Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 946

USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 100

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SAMUEL B. JOHNSON. From many stand- points the life and work of Samuel B. Johnson, one of the large land owners of Clackamas county, is worthy of emulation, as illustrating what may be accomplished by perseverance in the face of lit- tle encouragement and practically no material as- sistance. Mr. Johnson, who is well versed in the pioneer undertakings of this county, was born in Howard county, Mo., February 5, 1833, his father's farm being near Booneslick. The family was established in Missouri by Josiah Johnson, the father of Samuel B., who emigrated from Patrick county, Va., in 1832, and in 1840 removed to Polk county, the same state. Three years later he settled in Cedar county, Mo., and after farm- ing for three years moved to Jackson county in 1845. Seven years later, May 5, 1852, he crossed the plains and settled in Clackamas county, Ore .. that day also witnessing his marriage, and fifty years later. May 2, 1902, he and his wife cele- brated their golden wedding anniversary. In 1889 he gave up farming as a means of livelihood, and, moving to Portland, went into the saw-mill business, making a specialty of the manufacture of ship knees and lumber.

As ambitious and far sighted as his father, Samuel B. Johnson started across the plains in 1852, the date of the departure being May 2. Two days later he married Hannah Hink, and this marriage, commonly called an elopement, fur- nished the picturesque and interesting feature of the long journey over the plains. Mr. Johnson had five yoke of oxen with which to complete the journey, and he came out at the mouth of the Sandy river, and located on the Clackamas river at what is now Oregon City. During the winter he stayed in the town, and in 1853 went up the

Clackamas and worked in a saw-mill for a few months. A little later he located on a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres one mile west of Damascus, and after a year's trial sold out, and located on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, one and a half miles northwest of Damascus. Of this property fifty acres are under cultivation, and the improvements made thereon are of the most modern kind. One hundred acres have been reserved for the use of the hardy and thrifty pioneer and his wife, while the balance has been deeded to the children. Though he still retains possession of his farm he has sold out his saw-mill interests and moved to Gresham, where he has built a large and commodious resi- dence, and where he expects to reside the remain- der of his life.

To some extent Mr. Johnson has left his home interests to mingle with the undertakings incident to so prosperous a county. A Populist in politics, his sympathies are with the common people, and with those who struggle hopelessly with adverse conditions. He is the friend of education, and has materially promoted the cause as a member of the school board. Mrs. Johnson, who was born in Jackson county, Mo., and who has cour- ageously borne the trials and deprivations inci- dent to pioneer life, is the mother of nine children : Mary Jane, deceased ; Charles F., also deceased ; Ellen, deceased ; Dora. deceased ; Earl deceased ; Hester, William H., John H., and Edward R.

HON. HENRY McGUGIN, one of the repre- sentative men of Clackamas county, and ex-mem- ber of the state legislature, was born in Vassal- boro, Me., August 15, 1834, and is a son of James McGugin, a farmer and for most of his life a resident of the state of Maine. He was a native of the North of Ireland, and emigrated to Amer- ica in 1832. Until his eighteenth year Henry McGugin lived on the home farm, during which time he was educated at the public schools, and acquired a considerable knowledge of general business. As a means of future livelihood he learned the carpenter's trade at Lawrence, Mass., having completed which he went to Illinois in 1857, and for two years worked at his trade in the railroad works. For a year he engaged in farming near Pike's Peak, Colo., and then pre- empted eighty acres of land near Denver, Colo., and engaged in farming until 1864.

During the latter part of 1864 Mr. McGugin removed to Idaho with the intention of mining, but realizing only indifferent success removed to Umatilla county, eastern Oregon, where he took up a claim, but let it go. In 1869 he home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, upon which he has made many im- provements, and fifty acres of which are already

MARTIN GILLIHAN AND WIFE.

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cleared of timber. This farm is one of the finest in this county, and there are innumerable evi- dences of the thrift, enterprise, and progressive methods of the owner.

In 1859 Mr. McGugin married Mary Revenue, who died leaving one child, Francis, who is living with his father. The second marriage of Mr. McGugin was with Lena Gantenbein, December 22, 1874. and of this union two children are de- ceased, and one, Mary Alice, is living. A Demo- crat in politics, Mr. McGugin has been promi- nently before the public as a promoter of the in- terests of his party, and not only served as rep- resentative of Clackamas county in the state leg- islature in 1874, but has been school director for many years and road supervisor. He is a broad- minded and liberal citizen and farmer, and has the confidence of his political and agricultural friends.

MARTIN GILLIHAN. The name of pioneer is written in indelible letters upon the career of Martin Gillihan, who came to Oregon in 1844, when the plains were comparatively unused to the imprint of oxen hoofs, or to the camp fires of hopeful pale face travelers. Born in Jackson county, Tenn., October 30, 1824, Mr. Gillihan was but six years of age when his parents removed to Greene county, Ill., from which locality they went to Polk county, Mo., at the end of three years. Until his nineteenth year Martin performed his share towards cultivating the farm of his father, and in the spring of 1844 started across the overland trail with ox teams, and driving a band of cattle. After six months of great hardship and ever present danger from the attacks of Indians, he arrived in Washing- ton county, Ore., where he worked out on a ranch during the winter and following spring. During 1845 he farmed independently on a piece of land, and in the fall of 1846 came to Sauvie's Island and settled on the farm of six hundred and forty acres now owned and occupied by John Howell. In the spring of 1847 he traded this land for three Cayuse horses, and with his brother William, rode on horseback down into California, where they worked in the woods near San Fran- cisco. Later on he worked on a ranch near Santa Clara, and in the spring of 1848 went to the Sutter Mills and saw the first gold taken out of that place.

Enriched by his California experiences from the standpoint of information Mr. Gillihan re- turned to Oregon, in the fall of 1848. and in the spring of 1849, in confirmation of his faith in the mining possibilities of the state, returned to California across the mountains with ox teams, and prospected and mined in the vicinity of Hangtown. His return to Oregon in the

winter of 1849 would argue that his success as a miner was that of the average, rather than that of the best-favored mortal. On this journey he was accompanied by his brother's widow and her three children, and they located on the farm belonging to Mrs. Gillihan, but which was purchased from her by her brother-in-law, Martin .Gillihan, in 1850. This farm, which is still owned by Mr. Gillihan, comprises six hun- dred and forty acres of land, and has been aug- mented by the purchase of additional land, com- prising in its entirety nine hundred acres. Here the successful owner has conducted a stock- buying, selling and raising business, and for many years his name has been known from one end of Multnomah county to the other.

In 1850 Mr. Gillihan was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Howell, a native of Millers- town, Pa., and a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Mathews) Howell. Mr. Howell crossed the plains in 1850 and first located on the plains of Washington county, where he re- sided for a short time. when he removed to Sauvie's Island. Here he bought a farm and carried on general farming and stock-raising up to the time of his death in 1886. On arriving in Oregon Mrs. Gillihan took up her residence in Portland, where she resided until her mar- riage with Mr. Gillihan. As a result of this union thirteen children were born, four of whom are now deceased. Mr. Gillihan has taken an important part in the affairs of his county, and has stanchly supported the men and measures of the Republican party. For more than forty years he has been a member of the school board, and has held offices of more or less importance from time to time during his long residence here. Being a member of the Oregon Pioneer Association he and his wife have taken an active interest in the work of that organization and have missed none of the meetings, which each year show a decrease in attendance. Pos- sessing sterling and substantial characteristics Mr. Gillihan has impressed his worth upon the community of which he is a valued acquisition. and his good name has been maintained through all the vicissitudes of his march to success.

F. J. HARD. Few men in the west are more thoroughly conversant with mining affairs than is F. J. Hard, organizer and secretary of the Ore- gon Mining Exchange, and for many years de- voted to the development of mining properties in Oregon. The object of the exchange, for the promotion of which Mr. Hard came to Portland in 1900. is to place mining among the legitimate and business-like enterprises of the state ; to com- pel all operators to make straightforward state-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ments regarding their properties and their opera- tions ; to have the same available at all times for the inspection of prospective purchasers of stock ; and to make it possible for intending investors to estimate, with a fair degree of accuracy, the value of their investments after they have been care- fully surveyed by expert agents of the exchange. Fair dealing is assured to all who avail them- selves of this truly helpful agency; interest in mining is stimulated by mutual exchange of ideas and knowledge of properties which have been in- vestigated ; and that which often is more or less doubtful in its character is here clarified and pre- sented in its true colors. It is needless to add that the promoters of the exchange have proven themselves benefactors on the uncertain highway of mining progress, and have established an in- stitution of high repute which is most likely to endure as long as its present system of operation is maintained.

A native of Hunter, Greene county, N. Y., Mr. Hard was born May 2, 1859, and is the only child of Charles Sydenham and Sarah (Osborn) Hard, who attained maturity. From the first emigrant, James Hard, who came from England in 1675 and located in Newtown, Conn., the direct line of descent is through James, James; Amos, Amos, Amos, to the paternal grandfather, also named Amos, the latter of whom was born near New- town and become the founder of the New York branch of the family. He settled in Greene county, N. Y., where for many years he con- ducted a laborious country practice in medicine. He married Emma Laura Shephard, daughter of Dr. Gideon Shephard, with whom he has pre- viously studied medicine. The Shephard family was also founded in America at an early date, Edward Shephard having located in Cambridge, Mass., in 1639. From him the line of descent is through John, John, John, John and Dr. Gideon Shephard. The first of the name of John re- moved from Cambridge to Hartford, Conn., and Dr. Gideon Shephard removed from the latter place to Newtown.

A natural proclivity for the science of medicine seems to have descended from Amos Hard to his son, Charles Sydenham, who was a graduate from the Albany Medical College, in his day one of the most famous schools in the United States. He located for practice in Huron county, Ohio. and remained there until his death at the age of thirty-eight years. During the early days of the Civil war he volunteered for service in the Union army, but was rejected on account of physical disability. His wife, a native of New York state, was a daughter of Brainard Osborn, a member of an old New England family of Scotch descent. who devoted his life to farming in New York state and Ohio. Mrs. Hard died in Ohio, 1876.

Though left an orphan at an early age Frank

Judson Hard nevertheless managed to secure a good common school education, which was sup- plemented by several terms at the Ohio Normal schools at Milan, Erie county, and Ada. Hardin county, Ohio. In 1877, at the age of seventeen. he engaged in ranching in the Rocky Mountains near Denver, and at the same time increased his income by acting as salesman during the dull season on the range. Having secured a fair start and saved a little money, he went to Denver and engaged in the real estate business, laid out an addition to Denver, and created a large trade in city lots and ranching and mining lands. In 189! he became identified with the building of the town of Creede, and from there to Cripple Creek, at that time in the zenith of its boom as a mining center. Here he assisted in the develop- ment of the mines on Raven Hill, and organized the Constantine Gold Mining Company, of which he himself was manager and the principal stock- holder. His career as a miner in Colorado was successful, and he still holds mining properties in that state.

Mr. Hard became identified with Oregon in 1896, during which year he made a careful and systematic study of the mineral resources of the state. Reaching the decision that it was a good field in which to locate, he returned to Colorado, settled up his affairs there, and in 1899 returned to Oregon and engaged in mining in the Bohemia district. While thus occupied, he was requested by those in Portland who were familiar with his extensive knowledge of the business to come to this city and organize the Oregon Mining Ex- change. He has also been instrumental in or- ganizing several flourishing mining companies, including the Vesuvius Gold Mining Company. of which he is manager and superintendent ; the Oregon-Colorado Milling, Mining and Develop- ment Company, and the Riverside Mining and Milling Company, of which he is also superin- tendent and manager. He also holds other min- ing interests at the present time, and it is gen- erally conceded that he is one of the most prac- tical and successful mining experts in the north- west.

Mr. Hard is likewise widely known as a pro- moter of fraternal organizations, and among the Masons is one of the prominent men of the state. Joining the latter organization in Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 64. Norwalk. Ohio, in the year 1880, he is a life member of Union Lodge No. 7. of Denver, Colo. : a life member of Denver Chapter No. 2: a charter member of Colorado Consistory No. I. and a member of Colorado Commandery No. 1. K. T., and a member of Pueblo, Colo., Lodge No. 90. B. P. O. E. He is also a member of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, of the Board of Trade, and of the Commercial Club. Politically he is identified with the Republican

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party. He has been a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church wherever he has lived.

In Norwalk, Ohio, November 26, 1879, Mr. Hard was united in marriage with Almira L. Wilcox, a native of that state and a daughter of Charles Morris Wilcox and Lucy ( Benham) Wilcox. Of this union there have been born three children: Lucy Almira, Franc Lucile and Charles. The two youngest are living and ad- vanced in school and music.

CAPT. JAMES WILSON. When Captain Wilson came to Portland in 1852, after a long nautical experience on the high seas. he found three hundred people ready to share the fate of the embryonic hamlet, none of whom probably foresaw the supreme eminence which it was to attain among the beautiful and resourceful cities of the land. In the meantime the captain has advanced with the conditions of his adopted state, and today stands out a clearly defined pioneer figure to which an unusual amount of worth- while accomplishment is to be attributed.

At Cherbourg, a fortified seaport town and important naval station of France, which is the site of a Roman station, and where William the Conquerer founded a hospital and built a church, Captain Wilson was born August 15, 1827, and is the second oldest of the two sons and one daughter born to James A. and Bonne ( Heresier) Wilson, natives of France, and the latter born in Bridville. James A. Wilson led an adven- turous life during his earlier years, and as a whaler went with his ship out of Cherbourg for about fifteen years. He later on became a watch- man for the government in the navy yard of Cherbourg, and thus his whole life was centered around the famous old French city.

What education Captain Wilson received in France was prior to his ninth year, for in 1836 he followed the paternal example, and began a career upon the deep. Aboard a merchant ves- sel he engaged as cabin boy, his first trip being to Martinique, off the coast of North America. In time he became able seaman and in 1843 entered the American service, going out of the port of New York as second mate. In 1852 he made the trip around the Horn, and up to Portland, later visiting San Francisco, but then returning to Portland. As a deck hand on the Milt Norma. named for the county of Multnomah, he sailed from Portland to Cascade Falls during the flour- ishing emigration time, and in 1854 became cap- tain of the Portland. Again he was deck-hand on the Marie Haslow from the Cascade Falls to The Dalles, and in 1865 became captain of the Reliance and Willamette, and of other boats in that line. He was with the company until they

sold out, and remained with their successors for some time. He afterward became connected with the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Com- pany, and in 1889 came to Clackamas county, de- termined to henceforward lead a peaceful agri- cultural life, remote from compass, stress and storm. In the wilderness Captain Wilson bought thirty-nine acres of land, which he soon had under way as far as clearing was concerned, and upon which he built the fine home now occupied by himself and family. The captain is chiefly engaged in raising grain, wheat, oats and po- tatoes, and is especially proud of his fine quality of timothy. His thrift in other years has en- abled him to invest to a considerable extent in desirable town and country property, including a couple of houses and barns in Clackamas City, and similar rentable property in Portland. He is a Democrat in political preference, and is a member of the Christian Church.

In Albany, Ore., in 1864, Mr. Wilson married Frances Laurant, who was born in France, and who died leaving two children, August and Ce- celia. The second marriage of Captain Wilson occurred in 1873, and was with Talitha Bauglur, born in Buchanan county. Mo., a daughter of William Elliott, a native of Ray county, Mo., and a flour manufacturer at Ottawa, Mo. Mr. Elliott served in the Southern army under Gen- eral Lee, and was killed at the battle of Little Rock, Ark. His wife, Jane (Guthrie) Elliott, was a native of Kentucky, and became the mother of three sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Wilson is the third oldest. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, of whom Walter is a farmer and road supervisor of Clack- ammas county ; Talitha is the wife of A. E. Hol- comb; and Erwin is foreman of the hatchery of Clackamas. Captain Wilson is one of the pio- neers of river navigation in Oregon, and has 1111- doubtedly as large a fund of interesting informa- tion in regard thereto as any who have followed his changeful calling.

JOHN J. KURATLI. One of the most suc- cessful of the farmers of Washington county which call Switzerland their native land is John J. Kuratli, owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres, advantageously located, and well fitted with all modern appliances. This energetic and enterprising promoter of agricul- tural well being was born in Switzerland May I. 1843, his father, J. Casper. being a native of the same locality, and born in 1796. J. Casper Kur- atli, who died in 1885, was a gunsmith by trade, and was fairly successful while combining his trade with farming.

That the parents of John J. Kuratli were ap- preciators of educational advantages is evidenced

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by the fact that he received a thorough classical and modern education, beginning with the age of fourteen, when he entered a school of Berne, and when seventeen entered the normal school at Schiers. At Lausanne he studied for a year, thereafter going to Italy for the study of the languages, going deeply into French and German

In America Mr. Kuratli lived for a half year in New York City and then moved to Virginia, where for the first year he worked on the farm, then found employment in a furniture factory in Lynchburg, Va., where he learned the trade, and where he remained for four years. He came to Portland in 1875, and soon after bought a farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres of wild wood, and the clearing of which necessitated a great deal of arduous work. He is engaged in general farming and a dairy business, and has been successful beyond his greatest expectations. In addition to farming he has filled several posi- tions of trust in the community, and as a Republi- can has maintained the best interests of his party. During 1889 and 1890 he served as county as- sessor of Washington county, and he has also been road supervisor and school director for many years. He has been a delegate to numerous conventions. The Presbyterian Church near Bethany profits by the membership of Mr. Kur- atli, who contributes generously towards its sup- port, and is active in all church matters.

In February, 1866, Mr. Kuratli married Ther- esa Bollag, and of this union there have been born the following children : Emile, county re- corder of Washington county; Annie B .; John C .; Wilhelm, deceased; Samuel; Henry; and David.

WILBUR K. NEWELL. In no way has a higher tribute been paid to the ability of Mr. Newell than through his appointment, in 1898. as a member of the state board of horticulture, the appointment being conferred by Governor Geer. Since then he has devoted considerable at- tention to his work as a member of the board. including semi-annual tours of inspection of all nurseries in his district, and has done much ef- fective work along the line of ridding the or- chards and nurseries of pests of all kinds. The first district, which he represents, consists of the following counties: Multnomah. Clackamas, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook. There are representatives also from the second. third, fourth and fifth districts, as

well as a representative for the state at large, the latter being E. L. Smith, who is president of the board.

During 1901 and 1903 the board published its sixth and seventh biennial reports, which ap- pear in pamphlet form and are of the greatest value to all fruit raisers and to all contemplating at the College of Castellini, near the city of . future work in that industry. In addition to his Como, on the lake of that name. After complet- ing the instruction there he engaged in teaching languages at the same institution, and was this employed when overcome by the determination to seek the larger possibilities of America.

work in connection with the board, Mr. Newell gives much time to his farm near Dilley, Wash- ington county, which it is his ambition to place under the highest possible cultivation. It has been his home since he was eighteen and he has had charge of the property ever since he was twenty. Fruit growing is one of the specialties in which he is deeply interested, and he has done much experimental work in this industry. Of his land thirty acres are in grapes, prunes and apples, and, to further this work, in 1898 he erected a fruit dryer, having a daily capacity of about four tons, and admirably adapted to its intended purpose.

At Mount Tabor, Ore., W. K. Newell was born October 12, 1872, a son of John S. and Sarah E. ( Kerns) Newell. He was fourth in a family of five children, the others being named as follows: Charles G., a decorator and designer engaged in business in San Francisco; Theresa, the oldest daughter, who is at home; Joseph P., employed as assistant engineer for the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company; and Bessie, wife of John Masters. The father, John S. New- ell, was born at Clarksville, Tenn., and at ten years of age removed from there to the vicinity of Burlington, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. In 1852 he came across the plains with ox-teams. spending seven months on the road. Immedi- ately after his arrival he secured work at logging. Later he took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres occupying the present site of Russellville. In 1871 he sold that property and after a year in California returned to Oregon and bought one hundred and sixty. acres near Mount Tabor, which he cleared and improved. From there, in 1881. he went into the town of Mount Tabor and opened a merchandise store, which he conducted for four years. From 1883 until 1888 he served as county commissioner of Multnomah county, prior to which he had held office as county assessor. In 1890 he moved to a farm three miles from Dilley, in Wash- ington county, where he owns three hundred and twenty-five acres and is engaged in the dairy business and in general farming. In politics he is a Republican and in religion holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church : his wife, who also belonged to that denomina- tion, died in 1885.

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Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 946

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 946