horses on his farm, but in former years the raising of cattle was extensively carried on, 2,000 being sold from the farm in 1887.
Mr. Spanlding is a director in the Portland Trust Company, and the Pacific Fire Insurance Company; owns one-third interest in the Seventh Street Terrace tract; is a stock-holder in the Pacific Coast Steamship Company and in several real estate com- panies, besides being financially interested in numerous minor business enterprises. He is also a large land owner in Oregon and Washington, and in the city of Portland and vicinity possesses several valnable tracts, while in the city proper he owns a number of business blocks. His real estate operations have been conducted on a large scale and with marked success.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr. Spaulding has always been a hard worker and a man of the most industrious habits. He lias, in truth, been the architect of his own fortune. From the most liminble financial circumstances, by diligent work, by making right uses of his opportunities and by honorable business methods, he has risen step by step until to-day he is regarded as one of Portland's most successful business men.
He was married on June 2, 1861, to Miss Heppie L. Ford, daughter of Simeon Ford, an old and highly respected citizen of Boston. Their married life has been one of marked congeniality and happiness. To the devotion, counsel and encouragement of his wife when the way was dark, Mr. Spaulding ascribes the highest praise and to her gives much of the credit for the success he has attained. Uncomplainingly she hore all the hardships of his early struggles and in its highest sense has been a help- mate and companion. They have had but one child, a bright and promising boy named after his father, who was born in 1865, and died in 1877.
M ARKLE, GEORGE B. Among the young business men of Portland none have exerted a more powerful influence toward advancing the material progress of the city during the past few years than George B. Markle. The various projects he lias been largely instrumental in creating and successfully carrying ont, have been far reaching in thir wholesome effect upon the prosperity of Portland, and justly entitle him to a prominent place in the commercial and financial history of the city.
He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Hazleton, Lucerne county, on the 7th of October, 1857. Until the age of twelve lie received the educational advantages of the private and public schools of Hazelton. He then passed four years in a boarding school at White Plains, New York. His parents removed to Philadel- phia, in 1874, and after one year's attendance in a preparatory school in this city he entered Lafayette college, graduating from this institution in 1878. After graduation he was employed in the Anthracite coal mines at Geddo, Pennsylvania, which were owned by the firm of G. B. Markle & Co., his father being the senior member of the firm. In 1880, his father's health having failed, yonng Markle entered the employ of the banking house of Pardee, Markle & Grier, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and also continned with their successors, Pardee & Markle, as representative of his father's interests. In 1882, the older members of the firm retired and the firm of Markle Bros. & Co. was formed, of which Mr. Markle was the managing partner until 1886.
Mr. Markle's desire to locate in the west led liim, in the spring of 1886, to make a tour of inspection, which embraced Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon and Washington. A careful examination of all this region convinced hin that Portland offered the best inducements as a business point, combined with all the advantages of an old settled community, and in the fall of that year he permanently located in this city. He immediately became a factor in the busy life around him, and displayed a business generalship which marked him as a man of unusual power, and gave him a place among the foremost business men of the city seldom accorded in any community to one of his years. A bare mention of the enterprises in which he is interested and largely assisted to organize and place upon a prosperous basis will give an idea of liis energy and clear business foresight. With others he organized the Oregon National Bank, of which he is vice president; also the Ellensburgh National Bank, the Northwest Loan and Trust Company and the Commercial Bank of Van- couver, being president of the last three corporations named. He was one of the
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HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
purchasers of the Multnomah Street Railway; reorganized the company and ever since has been its president. This company owns the extensive system of street rail- ways on Washington, B, Eleventh and Fifteenth streets. He is also president of the Portland Mining Company, owning the Sunset group of mines in the famous Cœur d' Alene district. He was one of the leading spirits in organizing the great enterprise of the North Pacific Industrial Association; purchased the land upon which to erect the necessary building and secured a large number of subscriptions to its capital stock.
One of the most important services rendered by Mr. Markle was the part he bore in the organization of the Portland Hotel Company. Mr. Henry Villard, then presi- dent of the Northern Pacific Railroad, began the erection of a hotel in Portland, in 1883, such as the importance of the city demanded. His financial embarassment, which occured soon after, put a stop to the work, and for years thereafter, although the lack of a hotel, such as Mr. Villard proposed to erect, was one of the greatest needs of the city, no one seemed to have sufficient conrage to undertake the enter- prise. It was left to Mr. Markle to take hold of the matter, and in his energetic and practical manner, in a few days a large number of subscriptions to the capital stock of the Portland Hotel Company was secured. The company was soon after incorpor- ated and work began upon the building, which has since been completed, giving to Portland one of the finest hotels on the Pacific slope.
Mr. Markle is also a stockholder and director in the Columbia Fire and Marine Ins. Company, and has extensive real estate interests, including a share in various tracts near the city, aggregating several hundred acres, and in the Portland Addition to the city of Vancouver, Washington.
At an age when most men are only beginning to see their way clear toward the substantial things of life, Mr. Markle has already achieved a well earned success. He not only has the ability to project great schemes, but what is more essential the nerve and energy, the courage and financial skill to carry them to a successful issue. Young in years, strong in intellect, in the full vigor of life, and buoyant in hope and aspiration there can be but a career of usefulness and prosperity before this gentle- man, especially in a region where the greatest scope is open to one possessing the prescience to perceive, and the talent to improve the great opportunities the future so abundantly promises.
Mr. Markle is of ordinary height, heavy built with a full ruddy face indicative of good health, and a hearty, robust constitution. He is mature in appearance and gives the impression of being older than his years. He is cool and deliberate in manner, and under the most exciting circumstances would not be apt to lose his equilibrium. He is a man of positive convictions and is not easily turned aside from an undertaking his judgment approves, no matter how difficult the consummation of his scheme may at times appear. It is this quality of persistance, added to the ability of being able to promptly provide means to meet emergencies, which is the strongest element in his character, and to which more than all else is due his success in life.
Mr. Markle was married on June 4, 1889, to Miss Kate Goodwin, daughter of Lieutenant W. P. Goodwin, of the United States Army. They have a fine residence on Portland Heights, which commands a magnificent view of a wide extent of country unsurpassed for great natural beauty.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
M OREY, PARKER FARNSWORTH, without great wealth, is one of the most success- ful men of Portland. As an organizer and conductor of successful enterprises he las no superior in this busy city. A man of untiring energy lie possesses the patience to attend to the smallest details provided success depends on them. Ile lias the ability and the courage to make successful those undertakings which a timid, a less confident or a richer man might not dare attempt. He has a genius for inventing. As a manager of men he has few superiors.
Mr. Morey comes of old New England stock. The energy repressed through several generations by the severe quiet of Maine has appeared in all the greater force in this later son. He was born October 16, 1847, at Calais, Maine.
While yet a child his parents moved to Machias, Maine, where his early boyhood was passed. At an early age he began to learn the trade of a machinist. He worked at Bangor and Portland, Maine, and at Boston, Massachusetts, until he was a compe- tent machinist and mechanical engineer.
In 1866, he moved to Placerville, California, where he lived until 1870, being employed most of the time as mechanical engineer. But Placerville was too small a place for such an energetic nature as Mr. Morey's, so in 1870 he moved to Sacra_ mento and obtained employment there in the shops of the Central Pacific Railroad.
There is no better illustration of his inventive genius, and his ability to meet emergencies than his short experience at these railroad shops. In the year 1870 the C. P. R. R. Co. was confronted with the problem of a large surplus wheat crop to move and with but few freight cars with which to carry this crop to tide water. A machinist and a helper at these shops were able to turn out but nine car wheels a day. Mr. Morey, seeing the difficulty very soon made a machine fitted with appliances by which with a helper he, at first, turned out thirty-two car wheels a day. He con- tinued to improve his apparatus until in a very few days he alone, having no need for a helper, turned out eighty car wheels each day. Still further improving his apparatus he, without assistance, turned out one hundred and nine car wheels each working day.
On leaving the service of the Central Pacific, Mr. Morey invented and patented au anti-friction journal bearing. He moved to Chicago and became a partner with A. V. Pitts, under the name of A. V. Pitts & Co., whose business was manufacturing these journal bearings. This invention is now used by the Pullman Car Company, in its palace cars. In the year 1876, Mr. Morey sold out his interest in A. V. Pitts & Co., and bought a number of patents which he took to California. These patents he improved. A steam pump served as a model which he converted into a dredging pump. It was the first dredging pump ever made. With this pump he was preparing to do extensive work in the mines of California, but the failure of W. C. Ralston and the Bank of California bankrupted Mr. Morey's backers in this enterprise and he sold out.
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