Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 40

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 40

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Having visited Portland and noting the con- trast between city life and that of the country districts in which he had lived he resolved to lo- cate in the metropolis. He liad attended the Grand Lodge of Masons in Portland from 1857 until 1866 and each visit to the city had increased his favorable impression. Therefore. disposing of his business affairs in the southern part of Oregon, he came to Portland, where he pursued a commercial course of study and afterward was employed as a salesman in various mercantile establishments. His residence in Portland has been continuous, save that at one time he was sent to McMinnville. in Yamhill county, as manager of the flouring mill owned by Williams & Myers.

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He purchased an interest in that business and continued there for about three years, when he sold out and returned to Portland. In 1883 he was appointed Russian vice-consul to represent the great Russian Empire in Oregon, and for eighteen years he devoted his time and energies to that work, resigning in 1901 on account of ad- vanced age. Since that time he has lived retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

Mr. Wilson was married in Portland in 1871 to Mrs. Christina Wideen, who was a widow. They have an adopted daughter Alice E., who is a graduate of the Portland high school, and was also a student in a commercial school here. She is an accomplished scholar and for a number of years has been employed as cashier by the firm of Heyward Brothers & Company. At the corner of Eleventh and Everett streets Mr. Wilson pur- chased a lot and built thereon a modern residence, in which he lived until after the death of his wife in 1881, when he rented his home and removed to his present place at No. 428 Alder street, where he has resided for twenty-one years. For a long period he was an active Democrat and took a helpful part in political work, but when Major McKinley became a candidate for the presidency he gave to him his support and has since been a Republican. His study of political questions has been deep and far-reaching and he has ever been able to intelligently present his reasons for his political opinions. While well known because of his connection with official service, Mr. Wilson is equally prominent and widely known because of his connection with the Masonic fraternity. He is one of the most prominent representatives of the craft in the state and has continuously been a member of the Grand Lodge since 1858. He was made a Mason in Warren Lodge, No. 10. A. F. & A. M., in Jacksonville, Ore., in 1856, and he now belongs to Willamette Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. MI .; Portland Chapter No. 3, R. A. M .; Oregon Council. No. 1, R. & S. M. : Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine and has attained the thirty- second degree in the Scottish Rite. He is a Past Master and Vice Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge and is the present corresponding secretary of the Masonic Veterans' Association of the Pa- cific coast. Mr. Wilson is also a prominent and honored member of other organizations, for fif- teen years was secretary and director of the old Mechanics' Fair, and he belongs to the Finnish Lutheran Church, assisted in the building of the Finnish Church in Astoria, Ore., and also the Park Street Church in Portland. He belongs to the Pioneers' Association of Oregon, to the In- clian War Veterans and to the Oregon Historical Society. His life work has brought him into close association with the development and progress of the state and he has exerted a strong influence in

behalf of its material improvement and its sub- stantial upbuilding. His work has ever been of a character indicative of his high moral worth and devotion to duty and to-day he is one of the most honored and prominent pioneer settlers of the commonwealth.

WILLIAM HUME, the founder of the great fish canning industry of America, was born November 19, 1830, in Waterville, Me., where during his early boyhood he fished with his father for salmon in the Kennebec river. He spent very little time at school and it was there in the woods of Maine on the banks of that beautiful little stream that he learned the first les- sons in the woodcraft which became the passion of his life, as well as the foundation of his suc- cess. His father, William Hume, Sr., was the descendant of one of several brothers from Scot- land who settled in various parts of this country before the Revolution. He married Harriett Hunter, who became the mother of William, So- phia (afterward Mrs. Weatherbee), Harriett ( afterwards Mrs. Neal), and John. Mrs. Hume died when the children were still very young and later Mr. Hume. Sr., married again. having eight children by the second wife, of whom three are now living: George W. (commission mer- chant in San Francisco), Robert D., of San Francisco, engaged in canning and other busi- ness, and Anna, now Mrs. McCurdy, of the same city.

In 1852 William, now of age, borrowed money for a journey to California by way of the Isth- mus. He took passage in the steerage of the sailing vessel James A. Thompson. Passengers and crew suffered horribly from black plague on board ship and the miserable climate when crossing the Isthmus, but William Hume, being a strong, robust fellow, escaped everything but seasickness, and feeling the world before him looked with a light heart at the smiling bay of San Francisco as they sailed in one bright morn- ing in January. 1853. He first fished in the Sacramento river with his Uncle David, who had come west some years before, then finding the country alive with game he shot for the markets with a famous old muzzle-loading gun made according to his own orders. It weighs twenty pounds, and shot such enormous charges as to bring down whole flocks at a time. Mr. Hume wore a leather pad to protect his shoul- der from the rebound. With this gun, his dog, and an ox to haul the birds, he camped out in the plains during the shooting season. Then in sum- mer he fished for salmon or during the floods he earned over $100 a day transferring passengers in his whitehall boat from one place to another in or near Sacramento. So he worked for some

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years, hunting, boating, fishing, always with the keenest joy in the sport and at the same time carefully saving his earnings. His life was a spot- less and honorable one, which must have been as a beacon light in the darkness among the hard characters of those early days. When he was twenty-five he made a visit to his old home in Waterville and returned by the Isthmus as be- fore.

In 1864 Mr. Hume met Mr. Hapgood, who understood canning fruits and vegetables, and together they became interested in preserving salmon, and after some experiments they intro- duced their wares in the markets of Sacramento, at first carrying them about in baskets. At last the business was established and in 1865 Mr. Hume came to the Columbia river and at Eagle Cliff erected the first salmon cannery in Amer- ica. The firm name at that time was Hapgood, Hume & Co., the latter representing the interest of George W. Hume, who later sold out and built a cannery on his own resources just below Eagle Cliff. After some years Mr. Hume bought out Mr. Hapgood, thus becoming sole owner and proprietor. He also had a cannery at As- toria in partnership with his brother and nephew John and his son. Another brother, Joseph, afterward built a cannery near Astoria, so there were four brothers on the river all interested in the same industry which their oldest brother originated.

The river had never been fished except by a few Indians with very primitive gear, so the salmon were extremely plentiful, and the can- ners bought them for twenty-five cents or less apiece. But the business, even when fairly started, was not easy to carry on successfully. There was all the lawlessness of a new country to fight against and the roughest class of men to manage. But Mr. Hume dealt severity and kindness with an equally firm and fearless hand till the better men loved him and the rest feared. There were many instances of his summary deal- ing with malcontents.

In the early days the cannery supported a mess house for factory hands and fishermen. After many minor difficulties and grumblings about the food, etc., one day a drunken fisher- man struck the Chinese cook. Mr. Hume closed the mess house, paid the cook and said to the men, " After this, cook your own meals." Another time some years later the "hands " decided to strike in the midst of the busy season. Mr. Hume was at that time from principle employ- ing white men to can the fish, though all the other cannerymen used the cheaper Chinese. Mr. Hume, hearing of the disturbance, or rather seeing it, for he was a keen observer, sent word to Astoria and employed a crew of Chinese to come by the boat next day. The next morning

each man was called to the office separately, paid and discharged, all but the headman and leader. And as no explanations were offered they won- dered what was to become of the large catch of fresh fish coming in every hour. However, at noon as they filed on the steamboat, forty Chinese came ashore and immediately went to work. The foreman was discharged the next day as Mr. Hume was too wise to enrage the crowd and leader while all were on the place ready for any mischief. Later there were many strikes among the fishermen when all the can- neries, now so numerous, were closed, and each under the orders of a delegate from the union, all but the Eagle Cliff cannery, which seemed only to benefit by the absence of rivals. Mr. Hume's life was threatened and that of his fishermen, but he found a few brave enough to face the danger, armed them, and himself car- ried a rifle at all times. There were several shooting scrapes not far from the place, but no striker dared attempt the life of Mr. Hume, knowing his reputation for perfect marksman- ship and a determined disposition.

Once a delegation of cannerymen (business associates and friends), called upon Mr. Hume and entreated him to close for fear of his life, but he showed them his rifle and a pistol lying on the office desk with the question, "Would any of you like to stop me?" He continued the business every season until two years before his death and though the pack was never large, it commanded the highest price, for he was proud of his work and very particular to see that every fish that went into the cans was in the best con- dition and would reflect credit on the label. His supervision was intimate with all the details of the business. His nets were of larger mesh (in- suring the catch of only the largest and best fish), deeper and of stronger twine than any others on the river. He took great interest in the kind of web best adapted to different runs of fish, conditions of water, seasons, etc., and at his death left thousands of dollars' worth of nets of all descriptions. He introduced no new ma- chinery, and until the last few years made his own cans. He loved simplicity in everything and had little patience with the requests of his buyers to use fancy shape and size cans, colored wrap- pers, etc. The first cans put on the market were painted red and had no label, but later, after Mr. Hume had won a gold medal from Queen Victoria for salmon exhibited in England, and several copper medals from Australia and other places, he had a label printed with these displayed upon it. He did not believe in hatcheries, think- ing they were more expensive than profitable, and holding that if the salmon were properly protected they would keep the rivers stocked without assistance. He held that the close sea-

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son should be strictly observed and the close Sunday law enforced, thus allowing the fish to get up river.

Up to the last ten years of his life Mr. Hume spent part, if not the whole, of every winter in or near San Francisco, and here in 1876 he mar- ried Emma Lord. She was born of English parents in Salt Lake City, but had lost her father very young and moved to California with her mother while still a child. Mr. Hume had been a friend of the family since she was a girl of twelve. Three children were born to them : William, who died at four years, Lottie and Aurora.

Mr. Hume conducted most of his affairs in l'ortland, where he became known as one of the prominent men of the northwest, a conservative and cautious business man, little disposed to go out of his own particular field. He invested in no real estate aside from that necessary for business, and built one comfortable residence at Eagle Cliff, a most picturesque and beautiful place for a home. Here on June 25, 1902. amid the scenes of his early labors he passed away. His death was caused by valvular heart trouble, brought on by overexertion in hunting. His death was the signal for many expressions of appreciation from the press and business world, for the impetus he had given to com- merce on the Columbia, regrets for the passing of one of the most useful of those brave old pioneers who bequeathed to us the rich heritage of their labor-the fair, broad lands of the north- west.

Mr. Hume was known among business as- sociates as an honest, reliable man, of cool, dis- criminating judgment, whose education had been self-acquired and directed along the lines that would prove of most benefit in practical busi- ness. He was a Republican, but took little inter- est in politics, and less in civic affairs. He was, however, a great admirer of Theodore Roose- velt, with the keen admiration of one strong character for another.

Mr. Hume spent his life out of doors. He was a passionate lover of sport. At one time he kept a pack of over forty hounds at Eagle Cliff. and he never had less than ten and spent all his spare time with them running deer or bear or shooting birds. He also had a large collection of guns of various descriptions, from the old muz- zle-loading shot gun to a modern express rifle. He was a perfect woodsman as well as one of the best shots on the coast, so his house was filled with trophies of the chase. He was a fine boat- man and a strong swimmer, and during his long life on the water he saved many men from drowning. He was a man of deeds, not of words, the perfect type of the alert and active frontiers- man. There was much poetry and some pathos

in his life in the plains of California and the woods of Washington. The beauties of Nature in all the aspects that he had so much oppor- tunity to study were as the breath of life to him, so keen was his enjoyment of them. And yet so lonely was the greater part of his life, away from all comradeship with men of moral and mental caliber approaching his own, it is not strange that he developed strong prejudices and a disposition to live entirely in his family and away from the world.

Mr. Hume's appearance was striking. though he was of only medium height. He was of strong and supple built and straight as few men are outside of the army. His features were reg- ular and handsome, strong nose and mouth and keen dark eyes under heavy brows, a noble fore- head, and the hair which had been black in his youth was perfectly white at his death. He was generous and charitable to a fault, though his name never appeared in any list of public chari- ties. He helped those who needed it whenever he found them, quietly and bounteously, though he, like many others, had many bitter lessons of ingratitude to learn.

At home he was a devoted and indulgent hus- band and father, with most affectionate and en- dearing ways, and all near him worshiped him for his strength and tenderness.

EBENEZER LANE QUIMBY. The first emigrant to America in the Quimby family came from his home in Wales in the middle of the sev- enteenth century, and located in Vermont, where those of the name flourished for over two hun- dred years, the virtues which had characterized the members being transmitted from father to son in each succeeding generation. There E. L. Quimby was born June 28, 1813. the son of Ben- jamin and Jane ( Lane) Quimby, the former a school teacher. During the youth of their son the parents removed to New York state, later re- turning to Vermont. In 1844 he came as far west as Illinois, the same spirit which had ani- mated his ancestor inducing him to seek a newer land where opportunities abounded. Not yet con- tent he joined the throng of emigrants which took its way westward in famous '49, his goal, however, being not the gold fields, but the rich, broad lands of Oregon. He traveled by ox-teams and reached his destination after a journey of seven months, and his first employment in his new location was as foreman in the saw-mill at Milwaukee, where he received $8 per day, and $10 at Oak Point. being head sawyer at both places. Having been well and wisely trained in agricultural pursuits he soon sought property which he could convert into farming land, and like many others he located on the Columbia

Francis 3 Jones

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slough where he purchased a man's interests in the land and proved up on it, and remained there for sixteen years, successfully engaged in his chosen work. In 1865 he sold out his interests and removed to East Portland, where he made his home for twenty years, later locating in Woodburn, where his death occurred February 7. 1901.

The first marriage of Mr. Quimby occurred in Vermont, January 14. 1843, and united him with Almira M. Peck, who was born March 10, 1818, in that state, and died in Portland, May 9, 1876. The one child born in their home in the middle west was Eunice Jane, now the wife of Richard Price, and her birth occurred in Illinois May 5, 1847. There were five other children born in Oregon and the only one now living is Rosalinda, born September 20, 1851, and she is the wife of G. R. Matthews. In September, 1884, Mr. Quimby married Mrs. Jane Hanes. Mr. Quimby was a man of many fine characteristics, and though rough in exterior he had a warm heart and a strong, good will for all with whom he came in contact. To appreciate him best one had to know him well, for it was to his friends rather than mere acquaintances that he gave the sun- light of his really genial nature. He was a man of strong and forceful intellect and had been trained to think for himself in all matters pertain- ing to his welfare, and the habit never departed from him. He thoroughly studied every point which came up, examined the evidence and formed his own opinion regardless of that of others, though it was always characterized by a broad justice and tempered with mercy. Though of a frugal nature and habits he was public- spirited and eager to contribute his share toward the common welfare, as a Democrat in politics never shirking the duties which came to him as a citizen, serving as county commissioner, justice of the peace, and always taking an active and intelli- gent part in conventions. In the midst of his family he was a kind husband and a loving father. gratifying every wish that lay within his power, and sparing no time or pains to lay up for them a competence of this world's goods. Though gone, he is not forgotten, for there are many to remember his kind acts, his broad citizenship, and the fine character which gave beneficial training to all who felt the force of his influence.

FRANCIS BEDFORD JONES. The state of Oregon owed its prominence in pioneer days more to the remarkable extent of its timber re- sources than to any other single element of at- tractiveness. An essential enterprise contribu- tory to the exploitation of its immense timber fields has been the transportation of this valuable product from the sources of supply to the mills,

to its rapidly growing cities and to tidewater. The navigation of the waters of the state there- fore has been and still is one of the chief factors in the marvelous development of the common- wealth, and the pilots and captains and builders of craft who have recognized and availed them- selves of the opportunities provided by the mills not only have proved benefactors to the commu- nity, but have won a name and a competence in return for their discernment and business acu- men. The Willamette and Columbia River Tow- ing Company is one of the most ambitious enter- prises connected with maritime affairs in the state, and Capt. Francis Bedford Jones, the presi- dent and manager thereof, is a seasoned mariner to whom every inch of the rivers is as familiar as are the faces of his hosts of friends. A typ- ical western pioneer, he is hale and hearty, and justly prides himself upon a success which is due solely to his own efforts.

Of French ancestry. Captain Jones was born in Detroit, Mich., November 20, 1837, and comes of a family which has made its influence felt in various walks of life. His paternal grandfather came from France to Detroit at an early day, and there became the pioneer brick manufacturer. He lived long enough to see his business estab- lished on a very prosperous foundation, and to identify himself with the substantial business men of the place. His son. Francis, father of Francis B., was born in Detroit, and early in life became one of the pioneer farmers of Jackson county. Iowa, where eight of his children were born. With his wife, who was formerly Annie Bedford, of Scotch-Danish descent, he started across the plains in 1853. Some of the children in the fam- ily were old enough to help hear the burden of the long and wearisome trip, assisting in driving the oxen and in caring for those too young to depend upon themselves. An older son had pre- ceded the family to California, and at a later pe- riod joined them in Oregon. The old Oregon trail was selected for the voyage over the plains, through Fort Laramie to Snake river, on which stream disaster overtook the little band. Though heavily armed and prepared for attacks of any ordinary character, one of the party was killed by Indians in an assault upon the train, and twenty head of cattle were killed or stolen. Had they been defenseless the whole party doubtless would have been wiped out of existence in a few moments.

Arriving in Oregon in 1853. Francis Jones made his home for a couple of years in Oregon City, and then settled on a farm in Clackamas county, which he improved, and where his death occurred about twenty-five years ago, at the age of sixty-five. Of the eleven children in the parental family, six are living at the present time, Francis B. being the fourth youngest. Four of

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the sons and one daughter reside in Clackamas county.

Captain Jones recalls the journey from Detroit by teams to lowa, in which state he received his education in the district schools. Almost imme- (liately after his arrival in Oregon in 1853 he be- came interested in river matters, his first occupa- tion being in connection with the construction of a bridge on the Clackamas river. In 1855-56 he served in the Indian war. Thereafter he worked on different farms in Clackamas county for a few years, and then engaged in farming for himself in Polk county, where he remained until 1863. For two or three years he was identified with freighting to the mines with pack trains of flour, bacon and other provisions ; and after completing this contract farmed on Sauvie's Island for about four years. The year 1872 marked the beginning of his career as a navigator. Having bought an interest in a barge, he began to transport cord- wood from different points on the Columbia and Willamette rivers to Portland, and also carried cottonwood from different points to St. Johns. The old sidewheel steamer Clatsop Chief came into his possession about this time, and he also bought a scow, both of which were used in the transportation of wood. In 1878 the Clatsop Chief suddenly came to grief, its years of useful- ness being terminated by a boat belonging to the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company, which struck her amidships and sank her. This proved a great loss to Captain Jones, who was unable to collect anything from the company on account of the damage done; but he succeeded in raising what was left of her and rebuilt her, and then used her for many years. About 1887 he built the steamer Maria, a craft destined for large accomplishment, and which he still owns. Besides the Maria he has four other boats-the Vulcan, the Gamecock, the F. B. Jones and the Eugene.

At the present time Captain Jones is engaged principally in log-towing, although some of his boats are still freighting wood. The Willamette and Columbia River Towing Company was or- ganized through his efforts in 1890, with Captain Jones as president, his son, William E., as treas- urer, and Maria L. Jones as secretary. The con- cern has a woodyard at No. 181 East Water street, and a good landing place, and they do the towing for nearly all of the mills. They also carry on the work of transportation for the box factories, and tow as far as the Pacific at the mouth of the Columbia river. The captain began his career on the river as a pilot, but has been a master since 1877. His vast interest in river matters is shared by his son, who inherits his taste and ability for the work, and who also holds a master's license.

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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 40

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