Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 60

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 60

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While following his vocation Mr. Baker has entered into the general affairs of Oregon City. and he is prominent socially and politically. He has a pleasant home in the town, which is pre- sided over by his wife, formerly Margaret Hast- ings. whom he married in Nebraska, and who was born in Wisconsin. Four children have been born of this union : Harriett, Julia, Charlotte, and Fred. By a previous marriage with Mar- garet Morris, a native of New York City and daughter of Rev. William Morris, rector of Trin- ity school, New York City, and who died in Nebraska, one child was born to Mr. Baker, Florence, now Mrs. Watson, of Canada. Mr. Baker is a Democrat in political affiliation. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Catholic Church.

JOHN DENNIS. The family to which John Dennis belongs has been identified with Oregon in a substantial and meritorious way, and the name is suggestive of all that is worthy and of good repute. As the owner and manager of a mercantile establishment, he himself occupies an important place among the business men of Hills- boro, his upright methods and evident desire to please having stamped his comparatively short experience with the prophecy of continued suc- cess.

A native of Ossian, Winneshiek county. Iowa, Mr. Dennis was born August 13, 1869, and came with his parents to Hillsboro in 1875. His father, Phineas M., was born in Ohio, and went to Iowa with his parents, in which state he en- listed at the age of eighteen in an Iowa regiment, and served from the beginning to the close of the Civil war. While still in Iowa he married Jane

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Russell, who was born in Canada, and who died when her son John was an infant. Mrs. Dennis has one other child, Mary, the oldest, who is now Mrs. Wellman, of Bakersfield, Cal. Soon after his marriage Phineas Dennis removed to Minne- sota, and in Fairmont conducted a mercantile establishment until 1875. After removing to Hillsboro he served the county as deputy sheriff for several years, and eventually became sheriff, his administration being one of the most satisfac- tory of any of the kind in the history of the county. So long had he held the important re- sponsibility that he was known all over the state, and wherever his name was mentioned was sug- gestive of all that was honorable and manly. In many ways Mr. Dennis was a remarkable man, strong of character, and possessing profound knowledge of human nature. In less than a year after giving up his office as sheriff he died, in 1893, at the age of fifty-two years and three months. He was a stanch Republican, a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, and fra- ternally was connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the United Workmen.

At the age of fifteen Jolin Dennis embarked upon his business career as a clerk in Hillsboro, after which he removed to Tacoma, and in 1889 was employed as a clerk in the store in which he is now doing business, but which was then owned and managed by Perkins & Smith, who subse- quently went out of business. In September, 1900, Mr. Dennis started an independent business of his own, and carried a full line of groceries, boots and shoes, and general notions. In Hills- boro was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dennis and Esther Birdsell, a native of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and a member of a family long re- siding in the east. Mr. Dennis is a Republican. and is one of the enterprising and popular young business men of his adopted town.

DANIEL TALBOT. In the estimation of his friends and associates, Daniel Talbot, for many years an agriculturist of Multnomah county, earned the right to be numbered among the pro- gressive and broad-minded citizens of his adopted county. A pioneer of 1852 he came to this state when it was a wilderness and in the work of improvement he was ever found ready and willing to do his part. He lived to see Oregon take its place in the Union as one of the great common- wealths, and when he was called to his final re- ward the citizens with whom he was acquainted were called upon to mourn the loss of one who never shrank from performing the duties of good citizenship. A native of Millersburg, Bourbon county, Ky., he was born in 1819. and when quite young was taken by his parents to Missouri. where he lived until about eighteen years of

age. Not being content with the limitations of the farm, and wishing to make more money for himself to use in the support of the family, he went to St. Louis, where he secured a position in a dry-goods establishment.

Hearing much of the possibilities of Oregon he finally decided that the newer and less settled country would give him better opportunities for advancement and in 1852, accompanied by his mother, four sisters and one brother, also the wife of another brother, who died of cholera while en route, he started across the plains, rid- ing for almost the entire distance on horseback. To one who has never experienced the hard- ships of a journey across the plains in wagons and on horseback, little is known of what the pioneers endured. After months of weary trav- eling Oregon was finally reached and in the spring of 1853 Mr. Talbot settled on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is still in the possession of the family. It is one of the few original settlements that remains to-day as it was when taken up, intact. At the time of Mr. Tal- bot's settlement on this tract heavy timber cov- ered the land and no improvements had been made. A small clearing was made in which was erected a rude log cabin, and here a simple and frugal life was maintained until the expecta- tions of the pioneer were a little further towards realization. Acre after acre was placed under the plow and as time passed, the dense wilder- ness was replaced by well cultivated fields. Gen- eral farming and stock-raising were engaged in and through the good management and thrifty methods of Mr. Talbot he became one of the well-to-do farmers of Multnomah county. He made many friends in this new country and his family always had cause to be grateful for the intuition which directed his steps westward.

In 1883 Mr. Talbot was united in marriage with Miss Frances Cleveland, and of this union there were born two children: George C. and Daniel F., both of whom are living on the home place. Death, which is no respecter of persons, claimed as its victim Mr. Talbot five years after his marriage, as in March, 1888, he was called to his final reward. He was a man who cared nothing for publicity, preferring rather to spend all his leisure with his family. Public spirited, hie was always in favor of any movement cal- culated to be of benefit to hiis county or state. His efforts were rewarded with success, the natural result of industry and perseverance. Many years have passed since his death, but he is still remembered by all with whom he was acquainted as a man who would not stoop to clo a mean or dishonest act. Among his friends his word was always as good as his bond. It is to such men the present generation owes a debt that will never be paid, and too much cannot be

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said or done in their honor. They are the men that braved the trackless plains and dense wilder- ness and it is their industry that has placed Ore- gon in the van of many states much older.

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Talbot has remarried and is now Mrs. Frances Orewiler. She is still the owner of the one hundred and sixty acres which was entered by Mr. Talbot.

DAVID SINCLAIR STIMSON. Now re- tired from the active cares which have engrossed his attention for so many years David Sinclair Stimson is enjoying a well earned rest in the evening of his days, making his home in the city wherein much of his well directed life has been spent. When he first came to Portland, in 1852. there were only a moderate number of log cabins to mark the spot which was destined to be the site of one of the first cities of this western com- monwealth which was attracting so many men of judgment and business ability, who foresaw the future in the developed resources of such a country. One of these was Mr. Stimson, and he has indeed experienced a pioneer life among the early scenes here and it must be with gratifica- tion that he looks upon the work which the years have completed and knows that he has given the best of his efforts to the upbuilding of Ore- gon.

Mr. Stimson has in his character the qualities of three of the first nations of the earth, Amer- ican by birth, English ancestry on the paternal line and French on that of the mother, and no doubt these have balanced the talents and am- bitions of this hardy pioneer and have brought him to a successful termination of his career. A trait of the family is that of longevity, for though the mother died when Mr. Stimson was twenty-one years old, the father lived to be eighty-four. The children of the family were eight in number, only five of whom are now living, namely: Charles, who resides with his children on a farm in Minnesota; David Sin- clair, of this review, born in Limerick, Me., November 25, 1825: Jerry, who lived in Port- land for several years, but is now located in Brit- ish Columbia, where he was engaged in the con- struction of a railroad; Thomas J., a resident of Amity, Ore., who was a soldier in the Civil war. answering the first call for patriots; and George, who makes his home in New Jersey, unmarried.

It was in his native state that Mr. Stimson was reared and educated, attending the public schools of York county. He was trained especially in agricultural pursuits and in 1847, when twenty- two years of age. he went to Stillwater, Minn .. where he engaged in saw-milling, departing from his early instruction which is very often at fault in relation to the congeniality of the task set.

He remained in Minnesota, where Minneapolis now stands, until 1851, when he returned to his childhood's home, and March 17 of the same year sailed for California, arriving in June. He at once sought the mines and engaged in working them with varied success, for about a year, com- ing in 1852 to Portland, where he went to work rafting logs for a small mill. The following year the company failed and he then returned to Cal- ifornia and again began to mine. Levi Estes, his partner during his first mining experience, had also gone to Portland with him, and he con- tinued there after the failure of this milling com- pany, buying and rebuilding the mill, then send- ing for Mr. Stimson to return and take charge of the business. This he did and from heavy in- debtedness the business was placed on a sub- stantial basis and carried forward successfully for a number of years, Mr. Estes devoting his attention particularly to trafficking during this period. At a later period the two traded their first plant and bought the site of a mill which had just burned, there putting up a business on a large scale and continuing for two years in that location, in 1868 also bartering that for val- uable property in the city. In the position of manager Mr. Stimson remained with Mr. Holi- day for some time, finally withdrawing to become connected with Messrs. Estes, Holiday and Hal- sey in bulding the first horse street railway in Portland, and after the completion and operation of the same for about a year he withdrew his interests from this enterprise, and once more embarked in the milling business. As saw filer he remained with the company for twelve years, two mills having been consolidated, forming what was known as the Wilder mills. In 1892 he removed to Forest Grove, where he remained but a short time before again settling in Port- land, soon retiring to private life.

During his connection with Mr. Estes, Mr. Stimson had put up a great many houses in the city, thus aiding materially in the growth and 11pbuilding of Portland.

February 8, 1863, witnessed the marriage of Mr. Stimson and Miss Susan Elmira Watts, who was born in Missouri, February 1, 1844. She was a daughter of George J. Watts, who was a native of St. George, Me., born there July 7, 1798. The great-grandfather, William Watts, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, about 1700 and came to the United States about 1719 and settled in Massachusetts. His son, Samuel Watts, was the father of George J. He married first his cousin, Rachel Watts, who died in 1820, following this with a union with Eliza Farring- ton in 1833, her death occurring the next year, and the third and last marriage was with Jo- hanna Martin, who was born in Kentucky, Jan- 11ary 12, 1809, and died July 6. 1896, in their

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home near Portland. The death of her husband had occurred March 2, 1883. Four children had blessed this last union, one dying in infancy and the other two, besides Mrs. Stimson, being John M., unmarried, now making his home on the old homestead, and Lewis Wesley, who was born on the Snake river, while his parents were en route for the west, also making his home on the old place, with his wife and family.

George J. Watts was a carpenter and followed ship building, after the death of his second wife, locating in Missouri, where he engaged in the prosecution of his trade, combining farming in- terests on a small scale. He crossed the plains in 1847, coming by ox-teams to Fort Hall and Umatilla, sending his wife and children on a raft over the cascades and following with the teams, after a six months' journey arriving in Portland. This was then only a small village, made up of log cabins, but it was a relief to feel the tension of the long journey relaxed by the safety here presented, for though they had met with no par- ticular dangers, the Indians which they encoun- tered from time to time on the plains gave rise to harrowing thoughts. Mr. Watts had one of the donation land grants and he at once took up six hundred and forty acres located seven miles northwest of the city of Portland, having before him the formidable work of clearing the acres of solid timber for the harvest. He set to work and built a cabin as shelter for the family and later put up a frame house, which was destroyed by fire. In 1849 he took his family into the city of Portland, there leaving them while he jour- neyed to California in search of the gold so loud- ly proclaimed. After a successful sojourn there he returned to Oregon and settled again upon the farm, bringing his work to a high degree of excellence, improving and cultivating until he had one of the model farms of the neighborhood, though laboring under many disadvantages, among them being the fact that he had to travel to Vancouver for the greater part of his supplies. He was a man of solid worth, earnest and faith- ful in his work, and one upon whom all men could depend. He gave much help to the early enterprises of the city, one notable act being the hauling of the logs from the first site of the First Congregational Church at the corner of Second and Jefferson, when members of that congregation concluded to build. Politically Mr. Watts was a Republican, following up the prin- ciples of the early Whig party. His wife was a woman of unusual memory and in the last years of her life she gave great pleasure to the younger generation by retailing the history of the coun- try in pioneer days. The farm which became the property of the Watts family was divided among the children before the death of the father, Mrs. Stimson selling her share. These children all

received their education in the early subscrip- tion schools of the country.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stimson they made their home for eighteen years at the corner of Third and Jefferson streets, later mov- ing to West Park and Clay, but have since re- moved to No. 393 Harrison street, their present home. The children born to them are as fol- lows: William George, born in 1863, was dep- uty county clerk for seven years and in the em- ploy of Whittier & Fuller Paint Company for some time. He was married and had one daugh- ter, Bernice, who was educated in the public and high schools of this city. He died April 23, 1903. Elizabeth May married first Harry Stan- ley, of San Francisco, one child being born to them, Leota I., now living with her grandpar- ents. The mother became the wife of W. H. Street, who is engaged in the insurance business in Chicago, and their children are as follows: Margaret W., Susan M. and David P. The youngest child of the family is Harriet Ann, the wife of Stephen T. Dove, who live with Mr. and Mrs. Stimson ; they have no children. The old- est daughter was a graduate of the high school of this city. The family had made their home at Eleventh and Clay streets for some time, and there Mr. Stimson had built, but this property is now rented. In politics Mr. Stimson is an ad- herent of the principles of the Republican party, but beyond local affairs takes but little interest in political movements. He was one of the or- ganizers and a member of the old Volunteer Fire Company No. 4, and in memory of the early days of the country he belongs to the Old Pioneer Association of Portland. His wife is a member of the Unitarian Church.

ALBY R. SHANK. The second oldest of the five sons born to George W. and Mary C. (McEwen ) Shank, Alby R. Shank, one of the successful farmers of Clackamas county. was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 28, 1864. His father was born in Holmes county, Ohio, December 4, 1838, and in 1869 removed to Bar- ton county, Mo., where he bought forty acres of land, which he later sold, and removed to Crawford county, Kans., in 1879. In the latter state he became the possessor of eighty acres of land, which he sold in 1882 and located on fifty acres in Clackamas county, Ore. Subse- quently he homesteaded near Soda Springs, Clackamas county, and died on the paternal farm near Canby at the age of sixty-three years. Mr. Shank manifested his patriotism by enlist- ing in 1862 in Company B, Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He served under General Grant and at the battle of Vicksburg was wounded and cap-

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tured by the Confederates. He was first taken to Jackson, Miss., from there to New Orleans, and thence was shipped by water to New York for transfer, but on his arrival the war was over and he received his honorable discharge. His wife, who now resides in Oregon City, was born in the east, a daughter of Franklin McEwen, who died at the age of seventy-two years.

Equipped with a common school education ac- quired in Missouri and Kansas, Alby R. Shank engaged in farming after coming to Oregon in 1882. For several years he rented land, but with the proceeds of his labor finally bought thirty acres upon which he has built a residence and barns, and placed under a high state of culti- vation. He is engaged in raising principally potatoes, grain and general commodities, and be- sides has a small but productive orchard. He has married since coming to Clackamas county, Luella M. Frost, who was born in Illinois, and whose father, Elam Frost, was born in Ohio. Mr. Frost came to California via the Horn in 1869, and from there to Portland, and soon after bought five hundred acres of land upon which his death occurred in January, 1898. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shank, Ernest and Earl, both of whom are living with their parents. Mr. Shank is an active Republican and has served as supervisor of the county for one term. He is deeply interested in promoting educational matters in his home district, and has held various positions on the school board. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Artisans So- ciety, and in religion is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. Mr. Shank is a broad- minded and progressive member of the com- munity of Clackamas county, and his character is such as to win the respect and appreciation of all who know him.

EBEN W. JOHNSON. Since 1901 a suc- cessful little mercantile business has been con- ducted in Sherwood by E. W. Johnson, who thoroughly understands his preferred occupation, and displays much tact and consideration in sup- plying the needs of his constantly increasing trade. A native of the state of Nebraska. Mr. Johnson was born September 12, 1871, his father, Oromel, having been born in Vermont.

Oromel Johnson removed from Vermont to Nebraska when a young man, and there applied his trade of carpenter and builder, and at the same time operated a farm on a comparatively large scale. He married Mary A. Hays, who died in Oregon in 1887. The elder Johnson re- moved his family to Oregon in 1874, having pre- vionsly taken a trip to the coast to investigate the prospects of settlement among the less tried op- portunities of the west. After a year's residence

in Portland he came to Sherwood, which is still his home, and where he is living a retired life. Of the children born to himself and wife Olin, E. W. and Sarah J. live in Sherwood, while Amy, now Mrs. Earl Montgomery, lives in Spokane, Wash.

Until 1896 E. W. Johnson lived at home with his parents, and then spent a year in Montana, and one in eastern Oregon. Not finding any place that he liked better than Sherwood he returned here in 1901, and as before stated has since be- come one of the foremost merchants of the town. A Republican in politics, he has greatly interested himself in local political affairs, and has served as constable four years. Fraternally he is as- sociated with the United Artisans, the Woodmen of the World, and the Modern Brotherhood of America, of which last named lodge he has been president. He is one of the progressive and en- terprising members of the younger generation of this town, and bids fair to firmly establish himself in the business world of Washington county.

THEODORE F. BOWLBY. Three and one- half miles from Hillsboro in Washington county lies a finely-improved farm of four hundred and forty acres, which was the center of Mr. Bowlby's activities for some years before his death, No- vember 19, 1895, and on which, since that time, his wife has taken charge of the stock-raising and dairy interest. Mr. Bowlby was born near Cin- cinnati, Ohio, June 29, 1845, and at an early age accompanied his parents, Wilson and Lydia Ball (Jones) Bowlby, from Ohio to Indiana, and in 1852 made the trip across the plains with ox teams, spending six months in the journey. After a short time in Portland, the year 1853 found him in Washington county, where he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres. The land was heavily timbered and bar- ren of any improvements whatever. His first task was to build a log cabin as a shelter from the weather, and as soon as that was done he set about the more difficult labor of clearing the land of its dense growth of brush and trees. Seasons came and went, crops were planted and har- vested, and a neat little sum came to reward the efforts of the painstaking pioneer.

During 1860 Dr. Wilson Bowlby began to practice medicine in Forest Grove, and in con- nection therewith he also conducted a drug store in that town. Business and professional interests engaged his attention during all the subsequent years of his active life, and he did not relinquish his practice until shortly before his life came to an end. Meanwhile, he was also conspicuous in public affairs, and his talents led to his selection as the occupant of various important offices, among them being those of member of the state

James M. Jmacy

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legislature, member of the state senate and as collector of internal revenue. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons and Odd Fellows, while in religion he held membership in the Methodist Church. After seventy-eight useful years, he passed away in 1895, leaving behind him the memory of a well-spent and upright life, and a career made memorable by many events of importance in legislative halls, in church and edu- cational work, and in the general affairs of his county.

The marriage of Theodore F. Bowlby was sol- emnized February 12, 1866, and united him with Sophia A. Adams, who was born in Springfield, Ill., and in 1852 came to Oregon with her par- ents, Calvin and Catherine ( Bartlett) Adams. The long journey was made with ox teams and consumed six months, at the expiration of which they landed at Brownsville, Ore., and took up a tract of land. Mrs. Bowlby was reared at Brownsville and Hillsboro, with one year's resi- dence at Walla Walla, Wash., afterward accom- panying her husband to their new home in Washington county. They became the parents of the following-named children : Wilson, Charles H., Emily M., wife of William Pitman, of Hillsboro, Theodore P., Randolph, Fred H., Bert, George L., Lois, and Stella.

HON. JAMES M. TRACY, SR. From Scotch-Irish and Dutch ancestors Hon. James M. Tracy, Sr., large land owner and represen- tative citizen of Logan, Clackamas county, in- lierits the thrift that is begotten of industry, the positive purpose that is born of moral motive, and the vigorous mentality that is nurtured and strengthened by upright living. A native of Ellisburg, Jefferson county, N. Y., he was born February 25, 1841, his grandfather, Caleb B. Tracy, having settled in Jefferson county long

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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 60

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