Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 110

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 110

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).

Pacific University at Forest Grove, Ore .; Hol- man E., a graduate of the University of Ver- mont and now a physician at Fresno, Cal. ; and Allan C .. also a graduate of the University of Vermont, now a Congregational minister at. Springfield, Vt.

Upon completing the studies at Hinesburg Academy, in 1871, William N. Ferrin entered the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1875, with the degree of A. B. Three years later the degree of A. M. was con- ferred upon him, and in 1902 he received the further honor of the degree of LL. D. from his alma mater. The year 1875 was spent as a school teacher and student of law under Hon. Nahum Peck, of Hinesburg. In 1877 he was elected instructor of mathematics in Pacific University and came to Forest Grove, where he has since made his home. In 1881 he was pro- moted to be professor of mathematics. During the year 1898 the Vermont chair of mathematics was established and he was elected to the same. On the resignation of President McClelland in August of 1900, to accept the presidency of Knox College at Galesburg, Ill., he was made dean of the faculty and acting president of the university. Besides his work in connection with this institution he is president of the College Session of State Teachers and an active worker in the State Teachers' Association. For sev- eral terms he was the city recorder of Forest Grove. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. In national politics he votes with the Republicans, but in local matters supports the man rather than the party. Reared in the Congregational faith. he has always ad- hered to its doctrines and has been active in its philanthropies. For some years he has been a member of the State Historical Society, and is also a member of the American Mathematical Society. His marriage, in San Francisco, in 1885, united him with Martha Haskell, who was born in North Bloomfield, Trumbull county. ( hio, and received her education in Oberlin Col- lege. They are the parents of four children. namely : Livia, Haskell, Holman, and William N .. Jr.

The history of the Pacific University dates back to the pioneer days in the colonization of the northwest. One of those who were identified with events leading to its inception was Mrs. Tabitha Moffett Brown, a widow of nearly three score and ten years, who gathered together or- phaned children of pioneers. When Tualatin Academy was organized this orphan school was merged into it, and this was formed the nucleus out of which grew the academy and college. In the work of the orphanage Mrs. Brown was aided by Rev. Harvey Clark, who came to Ore- gon in 1841 as an independent missionary to the

800

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Indians. Settling on the present site of Forest Grove, he built a log house, where he and his wife for several terms conducted a school. Two hundred acres of his land he donated to the academy and later gave another traet to pay ' teachers engaged in the work. In October, 1847, Rev. George H. Atkinson and his young wife sailed from Boston via Cape Horn, the first mis- sionaries sent out by the Home Missionary Soei- ety to carry the Gospel to the Paeifie eoast. In June, 1848, they reached Oregon City. Learn- ing of the orphan school at Forest Grove, Dr. Atkinson rode over from Oregon City and vis- ited the school, where he met Dr. Clark. As a result of this visit an association of ministers met at Oregon City, September 21, 1848, and passed resolutions to establish the academy at Tualatin Plains, afterward known as Forest Grove. For five years after the founding of the academy there were no permanent teachers and but little progress was made toward a perma- nent institution. From the College Society Mr. Atkinson obtained a grant of $600 a year. It was also his good fortune to meet Sidney Harper Marsh, a young Vermonter, whom he persuaded to take charge of the school, with the object of developing it into a college.

The new president seeured a charter from the state giving the institution collegiate powers. After several years of the hardest work, under trying circumstances, more students began to come and the institution took a broader outlook. In 1859 he secured $20,000 through the College Society as a permanent fund, and in subsequent years raised additional amounts, about $65,000 in all. On his visits east he secured needed teachers as well as additional money. After a faithful service of twenty-five years he died, in February, 1879. After an interval of a year Rev. John R. Herriek, S. T. D., became presi- (lent, and on his retirement three years later Rev. Jacob F. Ellis was elected to the office, serv- ing from 1883 until 1891, after which Rev. Thomas McClelland held the presidency until he resigned to return east in 1900. During the latter administration a building was erected, at a cost of nearly $50,000, as a memorial to the first president of the institution ; also the Pear- sons gift was rendered an assured fact through the efforts of President MeClelland. Upon the completion of the raising by him of $100,000 he received the following letter :

"PRESIDENT MCCLELLAND :

" I enelose cheek for $35,000. I want you to hold this cheek until the 11th of July and then give it to your treasurer. The $50,000 I have now given you belongs to the Vermont contin- gency. Atkinson was a school-mate of mine and Marsh was an old friend. Please give me a full

account of your endowment. so I can file it away with others. I am pleased with your work and hope you will keep the endowment sacred. You have worked hard to get it and I hope it will go in perpetuity and do good to the coming gen- erations.

"(Signed) D. K. PEARSONS."

The receipt of this $50,000 completed the Pearsons endowment fund of $150,000 for Pacific University, and has enabled the institu- tion greatly to increase its advantages and the opportunities offered the young people of the northwest. Its location is admirable, in a beau- tiful town, free from saloons and remarkable for healthful climate. Among its buildings are Marsh Memorial hall, with thirteen recitation rooms, reception room, art room, and a chapel seating several hundred; Seience hall, a substan- tial two-story structure; Herriek hall, a four- story building, with accommodations for young women; Academy building, Men's Dormitory and Gymnasium. The library now numbers more than twelve thousand volumes, classified for ready reference and open to all students. Upon graduates in the classical course the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts is conferred; that of Bachelor of Science is conferred upon those completing the scientific course, and that of Bachelor of Letters upon graduates of the lit- erary course. The high standing of graduates in former years is indicative of the careful train- ing given at the university, which holds rank, and justly, among the foremost institutions of the west.

LEVI STEHMAN. For many years Lan- caster, Pa., profited by the industry and good citizenship of different members of the Stehman family. In this well known and exceedingly fertile part of the state Levi Stehman was born June 14, 1842, his father. Christian S., being also a native of Lancaster county. The elder Steh- man was a farmer by occupation who in 1848 carried the family name and energy into Sanga- mon county, Ill., where he farmed for three years. Ambitious of a still more prolifie field of activity he got together his possessions, harnessed four- teen yoke of oxen, laid in a large store of pro- visions, and started on a six months' trip aeross the plains. From The Dalles he eame by river to Vancouver. Wash., which city was reached in October of 1851. The following spring he removed to Hollow Prairie, Marion county, Ore., near Silverton, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land and lived thereon until 1854. A later home was in Parkersville, Marion county, but after two years he bought a farm near Gervais, and in 1860 moved to Salem.

801

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

After one year in Salem he moved to Portland, where in partnership with his son he engaged in the wood business for about three years. At the end of this time he determined to return to farm- ing life and settled on land in Columbia county. where the rest of his life was spent, and where he died in 1888. While still a resident of Penn- sylvania, Mr. Stehman married Henrietta Cline. She came to Oregon with her husband but died in 1852, the year the donation claim was settled. After her death Mr. Stehman married a Mrs. Havird, a widow who crossed the plains in 1853. She is also deceased.

As one in a family of eleven children, Levi Stehman had the usual advantages and diversions that fall to the lot of farm reared boys, and he remained under the family roof until attaining his twentieth year. His first effort at an independ- ent livelihood was as a miner in Idaho, where he lived for nine years, and where he had reason- able success. He then returned to Marion county, Ore., and in 1868 married Eliza Hagey, a native of Marion county, whose father, Ma- thias, crossed the plains in 1847, locating in Ma- rion county. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stehman. James, Etta and Dee are all de- ceased. Mr. Stehman has lived in Clackamas county since 1873, and now has a farm of ninety- seven acres, located in Liberal. His first home in this county was on a farm four miles west of his present residence, where he lived for sixteen years.

He is independent in politics, but has served for a number of years as school clerk and di- rector. He is enterprising and progressive and in the estimation of all who know him is hon- orable and upright in all of his dealings.

JOHN T. WILLIAMS. The career of John T. Williams offers a striking illustration of the success that rewards apparently small under- takings. when the spirit back of them is daunt- less, energetic and hopeful. The bill-posting business, of which Mr. Williams is the leading representative in Oregon, if not, indeed, in the entire northwest, is a craft which is more or less of a mystery in its operations to most persons, and is not apt to appeal to them by reason of any suggestion of largeness or special utility. But those engaged in the business are of a different mind, having gained wisdom through a knowl- edge of its importance in the conduct of almost all lines of activity. In these days when the suc- cess of all departments of trade and industry depends almost absolutely upon scientific adver- tising, bill-posting has come to be regarded as productive of even better results than newspaper advertising in presenting to the public the strong features of many wares, and the interesting

points in regard to theatrical, operatic and kin- dred amusements. Advertisers of some classes have long since come to the conclusion that ad- vertising of this nature. through its keeping con- stantly in the public eye the meritorious features of those things to which they desire to call at- tention, is by far the most remunerative. It is this knowledge, appreciated in the earlier days of such advertising, that, in its application, has brought to Mr. Williams the success which he has attained.

The J. T. Williams Bill Posting Company, in its substantiality and usefulness, represents an experience of many years on the part of its enterprising president and manager. Mr. Will- iams began to post bills in Portland in 1869, at which time his outfit consisted of a ladder, which he carried acrosss his shoulder, a bucket on his arm. a short-handled brush in his hand, and paper strung at his side in a bag. There were a few three and nine sheet boards, and the enor- mous surfaces which now glaringly announce salable commodities were both unknown and un- thought of. So also were the numerous wagons for carrying materials to work with, and the long-handled brush from nine to twelve feet in length. At present a man can do five times the amount of work that could be accomplished in the pioneer days of the business, and Mr. Will- iams's force enables him to cover many miles of boards. At the present time the capacity of the concern is over sixteen thousand sheets. In 1898 he organized the Northwest Bill Posting Company, and in 1901 reorganized the company and established the J. T. Williams Bill Posting Company, with himself as assistant manager. Thus from very primitive methods and small be- ginnings has been evolved an enterprise of great proportions, for the furtherance of all kinds of trade, and the immediate application of whatever is new and of peculiar advantage.

The Williams family was established in Amer- ica by George H. Williams, the paternal grand- father of John T., who was born in Wales and came to America as a lieutenant on a British man-of-war during the war of 1812. He was taken prisoner while still aboard ship, and after being released liked his environments so well that he deserted from the service and settled in Ports- mouth, N. H., where he married. With his brother Alexander he boarded a ship in the Amer- ican service, and later served on a vessel in the American privateer service, sent to fight the British off the coast of South America. Alex- ander Williams was killed outright in the battle, and the grandfather died from wounds received in the engagement at the quarantine on the Miss- issippi, below New Orleans, just before the bat- tle of New Orleans. His son, also named George H., father of John T., was a wool-buyer during

802

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his active life, and so extensive was his business that he had a trade covering the entire United States, with headquarters at Holyoke, Mass. He lived to be sixty-five years of age, and died in Massachusetts, as did also his wife, who was formerly Mary Rogers, born in Newburyport, Mass., and a daughter of Capt. John Rogers, a whaler who was lost at sea. He married a Miss Choate. The Rogers family is a very old one in Massachusetts, and among those bearing the name were soldiers in the Revolutionary and the French and Indian wars. Of the ten children born to George H. Williams, Jr., six are living. Of these the subject of this sketch is the third child and the oldest son. One son, George, was a drummer boy in the Twenty-sixth Massachu- setts Volunteer Infantry, and now resides in Cleveland, Ohio.

In North Andover, Mass., Mr. Williams was born November 28, 1842, and was reared prin- cipally in Lawrence, Mass. In his youth he started to learn the barber's trade, but not taking to it readily, he turned his attention to shoemak- ing for three years. Next he was apprenticed as a color detective in a calico mill for two years, and was thus employed when the growing dis- content between the north and south culminated in a declaration of war. As a member of Com- pany F. Sixth Massachusetts Militia, he was sent to Baltimore to assist in quelling the riots in that city, and also helped to guard the railroads between Baltimore and Washington. After the battle of Bull Run the regiment returned to Massachusetts, after nearly four months' ser- vice. Their return home was due to the fact that the militia were allowed only three months out of the state at any one time during the year. Next Mr. Williams volunteered in Company F. Twenty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and served in Louisiana in the De- partment of the Gulf, principally in guerilla war- fare and bushwhacking. In 1863 his command joined the Banks expedition up the Red river. and were afterward sent to reinforce General Grant at Bermuda Hundred. Later on the regi- ment was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah, and at the close of the war it participated in the Grand Review at Washington. During the early days of the reconstruction period the regiment was sent to Savannah, after which it was mus- tered out and discharged from the service. Late in the fall of 1865 Mr. Williams became a corporal, and about the same time was three times wound- ed at the battle of Bayou la Fourche, but for- tunately received only flesh wounds. His total period of service was four years and nine months. a record that comparatively few of the veterans of the army can boast.

After the war Mr. Williams returned to Mass- achusetts and learned the business of wool-grad-

ing under the direction of his father. In 1868 he came to the Pacific coast, by way of the Isth- mus of Panama, locating first in Linn county, Ore. He then turned his attention to teaming in eastern Oregon, but in 1869 came to Portland, where he started out with a pail and brush to post bills in different parts of the town. That he has been more than ordinarily successful is evidenced by the fact that, whereas when he came here he had practically nothing, he now owns val- uable city property, besides a large farm in Washington county, near Beaverton, upon which all modern improvements have been placed, and which is one of the finest farms in its neighbor- hood. Mr. Williams also is interested in mining and in the promotion of various enterprises which have to do with the general upbuilding of his adopted town. He is a Republican in national politics, and fraternally is associated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Red Men, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a member of Lincoln-Garfield Post, G. A. R. In religion he is identified with the Unitarian Church.

The first marriage of Mr. Williams was sol- emnized in Lawrence, Mass., during the war and united him with Josephine Huston, who was born in Corinth, Me., and died in San Francisco, leaving a daughter. Mary E., now the wife of M. E. Riley, of Portland. His second wife was formerly Mrs. Josephine Minnehan, nee Brack; she was born in Missouri and died in Portland in 1893. Two children were born of this union. Hazel Annie and Alfrieda.

FRANK SCHLEGEL. Among the rising young attorneys of the city of Portland Frank Schlegel is numbered as one of the most prom- inent. A native of Yreka. Cal .. Mr. Schlegel was born January 4. 1872, a son of Nicholas and Hetwig (Young) Schlegel. Nicholas Schlegel was born near Stuttgart, Prussia. His youth was passed in his native place, where he received a common school education. At an early age he was apprenticed to learn the watchmaker's and keysmith's trade. His attention to these trades was, however, interrupted by his service in the army, four years being devoted to the needs of his country, at the end of which time he came to America. in 1850. His first settlement was made in Keokuk county, Jowa, reaching there via New Orleans and the Mississippi river. Here he took up a government claim and en- gaged in general farming, continuing a resident of that state until 1860, when he came overland to California. The trip was made in the old time "schooner" with ox teams as the motive power. Much trouble was encountered with the Indians and the Mormons, who at that time were about

808

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

as bad as the red inen. One night while in the Mormon country, a band of cattle was driven off and killed by Mormons, who were dressed as Indians. The first settlement was made at Long Gulch, Siskiyou county, Cal., where he continued to reside until 1880. Most of the time was de- voted to mining, in which he was fairly success- ful. Taking up his residence in Yreka, Cal., he engaged at his trade and was also agent for the overland stage route running between Roseburg and Reading. This continued to be the place of residence until 1887, when he moved to Lake- view, Ore. This was the last move the family made and here Mr. Schlegel made his home until his death, November 6, 1901, spending his last years in retirement from active labor.

His wife, Hetwig (Young) Schlegel, was a daughter of Daniel and Hetwig Young, both of whom were natives of Germany, and came to the United States in 1845. They also settled in Keokuk county, Iowa, where Mr. Young en- gaged in farming. He had but just become firmly established in the new home, when he was called to the great beyond. passing away in 1859. Mrs. Young came west with her daughter, Mrs. Schlegel, the daughter's marriage to Mr. Schle- gel having been celebrated about one year prior to the death of Mr. Young.

To Mr. and Mrs. Schlegel were born the fol- lowing children : Herman, now in Alturas, Cal., where he is engaged in the wagonmaker's and blacksmith's trades; Louisa, now Mrs. John Fiock, of Klamathon, Cal .; Emma, who makes her home with an aunt in Yreka, Cal .; Amelia, who became the wife of D. J. Wilcox, and resides at Lakeview, Mr. Wilcox being postmaster of the town ; Gustaf. also a resident of Lakeview ; Min- nie, who became the wife of John Scott and lives at Paisley, Ore. ; and Frank, the personal subject of this review, completes the family. One child died when about nine months old.

Mr. Schlegel was at all times a firm supporter of the Democratic party, but never took any in- terest in political affairs aside from casting his vote. In religious belief he had pronounced views and might be called an agnostic. Mrs. Schlegel is still living. making her home at Lakeview.

As before stated, Frank Schlegel was born in California, where his youth was passed. He was fortunate enough to get the benefit of a common school education, but at an early age he was obliged to shift for himself and when sixteen years old he entered the office of the Lakeview Examiner as an apprentice to the printer's trade. The paper at that time was owned and con- ducted by S. C. Beach, now a resident of Port- land and ex-county recorder. During the time Mr. Schlegel was in the office, however, the paper changed hands, Hon. W. M. Townsend becoming

the editor and proprietor. Our subject con- tinued in the office of The Examiner for five and one-half years, being promoted from the position of devil to foreman. During this term of years Mr. Schlegel improved all his spare time by reading law, as he had determined to enter that profession, so at the end of his term of service in the printing office he at once entered the state graded school of Lakeview, which he attended for one winter. During this time he kept up his law reading under the guiding hand of Judge Sperry, an attorney of the town. In the spring of 1894 he was obliged to give up his studies and entered the general merchandise store of F. M. Miller, with whom he remained for about a year, severing his connection with the firm November 9, 1895. All this time he had kept up his law reading and at this time had a very thorough knowledge of elementary law. The

following spring, in February, he came to Port- land and entered the law school of the State University and continued in this school until June, 1897, when he was graduated with high honors. The vast amount of reading he had in- dulged in while in Lakeview enabled him to go through his school course much quicker than or- dinary. The same month in which he graduated he was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Oregon. No time was lost as immedi- ately after he was admitted to the bar he estab- lished himself in an office in Portland, where he took up the active practice of his profession. From the very first he met with success and at the expiration of the first three months he had argued a case before the Supreme Court of the state, and this, his first victory. accomplished in the face of great opposition by some of the old and well known attorneys of the state, shows plainly how well he had laid the foundation of his profession and how thoroughly he understood his case. In 1900 he was admitted to practice in the state of Nevada. It is no more than right to say that Mr. Schlegel deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as from the time he left home, at the age of sixteen years. he has made his own way and whatever has come to him in the way of success is the result of his own efforts. The money with which he paid his way through college was the savings of earnings while in the printing office and store.

December 24, 1901, Mr. Schlegel was united in marriage with Miss Maymye Belle, daughter of Hon. P. P. Palmer and Mary (Slocum) Palmer. Mr. Palmer is a native of Delaware and came to Oregon in the early '50s. He set- tled in Douglas county and for a number of years conducted a hotel at Scottsburg. He now re- sides in Eugene, where he is spending his last days in ease and retirement. Mrs. Palmer lived

504

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to reach a good old age, passing away February 6, 1903.

Mrs. Schlegel is a graduate of the State Normal School at Drain and the Technic Insti- tute of Oakland. For the past five years she has been filling the position of stenographer to the Collector of Customs of the Port of Port- land.

In political matters Mr. Schlegel is a conserv- ative Democrat, taking an active interest in the welfare of his party, but has never had the time nor inclination to seek public favors. Religiously he is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Portland and socially is a member of Wash- ington Lodge No. 46, A. F. & A. M. He also holds membership with the Ancient Order United Workmen, having passed all the chairs in the latter order.

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 110

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