Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 103

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 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The marriage of Mr. Howell and Eva Aus- tin occurred in 1895. Mr. Howell is a Republi- can in political affiliation, and is a stanch sup- porter of his party. He is a friend of educa- tion, and has rendered invaluable service as a member of the school board for many years. Mr. Howell has made many friends during his

long life in this resourceful part of the state, and has won an enviable reputation for thrift and integrity.

W. A. HOLMES. Although comparatively a newcomer to Parkplace, Mr. Holmes has won a place in business circles and in the hearts of the people of which one of much longer residence might be proud to hold. Born in Hopkinton. Iowa, March 11, 1864, he spent his early life in that state and from there went to Dakota. After making his home there for four years he moved to Kansas, and in 1891 came to Oregon. settling in Clackamas Station, where he engaged in piano tuning. In 1893 he went to Oregon City, and clerked in a general store for one year, at the expiration of that time coming to Parkplace and clerking in a general store for nearly five years. Ambitious to have a busi- ness of his own, he bought out the latter store in 1899 and has been very successful in the ven- ture, as there is no other store of the kind in Parkplace.

The father, George M. Holmes, was a native of Indiana. When a young man he went to Iowa and later was apprenticed to learn the drug business in that state. Subsequently hc went to Independence, Kans., and there engaged in buying and selling real estate. For fifteen years he made his home in the southern part of the state, then moved to Kansas City, Mo., there also engaging in the real estate business. His death occurred in the latter city when about sixty-two years of age. The grandfather, D. N. Holmes, was born in New York, and was a cir- cuit preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Cerealia Holmes, the mother, was a native of New York, as was also her father, D. C. Holmes, a miller by trade. In pioneer days he went to Kansas and took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, later buying two other claims of the same size, and at the time of his death owned a section of land. He died when in his eighty- ninth year.

In Independence, Kans., Mr. Holmes mar- ried Miss Cora Lucas, whose birth occurred in Ohio. Her father, W. B. Lucas, was also born in Ohio, where he carried on farming. From there he went to western Kansas and later to the eastern part of the state, settling near Jef- ferson, where he made his home for some years. He is now living in Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have two children, Myrtle and Marie, both of whom are at home. Since October 19. 1899. Mr. Holmes has been the efficient post- master in Parkplace. In 1897 he purchased his residence, which contains seven rooms and is located one block east and one-half block south of his store, which latter building he bought in

763

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1902. While in Independence, Kans., Mr. Holmes learned the machinist's and gunsmith's trade, working at the same for six years. In Kansas City he engaged in selling musical in- struments and tuning pianos. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order United Work- men and Independent Order of Odd Felows, and in politics is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1901 he served as administrator of the estate of R. L. Russell, who was formerly his employer, and whose estate was valued at $10,000.

WALTER L. HOLCOMB. Through Clack- amas county, and indeed in the whole state of Oregon, the name of Holcomb is suggestive of all that is fine, substantial and developing. Wal- ter L. Holcomb was born in McDonough county. 111., October II, 1838, a son of Almond B. Hol- comb, a man of affairs, and the emigrant of the family to Oregon.

Almond B. Holcomb was born near Albany, N. Y., and by occupation was a carpenter, joiner and millwright. About 1816 he removed with his parents to Ashtabula county, Ohio, and in 1836 settled near Quincy, Ill., where he con- · ducted a grist mill on a stream called Crooked Creek. In Monmouth, Warren county. he worked at his trade in connection with farm- ing, and May 3, 1848, the year before the great exodus, started from the Missouri river, and with ox teams and wagons traversed the plains to Oregon, arriving at his destination on Arthur prairie October 11, 1848. The winter over, he took up a donation claim of six hun- dred and forty acres four miles northeast of what is now Oregon City, a really discouraging proposition, for timber and brush covered the whole of it, and rendered necessary a deal of preliminary work. Nevertheless, the determina- tion which had spanned the deprivations and dangers of the plains was equally effective in grappling with crude and barren conditions 011 the coast, and in time Mr. Holcomb succeeded in clearing and cultivating one hundred acres of his land. At the same time he followed his trade in Oregon City, and these combined occu- pations engaged his attention almost up to the time of his death, April 19. 1888. In his young manhood he married Nancy Strong Gates, also a native of New York state, and of this union there were born two sons, of whom Walter L. was the youngest. The older son, Almond, has for many years been a farmer and stock-raiser in Washington, but at present is living retired.

As may be imagined, the early educational opportunities of Walter L. Holcomb were lim- ited indeed, owing partially to the necessity for hard work on the part of the boy, and to the ab-

sence of a thoroughly organized school system. Until the death of his parents he lived with them on the Clackamas county farm, after which he assumed control of his heritage, which con- sisted of half of the property. From time to time his name was prominently connected with administrative affairs in the district, especially when his brother was sheriff, at which time he himself was deputy sheriff, an association still in force when Oregon was admitted as a state. Mr. Holcomb was a member of the school board for many years, and held various other positions of trust. Yet it may be said that his reputation rests principally upon those solid, reliable an l conservative traits and abilities which have ever been regarded as the bulwarks of the communi- ties in which they are found. His death oc- curred February 20, 1903.

Mrs. Holcomb was formerly Diana McCub- bins, a native of Miller county, Mo., and daugh- ter of William R. McCubbins, who came from his native state of Kentucky with his parents, settling in Miller county when a boy. Mr. Mc- Cubbins joined the caravan westward bound in 1852, and in Clackamas county took up a clain! seven miles east of Oregon City, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Nancy Bilyeu, born in Kentucky, the second oldest in a family of seven children. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hol- comb, viz .: Fannie, deceased ; Alice, the wife of H. L. Patterson: Josephine, now Mrs. L. S. Dane of Portland; Anna, the wife of C. C. Rob- bins of Portland; Eva, the deceased wife of G. M. Horn; John, a farmer near his father's home; Henrietta, the wife of H. C. Githens of Portland ; Lillie, now Mrs. E. F. Orr, of Idaho ; Bertie, living at home: Edna, also living at home; and Lulu, living with her parents. Mr. Holcomb was a member of the Grange, serving as master of the same. In politics he always voted for the best man, regardless of party.

CHRIST F. HESSE. For many years the Hesse family was represented only in Germany, in which country Christ Hesse, one of the large farmers of Washington county, was born April 22, 1849. The year after his birth he was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Bond county, Ill., where Christ grew to man- hood, and where he received his education in the public schools. The parents came with their children to Oregon in 1876, settling on a rented farm near Forest Grove, Washington county, where they lived for a couple of years. The father then bought a farm of two hundred and forty-two acres, upon which his son, Christ, is now living, and of which about one hundred and eighty acres are under cultivation. Here

764

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the father died in 1893, at the age of seventy- eight years, having been predeceased by his wife in 1882, at the age of sixty-five years. Later Christ bought a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres adjoining the above mentioned, it being known as the Taylor donation. The farm of Christ Hesse is under a high state of culti- vation, and is admirably located near Scholl's Ferry, being a portion of the old school dona- tion claim. Mr. Hesse has inaugurated all of the fine improvements which render it one of the most desirable properties in this county, and takes special pride in maintaining an agricul- tural standard unequalled anywhere in the state. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and also conducts a model dairy, raising a few head of fine stock. He is a Republican in politics, and has been school director for about fifteen years. With the majority of his friends he is a member of the Lutheran Church.

The wife of Mr. Hesse, Elizabeth Hesse, to whom he was married in 1872, came to America in 1870. They became the parents of four chil- dren : William, Lou, Henry and Emma.

WV. D. PLUE. At one time the owner and manager of the largest and most successful sash and door manufactory in Rainier, employing be- tween twenty-five and thirty-five men, Mr. Plue is deserving of great credit for having attained great prominence in his undertakings, and pre- sents to aspiring boys, without money or influ- ence, a fine example of having made the best possible out of little. December 5, 1902, Mr. Plue sustained the loss of his entire factory, and $22,000 worth of lumber and machinery were de- stroyed by fire. Undismayed by this disaster, he soon afterward began the crection of a new mill one-half mile west of Rainier, which when com- pleted will be known as the Columbia River Door Company, with Mr. Plue as president and man- ager.

A native of the vicinity of Lancaster, N. Y., Mr. Plue was born December 25, 1868, and is one of the eight children born to his parents, who were also born in New York state. The father was a carpenter by trade, and also conducted a small farm, engaging in general farming and fruit-raising. The numerous members of the family, and the comparatively small income of the father, made it necessary for the children to early in life make their own way in the world, and it thus happened that W. D. Plue started out at the age of fourteen to relieve his parents of the necessity for his maintenance. Up in Wisconsin he worked on a farm for some time and attended school during the winter season, and for four years of his residence in the state worked at learning the trade of carpentering. In 1887 he

came to Redlands, Cal., and built and contracted for a year, and thereafter followed his trade in Portland for several years. He then branched out into contracting, and in this capacity was as- sociated with many of the principal structures in the city of Portland. During 1887 Mr. Plue re- moved to Rossland, British Columbia, where he conducted a sash and door factory for one year, and then located in Rainier, where he started the sash and door manufactory previously men- tioned. From a business standpoint Mr. Plue is easily at the head of this line of industry in this county, nor is he content to rest upon the efforts and investigations of others similarly engaged. He possesses inventive ability of no mean order. and among his contributions to the patent office may be mentioned a device for making doors which has met with an enthusiastic reception and is a great success, and he is at present engaged in building a machine for his new mill. It will thus be seen that the boy of fourteen has traveled a long way, and is indebted solely to his own de- termination and ability for the success that has come his way.

September 18, 1895, Mr. Plue was united in marriage with Eleanora Howard, a native of Portland, and who is the mother of one child. Vilas L. Mr. Plue prefers the principles of the Democratic party, and has given . his support thereto ever since casting his first vote. He has served one term on the village council, but is not what may be called an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order Odd Fellows of Portland. Mr. Plue has invested to considerable extent in real estate in different parts of Oregon, and owns considerable property in Portland.

HENRY TROGE. Of more than passing im- portance in the development of Clackamas county has been the career of Henry Troge, owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and well known as a broad minded politician, pro- moter of fraternal organizations, and generally identified with interests which appeal to the in- telligent and progressive westerner.

Born in Germany January 20, 1854, Mr. Troge lived with his parents until twenty-four years of age, and during that time received the practical home training accorded the average German youth. His father, Andrew. was born in Ger- many in 1826, and his useful life extended until 1894. After leaving home the son embarked for America in a sailing vessel. and after five weeks of storm and delaying calms landed in New York harbor with little to help him in life but a good name and plenty of perseverance. He came at once to Damascus, where for three years he tried his luck on a rented farm. At the ex-

FRANCIS REVENUE.

767

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

piration of that time he was thoroughly con- vinced of the superior advantages of the west. and was then joined by his parents with whom he removed to the farm upon which he at present lives. The father purchased the place upon which had been instituted a few improvements, and of which about thirty acres were partially cleared. At the present time seventy acres have been relieved of their burden of timber. and have been made to serve the latter day needs of man. In addition to a general farming enterprise Mr. Troge is interested in stock-raising, and makes a specialty of a fine grade of sheep. Many fine improvements have been placed on the farm, the home, outbuildings, and general accommoda- tions being entirely modern in construction.

By no means self centered, Mr. Troge has met every demand upon his time and purse with ready good will, provided it was for the further- ance of the welfare of the community. As a Republican he has been active in promoting the interests of his party, and though never desiring or seeking for office, has held the positions of road supervisor and school director. He is fraternally associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Clackamas, and Lone Star Lodge, Sons of Herman, of Portland. He is a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church at Bethany. Through his first marriage, with Tillie Brunner, in 1887, three children were born into the family of Mr. Troge: Morton, Ernest and Theodore. Two children also have been born of a second marriage, their names being Flora and Henrietta.

FRANCIS REVENUE. As a prominent ag- riculturist of Clackamas county Francis Reve- nue is upholding the standard of excellence in that line and is making himself generally useful in the community wherein he has been a mem- ber since the pioneer days of Oregon. The life of Mr. Revenue has been an eventful one, for much of it has been spent in various parts of the world, his trade, which was that of cooper, taking him thrice around the globe, during which time he profited by the many experiences which broadened his line of vision.

Mr. Revenue is of French descent and par- entage, his father, John Revenue. having been born at Vincennes, near Paris, while his mother, a member of the DuBois family, was born in Normandy, France. At an early date the pa- rents emigrated to America, where the father became a soldier in the war of 1812, and as a means of livelihood engaged in the grocery busi- ness in New Orleans. Francis Revenue was born in this latter city, September 12. 1813. When he was five years old his parents returned to their home in France, and the lad was left in

the care of an uncle, Francis Revenue, with whom he remained until sixteen years of age. While an inmate of his uncle's home he learned the trade of a cooper, and upon starting out into the world for himself he engaged in the prosecution of his trade in Baltimore. Subse- quently he found a position on a New York whaler, and in the capacity of cooper he worked for six years on various whalers pulling out of New York harbor. During that time he made three trips around the world, and in time he made a journey to France and remained for three years with his parents, when he returned to the United States, and once more engaged in his trade as cooper in Baltimore.

In 1853 Mr. Revenue became associated with the state of Oregon, crossing the plains from Illi- nois in that year with three yoke of oxen, the journey consuming about four months and a half. Upon locating upon his present farm he started a trading post and began to clear his land, of which he now has forty-five acres of the three hundred and twenty under cultivation. He is engaged in general farming, dairying-in the latter occupation milking about twenty cows, and also raises stock. On his own responsibility he has accomplished much for the general com- munity, with his own money having constructed Sandy bridge on the Cascade road, in addition to which he has given freely of both time and money in the establishment of schools, high- ways and various other public enterprises.

The marriage of Mr. Revenue occurred in 1849, and united him with Leda A. Lawrence, of which union there have been born nine chil- dren : Mary, deceased; John, Lucy, Matilda, Alice, Edward, Theodore, Cordelia, deceased. and Lawrence. Mr. Revenue has been road supervisor and school director for many years, and few appreciate to a greater degree the civil- izing force of well made thoroughfares. Politi- cally he is independent in his views, reserving the right to cast his ballot for the man whom he thinks will mean the greater prosperity and welfare for the community. Fraternally he be- longs to the Lone Pine Lodge of Masons.

GEORGE H. LOCEY. The Locey farm in Clackamas county which consists of sixty acres. is under a high state of cultivation, and here a general assortment of products is yielded by the fertile soil with the coming of every harvest, although potatoes and hay are considered as re- liable as any and are perhaps grown in greater abundance. The genial owner and proprietor of this well developed property was born in Iowa. September 10, 1860, and is a son of George Locey, a carpenter and builder, who came to

768

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.

Oregon in 1860, where he followed his trade, and where he was killed by the breaking of a rope in Salem, Ore., in 1901.

In 1884 Mr. Locey was united in marriage with Miss Calkins, who was born in Erie county, N. Y., April 13, 1841, a daughter of L. H. Calkins, of Welsh descent, and born in Vermont, January 15. 1816. Mr. Calkins was a man of pronounced individuality, and much natural ability, much of which, however, was never developed. A farmer in the fore part of his life, he was also a blacksmith by trade, and when comparatively young removed with his parents to Onondago county, N. Y., and later settled further west. In 1850 the family packed up and prepared to re- move from lowa to Oregon, and on the way met with many adventures and suffered many depri- vations. The household possessions were packed on horseback, and the first half of the journey was accomplished under the guidance of Indians, and the party first came out in California. In 1850 they settled in Portland, after which Mr. Calkins went to Washington, and there married his last wife, Lucinda McFeeley, who was born in Ohio, and from there went to Iowa and Wash- ington in 1852. Mr. Calkins enlisted in the Civil war in the Sixth Wisconsin Light Battery, and served during the war as an artisan or mechanic. He was discharged in September, 1863, and his death occurred in Oregon in 1891.

In 1864 Mr. Calkins came to Oregon, and settled in Washington county in 1867, from there removing to Oswego, this state. where he bought eighty-eight acres of land which he improved, and upon which he built a fine residence, fitting it with modern improvements. Here he lived with his daughter after her marriage, and up to the time of his death, which came most unex- pectedly while sitting in his chair on the porch. He married Eunice McDearman, who was born in Erie county, N. Y., and who had but one child, Mrs. Locey. Mr. Calkins is deserving of special mention in this work, for he was substantially identified with the general affairs of his county, and materially impressed his worth upon the community in which he lived. Fraternally he was a Master Mason, and for fourteen years was a justice of the peace. A man of more than or- dinary intelligence and sound business judgment, he was ably qualified to cope with the pioneer surroundings and his conservatism acted as a lever in the generally expansive conditions. A fine memory was one of the valued blessings, and he recalled with great accuracy historical facts of moment connected with ancient and modern happenings. Had the opportunity presented itself he would have made a splendid orator, for his wonderful grasp of events and facility of expres- sion were among the traits valued by men who desire to orally express themselves. He was fine

looking and magnetic, and from his war service to his latter day efforts impressed all with his great sincerity of purpose and good judgment.

Mrs. Locey was educated in the public schools. at a private school in Wisconsin, and at Haskell Academy. She has lived with her father for the greater part of her life, notwithstanding her marriage, and during his lifetime was his chief source of companionship, sympathy and comfort. She is well posted and broad minded, and one of the prominent and popular women of the county. Socially she is identified with the Re- bekahs. Mr. Locey is a Republican in political preference, but has never identified himself with office seeking. He is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

LEVI EBENEZER SMITH. Though at the present time living in retirement in the city of Portland, enjoying a well-earned respite from the active cares of a long and useful life, L. E. Smith has been identified with the agricultural interests in different parts of the Willamette valley for many years, having been a resident of the state of Oregon since 1870. His wise disposal of western opportunities permits him to enjoy the twilight of life without regard to expenditure of time or money. His possessions include a de- lightful home of ten acres in Forest Grove. a val- table farm near that town, besides various other city and town holdings in different parts of Wash- ington county. During the chill and rain of the winter of 1901-02 he escaped to the salubrious climate of New Mexico, and other winters doubt- less will be spent by him remote from the winter disadvantages of this otherwise favored locality.

A native of Franklin county, Ohio, in the vicinity of Columbus, Mr. Smith was born Angust 22, 1830, a son of Thaddeus Smith, a native of Maryland. The latter was twice married, and L. E. Smith is the youngest child of the first union. A complete record of the family history may be found on other pages of this work under the title of I. L. Smith. The family of which L. E. Smith is a member went overland from Ohio to Indiana and Illinois, and in the latter state located their home fourteen miles east of the Illinois river and six miles west of Washing- ton, in Tazewell county. In this drear wilderness Mr. Smith and the other children in the family were reared by a conscientious father and mother. the little log school house. three miles distant. supplying such knowledge as the leisure hours of the winter permitted. This school house was the first in that part of the county to beckon aspirants for an education. It had all the marks of primitiveness, including puncheon floors, split log benches, and unprotected apertures for win-

769

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dows. The surrounding country abounded in deer, squirrel, prairie chickens and wild turkeys, and the early settlers devoted practically all their leisure to hunting and fishing, glad to avail them- selves of this inexpensive means of livelihood. It has been the experience of Mr. Smith to break raw prairie in his early youth with five yoke of oxen to the plow ; and this was repeated when, at the age of twenty-one years, he took up crude land comprising one hundred and sixty acres, which he broke and improved, and upon which he made his home for several years.

In 1870 Mr. Smith disposed of his hard-earned farm in Illinois, and, removing to Oregon, settled upon a farm of one section, known as the James Johnson donation claim. Years of patient appli- cation on this extensive property have resulted in rendering nearly four hundred acres tillable, the balance of the land having been disposed of from time to time. The farm is devoted princi- pally to the growing of grain and stock-raising, and also to general farming. In 1888 Mr. Smith purchased six acres of land in Forest Grove, which he improved and lived upon until his re- moval to the city of Portland in the spring of 1902.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 103

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