USA > Oregon > Oregon, pictorial and biographical > Part 13
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Joseph Barton
and also instituting lodges of the Ancient Order of United Work- men at Glenns Ferry, Mountain Home and Rocky Bar. In February, 1896, he resigned as grand lecturer of that order having accepted serv- ice with the Sumpter Valley Railway Company, with headquarters at Baker City, Oregon, where he arrived February 17, 1896. He was general passenger and freight agent and assistant chief engineer un- til 1905. His first work was locating and constructing an extension of the line from McEwen to Sumpter, a distance of six and nineteen hundredths miles. His responsibilities were gradually increased and added to until he was not only general passenger and freight agent but also assistant chief engineer, performing the duties of chief en- gineer and claim agent and tax agent. He had charge of all mat- ters for the railway and for the Oregon Lumber Company, and was also land and tax agent. In 1905 he was furthermore appointed gen- eral superintendent of the railway and as such had supervision of the road bed structures, car and machine shops and, in fact, filled almost every office save that of president and general manager. On the 30th of June, 1907, because of ill health he resigned. After a few days, however, President Eccles asked Mr. Barton to assist the secretary in checking up land of the Oregon Lumber Company and later in making out railway commission reports. He was also called in con- sultation by President Eccles, who in the spring of 1909 requested him to run some primary lines for a proposed extension of the road from Austin to Prairie City. His route up Bridge Creek was ap- proved by Mr. Eccles, who then gave Mr. Barton engineering charge for the first six and a half miles. He only had one day's start ahead of the construction gang and the steel gang followed closely. With a small crew of five men he kept ahead and by the 30th of September had the distance assigned him covered with steel. On again reaching Baker Mr. Eccles requested Mr. Barton to go back to the extension and secure the notes connecting the alignment of the road with the United States section lines and surveys. He was afterward given charge of the construction in Dadd's creek and on the 2d of April, 1910, he went on to the extension as chief of construction. During 1909 about half of the work had been completed, the distance between Austin and Prairie City being twenty-one miles. In order to be entitled to a forty thousand dollar bonus which had been offered, the company must have its train at Prairie City at noon of the 15th of June, 1910. Mr. Eccles asked Mr. Barton if he could do this and he replied that he could if he was not hampered in the work. He had only two and a half months to accomplish the task. He made camp in a blinding snow storm and within that period almost literally lived
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Joseph Barton
in the saddle, superintending the construction from every possible point. The line crossed Dixie mountain at an elevation of fifty-two hundred and fifty feet and at Prairie at thirty-four hundred and twenty-five feet, over eighteen hundred feet drop in about twelve miles. Mr. Barton worked day and night but had the supreme satisfaction of running a train into Prairie on the 13th of June, two days ahead of the time limit set. All this time Mr. Barton was known as assist- ant chief engineer. With the completion of the road he returned to Baker and gradually drifted back into looking after land, taxes, law, etc., but on the 1st of July, 1911, Mr. Eccles made him assistant su- perintendent, which to all intents and purposes was superintendent as there is no such official of the road. He has, indeed, been actively connected with the upbuilding of the west since his arrival from Eng- land in 1862. He has performed almost every kind of work nec- essary in the development of a new locality and his labors have, in- deed, constituted a valuable contribution to the building of an em- pire in this section.
On the 5th of April, 1869, Mr. Barton was married to Miss Mary Ann Allen, a native of London, England, and unto them have been born six children as follows: May, who died in 1906 in Chicago; Charles Harmon, born in 1871, who is cashier of the Ogden Savings Bank, of Ogden, Utah; Clarence Elmer, born in 1874, who is a lead- ing physician of Baker, Oregon; Hattie Josephine and Edna M., both at home; and Roy Allen, born in 1889, who is assistant to the manager of the Columbia Mines of Sumpter. Mr. Barton has al- ways been most devoted to his home and family finding his greatest happiness at his own fireside. The promises of his youth have reached their fulfillment in later manhood. He seems to have learned from each experience the lessons therein contained and, never wasteful nor neglectful of time, talents and opportunities, he has steadily worked his way upward, winning a substantial measure of success, but more than that an honorable name.
Virtue M. Spicer
S&Spices
Samuel G. Spicer
AMUEL G. SPICER is a prominent farmer at Mar- S cola, Oregon, part of his original holdings now being built upon by portions of that city. He owns at pres- ent three hundred and thirty acres, one hundred and sixty acres of which is in a high state of cultivation and the remainder in timber. He was born in North Carolina, January 25, 1872, a son of Joseph B. and Lettie (Bryan) Spicer. The father was born in North Carolina, while the mother is a native of Tennessee. They were married in the former state and there made their home until 1887, the father devoting his attention to farming. In that year the family removed to Oregon, where settle- ment was made in Eugene. After residing there for three years they removed to Marcola, where the father purchased one hundred and thirteen acres of land, which he operated until in 1904, when he re- turned to North Carolina and is now farming his original homestead in that state. The mother also survives and is ably assisting her husband in the conduct of the homestead. To this worthy couple were born seven children, namely: Mary J., a resident of Salem, Oregon, where she owns property ; Charles E., deceased; Frances D., the widow of C. L. Winter, of Seattle, Washington; Samuel G., of this review; Mor- gan C., a resident of Pioneerville, Idaho; Ernest A., of Marcola; and Maud E., making her home in Seattle, Washington.
Samuel G. Spicer started out to make his own way in the world at the age of seventeen years, going into the stock-raising business in Idaho. He followed that vocation until 1905, and at times was the owner of large herds of cattle and horses. He then sold his stock and landed interests in that state and came to Lane county, Oregon wherc he had previously purchased one hundred and fifty acres located where Marcola now stands, the city being in part built upon a portion of his original purchase. He is now operating a farm of three hundred and thirty acres, of which one hundred and sixty are in a fine state of cul- tivation, the balance containing marketable timber.
Mr. Spicer was married December 20, 1908, to Miss Virtue Gay, who was born in Oregon, May 8, 1888, a daughter of Nathan W. and Sarah E. (Spencer) Gay. Her parents were born in Missouri, the mother migrating to Oregon with her parents when four years of age
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Samuel G. Spicer
and the father crossing the plains in 1877, settling in Benton county, this state. They were married in Oregon in August, 1880, and made their home in Benton county until in 1900, when they removed to Springfield, where they are now living retired. They are the parents of four children, as follows: Robert W. and Silas A., both of Spring- field, Oregon; Virtue, now Mrs. Spicer; and James B., also residing in Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Spicer have become the parents of two sons: Darwin J., born January 14, 1910; and Glen F., born August 27, 1911. Mr. Spicer is a republican but has never been an office- seeker nor taken an especial interest in political activities. His fra- ternal relations are limited to membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Marcola. He has long and favorably been known in the community of which he is a member and is one of the progres- sive and prosperous farmers of this locality. He is energetic in his business and the success which he has achieved is entirely due to his enterprising spirit, his industry and intelligence. He received a good education, and also took a business college course, while his wife has also enjoyed the privilege of a good common-school education. The family is a popular one at Marcola and stands well in business, social and fraternal circles.
Cheels Simmanson
Riels Simmonsen
A MONG the prominent and respected inhabitants of Portland who are of Danish nativity, is Niels Sim- monsen, a retired farmer and realty operator, who has lived on American soil since 1872. His father was Simon Larsmussen, and both parents died in Denmark. In their family were five children, the subject of this review being the youngest in order of birth.
Niels Simmonsen received a common-school education in his native land and in 1872 he emigrated to America, settling in Portland. During the first year of his residence in the new world Mr. Simmon- sen was employed on a dairy farm and for the next three years he worked as a farm laborer. He then bought thirteen acres of heavy timber land, situated where East Portland now stands and all being within the city limits. This tract is at Fifty-eighth street. Mr. Sim- monsen cleared this land and lived on it for several years, farming and gardening, and selling it off in separate subdivisions at about six hundred dollars an acre. In 1886 he again purchased land, this time securing four acres of what was known as Belmont Park, now known as the Westdale addition to Portland. It is located between Sixtieth and Salmore streets. Mr. Simmonsen owns a fine home and has in addition five improved lots. now valued at about twenty-five thousand dollars.
In 1875 Mr. Simmonsen was married to Miss Karey Larsmon- sen, a native of Denmark, who came to America in 1873. Her par- ents both died in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Simmonsen are the parents of one son, Charles, who was born in 1876. He was married on December 21, 1905, to Cora Ellsworth, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Ellsworth, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. The parents were married in that state and lived there for several years, later moving to Nebraska and from there to South Dakota, where the mother died in 1901. The father subsequently drove across the plains to Oregon and settled at Portland, where he still lives. He was twice married, his second union being with Mrs. Jennie Burt, widow of Harry Burt. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Simmonsen are the parents of three children: Walter, born September 8, 1906; Geneva, born December 3, 1907; and Karey, born June 16, 1909.
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Riels Simmonsen
Politically Mr. Simmonsen of this review is a republican, but has never sought office. Both he and his family are members of the Scandinavian Lutheran church. By his foresight in grasping the opportunities at hand and by his industry, economy and thrift, Mr. Simmonsen has come to be one of the substantial, well known and respected citizens of Portland. Faithful and consistent in his church life, living quietly in the home circle, he is enjoying the rest and com- fort to which his earlier labors and activities so fully entitle him.
I y Bingham
Don. Isaac D. Bingham
ON. ISAAC H. BINGHAM, as member of the state H legislature and senate, has left the impress of his individuality upon many of the most vital and sig- nificant laws now in force in Oregon. In this con- nection he has looked to the conservation of the re- sources of the state and while recognizing the ex- igencies of the moment with keen insight, has also seen beyond into the possibilities, opportunities, needs and demands of the future. He was born in Oakland county, Michigan, September 14, 1857, and there resided until he reached the age of twenty years, pursuing his educa- tion in the public schools. He then removed westward to Colorado, where he spent a year in the mines, and then went to Idaho, where he also engaged in mining until 1883, in which year he took up his abode in southeastern Washington. There he engaged in farming and stock-raising and later removed to Spokane, where he lived for three or four years. On the expiration of that period he became a resi- dent of Portland, Oregon, where he continued for about four years, during which time he was engaged in mining operations and in the manufacture of lumber. In 1891 he built the first sawmill in Cot- tage Grove, his partner in this enterprise being J. C. Long, with whom he operated under the firm style of Long & Bingham. They owned sixty acres of the town site whereon the mill and the depot of the Oregon & Southeastern Railroad are now located. They had much to do with starting and promoting the growth of Cottage Grove, their labors bearing fruit in all of the years which have since passed. During that time, or in 1904, Mr. Bingham was elected to represent his district in the state legislature. The following year he removed to Eugene, and in 1906 was elected to the senate. During his incum- bency the indeterminate sentence law and the parole law were passed, also the extension of the Bancroft Bonding act was passed, its amend- ment being introduced by Mr. Bingham. Another important work of the general assembly during Mr. Bingham's connection therewith was the passage of the amendment to the Eddy revenue law, exclud- ing all non-producing mines from the collection of revenue. Yet another important work accomplished was the passage of the first forest-fire law. The second judgeship for Mr. Bingham's judicial
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Don. Isaac D. Bingham
district was also established at that session. In the senate Mr. Bing- ham was chairman of the assessment and taxation committees in 1907 and in 1909 and in the former year was a member of the rail- way commission. In that year the present state banking law was passed and also a new forest-fire law. The most important law with which Mr. Bingham had to do during that session was the present title guarantee deposit law which at that period found its way to the statute books of the state. One of Mr. Bingham's greatest accom- plishments was the defeat of the Beal bill introduced in the house by Representative Beal of Tillamook county in 1907 and again in 1909. This bill had for its purpose the forcing of all timber owners to fur- nish to the county assessors a sworn statement by themselves as well as the estimator regarding the contents of their timber land, which would have resulted in a great hardship to the small timber owners and would have been of no benefit to the county assessors. The de- feat of this measure was due almost entirely to Mr. Bingham's ef- forts. In 1899 the forest-fire law was reduced to its present form and a bill granting the appropriation for the fire association was passed through the senate by Mr. Bingham, but was defeated in the house. He looked at all important questions from the standpoint of a prac- tical, progressive business man, with whom patriotism precedes par- tisanship and public good stands before personal aggrandizement.
At the present time Isaac H. Bingham is the president of the Bingham Land Company, which operates in timber lands and farmn property, their business extending all over the Pacific coast. Mr. Bingham was also the promotor of the Pacific Great Western Rail- way Company, assisted by R. B. Hunt, as engineer, and the road was surveyed from Mapleton to Eugene, Mr. Bingham being the president of the company. The road is now under construction from Eugene to Marshfield and to Coos. Mr. Bingham's labors as a busi- ness man and public official have at all times been of a character that has contributed to public progress, and he therefore ranks with the representative and honored men of the state.
In 1881 occurred the marriage of Mr. Bingham and Miss Mar- garet A. O'Daniels, a native of Missouri. Her mother removed west- ward after her husband's death, and Mr. and Mrs. Bingham were married in Idaho. Their children are: Maude Frances, the wife of David Griggs, of Cottage Grove; Benjamin S., who is associated with his father in business; and Grace. Mr. Bingham belongs to Eugene Lodge, No. 11, F. & A. M .; Eugene Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M .; Hiram Council, R. & S. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 2, K. T .; Oregon Consistory; and the Mystic Shrine of Portland. He is also
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Đon. Isaac D. Bingham
a member of Eugene Lodge, No. 357, B. P. O. E. Mrs. Bingham is a member of the Episcopal church and the family are prominent socially, not only in Eugene, but throughout the state wherever they are known. From early manhood Mr. Bingham has been identified with the west and has ever been actuated by the spirit of progress and advancement which has characterized this section of the country. What he undertakes he accomplishes, having the spirit of perseverance which falters not before obstacles or difficulties. His sound judg- ment and energy in business have brought him success while his labors along official lines have been of the utmost value to the state.
. Mr and Mrs Thomas Price
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I
Thomas Jefferson Price
HOMAS JEFFERSON PRICE left the impress of T his individuality upon the work of progress and im- provement in Umatilla county during the long years his residence here. He was particularly well known as a representative of agricultural interests and such was his success that in the later years of his life he lived retired. Kentucky numbered him among her native sons, his birth having there occurred April 18, 1834. His parents were Wil- liam and Nancy Price, also natives of that state, where they were reared and married. Subsequently they removed to Knox county, Missouri, and their last days were spent in Weston, Oregon, with their children, who were four in number: Thomas J., of this review; Frances, the wife of L. T. McBride, of Weston; and Mrs. Elizabeth Chaney and John Price, both now deceased. By a former marriage the father also had two children.
Thomas J. Price spent his youthful days in the Mississippi val- ley and his home training was such as developed the latent qualities of industry, determination, perseverance and integrity. He was about thirty years of age when he and his brother John crossed the plains to Oregon in 1864, making the trip with ox teams from Knox county, Missouri, to the Willamette valley. They were six months upon the way, traveling with a large wagon train, and when they reached Oregon they selected a location in Yamhill county near Mc- Minnville. After three or four years they removed to Polk county and in 1870 Thomas J. Price came to Umatilla county, settling on what is still known as the homestead farm a half mile north of Weston. He purchased a claim of one hundred and sixty acres from Mr. Stubblefield but afterward added to his holdings from time to time until he became the possessor of four hundred and forty acres. Year by year he carefully tilled his fields and cultivated his crops and year by year gathered good harvests which brought to him sub- stantial return for his labors. He always concentrated his energies upon his farming pursuits and was thus engaged to the time of his death, which occurred July 18, 1906, when he was seventy-two years of age.
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Thomas Jefferson Price
On the 18th of June, 1862, Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Zarilla Catharine Baker, who was born in Marion county, Mis- souri, February 28, 1846, and is a daughter of William and Martha (Shropshire) Baker, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The mother died when her daughter, Mrs. Price, was a young girl and Mr. Baker passed away in Dayton, Washington, in 1886. He had crossed the plains with Mr. Price in 1864 and was thereafter a resi- dent of the northwest to the time of his demise. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born four children: James Henry, who died in Walla Walla, Washington; Theresa Ellen, the wife of Joseph Fisher, of Knox county, Missouri; Mrs. Price; and Jerry, who died in Reno, Nevada. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Price were eight in number: William S. and James H., who are residents of Weston; Nancy E., the wife of D. F. Lavender, also of Weston; John M., who is living on a farm in the same locality; Charles M., also a resident farmer of Umatilla county; Mary J., who died at the age of twenty- five years; Thomas F., living in Weston; and J. Cloud, who is on the home place with his mother. The eldest child was born in Idaho when the mother was crossing the plains and the next two of the family were born in the Willamette valley, while the birthplace of the younger members of the family was the old homestead near Weston.
Mr. Price left his farm well improved. About a quarter of a century ago he erected a fine brick residence and he also added many other attractive buildings and modern equipments, including all ma- chinery necessary to promote and facilitate the work of the farm. In the early days of his residence here he hauled wheat to Umatilla, for that was the nearest market. The democratic party found in him a stanch advocate and the Methodist Episcopal church a faithful and consistent member. Forty-two years' residence in the county made him widely known and the sterling traits of his character commended him to the confidence and high regard of all who knew him. He lived a quiet, peaceful life, never neglecting a duty, and his integrity and fair dealing were qualities which won for him the warm and favorable regard of all with whom he came in contact.
f.S. Berger mayor of Eugene,
Don. Frank John Berger
URING recent years the growth of Eugene has been D rapid and substantial and one of the prime factors in its progress is Hon. Frank John Berger, mayor of Eugene and president and manager of the Berger- Bean Hardware Company. He was born in Mount Carroll, Carroll county, Iowa, May 3, 1873. His father, Jacob Berger, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, where he grew to manhood. At the age of about twenty years he emigrated to the new world. He was a veteran business man, hav- ing engaged in general merchandising in Waterloo, Iowa, before the Civil war. He retired from business some years ago and is still living in that state. The mother, Elizabeth (Blim) Berger, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and was a daughter of Adam Blim, is deceased, her death occurring in 1888, when she was forty- four years of age.
Frank J. Berger was educated in the public schools of Waterloo, Iowa, and in the schools of Carroll county, that state. After he be- came of age he took a business course at Carroll, following which he worked for several years as a clerk in a hardware store. After his marriage he went to Lake City, Iowa, where he engaged in the hard- ware business on his own account, remaining in this connection until March, 1904, when he removed to California, where he resided for about six months. He then came to Eugene, where in 1904 he em- barked in the hardware business under his own name, later incorporat- ing the Berger-Bean Hardware Company, of which he became presi- dent and manager. This concern in addition to handling a complete line of hardware, carries a full assortment of agricultural implements, handling also the Michigan automobile. Mr. Berger assisted in or- ganizing the Merchants bank, of which he was a director for two years.
In Iowa occurred the marriage of Mr. Berger to Miss Mary E. Nurre, a daughter of Joseph Nurre, of that state, and to this union three children have been born, Corbina, John and Carl.
In his political views Mr. Berger is a democrat. Since his resi- dence in Eugene he has served as alderman for four years and was elected mayor in April, 1911. He has been a strong advocate of
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Don. Frank John Berger
municipal ownership of water, and light and power plants, and it was largely through his efforts that these utility corporations were taken over by the city in the fall of 1910. All of the paving in Eu- gene has been laid since he became a member of the council. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a grand knight, and he belongs to Eugene Lodge, No. 357, B. P. O. E.
Although there are many men in Eugene who are prominent in its commercial, fraternal and social circles and have been residents of the city longer than has Mayor Berger, few, if any, are more popular and surely not many have been able to accomplish more good in the advancement along all lines than he. He is an earnest advocate of every measure tending to better conditions in the city or that might prove a factor in its prosperity and upbuilding. He is optimistic regarding the future of his city and community, is genial though earnest in manner, cordial in his relations with men and masterful in the handling of the large amount of detail with which he has to con- tend.
Casper form
Denry Zorn
H ENRY ZORN, who is one of the large land owners in Marion county and who resides a quarter of a mile north of Champoeg, was born in Portland in 1880, his parents being Adam and Christina (Sohler) Zorn, the former a native of Hesse, Germany, and the latter of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The mother's birth occurred in 1852 and her father was a native of Prussia. Adam Zorn, whose birth occurred in 1841, came to America with his father in 1853. Immediately upon their arrival in New York they set out for Wisconsin, and located at Baraboo. The father lived a more or less retired life. Adam Zorn was one of five children, the others be- ing: Henry, who is married and makes his home in Hesse, Germany; Casper and Mrs. Annie Hoefer, both deceased; and Mrs. Catherine Hirsching, who resides at Baraboo, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Adam Zorn three children were born: Henry, the subject of this review; Clara, the wife of Isaac Van Dandaigue, of St. Paul, Oregon; and Adam, deceased. Adam Zorn, the father of our subject, was en- gaged in farming until the family removed to Oregon, making the trip via the Isthmus of Panama and going directly to Portland. His brother Casper and sister Annie had preceded him to Oregon, settling at Champoeg, where the sister's husband, John Hoefer, was a carpenter. Casper Zorn worked as a farm hand and his father, the grandfather of our subject, made his home with him until the time of his death, which occurred in 1878. Adam Zorn, the father, was mar- ried in 1878 and at that time removed to Portland, where he con- ducted a restaurant until the death of his wife ten years later. Sub- sequently he continued his residence in that city until his death in January, 1909.
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