Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 56

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 56

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At the Cascades Judge Blanchard worked at the carpenter's trade for a short time, and in '60 worked at carpentering for the government in Vancouver. The following year he worked at his trade in Portland, and in connection therewith worked at surveying. he having learned both surveying and navigation while attending school in the east. The spring of '62 found Mr. Blan- chard balancing up accounts and acting as gen- eral manager for G. W. Vaughn, of Portland, a position maintained until coming to Rainier in the fall of '63. The drawing card at this place was some sawmill property which he purchased in partnership with T. S. Trevett, after which was erected the saw mill which has since hummed its way to a large and increasing lumber business, and which at present still continues to use up forest products. About the time of the milling venture Mr. Blanchard enlarged his prospects by engaging in a general merchandise business, and having done so much towards starting the town a postoffice department was naturally added, and for thirty years the founder of Rainier was also its postmaster.

In 1858 Mr. Blanchard received substantial recognition from his Republican friends through his election to the office of county auditor, and this proved the beginning of a number of politi- cal responsibilities inspired by his peculiar fitness to serve the public interests. He was afterward elected county clerk, the first of Columbia county, and in 1874 was elected county judge, serving

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eight years. During his term of office he raised the county to a solid financial basis, and refused the nomination for a third term. He was instru- mental in securing the incorporation of Rainier, and was elected first treasurer of the embryo town, a position maintained at the present time. In 1892 he was again elected to the county judge- ship for four years. As a promoter of educa- tion he has exerted a wholesome influence in ele- vating the standard of education in his locality, his work while a member of the school board having been fraught with particularly far reach- ing results. Judge Blanchard has been a mem- ber of the Masonic order for forty years, and is now connected with St. John's chapter, R. A. M., of Astoria, and secretary of Rainier Lodge No. 24. Judge Blanchard is one of the men of brawn and brain and sterling worth who have invaded this western country with but one result, that of leaving behind them permanent reminders of their ability to turn to account for themselves and others, the great opportunities by which they have been surrounded.

PAUL WESSINGER. Now a resident of Portland, Mr. Wessinger is a native of Germany, born in the city of Esslingen on the Neckar, in Wurtemburg, February 9, 1859. His father, Prof. Wilhelm Wessinger, was born in the Black Forest and for some years was an instructor in a boys' seminary at Esslingen. but later assisted in founding and became a professor in the gym- nasium or Latin high school of Stuttgart, a posi- tion that he continued to occupy until advancing years led to his retirement. In religion he was a devout Lutheran and died in that faith. The family of which he was a member had long been identified with Black Forest regions, and his father was a farmer there. His wife. Emelia ( Mackh) Wessinger, was the daughter of a mer- chant and was born in Vaihingen. Of her six children four are living, one son and three daugh- ters, the latter in Germany. The son, Paul, who was third in order of birth, is the only member of the family in America. From the age of six years he was reared in Stuttgart, where he at- tended public school and the gymnasium, gradu- ating from the classical department in 1875.

On leaving school Mr. Wessinger was appren- ticed to a leading commercial house in Stuttgart, serving for two years, and meantime attended a mercantile school of evenings. On the expira- tion of his time he began to receive wages, and gradually rose until he was chosen head book- keeper in 1880. Three years later he resigned to accept a position as representative for a large linen manufacturing house in the northern part of Germany, in which capacity he traveled over Germany for two and one-half years. During

the fall of 1885 he came to the United States and direct to Portland, where, December 10 of that year, he married Anna Weinhard, a native of Portland and daughter of Henry Weinhard. They are the parents of two children, Milla, and Henry William.

Immediately after settling in Portland Mr. Wessinger became associated with Weinhard's brewery, taking a position at the bottom and gradually acquiring a knowledge of the business which rendered possible his advancement to more responsible positions. For five years he was con- nected with the brewing department and for ten years conducted the malt house, during which time more than one million bushels of barley were made into malt. During 1891-92 he spent six months in Germany, where he visited all the prin- cipal breweries and made a special study of the malting business. His observations were pro- ductive of many new ideas and were utilized, as far as possible, on his return to Portland, where the malt house is now conducted according to the most approved modern methods. Thirty of the leading breweries of Germany were personally visited by him, and his careful study of their method of work showed to him their weaknesses and their strength, so that he returned prepared to utilize what his judgment told him would prove profitable. In addition to his visits, he studied the malting business under Professor Au- brey, the celebrated chemist and brewing expert. Since his return he has given his attention closely to the management of the brewery. During 1885 they sold twelve thousand barrels, which number was increased to fifty-five thousand in 1892, and in 1896 they began to ship in carload lots. since which time a large and important business has been built up, extending throughout the west.

The twenty-first biennial session of the Oregon legislature, in 1901, appointed thirty-three mem- bers to compile a new city charter for Portland, and Mr. Wessinger was among the number chosen. He was also one of the committee of five appointed to raise funds for the purchase of a silver service for the battleship Oregon. For several terms he served as a director of the Me- chanics' fair. At this writing he is deeply inter- ested in the Lewis and Clark exposition, of which he is a director and leading worker, being chair- man of the grounds and buildings committee. As chairman of the special committee of three, hie made a recommendation for the site which was the final selection of the commission as the grounds for the exposition. In addition, he is a member of the press and publicity committee. a member of the finance and executive committees, and in other ways a contributor to the progress of the work having as its object the success of the exposition. He is a member of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers' asso-

le. F. True

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ciation, the National Brewers' association, and the Brewers' Association of the Northwest, of which latter he is secretary. Politically he is a Democrat of the gold standard type, but is a sup- porter of the Roosevelt administration. When a boy in Germany he was confirmed in the L11- theran Church and still adheres to that faith. Music and art may be said to be his hobbies. While in Europe he enjoyed visiting the principal galleries of the Old World, where he saw many of the most famous productions of the masters. He is a member of the Arion Choral society, and finds in attendance upon its rehearsals and in a study of music much of his greatest pleasure, while his family, like himself, are also fond of this recreation.

CHARLES F. TRUE. The career of Charles F. True, one of the large hop raisers and general farmers of Washington county, should be an in- spiration to those who are left early at the mercy of their own resources, and at an immature age confronted with the serious and responsible side of life. Mr. True gained his first impressions of this world in his seacoast home in Cumberland county, Me., where he was born January 16, 1845. From infancy it was his delight to watch the various craft in storm and calm, and the sea element naturally predominated in his general view of life. At the age of eleven he was de- prived of the care and solicitude of his mother, and after her death he was practically thrown on the world, to conquer it as best he could. His father was a ship-builder, and it was but natural that when the necessity for self support inter- fered with his education and childish pastimes, he should take to the water. For two years he sailed before the mast, and for nine years there- after served as officer on sailing craft, and from this hazardous but always interesting occupation, stepped into a calling of equal danger. and re- quiring equal courage and fortitude, that of the soldier and defender of his country.

In 1863 Mr. True enlisted in Company C, Thirty-second Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Augusta, Me., December 23. The regiment, which was one of the bravest and most venturesome of the war, was sent first to Alexandria, Va., and attached to the Ninth Corps, and afterward participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Bethany Church, Cold Harbor, and the assault on Peters- burg. In less than a year after leaving Maine, but sixty of the nine hundred and thirty-nine soldiers in the regiment were available for ser- vice. Of this gallant body of volunteers eighteen officers and one hundred and sixty-five men were killed on the field; thirty-four died in Rebel prisons ; one hundred and forty-two were in the

hospitals ; and four hundred and forty-five re- ceived non-mortal wounds. It is doubtful if any regiment during the Civil war made a more dis- astrous showing, or could produce a more remark- able record. Mr. True was himself twice wound- ed in the advance on Petersburg, and in conse- quence was laid up in the hospital at Alexandria for four months. This terminated his martial career, and with multitudinous memories of the grim and terrible side of warfare, he returned to his home in Maine after his discharge, entertain- ing a' keen appreciation of the desirability of peace.

Soon after the war Mr. True boarded the steamer Meldon, bound for Portland, via the Horn, and arrived at his destination September 17, 1867. For some time he engaged in the lum- ber business in Portland, and thereafter assumed charge of the ranch of D. Logan, which respon- sibility he relinquished upon his marriage with Lucetta Van Curan in 1871. Mrs. True was born in the state of Iowa, and crossed the plains with her uncle in 1863. After their marriage the young people settled in McMinnville, where Mr, True conducted a meat shop for a year, and then purchased the farm upon which he now lives. For a few years he followed the carpenter's trade, and in 1883 moved onto his farm, which was densely covered with timber, and an absolute stranger to any kind of improvement. He has erected a modern residence, barns and outhouses, and has a very pleasant and valuable home prop- erty. Mr. True is one of the large hop raisers of this section, and is one of the best known and most influential of the farmers around Middle- ton. He is one of those men who would be a credit to any community, and who are especially appreciated in the west, where force of char- acter, grim determination and ability to cope with all manner of conditions are of paramount impor- tance. Mr. True is a Republican in political affiliation, and is fraternally associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which or- ganization he has held every office. He is also identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. True. of whom William is a farmer of Wash- ington county ; Estella is the wife of C. L. Shad- dock, of Pineville, Ore .: Blake is living at home ; and Albion is deceased.

JOHN H. CLEAR. One of the enterprising farmers of Washington county is John H. Clear, who was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., October 8, 1837, and was reared and educated in his native town. His father was a blacksmith by trade and had a busy little shop in Fort Wayne, where he catered to a large trade, and managed to main- tain his family in comfort.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

While quite young John H. Clear helped his father in the blacksmith shop, and had all a child's enthusiasm for this novel and always in- teresting occupation. After leaving home at the age of eighteen he found employment as a boat- man on the Wabash & Erie canal, and after work- ing thus for a couple of years, removed to a farm in the vicinity of Sturgis, Mich. Also, he lived for six months in South Bend, Ind., and was then employed in a saw-mill in Iowa. From the latter state he went to Missouri, and in that state was united in marriage with Louise Graham in 1860. With his wife Mr. Clear came to Walla Walla, Wash., in 1864, making the trip with ox teams, and being nearly six months on the road. After two years in the Washington city he re- moved to Roseburg, Ore., and at the expiration of a year homesteaded the claim upon which he still lives, and which was heavily timbered. He is himself responsible for the many fine improve- ments instituted on his property, and he is justly proud of possessing one of the best farms in Washington county.

In 1862 Mr. Clear was drafted into the Mis- souri state militia for service in the Civil War, and was engaged in the service until being mus- tered out December 12, 1863. His command was engaged principally in scouting and bushwhack- ing, and Mr. Clear saw many occasions when he was beset by imminent danger. In politics he is a Republican, and has served on the school board as trustee and clerk. He is a welcome member of the Grange, and is outside doorkeeper of the lodge. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Clear are: Sarah J., of Oregon City; Margaret A., cleceased, of Middleton, Ore. ; Susan M., of Mid- clleton ; Mary A., of Oregon City ; Amanda E., living at home ; and William A., also at home.

S. E. WRENN. An enterprise in Portland which commands the confidence of the industrial community, and which is characteristic of the resourcefulness of its president and the largeness of opportunity of which it is an exponent, is the Multnomah Trunk & Box Company's manufac- tory. doing an annual business of $150,000, and employing one hundred and twenty men. This concern is the outcome of a modest little under- taking along the same line inaugurated by S. E. Wrenn in 1885, his available assets at the time being $400 in cash and a fund of inexhaustible determination. Located at the foot of Harrison street, at what is now Smith's Mill, the unassum- ing dimensions of the business were soon per- ceptibly broadened, and resulted in the formation of the Multomah Box Company. supplanted in 1899 by the Multomah Trunk & Box Company, incorporated for $60,000, with Mr. Wrenn as president and general manager.

From the first it has been the policy of the management to manufacture their commodities from the crude logs, and after a start had been secured the company erected a saw-mill, box fac- tory, dry kilns, trunk factory, boiler house, and a new dock and wharf. The capacity of the mill is sixty thousand feet of lumber a day, and all manner of box goods are turned out, also veneer- ing for ships and general use, which find their way all over the west. A large assortment of trunks are manufactured according to the most approved styles, and for the disposal of this class of goods Mr. Wrenn has a retail store at No. 132 Sixth street. Four distinct departments repre- sent the extent of the manufactory, viz. : the box, veneer, trunk, and saw-mill departments. From 1892 until 1898 Mr. Wrenn leased Smith's Mill, and ran the same until the incorporation of his new company, and the removal of his business to the present site. The original site comprised three acres, but additions have since been made of nine acres on the Willamette river.

A descendant of Christopher Wrenn, who came with Lord Fairfax to Virginia, Mr. Wrenn was born July 19, 1855, in Loudoun county, Va., a son of Philip and Susan ( Vermillion ) Wrenn, natives respectively of Fairfax and Prince Wil- liam counties, Va. The family is of English de- scent, and with few exceptions the American rep- resentatives have been planters. Philip Wrenn was a millwright by trade, and afterward engaged in farming four miles from Alexander, Va., where his death eventually occurred. His wife, who is now a resident of Washington, D. C., is the mother of cleven children, ten of whom at- tained maturity and are still living, S. E. being the fourth oldest in the family, and the only one on the coast.

Under his father's instruction S. E. Wrenn learned the trade of millwright, and also learned to be a practical farmer. After the death of his father, when the son was twenty years of age, the latter continued to live with his mother on the home farm until his removal to Adams coun- ty, Ill., in 1879. The following year he went to Benton county and practiced his trade of mill- wright and carpenter, and in the spring of 1881 removed to the state of Washington, where he contracted for railroad ties for the railroad. In the fall of the same year he located on Pend d'Oreille, Idaho, on the Northern Pacific, where he contracted and erected buildings for a few months. In Benton county Mr. Wrenn con- tracted for the Oregon Pacific Railroad, and in Independence, Polk county, built and contracted for a year. His association with the city of Port- land began in the spring of 1883, where he worked at his trade until starting his present business in 1885.

Thomas P Struble .

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In Washington county, Ore., Mr. Wrenn was united in marriage with Katie S. Johns, a native of Washington county, whose parents were very early pioneers of the state. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wrenn, of whom Ashby is in business with his father ; the other children being: Moultrie ; Theresa ; and Grover Cleveland. Mr. Wrenn is a gold Democrat in po- litical affiliation. He was fire commissioner under Governor Pennoyer until resigning his position, and he has been prominently before the public in various capacities. Fraternally he is associated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Wrenn is a charter member of the Northern Box Manufacturers' association, and is a member of the executive board. He is also identified with the Commercial Club. The beautiful home of the Wrenn family is located on Corbett and Aber- nethy streets, and is the center of extended lios- pitality and all-around good fellowship. Mr. Wrenn occupies a conspicuous place among the solid reliable business men of Portland, and a continuation of his past and present success is hoped for by his hosts of friends and well- wishers.

THOMAS T. STRUBLE. A resident of Portland since 1872 and meantime variously identified with important interests in this city. Mr. Struble was born at Sprout Hill, Sussex county, N. J., May 1, 1834, being a son of Isaac and Emma ( Teasdale) Struble, natives re- spectively of Sprout Hill and Deckertown, Sussex county. His paternal grandfather, John Struble, was born in New Jersey of German descent and followed farming pursuits. The maternal grand- father, Thomas Teasdale, was born in Decker- town, of English descent, and married a Miss Coxe, a native of England. By occupation he was a tanner. Two of his sons, Thomas C. and John, became eminent Baptist ministers.

The year 1838 found Isaac Struble in Stafford county, Va., but in 1839 he removed to Spott- sylvania county, where he conducted a farm for eight years. During 1847 he established his home in Chesterville, Morrow (then Knox) county, Ohio, where he followed farming. Ten years later he settled in Johnson county, Iowa, and still later made his home in Tama county, that state, where he died. A man of mechanical ability, he found this gift of use to him, in con- nection with and in addition to his agricultural pursuits. For years he was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. By his first marriage he had two sons and two daughters, all but one of whom still survive. Of his second marriage there were eight children, seven of whom are living. Thomas T. being the eldest of the family. while the youngest, William Edwin, is also a

resident of Portland. Another son, Isaac S., of Lemars, Iowa, was for three years a member of an lowa regiment during the Civil war and has since represented the Eleventh Iowa district in congress three terms. James H. is also an attorney of Lemars, while George R. is an at- torney in Toledo, lowa, from which city he was elected to the lowa legislature and served as president of the senate. Mrs. Rebecca Wheeler died in Johnson county, Iowa; Mrs. Hannah Woodward lives in Kansas; and Mrs. Emma Graham is a resident of Cedar Rapids.

When thirteen years of age Thomas T. Stru- ble accompanied his parents to Chesterville, Ohio, where he attended public school. While residing in Virginia he began to haul wood to Freder- icksburg, using horses and oxen for motive power. In Ohio he had special advantages under excellent teachers in a select school conducted by Rev. John Burns. When fifteen he began to clerk for Page & Hance in Chesterville, Ohio. After his father was elected justice of the peace, the son was employed in writing the docket and thus acquired skill in penmanship as well as a slight knowledge of law. Later he returned to the mercantile business as head salesman and bookkeeper. In 1855 he married Elizabeth R. Shipley, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, her parents, Benedict and Abigail (Randolph) Shipley, having removed there from Pennsyl- vania. Of their marriage are four children, namely : Walter B., an accountant with Bis- singer & Co., of Portland; Wallace R., a clergy- man now in Chicago; George R., chief engineer for the Union Meat Company ; and J. Holt, who is with the Southern Pacific Railroad.

During the Civil war Mr. Struble was a mem- ber of the Ohio National Guard. May 11, 1864, he was mustered into the service of the United States at Camp Chase. From there he was sent to the defense of Washington and was stationed at Fort Williams, in the defenses south of the Potomac, as a member of Company F. One Hun- dred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry. On being mustered out, in August of 1864. he returned to his home and resumed the shoe-manufactur- ing business. Later he clerked for Bartlett & Goble. He dates his residence in Portland from May 16, 1872. Immediately after his arrival he became bookkeeper and clerk at the New Me- tropolis. A short time afterward he became book- keeper for Stimson & Co., lumber manufactur- ers, whose books he opened and afterward kept satisfactorily until April 25, 1873, when he be- came collector for the Portland Water Company. Two months later his salary was raised from $100 to $125 a month, his duties embracing the super- vision of the supply and distribution of the water. Two years after starting his salary was raised to $150. In 1885 he was elected clerk of

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school district No. I, which embraced all of Portland. When the city purchased the water- works he was employed as cashier and book- keeper of the operating committee, opening the books and having charge of them for one year and seven months. In August, 1886, the pres- ent system of paying at the office instead of by collection was inaugurated by him, and about a year later he resigned. He has since engaged in the real-estate business, with office at No. 250 Main street. Politically he was at one time a Republican, but since 1896 has identified him- self with the Democratic party, and still declares himself a Democrat. His connection with Masonry began in Chester Lodge No. 238, and he is now an honorary member and ex-secretary of Portland Lodge No. 55, A. F. & A. M., of Portland, Ore. In addition he is associated with Lincoln-Garfield Post No. 3, G. A. R., and Pacific Lodge No. 17, A. O. U. W., with the work of both of which he is actively connected.

CHARLES WINSTON NOBLITT. A note- worthy position among the pioneers of Oregon is held by Mr. Noblitt, of Clackamas county, who is a pioneer of 1852. He was born in Grayson county, Va., November 14, 1822, being a son of Abraham and Elizabeth ( Knuckles) Noblitt, na- tives of Virginia, where the mother died. In 1837 the father took his family to Missouri and settled in Ray county, where he arrived in June, hopeful of the future and earnestly desiring to attain a home of his own. These ambitions were never fulfilled. for he died in September follow- ing his arrival. Before leaving Grayson county he had filled the office of sheriff, and while riding around the country on duties connected with this office he wore a pair of silver spurs, which are now in the possession of his son, Charles Win- ston. In the family there were three sons and four daughters, namely: Euphemia, who was born January 19, 1809; G. W., who died in Mis- souri ; Addison S., who was born in August, 1816, and died September 16, 1893, at seventy- seven years of age: Pulaski H., who was born January 23, 1819. and died in Missouri ; Dorthala 11 .. who was born March 2, 1821, and died in Oregon ; Charles Winston ; and Susanna E., who was born March 23, 1824, and is now living in Texas.

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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 56

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