Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 45

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 946

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measure of success, and he not only hecame a man of high repute in the profession, hut also won merited financial returns. Perhaps one of the greatest compliments that could have been paid to him by his contemporaries is seen in the fact that several dentists who practiced in Hong Kong after he had removed from the city called them- selves "successor to Dr. G. O. Rogers." During his residence in the Orient he took the greatest delight in studying the people, their customs and habits, and while in Hong Kong he gathered a collection of old porcelain valued at $30,000, which is now a permanent exhibit in the Boston Art Museum, under the name of "The Rogers Collection.'

In 1884 Dr. Rogers returned to his native country, sailing from Hong Kong to Portland, where he arrived after a voyage of fifty days. He afterward made a trip to Alaska, and then to California and the Yosemite valley. An ideal companionship existed between Dr. Rogers and his wife, who always accompanied him in his travels. For a few years they lived in Dor- chester, Mass., spending the winters in Florida; afterward they spent two years in Apam, fifty miles from the City of Mexico, with their son who was engaged in the manufacture of prepared pulque for the United States. In 1888 they came to Oregon, residing in Hillsboro for three years, and coming thence of Forest Grove they estab- lished what is undoubtedly the finest home in Washington county. The commodious and taste- ful residence stands in the midst of a natural grove of giant oaks, and the grounds are four acres in extent ; there Dr. Rogers spent his last days, passing away January 2, 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the Knight Templar degree, and in politics he was a Republican. Honored and respected by all, his friends, wherever he had lived, heard with deep regret of his departure.

Mrs. Rogers, who for forty years was his de- voted wife and companion, was married to Dr. Rogers May 31, 1860. She was formerly Ade- line Fiske. of Guildhall, Vt .. and a daughter of Anson Fiske, while her grandfather was Aaron Fiske, who, although of English descent, was born in Massachusetts, and subsequently became a farmer in Vermont. Anson Fiske, who was born in Chesterfield, Vt., carried on agricultural pursuits in the Green Mountain state and died in New Hampshire. He married Prudence Howc. who was also a native of Vermont and a daughter of Simon Howe, one of the first settlers of Essex county. where he established his home among the Indians. Mrs. Fiske passed away in her native state. In their family were three children of whom Mrs. Rogers is the only one surviving. She was educated in the academy at Lancaster,

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N. H. To Dr. and Mrs. Rogers was born one son, Anson Fiske Rogers, who is a traveling salesman, and resides in Portland. It is worthy of note that while the family were residing in Hong Kong Anson Fiske Rogers, at the age of thirteen years, started alone for Boston, and made the journey nearly around the world. Since her husband's death Mrs. Rogers has continued to live in Forest Grove. She has a cabinet filled with many rare and wonderful works of art col- lected by herself and husband while they were on their numerous journeys in various quarters of the globe. While in Japan Mrs. Rogers at- tended the functions in honor of President and Mrs. Grant. She is a member of the Christian Science Church. A lady of gracious presence and pleasing personality, the circle of her friends is a large one.

In closing this brief sketch of one of the most learned and cultured men who ever made the state of Oregon his home, it is but just to place some emphasis upon the fact that Dr. Rogers was in many respects a remarkable man. His nature was aesthetic, artistic, and always opti- mistic : he was also a man of rare conversational powers. Always of a studious inclination Dr. Rogers was devoted to scientific research. For many years he made a study of the phenomena of nature, especially of winds and tides. While a resident of China he devoted a great deal of at- tention to the study of the remarkable storms known as typhoons, and was the first to advance the now generally accepted theory that they were electric as well as cyclonic storms. So familiar did he become with their character that he was able to tell the instant when the center of the storm hung over the locality in which he made his observations. The result of his studies in this direction has proved of distinct benefit to science. Dr. Rogers lived not in vain, for he had accomplished much in the way of scientific and aesthetic advancement, and, moreover, his was a nature that shed around it much of the sunshine of life.

WILLIAM ALLEN JACK. So much of the active life of William Allen Jack was passed in Oregon that he was a typical pioneer of this part of the country and inseparably associated with the agricultural development of Clackamas county. He was born near Mad- isonville, Monroe county, Tenn., August 28, 1818, and passed the days of childhood and vouth in a manner similar to other farmer boys in East Tennessee. Hardships were the usual order of things, and school advantages were conspicuous by their absence, yet the family were so devoted to each other's welfare that

the life was not irksome or unhappy. In March, 1836, with his father, Jeremiah, and his brothers, Porter and Robert, together with his mother and sister, he removed to Sedalia, Pettis county, Mo., where they lived for eleven years. Still in quest of greater advantages than had been found, they decided to seek a home in the far west, and pursuant upon this resolution they came across the plains in 1847, arriving in Oregon in October of that year after a wearisome journey with an emi- grant train. During the first winter they re- mained near Oregon City, but in the spring of 1848 moved to their claim on Butte Creek. In 1847, soon after arrival. William A. joined a company of volunteers for service in the Cay- use war in eastern Oregon and went with his company to the scene of duty, where he en- dured all the hardships incident to skirmishes and to the trials of a rigorous winter in camp. He was one of the number who buried the bleaching bones of Dr. Whitman and family. Arriving home late in the spring of 1848, he and a brother set about preparing for a trip to the California gold mines, which they reached in the fall. However, the hardships they had experienced fell especially hard upon William Allen, whose constitution had never been unusually virile, and he found that sick- ness continually interrupted the work of min- ing. Despairing of success, he returned to Oregon, sailing on a vessel that made the voyage in twenty-one days, at a cost of $126 to each passenger.

In the days when the family arrived in Ore- gon it was possible to secure donation claims from the government and many desirable prop- erties near Butte Creek could have been se- cured in this manner, but it would have neces- sitated the separation of the family and there- fore was not undertaken by them. The father and mother were old and desired to have their sons with them. Accordingly the parents and one son, Porter, took out a section and a half, to be divided among the three boys on the death of the parents. The land included tracts on both sides of Butte Creek and being in the bottom was especially susceptible to cultiva- tion. Often people inquired of them why they did not take out more land, but the invariable reply was that they had taken out enough for their needs, and did not wish to be separated, as the taking out of another tract would neces- sitate. The father was of Irish nationality and the mother was Scotch, and each possessed the temperament of their race, yet their affection was deep and lasted throughout life, differ- ences of views seeming only to unite them more firmly. In 1853 a line was run through the house, enabling the father and mother to

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swear to a residence on their section, while their son Porter could also swear to residence upon his half section.

During the latter part of his life William Allen Jack was in feeble health. Realizing that death was not far distant, he divided his farm among his children, giving them deeds to their several tracts, and reserving for him- self and wife life leases to the land. His death occurred at his home near Marquam, Clacka- inas county, February 10, 1895, and was a loss. to the citizenship of his county, as well as a distinct and deep bereavement to his family. His marriage, which occurred January 5, 1854. united him with Mary Jane Weddle, who was born in Sheridan county, Mo., January 15, 1837. They became the parents of the follow- ing-named children : Susan, wife of T. Hook, of Mount Angel, Ore .; Barton, a carpenter by trade, who has built many houses and barns in Clackamas county, resides with his mother ; John E., of Oregon City; William S., whose home is in Silverton, this state; Annette, wife of F. E. Albright, of Marquam ; and Allen Fay, who resides on the home place near Marquam.

The father of Mrs. Jack was Robert Weddle, who was born in Kentucky and migrated to Missouri, settling in Sheridan county at an early age and there engaging in farming. His death occurred there when he was forty years of age. His wife, who was Mary Allen, was born in East Tennessee and died in Missouri. Of their three daughters and six sons the youngest was Mary J., who was an infant at the time of her father's death. Her education was such as the country schools of Missouri afforded at that time. In 1853 she accom- panied the family across the plains with ox teams. Few women would have been as brave as she, for, without means, she worked her way across the mountains and deserts, and after six months finally arrived in Oregon. Her brother, Anthony, had been with the train which she accompanied. The journey was begun April 18 and came to a close October 3. when she arrived at her uncle's home near the present site of Marquam. Her uncle was a bachelor and she therefore was able to make herself useful in ministering to his comfort and caring for his house, where she remained until she became the wife of Mr. Jack. In the sub- sequent efforts of Mr. Jack to attain a com- petence she was an able assistant and not a little of his prosperity was to be attributed to her constant aid, unflagging zeal and wisc judgment.

JOHN E. SCHNEIDER is regarded not only as one of the representative German- Americans of Clackamas county, but also as

a man of more than ordinarily advanced views on all subjects pertaining to current events, especially as regards socialistic and governmental problems. Mr. Schneider was born in Saxony, Germany, April 19, 1833, and in his youth had all of the advantages con- ferred by an enviable ancestry, and a family which had profited financially in all of their undertakings. His fatlıcr, Gottlieb, and his grandfather, Christian, were natives also of Saxony, and the latter, a very wealthy man, died at the age of eighty-eight years. Gott- lieb Schneider, whose wife, Johanna, was also a Saxonian, inherited his father's estates, and by judicious management added greatly there- to. He died in his native land, leaving four sons and three daughters, of whom his son, John E., is second youngest, and one of the most successful.

After completing an education available only to the sons of wealthy parents, John E. Schnei- der qualified as a physician, lawyer and preacher, diversified attainments which have proved of incalculable advantage to him in later years. However, he never professionally utilized any of these able callings, but as a young man chose rather mercantile work, and identified himself with a wholesale knitting concern, whose interests he represented as a commercial traveler in Poland, Russia, Den- mark, and other northern countries. Also he lived for some time on a farm in Russia. It is not surprising that he found European con- ditions somewhat circumscribed as to oppor- tunity, or that in 1874 he boarded a vessel bound for the United States. He located in Kearney county, Neb., where he took up a homestead of eighty acres, to which he added by a more recent purchase of a similar amount. In 1889 he removed to Oregon, and in April located on one hundred and eighty acres be- tween Needy and Monitor. Mr. Schneider fell rapidly into American ways, learned the lan- guage with moderate rapidity, and in all ways has shown himself adaptive and progressive. Seventy acres of his land are under cultivation, general farming is engaged in, and comfortable and convenient barns, outhouses. and a rural residence have been erected by the present owner.

The wife of Mr. Schneider, who accompan- ied him to America, was formerly Maria Ber- ringer, a native of Saxony, and whose father, Mike, was born in the same part of the king- dom, and was a farmer and tailor by occupa- tion. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schneider, of whom Alfred lives near his father: Arthur is a resident of Oregon City; Paul is living at home; Bertha is now

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Mrs. Bremer; and Minnie, the oldest in the family, is the wife of Carl Schultz of Port- land. Mr. Schneider is independent in pol- itics, and has pronounced views in regard to trusts, corporations, and general government of the masses. He believes in conditions where everyone has equal chances providing they know enough to avail themselves of them.

CARL E. SWANSON. Industry and perse- verance are essential factors to success in any line of business, and it is the application of these qualities that has brought prosperity to Mr. Swanson, the capable superintendent of the Portland Linseed Oil Mill. Mr. Swanson, who is of Swedish descent, is a son of Peter Swanson, who followed farming in the old country. Bringing his family to America in 1878, he settled in Burlington, Iowa, and there his death occurred. The mother, Louisa (Peterson) Swanson, was also a native of Sweden, and she also passed away in Iowa. The parents were Lutherans in their religious belief, and in this faith they trained their seven children, of whoin five are living. One son besides Carl makes his home on the coast, August Swanson, who follows the molder's trade in Astoria.

The oldest child in the parental family, Carl Swanson was early trained to help in the duties that always fall to the lot of a farmer's son. His birth occurred September 8, 1862, in the city of Erbrug, Sweden, and there until six- teen years of age he made his home, attend- ing school and, as previously stated, giving a helping hand in such work as his time and strength permitted. Coming to America with the family in 1878, and locating in Burlington, Iowa, he immediately set about to assume the responsibility of gaining his own livelihood, and engaged in teaming and as a horseman. Mr. Swanson dates his acquaintance with the linseed oil business back to 1892, as it was in that year that he entered the employ of the National Linseed Oil Company in Burlington, Iowa. Beginning at the very lowest round in the ladder of success. he steadily rose, step by step, learning thoroughly the duties in each department, and this has been amply rewarded by the success that has been his in later years. Coming to Portland in 1899, he at once found work as engineer in the Portland Linseed Oil Mill, but after remaining in that capacity one year was promoted to the responsible position of superintendent of the entire mill, and this office he has since filled with credit to him- self and to the satisfaction of his superiors. Since his incumbency he has witnessed a vast increase in the business, the capacity of the

mill at the present time being one thousand bushels per day.

While a resident of Burlington, Iowa, Mr. Swanson was made an Odd Fellow, serving as past noble grand of Lodge No. 54, and was also identified with the Encampment. Other fraternal societies also claim him as member, among which are the Rebekahs, Red Men and Foresters of America, in the latter organization affiliating " with Court Columbia. Politically he is a Repub- lican, and in religion is a stanch believer in the principles as laid down by Martin Luther, as was his father before him.

CHARLES S. CHASE. During his many years in Clackamas county as mail carrier and farmer, Charles S. Chase has made himself a necessary adjunct to the well being of his neighborhood, and has gained an enviable rep- utation for reliability and enterprise. A native of Dakota, Waushara county, Wis., he was born July 2, 1856, and is a son of Harvey B. Chase, one of the well known pioneers of this county, and by occupation a drayman and blacksmith in Wisconsin. When the family started west they went to Nebraska by team, and from there took the train for San Fran- cisco, from which city they came by steamer to Portland, arriving August 2, 1873. However, before deciding to locate here Mr. Chase and his family made a tour of the Puget Sound country, but after arriving at Portland con- cluded that the Oregon country was better adapted to his purposes.

Soon after coming to Portland Harvey B. Chase carried out his intention in coming to the west, and purchased what was then known as the Thomas Corum homestead, three miles from Sandy. Upon this property he made his home for ten years, and at the expiration of that time disposed of his farm and located at Sandy, where he bought eighty-six acres. Here he continued his former success, and here his death occurred in 1894. He was a man of wide sympathies and great energy, and his public spiritedness led him to accept tendered political offices, one of the most important of which was that of county commissioner of Clackamas county for two years. His wife, Elizabeth (Shay) Chase, died January 1, 1900.

In his youth Charles S. Chase had the ad- vantage of a fair common school education, and of a fine agricultural training under his father. At the present time he owns seventy- six of the original eighty-six acres purchased by his sire, upon which he conducts general farming and stock raising. For four years he carried the mail from Sandy to Salmon, for two years served Uncle Sam in a similar ca-

BENJAMIN SUNDERLAND.

ALBERT SUNDERLAND.

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pacity between Sandy and Aims, and for the past five years has carried the mail to Salmon. He is a wide awake and enterprising mem- ber of the community, is identified with the Woodmen of the World, and in politics is a stanch Republican. For seven months during the latter part of 1887, and the forepart of 1888, he served the county as a member of the United States jury. He served as constable for two terms.

An important factor in the career of Mr. Chase has been the sympathy and help of his wife, who was formerly Annie Everson, and whom he married in Sandy. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chase, Amanda Blanche and Nettie Elva.

BENJAMIN SUNDERLAND. That pioneer element, whose unflagging zeal spanned the weary distance from east to west, and launched into the dormant but boundless possibilities of forest and prairie a conservative and splendid vitality, contained no more worthy additions to its ranks than Benjamin Sunderland. Born in Indiana, he was reared in a country where men are known for their real worth, where the pos- sibilities of youth are few. In those early days the boy did not spend his time attending school ; schooling was about the last thing thought of. As soon as the youth was old enough to be- come of any assistance he was at once set to work on the farm. At the age of twelve his father died and the principal part of the man- agement of the farm fell to young Benjamin. Thus the boyhood days of this intrepid pioneer were spent. laboring on the home place until 1841. In that year he went to Ohio, and a few years later removed to Cass county, Ill .. from there going to Mercer county, Mo. Two years later he located near Ottumwa, Wapello county. Iowa, and was one of the first thirteen to take up government land on the Keo- kuk prairie. There he broke a farm and con- tinued to live until the flood of 1851, when all his movable property was swept away. This

discouraged him as far as that part of the coun- try was concerned and he determined to seek a home on higher and drier land. With that plan in view he sold his farm, although at a sacrifice, and made preparations to migrate to the far west. In company with his wife and family of six children the start was made in the spring of 1852, via the plains, the only route known to the overland travelers in those days. Later the Sunderland party was joined by others until there was a large company, all animated by a common hope, and possessing a common cour- age, but there were none that bore their part with greater cheerfulness than did Mr. Sunder-

land and his wife. Mrs. Sunderland, who in maiden life was Miss Maria Elizabeth Schaffer, was a native of Pennsylvania, and went to Illi- nois in a very early day with her parents. Later they removed to Ohio, where her marriage to Mr. Sunderland occurred. This intrepid woman, of large heart and strong character, was built in a heroic mould, and in her daring and force and regard for duty, set an example for the others that did much to keep the courage of this band of pioneers from faltering. At no time in life had the husband and children greater cause for pride than during the journey to the west, when she managed all the preparations, and on the way bolstered up the courage of those around her. The family started with two wagons, with five yoke of oxen attached to each, a carriage drawn by two Canadian ponies, and a number of loose cattle. With the exception of one day during the entire trip, the mother drove the ponies. She managed the cooking for the com- pany. cared for the sick and was foremost in all efforts to improve the conditions with which the company was surrounded. After six months of travel, accompanied by hardships and priva- tions known only to those who have made the trip under similar conditions, the Sunderlands arrived at The Dalles, September 15, 1852. After considerable time had been spent in looking over the country, Mr. Sunderland decided to settle on the Columbia river bottom and accordingly purchased a claim on the Sandy road, as it is now called, but at that time there were no roads and few paths. All was a vast wilderness and it did indeed require a brave heart and strong body to succeed. He soon discovered that his purchase was not a good one, owing to the poor quality of the soil, so he disposed of his claim and with $750 purchased a man's right to a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres. This farm was on the Columbia slough road. about one mile east of what is now the vil- lage of Woodlawn. Here he started in to make a home for himself and family and many were the days that were spent in the forest hewing a way to fortune. As soon as enough land had been cleared he engaged in dairving and stock- raising, which occupation he followed all his life. Success crowned his efforts and no person was more worthy than he, who had twice founded a home in a new country. Later in life he added to his original purchase, until at the time of his death he owned four hundred and eleven and one-half acres. Mr. Sunderland was a man of remarkable vitality. and up to within a short time prior to his death he retained his health and mental faculties.

As a result of his union with Miss Maria Eliza- beth Schaffer, nine children were born. as fol- lows: Christine. now Mrs. Kelly of Yakima,

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Wash .; Albert, of Portland, whose life history will be found in the following sketch; Milton, also of Portland, a sketch of whom will be found upon another page: Eliza, the wife of William L. Farrell, whose sketch will be found upon an- other page of this volume: Lydia. the wife of I. N. Lott, of Woodlawn ; Rosa, now Mrs. Gup- ton. of Sacramento, Cal .; Harriet. Mrs. Pad- dock, also of Woodlawn; Mary, Mrs. Mock, of U'niversity Park : and Frances, the wife of Adam Fleckenstein, of Woodlawn.

Mr. Sunderland was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, but was a man who never took an active part in political affairs, preferring to devote his whole time and attention to the management of his own affairs.

While there are many pioneers of this great northwest who have become more prominently connected with public affairs, none were more de- serving of respect and confidence than Mr. Stin- derland. A man who at all times stood ready and willing to do everything in his power for the betterment of the community in which he lived, he nevertheless was one who thought that a man's duty was to his family and here he was generally found, for it was here he found his greatest happiness. He died in December, 1896, honored and respected by all. His noble wife. who lived to reach the age of seventy-three years, was also mourned by all who knew her.

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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 45

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