Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 31

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 31

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Mr. Brown was the first to take up the work of providing open air concerts in the public parks on a scale commensurate with the commercial and social importance of the city. In 1891 he began the task of raising funds for a series of band concerts to be held in the City Park, but as the people had not been educated to the ne- cessity as a pleasure he was unable to carry out his plans. Nothing daunted by his first failure, 1903 found him again in this campaign and how

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well he has succeeded is attested by the choice music discoursed to the general public. He has demonstrated his executive ability in many in- stances and has thrown himself into the vari- ous matters where there has been a halt, and carried them through to a financial success. He has since its organization in 1899 acted as secre- tary and treasurer of the Musicians' Mutual As- sociation, Local No. 99 of the American Federa- tion of Musicians. In 1902 he opened the Nar- ragansett Billiard Parlor and conducts a first class business, which is also headquarters for the musicians of the city, being centrally located at No. 128 Sixth street. The sturdy way in which Mr. Brown has risen to his present position in the face of every obstacle has won him the commendation of all who appreciate worth and ability. In all public matters he has given with as lavish a hand as his means would permit in his desire to add to the general welfare of the citi- zens and the city.

HERMAN R. BIERSDORF, M. D. In de- spite of the fact that he is young both in years and in his profession, Dr. Herman R. Biersdorf has made for himself a pleasing record for the short time in which he has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Portland. In addition to the general practice which he carries on from his office in the Dekum building, he has been va- riously interested in other affairs, as a member of the Multnomah Medical Society being active in the work, and also belongs to the State Medi- cal Society. Under Mayor Williams he was ap- pointed health commissioner, as such discharging his duties efficiently.

The parents of Dr. Biersdorf, George and Hannah, were both natives of Germany, and on coming to the United States they located in Goodhue county, Minn., where the father fol- lowed farming until 1891, when he came to Portland, Ore., and after engaging in a success- ful business career for a few years he retired from active life, now living in this city at the age of sixty-one years. His family numbers the fol- lowing children: Herman R., of this review. born in Zumbrota, Goodhue county, Minn., June 12, 1873; George, a farmer and stockman of Washington county ; Mrs. George Zetzman, of Washington county ; and Mrs. Lena Detlophs. also of that county. Herman R. Biersdorf was educated in the public schools of his native town, afterward graduating from the preparatory de- partment of the New Ulm College in 1892. He then came to Portland, where his parents had lo- cated and here he entered the University of Ore- gon, graduating from the medical department in 1896, and the following year serving as house surgeon at St. Vincent's Hospital. In 1897 lic

opened an office in the Dekum building and be- gan the general practice of medicine.

Dr. Biersdorf has been instrumental in or- ganizing many valuable mining and coal corporations in Oregon, all of which are paying handsome dividends, the workings of these various investments receiving the personal attention of the doctor. He has also invested in farm property holdings from time to time which keep him interested personally in the growth of the country. In politics Dr. Biersdorf is a stanch Republican but has never had any aspira- tions for official recognition. He is a member of the Portland Commercial Club and has served on various important committees of the same, in all matters pertaining to the advancement of the interests of the people and the welfare of the city, evincing a decided public spiritedness and being very liberal in the support of such meas- ures as he deems worthy of his advocacy. He is a member religiously of the Lutheran Church, and for a number of years he has been very active in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association.

Dr. Biersdorf was married in 1897, in Port- land, to Miss Clara Schroeder, who was born in the same state of which he was a native, and educated in the public schools. She is a daugh- ter of H. C. and Minnie Schroeder, the former a furniture dealer on the cast side. He is a native of Wisconsin and came to Portland about 1888. Dr. and Mrs. Biersdorf have two children, Ed- gar and Lillian, sharing the home located at No. 504 Williams street. In the following orders Dr. Biersdorf acts as medical examiner: Mod- ern Woodmen of America: Woodmen of the World : Royal Neighbors of America ; Woodman Circle: Knights of the Maccabees, and Modern Maccabees. He is a member and medical direct- or of the Independent Order of Lions, a substan- tial order of Portland. As medical examiner he also serves the Bankers Life Insurance Company. of Des Moines, Iowa; the Indiana State Life, and the Mutual Reserve Life of New Jersey.

WILLIAM BUTLER. Previous to coming to Oregon in 1884, William Butler, one of the enterprising dairymen, general farmers and stock men of Multnomah county, was for many years engaged in mining in different parts of this coun- try and England. In fact, when but a small boy in Monmouthshire, England, where he was born February 12, 1838, he was initiated into the hard and cheerless occupation of coal mining, and continued to be thus employed until emi- grating to America in 1860.

At Ottumwa, Iowa, Mr. Butler worked in the mines for a couple of years, after which he re- moved to Ohio, where the demand for his ser-

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vices during the Civil war appealed to all that was patriotic and chivalrous in his nature. En- listing as a private in Company I, Second West Virginia Cavalry, he was mustered in at Point Pleasant for three years, his first encounter with the actualities of war occurring at Lewisburg. He saw much of the terrible side of the Rebel- lion, and his impressions were materially strengthened upon being captured at Soup Creek in 1863. while a member of a scouting party. The inside of Libby prison was no longer a sur- mise, for he was immured within its gloomy walls from the time of his capture to June 28, and was paroled about the middle of August. From Annapolis he was sent to Camp Chase, and was exchanged in December, 1863. After rejoining his regiment at Charlestown, W. Va .. he participated in a raid at Lynchburg under General Hunter, after which he was sent into the Shenandoah valley under General Sheridan, and was overtaken with illness at the battle of Win- chester. After coming out of the hospital Mr. Butler went to Washington, D. C., and served the government until his discharge from the ser- vice, June 30, 1865.

Again in Iowa, Mr. Butler resumed his interest in coal mining, and for several ycars filled the position of superintendent of the mines at Cleve- land, Lucas county. 1884 found him carrying out a project to settle in Oregon, where he home- steaded a claim on section 14, Multnomah coun- ty, and lived thereon for seven years. At the expiration of that time he removed to his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he has since carried on general farming, stock-rais- ing and dairying. Mr. Butler was married in October, 1863, to Mary Ashman, of which union there have been born the following children : Richard A. : Sadie, now Mrs. Bramhall ; Joshua R. and David G., twins; Arthur H. : Thomas ; Abraham ; and William. Mr. Butler is a Repub- lican in politics, and has served the interests of the community as road supervisor for three years. As a Mason he is identified with Bridal Veil Lodge, of which he is past master, and he is also a member and past grand of Lodge No. 101. I. O. O. F. Mr. Butler is present master of the Grange, and is connected with various other social organizations. He is one of the enterpris- ing and highly esteemed citizens of this county, and his success is a matter of local pride among his neighbors and friends.

OSCAR F. BOTKIN, M. D. Since the be- ginning of his residence in Mount Tabor in 1883. Dr. Oscar F. Botkin, the first permanent physi- cian of the place, has been intimately connected with medical and surgical affairs in the county. Equipped with experience of the most practical

kind, he has kept in the front ranks of those who follow the profession of healing, his kindly and tactful personality contributing much to the es- teem and confidence with which he is generally regarded. A native of Morgan county, Ohio, Dr. Botkin was born June 8, 1841, and was quite young when his parents started overland for Ore- gon. The journey was attended with failure, however, for the mother was taken ill in Illinois, near Springfield, and in consequence a settlement was made the following year, in 1853, in Van Buren county, lowa. On this farm the doctor was reared to maturity and gained his education at the public schools and the academy at Troy, Iowa.

Into an otherwise uneventful youth came the opportunity to serve his country during the Civil war, and at the first call for troops he enlisted in April, 1861, as a private in Company F, Sec- ond Iowa Infantry, afterward re-enlisting in the Third Iowa Cavalry, Company G. The second Iowa regiment was engaged in skirmishing along the Hannibal and St. Joe river, and after a trip to St. Louis, participated in the battles of Fort Don- elson, Pittsburg Landing and Corinth. While with the Third Iowa Cavalry he was engaged in the battles of Holly Spring, Old Town Creek and other engagements of equal importance. The greater portion of the time the doctor was under the command of James Wilson, but at the close of the war he was under a physician's care in the hospital at Edgefield, across the river from Nashville, Tenn.

After his discharge from the service, in July, 1865, Dr. Botkin returned to Iowa, and in the spring of 1866 began reading medicine, after which he graduated, March 10, 1876, from the St. Louis Medical College, now the State Univer- sity. In the fall of 1876 he removed to Jersey- ville, Ill., and engaged in practice until 1883. in which year he removed to Oregon in search of lost health, settling at Mount Tabor. From the first he received a fair amount of professional patronage, and at the present time is one of the most extensive and successful practitioners in his part of the county. He has found time also to interest himself in political undertakings, and the Republican party in Multnomah county has few more enthusiastic promoters. During 1890 and 1891 he served as a member of the legislature from Multnomah county, and he was elected jus- tice of the peace in 1885. serving in the capacity for four years. While a resident of Illinois he was also prominent in political affairs and was postmaster under the administrations of Grant and Garfield.

Through his marriage with Miss Agnes Watts. in 1863. six children were born into the family, namely: Amos W., a practicing physician of Athena, Ore .; Jessie, formerly a school teacher

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and now the wife of W. W. Sibroy, of Washing- ton, D. C .; Ida, the wife of Thomas Graham, a druggist of Mount Tabor; James O., living at home, and two children now deceased.

In Masonry Dr. Botkin has taken a prominent part and has passed all the chairs in the blue lodge and at present is a member of the Mount Tabor Lodge No. 42, also of the Washington Chapter No. 18, of Portland, and the Washing- ton Council No. 3. of Portland. With W. W. - Sibroy, Thomas Graham and Louis Normander. he erected the Masonic Hall at Mount Tabor, in 1893, the enterprise proving a success worthy the men whose ambition and progressiveness came to popular need. October 2, 1892, the building was totally destroyed by fire. Grand Army of the Republic circles have also profited by the mem- bership of the doctor. who is associated as sur- geon and ex-soldier with the Ben Butler Post of Sunnyside. When seventeen years of age he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he remained a contributing member until 1867, when he united with the Con- gregational Church in Barton county, Mo. While a resident of that place he planned and con- tributed largely toward the erection of a hand- some church edifice. Up to 1893 he remained a faithful member of that denomination. In that year he withdrew his support and adopted a less conservative religion, and to-day he lives as close to the bible and its teachings as he did when a church member. By his deeds, the doctor does all in his power to uplift and encourage the con- munity of which he is a member to righteous living.

The oldest medical practitioner in Mount Ta- bor, Dr. Botkin has that love for and devotion to his profession which have brought to him suc- cess and secured him a place among the ablest representatives of the medical fraternity in the northwest. He stands high in his profession and enjoys the personal friendship of a number of the most noted physicians of the Pacific coast. He is widely and favorably known, always prompt in the performance of his duties, and it is safe to say that no man in Multnomah county has more real friends or is held in higher regard than he.

CHARLES KREBS. The fine brick manu- factory at the corner of Division and Forty-third streets, of which the Krebs Brothers are the pro- prietors. deserves special mention when an enumeration is made of the prominent business enterprises located in Portland. Although or- ganized as recently as 1898, the success due to unwearied efforts in the production of a good article has been the reward of the proprietors. Charles, Otto, Emil and Walter Krebs. The plant, which is modern in every respect, is run

by steam, and has a capacity for turning out twenty thousand brick per day or two million a year. The location is excellent for the transpor- tation of their product, and as they also own a clay bank their facilities for the manufacture of first-class brick are unexcelled.

Bernard Krebs was born near Koln, Gerinany. and in that country the first seventeen years of his life were spent. When seventeen years old, however, he immigrated to America, settling in Frankenmuth, Mich., where he became an ap- prentice to the blacksmith's trade, and later en- gaged in the business for himself. Going to Kansas in 1870, he engaged in farming near Marysville, Marshall county, and in conjunction he also carried on a blacksmith shop. Subse- quently going to Arkansas, near Cabin Creek, Johnson county, he engaged in raising cotton. but in 1888 came to Portland and his interests have since been centered in the west. After en- gaging in the cordwood business for a time in Portland, he removed to a farm near Middletown, Washington county, and is now engaged in the same line of endeavor near Jackson. Cal. Dur- ing the Civil war his services in behalf of the Union were enlisted in the Eleventh Michigan Infantry, and for two years he followed the sol- dier's life. He is now in his sixtieth year, and though not as robust as formerly, is still able to carry on his business. His wife, formerly Mary Catherine Schoeffer, was born in Monroe, Mich., the daughter of George Schoeffer, a native of Bavaria, Germany. He followed the black- smith's trade in Monroe, Mich., for a time. but later removed to Frankenmuth. that state, where his death occurred in 1901, when in his eighty- fourth year.

To Bernard and Mary C. (Schoeffer) Krebs were born eleven children, ten of whom are liv- ing. as follows: Mrs. Mary Crouch. of Lou- isiana: Charles: George, who resides in Cali- fornia : Otto, Emil and Walter. the three latter interested with Charles in the manufacture of brick : Mrs. Emma Councilman, residing in Mid- dleton, Ore .; Herman, also a resident of Port- land ; and Lena and Bernard, who reside in Cali- fornia. The third child in this large family was Charles, who was born in Frankenmuth, Mich .. January 12. 1870. When he was quite young the family moved to Kansas, where his boyhood days were spent until he was about thirteen years of age. the family at that time migrating to Ar- kansas. His educational privileges were such as were afforded by the district schools, and of these he made the best possible use, so that when he entered the business world he had a good foundation upon which to build. Upon coming to Portland in 1888 he and his father took the contract for clearing the land and cutting the cordwood upon the Woodstock tract, and in the

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meantime young Charles became interested in the manufacture of brick, which business he learned thoroughly. In 1898, in partnership with three brothers, he organized what is conceded to be the finest brickyard in Port- land, and there may be found all the latest de- vices for the manufacture of brick known to the trade. His marriage, which was celebrated in Middletown, Ore., united him with Miss Eva Broockman, who is a Russian by birth. Five children were born of this marriage, as follows : Charles, Jr .; George, Walter, Otto and Ri- dolph. In his religious affiliations Mr. Krebs is a member of the German Lutheran Church. He is known as a man of generous impulses and is a good representative of the progressive and en- terprising citizens of Portland who are of Ger- man parentage, and who retain the same frugal, industrious habits of that nationality.

JOHN BELDON KELLOGG. As one of two living pioneers in the hotel business in the city of Portland Mr. Kellogg is distinguished by his long and thoroughly successful career in that work, in addition to which he is one of the early settlers of this part of the country and one who has earnestly labored for the upbuilding of the western commonwealth. When he made the trip across the plains he did not come alone, and there are now many who claim relationship with him, also as pioneers of the state, making a strong, sturdy clan as members and citizens of the community.

John Beldon Kellogg was born in Ashland county, Ohio, October 7, 1829, the son of Syl- vanus Kellogg, a native of Pennsylvania. He became a pioneer of Ohio, and in 1838 settled in Indiana, where his death occurred. His wife, Isabel, had died six years before. The children now living, besides John B., are as follows : Nancy, residing in Toledo, Ohio, the widow of George Emerson; Margaret, a resident of To- ledo; Mary, one of twins born to the parents, the widow of Fred Chapin, also of Toledo. A strong constitution upon which long life is built is the heritage of this family. Mr. Kellogg was but eight years of age when his parents removed to Indiana, settling in Steuben county, where he received an early education in the district schools. afterward attending Oberlin College, where he took an English course, ably fitting him for everyday business life. His father being a tanner he assisted in the tan yard, becoming thoroughly familiar with the details of the business which should stand him in stead in case more desirable work should fail him in future. He married in Indiana Miss Jane Davies, February 7, 1852, and in March of the same year the family started for the west in company with James Davies, the

father of his wife, and his entire family. For more complete details of James Davies refer to the sketch of James Franklin Davies, which ap- pears elsewhere in this work, the name having become a familiar one in this part of Oregon through the elder man's connection with many of the important and broadening movements. calcu- lated to advance the interests of the state whichi he had chosen for his home. He is buried in Crescent Cemetery, land donated by Mr. Davies, and where his wife and babe were the first to be interred.

Mr. Kellogg came with his wife's parents upon this journey of six months, made with ox-teams, via Fort Hall, Umatilla and The Dalles, at the first place finding a habitation, the second an agency and the first house on the trip was seen in the last. On their arrival here they located for but a short time in the village of Portland, after which they settled ten miles west of the city, Mr. Kellogg there taking up a timber claim of three hundred and twenty acres, a part of which he at once cleared and built a log cabin. Soon after he went into partnership and began the manufacture of Spanish saddle-trees, and later put in a stock of leather and made the entire saddle and also engaged in harness making, con- tinuing for six years. He then went into part- nership with William Graham and built a saw- mill on Fanno creek, and operated it with water power for about six years, when they sold out, and Mr. Kellogg removed to Portland, settling here in 1866. He first located at the head of Canyon Garden on Tenth street and Clay, and later built on Madison street. For a period of time he engaged in teaming and conducting a dairy business, remaining so occupied for two years, when, in 1868, he purchased a large build- ing and opened a boarding house on Madison street, between Front and First streets. From this beginning he branched out on a much larger scale and continued very successfully until he met with the misfortune of being burned out. Nothing daunted by this discouragement he began again, faith in his own ability and ulti- mate success buoying him up to face any disaster. Later the National Hotel was built for his use and he was there located for over twenty years. In connection with J. F. Davies he then opened the Merchant's Hotel, which was reputed to be the best in the city or state, and conducted this successfully until the panic struck the city and even continuing for three years when business was well-nigh annihilated by the financial crisis. Since that time he has lived retired, in 1889 com- ing to his present home which he himself had erected.

Of the children born to Mr. Kellogg and his wife, Ida J. is the wife of J. O. Hanthorn, of Portland, who has been connected for many years

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with the first canning industry of the city; they have four children, namely : Claud, Wesley, Faith and Hazel, the last named now deceased; Ernest E., whose sketch appears below, was united in marriage with Callie Knox, and their children are: Arthur, Ray and Corrinne; and Anna is the wife of H. D. Long, of Portland, their children being as follows: Ruthoriel and Jack B. The children of Mr. Kellogg were edu- cated in the public schools of Portland and Anna is a graduate of the high school. In fraternal orders Mr. Kellogg is quite a prominent man, having joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Indiana, January, 1852, and in Port- land was the organizer of the second lodge of that order in the state, in April, 1852, and the only charter member now living. He has served as a member of the board of directors and has passed all the chairs and also belongs to the Grand Lodge of the state. He is also a member of Ellison Encampment, and in the Knights of Pythias belongs to the Mystic Lodge and has passed all the chairs of the order, and is a mem- ber of the Grand Lodge of the state. Mrs. Kel- logg belongs to the Daughters of Rebekahs, and with one other lady represents the charter mem- bers of the lodge established in 1867. Relig- iously she is a member of the Congregational Church and belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society. In his political affiliations Mr. Kellogg casts his ballot with the Republican party and in these interests he has often been called upon to serve in a public capacity, in Washington county act- ing for three years as assessor, deputy sheriff three years, and as a member of the city council for a like period of time, as alderman from the old Third ward. Mr. Kellogg has given no little material assistance to the growth and advance- ment of the city, the same standard which he has applied to his life being carried into the work which he gave as public service. Through his own efforts he has become a well read man, keep- ing in touch with the events of the day as the only means of intelligent and able help in the world of affairs. He is a much valued member of the society of Portland.

ERNEST EUGENE KELLOGG. An inter- esting business is that of E. E. Kellogg, who started at the foot of the ladder and now has one of the best equipped boat houses on the Pacific coast, his stock being valued at $12,000. He turns out a combined tow and excursion boat, naphtha launches, row boats, etc., and holds pa- pers licensing him as engineer and captain of the Willamette district. The position of competency and affluence which Mr. Kellogg has attained has truly been the result of carnest, patient and in- telligent work, having throughout his entire

career given his personal supervision to the em- ployment which he took up in 1887, his practical ideas and forceful plans bringing about the ac- complishment of his ambitions.

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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 31

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