Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 117

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 117

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George Beal, the father of Philip, had a large farm in Indiana, and in 1840 sold out and re- moved to Greeley county, Mo. Here he im- proved a farm and lived thereon for about seven years, and then came to Oregon, where he pur- chased a farm one mile north of Forest Grove, where his death occurred in 1864, at the age of sixty-four. His wife, Rosanna (Norris) Beal. was born in Maryland, a daughter of Joseph Nor- ris, of German descent, and an early settler in In- {liana. Mrs. Beal, who died in Oregon, was the mother of ten children, the order of their birth being as follows: Elisa, who died in Iowa; Mary Ann, who died in Klickitat county, Wash .; Ros- anna, who died in Washington county, Ore. : John, who died in this county; Malinda, who is living in Hillsboro; Jacob, who died in Wash- ington county : Philip; Josiah, who is a resi- dent of Klickitat county, Wash. ; George William, who lives in Washington county, Ore. ; and So- phia, who makes her home in Klickitat county, Wash.

As a child of five Philip Beal went to Missouri with his parents, and when twelve years old, in

1847, experienced the novelty of crossing the plains with his parents and eight of the other children, two of whom were married and had families of their own. Four wagons conveyed the possessions of the family, each having from three to four yoke of oxen, and besides there were ten cows. During the journey the travel- ers became familiar with the ways good and bad of the red men of the plains, and especially on the Omaha river were greatly inconvenienced by the Pawnees, who sought to steal cattle and pro- visions. However, the company were well armed, and succeeded in frustrating the inten- tions of the Indians, reaching their destination with comparatively little loss. On the Columbia river the Cayuse Indians tried to confiscate their cattle, but they, too, were repulsed. The con- pany started from Missouri April 10, and arrived at The Dalles December 10, 1847. Here they built a boat and floated down the Columbia river. a very forlorn little band, weighed down by all manner of affliction. The snow and rain ren- dered the atmosphere trying in the extreme, and to add to the general inconvenience, the Beal children had the measles, and for all there was but one wagon cover to shelter them from the unruly elements. This trip across the plains re- mains to this day a vivid remembrance in the mind of Mr. Beal, and he was probably in touch with as varied an assortment of discomforts and inconveniences as fell to the lot of any of the very early settlers in the west.

Philip Beal was reared on the home farm in Washington county, and after attaining his ma- jority had entire charge of his father's property, the latter becoming a cripple in 1852, and was comparatively incapacitated thereafter. Mr. Beal was educated in the little log school house near his home, and attended the Tualatin Academy for one 'term. In 1862 he married Clarinda Noland. who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Man- son Noland. who settled near Hillsboro after crossing the plains with his family in 1852. Four children have been born of this union, of whom Sarah, Mrs. Bennett, died in Linn county ; Susan is now Mrs. Waters, of Forest Grove ; John. edu- cated at the State University and the Portland Business College, is engaged in the real estate business in Forest Grove; and Orell, a graduate of the Tualatin Academy, and later a student at the State University, is now an educator of For- est Grove.

Directly after his marriage Mr. Beal removed to Walla Walla, Wash., but at the expiration of eighteen monthis returned to Washington county, Ore., and engaged in farming and stock-raising on the old homestead. After his mother's death he bought out the other heirs, to which he has in the meantime added, so that he now owns two hundred and thirty acres of land. It is need-

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less to say that the Beal farm is one of the most valuable in the county, or that the owner has left undone anything that might contribute to his success as a farmer, or to his standing as one of the most enterprising and progressive members of the community. In 1891 he bought a com- fortable little place in Forest Grove, and has since lived in comparative retirement. He is a Democrat in political affiliation, and in his younger days was quite active in promoting the interests of his party. Formerly allied with the Tuality Lodge No. 6. F. & A. M., he is now a member of the Holbrook Lodge No. 30, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Oregon Pioneer Society, and of the Christion Church, in which he was formerly an elder. Mr. Beal rep- resents the sturdy and thoroughly reliable pio- neer element of the west, and in his coming and going among the interests to which his life has been devoted, has won the honest admiration and good will of his fellow townsmen.

L. D. KINNEY. The Great Central Railroad, from Salt Lake City to Coos Bay, a thousand miles long, and the completion of which promises to supply a supreme factor in the future develop- ment of Oregon. is under the supervision of men of large ideas and indomitable energy, foremost among whom is L. D. Kinney, engineer in chief of the project, and one of the progressive citi- zens of Portland. Born in Jacksonville, Carleton county, New Brunswick, August 26, 1855. Mr. Kinney comes of a family established in America by his paternal great-grandfather, who was of Scotch descent, and emigrated from the north of Ireland. He settled in New Brunswick, where his son, Israel, the paternal grandfather, was born, and eventually became prominent in the lumber business. Israel Kinney, the father of L. D., was born in Aramocto, New Brunswick, and for the greater part of his business life was engaged in the lumber business on the St. John river. Considering his time and place the elder Kinney was a very wealthy man, and among his other interests may be mentioned the New Brunswick Foundry, in which he was a stock holder and proprietor. At the time of his death in 1858 he left large landed estates and im- portant business interests. He married Jane Everett, a native of New Brunswick, and daugh- ter of John Everett, representative of a well known Massachusetts family. John Everett. a refugee from Massachusetts, married a Miss Daniels of England, and settled in New Bruns- wick, where he became identified with large busi- ness interests, chiefly in the line of lumber and manufacturing. After the death of his first wife

Mr. Kinney again married, and L. D. Kinney is the third oldest child and only son of the five children of this union. Of the first marriage were born, Aaron, a railroad contractor in Mis- souri ; Horace, a railroad contractor of Montana ; and Solomon and Enoch, twins, and lumbermen in New Brunswick.

At the age of three years L. D. Kinney lost his father by death, but this sad circumstance did not interfere with his later advantages along educa- tional lines. For three years he studied in Bos- ton under Prof. R. C. Perkins as tutor, and at the same time read law, but never practically applied his knowledge in this direction. His active busi- ness life was inaugurated in 1878, in which year he returned from Massachusetts to Prince Ed- ward Island and New Foundland, where he spec- ulated in real estate and other lines. Later he settled in Virginia and was one of the pioneers in the new movement to employ slaves and pay them for ten hours work a day, and this brought down on his head the enmity of his neighbors and resulted in business disaster to himself. This was between the years 1883 and 1885, in which latter year he removed to Omaha, and engaged in manufacturing, his business being known as the Omaha Stamping plant. In 1886 he located in Salt Lake City and bought a square mile of property in the city limits, thereafter promoting the North Salt Lake district, and laid out in the Kinney & Gaulley addition. This property was improved and built up, and Mr. Kinney was for some time the largest real-estate dealer in the city.

While a resident of Salt Lake City Mr. Kinney became greatly interested in fancy stock of var- ious kinds, and did about the largest business in that line of any man in town. Standard horses, Jersey and Aberdeen Angus cattle, and St. Ber- nard dogs were the animals brought to the great- est perfection under Mr. Kinney's management. a specialty being made of dogs, in which he is an excellent authority. For twenty years he was the largest breeder of St. Bernard dogs in Amer- ica.

In 1897 Mr. Kinney removed from Portland to Alaska, making the journey on the first trip of the steamer Elder. In the northern country he in put a wharf, promoted the Chilcoot tramway, built a toll station, and instituted various enter- prises of a promotive nature, but the venture did not prove a success. In 1899 he removed to British Columbia and platted the town of Atlin, built several buildings, and was identified with the starting up of its general industries. He later turned his attention to the Chilcoot Rail- road, for which he tried to obtain a franchise from the government, but failed. Friends in America and England then became interested in the Grand Central Railroad, and a company was

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incorporated in April. 1902, with Mr. Kinney as chief engineer.

Politically Mr. Kinney is a Republican in na- tional affairs, and in religion he is a member of the Baptist Church. Fraternally he is associ- ated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Arctic Brotherhood. He is a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce. Through his marriage with Miss Lovina Eng- land, a native of New Brunswick, three children have been born.

JOHN DRISCOLL. As a business man and politician John Driscoll has for many years com- manded the respect and appreciation of the resi- dents of Portland, of which city he has been a resident since 1889. Born in Ireland, May 7. 1863, he was but a year old when his father. Timothy Driscoll. a cooper by trade, brought his family to America, settling in Norwich, Conn. From Norwich a removal was afterward made to Providence, R. I., where the elder Driscoll is still working at his trade. The mother of John Dris- coll, formerly a Miss Shea, is also still living, and is the mother of eight children. seven of whom are living. two being residents of Oregon, and both business men of Portland.

The youth of Mr. Driscoll was characterized by a hard struggle for existence, and an early familiarity with the serious and responsible side of life. When arrived at the age of ten he was employed in the large cotton mills of Norwich. Conn .. beginning at the bottom of the business and gradually advancing to a comprehensive knowledge of the entire cotton industry. His initial steps were as a mule spinner in the mule room, from which his industry and aptitude gained him admittance to a more interesting and encouraging department. At the age of seventeen he shifted his allegiance to the Norwich Lock Company, and at the expiration of four years to the Richmond Stove Company, with which latter concern he remained for two years.

Upon coming to Portland in 1889 Mr. Driscoll had comparatively little of worldly possessions, and he started in to earn his living as driver of a meat wagon. This proved comparatively re- munerative, for, when combined with frugal liv- ing and thrift, insured to the aspirant for suc- cess a fair competence. In June, 1890, Mr. Dris- coll started up a little meat business on his own responsibility, on the corner of Sixteenth and Marshall streets, under the firm name of O'Don- nell & Driscoll. The store was afterward re- moved to the corner of Marshall and Fourteenth streets, where the proprietors catered to a con- stantly increasing trade. and were obliged, in 1897, to seek more commodious quarters at their present location. Burnside and First streets. The

store is equipped with modern appliances, in- cluding electricity for lighting and motive power.

Although a stanch Democrat from the begin- ning of his voting days. Mr. Driscoll entertains exceedingly liberal political tendencies, as evi- denced by liis nomination for the legislature on the Citizens ticket in 1900, and his subsequent service in the Twenty-first biennial session. He was one of the most active supporters of Gen- eral Mitchell, and was the first Democrat that cast a ballot for the distinguished westerner. During the legislature he served on the committee of commerce, and introduced several important bills, among them one for the reduction of the number of county commissioners from three to two, and placing their salary at $3 per dav. The friend of labor. Mr. Driscoll voted for all the bills introduced for the amelioration of the labor- ing classes, and during the session established a reputation for personal integrity and fearless espousal of all that he deemed of benefit to the community at large. In 1902 he was again nominated on the Citizens ticket, this time for sheriff of Multnomah county, and was defeated by only one hundred and forty-nine votes. Mr. Driscoll is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, and is fraternally identified with the Ben- evolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Cath- olic Order of Foresters, of whom he is chief ranger : and the Woodmen of the World. He is identified with the Young Men's Institute.

In New London. Conn., Mr. Driscoll was united in marriage with Miss Mary T. Robinson. who was a native of that location.

LEWIS E. ARMSTRONG. The highly im- proved and prosperous condition of Clackamas county is in a large degree due to its farming population, which is for the most part composed of men who are strong in character, energetic in disposition, sensible in judgment, and prompt to take advantage of whatever will prove to their benefit. One of this class is Lewis E. Arm- strong, who since 1865 has been an important factor in the growth and upbuilding of the state of Oregon. He located upon his present farm near Barlow in 1869. purchasing sixty-four and one-half acres, to which he later added ten acres adjoining, and in all the surrounding country it would be hard to find a more highly cultivated tract, or a farin better equipped with comfortable buildings, than is owned by Mr. Armstrong.

Thomas Armstrong. the father of Lewis E .. was a native of Ohio. By trade he was a con- tractor and builder. and he also ran a saw-mill. While residing in lowa, to which state he re- moved in 1849. he also ran a grist-mill. Near Elgin. that state. he bought land. but this he later sold. and in partnership with a brother

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opened a general merehandise store in Elgin. About five years later he sold his interest in the store and removed to Nebraska. After residing in Lincoln for a time. he removed to Gage county, that state, where he bought a quarter sec- tion of land and engaged in farming. May 28, 1864, he began the long and tedious journey across the plains, and arrived in Boise City, Idaho, in the following September. He spent that winter there, and in the spring went into the South Boise country. In the fall of 1865, how- ever, he arrived in Oregon, settling three miles north of Silverton, where he at first rented a saw-mill, but finally purchased it, running the same with success for one year, when he was overtaken by misfortune, his mill being washed out by an overflow of the river. Nothing daunted, however, he rebuilt it and ran it with success for several years thereafter, but finally sold out and removed to eastern Oregon. set- tling twenty miles north of Heppner. Here he took up a quarter section of land, and his son, Lewis, also took up four hundred and eighty acres. In 1889 he went to Oregon City, but six months later returned to Silverton, and still later located on the Molalla creek, eight miles cast of Barlow, where he made his home for eight or nine years. The year 1899 witnessed his arrival in Barlow, where he purchased the farm on which Lewis E. now resides. His son was inter- ested in all the father's undertakings and they had always made their home together until the ties were broken by the death of the father in June. 1901. He was born September 12. 1812. His wife, known in her maidenhood as Olive Trask, was born in New York.

Of the five children who composed the parental family Lewis was the third in order of birth. He attended the schools of the home neighbor- hood, but his education has been in the main self- acquired. Near Silverton. Ore., he was united in marriage with Miss Louise Turner, a native of Missouri. Her father, Alfred Turner, was born in Illinois, whence, in 1852 or 1853, he undertook the perilous journey across the plains. but just before the party reached Green River he died. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis E. Armstrong, namely: Elmer, a ranchman : Willis, who fell from a steamboat and was drowned ; Fred, in Tacoma, Wash. ; and Bes- sie, who is at home with her parents. In 1863. under command of General Sully, Mr. Arm- strong served for nine months in the Civil war. as a member of Company M. Second Nebraska Infantry, receiving his discharge at Nemaha. Fraternal associations claim some of Mr. Armi- strong's time and thought, and his name may be found enrolled among the members of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Union Veteran Union, and the Grand Army of the Republic.

For sixteen years he has served his fellow-citi- zens in the capacity of school director, for which office he is thoroughly qualified. In his charac- ter Mr. Armstrong combines those qualities of heart and mind that render him deservedly popu- lar, and secure to him the warm friendship of all who know him.

HENRY SMITH GILE. No pioneer of the city of Portland can have a better knowledge of the country which goes to make the state of Ore- gon than Henry Smith Gile, since 1851 identified with the advancement of governmental and com- mercial interests of the northwest, through which connection he has won a position of promi- nence as a factor of great importance in the early business life of this section. He was born in Alfred, York county, Me., in May, 1827, and a good foundation for the work of his manhood laid in the work of the common and high schools which he attended in his native state. At the age of twenty-two years, when the world was flock- ing to the gold fields of California. he came by way of the Horn to the Pacific coast and entered the mines in 1849. He met with the usual suc- cess in this venture, and after an arduous life of nearly two years his health began to fail and he felt the necessity for a withdrawal from that mode of labor.

August 28, 1851. Mr. Gile came to Portland. Ore., and secured employment on the first steamer that plied between Portland and Cor- vallis. The following year he took up surveying with a government corps, with which he re- mained for about a year, when he ventured to try his ability as evidenced in management, taking out a corps of his own and making his home in Oregon City. He was so employed until 1854, when he went to the coast and became interested in the oyster business, keeping up, however, his surveys. He contracted to survey the different townships in the counties and also located dona- tion land grants for various individuals. After residing in Portland for six years he returned to California, and settled in San Jose, where he re- mained for three years. In 1890 he again located in Portland and now lives at No. 770 Flanders street. Mr. Gile first became interested in oyster fishing at Shoal Water bay, begun in 1851, and in 1855 carried the interests into San Francisco, and in 1887 a consolidation was made of the four companies under the title of the Morgan Oyster Company.

In addition to Mr. Gile's interest in the oyster commerce he has been identified with the realty of the state, owning considerable landed property in both city and country, as well as consolidated mining stock and interests in claims. His busi- ness sagacity and keen, quick decision have con-

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tributed no little to the success with which he has built up his fortune in this land of opportunities, and through the evidence of such qualities he has earned a position among the men who have built up and sustained the business interests of Orc- gon.

Mr. Gile was married in Shoal Water bay in 1867 to Miss M. J. Crellia, a native of the Isle of Man, who came to Oregon in 1853, and their two sons and two daughters were born on the coast. Of these Catherine L. makes her home with her parents; Eleanor E. is also at home; Henry Stanley is married and resides in Phoenix, Ariz. : and Alvin Lester is at home. They have all had thic advantages of a good education, the oldest (laughter and son having attended the high school of Portland. while Eleanor finished at Boston Academy, and Alvin Lester graduated from Yale University. Afterward this son be- came a student of law and now looks after the varied interests of his father. Politically Mr. Gile is a Republican, and as such ably represented his party in the state legislature for three terms. In social relations he is a member of the Pioneer Association.

MARK HATTAN. One of the public-spir- ited and successful agriculturists and farmers of Clackamas county is Mark Hattan, who was born in Rockbridge county, Va., December 8, 1821, a son of Forsythe H. Hattan, born in Rockingham county, Va., in 1800. At the age of nine years Mark was taken by his parents to Brown county, Ohio, and there lived from 1829 until 1834, in which year they settled in Marshall county, Ill., bought a farin of two hundred and forty acres, upon which the father conducted farming and stock-raising enterprises up to the time of his death in 1875.

In his youth Mr. Hattan was reared to hard work on the paternal farm, and his education was limited to the early subscription schools. which he attended during the leisure of the win- ter months. When twenty-four years of age he married Martha Patterson, who died May 10. 1849, leaving one child, Mary Jane, who is mar- ried and lives in Jackson county, Ore. April 22. 1845, he started over the plains with friends, but, stopping in Jackson county, married, and re- inained there until May 7. 1846. Starting out again, with seven yoke of cattle, the little party reached Eagle Creek October 10, 1846. For a year they lived on Cutler's Prairie, and in 1847 Mr. Hattan took up a donation elaim of six hun- (red and forty acres, but. owing to the death of his wife, he returned to the government a por- tion of the land, keeping for himself three hun- (red and twenty acres. At the present time he owns one hundred and twenty acres of the origi-

nal claim. and of this he has cleared eighty acres, and engages in general farming and stock-rais- ing. While developing his land Mr. Hattan has entered into general affairs in the county, and has served as road supervisor for fourteen years and school director and clerk for several years. He is a member of the Christian Church. as are also the other members of his family. Politically he votes for Democratic candidates.

In 1858 Mr. Hattan was married to Martha Jane Mason. Of his third marriage, which united him with Mary E. Wills, there were born ten children : Caroline, Forsythe, John, Frank, Al- bert ( deceased), Eliza, James, Clara, Charles and Owen.

JOHN L. SMITH, who is conducting a saw- mill at Tualatin and is also engaged in the raising of hogs. was born September 9, 1866, in Bedford county, Pa. During his early childhood his par- ents removed to Maryland. His father is a shoe- maker and saddler, and through many years fol- lowed this pursuit. In 1890 he and his wife took up their abode in Tualatin, where they are still living. In their family were six children, all of whom survive.

John L. Smith remained a resident of Mary- land until after his marriage and was there en- gaged in the lumber business. He acquired a good practical education in the common schools and then began providing for his own support in the line of industrial activity indicated. His marriage united him with Miss Sarah Gardner. also a native of Pennsylvania, and they remained in Maryland until their removal to Kansas, spend- ing eighteen months in that state, during which time Mr. Smith followed farming. The year 1888 witnessed his arrival in Oregon. He settled on Cole creek. where he lived for four years, and there conducted a lumber camp belonging to the Columbia River Lumber Manufacturing Com- pany. On the expiration of that period he re- moved to Tualatin. where he established a saw- mill which he has since conducted with excellent success, the output of the mill finding a ready sale upon the market because of its excellent quality and the reliable business methods of the owner. A man of resourceful business ability, however, he has not confined himself entirely to one line and at the present time, in addition to the manufacture of lumber, he is engaged in the raising of hops, having forty-eight acres planted to that vine.

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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 117

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