Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 113

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 113

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Clinton came west in 1874, locating in California, engaging in business in San Francisco. Four years later he came to Portland, which continued to be his home up to the time of his death. On locating here he engaged in newspaper work, be- ing employed for a time on the editorial staff of the Bee, later identified with the Standard, and in 1881 he became connected with the Evening Telegram, acting in the capacity of business man- ager until 1886, when he entered the employ of R. L. Polk & Co., directory publishers. Five years after he became manager of the Portland agency and continued in the position until his death.

A Republican in politics during and long after the war, Mr. Clinton threw himself with all the ardor of his soul into the reforms which that party stood for. Some ten years ago, led by the same convictions of right, he left the Republican party and identified himself, heart and soul, with the struggling cause of Prohibition. In the cam- paign of 1898 he was the Prohibition candidate for governor of Oregon.

Mr. Clinton was a member of the First Baptist Church of Portland, and as one of its deacons was always active in Christian work. This was the keynote to the life of the man, for it was in this work that he excelled. every effort, unselfish and devoted, being put forth to advance the cause of the Master. He also devoted many years to active work in the interests of the Young Men's Christian Association, The estimate as to the value of his efforts cannot now be made. for his was an influence that time does not destroy, and though the man has passed from mortal sight he still lives in the life of the work which he loved.

In 1878 Mr. Clinton married Miss Ella J. Bynon, who was born in Boston, Mass., and was the daughter of A. A. and Marcella (Rand) Bynon. Three daughters, Dorothea. Eleanor and Harriet, survive their father, two sons dying in infancy. Mrs. Clinton has succeeded her hus- band in the management of the directory busi- ness.

JOSEPH CAWRSE. A very successful raiser of Cotswold sheep, as well as a manager of large general farming industries in Washington county is John Cawrse, a resident of Oregon since 1874. Mr. Cawrse was born in England, July 21. 1851. and was reared to farming, the industry of many of his forefathers. As there were ten children in his father's family the boys all had to start out in life for themselves at an early age. and Joseph and his brother, more ambitions than the rest. decided to try their luck in the country across the sea. Accordingly they emigrated to America in 1874, and good fortune led their step westward to Oregon, where both have since lived.

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The brothers rented land near Farmington, Washington county, for one year, and in 1850 bought the place upon which he now lives, which tlen consisted of one hundred and fifty acres.

In 1875 Mr. Cawrse returned to England and married Sarah Burt, who was born in England, and with whom he returned to America in 1876. They settled on the farm purchased the year be- fore, which was a part of the old Ben Cornelius donation claim. At present Mr. Cawrse owns one hundred and eighteen acres. one hundred an 1 ten of which are under cultivation. Eleven children have been born of this marriage, and their names in order of birth are as follows : Adelaide ; William, deceased ; Maud and Mabel, twins: John: Florence: Fannie, Eva; Josie ; Joseph ; and Burt. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, to the support of which Alr. Cawrse is a liberal contributor. In politics he is independent, and has never found time to either seek or accept official recognition. Mr. Cawrse is a wide-awake and enterprising farmer, and his property bears many evidences of his painstaking and careful management.

W. H. CONYERS. More than in any other department of activity, the standing of a com- munity is best indicated by the character of its exponents of legal science. Among practitioners in Columbia county none enjoy a more enviable reputation than does W. H. Conyers, attorney for the State Land Board in this county, and many other large companies, prominent poli- tician, possessor of a splendid war record, and one of the influential citizens of Clatskanie. Mr. Conyers was born in Quincy, Ill., April 16, 1840, a son of Enoch and Catherine ( Parsons) Con- vers, and on the paternal side is of Irish descent. Enoch Conyers was born in Kentucky Decem- ber 31, 1799, and while still in his native state was united in marriage with Mary W. West, September 26. 1821, and thereafter removed to Illinois, where his wife died near Quincy. August 18. 1833. Of this union there were born the fol- lowing children: Ann Eliza, deceased ; Mary Ann M., also deceased; S. A. M. and Millicent A. P .. twins, born June 26, 1826; Enoch W'., born in 1820, and a resident of Clatskanie. April 10, 1834, Mr. Conyers was united in marriage with Catherine Parsons, a native of New Hamp- shire, and of this union there were born four children: Margaret J., deceased; George P., of Illinois; W. H .. a lawyer of Clatskanie: and Laura, deceased. The second Mrs. Convers died August 18, 1842, and for a third wife Mr. Con- vers married Elizabeth Archer. a native of Ken- tucky, and of which union there has been born two children : John J., born in 1846, and James A., born in Iowa in 1849. The last Mrs. Con-

yers died in 1869. Mr. Conyers was engaged in manufacturing and the mercantile business throughout his active life, and became very prominent after removing to Illinois. He was public-spirited, and a high-minded politician, and among other prominent positions of trust within the gift of his fellow townsmen acted as mayor of Quincy for several terms. For several terms also he was sheriff of Adams county, Ill. No man wielded a stronger influence on the side of progress in Quincy than did this honored citi- zen, and his death on July 21. 1849, was deeply regretted in his adopted city. In Kentucky, the state of his birth, he was also successful, and before leaving there was the owner of a large number of slaves.

Upon the death of his father, W. H. Conyers. then nine years of age, went to live with his pa- ternal grandfather near Quincy. At the age of twelve he was compelled by necessity to fight the battles of life unaided, and at the age of seven- teen started in to complete an apprenticeship to a blacksmith. At the breaking out of the Civil war he was busily engaged with forge and bel- lows, which he unhesitatingly left to serve the cause of the Union. As a member of Company D, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he was mustered in May 24, 1861, and was sent to guard duty in northern Missouri, and afterwards joined Pope's command in Cairo, Ill. He par- ticipated in the following engagements: New Madrid, Stone River, Tullahoma, Chicka- manga, Missionary Ridge, Rome, Resaca. Snake Creek Gap, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and many others of importance, finally accompanying Sherman in his march to the sea. He expe- rienced many of the hardships of war, but al- though wounded in many places, was never obliged to lose a day on account of physical dis- ability. However, he was obliged to endure many days of enforced idleness after his capture with five hundred others near Columbia. He spent some time in Libby prison, and was pa- roled April 2, 1865, and went to Annapolis, Md .. his discharge taking place May 14. 1865. In September, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. and was later detailed ord- nance officer of the Second Division of the Four- teenth Army Corps, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his capture and imprison- ment.

Upon returning to Quincy. Ill., Mr. Conyers was identified with the post-office as clerk for three years, engaged after that in mercantile business for a short time, and was again clerk in the post-office until 1871. While in the post- office he was united in marriage. September 26. 1866. in Rochelle, Ill .. with Anna J., Brown, a native of Maine, and soon after came to Clat- skanie, where he homesteaded a claim. In 1878

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hie was elected sheriff of Columbia county, and the same year took up his residence at St. Hel- ens. In 1880 he was re-elected sheriff, and in 1882 was elected county clerk, serving for one term. In 1884 he returned to Clatskanie, and engaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness, and at the same time undertook the study of law, being admitted to practice in 1885. He has since been foremost among practitioners in Columbia county, and many of the most impor- tant cases have come to him for adjustment. At present he is representing as legal advisor the State Land Board of this county.

In politics a Republican, Mr. Conyers has taken an active part in promoting the interests of his party in this section, has represented the county at state conventions for many years, and has filled many positions of trust and responsi- bility besides those already mentioned. He is fraternally connected with the Red Men (having passed all of the chairs of that order ), with the Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in which organization he stands very high. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Con- yers, namely. Louise, deceased ; Mary, Nora H., George B., Laura M., and Enoch, deceased.

NIELS CHRISTENSEN. A worthy repre- sentative of his country's most desirable charac- teristics is Niels Christensen, an enterprising and successful farmer of Clackamas county, who was born in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. September 18, 1864. Fortunately, his parents were well-to-do, and he was reared in a town where education is compulsory, and the system one of the best in northern Europe. He also attended a private school, and was en- abled to secure a much better mental training than falls to the lot of the average youth of the middle class.

At a comparatively early age Mr. Christensen developed ambitious tendencies, and realized the limitations to which his forefathers in Denmark had been heir. He resolved to better his condi- tion even at the sacrifice of separation from home and friends, and in 1887 came to America. locating at Astoria, Ore. For three months he was in the government employ at Fort Stevens, and for the same length of time was employed at the Cascade Locks on the Columbia river. In Portland he engaged in butchering and a meat business for eleven months, and for the follow- ing four or five years served as engineer for the Oregon glue works. Having finished this latter contract he came to the vicinity of Stafford. where he bought eighty acres of land. ten acres of which are cleared, and built a house and barn. He also rents the Wagley farm, and on both tracts raises potatoes, hay, cattle and hogs, hay-

ing for a number of years been very successful. Mr. Christensen understands the practical and scientific side of farming, and believes in keeping abreast of the times, and in using such agricul- tural implements as indicate progress and are a saving from a labor standpoint.

Through his marriage with Louise Wagley nine children have been born into the family of Mr. Christensen, one of whom is deceased. Those living are as follows: Emelia, Niels, Ed- uard. Christian. John, Walter, Charles and Ellen. The children are all living at home, and it is the intention of their parents to give them every advantage from an educational standpoint. Mr. Christensen is a member of the Reformed Church, as is also his family, and he is in polit- ical affiliation a stanch Republican.

DANIEL PADRICK. Among thie thousands of miners who came to the coast during the memorable year of 1852. a large percentage failed to realize their expectations. Daniel Pad- rick, whose family are at present among the landowners of Oak Grove, was one of the more successful miners of the early days, and practi- cally his entire active life was devoted to this means of livelihood. A Southerner by instinct and early training. he was born in Charleston, N. C .. and in his youth received a fair educa- tion. To his family he left a competence by reason of his unceasing endeavor to locate the riches of the earth. although his latter years were a sacrifice to the life for which thousands have risked their all, for he was crippled in a gold mine about twelve years before his death. and thereafter suffered great inconvenience.

In 1862 Mr. Padrick married Miss M. G. Rackerby, whose father, a native of Virginia. and a farmer by occupation, came to California during '49. settling near Placerville. He re- moved in 1853 to the Sacramento valley, and in 1864 to eastern Oregon, where he engaged in mining for several years near Baker City. While on a visit to Missouri he died at the age of seventy years. Mr. Rackerby married Cynthia Ely. who was born in Kentucky, and came to Missouri with her parents when a child. Of their five sons and two daughters Mrs. Padrick is the youngest. Mrs. Padrick was educated in the com- mon schools, and up to the time of her mar- riage her life was practically uneventful. She is the mother of nine children, the order of their birth being as follows: Cynthia. now the wife of William Ham of Baker City. Ore. : Mary. the wife of James King of eastern Oregon; Sarah, now' Mrs. Frank Kelt of Woodlawn, Ore. : Daniel. a resident of Woodlawn: Gussie, Mrs. C. B. Shaw of Bourne, Baker county. Ore. : Georgia, the wife of Dr. Ransom of Alaska ;

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Walter, a resident of Baker City; Linsdy, at home : and Omega, who is living at home. Mr. Padrick was a Democrat in national politics, but never identified himself with office seeking. lle lived to be sixty years of age, and in the es- timation of all who knew him was a typical carly settler of the west, strong and rugged in body and character, up to the time of his serious ac- cident in the gold mine. In 1901 his family came to Oak Grove, where they have a fine property. and where they continued to reside until summer of 1903, when Mrs. Padrick pur- chased a home in Sellwood.

GARDNER WHIPPLE, one of the honored agriculturists and prominent citizens of Clacka- mas county, was born eighteen miles west of Rochester, N. Y., October 14, 1838. His father, Samuel Whipple, was born in Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 10. 1798, and in 1835 removed to New York state. where his death occurred at Clark- son, Monroe county. September 20, 1858. Oc- tober 29, 1819, he married Phoebe Cleveland, who was born in New York and was a daughter of a soldier of the Revolution who enlisted for service at the age of seventeen. Mr. Cleveland. who was a second cousin of ex-President Grover Cleveland, died near Syracuse, N. Y. The chil- dren born to Samuel Whipple and his wife are as follows: John C., born January 25. 1821, and a resident of Alameda. Cal .; Annice, born Septem- · ber 18, 1822: Sarah, born January 15, 1824, and living at Grass Lake, Mich .; Zady, born Decem- ber 24, 1825, and living at Alameda, Cal .; Wil- liam, born October 6, 1827; Job, born September 12. 1829, and a resident of Genesee, N. Y .: James, born October 16, 1831 ; Charles, born May 15, 1833, and living in Alameda, Cal .; Rufus, born July 4, 1835; Emily, born September 5. 1837 ; Eleanor and Gardner, twins, born Octo- ber 14. 1838: and Edwin, born December 29, 1842. Ten of the children are living at this writ- ing.

In his youth Mr. Whipple received his educa- tion in the public schools, eventually graduating from the normal school at Brockport, N. Y. Via the Isthmus he came to California in 1858. and in San Francisco engaged in the lumber business for some years, meeting with fair business suc- cess. While a resident of the northern California city he was prominently identified with general affairs, and in 1862 joined the state militia, which was disbanded in 1864. In 1867 he organized the Creedmore Rifle Club. and it was through his service in this connection that he won the rank of colonel, since utilized by his hosts of friends and the public at large. In 1870 he went out of the lumher business in San Francisco and retired

to a farm in the vicinity of the city, five years later, in 1875. removing to the vicinity of Mil- waukee, Clackamas county. The Milwaukee farm of two hundred and twenty acres was pur- chased for $15 per acre, and in 1890 it brought its ambitions owner $no per acre. The year after selling this farm Mr. Whipple located on his present farm of eighty acres near Canby, all of which is improved, and fifty acres of which are under prunes. The rest is devoted to diversi- fied farming and to stock-raising on a small scale. This farm is one of the highly-improved and valuable farms of this county, and its buildings and implements are of the most modern and con- venient kind.

Through his marriage in Clackamas county with Ella Starkweather, who was born December 29, 1858, Mr. Whipple became identified with a prominent family of this state, which has been closely allied with its agricultural and legislative development. W. A. Starkweather, the father of Mrs. Whipple, who is now living a retired life at Parkplace, has led a strenuous and altogether worthy life, and from the serenity of a very old age may peer back into the past with naught save the greatest satisfaction. This venerable pioneer was born in New London county, Conn .. Feb- ruary 16. 1822, and at the age of twenty-four years of age removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and school teach- ing, and where he lived until 1850. In that year he gathered together his effects and came across the plains with mule teams to California, three months sufficing to convince him that he was not among the elect as a miner. Therefore, he came to Linn county, Ore., in 1852. and took up a quarter section of land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, the same being located on the Molalla Prairie. This farm was exchanged in 1853 for a farm in Clackamas county, and in 1865 he bought a traet of land near Parkplace. Orc .. pay- ing $3,500 for two hundred and twenty acres. At present he has sixty-five acres of this original purchase. and is living thereon with his wife, formerly Eliza Gordon, a native of Jennings county. Ind., who came to Oregon with her par- ents in 1846.

In 1861 Mr. Starkweather was appointed reg- istrar of the United States land office at Oregon City by Abraham Lincoln, and he held the office for four years, resigning at the end of that time. In 1854 he was elected to the state legislature. and re-elected three times, during his terms of service being on some of the most important committees. He was a member of the constitu- tional convention of 1858. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whipple : Amy Elea- nor. Olive Annice. Gardner Mckinley, and Eva Adney. Mr. Whipple is a Republican in politics, and has been active in promoting the interests of

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his party. Among the offices maintained by him. and which were within the gift of the people. may be mentioned that of school director and supervisor.

JOHN LAKE. As a practical agriculturist of many years' experience John Lake is deserv- ing of mention among the prominent residents of Multnomah county, where he owns five hun- dred and twenty acres of fine land, besides three hundred and twenty acres in Clackamas county ; also residence and business property in Portland. He was born in Clark county, Ill., November 6, 1828, and is a son of Milton Lake. one of the large land owners and well-known men of that county. Although reared to hard work and early responsibility. he managed to secure a good com- mon school education and to gain considerable business experience.

In 1850 Mr. Lake crossed the plains with horses to Salt Lake City, where he purchased cattle and took them to Nevada City, and then to Placerville. His mining experiences were not such as to warrant him in banking upon the products of the mines for any length of time, and after three years, in 1853. he located in Portland. which remained his home for eight years. Dur- ing that time he was employed in a saw-mill with considerable success, and eventually embarked upon an independent milling business, continu- ing thus for ten years. Thereafter he purchased his present farm. About one hundred and twenty acres are cleared and under cultivation, general farming and stock-raising forming his chief in- dustry.

In 1855 Mr. Lake was united in marriage with Mary Ellen Baltimore, of which union there was one child born. Alvin E. Mrs. Mary E. Lake died in March, 1857. and in 1860 Mr. Lake mar- ried his present wife, Susan Jane (Wigginton) Lake, of which union there are six children, whose names in the order of their birth are as follows: Coral, Milton, Horace, Estella. How- ard and Mary. In political affairs Mr. Lake is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Repub- lican party, voting for its candidates whenever opportunity offers. All in all, he is public-spir- ited and enterprising and has won the confidence of the business and social community.

WILLIAM B. HAY. Prominent among the native sons of Ohio who are benefiting by the innumerable chances of Washington county is William B. Hay, whose residence in the state (lates from 1853. and who has been variously engaged since coming to the coast A native of Montgomery county, Ohio, Mr. Hay was born January 1. 1833. and when ten years of age re-

moved with his parents to Indiana. There were five children in the family, and most of them were educated in Indiana, where the father pursued his occupation of carpenter and builder. The parents died in the Hoosier state, William B. remaining at home until his twentieth year. As a means of livelihood he also became a carpenter and builder, but, unlike his father, utilized his trade but a short time.

An opportunity to come to Oregon was pre- sented in 1853, when Mr. Hay was employed as a driver in an emigrant train, and in this capacity crossed the plains. arriving eventually at Oregon City. Here he left the train and went direct to the mines. For five years he experimented in the mines around Coos Bay, thereafter continuing mining and prospecting for four years near Jack- sonville, Jackson county, Ore. In 1857 he set- tled in Hillsboro, and engaged in wagon making and blacksmithing for seventeen years, becoming one of the enterprising and successful men of that town. After his long career as a blacksmith he bought the two hundred acres comprising his present farm, all of which was timber but abont thirty acres. At present he has one hundred acres under cultivation, and has introduced many fine improvements, among them being good barns and modern agricultural implements.

The wife of Mr. Hay was formerly Rebecca A. Scofield, who was born and reared in Illinois. and who has borne him five children: Frank L., of Jersey City ; John T., of Tacoma. Wash. ; Ben- jamin, living at home: Hattie A., a resident of Portland; and Zada, also living in Portland. Mrs. Hay died March 8, 1901. Mr. Hay is a Republican in politics, and has filled various official positions in the community, among them being that of school director. He is a broad- minded and resourceful agriculturist, and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he is associated.

JASPER E. REEVES. Comparatively few of the farmers of Oregon are living on the home- steads where they were born, but such may be said of Mr. Reeves, who was born November II. 1868, on the place in Washington county where he still lives. The property is situated near Cornelius and has been placed under a high state of cultivation through the constant labors of the present owner and his father. While general farm products are raised to some extent, a spe- cialty is made of the dairy business, and stock are also raised in considerable numbers.

Among the pioneers of Oregon was William Reeves, father of Jasper E., and a Virginian by birth. When a young man he accompanied his parents to Nebraska and settled on a homestead claim, remote from neighbors and from any town. Not entirely satisfied with prospects there.

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in 1850 William Reeves, then a youth of sixteen years, crossed the plains with an immigrant train. His first location was in California and his first occupation that of mining, which he followed with indifferent success for two years. In 1852 he removed to Oregon, and, having decided to return to agricultural pursuits, bought three hun- dred and thirty-five acres of school land at $1.25 an acre, lying one mile from Cornelius. Soon after his arrival he was elected sheriff of Wash- ington county and filled the office for two terins, being the only Democrat who was elected to that position in the county. Further evidence was given of his standing as a citizen by his election in 1876 to represent his district in the state legis- lature, and at other times he held school and local offices, filling each one, whether important or not, with all the ability and tact he could command. In the confidence and esteem of the people he always stood high and his death in 1891 was deeply mourned.

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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 113

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