Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 122

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 122

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JAMES H. PRICE was a prominent banker of DeWitt, Iowa, and his widow now resides in Forest Grove, Ore., where she has gained many friends. He was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., May 10, 1829. His father, William Price. was also born in the Empire state and belonged to one of its old and prominent families. He was a farmer by occupation and was a leader in public affairs, serving for some time as county judge. The great-grandfather of our subject was one of General Washington's bodyguard during the Revolutionary war and General Washi- ington acknowledged his indebtedness to Mr. Price for saving his life on three different oc- casions.

James H. Price was reared upon his father's farm in the state of his nativity, there remaining until twenty-three years of age, when he went to Trumbull. Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he engaged in merchandising with his brother. After a brief period spent in Ohio he removed to Iowa, and settling in Davenport, was again en- gaged in merchandising, successfully continuing in business there until the spring of 1860, when he went to Missouri, where he spent five years as a merchant in Lebanon. In 1865 he proceeded southward and at different times carried on mer- chandising at Vicksburg and at Milliken's Bend, his capable management of his commercial in- terests bringing to him a satisfactory financial return.

The year 1869 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Price in DeWitt, Iowa, where he became inter- ested in banking. He assisted in the establish- ment of the First National Bank, and acted as manager and cashier up to the time of his death, the institution becoming one of the strong finan- cial concerns of his part of the state. The busi- ness grew and Mr. Price thereby prospered, and when his life's labors were ended he was suc- ceeded in the position of cashier by his son, E. W. Price, who continued to fill the position until his removal to Seattle, Wash. Mr. Price died December 3. 1888, a respected citizen, whose worth was widely acknowledged. In his politi- cal views he was a Republican. When fifteen years of age he became a member of the Presby- terian Church and later he joined the Congrega- tional Church, of which he was a very consistent. active and faithful representative.

In Trumbull, Ohio, August 13. 1854. Mr. Price had married Miss Frances M. Thomas, a native of Adams, Monroe county, N. Y., and a daughter of Myron O. Thomas, and a granddaughter of Ezra Thomas, who was a native of the Empire state but was of Welsh descent. At an early period in American history the family was estab- lished in this country and was represented in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war by those who served as musicians. Myron O.

Thomas was born in New York, there followed the occupation of farming for many years and afterward removed to Clinton county, Iowa. where he carried on agricultural pursuits and there died. His wife bore the maiden name of Emily Mandeville and was born in Adams, N. Y., a daughter of John Mandeville, who was a native of the Empire state and served in the war of 1812 as a drummer. He married a Miss Fake, who was of German descent. Mrs. Thomas, the mother of Mrs. Price, is still living at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years, and makes her home with her daughter in Forest Grove. She had three children, of whom Mrs. Price is the eldest. She spent her early girlhood in Roches- ter, N. Y., and afterward became a resident of Trumbull county, Ohio. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, five of whoin reached adult age: Eva, who died in Se- attle. Wash .; Ernest W., a broker in the latter city: Estelle, at home; Fred, who died at the age of three years; Albert M., who is cashier of the First National Bank, of DeWtit, Iowa; and Lora, who is in Dawson, Alaska. Mrs. Price is a Christian Scientist and a lady of culture and refinement whose many excellent qualities of heart and mind have gained for her the esteem and friendship of many.

THOMAS FRAZAR. The family repre- sented by this illustrious pioneer of Oregon traces its lineage to Scotland. Prior to the out- break of the Revolutionary war one of that name came to America and afterward shared in the trials and sufferings of the colonial army, taking part in the famous Boston tea party, as well as in numerous sanguinary struggles. A son of this Revolutionary soldier, Samuel Alden Frazar, was a shipbuilder and owner in Dux- bury, Mass., and was a man of great integrity, perseverance and kindness of heart. In his fan- ily was a son, Thomas, whose birth occurred at Duxbury. Mass., January 7, 1813, and who as a boy learned the ship-carpenter's trade in his father's yards. The trade he learned brought him in contact with captains and crews return- ing from various ports of the world. and the tales they told inspired in him a desire to sail the high seas. As soon as an opportunity pre- sented itself, he went with a brother on a voy- age to the Mediterranean, where he saw much to interest and instruct. On his return home he was employed in the navy yard at Charlestown, Mass .. and later carried on a planing mill at Dorchester, that state.

Accepting an opportunity to visit Oregon as agent for his brother, Capt. AAmherst Alden Frazar, of Boston, Thomas Frazar left home in December of 1850 and arrived in Portland via

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the Isthmus in February of 1851. In May fol- lowing, the barque J. W. Page, of which he was in charge, came into port, and securing some lumber from the cargo, he put up a house at the corner of Stark and First streets. The lower story of this building he utilized for a store, while the upper part became the home of his wife and children when they arrived. In 1851- 52 he went to southern Oregon, returning with some gold dust. For a time he carried on mer- chandising in the mines at Jacksonville, but in the spring of 1853 returned east for his family, arriving with them December 13, 1853, in Port- land. after a long journey around the Horn. At that time his family consisted of his wife and five daughters. The former was in maidenhood Frances Ann Adams Bradford and was a native of Keene, N. H., her father, Capt. Daniel Brad- ford, a sea captain, being a descendant of the first governor of Massachusetts.

On the arrival of the family in Portland, they at once identified themselves with the growing spirit of the new town. Like their Pilgrim an- cestors, they possessed sterling traits of charac- ter and proved to be honorable, energetic and progressive citizens. Indeed, scarcely a move- ment was presented for the benefit of the 'com- munity which lacked the enthusiastic support of Mr. Frazar. Himself a champion of progressive movements, he gave his influence for their sup- port. He was one of the very first to insist upon the establishment of a public school in Portland, and after several attempts he suc- ceeded in calling together Josiah Failing and other public-spirited citizens. A school board was organized and Sylvester Pennover, who later was governor of Oregon, was chosen the first teacher. Often he was wont to say, " Were I worth a million dollars my children should go to the public schools. They are the strong foun- dations upon which our Republican government is built."

Frequently the fellow-townsmen of Mr. Fra- zar called upon him to officiate in important and responsible positions, and in each of these he proved himself to be worthy of the trust re- posed in him. For two years he was county as- sessor of Multnomah county, and for ten years served as United States assessor for the state of Oregon, which responsible positions he filled with such a high sense of honor and integrity that. though he retired no richer than when he accepted them, he had won that which is far above riches, the respect and confidence of others. The office of United States assessor and col- lector were finally united under one head, that of collector of internal revenue, and be then re- tired from the office. In politics he was a Whig during the existence of that party afterward be- coming a Republican. For four years he was

deputy collector of internal revenue, for a simi- lar period was mail route agent between Tacoma and Portland, and for eighteen months served as postmaster at Forest Grove, this state.

Prior to his service as United States assessor, Mr. Frazar closed out his store in Portland. In the spring of 1857 he took his family to a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, two and one- half miles from the river on the east side. Little of this tract had been cleared, but he at once set about the task with energy and determination, and succeeded in clearing about fifteen acres, which he planted in an apple orchard. Unfor- tunately, during the first years of its bearing, frost destroyed the crops, so that his expectations of a large income from it were not realized. The place was named Hazelwood farm by his chil- dren and is now the property of W. S. Ladd. While living on this estate the family were called upon to bear heavy bereavement. A daughter of seventeen years died suddenly in Portland while attending school there. Two years later three children died of diphtheria within three weeks, one of these being the only son, a lad of nine years. Soon after the death of the three children, in the spring of 1862 Mr. Frazar re- turned to Portland, where he accepted the office of United States assessor, being the first to hold that position in Oregon. On the expiration of his term of ten years he returned to civic pur- suits and later removed to the Palouse coun- try, where he turned his attention to sheep rais- ing. Two severe winters in succession, how- ever, killed off the sheep, and he returned to Portland, disillusionized as to the profits from that occupation.

Having given up active employment, in the spring of 1884 Mr. Frazar moved to Forest Grove, where he purchased a pleasant home- stead covering an acre of ground, and supplied with fruit trees and vines. A year was happily spent in this comfortable home, when he was bereaved by the death of his wife, who had been the companion of his labors, by her sympathy lessening his sorrows, and by her co-operation increasing his successes. After that his interest in life seemed to lessen. The ties that bound him to earth began to weaken. More and more he turned his thoughts onward to the life beyond the grave, in which he was a firm believer. In Portland, during June of 1890, he enjoyed a reunion with his comrades of the Pioneer As- sociation and greatly appreciated their kindly interest in his welfare. However, the heavy rains at the time were the cause of a severe cold which hastened his last illness, for in less than a week after meeting with his old friends in Portland he had passed from earth, his death occurring at Forest Grove June 23, 1890. Vigorous and sturdy in life, even in death he showed no signs

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of illness, but seemed as one who had passed into a happy, quiet slumber. One daughter survives him, Mrs. J. F. Griswold. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic order, in religious be- life was a Unitarian and in politics adhered, as previously intimated, to the Republican party, after its organization.

Among the colonial families of Massachusetts none was more conspicuous than that which Mr. Frazar represented. His father was a man of such thorough temperance convictions that he abolished the use of beer in his shipyards, a procedure which at the time was singular and caused much notice. The first of the name to settle in America was Thomas Frazar, a native of Aberdeenshire, and a pioneer of Massachu- setts, where in 1760 he married Rebecca Alden, a lineal descendant of John Alden. The only surviving daughter of Mr. Frazar is Jerusha, the wife of J. F. Griswold, of Forest Grove. Another daughter, Mrs. Rosetta Burrell, who was born in Duxbury, Mass., and who formerly resided in Portland, is now deceased.

Few of those now prominent in Oregon's af- fairs can realize the hardships which the pioneers of the '5os encountered and were obliged to surmount. It is difficult for those of the present generation to enter fully into the trials of those early settlers, yet all who have a love for their city and state cannot fail to feel a thrill of grati- tude toward and veneration for those men, who, like Mr. Frazar, stood in the vanguard of prog- ress and rendered possible the enlightenment and progress of the present day.

REV. A. HILDEBRAND. Since his ap- pointment as pastor of St. John's parish in Ore- gon City Father Hildebrand's influence has had its effect upon the moral atmosphere of the whole locality, his services commencing here in 1888. His birth occurred July 19, 1860, in Brilon, Westphalia, Germany, he being the youngest of seven children, four of whom are living, and the only one in America. His parents were A. and Catherine ( Weber) Hildebrand, both natives of the Fatherland, and there the mother's death oc- curred. Both parents sprang from good old German stock, the father's family name being identified with the early history of the Father- land.

The carly years of Father Hildebrand were spent on his father's farm, where his rugged outdoor life well fitted him for the frontier life which was to be his later on in his career. After four years of elementary training he took a classical course in the gymnasium, which he com- pleted after nine years' study. The three years following were spent in the University of Munster, and later, in the University of Louvain,

Belgium, he studied theology and philosophy in the American College for two years. The services attending his ordination to the minis- try were performed in the American College at Louvain, and were presided over by Bishop Jun- ger, who was bishop of Vancouver. June 28. 1885, accompanied by Bishop Junger, he came to Oregon and was appointed to have charge of the missions in and around Canyon City, Grant county. His services were not limited or bound- ed by geographical lines, however, and in the course of his ministrations he traveled through Crook, Lake, Harney, Malheur and Sherman counties, and practically the whole of eastern Oregon felt the influence of his presence and teaching. To meet his appointments at the vari- ous missions it was necessary to make the circuit on horse back carrying the requirements for the journey in saddlebags at the horse's side. After following this rural labor faithfully and well for three years Father Hildebrand was appointed to his present charge in Oregon City, where, as in his former charges, he is striving for the bet- terment of mankind, and his efforts have not been fruitless, as is always the result where right motives prevail. St. John's congregation was first formed in 1843, by Bishop Demers, de- ceased, but who was then bishop of Vancouver. After holding meetings in temporary quarters for two years a church was finally erected in 1845, and February 2, 1846, the building was dedicated by Resident President Vos, S. G. Although the structure is nearly sixty years old it is still in a fine state of preservation.

The zeal which Father Hildebrand evinces in his chosen work has lately been shown by his efforts in the construction of the splendid new addition to the house of worship. In remodeling the original structure, which cost nearly $30,- 000, the original plan has been carefully pre- served. The beams and cross beams measure fifteen and sixteen inches in diameter, and the bell and material used in the ceiling were im- ported, being brought around the Horn. The congregation numbers about five hundred com- municants and not a little of the growth in num- bers is due to Father Hildebrand's solicitous care and the wise oversight which he exercises over his parishioners. The interest which he feels in educational matters has borne fruit in the es- tablishment of St. John's parish school, of which he himself has charge, and St. John's parochial and high school, which has an enrollment of one hundred and twenty pupils, and is in charge of the Benedictine sisters of Mount Angel. An- other example of Father Hildebrand's devotion to his calling is found in the establishment of Highland mission, which is located about sixteen miles east of Portland. In 1902 a new parsonage was constructed, which in all respects is in keep-

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ing with the handsome church building. Fra- ternally Father Hildebrand is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, being identified with the Altar Society. Pleasant and warm hearted, possessing a kindly and charitable dis- position. all recognize in Father Hildebrand a friend on whom they may depend in the hour of need. He is loved by his own people and those of other denominations as well, and throughout the community no one is more highly respected than the pastor of St. John's Church, Oregon City.

MARION P. WHITE is the second oldest of the three sons and five daughters of John R. and Mary ( Birtchet ) White, and was born in Marion county, this state, December 25. 1874. His grandfather. Peter, was born in the east, and died while crossing the plains in 1852. The father was born in Missouri, and was reared to farming, receiving in his youth a fair common school education. He accompanied his parents on the trip across the plains in 1852, and when his mother. Virginia, was left practically alone in the world on the great plains, he proved a source of comfort and help to her. The discon- solate little band pursued their way after burying the father, and the mother took up a donation claim in Marion county, where she reared her children to years of usefulness and honor. John R. developed in his youth traits of industry and good management, and in time took up a claim across the river in Marion county, two and a half miles south of Monitor. At present he is engaging in extensive operations on his five hun- dred and fifteen acres of land, and among other specialties which his large property renders pos- sible is the cultivation of hops, of which he has sixty acres. He married Mary Birtchet, a na- tive of Oregon, whose father, George Birtchet, came to California during the mining excitement of 1848-49, and now has a very fine ranch in Clackamas county.

From the standpoint of education Marion P. White was favored above the average farm- reared youth, and not only completed the course at the lower public schools and the high school. but graduated in 1897 at the Oregon State Nor- mal at Weston. For some time he applied his knowledge as an educator, having charge of the school at Butteville, near his home. About this time he bought seventy acres of land in Clacka- mas county, near Monitor, and thereon he has built a fine two-story country home, located so as to command a view of the road and surrounding country, and close to the highway leading to Monitor. Among the other improvements insti- tuted by the present owner is a large barn, a hop dryer and storage houses in the rear. Nothing

more progressive and modern is to be found in this part of the country than the general im- provements on this thoroughly up-to-date farm. Ten acres of the land are under hops, and the balance is devoted to general farming and stock- raising. To his original purchase Mr. White has added land until at present he has one hundred and thirty acres.

In Woodburn. Ore., Mr. White was united in marriage with Hallie Taylor, a daughter of S. R. Taylor, a wealthy farmer living on the road be- tween Needy and Monitor, who came from Mis- souri to Monitor. Mr. Taylor is one of the best known hop growers in this section, and is besides a very prominent man in the community. To Mr. and Mrs. White has been born one child. Marion D. Mr. White is a stanch promoter of Republican principles and issues, and is at pres- ent serving as school clerk. Fraternally he is associated with the Blue Lodge of Masons, and with the Knights of the Maccabees.

JOSEPH WALLACE COLE. The Cole family has been represented in Oregon ever since 1852, in which year three brothers, John, Stephen and Mark crossed the plains and engaged in their respective occupations in different parts of the state. Mark Homer Cole, the father of Joseph Wallace, was born in Washington county. Va .. in which state also occurred the birth of his father, Joseph, who eventually removed with his family to Missouri. Mark Homer was about eighteen years of age when he crossed the plains in 1852, being six months on the route, and ex- posed to all manner of danger and deprivation. For some time he lived in the vicinity of The Dalles, and in 1854 removed to the vicinity of Oregon City. The following year he enlisted in the company of Captain Cason, for service in the Indian war, and after valorously protecting the interests of the whites against the murderous red men, was duly discharged from duty. After the war he ran the Jack Cutting saw-mill on Mill creek, and there manufactured lumber until 1865. Thereafter Mr. Cole was in the employ of woolen mills at Salem until 1876, and after the burning of that mill was identified with the woolen mills of Oregon City until his death in 1891. He was a public-spirited and enterprising man, and was associated with Multnomah Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. He married Emily Rhea. who was born in Tennessee, and whose father came to California in 1849. Mrs. Cole, who lives with her son, Joseph Wallace, came to Ore- gon with her brother Elijah in 1852. She is the mother of one son and four daughters, all of whom are living. Joseph being the second oldest in the family.

Joseph Wallace Cole was born in Oregon, June

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3. 1860, and was reared in Salem and Oregon City, attending the public schools until his six- teenth year. From a boy he worked in the woolen factories, beginning at the age of twelve, and continuing until he became the second boss spinner in the Oregon City mills. He afterward applied himself to learning the miller's trade in the Imperial mill, and afterward continued as a miller for some years. In 1893 he started his present business in Oregon City, in connection with which he has branched out into various activities in the city and county. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and is a member of the Board of Trade. Fraternally Mr. Cole is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Red Men of Oregon City. For twenty years he was a member of the Oregon City volunteer fire department, and was chief engineer of the fire department for one year, being still identified with the department. He is a member of the McLoughlin Cabin Native Sons of Oregon. Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Louise Rech- ner in Oregon City, and of this union there has been born one child, Rhea.

WILLIAM HENRY POPE. The water- ways of Oregon have proven an abundant source of revenue to many of the far-sighted men of the pioneer days, but little time being lost after their emigration before taking up the possibilities which lay before them. One of these was Wil- liam Henry Pope, who, however, did not begin in this work upon his arrival in the west, for he was then but eleven years old, but rather grew into it as he approached maturity and cast about for remunerative employment. It was in 1881 that Captain Pope withdrew from his commer- cial interests and became connected with the boating business on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, and since that time he has attained to a large degree of success in his chosen work and has made himself a noticeable figure among the river men. From Oregon City. an early home, he removed to Portland and purchased a com- fortable and pleasant home at No. 441 West Park street, and is now numbered among the promi- nent and influential men of this city.

The Pope family came originally from Eng- land, the grandparents, Charles and Mary (Chown) Pope, born respectively December 18. 1781, and July 31, 1779, being the first American emigrants. The death of both occurred in New York, the former on February 22, 1864, and the latter October 4. 1854. Of their seven children six were born in Plymouth, England, and all are now deceased. Maria, born October 13, 1805, died March 5, 1873. in New York; Charles, the father of our subject, was born in Plymouth, August 23, 1807 : William died in infancy : Ann.

born September 10, 1811, was married in New York to George Abernethy, January 15, 1830, and her death occurred in New York, April 30, 1884; she was interred in Oregon City, Ore., of which state her husband was the first provisional governor ; his death occurred in Portland; they became the parents of two children, of whom William, born September 16, 1831, married Sarah Gray and now makes his home in Astoria; and Anne, born April 19, 1836, married in Ore- gon City, June 8, 1859, Col. H. C. Hodges, U. S. A., but who then bore the commission of lieuten- ant. They make their home in Buffalo, N. Y. The fifth child was Mary, born March 8, 1815; she married Nelson Pitkin, of Payson, Ill., Octo- ber 10, 1838, and died April 23, 1849, in Daven- port, Iowa, the mother of three children, two sons having died in infancy, and the one child living being Mary, born in Payson. Ill., January 7, 1841, and now the wife of G. C. Ferris, of Syracuse, N. Y .; Joseph, born May 2, 1817. was married to Martha Hull, of Pike county, Ill., and died seventy miles west of Fort Laramie, July 1, 1849, while crossing the plains; the one daughter of this union now living is Emma, the wife of Robert Canfield. of Oregon City. The youngest of this family was Thomas, who was born in New York, July 20, 1820; he lived in Quincy. Ill., for many years, when he came to Oregon City and spent five years, then returned to Illinois and died in 1900.

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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 122

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