USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > History of Portland, Oregon : with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 68
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Henry Nemhard
639
BIOGRAPHICAL ..
Sacramento, California. Here for a short time he worked in a saw mill. He then went to San Francisco, and after spending the winter there, returned to Sacramento, where he secured engagement as engineer on the steamer New England, which ran up the Feather River, and afterwards had sole charge, acting as master pilot and engineer of the Black Hawk, then running from Sacramento to Marysville.
While in Sacramento he mnet Lot Whitcomb, who at that time was building the Lot Whitcomb at Milwaukie. By Mr. Whitcomb he was engaged to put the machinery in the steamer, and for that purpose came to Milwaukie. Practically alone, he did all the work required, even to riveting the sections of the boiler together. This somewhat famous vessel was launched December 25, 1850, and prominently figures in the nautical history of Oregon. Mr. Kamm was engineer of this steamer until she went to California in 1853. Afterward, with George Abernethy, Hiram Clark and J. C. Ainsworth, he became part owner in the Jennie Clark, built at Milwaukie, and the first stern wheeler in Oregon. Mr. Kamm became engineer. Later on they purchased an interest in the Express and built the Carrie Ladd. In December, 1859, the owners of the Mountain Buck, Senorita and Carrie Ladd, then running to the Cascades; the Mary and Hassalo plying between the Cascades and the Dalles, consolidated, and formed what was known as the Union Navigation Company. In this company Mr. Kamm was one of the principal owners, but remamed as engineer on the Carrie Ladd, theu running between Portland and the Cascades. In 1860 this company became incor- porated under the name of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, a corporation which ultimately became very powerful, and whose influence on commercial affairs was very great. After the incorporation of this company, Mr. Kamm · was appointed Chief Engineer, and served in this capacity for several years, having entire supervision of the construction of steamers and motive power of the two portage railroads at the Cascades and Dalles. He constantly added to his interest in the Company, by the purchase of stock, and but a short time elapsed before he was the second largest stockholder in the Company. Previously, however, lie had become largely interested in steamboat; on the upper Willamette. Mr. Kanım, with the other owners of the Jennie Clark and Express, formed the Willamette Navigation Company, which later on purchased the Rival, Surprise and Elk. This company, after establishing a successful business, sold out to the O. S. N. Co. in 1863.
The O. S. N. Co. was rapidly becoming a very successful corporation, when Mr. Kamm, led by representations of those in whom he had perfect confidence, against his own judgment and inclination, was induced to part with his interest in the company, receiving a comparatively small amount for his large interest in what a few years later became the most valuable property in Oregon. This occurred in 1867, after the company had passed through the most trying period of its career and just before its days of great prosperity began.
After disposing of his interest in the O. S. N. Co., Mr. Kamm purchased the George S. Wright, which he ran for nearly two years between Portland, Victoria, Sound points and Sitka, Alaska, He then sold her to Ben Holladay, who kept her on the same route until she was lost, and no authentic tidings of the fate of crew or passengers were ever received.
[41]
640
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
For some six or seven years after the sale of the Il'right, Mr. Kamm's health was very poor and he traveled extensively to the various health resorts all over the country, without receiving much or any benefit. Notwithstanding his physical con- dition, however, his ambitious andnaturally energetic spirit would not permit him to refrain wholly from business. During this period he organized the Vancouver Trans- portation Company, in which he has since been the principal owner and president. The Lurline and Undine are operated by this company.
Besides the enterprises named, Mr. Kamm's energies have found employment in many other directions. He was one of the original stockholders in the Bank of California, organized in 1862, and after its failure, in 1875, assisted in its re-organ- ization, and is still a large stockholder. He is a director in the First National Bank of Portland, First National Bank of Astoria, and the Ilwaco Railroad & Navigation Co. He is also president of the Snake River Transportation Company, which has the steamer Norma nearly completed with which it is intended to navigate the Snake River between IInntington and the mining district, a portion of this stream formerly considered not navigable.
Mr. Kamımı is a large property owner, in Portland and San Francisco, and has one of the finest farms in Clatsop county. He has done much to improve the architectual appearance of the city of his home by the erection of the well known Kamm block on Pine street, extending from Front to First street. This large block was built immediately after the Villard failure, when even Portland's most courageous and progressive citizens were despondent as to the future of the city. Mr. Kamm's undertaking at such a time did much to restore con- fidence among the people and was the means of putting into circulation a large sum of money.
Despite a far from rugged constitution, Mr. Kamm has always been a very ener- getic man and few have worked harder or more persistently. He is now in the possession of a large fortune which his prudence and keen business foresight has inade possible in the rapid development which has been going on in the Northwest during the last forty years. Honorable methods have always characterized his bus- iness career, and not a single dollar he possesses has been gained by trickery or oppression nor resort to dishonest or questionable means. He has always maintained an unsullied record for honesty, and possesses the absolute confidence of all with whom he has ever had business relations. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and in a quiet and modest way with no desire for display has contributed toward church and philanthropic enterprises and assisted many toward making a start in the world. He is reserved in manner, has few intimate friends, but is steadfast in his loyalty to those in whom he has entire confidence. He is thoroughly engrossed in the management of his private business affairs, and finds his chief pleasure in the pursuit of hnsiness.
He was married September 13, 1859, to Miss Caroline A. Gray, danghter of the late W. H. Gray, who came to Oregon as one of the earlier missionaries in 1836, She was born in Lapwai, Idaho, then a part of Oregon in 1840. To Mr. Kamını and wife but one son has been born, Charles Tilton Kamm, who is married and the father of two children, and for several years has been captain of the Undine.
641
BIOGRAPHICAL ..
TILLIAMS, RICHARD, was born at Findlay, in the State of Ohio, November 15. 1836. Ilis father, Elijah Williams, was then an attorney-at-law in that State, having a successful practice. His mother died when he was six years of age, leaving three sons, Richard, George (Major George Williams, a banker at Salem, and present Mayor of that city), and John, of whom Richard was the ellest. In 1851 his father, who had again married, emigrated with his wife and children to Oregon. The son John was accidentally killed in crossing the plains, and the remaining part of the family reached the Willamette valley in the fall of 1851. They took up their resi- dence at Salem, and continued to reside there, and in the vicinity, until the death of the mother. Richard attended school at the Willamette University until 1856, and acquired a good rudimentary education. After leaving school he started for the mines in Southern Oregon, but on his way there stopped at Corvallis, where A. J. Thayer, afterwards one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the State, was resid- ing. Judge Thayer was a warm personal friend of Richard's father and family, and lie urged the young man to remain at Corvallis and read law with him, to which he assented, and in due time was admitted to practice. In 1862 Mr. Williams located at Salem to practice liis profession, and in the latter part of that year married Miss Clara J. Congle, dangliter of J. B. Congle, of Portland, a beautiful and highly accom- plished lady.
In 1863 Mr. Williams formed a law partnership at Salem with Hon. Rufus Mal- lory, which continued until the latter was elected to Congress in 1866. He was clerk of the Supreme Court during the time, and until he removed from Salem. He was also appointed, under Mr. Lincoln's administration, United States District Attorney for the district of Oregon.
In 1871 Mr. Williams formed a law partnership with W. Lair Hill and W. W. Thayer, present Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, and in February of that year moved to the city of Portland to engage in the business, where he has since resided.
In 1874 Mr. Williams was nominated by the republican party as its candidate for Member of Congress, but owing to an unfortunate split in his party he failed to be returned. In 1876, however, he was again nominated for the office, and elected by a respectable majority over Hon. Lafayette Lane, candidate on the democratic ticket.
Mr. Williams made an able and faithful Member of Congress, and secured a high standing and added great credit to the State of Oregon by his efforts while there. Since returning from Congress Mr. Williams has devoted the principal part of his time to the practice of law, and hut few attorneys at the bar have been so frequently employed in active litigation in the courts or achieved equal success. He is a good advocate, and is peculiarly adapted to the successful trial of jury causes. He is usually well prepared as to the law and facts involved in his case, and ready to meet any emergency which may arise in the course of the trial.
Mr. Williams has also been successful, financially. He has made such judicious investments in real estate that by reason of the thrift and prosperity which have attended the progress of the State, and especially the City of Portland, they have secured to him a competency. He is not, however, proud of his wealth, does not attempt to display it in order to gratify empty vanity or use it as a means of oppress- ing others. Nor does he bestow it for the purposes of gaining the plaudits of the
642
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
public, yet he never fails to lend aid to those who are in distress. He has been known to advance liberal sums of money to assist obscure persons who were needy, and at the same time refuse to give anything towards a popular charity. He is reticent and slow to confide in others, but his confidence is free and open when once gained, and his friendships never waver. He enjoys the excitement of trading and making money, but no one can say that he ever falsified his word for personal gain, or com- mitted a dishonorable act, nor would any person presume to question his integrity.
"COTT, HARVEY W. Although Mr. Scott is editor of our work this does not seein S to the publishers sufficient reason for excluding a sketch of his life from these pages. Such would seem to contemporary readers a surprising and annoying omission not only, but by future investigators would be accounted unpardonable.
He was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, February 1st, 1838. As the name implies he is of Scotch descent. The first of his ancestors in America came from Scotland about 1755, and landed at Charleston, South Carolina. His parents were from Kentucky and grand parents from Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
He was brought up on a farm in Illinois, where he soon became inured to a life of severe toil, his earliest recollections being associated with doing farm work in sum- mer and going to school in the winter. His father, moved by a migratory disposition, determined to come to Oregon and in 1852 brought his family across the plains with ox teams. The family first settled in Yamhill county, where it remained a little over a year when a removal was made to Puget Sound, where a settlement was made about twenty miles northwest of Olympia, then an unorganized district, now known as Mason county. Here our subject worked in clearing and making a farm'in the wilderness, enduring great hardships and privations. Just as the settlers were becom- ing comfortably established the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856 broke out and young Scott for the greater part of a year was in active service in the field, continuing to render efficient aid until the Indian disorders were suppressed. This experience was followed by manual labor in logging camps and surveying and at whatever else he could get to do. He was now verging toward manhood and had a strong desire for an education, his opportunities for advancement in this direction up to this period having been of the most limited and indifferent nature. Educational facilities in the vicinity of his home were wanting, and in order to devote himself to study he came back to Oregon in 1857 and for a time attended school at Oregon City and Forest Grove, taking up classical and other studies, pursning them in his own way and largely without assistance. To maintain himself he at times worked at farm labor by the month and at other intervals taught school. In 1859, he entered upon a regular collegiate course at Forest Grove and graduated in 1863, supporting himself in the meantime by his own exertions, mostly by manual labor.
After graduation he went to Idaho and for one year was engaged in mining and whip sawing. He then returned to Oregou, and in 1864 came to Portland where for a few months he was employed as librarian in the Portland Library. He then sought and obtained a working place on the Oregonian. Showing a decided talent for newspaper work, he soon after became editor, a position which, with the exception a short inter- val, from 1873 to 1877, he has ever since filled.
643
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Such is a brief outline of Mr. Scott's earlier endeavors toward self advancement and the attainment of a fixed and definate purpose. It gives only a few facts in a hard struggle against many and great drawbacks which confronted his youth and early manhood at that period in the history of the Pacific Northwest. It was simply a busy life of work, of severe manual labor on the farm and at whatever his hands found to do. He never hesitated at any task which seemed to lead to the attainment of his plans. As late as 1858 we find him assisting his father in the hard drudgery of making a farm in Clackamas county, twenty miles south of Oregon City, and again in 1860 and '61 engaged in the same work for his father near Forest Grove. It was a life of hard, persistent toil accompanied with many privations, such as fell to the lot of most sons of the pioneers of Oregon and Washington who came here on the advance wave of Western immigration.
As editor of the Oregonian Mr. Scott found fitting scope for his tastes and abilities. Without the least previous experience in the practical and complex duties of what is usually first a trade and afterwards a profession, he naturally and readily rose to all the exacting requirement of his work, and so signal has been his success and so thorough- ly is his individuality associated with his paper, that his name has become a household word over the entire Northwest, and "within the limits of his influence," says one writer, "is no less familiarly known than Horace Greeley, whose old Tribune became his early political pabulum."
Through his journal for the last quarter century he has voiced the sentiments that have largely controlled the State. He has ever seen clearly the advantages of close union and friendly relations with the great national centers of activity, and has appreciated as few have the value to a young community of organized business and the advantages of capital in our State sufficient to undertake the largest enterprises. This has made him a friend to the opening of the country by railroad lines and has led him to seek the overtures of capitalists to fix their seat here.
With a very strong love of the locality and State and a clear perception of the immense natural advantages of Oregon and Washington, he has given the most minute attention to the discovery of the stores of wealth in forest, mines, soil and climate. Nothing could be more complete than the articles prepared at his direction and published in his paper during the last twenty-five years on these subjects. Their influence has penetrated to every farm in the Northwest and is seen constantly in a stubborn loyalty to Oregon, without bluster or braggadocio which is not excelled in any State in the Union. This has largely been taught our people by Mr. Scott. In this respect the Oregonian stands unrivalled by any journal in America. In no man whom we have met does there appear more strongly the old classic quality of patriot- ismn, both to State and national interest than in Mr. Scott.
To a certain extent he has so learned the feelings, demands and hopes of the people, that his utterances are the daily voice of Oregonians. Bold and reliant in his utterances, naturally combative, never seeking to conciliate, seldom trying to win by persuasion, he meets with unavoidable opposition, but has usually prevailed. Earnest and sincere in all he does, one whose advance has been gained at the expense of hard, persistent work, lie has no patience with pretence and a wholesome contempt for shams, and naturally his manner of thought and writing is fashioned after the lesson of his life. Avoiding all rhetorical art or indirection of language he goes in his
644
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
writing with an incisive directness to his object, and commands attention by the clearness and vigor of his statement, the fairness of his arguments, and the thoroughi and careful investigation of his subject.
In the midst of all his journalistic and business affairs he has found time to pursue literary, philosophical, theological and classical study, and to his constant and system- atic personal investigation in these directions, rather than to any institution, is due his great scholarly attainments which long ago placed him among the few men in our State entitled to be called learned.
Personally Mr. Scott is of large stature, strong features and commanding appear- ance. His brusque business manner is accompanied by the dignity and considerate- ness of the scholarly gentleman, and no man is more highly esteemed by his friends.
The foregoing is merely a brief and wholly inadequate sketch of a career marked by conceded usefulness, and only feebly serves to illustrates a few phases in the life of a patient, steady worker; of one who has no faith in any genius but that genius which owes its existence to persistent, concentrated and methodical labor; nor in any gospel that promises success without unremitting toil. H. S. L .- O. F. V.
INDEX.
ABERNETHY, GEORGE, 33, 46. Abraham, James, 378. Abrams, W. P., 105. Adhams, W. II., 319, 342. Ainsworth, George, 167. Ainsworth, J. C., 169, 253, 257, 269, 393. Ainsworth School, 386. Ainsworth National Bank, 411. Albina, 429. Alisky C. A., 412, 560.
Allen, Lewis H., 116. American Exchange Hotel, 140.
Anderson, Levi, 319. Andrews, Geo. H., 291, 294. Ankeny, A. P., 120, 154. Applegate, Jesse, Charles and Lindsey, 45. Armstrong, A. P., 402. Astor, John Jacob, 20-22, 212. Astoria, 21, 77. Atkinson, Rev. George H., 102, 380, 387. Atkinson School, 386.
BABCOCK, DR. I. L., 33, 42, 309. Backenstos, Col., 109. Bacon, C. P., 169. Baker, Dr. D. S., 105. Ball, C. A., 319, 334. Bank of British Columbia, 409. Banks, 403. Barnes, A. M., 115. Barry, Col. Charles, 265. Beach, J. V., 342. Beach, F. E., 368, 412. Beach & Armstrong, 140. Beck, Win., 384. Beebe, W. S., 342. Bell, G. W., 91. Bellinger, C. B., 336, 337, 342, 518. Bench and Bar, 309.
Beers, Alanson, 43. Benevolent Societies, 364. Bennett, Wm. H., 90. Beth Israel, 145, 360. Bingham, H. T., 336, 342. Bishop Scott Academy, 395. Boise, Judge R. P., 91, 96, 117, 317. 325, 331, 381. Bonnell, A. C., 117, 191, 319.
Bonnell, A. B., 107.
Bonneville, Capt. B. L. E., 28, 29. Blumauer, J., 117.
Boyd, Hamilton, 196.
Boys and Girls Aid Society, 367.
Bradford, D. F., 257. Brant, John, 295, 619.
Brazee, J. W., 146. Breck, J. M., 116, 194, 327, 393, 457.
Breck & Ogden, 115. British Benevolent Society, 372.
Broughton, Lt. W. R., 16.
Brown, Thos. A., 80. Bryant, A. P., 320, 322.
Burnett, Peter H., 45, 78. Browne, Dr. James, 377, 378, 400. Buildings in 1855, 142.
Bulletin, The, 157.
Burns, Hugh, 78 Burrell, M. S., 160. Burrell, Walter F., 402, 409, 411, 412. Business Houses in 1851, 105. Butler, A. J., 148.
Bybee, James, 328.
CABLE LINE, 262. Caffery, Rev. P. S., 145. Campbell, Alexander, 117, 329, 393, 394 Campbell, H., 33. Carson, J. C., 108, 117, 300. Carter, Thos., 97, 102. Caldwell, W. S., 117, 319.
646
INNEX.
Carter, Charles M .. 150, 379. Carey, Charles H., 5, 342. Caples, J. F., 342. Caruthers, Finice, 116, 136. Caruthers, Elizabeth, 136.
Catlin, John, 328, 342. Catholic Sentinel, The, 158, 421.
Catholic Missionaries, 34.
Celebration, Northern Pacific R. R., 460. Cemeteries, 443.
Chance, Geo. H., 164, 374, 377. 378, 401.
Chapman, Col. W. W., 99, 117. 119, 125. 136, 143, 227, 267, 273, 289. 322, 328, 413, 470. Chapman, Dr. J. A., 195, 393.
Chapman, W. S., 211, 419.
Central School, 384.
Chinese Quarters, 437.
Children's Home, 364.
Chinn, Mark A., 329.
Churches, 344. Methodist, 345.
Catholic, 347.
Congregational, 349.
Episcopal, 351.
Baptist, 354. Presbyterian, 356.
Jewish, 359.
Unitarian, 361. Lutheran, 363.
Christian, 363. German Evangelical, 364.
Church, C. P., 163.
City Board of Charities, 368.
City Buildings, 189. City Charter, 172.
City Officers, 1851 to 1889, 198.
Clark, Capt. William, 18.
Clarke, Samuel A., 416.
Cohn, B. I., 372. Coffin, Stephen, 98, 117, 119, 385.
Coleman, D. C., 140.
Cook, J. W., 166.
Congle, J. B., 148, 164.
Coombs, Nathan, 40.
Columbia Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 412. Commerce, 212. Commercial National Bank, 411.
Corbett, Henry W., 105, 116, 141, 148, 168, 189, 269, 286, 408, 413 ,484. Corbett, H. J., 408.
Corbett, Elijah, 161. Couch, Capt. John H., 41, 86, 141, 213, 314.
Couch School, 389.
Coulson, H. C., 334. Court House, 150.
Cox, L. B., 343. Crawford, Medorum, 40, 46, 463. Crawford, T. H., 384, 391.
Crosby, Capt. Nathanial, 78,.92, 116. Curry, Geo. L., 48, 417.
DAILY BEE, The, 419. Daily Evening Journal, The, 420.
Daily Evening Tribune, The, 418. Davis, Anthony L., 116, 319, 380, 383.
Davis, Thos. A., 116.
Davis, H. W., 183.
Davenport, Dr. I. A., 117.
Deady, Matthew P., 23, 33, 121, 126, 130, 287, 316, 317, 325, 327, 330, 331, 333, 400, 401, 493. Deady, Edward N., 332. DeLashinutt, Van B., 198, 410.
Dennison, A. P., 113, 117, 393.
Denny, O. N., 319.
Dekum, Frank, 162, 189, 385, 409, 411, 412, 545.
Dement, R. M., 319.
Dolph, C. A., 319, 336, 409, 524.
Dodd, C. H., 172, 393, 410, 463, 504.
Dolph, J. N., 169, 275, 319, 336, 374, 442.
Dougherty, William P., 43.
Dryer, Thos. J., 110, 111, 117, 413.
Dunn, John, 40.
Durham, Geo. H., 336, 393, 409, 411.
FARHART, R P., 412, 558. East Portland, 442.
Eells, Rev. Cnshing, 34.
Edwards, P. L., 32.
Educational Institutions, 379.
Effinger, W. H., 335.
Eliot, Rev. T. L., 362, 364, 366, 373, 441, 457.
Elliott, Simion G., 265.
Emmons, H. H., 342.
Emmons, A. C., 342.
Esmond Hotel, 165.
Estes, Simpson & Co., 153.
Evening Telegram, The, 416.
Evening Tribune, 148. Exports in 1864, 149.
Exposition Building, 172.
FAILING, HENRY, 116, 145, 148, 161, 189, 195, 408. 442, 521. Failing, Edward, 140.
1
Failing, Josiah, 116, 192, 383, 393.
Failing, John W., 116.
-- Failing School, 389.
INDEX. 647
Farrar, W. II., 195, 329. Field, James, 86, 93, 117. Fecliheimer, M. W., 335. Fire Department, Volunteer, 183. Fire Department, Paid, 186. Fire Commissioners, 187. l'ires of 1873 and 1873, 447. Financial Institutions, 403. First National Bank, 408. Festivities and Celebrations, 458. Flanders, Geo. II., 112, 117, 141, 163, 167, 374. Floods of 1861, 1876 and 1890, 445. Fleischner, L., 189, 360, 553. Fort Henry, 19. Fort George, 21.
Fort Vancouver, 24. Fort Hall, 30. Fort Williams, 30. Foley, Wm., 342. Foster, J. R. & Co., 148. Fraser, Dr. E. P., 377, 378, 400. Fraser, Simon, 17, 19. Frazar, Thomas, 115, 116, 382. Fredenrich, D. 319.
GASTON, JOSEPH, 265,-290, 297. Gates, John, 106, 197. Gates, J. E., 294. Gay, George, 42. Gearin, John M., 319, 343. German Benevolent Association, 366. George, M. (., 343, 393, 401, 465. Gervais, Joseph, 32, 42.
Geer, George, 89. Gibbs, A. C., 319, 332. Giesy, Dr. A. J., 377, 401. Gilbert, W. B., 343. Gill, J. K., 375, 378, 410, 625. Gleason, James, 343. Glisan, Dr. R., 166, 374, 393, 516. Gold Hunter, The, 113, 218. Goldsmith, B., 196, 373. Goldsmith Bros., 154. Good Samaritan Hospital, 377. Good Templars' Hall, 159. Goose Hollow War, 341. Gray, Captain Robert, 16, 22. Gray, W. H., 33, 42, 463. Green, HI. D., 165, 535. Griffin, Dr. E. H., 116. Grover, L. F., 316. Growth and Improvements, 139.
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