Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 115

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 115

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The present house on the Reed farm was erected by James Reid, who is engaged in gen- cral farming, and has seventy-eight acres of the property left by his father, ten acres being de- voted to grain. Mr. Reed possesses the sterling

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traits of his paternal Irish and maternal Dutch ancestors, and is accounted one of the substantial men of his county. His mother is now eighty- three years of age. .

WILLIAM H. DAUGHTREY. The Port- land. Union Stock Yards are generally conceded to be among the finest of their kind on the coast, and their prestige is unquestionably largely due to the business ability of their manager, William H. Daughtrey. Mr. Daughtrev is one of the most experienced cattle men in this part of the west, having spent, many years in studying all phases of this interesting occupation. He is a native son of Oregon, and was born in Linn county March 11, 1859.

Nathaniel Daughtrey, the father of William H., was born in Illinois, and was reared on a farm near Carlyle, Clinton county, that state. As a young man he crossed the plains with ox teams in 1854, his journey terminating at the end of six months, having met with the usual incidents and experiences. Upon locating in Portland he en- gaged in steamboating on the Willamette for a number of years, and then located in Linn county, where he bought a farm of some extent. In 1861 he removed to Umatilla county, eastern Oregon, and engaged in the cattle business on a large scale, continuing the same up to the time of his retirement to Pendleton. He married Orilla Wilson, who was born in Missouri, and who came with her father, John Wilson, to Linn county in 1850. Mr. Wilson took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, upon which he lived and labored for many years. But two of the children of Nathaniel Daughtrey attained maturity, and of these Alice is the wife of Wil- liam Valley, of Pendleton.

In Umatilla county Mr. Daughtrey was reared on the paternal farm, and was educated in the public schools of Pendleton. From a boy he learned the stock business from his father, and part of the time had a rough and tumble life riding over the ranch on horseback and rounding up the many thousands of cattle. At the age of twenty he took a herd of cattle into Wyoming and assumed charge of a ranch, and for five years successfully manipulated his cattle with large financial results. He then returned to Umatilla county and engaged in the stock busi- ness, having a farm twenty miles .from Pendle- ton, upon which he raised large numbers of stock. For many years he was one of the most extensive and widely known cattle men of Umatilla county, and his retirement from business there marked the end of an exceedingly prosperous cattle in- dustry.

After disposing of his Umatilla county inter-

ests Mr. Daughtrey began traveling for the Pa- cific Meat Company at Tacoma, and as a buyer represented them in Washington, Idaho, Califor- nia and Oregon, a position which he resigned in 1901 to go to Walla Walla and engage in the retail meat business. March 10, 1902, he came to. Portland and bought an interest in the Union Stock Yards, of which he has since been manager. Mr. Daughtrey is a Republican in national politics, but his extensive cattle interests have never left any time for official undertakings. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Woodmen of the World of Pendleton.

The first marriage of Mr. Daughtrey occurred in Wyoming, and was with Charity Farrell, who was born in Nebraska, and died in Pendleton. Of this union there were born three children, Effie, Ida, and Alice. The second marriage of Mr. Daughtrey was solemnized in Pendleton, Umatilla county, Ore., and was with Luella Rauch, a native of Idaho. Mrs. Daughtrey is the mother of two children. William Franklin and George Nathaniel.

SAMUEL BOICE. In 1896 Samuel Boice came to Portland with available assets amounting to $125, not a very inspiring amount with whichi to engage in business in a strange city. How- ever, he had had a great deal of practical expe- rience in the farming line in different parts of Illinois and Missouri, and had an idea of just what he wanted to do, which was more than half the battle. At first he rented land on shares from Mr. Stokes, and this proved so successful that he rented some more from Mr. Bodes. After two years he bought five acres of land for $1, 100, and sold the same at the end of the year for $1,200, and a crop of berries worth $400. At present he owns ten acres of land adjoining the city, besides which he rents twenty acres devoted to berry cultivation, ten of which are under staw- berries. That he is successful beyond his expec- tations is proved by the fact that in 1902 he had a crop of strawberries amounting to thirty thou- sand pounds. Not content with this excellent showing, he is making arrangements to increase his acreage, and the next year or two will prob- ably witness a vast increase in the volume of his business.

On both sides of his family Mr. Boice claims Revolutionary ancestry. He was born near Marietta, Washington county, Ohio, October 14. 1849, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Townsend) Boice, grandson of Francis, who served in the war of 1812, and great-grandson of one of the soldiers under the banner of Washington. For many years the family was well known in Vir- ginia, from which state the paternal grandfather removed to Ohio, settling in Clark county. The

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earliest emigrants came from Holland, and after several years in New Jersey, removed to Vir- ginia. Samuel Boice, the father of the present Samuel, was born in Clark county, Va., and be- came a prominent farmer in Ohio, to which he removed with his father when five years of age. From Ohio he removed to Missouri, where his death occurred in Vernon county. His wife was a native of London, and for four generations her family has been represented in Belmont county, Ohio. Her paternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. Of the twelve children born to Samuel Boice and his wife all grew to ma- turity, and nine are living, Samuel being the middle child. Two of the sons, Isaac and Abra- ham, served in the Civil war in an Ohio regi- ment.

Until he arrived at the age of twenty-one years Samuel Boice remained on his father's farm, and not only learned every department of farm- ing, but managed to acquire a fair common school education. In 1866 he removed to Adair county, Mo., and from there to Knox county, Ill., where occurred his marriage. His wife was a native of Illinois. After his marriage Mr. Boice remained and farmed in Knox county for several years, going later to Adair county and Vernon county, Mo., which continued to be his home until coming to Portland in the spring of 1896. Four children have been born to Mi. and Mrs. Boice, of whom Elbert is a carpenter of Portland; Nora is the wife of James McCallin, of Portland ; Emma is the wife of Frank McCal- lin, a contractor of Portland; and Earl is now five years of age. Mr. Boice is a Democrat in political preference, and in religion is a member of the Methodist Church. It may also be men- tioned that Mr. Boice has extended his useful- ness beyond his own business sphere, and has improved a twenty-acre place for Mrs. Ella Le- high, and placed ten acres of it under strawber- ries. This is a particularly creditable undertak- ing. and cost about $5,000.

HON. JOSEPH C. BAYER. No name in Portland has been more closely identified with the substantial upbuilding of the city than that of Hon. Joseph C. Bayer, whose constructive ability is evidenced in business blocks, residences and public buildings in every part of the town. and in fact all over the entire state. Nor does his reputation rest entirely upon the foundation erected by shrewd business sagacity, and thor- ough mastery of his chosen occupation, for as politician and all-around enterprising citizen. he occupies a truly enviable position in the public and private regard. A native son of the great west. Mr. Bayer was born in Santa Rosa, Cal .. February 23, 1855, and was educated in the pub-

lic schools of Oakland and San Francisco, sup- plemented by a course in Brayton's College of Oakland, and a bookkeeping course at Heald's Business College, of San Francisco.

The family of which Mr. Bayer is a member was first represented in the west by Anthony Bayer, his father, who was born in Germany and came to this country when a young man. He landed in New York, and later, via Panama, came to California in 1850. He at first engaged in mining for a time, but becoming convinced that in this business there were too many chances for failure, he soon after entered into the stock- raising business on a ranch near Santa Rosa. where he remained until 1856, when he removed to San Francisco. Here he opened a bakery business which he conducted for several years and here his death occurred at the age of fifty- six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Miss Jane Holmes, was a native of the Isle of Man, and came to America with the rest of her family. As a result of her union with Mr. Bayer she became the mother of two children, of whom Joseph is the oldest and the only one living. Mrs. Bayer died in California at the age of fifty-three years.

Soon after completing his studies, Joseph C. Bayer secured a position with Conlin & Roberts, with whom he remained until he had thoroughly mastered the cornice-making and roofing busi- ness. In the year 1879 Mr. Bayer arrived in Portland and at once opened a shop near the corner of Third street and Madison, where he conducted business for one year, and then re- moved to the corner of Second and Main streets. Here he continued in business until 1885, in which year he located his business at Nos 265-67 Second street, where he has since remained. The present huilding was erected by Mr. Bayer, and in size is 50x100, two stories in height. From the very first Mr. Bayer met with success, and as time passed his business has increased until to- day he has the largest business of the kind in the northwest. While a large percentage of his work has been done within the city limits, he has done considerable in other portions of the state, and when the capitol at Salem was remodeled he had charge of the construction of the copper dome. Nearly all the large buildings in Portland have been finished by Mr. Bayer. In addition to the contract work Mr. Bayer manufactures cornice and other fittings for builders, and is also agent for the terra cotta firm of Bladding, McBean & Company, of San Francisco. While the greater portion of his time has been devoted to his cor- nice business, Mr. Bayer had branched out in other lines and is deeply interested in the asphalt business, and at the present time is the president of the Merrill Fruit Evaporating Company.

Mr. Bayer had been a resident of Portland but

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a short time before he became interested in the political situation. At all times a sincere sup- porter of the Republican party, he became a can- didate for the legislature in 1896 and was elected by a large majority for the session of 1897, known as the hold-up session. The house was not organized, however, and he was again elected in 1898 and served in the session of 1899. Dur- ing his term as a public servant he served his constituents well. He was at all times found on the side of right and never withheld his support from any movement that he considered a benefit to the city or state.

Fraternally Mr. Bayer is a well known Mason, holding membership with Harmony Lodge No. 12, A. F. & A. M., Portland Chapter No. 3, R. A. M., Oregon Commandery No. I, and the An- cient Order of United Workmen. Prior to his removal to Portland he was a member and treas- urer of California Parlor No. 1, Native Sons of the Golden West, of San Francisco. Socially he is a member of the Riverside Driving Club. His interest in Portland and its future is evinced by his connection with the Chamber of Commerce, the Commercial Club and the Portland Board of Trade.

While still a resident of the Golden state, Mr. Bayer was united in marriage with Miss Henri- etta Stauch, a native of Baltimore. To this union three children have been born : Emma, Alice and Joseph. Mr. Bayer belongs to that class of young business men who have made their own way in the world without the aid of wealth or influential friends. He is self-made in the purest sense of the word. His success is due entirely to his own energetic efforts and strict attention to the details of his business, and while he has succeded he has never neglected his duties as a citizen, and to-day Mr. Bayer is hon- ored as a business man, as a citizen and as a politician, who while before the public never stooped to a dishonest act, and who fulfilled every promise made to his supporters.

ROBERT PORTER. A pioneer of 1850, and for forty-four years identified with the build- ing and business life of Portland, Robert Porter occupied a worthy place in this splendid com- monwealth, where he was known as the advocate of progress, education and morality, and where he not only rose on his own unaided merits, but left behind him children who inherit his many worthwhile characteristics. As did most of the youth of his time and place, Mr. Porter started out in life equipped with a useful trade, that ladder upon which so many have mounted to secure and honored positions in this country. Born near Cadiz, Ohio, August 3, 1827, he re- mained on the paternal farm until twenty, and

afterward plied his trade of carpenter in differ- ent parts of Ohio, saving as he went, and am- bitiously planning for the future.

Arriving in California in 1849, via the Isth- mus, Mr. Porter began to work in the gold mines, an occupation for which his unstable state of health was strangely unfitted. Fellow work- ers with him with pick and shovel were men who had been to Oregon and tested its advantages, and who strongly urged him to journey further north, leaving behind him the enervating climate, and the dreary underground caverns, among which he sought to make a rapid fortune. Fol- lowing this advice he arrived in Portland in 1850, opened a carpenter shop and found a ready mar- ket for his abilities. In time his business grew out of the little shop and he began to contract, success following upon his departure into broader channels. More work coming to him than he could manage independently, he entered a part- nership with John Carson in a large sash and door factory, thus furnishing his own materials for building, and greatly enlarging his money- making prospects. From the first he evinced shrewd business sagacity, and far-sightedly saw opportunity while others passed it by. He worked zealously and with singleness of purpose, and from his forceful manipulation of chances gathered together a handsome property. Many of the buildings familiar on the principal streets of the town were erected under his wise direc- tion, and his work was proverbially substantial and modern, giving the greatest satisfaction. He was a man who appreciated the value of details, and certain things in his business were never allowed to pass to the supervision of others His health again failing him, he sold his business and went to Spokane, Wash., returning after three years and living retired in Portland until his death in 1894.

In 1856 Mr. Porter married Emily Agar, who was born near Dublin, Ireland, in 1837, and who came to America with her parents at the age of seven years. Mrs. Porter lost her parents at an early age, and was thereafter taken care of by her brother, Thomas, with whom she came to Oregon in 1852, but who unfortunately died in 1856. Mrs. Porter was educated in the common schools of the east, and in the old Portland Acad- emy after coming to the west. She proved a de- voted wife and mother, aiding her husband in his struggles in the early days, and caring for him with tenderest sympathy in the many ill- nesses which retarded his work and discouraged him at times. Five children were born to the family, of whom Della Ruetta, born January 6, 1857, died October 2, 1861 ; Lilly Agnes, born June 18, 1861, died March 7, 1863: Robert Charles, born July 6. 1863, was united in mar- riage with Ada Tibbitts and died June 18, 1889;

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Edward Henry, born July 23, 1866, was a clerk in a clothing store, and died September 7, 1889; and William Douglas, born March 18, 1869, mar- ried Angust 11, 1895, Mary E. Coffey, and is manager of the wrapping department of Lipman & Wolf, general merchants.

Mr. Porter accumulated considerable town property during his life, his first purchase being a home where the Alisky building now stands. About 1874 he moved from there and built the house now owned by Selling on the corner of Tenth and Main streets, but after a short time purchased the corner lot and built the house now occupied by his widow. Mr. Porter was a very active man, very practical and conscientious, and reared his children to appreciate the plain and every-day truths which are the backbone of com- munities and the center of all lasting accomplish- ment. Before his death he disposed of all but the home on the corner of Morrison and West Park streets, leaving those dependent on him in a position of affluence. Both himself and wife were members of the Pioneer Association of Ore- gon, and Mrs. Parter assisted at the first ban- quet given by that association. Ever since she has been very active in the affairs of the society, and is one of its popular and highly esteemed members.

VINCENT COOK. Among other passen- gers which that pioneer craft, the Star of the West, conveyed from New York to Graytown in 1854, and left to make their way to San Fran- cisco and then to Portland as best they could, were the brothers, Vincent and J. W. Cook, both destined to utilize their vigorous young manhood for the maintenance of northwestern supremacy. Vincent Cook, the builder of a pioneer and very large salmon industry, and at present president of a company which controls the richest placer mines in this part of the country, was born in Chicago, Ill., a son of Horatio and Anna Cook, natives respectively of Worcestershire and Lon- don, England. Horatio Cook came to America with his wife in 1818, locating in New York. and afterward in New Jersey, from which state he removed in 1838 to Chicago, Ill. He was an expert furniture maker, and engaged in the fur- niture business in Chicago, transferring his business to Rockford, Ill., in 1850. His two oldest sons, George and Horatio, having pre- ceded him to Portland, crossing the plains in 1852, he himself crossed the following year, and thereafter engaged with his sons in the furniture business in Portland. George was not destined for long life in his adopted state, for he died in the early '6os, his brother, Horatio, surviving him until 1900. The father eventually retired from active business life in Portland. and passed

the last years of his life in the city whose, growth he had so interestedly watched.

In Rockford, Ill., the Cook brothers received a limited education in the public schools, and were on the alert for any opportunity, as was proved by their courage in embarking upon un- tried ventures. The father and two oldest sons having come to the west during '52 and '53, Vincent and J. W. were encouraged by the flat- tering reports which they sent back, and joined them in 1854. making their way via the Nica- ragna route. For the first five years in the new country Vincent worked on his father's donation claim seven miles west of Portland in Washing- ton county, and these same years are recalled as very trying ones, for the land was heavily tim- bered, and had to be cleared before anything could be accomplished. Five years served to convince Mr. Cook that he had abilities other than those brought into action on a western tim- ber farm, and he laid aside his implements and donned the attire suitable for city life. On tak- ing up his residence in Portland he entered the employ of his brother, J. W. Cook, who was engaged in the manufacture of bags, tents and other articles made of canvas. Three years later in 1863, the firm of J. W. & V. Cook was formed. This firm met with merited success during the latter part of its eight years of existence, and in 1868 Vincent embarked in the dry-goods busi- ness with the firm of Clark, Henderson & Cook, conducting a store on the corner of First and Washington streets.

In 1874 Mr. Cook sold his interests in the dry-goods business and engaged in the, salmon- canning business with his brother, J. W. Be- tween these brothers there has always existed the most amicable and affectionate regard, as well as a harmonious blending of business in- terests. Like the bag and tent industry, the salmon business grew apace, and in time cans bearing the name of J. W. and V. Cook were familiar sights in marts of trade all over the world. The first shipments were made to Eng- land, and gradually consignments were sent to more remote countries, the brothers gaining not only prominence in the business world, but add- ing materially to their financial gains. Although retaining his interest in the canning business until 1896, Mr. Cook became interested in min- ing in 1890, his partners in the enterprise being Capt. A. P. and Henry E. Ankeny, The firm bought out the business of the Sterling Mining Company in Jackson county, Ore., which owned fourteen hundred acres of as fine placer land as is to be found in the northwest. Capt. A. P. Ankeny is now deceased, and the business is con- trolled by the other two partners, Mr. Cook being president, and Henry E. Ankeny vice- president. The twenty-seven mile ditch at the

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mines was dug as early as 1879, and before this a six-inch hydraulic pipe had been used, the lat- ter placed in operation during 1854-55, and used until 1861. From 1862 until 1877 the mines were idle, but in 1877 a stock company took charge of them, and since then have been very prosperous. At present the owners operate with a twenty-two inch steel pipe, and have two six- inch streams. The mines are remarkably rich, and constitute the most desirable and paying placer property in this part of the country.

In Portland, Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Oronoco L. Ankeny, who was born in West Virginia, a daughter of Capt. A. P. Ankeny, the partner of Mr. Cook, who died about 1891. Mrs. Cook, died in Portland in 1897. having become the mother of three children: Ray A., Lelia A and Floyd J. In political affiliation Mr. Cook is a Republican, and fraternally is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A pioneer of sterling worth and successful business standing, Mr. Cook is one of those who have transplanted from the distant state of his nativ- ity that civilization which has transformed this once trackless wilderness into a flourishing com- monwealth, and rendered it the mecca of the greatest minds in the land.

SILAS WRIGHT. Many of the residents of Oregon, in fact the greater majority of them, have come to the state from various parts of the Union and even from foreign lands, but in Mr. Wright we find a native son of the soil. His father, Harrison Wright, was born in Wash- ington county, Mo., where besides following farming he also carried on a teaming husiness, hauling iron and lead to Little Rock, Ark. April 12, 1844, he started for the west with a party of one hundred and eighty-four, and reached Clacka- mas county October 26 following. The trip was not lacking in experiences, and the encounter with the Indians at the Platte river was one long to be remembered. Near Liberal Mr. Wright took up a donation land claim of six hundred and forty- five acres, and here he continued to reside up to the time of his death, October 26, 1870. His wife, Lavina E. Frazier, was born near Bloomington, Ind. Her father, Randall Frazier, a native of North Carolina, settled in Indiana, where his death occurred. His wife, Sarah Frazier, was also a native of North Carolina. With her sec- ond husband, John McHaley, she crossed the plains in 1843, making the journey across the country with ox-teams. At The Dalles they boarded rafts and started down the Columbia river, but were shipwrecked in the rapids ere they had gone a great distance, and for seven days were without food. In their distress they were compelled to eat some hides which they had with

them. Their sufferings were finally relieved, however, some Indians coming to their rescue. Mr. McHaley first settled at Oregon City, but later went to Marion county, and near Salem took up a donation land claim of six hundred and forty acres. Both Mr. and Mrs. McHaley died in Oregon. Mrs. Wright is still living, making her home on a portion of the old claim settled by her husband. She is seventy-eight years old and en- joying the best of health.

Of the nine children born to Harrison and La- vina E. (Frazier) Wright seven grew to matur- ity. Sarah Ellen and Joseph A. are deceased ; Oraentine, Mrs. D. Patterson, resides in Forest, Idaho; Elgarine and Mary A. are deceased ; Reu- ben resides in Pearl, Okla .; Hester Ann, Mrs. L. Death, makes her home in Portland; and Eliza- beth, Mrs. J. E. Coats, resides in Liberal, this state. Silas was the third child in the family, his birth occurring February 7, 1851. His school ad- vantages were meagre indeed, and upon the death of his father he assumed the responsibility of car- ing for the family, supporting and educating the younger children, and caring for his mother. When the estate was divided Silas received sixty acres, which he at once set about to improve, and to which he added from time to time as his means permitted, until he now has one hundred and eighty acres, one hundred and fourteen acres being under cultivation. Besides carrying on gen- eral farming he also raises wheat and oats quite extensively, reaping large harvests.

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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 115

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