Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 104

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 104

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Thrice married, his first wife was formerly Rhoda McKibbon, a native of Ohio, whose death occurred in Oregon. Of this union eight chil- dren were born: Martha M., wife of Thurston Johnson of Forest Grove ; Ellen, wife of William Crowthers, residing near Forest Grove ; Frances, wife of Jasper Clark of Forest Grove; Hugh, a farmer residing near Forest Grove; William, a resident of Portland; Mary, wife of Eugene Hughes of Portland ; Amer, a resident of the state of Washington ; and Dora, wife of James Demp- sey of Portland. The second marriage of Mr. Smith was contracted in Salem, Ore., with Julia Birchfield, who was born in Illinois and died in that state. His third wife was formerly Mar- garet Dempsey, a native of Missouri, who crossed the plains with her parents in 1851, settling in Yamhill county.

Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican in politics ; though he has never sought political office, hie consented to serve as councilman at Forest Grove for a period of four years. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic Lodge at Groveland, Ill., while a resident of that state, but after coming to Oregon he demitted into Holbrook Lodge No. 30, A. F. & A. M. He is also a mem- ber of the Eastern Star. Mr. Smith is liberal in his contributions toward the success of all worthy causes, both public and private, and loses no op- portunity to assist in the promotion of those move- ments which tend toward the improvement of the social, moral and religious interests of the com- munity in which he has made his home for so many years. Personally he is of a genial and

sympathetic nature. The numerous fine personal traits in his character have won for him a mul- titude of warm personal friends, and it is said of him that when he once makes a friend it is for all time. All in all he entitled to rank as one of the best representatives of the worthy citizen- ship of Portland and vicinity, and it is with gen- uine pleasure that those responsible for this publication have given him a prominent place among those who have been active in the agricul- tural development of the valley of the Willamette.

E. A. SOMMER, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of Clackamas county engaged in prac- tice in Oregon City, has been a resident of this state since 1887, coming to the northwest from Canada, although he is a native of Pennsylvania. His birth occurred in South Bethlehem, of the Keystone state, January 27, 1869, and in 1871 he became a resident of Pittston, same state, and afterward lived in Scranton. In 1874, however, he became a resident of Canada and attended the public and private schools of that country, being a graduate of the high school of Montreal, of the class of 1885. He pursued his classical studies under the direction of his uncle, Rev. Al. Sommer, who was a prominent physician and. became a resident of Oregon. It was in the year 1887 that Dr. Sommer of this review made his way to the northwest, locating in the city of Portland. and here he took up the study of medi- cine in Willamette University, graduating from the medical department with the class of 1890. at which time the degree of M. D. was con- ferred upon him. He then located in Woodburn, this state. where he remained for five months, and later he practiced for a few months in Oregon City. In September, 1891, he made his way to the east and was appointed house surgeon in St. Catherine's Hospital of Brooklyn, after passing a competitive examination. After serving in that capacity for twelve months he again passed a competitive examination which entitled him to the position of house surgeon in the New York Polyclinic Hospital, where he remained for a year. Subsequently he was assistant in the New York Lying-in Hospital for three months. after which he became surgeon on the Trans-Atlantic, a vessel of the Holland-American line. He made fourteen trips from New York to ports of Europe and was thus engaged for more than a year. He also traveled over the European continent visit- ing the hospitals of Vienna and Berlin, and learn- ing much of value concerning the methods of treatment in the old world. In 1894 he once more came to Oregon and located in Oregon City. where he began practice as a partner of Dr. Carll, with whom he was associated until Novemher, 1899, when the partnership was dissolved and

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Dr. Sommer has since been alone. He engages in the general practice of medicine and surgery, making a specialty of the latter department, in which he has attained high proficiency. He has a thorough knowledge of anatomy combined with exquisite power of diagnosis, a cool head, steady muscles and great mechanical genius, and these qualities have led to splendid success in his chosen path of labor.

Dr. Sommer was married in San Francisco to Miss Sara Sackett, a representative of a prominent old family of New York. The doctor is well known in civic societies, being a member of Multnomah Lodge No. I, A. F. & A. M., Clackamas Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., of Oregon City, Oregon Commandery No. I, K. T., and Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees. In the line of his profession he is connected with the State Medi- cal Society and the American Medical So- ciety, and through the interchange of thought and experience there he keeps in touch with the advancement which is continually being made in his profession. He has gained a large and lucrative practice in Oregon City in recog- nition of his superior skill and ability, and no representative of the profession has truer regard for the ethical relations of the medical fraternity. In manner pleasant and genial, his personal quali- ties have made him popular and have gained for him many friends, who esteem him highly be- cause of his genuine worth.

EDWARD WALTER SCOTT. During the years which have elapsed since he came to Ore- gon in 1890 Mr. Scott has been honorably and intimately associated with the building interests of Oregon City. He is a member of a family whose loyalty was shown during the early period of American history by their service in various wars. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812 and his great-grandfather Scott was a Revolutionary hero. The father, E. R., a a native of Grand Isle county, Vt., was a pioneer farmer of Iowa, where in 1854 he settled near Decorah. During early life he had followed the carpenter's trade, but later devoted himself almost entirely to agricultural pursuits. At this writing he makes his home in the city of Decorah. By his marriage to Mary Ann Lewis, who was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and died in the spring of 1902, he had eight children, all but one of whom attained mature years, and six are now living.

The oldest member of the family, Edward Walter Scott, was born in Winneshiek county,

Iowa, July 30, 1858, and passed his boyhood days on the home farm, from which, at the age of twelve, he accompanied the family to Decoral Later advantages included attendance upon the grammar and high schools of Decorah. From a boy he learned the carpenter's trade, using his father's tools to assist him in the work. In 1886 he went to Chicago, where he studied the electrical business. On his return to Decorah, he acted as superintendent of the electric light plant for one and one-half years. A later location was in Towner county, N. D., where he became inter- ested in contracting and building. In 1890 he settled in Oregon City and took up the work of building, since which time he has had charge of the erection of various private and public buildings in the city and vicinity. The residence which he owns and occupies was built by himself and stands in the Fall View addition.

The first marriage of Edward Walter Scott occurred in Decorah, Iowa, and united him with Edith Fawcett, who was born in Fillmore county, Minn .. and died in Oregon City. They became the parents of three children, Mary Arvesta, Ray Leslie and June Ruby. The second marriage of Mr. Scott was solemnized in Oregon City and united him with Janet Fairelaugh, who was born in England. The family are attendants upon the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Scott is a member of its board of trustees and one of its leading workers. In national poli- tics he is a Democrat, but in local matters ad- heres to independence of views, voting for the men he deems best qualified for the offices in question. Fraternally he is a past officer in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the board of managers of the Wood- men of the World. Interested in educational matters, he has served as a school director, and in 1900 was elected, without opposition, to represent the third ward in the city council, since which time he has been a member of various commit- tees and a worker for the development of the city along lines of practical value and importance.

DAVID ELLERSON. When David Ellerson came to Portland in 1850 he found the location where he built his home a wilderness, vet the wilderness held out surprising inducements for an able bodied, resourceful, and very capable man. At the time of his death, October 22, 1884, he not only owned valuable real estate in this city, but left to his widow and children the farm of three hundred and twenty acres which he had taken up in the days of his surprisingly industrious pioneership in Washington county, although at one time he owned six hundred and forty, but disposed of three hundred and twenty acres prior to his death. This honored farmer.

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contractor and builder, was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., August 12, 1817, and in his youth received such training and advantages as might be expected by one of fourteen children born to parents in moderate circumstances, and dependent upon the harvests of a moderate sized eastern farm. For several generations the family had been represented in New York state, its members following various vocations, and eventually dis- persing to states throughout the east and middle west. The brothers of Mr. Ellerson were indus- trious and in most cases successful, the sisters marrying well, and attaining to reasonably long lives, although but one daughter now answers to the long roll call, she being a resident of Bing- hamton, N. Y.

At about twenty years of age Mr. Ellerson left home and went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he owned valuable property and succeeded well in a business way. Upon arriving in Green Bay, Wis., he was united in marriage with Annie E. Lord, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and with her parents removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1841. A later home of the Lords was in New Orleans, La., from where they removed to Havana, Cuba, remaining there for about a month. After two years more of resi- dence in New Orleans, James H. Lord moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he became prominent as an inventor, and placed many valuable patents on the market. He was the inventor and opera- tor of the first machine for the manufacture of sea biscuits, in which line he afterward did an extensive business in Baltimore, Md. His oc- cupation carried him into many states of the Union, his wife and daughter accompanying him on his trading expeditions. For a year he con- ducted a farm in Illinois, and afterward removed to Wisconsin, his death, however, occurring in California at an advanced age. Of the two sons left behind when Mr. Lord went on his journey- ings, one died in Dixon, Ill., and the other, after a world round trip, arrived in New York City, from where he went to Philadelphia and New Orleans, but has since not been heard from.

. After his marriage Mr. Ellerson took advantage of the mining excitement in California, and out- fitted for crossing the plains. He had saved some money, and was able to travel in comparative comfort, thus ensuring safe passage among conditions which would otherwise have been try- ing and extremely dangerous. He came with the Sheridan train of fifty-two wagons, but though destined for the mines of California, he became disconcerted by the adverse reports of the desert, and so changed his course to Oregon. All man- ner of hardships came the way of the home- seekers, many died of cholera and mountain fever. and nearly all lost the stock upon which they were depending to tide them over the first

winter on the coast. Mr. Ellerson forded every river from Missouri to Oregon, and nearly lost his life in crossing the Cedar river in Iowa. From The Dalles to the Cascades and through the bottoms to the Sandy was accomplished without much discomfort, and the first winter was spent on the banks of the latter river. From the Sandy Mr. Ellerson went to Mount Tabor, and for two years ran a ferry across the Willamette for Stev- ens & Frush. He then purchased a farm which the former owner had improved to some extent, paying six hundred dollars for it, and in addition took up six hundred and forty acres of land in Washington county, a portion of the same being now owned by his widow. Not making money as fast as he thought he ought to, Mr. Ellerson went to eastern Oregon and started a general merchandise store at La Grande, and at the same time ran a pack train, making more money at the latter than the former occupation. This money he placed in supposed paying claims around Boise City, Idaho, but like many other men in all stages of the world's history, he found this a losing venture.

Coming to Portland in 1872, Mr. Ellerson took 11p street paving contracting, and in this capacity worked up a large and lucrative business. The crude conditions existing at that time supplied just the field for which he was looking, and under his wise directions streets supplanted paths, and inducements were offered those desiring to build homes in so promising a hamlet. A stone crusher owned and operated by him furnished a fruitful source of revenue, and in after years he engaged in a large general contracting business. At the same time he never neglected his farm, and this, with his other interests, enabled him to retire from active life in 1883, having gained the repu- tation of being one of the most thorough, honor- able, and successful contractors which Portland had known up to that time. Probably no one of his contemporary workers so nearly fulfilled the popular expectations of an all around enter- prising business man, character, ability, integrity, and public spiritedness contributing towards his popularity and all around success. He was a strong supporter of church and charitable enter- prises, generously contributing to all appeals seconded by his judgment and heart. Genial and optimistic in his dealings with all, he was the sort of man to not only make but retain friends. and his taking off was deeply regretted by a host of friends and well wishers. Regretting the somewhat limited educational chances of his youth, he applied himself assiduously to the sub- sequent acquiring of knowledge, and at all times was spoken of as a student of men and affairs, and as a particularly well informed man.

Mrs. Ellerson is a member of the Pioneer Asso- ciation, and has been active in its affairs. She

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became the mother of nine children, the oldest, Elizabeth Idelia, having been born in Wisconsin, and being six months of age when the family migration to the west took place. This daughter married Edward C. Hunt, now deceased, and her daughter, Clara E., is the wife of Albert Neat, of Portland ; Catherine A. was born in Washing- ton county, Ore., married C. A. Morrison, and died in April, 1884. leaving three daughters, Sue, the wife of William Parrett, of Portland, and an artist of note; Elizabeth the wife of Leander Chitte, and has one son, Aarel Basil; and May, unmarried and living with her sister Sue. James H. Ellerson married in his youth and devoted his active life to a river business, his death occurring from drowning while trying to make a landing at White's Landing. John H. is married and living on a farm in Washinton county, and has one son, David Edward. William Edwin, now deceased, was associated with his father in the contracting business in Portland for many years, and has a son, David, living with his mother in Portland. Harriet J., born in Washington county, in 1874, is living with her mother; Alice M., born June 15, 1875, is also living at home ; Emma F., died, unmarried, in 1899, having been born in 1876; and Ida H. is the deceased wife of James H. Sheldon, of St. Helens. The chil- dren were all educated in Portland, and their training was carefully supervised by their parents, both of whom were ambitious for their future well being.

RODELL MATTESON. One of the honored pioneer families of Oregon has a worthy repre- sentative in Rodell Matteson. At an early day the Mattesons established their home in this sec- tion of the state and have since taken a helpful and active interest in promoting the progress, upbuilding and improvement of the northwest. The subject of this review was born in Elgin, Ill., August 24, 1850, and is a son of Alvarus Matteson, who was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y. The father of our subject, who was born May 19, 1826, remained at home until his mar- riage to Miss Abigail Northrup, a native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and they then began their domestic life in Elgin, Ill., where they lived for about four years, on the expiration of which period they joined an emigrant train of sixty or seventy wagons and crossed the plains to the

northwest. This was in the year 1854, a period which brought to the travelers of the northwest many hardships and ofttimes dangers. The party with which the Mattesons traveled had several exciting encounters with the Indians, but at length arrived in safety at their destination in the month of October, having been upon the road for about six months.

Mr. and Mrs. Matteson located where the town of Gaston now stands, the father securing a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, most of which was covered with timber. This he cleared away and all of the improvements were made there by him, transforming the land into a rich tract and the entire place into a valu- able farm. There Mr. Matteson lived until about 1870, when he purchased six hundred and forty acres one mile south of Gaston. Upon the new home he took up his abode and has since lived. His wife, however, passed away about 1875. In their family were six children, namely: Rodell, of this review ; Florence, the wife of A. Russell, of South Gaston; Herbert, who resides upon the farm adjoining his brother Rodell; Eva, the wife of A. Hamrick, of South Gaston; Ernest, and Elba, who are living upon the old homestead. The father has now reached the advanced age of seventy-seven years, but is enjoying a good living and is one of the prosperous and highly esteemed men of his vicinity.

Rodell Matteson remained at home until his marriage, and in that period became familiar with all the labors that fall to the lot of the agricultur- ist, while in the district school he obtained his education. He was married September 18, 1875, to Miss Olive Wilcox, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Sanford E. and Mary A. Wilcox, who came to the Pacific coast in the year 1849, the year which witnessed the great exodus of people to this section of the country attracted by the discovery of gold. Mr. and Mrs. Matte- son began their domestic life about six miles west of Gaston, where they lived for eight years, his attention being given to the operation of a sawmill. He began this business about 1882 and followed it for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he began to take up farm work and in 1894 purchased one hundred and seventy acres of good land upon which he is now living. During the years which have since elapsed he has made many excellent improvements, including the erection of one of the finest barns to be found in this portion of the country. His place now comprises two hundred and ten acres of land and is under a high state of cultivation. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and his is one of the most desirable farms in Scog- gins valley, being equipped with all modern ac- cessories and improvements for facilitating its work, and the evidence of the labor of the owner and his careful supervision is seen in the richly cultivated fields and excellent improvements.

Mr. and Mrs. Matteson have three children : Arthur, Mabel and Roy. Mr. Matteson belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives his political support to the Republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Congregational Church. He cer-

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tainly deserves great credit for what he has ac- complished and his life record proves the force of energy, determination and sound business judgment in the active affairs of life.

ALVIN T. SMITH, who died in 1888, had been a resident, of Oregon since 1840, and no history of the Willamette valley would be com- plete which did not contain his life record, for he wielded wide and beneficial influence in the upbuilding of Washington county along lines that led to the establishment of a district in which educational and moral progress were accorded at- tention as well as the material interests leading to temporal prosperity. He was born in East Haven Conn., November 18, 1802. His father, Thomas Smith, was a farmer and the son early became familiar with the work of the fields. At an early day in the development of the Mississippi valley he became a resident of Illinois and in the year 1840 he came to Oregon. It required not only strong resolution, but also marked courage, to make the journey across the plains in those days, for many difficulties and hardships were to be en- countered. There were long stretches of sand in which it was almost impossible to obtain water, the forests were difficult to penetrate, and it was often almost impossible to climb the mountains, but at length Mr. Smith safely reached his des- tination, unmolested by the Indians, who were a continual menace to the white race, and for a time he did missionary work as a representative of the Congregational Church.

For a year Mr. Smith resided near Walla Walla and the following year came to Washing- ton county, where he secured a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres of land and began the development of a farm. The place was en- tirely destitute of improvement, but his labors soon wrought a change in the appearance of the tract and in time it yielded rich crops. When the town of Forest Grove was established he be- came an active factor in its improvement and gave the site for the depot and the railroad yards. He not only followed farming upon his original claim, but also became the owner of other farms in Washington county and in other sections of the state, making judicious investments in realty as his financial resources increased. In the early days he frequently made trips to Vancouver with pack horses. Continuing his farming operations until 1874 he then rented his land and removed to Forest Grove, where he lived in retirement from further business cares, save the supervision of his property interests until his death.

On the 19th of October, 1869, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Jane M. Averill, a native of Branford, Conn., a daughter of Samuel Averill, also a native of that place. Her grandfather,

Daniel Averill, was born in the same state and entered the Continental army in the war of the Revolution as a drummer boy and was advanced until he was allowed to carry a musket and thus fight for the independence of the nation. He was a farmer by occupation and was of English de- scent, the family having been founded in Con- necticut at an early epoch in colonial history. The father of Mrs. Smith was a seafaring man and owned a vessel engaged in the coasting trade, but afterward he retired from the sea and settled upon a farm near Branford. He married Betsey Blackstone, a native of Connecticut, as was her father, Ralph Blackstone, who was of English lineage. Mrs. Averill died in Branford, leaving two daughters: Mrs. Frances Danforth, who is living at the old home in the Charter Oak state ; and Mrs. Smith, who came to Forest Grove by way of San Francisco, on the Union Pacific, ar- riving in November, 1869. For about eighteen years Mr. and Mrs. Smith traveled life's journey together, but on the 22d of January, 1888, were separated by death, Mr. Smith being called to his final rest. A devoted member of the Congrega- tional Church, he was one of the founders of the church in Forest Grove, whose first house of worship was a log building. When the new edi- fice was erected on the square Mr. Smith was a member of the building committee and gave $1,000 toward the erection of the church. He was very generous in his support of the cause of Christianity and untiring in his labors in its be- half. He was also one of the founders of the Tualatin Academy and of the Pacific University, and becoming a member of the first board of trustees of the latter, served for many years. Mr. Smith had the distinction of being the first post- master of Forest Grove, when a log house was used as the postoffice. For many years he was justice of the peace, and was a delegate to the first constitutional convention at Champoeg. In his political belief he was an earnest Republican. Religion was not to him a thing extraneous from his every-day life and its duties for his Christian- ity permeated his entire career and made his life well worthy of emulation. He was large-hearted and kindly and his memory is a helpful influence in the lives of many who knew him. Mrs. Smith survives her husband, and like him, is an earnest Christian, whose noble character commands for her uniform regard.

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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 104

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