Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 35

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 35

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One half mile from the old furnace which kept things lively around '76 was a flour mill on the banks of Larry's creek, the water of which swept hy with surprising power, and kept the huge wooden wheel in a constant state of agi- tation. This mill in time rose to five stories in height, and had a large capacity. Its entire upbuilding was due to the enterprise of the grandson of the iron manufacturer, another John, and the father of Hon. W. E. Thomas. The father was born at Millville, and lived until 1876. His wife, Ann E. ( Marshall) Thomas, was also born in Millville, and is a daughter of Mathew Marshall, a native of Lycoming county, a farmer by occupation. and whose par- ents came from the North of Ireland. Mrs. Thomas, who lives in Williamsport, Pa., is the mother of one daughter and one son.

Hon. Warren Ellsworth Thomas prepared to enter La Fayette College. but through the in- fluence of ex-member of congress W. H. Arm- strong, he became interested in law, entered the office of his counsellor, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar at the age of twenty-one. Through the advice of his said friend he camc west in January, 1884, and established his per- manent residence in Portland. At first he was a member of the hrm of Killin, Starr & Thomas. from 1890 until 1893, and the following year the firm name became Starr & Thomas. Upon the withdrawal of Mr. Starr in 1897 the firm name became Chamberlain & Thomas, and as such has since continued to exert an important

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influence in the professional world of Portland. Mr. Thomas makes a specialty of civil law, and in this connection has been identified with many of the most prominent cases during the last few years.

Aside from his legal standing in the commun- ity Mr. Thomas is entitled to special credit as a broad minded. astute and incorruptible poli- tician, thoroughly in touch with the principles and issues of the Republican party. Although active for many years previous in promoting the best interests of his party, he came prominently before the public first in 1890. when he was elected to the legislature by a large majority, and served in the sixteenth biennial session of 1891. During the session he was chairman of the military committee, and a member of the judiciary committee. He took an active part in securing the election of Senator Mitchell. Mr. Thomas was not a cadidate in 1892, but in 1896 he was nominated and elected to the legislature, and was one of the members who tried to organ- ize the house, but the opposition would not come in. Mr. Thomas was one of the organizers and ex-director of the Multnomah Law Library Association. He is a member of the Commer- cial and Arlington Clubs, and ex-member of the Multnomah Club. The family of Mr. Thomas consists of his wife, formerly Lalla R. Dalton, a native of Portland, and daughter of an Oregon pioneer, and one child, Jeannette B.

CHARLES DAUGHERTY. This land owner and successful general farmer of Clack- amas county, residing near Molalla, was born in Pike county, Ill., February 12, 1848, a son of Giles D. and Polly (Doke) Daugherty, na- tives of Virginia. During his entire active life Giles D. Daugherty was a blacksmith and farmer, living in various places. When a young man he moved from Virginia to Missouri and from there to Pike county, Ill., where he en- gaged in blacksmithing and farming. In 1852 he crossed the plains with his wife, and her deatlı, as a result of the hardships of the hazardous journey, made the expedition a sor- rowful one for him. Arriving in Oregon he took a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres in Polk county and there lived for a few years, after which he removed to Spring Valley, near Lincoln, Polk county. Eventu- ally this farm was exchanged for one near Ilubbard, Marion county, which he improved and placed under cultivation. In turn it was traded to advantage for a farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres near Molalla, Clacka- mas county. On the last farm he died at the age of seventy-five years. Both as a farmer

and blacksmith he was prospered. While in- dustriously planning and executing his life work he maintained the confidence of all with whom he was associated. He was three times married. Of his first marriage there were nine children, Charles being the youngest of these.

The necessity of assisting in the support of the family while he was still quite young in- terfered with the education of Charles Daugh- erty, but in later years he more than made up for the lack of early advantages. At the age of twenty-two he left the home farm in Clack- amas county and started out on his own re- sponsibility, engaging as a farm hand for his neighbors in the county. Later he worked on a farm in the eastern part of Oregon. When twenty-eight years of age he returned to Clack- amas county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, which was covered with brush and timber. Out of this tract he has made a pleasant home and fine farm. His land has yielded him excellent and gratifying returns for the time and labor in- vested.

Through his marriage with Mary E. Sawtell Mr. Daugherty became allied with one of the pioneer families of Oregon, for Henry S. Saw- tell, the father of Mrs. Daugherty, came here about 1852, locating on a farm near Molalla, where he died at the age of forty-three. He was born in England, and before coming to the coast lived for some years in Illinois. Five sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Daugh- erty : William H., Louis A., George E., Otis Ray and Fred G. Mr. Daugherty is a be- liever in the Democratic party, and has given it his earnest support for many years. Al- though not an office seeker, and averse to pub- licity in any form, he has creditably served as a member of the school board for several years. He is broad minded and enterprising, and ranks with the most energetic and helpful members of the community.

WARREN SIMMONS. A native son of Oregon, Warren Simmons, one of the large land owners and extensive farmers of Clacka- mas county, was born at Howell Prairie, No- vember 2, 1862. His father, A. B. Simmons, was born in Illinois, and was a farmer during his entire active life. The elder Simmons left Illinois at a very early day, crossed the plains with six yoke of oxen, and after a six months' trip landed at Dallas, Ore., in about 1845. From there he went to Portland for a short time, and eventually settled at Howell Prairie, in Marion county, where he took up a donation

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claim of six hundred and forty acres of land. The next year he went down into California and worked in the mines long enough to con- vince himself that he was not a born miner and could expect little from a long continua- tion of this occupation. Again returning to his donation claim he worked and improved it to the best of his ability, and died in com- paratively comfortable circumstances by rea- son of his well applied industry. His first wife. formerly Sarah Swigle, who died in 1863, was the daughter of an Oregon pioneer who crossed the plains and took up a claim of six hundred and forty acres near Molalla Corners. Mr. Simmons married again in 1869, and this wife has a dowry interest in one hundred and ten acres of land left by her husband. Into the family of A. B. Simmons were born the fol- lowing children : Ulysses S., of Silverton, Ore .; Mrs. Lode Dickerson, of Umatilla coun- ty. Ore .; Mrs. Abigail Horn, of Umatilla county ; and Warren, of Liberal. Ore.

Warren Simmons lived on his father's claim until 1889, and during that year purchased two hundred and fifteen acres of land on Howell Prairie. Here he lived until 1901, when he pur- chased the farm on which he now lives. He also owns a fourth interest in one hundred and ten acres left by his father. He is en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising. and among his other stock has eleven head of cattle and fifty-one hogs. Mr. Simmons mar- ried, in 1893. Lucinda Webb, who was born near Gervais, Marion county, Ore., a daughter of one of the early settlers of the state. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sim- mons. Lida and Sadie. A Republican in pol- itics, Mr. Simmons has served as road super- visor for one year, and as clerk and school di- rector for a number of years. He is fraternally connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JAMES WRIGHT SHARP. Among the worthy residents of Portland it is but just to say that Mr. Sharp occupies a well deserved place, for he has always been honest, indus- trions and enterprising, and as a result occu- pies an important position and enjoys the re- spect of all with whom he comes in contact. His father, Peter Sharp, a dyer by trade, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, where his death occurred.

His wife, Elizabeth Sharp, was born in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, where she died. The only child born to this worthy couple was James Wright, the date of the event being April 10, 1853. In the little old-fashioned burgh of Borrowstounness,

twenty miles from Edinburgh, his childhood years were spent, and for four years, from thir- teen until seventeen, was employed in a foun- dry there. At the latter age, however, he de- termined to go to sea, and accordingly, in 1870, he sailed from Borrowstounness, or Bo'ness, in a small schooner and for two years sailed the deep sea. Settling upon terra firma once more, in 1872 we find him in San Francisco, going there by way of Cape Horn, but he later went to the province of Tarapacá, then a part of Peru, but now incorporated as a part of Chile, and until 1874 was employed in the saltpetre mines in that arid country. Subsequently for a short time he was in Pan- ama, later in San Francisco, and in the early spring of 1875 he went to Mendocino county, Cal., where for three years he was employed in the redwood forests which are so abundant there.

Mr. Sharp's identification with the milling business dates from August 5. 1878, at which time he accepted a position with the Pacific Rolling Mills in San Francisco. Beginning at the lowest round of the ladder, he worked his way up steadily, thoroughly familiarizing him- self with every detail, and finally was given the position of heater, which he filled efficiently from 1879 until 1892. In September of the latter year he came to Portland and accepted the same position with the Portland Rolling Mills at the time they were founded, and held the same eight and one-half months. Going to San Francisco again, he resumed his old position with the Pacific Rolling Mills and after filling the same for two years, once more came to Portland and was heater in the mills for some time, or until the mills were closed down. When business was resumed later on he was made foreman, and for the past four years he has been an important factor in the success which has come to his employers.

While in San Francisco, June 8, 1880. Mr. Sharp was united in marriage with Miss Mary Duncan, a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. When twelve years of age she came to America with her parents, arriving in San Francisco June 8. 1870. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sharp, as follows: John, who is an ironworker: Isabelle Elizabeth, Mary Jane, James S. and Jessie Hope. For eighteen years Mr. Sharp has been connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, holding membership in Eureka Lodge. The Presby- terian Church of Portland receives his sup- port, and he may always be relied upon to aid in all measures which tend toward bettering his fellowmen. Politically he votes with the Republican party.

The. Metschen.

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HON. PHIL METSCHAN. Truth is always stranger than fiction, and in the lives of even the most dignified of men is an element of romance. This is noticeable in the record of Phil Metschan, the president of the Imperial Hotel Company of Portland, and ex-state treasurer of Oregon. Lit- tle did the boy of fourteen foresee the future that awaited him as he crossed the ocean, in a three-masted clipper. and during the tedium of forty days on shipboard amused himself by pon- dering upon what he would do in America. But the dreams of the boy never turned to the far- distant shores of the Pacific, nor did they reveal to him the honors which the future held for him as Destiny awaited his coming to the sunset sea.

In Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Phil Metschan was born March 24, 1840, a son of Frederick U. and Caroline C. (Schiricke) Metschan, natives of the same province. His father was a graduate of Heidelberg College, which was founded in 1386, and is the oldest university in Germany. He was a lawyer by profession and an attaché of the Duke of Hesse. Like all of his family, he adhered to the Lutheran religion. His death occurred in February, 1875, and three years later his widow came to America with three of her daughters. Her death occurred in Canyon City, Ore., in 1884. Of her eight children three daugh- ters and two sons survive, one son, Max, being a deputy in the office of the internal revenue col- lector at Tacoma.

When Phil Metschan arrived in Cincinnati he had only $4.75 with which to begin in the new world. However, he had two uncles there. and one of them took him into the meat market to learn the butcher's trade. In the spring of 1858 he went to Leavenworth, Kans., and began in business in Shawnee market, but was taken ill and forced to change his occupation. Those were the days of the Pike's Peak excitement, and he joined the throng of gold-seekers westward bound. In the spring of 1859 he crossed the plains to Denver and thence to California Gulch (now Leadville), where he opened a meat mar- ket. Returning to Leavenworth in the fall of 1860, he enjoyed the privilege of voting for Abra- ham Lincoln. In the spring of 1861 he went back to California Gulch, but soon joined an expedition for the far west, traversing the pony express route and landing in Sacramento just before the floods of 1861. During the winter he was employed on General Hutchinson's ranch. In the spring of 1862 he started for the Caribou mines in British Columbia, but a short stay in Victoria convinced him of the futility of the enterprise and he returned to the -States, arriv- ing in Portland in June, 1862. Soon afterward he went to Canyon City, Grant county, Ore., where he followed mining and prospecting at

first, and then opened a meat market, conducting the same and a general mercantile business until 1890.

After settling in Canyon City Mr. Metschan married Miss Mary Schaum, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and died in Salem, Ore., in 1895. His second marriage took place in San Rafael, Cal., and united him with Mrs. F. D. Sweetser, who was born in Canada and accompanied her parents to California. His children, all born of his first marriage, are named as follows: Frank, a stockman at Silvies, Har- ney county, Ore .; Anna, whose husband, George H. Cattanach, is an attorney of Canyon City and ex-representative; Mrs. Amelia Meredith, of Salem; Julia, Mrs. Griffith, whose husband is a physician in the state insane asylum at Salem ; Phil, formerly cashier of the Grant County Bank and now proprietor of the Paris hotel at Hepp- ner, Ore .; Otto, who is engaged in the stock business in eastern Oregon; Anton H., a clerk in the Wells-Fargo Bank; Lillian ; and Edward who is attending the Pennsylvania Dental Col- lege at Philadelphia.

During his residence in Grant county Mr. Metschan was a prominent factor in Republican politics. For four years he held the office ot county treasurer, for two years served as county clerk, and for four years officiated as county judge, after which (1888-1890) he again served as county clerk. In 1890 the Republicans placed him on their ticket for state treasurer and he was elected by a majority of sixty-seven hundred. while at the same time a Democratic governor was elected by five thousand majority. He as- stmed the duties of office in January, 1891, and about the same time established his home in Salem. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected by a plurality of twenty-three thousand over his Democratic opponent, his victory prov- ing not only his popularity as a man but also his successful administration in the high office with which he had been honored. In January, 1899, his second term being ended and a constitutional limit of office reached, he retired from the posi- tion in which he had served with distinguished fidelity and efficiency. In May of the same year he purchased the Imperial hotel and incorporated the Imperial Hotel Company, of which he is president and which has enlarged the hotel and increased its capacity.

Any reference to the life of Mr. Metschan would be incomplete without mention of his fra- ternal relations. He was made a Mason in Can- yon City Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master. During 1896-97 he was hon- ored with the office of grand master of the grand lodge of Oregon. He was raised to the Royal Arch degree in Blue Mountain Chapter No. 7. of Canyon City, in which he is past high priest.

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For a time connected with Oregon Comman- dery No. 1. K. T., he later became a charter member of DeMolay Commandery No. 5, K. T., of Salem, and is also identified with Oregon Con- sistory No. 1, and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S., of Portland. While in Canyon City he was in- itiated into the Odd Fellows as a member of Ho- bah Lodge No. 22, in which he is past noble grand. During 1881-82 he officiated as grand master of the grand lodge, I. O. O. F., of Ore- gon. In the Grand Encampment he is past grand patriarch, and also acted as supreme representa · tive to the Sovereign Grand Lodge in session at Los Angeles and later at Denver. Other organi- zations to which he belongs are Hope Lodge No. I, A. O. U. W., and Lodge No. 142, B. P. O. E., both of Portland. Upon the organization of the Illehee Club of Salem, in which he bore a prominent part, he was chosen its president. and since leaving Salem has still retained his connection with the society.

JOHN W. YORK, now deceased, was a pio- neer of Oregon of 1852, settling in this state in the fall of that year. He was born in Jackson county. Ga., near Raleigh, in 1800, and was an only child of James and Aletha Wright York. He came of English and Scotch ancestry. His grandfather was killed by the Tories .. His father, at the age of sixteen, together with two brothers, fought in the Revolutionary war.

When but a year old John Wright York was taken by his parents to St. Louis, Mo., and there his father died, after which the mother was mar- ried again and removed with her family to Ken- tucky. where the subject of this review lived for a few years. He then returned to Missouri and later went to Illinois. He acquired his education by the fireside, for there were no schools of any importance in the localities in which he lived. He, however, became a well read man, possess- ing a natural aptitude for intellectual work. He continually broadened his knowledge by reading. observation and investigation and during the greater part of his life he devoted his time and energies to the work of the ministry. When a young man he was licensed to exhort in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1826 was licensed to preach. He was then given charge of a circuit ; it required eight weeks to visit the different congregations therein. His speech was always correct, his arguments forceful, his logic convincing, and he exerted strong influence in behalf of Christianity and the development of upright manhood among his fellow men.

Mr. York was united in marriage to Miss Mary P. Collier, who was born in Jefferson county, Ky., in 1812. They became the parents of eight children, but five of the number died in

infancy or early childhood. Martha C., the eld- est, was born in Carrolton, Green county, Ill., February 5, 1831; Ann Aletha was born at Car- rolton, Green county, Ill., January 3, 1833; and Emily Y. was born at Waterloo, Monroe county, 111., January 24, 1835. They came with the family to Oregon in 1852. Martha Cordelia was married to William Masters at Dayton, Ore., May 13, 1860, and her family history is given in the sketch of his life given elsewhere. Ann Ale- tha became the wife of Rev. C. G. Belknap in Oregon. They reared four children, of whom three are yet living: Charles, Mary and Rosa. Mrs. Belknap died in May, 1880, in California, where she had lived since 1869. Her husband, however, still survives. Emily Y., the other member of the family of Mr. York, is a graduate of Willamette University of Oregon, being the first to pursue a full course in that institution. She afterward engaged in teaching in the public schools for one winter and for several years was a teacher in the "Old Portland Academy." She became the wife of A. W. Moore, of Olympia, Wash., who died within a few years, and she is now living with her daughter. Mrs. Mary E. Houck, in Roseburg, Ore.

In 1842 Mr. York, of this review, was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in St. Clair county, Ill. He was at that time preaching in central Illinois, being connected with the Illinois Conference. He afterward wedded Nancy S. Barrett, a daughter of Judge Barrett, of Farmington, Mo. ; she died of cholera in 1844, only ten months after their marriage. For his third wife he chose Mrs. Parmelia Ann Quinton, nee Bush. On account of the ill health of his wife he started for the northwest in 1852, hoping that she would be benefited by change of climate. This hope was realized. for her health soon .im- proved and she lived until December 17, 1880. when she passed away in Corvallis at the age of sixty-nine years.

Mr. York was the owner of three farms in Illi- nois, which he had purchased at different places where he was engaged in his ministerial labors. He started overland with ox teams and he also had a fine stock of horses and cattle. On the 15th of April, 1852, he left Carlisle, Ill., and arrived in Oregon in October of that year. While on the trip the Indians stole his stock. and cholera broke out among the members of the party, one of the number dying of that disease. There were eighteen young ladies and seventeen young men in the train of twenty wagons and the party was therefore a lively one and the trip enjoyable. When the family arrived in Oregon Mr. York had only ox teams to haul his car- riage and wagons. Making his way to Cor- vallis he there located a claim of three hundre 1 and twenty acres, upon which he established his

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home, giving his attention to its cultivation and improvement. He never discontinued his labors in the ministry, however, but preached for one year at Corvallis, for two years at Albany, for one year in the Mohawk valley and for one year as presiding elder of the Umpqua district. Throughout his entire life he preached the gos- pel and was stationed for a time at Dayton, Ore., and later at Rock Creek. near Oregon City. Throughout his residence in this state he re- mained in the Willamette valley, save for the period of two years spent in the Umpqua valley. He covered his circuit on horseback, being one of the pioneer preachers of the northwest. He was on that circuit when the first church was built at Corvallis and up to the time of his death he never faltered in his efforts to establish Chris- tianity upon a firm basis in this state.

In early life Mr. York was a strong Whig, and afterward became a stalwart Democrat, while at the time of the Civil war he gave a stanch sup- port to the Union cause. He was a man of large form, strong and rugged, and proved a very use- ful citizen of the Sunset state from pioneer times down to his death. Selling his farm he removed to Corvallis, where he lived for about twenty- five years, spending his last few years in retire- ment. There is no measurement by which we can determine the strength, extent and scope of his labors, but it is well known that his influence was a powerful factor for good in the early days of Oregon.

WILLIAM MASTERS. They who planted civilization in the northwest, who braved the dan- gers and trials of pioneer life, are fast passing away. On the roll of the honored dead appears the name of William Masters, who was a pioneer of Oregon of 1852. He was born in Lancaster, Pa., May 17, 1819. a son of Christopher Masters, who was born in Chester county, Pa., March 17, 1778, and died in Fairfield, Ind .. November 6, 1859, and Mary (Kerling) Masters, who was born November 14. 1781, and died August 10, 1838. In the family were fourteen children, of whom William was twelfth in order of birth. On the home farm he was reared and in the district schools he obtained his early education, which was supplemented by a course of study in a college in Indianapolis, where he was a schoolmate of Gen- eral Burnside. He went to Indiana when nine- teen years of age. In early life he served an ap- prenticeship as cabinetmaker there, later he re- moved to Fairfield, Franklin county, Ind., where he followed his trade.

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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 35

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