Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 59

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 59

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Although Mr. Cobb has been a very busy man and by his strict attention to his own business interests has become known as one of the most substantial citizens of Portland, he has, neverthe- less, found the time to devote considerable atten- tion to public affairs. At all times a firm sup- porter of the men and measures of the Republican party, he has stanchly maintained his interest in doing all possible for its betterment. That his services have been fully appreciated is shown by the fact that in 1902 the voters of Portland elected him to the legislature, and in the session of which he was a member his constituents found Mr. Cobb a man who stood for all that was good

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and pure. He was always found on the side of right, and withheld his support from no move- ment that was calculated to be of benefit to the people of Oregon.

Fraternally Mr. Cobb is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organization he has passed all the chairs. That he is a man who believes in the future of Port- land is evinced by his membership in the Cham- ber of Commerce, the Manufacturers' Associa- tion and the Commercial Club.

In Portland Mr. Cobb was united in marriage with Miss Florence E. Madden, a native of Cali- fornia. As a result of this union five children have been born, as follows: Leslie Orville ; Sam- uel Earl; Edward Cecil ; Everett W. ; and Edna. The family reside in East Portland, where they have a pleasant home, which at all times is open to their many friends.

GEORGE W. SCRAMLIN is nothing if not progressive and enterprising, and his fertile mind and abundant resource have redounded to the all around credit of Macksburg and vicinity. As a general merchant, and the postmaster of the town, also as a large general farmer and large owner, he has been placed in touch with general affairs and necessities, and he is respon- sible for many of the modern and worthwhile contributions to the comfort and convenience of his fellow townsmen. Not the least of these progressive attempts is the telephone system be- ing inaugurated by Mr. Seramlin, by which the farmers and small towns people may be placed in communication with each other, thus shorten- ing distance, and concentrating interests which otherwise must necessarily be remote. This tel- ephone line, which takes in Barlow, Canby. Macksburg, Aurora, Hubbard, Woodburn, Needy and Elicks Prairie, is being placed in at the expense of the promoter, and the cost per month for the use of the same is the small sum of seventy-five cents.

The early life of men who are hustlers, and who know how to take advantage of opportunity, is always interesting, and may invariably be studied with profit by those starting out in life. Mr. Seramlin was not particularly favored in his youth, nor were his early surroundings discour- aging. He was born near Detroit, Mich., July 4, 1853, and is a son of Leonard and Rosetta ( Arnold) Seramlin, and the grandson of John, whose father followed the martial fortunes of Washington during the Revolutionary war. John Scramlin was born near Rochester, N. Y., his farm comprising land upon which that city is now located. This land he eventually traded for Michigan farm land in 1834, to which state he removed with his family, and where the rest

of his life was spent. Leonard Scramlin was born in Genesee county, N. Y., and in his na- tive state he was engaged principally in the hotel business. After removing to Michigan he engaged in farming up to the time of his death. His wife was born in Michigan, her father, Christopher, being a native of New York state, and a relative of Benedict Arnold. Mrs. Seram- lin died in Michigan, leaving two children, of whom Marshall E. is a farmer, contractor and builder of MeComb, Mich.

Beginning with his fourteenth year George WV. Seramlin was practically self supporting, and he learned many useful lessons during the thir- teen succeeding years which he spent in farm work. For three years also he engaged in var- ious kinds of speculating, and in the meantime had worked up an enthusiastic interest in the west. Accordingly, in 1885, he came to Oregon, and at Macksburg bought first forty and after- ward one hundred and twenty-three acres of land, and at the same time started a general merchan- dise store, in connection with which latter enter- prise he attends to the interests of Uncle Sam. Mr. Seramlin was appointed postmaster during August of President MeKinley's first administra- tion, and has held this important responsibility ever since.

In Iowa Mr. Scramlin married his cousin, Odessa Seramlin, who died in Oregon, leaving two children, of whom the oldest, Russell C., is living at home ; and Ora is deceased. The pres- ent Mrs. Seramlin was formerly Laura B. Hep- pler, who was born in Pennsylvania, and whose father, Henry, also a native of Pennsylvania, and subsequently a resident of lowa, came to Macksburg in 1892. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Seramlin, Marshall, who is living with his parents. In political affiliation Mr. Scramlin is a Republican, and has voted that tieket ever since attaining his majority. He is a man of stanch integrity, sound business judg- ment and unquestioned publie spiritedness.

THOMAS R. FIELDS. Although so long a time has elapsed since the death of Thomas R. Fields. October 25. 1892, the cheery old river captain is recalled by those who chance to pass his way as the embodiment of western energy and resourcefulness. No name was better known in Clackamas county than his ; no heart responded more readily to the need of a friend. or to general benevolent demands. His optimistic, generous and humane life was worthy of emulation, and was watched through its progress by hosts of friends and well wishers.

Captain Fields was born in Mason City, Ky., and was a son of Ambrose Fiekls, who was also born in Kentucky, and who was a cooper by

CHARLES H. WELCH.

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trade. an occupation to which he devoted his entire active life. The latter emigrated to Ore- gon with his family in 1852, and took up a dona- tion claim of six hundred and forty acres near Oregon City, upon which he died at the age of eighty-one years. His son, Thomas, was edu- cated in the public schools of Kentucky and Ore- gon, and while quite young engaged as a cabin- boy on the old Hosier, a boat on the Yamhill river. On his seasoned old river craft he worked his way up to the position of captain, and during his twelve or fifteen years on the river was cap- tain of various other craft. As a navigator he was safe and sure, understood every curve in river and every shoal, and exerted a fine com- mand over the many men who worked under him. After abandoning the river life he engaged in the grocery business in Oregon City, and the fact that he was so well known among all classes of people materially contributed to his success in this undertaking. He became active in politics, and was keenly alert to all municipal affairs, him- self promoting the cause of education and good city government. Politically a Democrat, he was liberal'and broad-minded, and thought more of the man than of the party which he represented.

At Canemah, Ore., in 1867, Captain Fields was united in marriage with Clara Strickler, who was born in Clariontown, Clarion county, Pa., July 18. 1843, a daughter of George Strickler, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and who was a contractor and builder by occupation. Mr. Strick- ler came across the plains to Oregon in 1852, set- tling with his family in Portland, where he engaged in the hotel business, and conducted a similar occupation after removing to Dayton, Yamhill county. For twenty years he was the genial proprietor of the Dayton hotel, and during that time was one of the most familiar figures in the community, as well as one of the most promi- nent and influential. In 1865 he transferred his interests to Canemah, Ore., where he engaged in the same business, and where he died in 1898, at the age of seventy-three years. He married Eliza N. Jacobs, who was a native of Pennsylvania. and who bore him several children, three of whom attained maturity, and two of whom are living: Maggie is now Mrs. E. S. Elliott, her husband being an engineer on the Southern Pa- cific railroad. Mrs. Fields was educated in Day- ton, Yamhill county, Ore., and lived there up to the time of her marriage in 1867.

CHARLES H. WELCH. In the vicinity of Mount Tabor, Multnomah county. is to be seen the well-cultivated farm of Charles H. Welch, which comprises nine acres. An easterner by birth and training, he claims Otsego county, N. Y .. as his birthplace, and July 14, 1839, as the

date of the event. His father, William Welch, was a well-to-do agriculturist, and trained his son to an appreciation of the manifold advantages within the grasp of those who depend for a live- lihood upon the resources of the soil.

While earnestly laboring to promote the well- being of his family, Charles H. Welch attended the public schools as opportunity offered, and managed to acquire a fair business and general education. In 1849 his parents removed to Boone county, Ill., where they resided about two years, after which they took up their residence in Mc- Henry county. There they lived until 1863, when they returned to New York. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Welch's chances for usefulness and distinction were materially augmented by the demand for his services during the Civil war. With all the enthusiasm of a hitherto cir- cumscribed life he enlisted, in September, 1861, as a private in Company F, Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and during his whole service was a member of the Seventeenth Army Corps. The regiment participated in many of the important battles of the war, including Cairo, Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg and Fort Hill, at which latter engagement he was wounded by a ball, which entered below his breast bone, broke two ribs, and necessitated retention in a camp hospital for some time. After recovery Mr. Welch rejoined his regiment, was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and took part in the grand review up Pennsylvania avenue in Washington. During his four years of service he was in the front ranks at fifty-one battles and skirmishes, and though veteranized after Vicksburg, and one of the most active of those who served the Union cause, he unfortunately never received his commission as sergeant, al- though he had served in that capacity during the war.

After the war Mr. Welch returned to New York state, and lived with his family in Chau- tauqua county, whither they had in the meantime removed from Illinois. For the following ten years he farmed on land in Tama county, Iowa, removing then to McPherson county, Kans., and at the expiration of two years in the latter state, in 1882, came to Portland, Ore., where he en- gaged in teaming for a time. In the last men- tioned year he became the owner of his present property in Multnomah county, and his resi- dence in his new surroundings has been produc- tive of naught but good results. Already he has cut eleven hundred cords of wood from his nine acres, and his advance in clearing has been fol- lowed by the setting out of fruit as soon as a space large enough had been prepared. Small fruits are the preferred commodity of this little farm, and the owner has realized satisfactory re- turns from the cultivation of raspberries, black-

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berries, strawberries and some peaches and cher- ries. Although devoted to his farming interests, Mr. Welch has found time to engage in various enterprises of a more or less public nature, and his public spiritedness has never been questioned. A Republican in politics, he is a stanch sup- porter of the best interests of his party, and he is besides a member of the Grange, and a charter member of Summer Post No. 12, G. A. R., of East Portland. He has also been commander of Montavilla Torrence Post.

May 16, 1865, Mr. Welch was united in mar- riage with Esther Crittenden, of Illinois, and of this union were born three children, of whom Jessie is the widow of Thomas Searles, and is living with her father, as are her three children. Chester, Etta and Gladys ; while her eldest child. Raymond, is a resident of Illinois. Mr. Welch's second daughter, Julia, is the wife of Harry McGowan, of Mount Tabor ; and Verna is living at home.

ROBERT H. GREER. A merchant of Hills- boro, who is maintaining the business prestige of his adopted town, is Robert H. Greer, one of the foremost Canadian-Americans of his locality, and a man of pronounced business judgment. He was born in Franklin, Huntingdon county, Canada, August 10, 1856, a son of Joseph and Jane ( Burns) Greer, natives respectively of the North of Ireland and County Down, near Banbridge, Ireland. The family is of Scotch ancestry. the paternal grandfather having gone from Scotland to County Armagh, where he farmed, but eventu- ally removed to the vicinity of Strongton. Can- ada, where his death occurred Joseph Greer was young when his father settled in Canada, and he in time engaged in farming, later remov- ing to Lanesboro, Minn., and still later to Clear Lake, lowa. where he died. In religion he was in youth a Presbyterian, but in after-life changed to the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was a daughter of William Burns, who was born in Scotland, and removed to County Down, Ireland, eventually taking up his residence in Canada, when his daughter was a year old. Mrs. Greer. who died in lowa, was the mother of twelve chil- dren, ten of whom attained maturity, and of whom three sons and three daughters are now living. Robert H. being the second youngest in the family. Besides the latter, James C. is also a resident of Hillsboro.

Mr. Greer was educated in the public schools of Canada, and after removing to Minnesota started out upon a career of self-support. Near Lanesboro he learned the miller's trade, after which he applied his trade in Taranto, Iowa, until March, 1880. The same year he removed to Oregon and engaged in the milling business at

Glencoe, this county, and in 1884 went to North Yakima, Yakima county, Wash., and incorpo- rated the North Yakima Milling Company, of which he was made president. He built the mill at that place, but at the expiration of a year sold out and came to Hillsboro, where he engaged in the grocery and queensware business. He has worked up a large and gratifying trade, and has every prospect of continued success.

The first marriage of Mr. Greer occurred in Washington county, Ore., and was with Hannah Goodin, a native of Upper Canada, who died in Glencoe, in December. 1884, leaving one child, Jennie. For his second wife ar. Greer married Sarah M. Hiet, a native of Jackson county. Ore. Of this latter union there have been born four children : Norman, Cecelia. Damon, and Rob- ert Hiet. Mr. Greer is a Republican in political affiliation, has served the community as council- man for a couple of years, and is now president of the school board. Fraternally he is well known and popular, and is associated with the Odd Fel- lows and Encampment, the Rebekahs, and the Knights of Pythias, of which latter organization he is past chancellor and past grand-master-at- arms of the Grand Lodge. Mr. Greer is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a trustee, and towards the support of which he is a liberal contributor.

THOMAS P. BUOY. Eighty acres of the old Billips donation is owned by Thomas P. Buoy, and one hundred and twenty acres of the Samuel Welch donation. The present owner has a thorough knowledge of farming. and has cleared for general produce about eighty-five acres. While engaged in general farming and stock-raising he takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his adopted local- ity, and is regarded as a decided acquisition to the remarkably fertile Powell Valley. He was born in Vermilion county, Ill., August 13, 1833. and was reared on a farm, receiving his educa- tion in the public schools.

Laban Buoy, the father of Thomas P., was a physician by profession. and combined with his professional duties farming and stock-raising. In 1853 he safely piloted five hundred men across the plains, and in the Rogue river Indian war headed a band of one hundred and fifteen men against the red men. His wife was formerly a Miss Blackburn, who was born in South Caro- lina. and who accompanied him on his expedi- tion to the coast. The family took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres in Lane county. Ore., twelve miles above Eugene. Thomas P. Buoy, who had learned the carpen- ter's trade in Illinois, was one of the party which wound its way over the vast expanse of plain,

G. J. TRULLINGER.

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and for some time he remained on the donation farm in Lane county. In 1869 he changed his place of residence to Umatilla county, where he engaged in the cattle business on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on Willow creek, near Heppner, where he lived until 1871. Here the Indians were very troublesome, so much so that property and life were alike in constant danger. and Mr. Buoy was forced to take his family to Multnomah county. Afterward he returned and fought the Indians, sold his cattle, and bought his present farm in this county. He has expe- rienced many of the deprivations and hair- breadth escapes of frontier life, and can interest- ingly narrate the same to friends and acquaint- ances. As far back as 1862 he was a member of the secret service, and may be said to still belong to this body of men, as he has never been dis- charged. He is a Republican in political affilia- tion, but has never identified himself with his party further than to cast his vote during local and presidential campaigns.

In 1858 Mr. Buoy married Fidelia Douglass, who has borne him twelve children, the order of their birth being as follows: James A. ; Martha F. : Mary L., deceased ; John L., deceased; Jo- seph J .; Charles H .; Janie, deceased ; Della B. ; Stella ; Samuel ; Claude ; and Hattie.

GABRIEL JOHNSON TRULLINGER. The year before the great cry of gold inter- cepted the humdrum life of the farmers in every part of the country, and penetrated with disquiet- ing effect the counting rooms and general busi- ness places of every town in the Union, Gabriel J. Trullinger became one of a band of hopeful travelers who bravely faced the dangers and loneliness of the overland trail, and arrived in Oregon City September 14, 1848, having set out April 6 of the same year. In the wake of the departed early days, of the struggles with pioneer conditions, and the brave grappling with latent possibilities, there is left for the honor of his fellow citizens, and for the benefit of the community at large, a miller and land owner who has unfailingly progressed, and largely accom- plished.

Of stanch German ancestry, Mr. Trullinger was born in Fountain county, Ind., February 20, 1824, and comes of a family first represented in America by his paternal grandfather, Daniel Trullinger, who settled in Pennsylvania, but afterward removed to Ross county, Ohio, where was born in 1801 another Daniel, the father of Gabriel Johnson. Remote members of the fam- ily spelled the name Drollinger, the change to Trullinger being effected probably in America. The younger Daniel was reared in Ohio and In- diana, and in Marion county of the latter state

married Elizabeth Johnson, born in Tennessee, a daughter of Archibald Johnson. From Marion county Mr. Trullinger removed in 1824 to Foun- tain county of the same state, and in 1839 set- tled on a farm in lowa, whence, in 1848, he started for Oregon on the 6th of April. The party had three wagons, one of which was drawn by four yoke of oxen, Gabriel Johnson, then twenty-four years of age, and two of his brothers, being the drivers thereof. Arriving at their des- tination the father purchased a donation claim on the Waldo Hills, where he lived until dispos- ing of his property in the spring of 1850, and settling in his own house and lot in Milwaukee. This property went the way of the Waldo Hills farm, and upon coming to Milk Creek, Clacka- mas county, he bought a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, which continued to be his home until his death, January 9, 1867, at the home of his son, Gabriel Johnson. His wife, who was born in the south, survived her husband until 1888, at the time being eighty-one years of age. Mr. Trullinger was a minister in the Chris- tian Church, and during his long and active life combined the occupations of farming and teach- ing. The humanitarian instincts of himself and wife prevented the accumulation of extensive worldly possessions, for it was a well known fact that all worthy causes met a ready response, and no needy person asked in vain. Of the chil- dren born to Rev. and Mrs. Trullinger the fol- lowing is the order of their birth: G. J., of Union Mills ; Nathan, deceased; John, de- ceased ; Mrs. Maudie Wright, of Roseburg, Ore. : Mrs. Jane Faultner, deceased ; Mrs. Ellen Morgan, of Portland; Liza Mattoon, of Look- ingglass, Ore .: Mrs. Angeline Low, deceased : and Perry, of Forest Grove.

The independence of Gabriel Johnson Trul- linger was inaugurated at the age of sixteen. when he found employment with different peo- ple in his neighborhood, and was thus employed until starting across the plains with the rest of the family in 1848. The first year in Oregon he worked at the cabinet-making business in Ore- gon City, and the next spring went to California. and engaged in mining in the northern part of the state for a year. Subsequently he went to Milwaukee, and there engaged in carpenter work for a couple of years. In 1852 he came to Union Mills, and July 22 of the same year located a elaim of six hundred and forty-three acres of land, of which he cleared sixty acres, erecting thereon a sawmill, and added to it flour mills in 1892. These combined interests have since en- gaged his attention, and at the present he has increased his land holdings to nineteen hundred acres, making him one of the largest land own- ers in Clackamas county, and one of the largest in the state. Few have a more exhaustive knowl-

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edge of milling than has Mr. Trullinger, nor are any better versed in the scientific and practical side of farming. His business success has been erected upon a solid foundation of grit and de- termination, of common-sense judgment, and fine regard for the rights of those who are associated with him in his various activities.

The wife of Mr. Trullinger, who died in 1890, was formerly Sarah E. Glover, born in Mont- gomery county, Mo., October 28, 1834, a daugh- ter of John Phelps Glover, one of the pioneers of '49. To Mr. and Mrs. Trullinger were born the following children: Daniel N., of Coburg ; Joseph B., who died at the age of nine years ; Barton, of Polk county; Edward, at home; Del- lison, also living at home; Isaac, living on the home farm; Mrs. Sarah Payne; and Jane and Katc, deceased. Before the war a Democrat, Mr. Trullinger has since served the interests of the Republican party. He was elected commis- sioner of Clackamas county in 1870, and has since held various school offices, and been road supervisor.

F. S. BAKER. One of the foremost con- tractors and builders of Clackamas county is F. S. Baker, responsible for many of the prominent business blocks and residences in Oregon City, and one of the town's most honored and enter- prising citizens. Of sturdy Pilgrim stock, Mr. Baker was born in the province of Quebec. Can- ada, April 27, 1848, a son of William S. and Harriett E. (Clapp) Baker. and grandson of Stephen Baker. The family was established in Canada by the paternal great-grandfather, Jo- seph, who was born in the state of Massachusetts, and emigrated to Quebec about 1810, of which province he was a pioneer farmer and stock- raiser. Stephen Baker was born in Peacham. Mass., and went to Quebec with his father in 1810. William S. Baker was born in Quebec, where he is still living at the age of eighty-four years, and where he has been a magistrate for many years. The mother of F. S. Baker was born in Woodstock, N. H., and her grandfather. Rev. Joel Clapp, was the first white child born in the northern part of Vermont. Her great- grandfather Clapp was born in Massachusetts, and the family claims Puritan and Revolution- ary representatives. Eight children were born to William S. Baker and his wife, of whom F. S. is the oldest and only one on the coast.

In the public schools and at Dunham academy F. S. Baker received his education, having com- pleted which he learned the carpenter's trade and began to contract when twenty-two years of age. Soon after he removed to Upper Canada. and at St. Thomas engaged in building until 1873. The same year he removed to Crete, Neb., where he

worked at his trade with considerable success, later engaging in the lumber business. At Heb- ron, Neb., he was interested in the real estate and lumber business, following which he improved a farm in Howard county. Mr. Baker became identified with Oregon in 1890. where for two years he engaged in the lumber business on the Washington side of the Columbia river, his ob- jective point being Athens, a town which enjoyed a brief and inglorious career, and finally suc- cumbed to lack of activity. With the appearance of better times Mr. Baker located in Oregon City. where he has since made his home, and where his constructive ability has been employed to the all-around credit and betterment of the town. Among the most creditable undertakings may be mentioned the Catholic parsonage and church, which he rebuilt, and numerous resi- dences and business houses. Late in the fall of 1901 he established a planing mill in the northern part of the town, on lower Main street, where are manufactured sash, doors and moulding, and where also all kinds of jobbing work is done.

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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 59

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