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 119
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Not entirely satisfied with the prospects in Illi- nois Mr. Keisecker came to Oregon in 1883, as heretofore stated, and has since made this fertile part of Clackamas county his home. He takes a keen interest in the general happenings of his neighborhood, and is especially interested in pro- moting the cause of education. For a number of years he has been school director and clerk, and during that time has materially advanced the methods employed by teachers and directors. Mr. Keisecker is independent in politics, and believes in voting for the man best qualified to serve the public interests. His pleasant rural home is pre- sided over by his wife, who was formerly Mary T. Frederick, a native of Germany. Of this union there have been born the following chil- dren : John S .. Frederick, George, Henry, and three children deceased.
JOHN J. SAX. A native son of Oregon, John J. Sax was born in Portland, October 24, 1857, and combines with his western training an in- heritance of good characteristics from his Swiss forefathers. His father, John Sax, was born in Switzerland, in 1821, and started out to make his own way in the world when he was fifteen years old. After a six months' trip on the water he landed at New York City, from which location he went at once to Ohio, and remained for four years. He was there engaged with a transporta- tion company, operating with ox and mule teams, and for the greater part of his time he engaged in peddling as a means of livelihood. In the year
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1849 he made two trips across the plains, and fol- lowed them with another in 1851. the following year finding him located in Portland, Ore., where he ran a dray for several years, in the interests of a firm of this city. He was later transferred to San Francisco and engaged in the same work for two years, and on coming back to Oregon he bought a farm of five hundred acres in Washing- ton county. Locating upon this property he re- mained for eighteen years, after which he re- moved to McMinnville and invested in flour mills of that city, being so engaged at the time of his death. His widow afterward removed to Portland, where she died at the age of sixty-six years. Before her marriage Mrs. Sax was Mary C. Cline, a native of Pennsylvania, and of the union five children were born, namely: Anna, of Lebanon: Mary C., of Portland: Elizabeth, also of Portland : Arthur, deceased : and John J., the subject of this review.
Until his marriage John J. Sax remained at home, being given every advantage along edu- cational lines, after a time spent in the schools of Portland attending Santa Clara College, of California. For nine years he worked with his father in the grist mill at McMinnville, after which he located upon the old home farm, of which he now owns one hundred and twenty acres. He is a progressive and up-to-date farmer. and neglects no opportunity to introduce im- proved methods into the prosecution of his work. One of the most important industries of his farm is the cultivation of the onion. Mr. Sax has been twice married. his first wife being Gusta C. Leader. by whom he had three children: Se- reta. of Portland; Ethel, deceased ; and Frank, also deceased. Mrs. Sax dying in 1881 Mr. Sax married Mrs. Mary C. Deerling. and they have five children.
CHARLES WILSON. An honorable and in- Auential position is accorded Charles Wilson, who was born in April. 1827. in Denmark, but who has been identified with the commercial and agricultural life of this country for many years. At the age of nine years he started out into the world to make his own way, and has since been entirely dependent on his own efforts. He was first employed on a sailing vessel, on which he made a voyage to China, after which, in 1851. he touched at the shores of the United States and became interested in the mining possibilities of California, and for the ensuing two years was engaged in mining. He met with sufficient suc- cess to enable him to return to Denmark, where he was united in marriage with Mary Coats, the two returning to this country in 1853 and settling in Iowa. Eight years were passed in that lo- cation, after which they removed to Minnesota
and Mr. Wilson engaged in a mercantile busi- ness. He was also at one time engaged as pilot on a river boat. While so employed his wife died, leaving one child, William. In 1871 Mr. Wilson came to Oregon and settled near Boons Ferry, Clackamas county, and afterward laid out and named the village of Wilsonville. Fifteen years of his life was passed in that lo- cation. where he engaged principally in hop raising as a means of livelihood.
The second marriage of Mr. Wilson united him with Eliza Hough, and of this union there have been born thirteen children, two sons and eleven daughters. Mr. Wilson now owns a farm of eighty acres, upon which he makes his home, be- ing engaged in the cultivation of his land, which is utilized for general farming and onion rais- ing. In politics Mr. Wilson is a Republican, and though never desirous of political preferment he has not neglected his duty as a citizen, having served as a member of the school board for many years, and has also acted as road supervisor. While a resident of Minnesota, Mr. Wilson served in the Sioux Indian war.
JOHN R. RICHARDSON. One hundred and seventy-four of the six hundred and forty acre donation claim taken up by his father is still owned by John R. Richardson, one of the suc- cessful farmers of Clackamas county. He is a native son of the county, and was born in Oregon City December 3. 1851. and has never gone out of the county to pursue his studies or earn his living. His father. Mathew Richardson. was born in Ohio in 1820. and died in Oregon in 1898.
Mathew Richardson was a cabinetmaker by occupation, and in 1847 left his work in Ohio to seek a fortune in the then undeveloped west. He started across the plains with twenty yoke of oxen, but so severe were the deprivations and vicissitudes of the journey that even these hardy animals succumbed to the great drain on their vitality, and one by one fell by the wayside. In Oregon City Mr. Richardson worked at his trade for about four years, and in 1848 bought six hun- dred and forty acres of land, upon which he made many improvements. His family were installed in the new quarters in 1852, and the father gave up his trade and worked at farming for the re- mainder of his life. He managed to clear about one hundred and twenty acres of land, and ex- perienced considerable success in availing himself of the chances in his western country. His wife. Orilla Mattoon ( Cutting) Richardson, bore him four children.
The youth of John R. Richardson was unevent- ful, and he was taught the dignity and utility of work, especially that connected with farming. He received a fair common school education, and
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remained on the home farm until his father's death, thereafter inheriting what remained of the original donation claim. Mr. Richardson is inde- pendent in politics, and has never desired or worked for any particular party or office. He is a broad-minded, liberal member of the commu- nity, and may be depended on to further any plan for the improvement of his locality. Mr. Rich- ardson married, October 5. 1898, Mary Dresher, of which union there have been born two chil- dren, Ralph and Pearl.
CROESUS B. COMSTOCK. The name of Croesus B. Comstock is prominently enrolled among the pioneers of 1852, and with the subse- quent mercantile and commercial development of Portland, of which he was a resident for many years. In his day Mr. Comstock probably bought more grain, and to a greater extent encouraged farmers in devoting their land to this commodity. than any of his contemporaries in the northwest. His business sagacity penetrated many other lines of activity, and at the time of his death, Decem- ber 28. 1896, he left his family well provided for.
Born in Lockport. N. Y., May 16, 1828, Mr. Comstock was reared on a farm and received a good academic education. Conscious of the limi- tations by which he was surrounded, he struck out for himself at an early age, engaging in school teaching in different parts of New York state. Acquiring the gold fever in its most viru- lent form, he embarked at New York on a sailer, and made the long journey around the Horn to San Francisco. His mining expectations fell far short of realization, so he visited Portland in 1852, and was so well pleased with the pros- pects that he decided to remain in the state. Teaching being the occupation for which he was best fitted. he came to Washington county and started a subscription school near Hillsboro, maintaining the same with moderate success until 1853. That same year, November 9. he was united in marriage with Martha J. Scoggin, a pioneer of 1845, and the young couple went to the Umpqua country and embarked on a stock- raising enterprise. Their one hundred and sixty acres proved good pasture land. and they also engaged in farming, at the end of four years being enabled to sell out at a decided profit. the remuneration being in the shape of a war scrip. During the war of 1855-56 he was in the thick of the Indian troubles, so he fortified his place near Winchester, Douglas county, and remained on guard about six weeks. This locality was not particularly pleasing, so he sold out and came to Springfield, where he built a warehouse and con- ducted a general merchandise store for fifteen
years. His warehouse burning to the ground in 1871, he later engaged in buying grain all over Washington county, conducting such a large shipping and buying business that he went into partnership with LaFayette Scoggin. his brother- in-law. Having large contracts on hand he rented a large warehouse, and in connection with the same embarked on a dry-goods business with C. F. Pflenger. The latter venture proving finan- cially disastrous, he retired from business, and about this time built what is now known as the Comstock house, on the corner of Park and Alder streets, and beginning with 1875 ran a private boarding-house for the balance of his life. He was always active, and though never in the best of health, accomplished more than the average amount of hard work. A self-made man in many senses of the term, his methodical and accurate methods, strict integrity, and invariable consideration for the best interests of others may well serve as an example to the rising genera- tion. He was a Republican in politics, and was several times elected justice of the peace, al- though never caring anything about holding office. The Presbyterian Church profited by his worthy life and financial assistance, and he was a member for many years of the Masonic order.
The wife of Mr. Comstock has lived with her daughter, Mrs. A. D. Charlton, since his death. and she is the mother also of six other children. Mary L., the oldest, died in infancy. Emma S .. born in Douglas county, April 14. 1856, married C. F. Pflenger and died July 20, 1883, leaving a daughter. Lavelle, now the wife of Samuel Her- ing. of Portland. Mrs. Hering was reared by her grandmother, Mrs. Comstock. Miranda La- velle Comstock was born April 19, 1859. and be- came the wife of Capt. T. B. Howes, of Portland, her one son. Harold C., living with his parents. James Artemus Comstock was born September 18. 1861, and died in Salem November 18, 1899. He was a machinist by trade, and for many years a bookkeeper. at the time of his death filling the position of manager of the United Carriage Com- pany. Ida May Comstock was born April 10, 1864. and through her marriage with A. D. Charlton, of Portland, has a son, Howard C. ; Martha Lizzie was born August 7. 1870, and is now the wife of C. M. Young, of Eugene, Ore .. and they have one daughter. Lavelle: and Agnes Estella was born August 13. 1873. and is the wife of James M. Berry, who has a wholesale store in Seattle and a retail store in Baker City. the couple mak- ing their home in the latter place. The children were all educated in the public schools of Port- land. and were given every advantage within the power of their parents to hestow. Mrs. Berry attended the Conservatory of Music in Boston for a couple of years, having a decided musical talent. which she inherited from her father, the
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latter of whom derived much pleasure from fos- tering his taste in that direction.
James W. Chambers was born in Kentucky in 1818, and as a young man went to Missouri, where he married the widow of Woodson Scog- gin, who died in 1840, leaving five children, three sons and two daughters. In 1845 Mr. Chambers brought his family across the plains to Oregon. settling on a farm in Washington county, near Hillsboro, which property of six hundred and forty acres is still in the family. He accom- plished good results on his farm, and lived until 1876, leaving to those dependent on him the wherewithal to live in comfort for the remain- der of their days. The wife, who survived him, made her home with Mrs. Bailey, and her death occurred March 20, 1892, at the age of seventy- eight years, she having been born in 1809. Mrs. Chambers, who was formerly Mary Green, the daughter of a Baptist clergyman, and the repre- sentative of a long-lived race, was born and reared in Tennessee, and her first husband, Woodson Scoggin, was born in February, 1807. The following children were born to Mrs. Cham- bers by her first marriage: John LaFayette, a stockman, who died at Salem, leaving one son, James A., of Brownsville. Ore .; William Gus- tavus, a farmer, who died in Washington county, leaving a family of seven children; Elizabeth Manning, of Hillsboro, Ore .; Martha J., widow of C. B. Comstock; and Woodson, who died in Portland, leaving two sons and two daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were born two chil- dren, both natives of Oregon: Mary Hoover, of Fossil, Ore. ; and Letitia, the wife of Dr. Bailey, of Hillsboro, Ore. Her journey across the plains was characterized by extreme hardship, and in the train were three hundred men, women and children, all animated by the common impulse to better their condition in the far west. Captain Chambers, father of James W., was captain of the train, and all suffered from disease, depriva- tion, and the loss of their cattle and horses.
CHARLES H. B. THOMAS. One of the most scientific and practical farmers in Clackamas county is Charles H. B. Thomas, who owns a farm of eighty acres, and in addition rents the J. H. Settlemier place of three hundred and thirty- seven acres. Mr. Thomas comes of a family well known in the state, for his father, Roderick R., has lived here since 1850, owning land north of Marquam. He was born in Kentucky January 26, 1831, and when a boy moved with his parents to Missouri, where he lived until their deaths. He crossed the plains in 1850, and after a six- months' trip landed in Oregon City. After work- ing at Milwaukee for a year he took up a dona- tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres
north of Marquam, where he has since lived, although in the meantime he has disposed of all but eighty acres. He was married September 2, 1855, to Elizabeth Bell, whose father, Archibald, came to Oregon in 1854. There were but two children of this union, J. W. and Charles H. B. Mr. Thomas is a stanch Republican, and is a member of the Grange.
In his youth Charles H. B. Thomas had the usual advantages, and besides a thorough train- ing in all departments of farming, received a fair common school education. He lived at home until twenty-five years of age, and then started out on his own responsibility, and now has charge of a large amount of land. In 1890 Mr. Thomas married Mamie Shaver. Two children have been horn of this union, Hallie and Roland. Mr. Thomas is independent in politics, and is a mem- ber of the Artisans of Molalla, of which he is past master, and of the Grange, also of Molalla. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church of Glad Tidings.
HERMANN BRUNS, farmer of Clackamas county, and ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born at Erie. N. Y., when his parents were on the way from Germany to Wisconsin, January 6, 1845. His father. Christian Bruns, lived in Wisconsin for about five years, and then located in Manito- woc, the same state, where he engaged in farm- ing and flour-milling.
On the Wisconsin farm Hermann Bruns was reared to an appreciation of agriculture, and during the leisure of the winter months attended the public schools. The even tenor of his life was broken into, when, September 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company B. Ninth Wisconsin In- fantry, and, having served out his time, re-enlisted in 1863 in Company C. He saw much of the grewsome and terrible side of warfare, and he- roically stood by his regiment in all its danger and deprivation until his discharge from the serv- ice, January 30, 1866. He had in the meantime participated in the engagement at Newtonia, Mo., Prairie Grove, Ark., under Generals Steele and Reynolds, and at Jenkins' Ferry. He was twice wounded, below the knee on the right leg, and in the left hip, accidents which necessitated his re- maining in the hospital for two months. This double mutilation took place April 30, 1864, and its anniversary is always vividly recalled hy Mr. Bruns.
After the war Mr. Bruns returned to Wiscon- sin for a year, and in 1867 removed to Kansas. The same year he came to the coast on the first train running west, and for five years resided in Portland, engaged during that time at the car- penter's and millwright's trade, and in 1872 took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty
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acres. During the intervening years he has made many improvements on his land, has cleared about thirty acres of timber, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
Since casting his first vote Mr. Bruns has stanchly maintained the principles of the Repub- lican party, which he has served in several capaci- ties, and always with all-around satisfaction. For seventeen years he has been justice of the peace and constable, and has also served as road super- visor and school director. He is a member of the Marion Russ Post, at Pleasant Home, of which he is the senior commander. His religious con- nections are with the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Sandy.
JOHN HALVORSEN. As his name implies Mr. Halvorsen is a native son of Norway, his birth occurring in 1866. Conscious of the limita- tions by which they were surrounded, his parents removed to Australia in 1872, taking with them the six-year-old John, who but faintly recalls the long and dreary ocean voyage. For fourteen years the family lived on a farm here, and in 1886 took another long ocean voyage to Oregon. The father bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of partially cleared land, which is now occu- pied by his son John, and here the family made a home and instituted many fine improvements.
John Halvorsen received a practical early train- ing, as do most of the Norwegian youth. His education was received in the public schools, and in time he became of great assistance to his father in the management of his large property. There were but two boys in the family, and much of the responsibility of management fell upon them as soon as their abilities were matured. John left home at the age of thirty and went to California, where he was engaged in farming for four years. and after this experiment returned to the home place, since that time having entire charge of its management. He is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising, and raises large numbers of Jersey cattle. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion is identified with the Lutheran Church.
SCOTT CARTER. A two hundred and forty acre farm in Clackamas county is the prized possession of Scott Carter, than whom no better farmer has developed the possibilities of this well favored locality. Thirty-five acres have been cleared from the rough by the present owner, who found no improvements whatever, but who has added all modern innovations, and is con- ducting general farming and stock-raising, own- ing thirty head of cattle at this writing.
A native of Madison county. N. Y., Mr. Carter
was born November 12, 1861, and is a son of Elijah C. and Elizabeth (Delaney) Carter, na- tives of New York state, and born respectively in January, 1827, and in 1829. The elder Carter lived in his native state until 1872, in which year he removed to Missouri, settling in Nodaway county, where he farmed for six years. In 1879 he brought his family to Oregon via San Fran- cisco, the boat trip from the latter city to Port- land consuming sixteen days. Subsequently Mr. Carter came to Oregon City and bought a farm one and a fourth miles from town, upon which he lived for six years. He then sold this place and bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres two and a half miles north of Wilhoit, upon which his death occurred in 1891. His wife lives at present with a daughter at Woodburn. Of the children born to this couple, Amelia Ely is deceased : E. P. Carter lives in Portland ; Charles lives in Montana; Scott is next in order; Mrs. Letta A. Roberts lives in Washington; and Jen- nie Cornwall is a resident of Woodburn.
For six years Mr. Carter has been a school director, and has also creditably served as road supervisor. In political affiliation he is inde- pendent. In 1890, on the home place, he was united in marriage with Nettie Wingfield, who was born in Clackamas county, near Molalla, in 1870. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Arthur, living with his parents.
DAVID R. HUBBARD. As long ago as 1847, one Charles Hubbard, paternal uncle of David R., one of the farmers of Clackamas county, crossed the plains and settled in Marion county, Ore., where he became prominent in gen- eral affairs, the town of Hubbard being named in his honor. Joseph H. Hubbard. the father of David R., was born in Missouri, March 12. 1812, and his wife, Sarah E. (Venable) Hubbard, was born in the same locality in Missouri in 1822. Joseph H. removed from Missouri to Illinois when a young man, and was twice married while in the latter state. Of the first union there were two children, Charles S. and May J., both of whom are deceased ; and of the second marriage there were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom David R. is second oldest. John R. lives in LaFayette, Yamhill county ; Francis M. lives in Idaho; Joseph W. lives in Idaho; Mrs. Rachel Taylor lives in Silverton ; Mrs. Myra Davis lives in Washington ; Mary L. lives in Woodburn; and Margaret L. Porter is deceased. having made her home near Silverton. Joseph H. Hubbard crossed the plains with ox teams, and in the large train were two of his brothers and many friends. The first winter in the New Eldorado was spent in Hubbard, started by Charles Hubbard, and the next fall Joseph H.
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located on a place six miles southeast of Silver- ton, which comprised three hundred and seven- teen acres. Here he engaged in farming with great success, made many improvements and greatly developed his land, and at the time of his death left a large inheritance to his wife and chil- dren. He was survived by his wife for two years.
David R. Hubbard was born in Pike county, 111., Fuly 19. 1848, and received a practical home training on the paternal farm, augmented by at- tendance at intermittent intervals at the district schools. When sixteen years of age he enlisted for the Civil war, December 12. 1864, in Com- pany C. First Oregon Infantry. His marriage united him with Mary C. Deguire, a native of Missouri, and of this union there have been born the following children: Harvey, deceased; D. Z., of Wheeler county; Lena, deceased ; Pearl, Fred. Eddie, Elsie, Bert and Mildred. After his marriage Mr. Hubbard worked on different farms for about five years, and April 12, 1897, bought one hundred and ninety-six acres of land near Marquam, which has since been his home. Sev- enty acres of this land are under cultivation, and Mr. Hubbard has experienced gratifying success as a general farmer. He is a Republican in poli- tics, has been a school director, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and past senior vice-commander of the Silverton Post.
JOHN A. STROWBRIDGE. A native son of Clackamas county whose efforts are redound- ing to the credit of his father's teachings and the possibilities by which he is surrounded is John 1. Strowbridge, owner of a little farm of forty acres, and manager of a farm belonging to his uncle. Justin M. Strowbridge. Of his own prop- erty, which he purchased from the railroad. twelve acres have been cleared of timber and un- dergrowth, and many improvements have been instituted with a view to future extensive farm- ing and stock-raising. On the farm of his rela- tive, which also is modern and well equipped, Mr. Strowbridge engages in general farming and stock-raising, milks about twelve cows, and has about fifty-five head of stock. as well as seven horses. He is successful and prosperous, and understands the practical and scientific side of farming.
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