Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 46

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 46

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It would be impossible in the short space we have to say all that could be said of these two worthy pioneers, but in closing this brief review we will say that Oregon contained none whose lives and deeds are more worthy of emulation than those of Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland.

ALBERT SUNDERLAND. Oregon is the home of many men whose place of birth was on the eastern side of the Rockies, men who recall the long tedious trip made when a youth. These men had few advantages as compared with the vonth of today and yet they are the men who have redeemed Oregon from a howling wilder- ness and made it one of the great states of the U'nion. One of these is Albert Sunderland, a son of Benjamin Sunderland, a sketch of whom will be found upon the preceding pages. A native of Illinois, Mr. Sunderland was born in Beards- town. Cass county, January 24, 1840. Prior to the migration of the family to the Pacific coast. young .Albert was reared in Illinois and Iowa. His educational advantages were very meager, for the necessity of self support confronted even his immature years. His childhood and youth were made up of a succession of arduons tasks. of little diversion, and stern attendance to duty and responsibility. In this hard school was de-

veloped the traits of character which have been the basis for his success in life, and which have rendered him self-reliant and resourceful. With the exception of a few months spent now and then in the mines of Idaho, he remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age. In 1861 he started with saddle and pack horse for the scene of the mining excitement of Ori- fena. The following year he went to Florence with a pack, but no saddle horse, and this expe- dition necessitated continual use of what is known as shank's horse, for in truth Mr. Sun- derland walked about four hundred miles. His efforts, however, met with success, and by hard labor, strict attention to duty and economy, he was able to save a sufficient sum with which to make a start in life.

At the age of twenty-four Mr. Sunderland was united in marriage with Miss Susan Fitzgerald, who was born in Kansas, and came to Oregon in 1852 with her parents. There were seven children in the family at the time, and they were made desolate by the death of both parents while on their way to this country. The children were thus obliged to finish the trip in charge of the hired men employed by their party. Thrce chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland, of whom Nellie died at the age of eight months ; George is interested in mining with headquar- ters at Portland ; and Minnie is now Mrs. Clark of San Francisco.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Sunderland en- gaged in logging in the Columbia slough for a couple of years, while the following two years were spent in farming and dairying. In the year 1870 he entered upon an extensive cattle business on the range in Yakima county. Wash. Here for the next seven years he carried on the cattle business on a large scale and his Frand, an " S." became a very familiar one on the reservation. During three years of this time he was employed by the government to teach agriculture to the Indians under that well known old Indian agent, Father Wilbur. a Metho list Episcopal bishop. His cattle venture was a success in face of the fact that he had to pay Si per head for pasturage. an exorbitant price, and when he sokl out in 1888 he had a good margin of profit to show for the time thuis spent.

Returning to Portland Mr. Sunderland spent a little time resting, but his nature was not one of those that felt content when idle, and in 1880 he purchased eight hundred acres of land on what is known as Sauvie's Island. in the Colum- bia river. This he stocked with all grades of cattle and for the following seventeen years he was actively engaged in the raising of cattle for the markets. His enterprise was conducted along

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broad and progressive lines, and he became known as one of the best known stock and dairy- men in this section of the Pacific northwest. Not- withstanding that his venture had proved a very profitable one, Mr. Sunderland disposed of his interests on the island in 1897, and located in the city of Portland, where he had purchased one of the most beautiful residences that the city con- tained. Situated on the heights back of the city proper, the view from the house is one of the most beautiful to be seen, and this together with the beautiful grounds makes his home an ideal place in which to spend the declining years of a hitherto active life.

Some time after disposing of his cattle inter- ests. Mr. Sunderland stepped into the absorbing occupation of mining, and was a fortunate sharer in the good fortune that came to the few. but was missed by the many, during the excitement of 1897. In addition to his mining, with keen foresight he recognized the fact that the thou- sands who were rushing to the Klondike would have to eat, and realizing that where money was so plenty prices would be high, he accordingly purchased seven thousand pounds of provisions and when the Elder made its second trip, Mr. Sunderland was one of its passengers, and in addition to his stock of provisions he had seven head of large oxen, and with these for motive power he conveyed his stock of provisions to Lake Bennett, where he spent the winter. Here he engaged in the restaurant business and in the spring his entire supply was gone and he was $4,000 to the good. Just as soon as he could close out his business he continued on to Dawson and here engaged in mining, but for a short time only, as the severe winter just passed had been too much for one who for years had been ac- customed to the mild winters of Oregon, and he was forced to return to Portland. In 1899 he made another trip to the frozen north to visit his son, who he understood was ill, but on arrival he found him in good health and after a few days spent visiting his son he returned home, where he has since lived a retired life, and no man in Portland is more entitled to the rest than he.

At all times a man who has been very deeply interested in public affairs, Mr. Sunderland has clone all in his power to further any movement that was calculated to prove of benefit to his adopted state. Recognizing his worth and ability, Governor Pennoyer appointed him state dairy commissioner, which office he filled with much credit to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In political belief Mr. Sunderland is thoroughly Democratic, but has never been a man that cared for political honors, preferring rather to devote his whole time and attention to his varied husi-

ness interests. Fraternally he is a Mason. hold- ing membership in Columbia Lodge No. 114, to which he was transferred from Columbia Lodge No. 42.

PERCY R. WINSTON. The name of Win- ston in Clackamas county was first and most prominently associated with James Winston, who, at the time of his death, in May, 1892. left behind him an honorable name, a large estate, and the example of an industrious, well applied life. Mr. Winston was born in Rich- mond, Va., in October, 1824, and his youth and early manhood were uneventfully passed among the historic surroundings of the south- ern city. His practical independence was in- augurated at the age of twenty-two, when he started away from home, resolved that hence- forth he would depend solely upon his own exertions. At St. Joseph, Mo., he joined a party of others as ambitious and venturesome as himself, and with mules and wagons crossed the plains to Oregon. His trip was prolific of adventure, danger and hair breadth escapes, and of the deprivations which were the her- itage of all who claimed a livelihood in the west.

After a short time in Portland, Mr. Winston located in Oregon City, but soon took up a donation claim of six hundred and twenty acres, five miles from Oregon City. Here he lived and farmed for several years, but in 1860 removed into Oregon City, which continued to be his home for some years. He was county clerk for four years, and for awhile in the city engaged in a general merchandise busi- ness, later still becoming interested in the steamboat business on the Willamette river. In 1872 he felt an inclination to return to farming, and the quiet and peace associated with this occupation, and to satisfy his desire removed to a farm of two hundred and sixty acres one mile from Damascus, which was known as the John S. Fisher donation claim. There were some improvements on the place, but to these Mr. Winston added as time and means permitted, and on the whole was suc- cessful and prosperous from many standpoints. He made numerous friends in the west, and he was regarded as a worthy and public spirited citizen.

The controlling interest of the Winston farm, which at present consists of two hundred acres, is owned by Percy R. Winston, who was born while the family lived in Oregon City, May 27. 1870. When the family fortunes were shifted to the farm near Damascus, he was but two years of age, and his life has therefore been passed among agricultural rather than city sur-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

roundings. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and for some years has made a specialty of hog raising. A Republican in political affiliation, he has never desired or been willing to accept official recognition, but has rather devoted his time and energies prin- cipally to the management of his farm. Be- sides himself, there were in his father's family the following children: James R., of Seattle, Wash .; Julian J., living in Pendleton, Ore. ; Mrs. W. T. Chalk, of Seattle, Wash .; Mrs. L. G. Demert. of Spokane ; and Mrs. W. H. Cook. of Oregon City. Mrs. Winston was, in maiden life, Mary E., daughter of H. Johnson. Mr. Johnson came to Oregon in 1845, being sent to this country as a minister. Mrs. Winston passed away in 1896.

JOHN R. MORTON. Many native sons of Ohio have contributed to the substantial de- velopment of the western states, and Oregon has its quota of representatives from a part of the United States which has sent forth from its homes presidents as well as agriculturists. Among the latter class of public benefactors in Clackamas county may be mentioned J. R. Morton, carpenter, miller, politician, and all around man of affairs, who was born in San- dusky, Ohio, November 29, 1848, and who was reared and educated among his home sur- roundings. Andrew Morton, the father of J. R., was a pioneer of the section of country around Sandusky, to which he removed from West Virginia when a young man, and where he was accounted one of the prosperous and highly reliable members of the community. Mr. Morton married Nancy Thompson, a na- tive of New Hampshire, and she became the mother of three children. Her death occurred in 1863.

After the death of his father in February, 1860, J. R. Morton remained on the home farm for a year, lie having in the meantime fortified himself for future effort by learning the trade of carpentering. For three years he followed his trade in Ohio, during which time he spent considerable time on the home farm, but he was ambitious of broader fields, and seemed to sce in the far west the opportunity for which he sought. Embarking at New York for Pan- ama, he crossed the Isthmus, and re-embarked upon a steamer bound for Portland. After an unsatisfactory trial at Salem, Mr. Morton soon after located in Oregon City, where he found employment in a sawmill for six years, at the expiration of which time he turned attention to his trade until 1886. The same year lie purchased one hundred and eighty-four acres of land, of which he has since disposed of a

portion, and now has one hundred and sixty- three acres. At the time of purchase there were some improvements on the property, but the present owner has materially added to these advantages, and has cleared about thirty- five acres from timber and undergrowth, and this added to the number of acres that were cleared, makes a total of about sixty acres under cultivation. Mr. Morton is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and his methods of conducting his business are ad- vanced and progressive.

The wife of Mr. Morton, whom he married in 1875, was formerly Ella A. Hatch, a native of Iowa and the daughter of S. B. Hatch. She died July 18, 1896, leaving three children, Frank, Eugenia and Percy. Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Hatch came to Oregon in 1873 and set- tled on Sandy Ridge, Clackamas county. Both are now deceased. Mrs. Hatch was, before marriage, Abeline Ashley, a native of New York state, as was Mr. Hatch.

A stanch Republican, Mr. Morton has served his party in various ways, and always to the distinct advantage of the commonwealth. For a year he was marshal of Oregon City, alder- man for four years, and county commissioner for four years, or from 1898 until 1902. For a number of years he was supervisor of the county, and was a school director for nine years. Fraternally he is associated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

WILLIAM C. PREMUS. The mills of the North Pacific Lumber Company are ably man- aged by Mr. Premus, who as general superin- tendent guards the interests of the firm with a jealous eye. He was born in Niagara Falls. N. Y., September 3, 1860, the son of Martin and Bertha Premus, both of whom were of German descent. The father was born in Ger- many, but upon coming to this country at first located in New York. Later. however, he re- moved to Youngstown, Niagara county, N. Y., where his death occurred in December, 1902. Of the eleven children born to this couple eight are living and William C. is the only one of the number who makes his home on the coast. Being next to the oldest in this large family he was of great assistance to his father in the conduct of the farm, and until twenty years of age he gave his father the benefit of his ser- vices, during the winter season attending the public schools and gaining such an education as the schools of the district afforded.

Going to Saginaw, Mich., in 1880, for one year he had charge of the planing department of the Wheeler shipyard. Next locating at Cleveland, Ohio, for eight or nine years he

Staniesie

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was employed in the Ransom planing mill, but finally began in business on his own account as a contractor and builder, and during the five years in which he was thus engaged he also studied architecture. Going to Ogden, Utah, in the fall of 1888, for three years he followed architecture and was superintendent of construction. The milling business next engaged his attention and in 1891 he entered the employ of Van Woert & Co., mantel manti- facturers in San Francisco, and later he was with Bush & Mallett, where he had charge of the mills and also was designer of furniture. As superintendent of the mill and furniture factory of the Bibb Lumber Company of San Francisco he gave his time and attention for the following two years, or until the plant was destroyed by fire, when, in August, 1900, he was transferred to Portland, where from Au- gust, 1900, until 1902, he was superintendent of the planers and band sawyers for the North Pacific Lumber Company. Since August, 1902, he has filled the position of superintendent of the entire plant in a faithful and trustworthy manner. Mr. Premus is well qualified to fill the responsible position which he holds, as he is a master mechanic of no mean ability, and the North Pacific Lumber Company have good cause to congratulate themselves that they were so fortunate as to secure his valuable ser- vices. Mr. Premus has traveled quite exten- sively, having visited nearly every state and territory in the Union, besides British Colum- bia and Canada. In political affairs he gives the weight of his influence in favor of the Dem- ocratic party. In January, 1903, he was made a Mason in Willamette Lodge No. 2. A. F. & A. M., of Portland.

JAMES PHILLIPPE TAMIESIE, M. D. During the nineteenth century, when a colony of French people crossed the ocean to America, among the number came Jean Baptiste Tamiesie, who settled near Syracuse, N. Y., and became interested in the salt works there. During later years he removed to Iowa and engaged in farm pursuits near Council Bluffs, where his death occurred. His son, John B., Jr., was born near Syracuse, and in early manhood visited Michigan and Wisconsin on a prospecting tour, after which he settled on a farm in Iowa. In addition to cultivating his land he engaged in building and contracting. During 1879 he settled in Oregon, where he was employed at contracting with the Oregon Iron and Steel Company in Oswego. Retiring from that occupation in 1882, he settled on a farm three miles from Hillsboro, and there he still lives, a hale and well-preserved veteran of life's battles. His marriage united him with

Phillipene Goffette, who was born in France and accompanied her parents to America, set- tling in Dubuque, Iowa. Ten children were born of this marriage, eight of whom are living, name- ly: J. Henry, a mechanical and electrical en- gineer living in Seattle, Wash .; James Phillippe, a practicing physician and a large rancher in Hillsboro; Victor, a merchant and contractor in East Portland ; Augustus E., M. D., a graduate of the Willamette University at Salem, and now a member of the state asylum staff ; George W., M. D., also a graduate of the Oregon State Uni- versity, and now engaged in practice at Albina, Ore .; Joseph and Marie, who reside with their parents ; and Mrs. William Rileng, of Wash- ington county.

Near Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dr. Tamiesie was born November 14. 1861. During boyhood he lived near Dubuque and attended the schools of that county. When sixteen he came to Oregon, and afterward aided his father in contracting and was employed by the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. In 1882 he began to teach school in Columbia county, Wash., which occupation he followed there and in Washington and Clacka- mas counties, Ore. About 1885 he took up the study of medicine and physiology, which he later prosecuted in the medical department of the Ore- gon State University, graduating in 1889 with the degree of M. D. His initial experience as a practitioner was gained near Spokane, Wash., where he was surgeon for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and practiced medicine for three years. Returning to Oregon, in 1892 he settled in Hills- boro, where he has since practiced medicine and surgery. Since settling here he has taken post- graduate courses in Washington, Chicago and New York, by which means he has been enabled to keep in touch with the latest developments and discoveries in therapeutics. Since its organ- ization he has been a member and secretary of the United States board of pension examiners, at Hillsboro, Ore., and is also surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railroad here. He is vice- president of the State Medical Society and sec- retary of the Washington County Medical So- ciety.

In Washington county, Ore., Dr. Tamiesie married Ruth A. Wilcox, who was born near Reno, Nev., being a daughter of J. W. Wilcox. a pioneer of California, Nevada and Oregon, and now living near Greenville. Dr. and Mrs. Tam- iesie are the parents of two children, Lura Babette and Kenneth Leon. Mrs. Tamiesie fin- ished her education at the State Normal School and is an active worker in the Congregational Church. Fraternally Dr. Tamiesie is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he

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is a Republican. For three terms he has served as a member of the city council of Hillsboro.

The practice of his profession does not rep- resent the circumference, although it is the cen- ter, of Dr. Tamiesie's activities. One of his im- portant interests is as owner of various grain and dairy farms, two of which, comprising nearly four hundred acres, lie in close proximity to Hillsboro. As a dairyman he is modern and advanced in all of his methods. One of his recent improvements, and the first in the state of Oregon, was the introduction of machinery for the condensing of milk and the evaporation of cream, particular attention being given to the latter industry. The business of which he is the head is transacted under the name of the Oregon Condensed Milk Company. Over one hundred and fifty cows are kept in the dairy, which promises, when brought to its fullest de- velopment, to be one of the profitable industries of this locality. This plant, which was opened for work January 13. 1903, has the distinction of turning out the first product of its kind in the state of Oregon.

WILLIAM BLOUNT. One of the oldest living pioneers of Clackamas county is Will- iam Blount, for many years retired from agri- cultural activity, but formerly a large land owner and most successful business man. Mr. Blount is interestingly reminiscent of the very early days of Oregon, and recalls his many experiences as a hunter with great relish. In those days the woods abounded in deer and other desirable and wary game, and it was a frequent occurrence for him to shoulder a gun and wander forth in search of wild food. Like so many of the upbuilders of Oregon he came here with little save a superabundance of en- ergy and a rooted determination to succeed, and that he has done so is due solely to his own individual efforts.

A native of the vicinity of Hillsboro, High- land county, Ohio, Mr. Blount was born Feb- ruary 18, 1829, and is a son of Solomon and Katherine ( Richard) Blount, natives respec- tively of Virginia and Kentucky, and the lat- ter of whom died in Illinois at the age of thirty-six. Solomon Blount removed from Vir- ginia to Ohio when a young man, settling in Highland county, and later located in De Witt county, 111 .. where he bought two hundred and eighty acres of land, upon which his death occurred at the age of forty-five. William was the second youngest of the five sons and three daughters born into this family, and what early education he managed to secure was at the district schools. He was left dependent upon his own resources at the age of fifteen,

and from then worked at whatever he could get to do, but principally in the country. In the meantime he had worked up considerable enthusiasm on the subject of the west, and his opportunity to go there came when he was about twenty-three, or in 1852. He crossed the Missouri river May 22, and after six months of dreary and dangerous journeying across the plains with ox teams arrived in Oregon September 16, 1852. The same year he set- tled near Canby, Clackamas county, and took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, upon which he made fine im- provements, and where he lived until 1866. He then bought a half section of land north of his original claim, moved his family there, and inaugurated the same modern improvements which he had placed on his former farm. This continued to be his home and pride, until the responsibility was too great for his waning powers, and in 1891 he disposed of all his land and built a nice little cottage on a fifty-two acre tract of land. Here he lived in retirement until the spring of 1903, when he moved to Portland, taking up his residence at No. 720 Rodney avenue.

In Illinois Mr. Blount was united in mar- riage with Carrie Ellis, who was born in Illi- nois, near Mount Carmel, Wabash county, and who died in Clackamas county in 1861. The father of Mrs. Blount was John Ellis, who was born in Scotland, and who emigrated to America, settling in Illinois when a young man. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blount : Dudley R., of Astoria, Wash .; Sarah Catherine, of Oregon City : John Frank- lin, of Oregon City ; George W., of California ; William Albert, of Oregon City: Mary, the wife of Frank Barlow, of Oregon City ; Martha Jane, now Mrs. Charles Kelly, of Oregon City ; and Anna, now Mrs. Olson, of Spokane, Wash. The second marriage of Mr. Blount occurred in Clackamas county, Ore., and was with Mrs. Elizabeth Walker, who was born in Shrop- shire, England. Mr. Blount has been a Re- publican ever since the establishment of that party, and in Oregon he has been a member of the school board for twenty-two years. He served as road supervisor for one term. He has been a very enterprising and reliable citi- zen, and has come to the front in all matters pertaining to the development of his adopted state.

GEORGE HOFFMAN, farmer of Clacka- mas county, and ex-soldier during the Civil war, was born in Washington county, Ind., March 18, 1834. a son of Philip and Mary (Pursell) Hoffman, both of whom died in

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Iowa. The youth and early manhood of George Hoffman were spent on his father's farm and in 1852 he removed to Iowa, going from there in 1859 to Missouri, and later go- ing to Nebraska. March 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company L, First Missouri Cavalry, and for a time was engaged in guerilla warfare in Missouri. During his three years and seven days' service, he participated in all of the im- portant engagements in connection with the efforts to capture Price, and was finally mus- tered out and honorably discharged at St. Louis, Mo.

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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 46

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