Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 53

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 53

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of the Christian Church and contribute to the extent of their means toward the charities and maintenance of that organization.

P. J. HENNEMANN. Should the bottom fall out of his thrifty little strawberry business, P. J. Hennemann could make a comfortable liv- ing for himself and family by manufacturing footwear, a trade learned in his native country of Germany, where he was born in Prussia, De- cember 7. 1840. He comes of a family numer- ously represented among the trades, and his father, John Hennemann, was a carpenter, con- tractor and builder, who achieved considerable success while engaging also in farming. He lived to be seventy-eight years of age. His wife, Mary ( Christman) Hennemann. was also born in Prussia, and bore him six children, of whom P. J. is the youngest. The successful strawberry grower of the vicinity of Milwaukee came to America when twenty-six years of age, and in 1866 settled in Quincy, Ill., where he plied his trade of shoemaker. In 1870 he removed to Mis- souri, and in Kansas City made shoes uninter- ruptedly for eleven years, thereafter in 1882 com- ing to Oregon, which has since been his home.

At Milwaukee Mr. Hennemann bought eleven acres of uncultivated land, upon which he started in to raise prunes, cherries, potatoes and apples, and also built a comfortable residence for him- self and family. Of late years he has devoted his land almost exclusively to strawberry cul- ture, he having found that this berry brings the best prices, and yields the largest interest for labor involved. The land has the natural ad- vantage of a tireless spring, and the soil has proved particularly adapted to the development of luscious and much desired strawberries. More than he ever anticipated, Mr. Hennemann has accumulated a competence for himself by wise investment and indefatigable energy, and con- sidering the fact that upon landing in this country he had $26, he is certainly to be congratulated for his wise disposal of American chances.

In 1870 Mr. Hennemann returned to his native land and married Elizabeth Frederick, whose father, Philip, was a cabinet maker most of his life, and who died in Prussia at the age of sixty years. Also while among the surroundings of his youth, Mr. Hennemann looked up his rela- tives and friends, but a renewal of old associa- tions did not dampen his enthusiasm for the land of his adoption, to which he gladly returned with his newly wedded wife. While rearing a family of three sons and two daughters, this same wife has been a source of great help and comfort to her husband, and by her economy and cheerfulness has materially aided him in bring- ing about his success. Of the children, Henry,

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a painter by trade, lives in Portland; Rudolph, a traveling salesman, has his headquarters in Portland : Albert is living at home ( the two last named have ten acres of land adjoining that of their father. which is devoted to berries and clover) ; Clara resides in Spokane, Wash .; and Catherine, a dressmaker by trade, lives at home. Mr. Hennemann possesses the most desirable traits of his countrymen, is gracious and affable, sincere and enterprising, and has many friends in his adopted town.

JONATHAN MOAR. The Land of the Thistle has produced no more sturdy representa- tive than is to be found in Mr. Moar, and a short account of his life may be perused with interest. Born in 1829, his early life was spent in his native land, and when fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to the Hudson Bay Company to learn the blacksmith's trade, remaining with the company for five years as a journeyman. In 1850, still in the employ of that company, he crossed the plains to Vancouver, Wash., but after five montlis' residence there he changed his location and line of employment, going to the gold fields of California and engaging in pros- pecting and mining for eight months. Subse- quently he engaged in fitting up pack trains for the miners and found this a remunerative occu- pation, but was compelled to cease operations in this line on account of the Indian outbreak against the whites. Enlisting as a volunteer in the defense of the latter, he did valiant service in their behalf in the Rogue river war in 1853.

Subsequently Mr. Moar came to Multnomah county and settled on Sauvie's Island, and with its interests he has since been identified. Here he was united in marriage with Mrs. Isabelle Loggie, the widow of James Loggie, both of whom were natives of Scotland. In many re- spects Mrs. Moar had a busy and interesting life. In 1841 she came to this country with her first husband, settling in Multnomah county, and was the first white woman to settle in this sec- tion. In the early days she endeared herself in the hearts of the Indians by her many acts of kindness and also by ministering to them in times of sickness. At one time Indian measles broke out in their community and she gave her services gratis and unstintingly, doing all in her power for their relief. So grateful were her tawny neighbors that they relieved her of her household duties on every occasion possible. In- deed, so valuable were her services that she was engaged as assistant to Dr. Bartley, who was stationed there by the Hudson Bay Company to minister to the physical ailments of the Indians. Mr. Loggie was employed by the company as overseer of the island and here lie took up a

donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, which is now incorporated in Mr. Moar's home- stead.

Mr. and Mrs. Moar became the parents of six children, of whom we make the following men- tion : James is deceased; Thomas resides on Sauvie's Island; Ann became the wife of Charles Wilson, a lumberman of Aberdeen, Wash. ; Jonathan, Jr., carries on a general stock and dairy business on the old homestead. where his birth occurred; Belle became the wife of Richard Clemens, and they also make their home on Sauvie's Island ; Mary died in infancy. After a comparatively short life Mrs. Moar passed to her reward in 1871, when only forty-eight years old. Her life had been one of good deeds and her works do follow her. for among the Indians she scattered seeds of her faith which bore fruit in their lives. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church and assisted materially in its maintenance. By his second marriage, which united him with Nannie Fox, Mr. Moar had three children, Jemima. Ida and one who died in infancy. Besides assisting his son in the con- duct of the farm he is interested in blacksmithing to some extent, having a shop on his ranch. His community has had the benefit of his sup- port and judgment for many years, and this has been especially true of his services in the capa- cities of school clerk and director.

CHARLES F. BARRETT. One and a half miles south of Middleton is the sixty acre farm of Charles F. Barrett, forty-five acres of which have been cleared of timber and brush, and made to serve the best use of an enterprising and thor- oughly practical agriculturist. Mr. Barrett raises some stock, but his principal crop is hops, an. article of commerce for which his land is admir- ably adapted.

A native of Lynn, Mass., Mr. Barrett was born May 18, 1858, and lived in his native state until his seventeenth year. His father, Frank Barrett, was a shoemaker by trade, an industrious man and capable worker, who left his little shop to participate in the war of Rebellion. He fought bravely and well in the front ranks of many a battle, and for his valor met his death from a wound received in the conflict. He married Mary E. Hawks, and to them were born five children, the mother still living and making her home in the vicinity of Portland, Me. Charles F. left his Massachusetts home when seventeen years old and went into Vermont, where he was employed on a farm by the month for about four years. He then came to Oregon, settled in his present neighborhood and married Mary Weeks, who was born on her father's donation claim in Oregon. Her parents were married in

W. a. Montgomery

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Illinois and in 1852 crossed the plains and settled near Butteville, Clackamas county, where the father took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres. This remained their home until after the death of Mrs. Weeks, when Mr. Weeks made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Barrett, until he, too, was called to his final reward. Soon after his marriage Mr. Barrett came into pos- session of his present farm near Middleton. This farm comprises sixty acres of land, the greater part of which was wild and timbered at the time he settled thereon, but of which forty- five acres have been placed under cultivation. Mr. Barrett's principal source of revenue con- sists of hops. He is an enterprising and suc- cessful manipulator of the agricultural advan- tages of Washington county. and enjoys an enviable reputation for neatness, thrift and business sagacity. Mr. Barrett has several out- side interests, among them being his responsi- bility as representative of the Hop Growers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Butteville.

In politics independent, Mr. Barrett has never striven for official recognition. Fraternally he is associated with the Woodmen of the World and the Artisans. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barrett: Frank, Jennie, WVillo, Stuart, Mary, Charles and Wister.

WILLIAM A. MONTGOMERY. A cred- itable and profitable farming enterprise is being maintained near Mountaindale, Washington county, by William A. Montgomery, who owns one hundred and fifty acres of land, all of the improvements of which are due to his own exer- tions. Mr. Montgomery is a native of Daviess county, Mo., was born August 22, 1840, and was reared on farms in Missouri and Indiana, to which latter state he went with his parents when four years of age. His father, Archibald, was fairly successful as a farmer and stock-raiser in the middle west, and in 1864 thought to im- prove the prospects of himself and family by re- moval to the coast. Accordingly with his wife and four children hie set out with ox teams, and accomplished the overland journey in five months and twenty-one days, arriving in Clackamas county, near Foster, in October. For three months the father lived in Linn county, and Feb- ruary 1, 1865, came to Cornelius, Washington county, and bought two hundred and sixteen acres of land, upon a portion of which Cornelius is now built. This property he sold to Benja- min Holliday, representing the Oregon & Cali- fornia Railroad Company, who laid out the town site thereon in 1872. Mr. Montgomery engaged in farming and stock-raising, but eventually re- tired to East Portland, where his death occurred in 1892, in his seventy-fourth year.

Until his marriage in 1872, with Mary Shan- non, William A. Montgomery lived with his father, and with him shared the responsibilities connected with the various farms owned by the latter. His wife died in 1881, leaving one child, and in 1886 he was united in marriage with Nettie Leisy, of which union there have been born seven children: Charles E., Eva, Archie S., Elsie, Ray W., Cynthia May, and Vida. Mr. Montgomery has by no means led a narrow or self centered life, but has taken a keen interest in all that pertains to the general development of his adopted locality. In politics a Republican, he has held a number of minor offices, including that of school director.

JOEL S. OTIS. Among the farmers who have come from far off Maine and directed their stanch energies to the development of Multno- mah county, none is held in higher esteem than is Joel S. Otis, owner of a well-improved and profitable farm near Pleasant Home.

In Somerset county, Me., where he was born January 14, 1833, Mr. Otis was reared to farm- ing, and educated at the public schools. At the age of eighteen he supplemented his agricultural knowledge with that of the carpenter's trade, at which he worked intermittently in connection with a steamer interest, until 1854. This year marked his departure for the prolific advantages of the coast, which he reached by way of the Isthmus. After spending some time working at his trade near San Francisco, in Napa valley, he later tried his luck in mining in Placer county, Cal., eventually finding his way to Virginia City and the surrounding mines. His failures far outstripping his successes as a miner, he returned to California, which continued to be his home until his removal to Powell Valley. Ore., in 1861, subsequently removing to Gresham. There he bought a piece of land and combined farming with the application of his trade until 1869, in which year he bought the farm of one hundred and five acres upon which he has since worked and lived. General farming and stock-raising have netted him fair returns for labor and time invested, and he has come to regard the state of his adoption as worthy the metal of even the most ambitious.

An important factor in the success of Mr. Otis has been the help and encouragement of his wife, who was formerly Sarah Cornett, and whom he married in 1862. Five children were born of this union, all of whom are deceased, the order of their birth being as follows: Ella, Theresa, Mary. Etta, and Sarah. The second marriage of Mr. Otis was solemnized in 1889. and was with Elizabeth Geiger, widow of Shep- leigh Geiger, and daughter of John Shull. Mr.

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Otis is a Republican in political preference, and has not only rendered efficient service as a school director, but has contributed largely towards the building and improvement of the roads in his vi- cinity. He is treasurer of Multnomah Grange, No. 71, and is also its past master, and he is otherwise identified with social and business interests in the county. An honorable, intelligent, and public spirited citizen, he enjoys the respect of all who know him.

JAMES McCLARAN. From pioneer times clown to the present James McClaran has been a witness of Oregon's development, growth and progress. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, October 31, 1835, and represented a family of farming people. His parents removed to Indi- ana about 1850 and afterward became residents of Guthrie county, Iowa, where they spent their remaining days. Unto them were born eleven children, the subject of this review being the third in order of birth. At the usual age he entered the district schools and mastered the branches of English learning usually taught in such institutions. He also became familiar with the work of field and meadow, for from the time of early spring planting until crops were har- vested in the late autumn he assisted in the work upon the home farm. When he had reached man's estate he wedded Matilda Reynolds, a native of Indiana, and they remained residents of Iowa until 1863, when, believing that they might better their financial condition in the newly developed but growing northwest, they came to Oregon, traveling in the usual manner of emigrants at that time. They had nine yoke of oxen, and for about six months were upon the way, but at length the long and tiresome journey was completed and the family were comfortably located upon a farm near Forest Grove. After living there for three years Mr. McClaran secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres beside his present place of residence. Here he has one hundred and nine acres under cultivation and in addition to this he owns a quarter section of land in Tillamook county. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and today has a well improved place, the present fine condition being the visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift. His home is a mod- ern and substantial residence, in the rear of which stand good barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of stock and grain, and these in turn are surrounded by fine fields of grain. The place is pleasantly and conveniently located in Gales Creek valley, about a mile southwest of the Giales Creek postoffice.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McClaran were born the following children : John, of Washington county;

Henry, who has passed away : Samuel, who died in Iowa; Mary, wife of Lewis Peterson, who is living near The Dalles; Jane, Mrs. Hiett, of Tillamook; Ida, and Nancy, both deceased ; and Maggie, wife of Carr Iler, of Washington county. The parents have a large circle of warm friends in this portion of the state where they have resided since pioneer times, their resi- dence here covering forty years. Within this period much of the land has been reclaimed by the white man and transformed into productive farms which have become the homes of a con- tented and prosperous people. In all other lines of progress and improvement there has been marked advancement and the county of today bears little resemblance to the district in which Mr. McClaran located four decades ago. For a number of years he has been a member of the school board and the cause of education has found in him a faithful and helpful friend. He also served as supervisor for a number of years and he votes with the Republican party, believ- ing firmly in its principles.

GEORGE KNIERIEM. Various parts of the United States have profited by the industry and capability of George Knieriem, at present the owner of eighty acres of land in Multnomah county, and one of the practical and successful farmers of his locality. Born in Germany in the year 1844, he was six years of age when he came to America with his father, John Knier- iem, his mother, Elizabeth, having died in the Fatherland. For six years father and son were residents of Philadelphia, after which they re- moved to Dane county, Wis., where the father settled on a farm and reared his son to an agri- cultural life. The youth attended the district schools as opportunity permitted, at the same time performing his share towards the family support. While a resident of Philadelphia John Knieriem married Catherine Miller, a native of Germany.

The breaking out of the Civil war found Mr. Knieriem working in his father's Dane county fields, and in July, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the Third Wisconsin Battery for three years, and was in the Army of the Cumberland and a part of the Fourth and Fourteenth army corps under General Thomas. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, and others of equal interest, numbering in all eighteen battles and skirmishes. Eventually he joined Sherman's army, and was with the famous commander as far as Jonesboro, and was discharged from a meritorious service in July, 1865.

After the war Mr. Knieriem returned to Wis- consin for a short time, afterwards living in Webster county, Iowa, for two years, and near

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Hannibal, Mo., for two years. At Burlington, Iowa, he worked in a furniture factory for about two years, afterward finding employment in an iron foundry, where he remained until 1872. The same year Mr. Knieriem removed to Fremont county, Iowa, and lived on a farm, and in 1882 took up land in South Dakota upon which he lived for eight years. In 1896 he located on the eighty acre farm which is now his home, having previously spent some time in the neighborhood at various occupations. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and has every reason to rejoice that his lines should have fallen in such profitable and promising places.

The wife of Mr. Knieriem was formerly Emily B. Trobec, and of their union there have been born ten children, all of whom are living, the order of their birth being as follows: Addie, who married W. F. Bellrood, and resides in Washing- ton county, Ore .. Frank, Benjamin L., John R., William E., Fred D., Chester L., George T., Robert, and Bessie. Mr. Knieriem is a member of the Grange, and is regarded as one of the high-minded, industrious and helpful residents of Multnomah county.

SIEGFRIED WILHELM RETHLEFSEN. To anyone who closely applies himself to the occupation which he has chosen as his vocation in life there can come only good results, and these have not been wanting in the experience of Mr. Rethlefsen, the efficient manager of the Ira F. Powers Manufacturing Company, one of the largest furniture manufactories in Portland. In- heriting a liking for the cabinetmaker's trade from his father, Hans Juergen Rethlefsen, who was a cabinetmaker and millwright, at the early age of ten years he began taking practical les- sons from his cousin in Bredstedt which proved the foundation of his future success. He was born in Langenhorn, Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- many. October 4. 1834, but was reared in the town of Bredstedt, receiving the benefits to be derived from attendance upon the public schools in the latter place. Having thoroughly applied himself to learning his trade, he was enabled, when only twenty years of age, to begin his inde- pendent career. Going to the little island of Pellworm, in the North Sea, which now belongs to Prussia, but was then a Danish possession, he began as a contractor and a builder.

Seized with a desire to ascertain what this free country had in store for him, in 1858 he braved the dangers of an ocean voyage and in due time landed on our shores at Mobile, Ala., and at once began work at his trade. Going to Yreka, Siskiyou county, Cal., one year later he there engaged in mining and carpentering until the fall of 1861, at which time he went to Port-

land, remaining only a short time, however. His next move was to the San Juan Island, in Puget Sound, whence he went to New Whatcom, re- maining there six months. Subsequently going to Victoria, British Columbia, for a time he was employed at his trade upon a United States fort which was in process of construction there. The vear 1868 witnessed his second appearance in Portland, and here his interests have mainly been centered. For a time he followed the cabinet- maker's trade, but later engaged as draughtsman with the Oregon Furniture Company. From 1874 until the present time, except for two years while foreman for the Schindler factory in Wells- boro, he has been in the employ of the Ira F. Pow- ers Manufacturing Company, and in the rapid strides which the company has made during his incumbency of the position of manager it proves beyond any doubt that a wise selection was made in installing Mr. Rethlefsen to superintend its affairs. He is a thorough mechanic, and keeps abreast of the times in all matters tending to promote the interests of his employers.

The year 1870 was made memorable to Mr. Rethlefsen and Miss Lena Catharine Harksen, as in that year their marriage was celebrated in Portland. Like her husband, Mrs. Rethlefsen was born in Langenhorn, Schleswig-Holstein. Nine children resulted from their union. Annie became the wife of Ed Claussen and makes her home in Walla Walla, Wash .; Amalia, Mrs. Schenz, resides in Portland; William follows the machinist's trade; Henry is a butcher in Seattle, Wash .; Lena, Mrs. Turner, lives in Portland ; Wilhelmine resides with her parents; Alfred fol- lows the butcher's trade in Portland; Edwin is learning the machinist's trade and Olive is at home with her parents. In fraternal affairs Mr. Rethlefsen has allied himself with the Red Men, while in religious matters he is in sympathy with and a member of the Swedenborgian Church. In the People's Christian Union, of which he is a member, he is serving as one of the trustees. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party. Besides the family residence at No. 515 Everett street, Mr. Rethlefsen has built two other residences in the vicinity of his home.

JUDSON C. BATES, one of the well- to-do farmers of Clackamas county, was born in Plymouth, Mass., near Hanover. June 29, 1831, and comes of a family long identi- fied with the eastern part of the country. His father, Judson, a blacksmith by trade, was a native of the same part of Massachusetts, where he plied his trade for many years, and from where he removed to Vernon county, Wis., his death occurring here at the advanced age of four score and four years. Lydia P. (Curtis) Bates, the

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mother of Judson C., was born in Scituate, Ply- mouth county, Mass., and of her six children two are living, one of these, Paul, being at present a farmer in Jackson county, Wis.

In Massachusetts Judson C. Bates was edu- cated in the early subscription or pay schools, being obliged to walk a long distance to the little log school house whose greatest activity was dis- played during the winter months. At the age of eighteen years he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, and at twenty-one went to Boston, from where he removed at the end of six months to New York City. During the six years in the metropolis he followed his trade with some success, and in 1857 removed to Dane county, Wis., where he bought one hundred and twenty acres of heavily timbered land, upon which he lived until 1869. In 1872 he came to Oregon, and at Redland bought one hundred and forty acres of land, comprising a part of the old William Connell donation claim, which he has im- proved, and which at present he owns in partner- ship with his housekeeper, Sarah A. Higgins. Mrs. Higgins was born October 10, 1829, in Staffordshire, England, a daughter of James Warren, a native also of Staffordshire, and who lied in England in 1837. In Wisconsin, in 1853, Miss Warren married John Higgins, of Dane county, and it was the good fortune of Mr. Bates to be accompanied across the plains by Mr. and Mrs. Higgins in 1872. With them he settled on his present place, where Mr. Higgins died in 1896, at the age of seventy-two years. The latter was a sailor in the United States navy for many years, and for three years was connected with the ship Independence. He was also a soldier in the Civil war for fifteen months, and during that time courageously defended the cause of the Union. He was a Republican in politics, and was an industrious and liberal-minded citizen.

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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 53

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