Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 65

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 65

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RICHARD PRICE. It may be said that to adverse conditions Richard Price owes all that his years have brought him, for they have served to bring out the strong and salient points in his character and have imbued him with the energy and determination which grows from opposition. His life began in Montgomeryshire, Wales, De- cember 24, 1835, his parents being Matthew and Mary Price, the latter of whom died when this son was only a lad, while the father lived to be over seventy years old. He grew to manhood upon the paternal farm, receiving his education in private schools in north Wales, and remain- ing at home until attaining his majority. Being of an adventurous spirit, he then left home and country, sailing from Liverpool on the John Bright, May 30, 1856, and arriving in New York City, July 7, of the same year, when he at once proceeded to Columbus, Ohio. He was there engaged as a valet for the period of a year, when he received an appointment as warden in an insane asylum, where he remained a like time Eager to see more of the country which he had chosen for his own he then made a trip to Kansas, but shortly returned to Ohio and took up his old position, in which he remained for two years. In 1860 he went to New Orleans, where he began to work at painting, but in response

to the first call for volunteers in the coming struggle between the north and south he enlisted in Company G, Third Regiment Ohio Infantry, under the command of Capt. O T. Turner. He was mustered in April 18, 1861, and discharged August 15, of the same year, his period of ser- vice having been for only three months, during which time he was employed in guarding railroads.

Returning to Columbus, Mr. Price formed a partnership with a Mr. Jones in the milling busi- ness and they continued successfully together until 1863, when he concluded to try his fortunes in California. Disposing of his interests, he came to Stockton, via Nicaragua, and was there ap- pointed as warden in an insane asylum, in which position he remained a year. Interested in the mining prospects of the west, he then went to Idaho and for a short time engaged in that occu- pation, but foreseeing and appreciating the many difficulties that lay in the uncertain fortunes of a miner he desisted from that work and coming to Oregon, made this his home for some time. For a month he remained at The Dalles, then came to Portland, thence to Oregon City, where he worked in the quarry which furnished rock for the foundation of the woolen mills there. In the fall of 1864 he returned to California and was again induced to take up the life of a miner, locating in Placer county, where he mined at Dutch Flat throughout the winter. An acci- dent deterred him from continuing in this work, and in the spring of 1865 he came to Portland and secured a position in a private asylum. Here he remained four years, having charge of the farm connected with the institution.

September 10, 1868, Mr. Price was united in marriage with Miss Eunice Jane Quimby, who was born in Illinois. May 5, 1847, the daughter of E. L. Quimby, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. After his marriage Mr. Price purchased forty-five acres of land on Hawthorne avenue, covered with valuable tim- ber, and after clearing he sold thirty-eight acres which is now laid off in city lots. Upon the six and a half acres which he retained he raised hay and potatoes and did much teaming besides his farm work. He brought the first mowing machine to the east side, and was the first man who cut the trail from Thirty-ninth street east. which has since become Hawthorne avenue. He built his home in 1870 and later added to the residence and has also made other valuable im- provements upon his property. To himself and wife have been born five children, of whom Eben D. is unmarried and makes his home with his parents. He was engaged for a time in the gro- cery business. James M. died at the age of twelve years; Mary, a graduate of the Portland high school, is unmarried and makes her home

JOHN F. BROETJE.

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with her parents; Richard W. is married and makes his home in Hartline, Wash., where he is employed in a general store; and Margaret J., the wife of Jesse D. Bollam, has one son, Richard E., and she makes her home with her parents. All were educated in the public schools, and the youngest son was a soldier in Company E, Sec- ond Oregon, in 1898, and went to Manila with his company. In politics Mr. Price is a Republi- can, and religiously adheres to the faith of a Christian Scientist. Fraternally he is a member of Orient Lodge, I. O. O. F., of East Portland, having become an Odd Fellow in Wales when lie was eighteen years old, and afterward joined in Columbus.

JOHN F. BROETJE. One of the first to hew a way through the wilderness, and make a place for the erection of the little town of Oak Grove, was John F. Broetje, around whom clus- ter many pioneer memories, and to whom is at- tributed much worth while endeavor. Mr. Broetje was born in Oldenburg, Germany, March 1, 1833, his father, Anton Gerhard, hav- ing been born in the same part of the empire in 1782. The father was a gardener and farmer during his entire active life, and died in his na- tive land at the age of seventy-four years. The mother of John F. Broetje was formerly Mary Gesche Muller, also born in Germany, and who lived to the unusual age of ninety years. Of her six sons and two daughters, seven grew to maturity, John F. being the youngest in the family.

While being reared on the paternal farm Jolin F. Broetje attended the public schools in Ger- many, and at the age of twenty-one, in 1854. crossed the ocean and settled in Springfield, Ill., where he worked at blacksmithing and lock- smithing for a short time. Afterward he secured a position as porter in the capitol building at Springfield, and during this time saw much of the feverish activity centered there before the culmination of hostilities in the Civil war. Thie gaunt and tall figure of the great emancipator was a familiar one in the halls of the capitol, and from his more humble position the porter watched him with ever renewing interest. In 1860 Mr. Broetje removed to southern Illinois and engaged in farming near Belleville, and there also was inaugurated his first educational work, in which he subsequently engaged for thirteen years, his longest stay in any one locality being eight years. He was a popular and capable teacher, and recalls with great satisfaction this particular epoch in his life work.

In 1880 Mr. Broetje came to Oregon and lo- cated at Mount Tabor, where he opened up a floral establishment, and managed to work up a

large and profitable trade. This continued to be his home for ten years, and in 1890 he came to Oak Grove, invested extensively in town real- estate, and eventually lost very heavily on the same because of the general hard times. Never- theless, it was his mind that first conceived the idea of the town, and his was one of the most fertile and resourceful in planning for its sub- sequent development. He must be mentioned particularly in connection with grape culture in Clackamas county, for he is the pioneer agitator of this branch of industry, and has done much to interest others in it. In fact he is the first to grow grapes in this part of the state, and his observations have been intelligently placed be- fore the public in well written articles in the Oregonian, as well as submitted in written form to the state agricultural department. At present Mr. Broetje is living with his son, Julius, who is engaged in a large and successful business as florist, and in partnership with whom he is engaged in raising all kinds of ornamental trees, shrubs, and the high class flowers in demand among floriculturists. A market is found in Oregon City and Portland, and many plants and flowers are imported from the flower centers of Europe and the Orient, especially from Japan, the land par excellence of the floriculturist. Floriculture in its most advanced form has also been exploited by Mr. Broetje through the me- dium of his expressive and facile pen, and no one thinks or describes more charmingly upon sub- jects of interest to all lovers of the true and beautiful in nature.

In Springfield, Ill., Mr. Broetje married Au- gusta Schuchardt, born in Illinois, a daughter of Fred Schuchardt, who came from Saxony, Ger- many, in 1832. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Broetje, viz. : Fred G. and Anton G., gardeners and fruit raisers of Mount Tabor ; John H., in the same business in Oak Grove ; Julius, head of the hothouse of Oak Grove; Anna, now Mrs. Emial Bertschinger : and Sophia, the wife of Jacob Ott, of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Broetje is a Republican in national politics, and has actively maintained the principles and issues of his party ever since the beginning of his vot- ing days. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN H. BROETJE. One of the paying and interesting country enterprises of the vicinity of Oak Grove is the sixteen acre fruit farm of John H. Broetje, who is keenly alive to the merits of his chosen occupation, and has a wide under- standing of all things horticultural and floricul- tural. Various fruits are brought to their best development under the care of Mr. Broetje, in-

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cluding grapes, berries, and many other decidu- ous fruits. Also, he has a little nursery stock for sale, and, taken all in all, his means of liveli- hood is pleasant, constantly improving, and financially satisfactory.

In St. Clair county, Ill., Mr. Broetje gained his first impressions of life and work, he having been born there July 13, 1864. As his name im- plies, he is of German ancestry, and his father, John F. Broetje, was born in Oldenburg, Ger- many, March 1, 1833. The paternal grand- father, Anton Gerhard Broetje, was born in the Fatherland in 1782 and devoted his entire active life to farming and gardening. John F. Broetje came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, selecting Springfield, Ill., as a desirable place of residence. Here he learned the trades of locksmith and blacksmith, and finally became porter of the capitol building at Springfield, with which he was connected during the admin- istration of Abraham Lincoln, and of several succeeding presidents. Later Mr. Broetje en- gaged in farming in southern Illinois, and after- ward combined the occupations of farming and school teaching for thirteen years, one district alone profiting by his educational work for the long term of eight years. At Mount Tabor. Ore .. Mr. Broetje conducted a very successful floral enterprise for several years, and in 1890 located in Oak Grove, where he subsequently lost heavily upon somewhat ambitious land purchas- ing. He was one of the first to dispel the wil- derness with which he found himself surrounded, and was one of those who paved the way for the erection of this prosperous little town. A broad minded and cultured gentleman, he has mater- ially advanced many lines of industry in the county, and has been especially industrious in promoting the grape culture here represented.

At Oak Grove, Ore., John H. Broetje was united in marriage with Elizabeth King, who was born in Switzerland, and came to America in 1890. Orlie King was a man of affairs in his country. being engaged in surveying and contracting for big ditches, tiling and work of a similar nature. He died in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Broetje have one child. Dora, who is living at home. Mr. Broetje is a wide-awake and enterprising member of the community, is fraternally identified with the Modern Brother- hood of America, and is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Re- publican. The products from his little farm are known all over this locality, and are especial- ly prized in the markets of Portland.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON MYERS. One of the most interesting of the personalities which have risen to develop the resources of

the west, to participate in the deprivation and danger incident to the early unsettled conditions, and to leave the impress of their vigorous strengthi upon many activities here centered, is William Henry Harrison Myers, at present living a re- tired life in Forest Grove, and formerly one of the most daring and self-sacrificing Indian fight- ers of the northwest.

Of German ancestry, Mr. Myers, familiarly known to his friends as "Buck" Myers, was born in Howard county, Mo., March 13, 1830. his grandfather, John. having come from Ger- many when a young man, settling in Kentucky. but removing to Missouri in 1818. He was one of the very early pioneers of Howard county. and met a tragic death at the hands of the Indians in a battle in 1827. In this same fight was the father of Col. Benjamin Cornelius of Oregon, and the son of Mr. Myers, John W., the father of William Henry, was shot through the shoulder. John W. Myers was born in Kentucky, and when a boy removed with his parents to Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of law for many years. He improved a farm in Howard county, but the last years of his life were spent in Boone county, of the same state, where his death occurred in 1851. Through his marriage with Elizabeth Adams, of Kentucky, he became identified with that celebrated family which has enrolled among its members two presidents of the United States. John Adams, the father of Mrs. Myers, was born in Virginia, and settled in Missouri in 1818. There were five children in the family of John W. Myers, of whom James R. died in Indian Territory in October. 1900. at the age of seventy-three : William Henry Har- rison : Annie, widow of Henry Guerin of Howard county. Mo .: Araminta, who died in Missouri; and Dr. John T., a practicing physician of Peters- burg, Ill.

As may be well imagined, the early opportuni- ties of W. H. H. Myers on the Missouri farm were of a very meagre description, and education necessarily played an inconsequent part. Never- theless, he recalls the long walks to the nearest log schoolhouse, with its paper windows and crude furnishings, attendance at which he was premitted during the leisure of the winter months. With the passing of years his educational chances were materially broadened, and he attended Col- umbia college for a short time. His father dying in 1851, he had little to keep him in any one place. and the bright reports from the coast fired his enthusiasm in that direction. Accord- ingly he set out across the plains in the spring of '52. his means of locomotion being ox-teams. and he also had with him a drove of cattle. The course was by the way of Plattsville, Sweetwater, Cal., up the trail to Stockton, and by steamer to Portland, and the little party met with many ex-

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periences of a trying nature. Cholera infested the camp, and Mr. Myers himself was afflicted with sore eyes to such an extent that he was glad to pay at the rate of $1 a piece for potatoes with which to make a poultice.

On Sauvie's Island Mr. Myers engaged in raising vegetables, which were then a prized commodity, at the same time making his home with a cousin, and during the first winter he paid for his board by getting out logs from the pineries. His ability to teach school stood him in good stead during the early years of his resi- dence in Oregon, and after leaving the island he taught a little school near Reedville, Washing- ton county. The breaking out of the Rogue River Indian war enlisted his sympathies to such an extent that he gave up the school he was teaching at Corvallis and enlisted for service in the company commanded by Capt. James W. and Lieut. L. F. Grover. When the treaty of peace was signed he again turned his attention to teaching in Salem during the winter of 1853-54. and in the summer of the latter year took charge of a school at Hillsboro. In the fall he went to the mines of Colville, and while thus employed the Yakima Indian war broke out. In an effort to break the power of the Indians in that region Mr. Myers helped to organize Com- pany D, First Regiment of Mounted Volunteers, of which he was elected second lieutenant, Thomas Cornelius being captain of the regiment. A most harrowing description might be given of the efforts of this heroic little band to put down the conflict, and overcome the power of the red men. An additional cause for trouble was the reluctance with which the volunteers ac- companied the expedition, and which entailed no small amount of work for Lieutenant Myers and Colonel Cornelius in order to promote a friendly feeling and continue the work designed. The amount of supplies provided these heroic vol- unteers was pitiful, and in the extremity of their need they were obliged to resort to the flesh of their horses. One of the saddest memories which visits Mr. Myers from time to time is that of sacrificing his beautiful little grav mare, of which he was very fond, and with which he would have parted under no other conditions than those of saving the lives of his comrades. Reluctantly he removed the saddle from his dumb companion of many journeys, and it is doubtful if, in the intervening years, he has ever failed to recall the doleful incident when seeing other beauti- ful gray mares. The sacrifices of the volunteers had its compensations in the end, for the Indians were overcome. and a treaty of peace signed. An item worthy of mention during this cam- paign is the fact that Mr. Myers cut the first horse steak eaten by Colonel Kelly, afterward a United States senator. It was in connection

with this war that Mr. Myers distinguished him- self by great bravery. With two companions he was sent through the Indian country to Lewis- ton to collect a number of horses, with orders to be gone not longer than ten days, and not to return with less than thirty-five Indians for guard. After collecting the horses the Indians tried in every way to prevent their passage, but the brave men made a dash for liberty and suc- ceeded in reaching the camp on Mill creek, a distance of ninety miles, where re-inforcements were awaiting them. For this deed of daring Mr. Myers was heartily commended.

Sometime after the Yakima war Mr. Myers was ordered by the governor of the state to or- ganize a company of rangers, and he went on a campaign east of the mountains to drive the Indians out of that part of the country. The Mounted Rangers were mustered out the same fall, and thereafter Mr. Myers returned to Hills- boro, where he engaged in mining, teaching and stock-raising. In 1857 he returned to his former home in Missouri for the first time since leaving it, and upon again reaching the west by way of the plains to Stockton, Cal., and from there by steamer to Oregon, settled on a ranch in Washington county. In 1863, in Washington county, he was united in marriage with Mary Jane Scott, daughter of Samuel Scott. and sister of Judge Scott of Portland. Of this union there have been born the following children: Mary Jane, living at home; Anna, formerly principal of the Sumpter school, and now Mrs. Sorenson of Sumpter. Ore. ; Frances D., a teacher ; Frank S., a commercial traveler of Portland ; and Cath- erine, an educator. The year 1887 was a sorrow- ful year for the family of Mr. Myers, for the faithful wife and mother, cultured, intellectual. and companionable, died, leaving many sorrow- ing friends besides her immediate family.

In 1885, Mr. Myers sold the farm in Wash- ington county upon which he had engaged in general farming, stock and fruit raising for so many years, and took up his residence in Forest Grove, the better to educate his children. Here he has taken an important part in the general affairs of the town, although from a business standpoint he is retired from active labor. He is well known in politics, and has filled many offices of trust and responsibility. Mr. Myers was deputy sheriff under William Reeves, and has been a member of the school board, a mem- ber and president of the council. He has been a candidate for the legislature and senate on several occasions, but being in the Democratic or minority party was not elected. In nearly every session of the state legislature Mr. Myers has rendered effective service as a lobbyist. and has turned his attention to maintaining a high order of legislation, repeatedly denouncing cor-

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ruption in the legislative halls. He is an ex- member of the Democratic state committee, and ex-chairman of the county committee, having served in the latter capacity a number of times. Mr. Myers is a member of the Pioneer Associa- tion; the State Historical Society; the Indian War Veterans, of which he was county command- er ; and the Grange. Mr. Myers is one of the ster- ling personalities which have invaded the great northwest, and his well ordained and well exe- cuted career is viewed with pride by all apprecia- tors of a fine and well rounded life.

DANIEL RIEMAN. For many years identi- fied with the lumber interests of the city of Port- land, Daniel Rieman has come to be known as one of the important factors in the industrial life and material advancement of the community, through business sagacity and far sightedness bringing his part of the work to a high standard of excellence. He has been a resident of Oregon since the fall of 1862, having at that date com- pleted the passage of the continent, from his birthplace near Gettysburg, Adams county. Pa., to his present residence upon the Pacific coast.

The father of Daniel Rieman, Jonathan, was one of the early settlers of Illinois, having in 1854 located in Hancock county, where his death occurred at the age of sixty-five years. Of a numerous family only three children are now liv- ing : Daniel, of this review, born March 7, 1832; Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob Ernest. of Nebraska ; and Milton, a carpenter of Portland, having set- tled in this city in 1882. David, another brother, was a soldier in an Illinois regiment, serving three years in the Civil war, and came to Port- land in the same year in which Milton sought a home here, dying in 1895, aged fifty-six years. Jonathan died in Illinois in 1899. at the age of seventy years. Daniel Rieman was the third son and child and in his Pennsylvania home he was educated in subscription schools. He remained at home until after the removal to Illinois, when he engaged in employment for himself. becoming interested in both farming and saw milling. In 1860 he decided to make his home still farther in the west, making the journey to Colorado, where he located forty miles west of Denver, in Nevada Gulch, remaining in that place for two years. At the close of that period he outfitted for the continuance of the journey to the Pacific coast, from Denver to Deer Lodge valley traveling by ox-team, and after disposing of his outfit secured another composed of horses and wagons with which they traveled to Walla Walla, Wash. At that point the party with whom he traveled were (lisposed to scatter to the various places of interest and they therefore disposed of their stock and general outfit and parted company. Mr. Rieman

came to the city of Portland, which then consisted of a town of about four thousand inhabitants, remaining but a short time, however, when he proceeded to Oswego, Clackamas county, and engaged in business with John Trullinger. This partnership continued from 1865 to 1868, when he entered the lumber business in Portland, con- tinuing alone until 1877, when a joint stock com- pany was formed, consisting of ex-Governor Pennover, M. S. Burrell, John F. Coyne, John Schurer and Daniel Rieman. For almost every year of his continuance in the work Mr. Rieman served as president of this company. The com- pany purchased the mill of Knapp & Burrell and operated the same for twenty-two years, Mr. Rie- man and Mr. Pennoyer eventually purchasing the interests of the others and conducting the busi- ness alone. Mr. Rieman has accumulated quite a large amount of property in this city, owning besides the dwelling where he makes his home, and which he erected in 1879, and several resi- dences which he rents. When he built his pres- ent home it was the only house in the block.

Mr. Rieman was married near Astoria, Clatsop county, Ore., in 1878, his wife being formerly Miss Harriet M. Wirt, who was born in Clatsop plains in 1852. the daughter of Augustus C. Wirt. who came to Oregon in 1844. He came origin- ally from York county, Pa., locating first in lowa, and later settling upon the property where he now makes his home. He is now eighty-nine years old, while his wife, Susan M. ( Kimball) Wirt, is seventy-two. Mr. Wirt was a tailor by trade and followed this in Iowa, but when he came west he engaged in mining, first in Califor- nia, where he met with success, investing his re- turns in his present property. Besides Mrs. Rie- man they have the following children : Andrew, living in Washington ; Philip, of Clatsop county ; Anna, the wife of J. K. Stevens: John, in As- toria : Omer, in Clatsop county; and Olive, the wife of C. A. McGuire, of Clatsop. All but the first named of the children were born in Oregon and educated in subscription schools. Norris, a brother of Mrs. Rieman, taught in a district school, having taken up a donation land claim in his efforts to find a location where he would be free from the ague. Many have been the changes in the lives of these two old people. early settlers of the wilderness country, and who have trav- eled together fifty-five years, bearing the priva- tions, hardships and dangers of their pioneer lot for the sake of the future which should follow. Mrs. Wirt is a survivor of the fearful Whitman massacre of 1847.

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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 65

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