Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 36

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 36

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It was during his residence in that place that William Masters was united in marriage to Miss Mary Garrison. They became the parents of four children during their residence in the east. In

1852 they started with their family on the long journey across the plains to Oregon. It was with the hope of more rapidly acquiring a fortune and of establishing a good home for his family that Mr. Masters came to the Sunset state. After traveling for long weary months, just as the train crossed the Sandy river, Mrs. Masters and two children died and are now buried in Lone Fir cemetery. The party arrived at their destination in September, 1852, having made the journey with ox teams. Mr. Masters located in Portland, where he opened a wagon shop in partnership with Mr. Jacobs, continuing in that business at the corner of Second and Morrison streets until 1859, when he sold out. He then became a part- ner in an enterprise for the packing and shipping of apples to California and in this was very suc- cessful for a number of years. He then opened a general mercantile establishment, forming a co- partnership with F. Harbaugh and W. W. Baker, being thus engaged until 1863, when he went to the Caribou mines, driving a band of cattle. When the Indians became hostile and waged war against the settlers in 1855-56, he volunteered for service when recruits were called for, going to the Cascades, where the Indians were committing (lepredations, with a company of volunteers from Portland.

On the 13th of May, 1860, Mr. Masters was married in Dayton, Ore., to Martha Cordelia York, and with his wife he came to Portland to live. By his first marriage he had four children : Lewis L. and Mary, who died at the same time the mother passed away ; S. LaFayette, who was born in 1848 and is now a resident of Tenino, Wash. ; and J. Wilbur, who was born in the year 1850 and died in January, 1891. He was a mer- chant of North Yakima and at his death left four sons and a daughter. LaFayette is a farmer and is married and has nine living children. By his second marriage Mr. Masters became, the father of three children, of whom one died in infancy. William York, born April 1, 1862, is mentioned later in this connection. Francis K., the other child, was born March 20, 1872. Both were born in Portland. Francis, after graduating from the public schools in Portland, attended the State University at Eugene for one year, was a student in the law school at Portland and was admitted to the bar and is now engaged in the abstract business.

William Masters was ever a stanch advocate of Republican principles and an active worker in this party, doing everything in his power to pro- mote its growth and insure its success. He was honored with several public offices and positions of trust : from 1872 1intil 1874 he served as treas- urer of Multnomah county. No one was ever in doubt as to the position he occupied in regard to public affairs, for he was fearless and outspoken

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in defense of his honest convictions. In his busi- ness affairs he prospered. He lived in Yakima for eight years, where he was interested in farm- ing and stock-raising, and in Portland he engaged in speculating in land, buying, improving and then selling property. He became well-to-do, and was widely known as a successful business man. During the last thirteen years of his life he lived retired from active business cares. He started out in life, however, empty-handed and the suc- cess which he achieved was due to his own well directed efforts. He made a great deal of money, but seven times suffered loss by fire. After com- ing to Portland he purchased a home, his place covering a quarter of a block at the corner of Fourth and Morrison streets. He also lived on Jefferson street at the corner of Fourth street for three years and for fourteen years at the corner of Jackson and Sixth streets, there spending his last days, his death occurring in that home on the 5th of October, 1897. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he was a very active and helpful member. He belonged to the Taylor Street Methodist Church, was a leader in its work and was liberal in his contributions to its support. He also gave generously to other worthy causes. At the time of his death he held the oldest membership in the First Methodist Church here. He gave an unfal- tering allegiance to the temperance cause and was found as a champion of all measures pertaining to the moral progress of the community.

William York Masters, to whom we are in- debted for the history of his honored father, pur- sued his early education in the "Old Portland Academy." and afterward in the Agricultural College at Corvallis. where he pursued a full course and was graduated with the degree of A. M. in the class of 1882. He then read law with the firm of Killin & Moreland, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1884. He then formed a co- partnership with Judge J. C. Moreland, which was maintained for some time, and since the dis- solution of the partnership Mr. Masters has been alone in practice. He was a stockholder and vice- president of the Pacific Coast Abstract Company, which in 1901 was re-organized under the name of the Pacific Coast Abstract Guaranty & Trust Company, with Mr. Masters as its vice-president and attorney. The office of the company is now located in the Failing building. He also enjoys a lucrative general law practice, is a capable at- torney, having broad and comprehensive knowl- edge of the science of jurisprudence, which he applies with accuracy and correctness to the points in litigation.

William Y. Masters was married in Corvallis March 31, 1886, to Miss Elizabeth M. Bell. who was born in Corvallis and is a daughter of H. M. Bell. They have three sons and two daughters, William H., Bertha B., Edward W., Alfred R.

and Margaret E. The family home is at No. 605 Sixth street in Portland.

Mr. and Mrs. Masters are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as a member of the city council in 1901-02, is a mem- ber of Samaritan Lodge. I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, also a member of the Encamp- ment. He likewise belongs to Industry Lodge, A. O. U. W., and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega college fraternity when in college. He is now an active factor in professional circles of the city and is not only a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, but also deserves mention in this volume by reason of his own per- sonal worth and prominence.

WILLIAM W. PLIMPTON. Few of the na- tive sons of Oregon have attained a more en- viable position in the business circles of Portland than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this brief review. The greater percent- age of the men who have become actively iden- tified with the upbuilding of Portland, and in fact the entire Pacific northwest, are men who have emigrated from the more developed east, where they received the full benefits of fine schools and the experience of men who for years had been successful in the carrying on of various en- terprises. Thus to the young men of the north- west especial credit is due when in the face of the keen competition of thorough going business men with much older heads, they have reached a position of affluence.

William W. Plimpton is a descendant of an old English family, a member of which, John Plimpton, emigrated to this country in 1636 and settled at Medfield, Mass. Here the descendants of the family lived for many years, and here in 1826 the father of our subject, S. B. Plimpton, was born. He followed the shoemaker's trade for a few years, but at the age of twenty-five, the family ties being broken by the death of his parents, and attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he came to the Pacific coast, via the Horn. The first year was spent in the mines, at the end of which time he came to Oregon, and at Rainier. in Columbia county, he took up a donation claim and engaged in farming. In 1860 he removed to Westport. Here he met with success and continued farming, and later re- moved to Oak Point. and still later returned to Westport, whence he removed to Willsburg. where he is now living. In 1853 he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia P. Wright. who was born at South Reading. now Wakefield, Mass. Of the children horn of this marriage. three attained maturity, William W. being the oldest : Sarah is now the wife of H. J. Winter-

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botham, of California; and Ortley is an elec- trician, now residing in Oregon.

William W. Plimpton is indebted to the public schools of Oregon for his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in the gram- mar schools in the city of San Francisco. At the age of seventeen years, in 1871, Mr. Plimpton made his first start in life by obtaining a position with Knapp, Burrell & Co., implement dealers in Portland. Beginning at the bottom he steadily worked his way upward, step by step, and from the office he was promoted to the shipping de- partment, later had charge of the order depart- ment, in fact learning thoroughly every phase of the business. That his services were greatly ap- preciated is shown by the term of years he was with the firm, with which he severed his con- nection at the end of nearly twenty-five years, resigning in January, 1896. Profiting by the ex- perience he had here gained he at once took the necessary steps to organize the Western Storage & Transfer Company. The following six years he devoted his whole time and attention to the management and development of the business. From the first the enterprise proved to be a suc- cess and with Mr. Plimpton at the helm it rapidly came to the front, and in 1902, when he turned the management over to his son, it was consid- ered one of the most substantial concerns in the city. The warehouses, erected under the per- sonal supervision of Mr. Plimpton, are modern in construction and ample in size, covering one hundred and fifty by two hundred feet, ground dimensions. As stated, in 1902, Mr. Plimpton severed his connection with the business, doing so for the purpose of accepting a position with the Acme Harvester Company of Peoria, Ill., as assistant manager of their Portland office.

In 1888, Mr. Plimpton was united in marriage with Alice J. Miller, also a native of Oregon, being the second daughter of Adolph and Betsy Miller, who were early pioneers and located at Portland in 1853. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Plimpton, William M. was educated in the public schools and Scott Academy and is now occupying his father's former position with the Western Storage & Transfer Company; their other child, Ethel W., is now the wife of James D. M. Abbott, of Portland.

In politics Mr. Plimpton is an unswerving Re- publican, but he has never had the time or in- clination to take an active part in the campaigns of his party. Although his time and attention have been devoted to his business interests, Mr. Plimpton is a firm supporter of all measures cal- culated to be of benefit to the city and state. While there are many men who have risen from the ranks there are none that deserve more credit for what they have accomplished than does Mr. Plimpton.

CAPT. JOHN T. APPERSON. It is seldoni throughout the incipient stages of growth, down to a period covering many years in the develop- ment of a progressive commonwealth, that to any one man is accorded a foremost place by general consent. New countries in these latter days of steam and electricity develop often with rapidity ; new issues are met by new leaders, while those who laid the foundation of society rarely retain their hold on affairs for any extended period of time. In this, however, Oregon has been an cx- ception to the rule, and the career of Capt. John T. Apperson is a conspicuous example of the ex- ception. Coming to Oregon when the country was an undeveloped wilderness, no settled social, political or business order, he has exerted a con- tinually increasing influence in the various lines of development which have added to the wealth and greatness of the state. Apart from his busi- ness life, he has been one of the foremost build- ers of our state. The results of his high integrity and of his efforts to elevate the tone of society and keep pure the moral sentiment of the com- munity, make a double claim upon our respect and recognition. Fortunate, indeed, has it been for the state, that its political leaders, like our subject, have been men whose social, religious and domestic relations have stimulated and hon- ored the highest of her people. The lessons of such lives are the best inheritance of a state or people.

John T. Apperson was born in Christian county, Ky., December 24, 1834, a son of Bev- erly Apperson, who was born in the vicinity of Jamestown on the banks of the James river, and was united in marriage with Jane Gilbert Tubbs, a native of Tennessee. Ten children were born of this union, as follows: Beverly, who died when young; Sarah; Matilda Jane; John T .; Harriett Rebecca; Albert A .; Dona Elvira; Jacob R .; Susan H .; and Milton M., who died in childhood. Beverly Apperson was a planter and farmer, and after his marriage removed to Kentucky. In 1835 he took up his residence in Missouri, living for a time near Springfield, and later locating near Neosha, Newton county. This father was ambitious for his family and in order to better their conditions joined an expe- dition bound for the coast, in which there were one hundred wagons and much live stock. The journey was a tedious one and much trouble was experienced with the Indians, especially so with those at Umatilla, who were afterward connected with the Whitman massacre. Little did the hope- ful band think that ere their journey's end was reached, death would take from their midst one of its most stalwart and hardy members, but the grim messenger strikes where least expected and at Ham Fork, Beverly Apperson died of an attack of fever and was buried in a lonely grave, remote

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from home and kindred. Heartbroken, the mother and nine children continued on their way to the new Eldorado, which to themi was Oregon City, where a cousin and son-in-law re- sided. The first winter in Oregon, however, was spent near Portland, at the mouth of the Sandy, where the cattle were wintered and where the mother took up a claim afterward abandoned. In the spring of 1848 the family removed to Lawns- cale, where the mother found employment in a tannery owned by the cousin. Here this brave woman labored for her flock and gave to them the few advantages then obtainable.

John T. Apperson, of whom we are writing, remembers well the long journey across the plains, and although but thirteen years of age, he did his share of the labors incident to the life of the pioneers. He remained at home and worked to assist in the maintenance of the fam- ily. With the breaking out of the gold excitement in California in 1849, the family came to Port- land, and John T. departed for the Golden state. For a time he mined on the Yuba river and Deer creek, meeting with considerable success, but ow- ing to the state of his health he was obliged to seek other employment, and two years were spent in ranching and cattle raising. At the expiration of this time, Mr. Apperson returned to Oregon and for three years was in the employment of the Milling and Transportation Company, and there- after engaged in steamboating, his first boat be- ing the Rival, its course being between Oregon City and Portland. Being possessed of an eco- nomic nature he saved from his earnings and in time was able to purchase an interest in the boats Clinton and Union, freight and passenger car- riers plying between Oregon City and Dayton. He continued in this line of business until 1861, when the breaking out of the Civil war offered an opportunity for every citizen to display his patriotismn. Mr. Apperson was among the first to lay down the business duties of life, and as a private he enlisted in the First Oregon Cavalry from which position he was later promoted to first lieutenant. Instead of following out the original intention to join the Army of the Poto- mac, the government sent them into castern Ore- gon, Washington territory and Idaho, where they were engaged in fighting Indians and bushwhack- ing. Mr. Apperson continued in the service until 1865, in which year he obtained his honorable discharge. He at once took up his old occupa- tion, that of steamboating, which he followed for the next five years.

During these years spent on the river and in the army Mr. Apperson had gained an acquaint- ance which extended over a large territory. In those days it was hard to find men who were capable to handle the reins of government. Those were the days when the state was being made

and it needed men of unquestioned ability, of honesty and integrity. A Republican in politics, Mr. Apperson had always been found thoroughly abreast of the times and a firm supporter of the principles of his party. Recognizing his worth and ability his party made their first call upon him in 1870, in which year he was elected to the state legislature. He served his constituents well and in 1874 he was selected to fill the office of sheriff, to which position he was later elected. His administration was so satisfactory that his party determined to keep him in public office, and in 1878 he was elected to the state senate, where he served from 1878 to 1882. No mem- ber was more active than he. Bills that were calculated to be of benefit to the state always had his active and hearty support. Other political honors came to Mr. Apperson in 1884. when he was sent as a delegate to the National Conven- tion held in Chicago, at which time he labored earnestly for the nomination of James G. Blaine. Four years later, in 1888, he was again called upon to serve in the legislature, and in 1889 he was appointed registrar of the United States land office at Oregon City, which position he held for the succeeding four years. Since re- tiring from the latter position he has lived in retirement from public office. Twenty-four years of his life have been given to his state. His record is an honorable one over which there falls 110 shadow of shame or dishonor.

Fraternally Mr. Apperson is one of the most prominent Masons in the state and is the oldest on the Pacific coast, having joined Multnomah Lodge in 1858, of which he is past master. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has passed the chairs in both branches of the order, and has been grand repre- sentative of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the United States and attended the convention held in the city of Cincinnati in 1882. In 1872 he served as grand master of the state of Oregon.

All his life Captain Apperson has been a stanch supporter of educational matters and has done all in his power to better the conditions of the schools in the state. In 1885 a law was enacted creating a Board of Regents of the State Agricultural College at Corvallis. In the same year Captain Apperson was appointed a member of the Board by Governor Moody, and at this time he is still serving. For seven years he was president of the board and during that time he won the ap- preciation of all. On his retirement from the office of president the board passed resolutions of thanks and praise for the manner in which he had conducted the affairs of the office. In ad- dition to other matters Mr. Apperson has been greatly interested in the agricultural conditions of Oregon and for many years was a member

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of the state board, while for ten years he served as president of the same.

In Walla Walla, Wash., Mr. Apperson was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Elliott, a native of Missouri and a daughter of William Elliott, who was born in Vincennes, Ind., and a farmer during his active life. Mr. Elliott crossed the plains to Oregon in 1846, and has lived for many years with his daughter, Mrs. Apperson. To his credit is courageous service in the Indian wars and a life of devotion to his family.

If space permitted the writer could say much more of the life and deeds of Captain Apperson. There is no man in the Willamette Valley more deserving of the esteem and confidence of his fel- low-men than he. His life is like an open book- open to all. He has lived a life of high purpose. His interest in the growth and development of his adopted state has been sincere, and by ex- ample he has endeavored to elevate the standard of morality and progress in all of the avenues of his activity. It is to such men the present gen- eration owes a debt of gratitude that will never be paid. Too much cannot be said or done in their honor. They are the men that have made Oregon one of the greatest of states and their lives are well worthy of emulation.

CAPT. GEORGE ANSON PEASE. Not a few of the fortunes which have been made in the great northwest have come from the waters of its many rivers, for steamboating has not been the least of the remunerative employments of this section. Capt. George Anson Pease is one of the pioneers who realized the possible profit of such work, his early observation having taught him as much, for his mother had six brothers engaged in boating on the Hudson river, and almost im- mediately after his arrival here in 1850 he became so employed and continued so throughout his entire business career. It is a self-evident fact that he has been successful in a financial way, and the general esteem and respect of his fellow- men bespeak that greater one which can only be won hy years of trustworthiness. In 1861 Cap- tain Pease rescued forty people from a flood, proving those qualities which have always dis- tinguished his life.

The father of Captain Pease, Norman Pease, was an architect and builder of New York state and said to be the best in his trade throughout the state. He was born in Ohio and after his re- moval to New York he married Harriet McAllis- ter, a representative of a Scotch family, and he died January 4, 1847, at the age of forty-three years, while she came to Oregon in 1862. and made her home in Oregon City until her death in 1890, in her eighty-fourth year. She was the mother of seven children, one of whom died in

infancy, the others being as follows: George Anson, of this review, the oldest child, and the only son, born in Stuyvesant Landing, Columbia county, N. Y., September 30, 1830; Maria A., now the wife of Alexander Warner, of Mt. Tabor ; Martha E., the widow of John Howser, at the time of her mother's death being in Port- land, but now living in New York City; Jane, who became the wife of A. M. Cannon and died in Spokane Falls, Wash., in 1893; Harriet E., the widow of Capt. C. W. Pope; and Pamela, who became the wife of Alfred Herring and died in Portland, in 1887. Captain Pease and his sisters were all educated in the subscription schools of his native state, but at the age of fifteen years he became connected with his father to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, and at the death of his father he finished his apprenticeship with an- other man. He remained at home until 1849, when he set out for the west, his trip being made by way of the Horn, his arrival safely accom- plished September 30, 1849. He remained in Sac- ramento for a time and spent the winter in the mines, where he met with success, which was turned into failure through his trust of the man with whom he was working. Having lost all that he had gained he decided to go north and try his fortune in Oregon, arriving here in July, 1850, where he has ever since remained. He purchased a couple of boats and ran them from Milwaukee to Oregon City and later from Portland. In 1851 the first steamboat was brought to the Willamette river and Captain Pease secured a position as clerk and deck-hand, remaining for six months, the first boats being the Hoosier, Oregon, Can- ema and Franklin. With others Captain Pease bought The Elk in 1858 and Onward in 1860, and became pilot and captain of the steamer Hoosier in 1851. In 1863 he built a boat which he called the Enterprise and ran on the upper river, which proved a profitable undertaking and later it was put into The People's Transportation Company. For some years the captain was a member of the board of directors, but later they sold the Benja- min Holliday and he remained in his employ as superintendent of the river lines. Mr. Holliday afterward sold out to the Oregon Steamer and Navigation Company and Captain Pease still re- mained as master in the employ of that company until he resigned and became a pilot in 1879, after some years going to work for the Oregon Rail- road & Navigation Company. In 1896 he was appointed captain of the United States govern- ment dredge, W. S. Ladd, and remained success- fully until May, 1903, when he resigned and quit active work.

In Linn City, in 1857, Captain Pease was united in marriage with Miss Mildred A. Moore, who was born in Illinois and came to Oregon when she was five years old. She died in Portland, whither

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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 36

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